MOUNTAINBIKE TERMINOLOGY

Pronounced “one by.” A drivetrain with 1 gear up front (at the crankset) and multiple gears on the back wheel. 

Pronounced “two by.” A drivetrain with 2 gears up front (at the crankset) and multiple gears on the back wheel. 

Pronounced “three by.” A drivetrain with 3 gears up front (at the crankset) and multiple gears on the back wheel 

Typically refers to 26 inch diameter wheels, which is the classic mountain bike wheel size. Bikes with 26-inch wheels may be referred to as 26ers. 

Pronounced “twenty-seven and a half “Typically refers to 27.5-inch diameter wheels—also knowns as 650b. 

Pronounced “twenty-seven and a half plus” Refers to 27.5-inch wheels with plus-sized (2.8″ or larger) tires. 

Typically refers to 29 inch diameter wheels. Bikes with 29-inch wheels may be referred to as 29ers. Some riders who are critical of the larger (newer) wheel size, may snidely criticize a 29er’s wheels by calling them “wagon wheels“. 

 Refers to 29-inch wheels with plus-sized (2.8″ or larger) tires. 

The technical term for 27.5 inch mountain bike wheels. See 27.5 

 Round rocks on the trail the size of…well…baby heads. 

To jump off your bike to avoid a more serious crash. Always remember that bikes can always be repaired or replaced, so dump the bike and save yourself when necessary. 

The abrasion left behind when you graze your hand, arm, or leg against a tree at high speed. 

A banked corner formed out of the natural soil that can be ridden much faster and more smoothly than a flat corner, but takes a little extra skill to navigate correctly and efficiently. Berms are a very common trail feature. 

A banked corner formed out of the natural soil that can be ridden much faster and more smoothly than a flat corner, but takes a little extra skill to navigate correctly and efficiently. Berms are a very common trail feature. 

 To wipeout. 

A person addicted to cycling. They can’t control how often they think or talk about riding their bike(s). 

A man-made surface such as a bridge that is constructed of wood and meant to literally bridge a gap that may otherwise be unrideable or unsafe for the average rider. Some boardwalks are used to level out severely off-camber sections of trail, or to simply provide and interesting break in what may be an otherwise tame or boring section.  

To race down a trail (typically a sketch downhill) as fast as possible with little regard for the consequences. “Dude, I totally bombed that run! I need to check my Strava.” 

Can refer to either a huge jump or a purpose-built structure designed to jump you up to a higher segment of the trail. 

The place on the bike where the crankset connects to the frame, allowing it to rotate freely. The bottom bracket contains the spindle to which the crankset attaches, and the greased bearings that allow the cranks to rotate while pedaling. 

Bike Shaped Object. A cheap bike designed to look like a mountain bike that you’d typically find at a big box store or supermarket. These bikes are not recommended for actual off-road use. 

Often a confusing term, riding clipless actually means that a rider’s shoes are actually clipped into their pedals. Some riders call this clipped, or clipped-in. The confusing nature of the term goes back to the days when some riders actually had toe clip cages that surrounded the rider’s foot which were very hard to get out of quickly. Modern clipless cleats and pedals allow riders to release their feet quickly—usually with a simple twisting motion. 

Some trail riders carry CO2 inflators in their bike bag in case they need to quickly air up their tires while out on the trail—especially after a burp or other major air pressure loss. CO2 inflators can air up a tire much more quickly than a frame pump, but are typically only good for one or two uses before the CO2 cartridge must be replaced. 

The handlebars, stems, and everything attached to them. The place where the rider controls the bike with their hands. 

To keep at least one finger—typically the index finger—on the brake levers at all times. 

 Brake levers. “Brakes? You mean coward levers” 

 The portion of the crankset that connects the pedals to the spindle. 

 The portion of a bicycle drivetrain that consists of the spindle, one or more chain rings (sprockets), and the crank arm. 

Exactly what it sounds like: a place along the trail where said trail crosses a creek. Creek crossings may be wet or dry, depending on current weather conditions. 

Similar to chunder or chatter, crunchy is often used to describe a trail that is covered in loose rocks which make the ride more technical and treacherous. 

To slide into a turn, bank, or berm in such a way that you kick up a good amount of dust and dirt as you catch your rear wheel on the bank. 

A form of bicycle racing that typically takes place in the fall or winter upon courses that feature a mixture of singletrack, grass, pavement, steep hills, and man made obstacles that often require the rider to quickly dismount and carry their bike over the obstruction before remounting and continuing on two wheel. Cyclocross bikes are similar to road racing bikes in that their lightweight, have narrow tires, and drop handlebars. These bikes also share similarities with mountain bikes by using knobby tires, disc brakes, lower gearing, and stronger frames. Cyclocross is a form of racing that draws both road-centric and mountain biking-centric riders. 

A bike mechanic or cycling friend who knows pretty much everything about repairing or setting up bicycles. A specialist who can help you with your bike. 

Shifting to a lower gear. 

A downwards-facing slope designed for building speed. These are normally found after a jump. 

A technical trail feature where the trail’s elevation abruptly changes at a steep enough angle so that your front tire cannot easily roll down to the lower elevation. 

Collectively, the front cranks, chain, derailleurs, and rear cassette on a bike. Like the transmission in a car, your bike won’t go very far without a drivetrain. 

Getting left behind on a group ride because you’re either slower than the pack, crash, or have a mechanical issue. A cool group of riders won’t leave you behind if you’ve crashed or have trouble. If they do, you need to find better friends. However, getting dropped because you’re slow may be their way of pushing you to get faster. 

 A seat post capable of being raised or lowered while riding by pressing a lever. 

What a mountain biker may yell when beginning their descent into a steeply angled section of singletrack while other riders are around. 

The place on a bike frame where the rear wheel’s axle slides into place. Combined with quick release skewers, a dropout allows the rear wheel to be removed without derailing the  

Another name for a full suspension, or dual suspension, bicycle—one which has both a front and rear suspension. This is typically a non-US term. 

A full suspension bicycle—one with both front and rear suspension. 

Generally refers to anyone of the male gender, but in MTB terms it can often be a term of endearment granted only to the closest of riding buddies.“I love riding singletrack with my dudes.”