Bike Terms ????

[darth vadar]

Apologies if this has been discussed elsewhere, but having recently taken up cycling and joining the Forum, I have found it a bit difficult to understand some of the terminology and language that is used from time to time.

Being a bit thick, it took me a while to work out LBS but I got there in the end, but some buzz words and phrases have me totally confused (which isn't difficult I might add!)

Is there a simple glossary of cycling terms so a thicko like me can understand?

I have also started watching some of the cycling on TV as well which looks fab, but sadly I understand hardly any of it and the commentators never seem to explain things in simple terms so a numpty like me can understand and learn.

Thank you.

 

[Will1985]

There is a handy sticky at the top of the Beginners board - this will cover the basics. You may have to ask about specific racing terms.

EDIT: Not as handy as I remember it

 

[Beardie]

Of couse you will find jargon in any specialist field of activity. It is necessary to describe objects, actions, etc, only found in that field. Otherwise, everything has to be described 'longhand' and the language gets very unwieldy.

For the same reason, any sports commentary relies on jargon, to enable the commentators to keep up with the action. You can't expect them to explain everything in plain speech each time as this would become very tedious to those who watch regularly. They're not trying to exclude you; make the effort to find out what the terms mean and all will become clear.

The best way of doing this is probably to visit the website of the race (or any race; they all use the same terminology) and there should be a link to a glossary or a beginners' page or something.

 

[Beardie]

By the way, all this self-deprecating stuff about being a 'thicko' or a 'numpty' gets a bit annoying. Or is that just me?

 

[redddraggon]

I have also started watching some of the cycling on TV as well which looks fab, but sadly I understand hardly any of it and the commentators never seem to explain things in simple terms so a numpty like me can understand and learn.

When you watch football on TV do the commentators ever explain the offside rule

 

[zimzum42]

http://sheldonbrown.com/glossary.html

 

[Moodyman]

A lot of the terms you see on this forum are unique to Cycle Chat members. They're not pure cycling terms.

Other terms you see are general web chat shorthands - i.e. +1 - another one or I agree.

 

[xpc316e]

I am currently reading 'Tour De France For Dummies'; I bought it from Amazon so that I can more fully understand the TdF. I can thoroughly recommend it, and have no doubt that it will increase the pleasure of watching the Tour from my armchair.

 

[jimboalee]

I am currently reading 'Tour De France For Dummies'; I bought it from Amazon so that I can more fully understand the TdF. I can thoroughly recommend it, and have no doubt that it will increase the pleasure of watching the Tour from my armchair.

There are some things even the best books don't explain ( or understand, or know themselves ).

When you watch the TdF, watch out for a rider turning round and giving a 'V' sign.

This means "I have two bidons, and I'm not giving one to you".

 

[Ludwig]

Sandbagging, sticky bottle syndrome, on the rivit etc are all terms you must learn the meaning of before you can call yourselves real bike riders

 

[zimzum42]

Make sure you know all about saddle sniffing too....

 

[swee'pea99]

Sandbagging, sticky bottle syndrome, on the rivit etc are all terms you must learn the meaning of before you can call yourselves real bike riders

Do wot John?

One I hadn't come across till coming here was BSO, which means Bike Shaped Object. Ie, something purporting to be a bike, available at Argos/Tesco/Toys R Us for £69.99.

 

[perplexed]

One of my favourites for the T de F: "Magic spanner..."

 

[Matty]

And by snobs this bracket extends to anything costing less than £500.