Alloy - it makes frames and rims lighter and stronger
Bar ends - extensions to the handlebars
Big ring - the largest of the front chainwheels
Butted tubes -either double or triple - frame tubing which has walls which go thin at the centre to reduce weight
Cadence - the speed at which you pedal, aim for 80-100 rpm
Cleats - the mechanism that is screwed to the sole of the shoe to fit clipless pedals
Clipless pedals - your shoe is attached to the pedal with cleats Computer measures your speed, distance travelled, cadence etc
Cro-mo (chromoly) - short for chrome-molybdenum. This is high tensile, steel alloy used for making cycle frames Granny ring the smallest of the chainwheels
Groupset - collective term for all the main components of the bicycle
Halogen - a very bright, white light
Honking - not what you think! - the term used for pedalling out of the saddle when going up hill, sprinting, or just to stretch your legs
Knobblies - the term given to deep tread tyres often found on mountain bikes
LED light emiting diode - a small but very bright light
Pannier bags - cycle luggage which attaches to the bike rack
Pilot (or captain) - the rider on the front of a tandem
Presta valve - the long thin valve found on road, touring and hybrid bikes
Quick release (QR) - skewers a means of tightening and releasing a wheel quickly
Schraeder valve - the fat valve, mainly found on mountain bikes
Semi-slicks - tyres with partial or shallow tread found on hybrid, touring and citybikes
Slicks sticky - tyres with no tread Shifter gear changing lever
Snell - the 'Snell Foundation' carries out safety tests on helmets
SPD 'Shimano Pedalling Dynamics' - Shimano's term for its clipless pedals
SPUD's - slang term for SPD's
Stoker - the person on the back of the tandem Twist shift method of changing gear by twisting part of the grip on
Wheelbase - the dial axles
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