1+1

Often used by single-speed riders to describe their gear setup. One gear in the rear and one in the front.

1X

Describes a bike with only one chainring in front.

2X or 3X

Describes a bike with two or three chainrings.

A-Frame

A span built to help riders navigate over obstacles (like a tree). A fundamental riding position for when the trail is flat or non-technical. A good neutral position allows the rider to move into an attack position quickly.

Air

Air happens when you get both wheels off the ground as a result of a jump or a drop-off.

Alien

A complimentary term for riders whose endurance doesn't seem to be humanly possible.

All-mountain

Typically a bike that can handle all-purpose trails and obstacles. Also can be a race format that includes a wide variety of obstacles and technical skills.

Apex (clipping point)

The apex is the geometric center of a turn that allows the rider to take the straightest line through the turn while maintaining high speed.

Armor

Trail covered by hard materials for erosion (bricks, concrete, rocks, etc.). Also, protection for riders, such as knee/elbow pads, etc.

Attack Position

A fundamental skill in mountain biking. The attack position is the body position a rider should have when entering into unknown and technical sections of the trail. It is characterized by bent knees, butt above the saddle, bent elbows, and a raised head.

Baby Heads

Large round rocks on the trail.

Baggies

Loose clothing is worn when riding.

Bail

Leaping off the bike to avoid a more serious crash. Best done into a soft pile of leaves at the side of a trail.

Bandit trail

A trail built on someone else's property, usually without permission and illegally.

Bark Tattoo

A mountain biking term for an abrasion is when you graze a tree at high speed.

Bead (tire)

The edge of a tire that connects (mechanically with pressure) to the wheel. When inflated, this keeps the tire attached to the rim.

Berm

A banked corner or artificial ridge to help riders take turns at higher speeds.

Biff

Wipeout (crash)

Boardwalk

A construction (or "feature) made to bridge areas typically unsafe or un-ridable by most riders.

Bomb

To speed down a downhill trail as fast as possible with disregard for the results.

Bonk (ed, ing)

When a rider runs out of energy.

Boost

A spacing standard for rear axles that extends the axle wider and allows engineers to push the rear wheel closer to the frame. Boost axles are typically much stiffer.

Booter

A large jump that requires a lot of commitment.

Bottom Bracket

On a bike, the bottom bracket is where the crankset connects to the frame, and the pedals rotate.

Brake Jacking

When descending a steep technical run, the rear brake causes the rear suspension to stay over-compressed.

Brake modulation

Brake modulation allows for brake power to be applied slowly, as opposed to more abrupt on/off power or feeling.

Brap

A mountain biking term for the sound of knobby mountain bike tires on the trail. (Also the sound of a two-stroke dirt bike)

BSO

Bike Shaped Object. A cheap bike that looks like a mountain bike but has no real off-road use. A cheap bike designed to look like a mountain bike that would have no real off-road use. Often bought from a department store.

Bunny Hop

A fundamental technique to clear "features" (roots, rocks, etc...) While riding. Riders literally "hop" the bike over the obstacle.

Burp

Some tires are "tubeless" (much like modern car tires), and a burp is when the tire parts from the rim. It sounds like a burp and includes a dramatic loss of tire pressure.

Cadence

A rider's pedaling rate, or basically the number of rotations of the crank (pedaling) per time.

Camber

 Refers to the angle or pitch of a trail.

Carbon fiber

High-tech materials are used in lightweight mountain bike construction. Much like fiberglass in construction. Carbon fiber is magnitudes stronger.

Chain Ring

The front cog that connects the chain to the cranks.

Chain suck

When your chain is jammed, typically with the frame.

Chain Tattoo

That greasy stain left on a rider's leg after touching the chain while riding.

Chainstay

A part of the bike that connects your bottom bracket to your rear axle.

Chamois or "shammy"

A liner in bike shorts that pads your private areas on the seat and helps prevent chafing.

Chatter

A mountain biking term for a section of trail with loose rocks. Also, when the rear wheel chatters while braking downhill.

Chunder

Rocks, roots, and technical features that make a trail bumpy.

Chute

Steep, narrow, and straight section of trail.

Clean

To ride through a section without crashing, stopping, or taking your feet off of the pedals.

Clipless

Old-style toe straps held a racer's foot into a basket or clip – thus the term clipped-in. Once the strap is tightened, it is virtually impossible to get out. New pedals are clipless because your foot snaps onto the pedal and are easy to twist out of.

Clown Bike

A bike with 29" wheels.

Cockpit

Area a rider uses to control the bike - handlebars, stems, and everything attached. Also called the perch.

Contact Patch

The surface area of a tire's contact with the ground.

Cover

To lightly keep a finger (or two) on the brakes at all times. As in, covering your brakes.

Coward levers

Brake levers.

Crank

The part of the crankset that connects the pedals to the spindle (more simply, the arms connecting the pedals).

Crankset

The parts of a bicycle drivetrain including the spindle, chainrings, and crank arm.

Cross-Country ("XC")

Cross-country is a discipline of riding (and racing) that covers various types of terrain, typically "single track" and includes uphill, downhill, and technical segments. In a race, it's timed from beginning to end, usually +5 miles.

Crunchy

Typically a trail covered with loose rocks (and somewhat more technically challenging).

Cutty

To slide into a turn and kick up dust and dirt.

Cyclocross

A mix of road and mountain bike racing on a mix of surfaces (pavement and dirt).

Cycologist

A bike mechanic or rider who knows mostly everything about repairing or setting up bicycles.

Cycolopath

Someone who enjoys cycling-induced pain and suffering.

Dab

To take a foot off of your pedal and lightly touch the ground to keep from crashing.

Danger Noodle

A snake.

Derailleur

The mechanical arm on the back of the bike that moves the bike chain between cogs, or basically changes gears. Depending on the bike, there can be front and rear derailleurs.

Dialed (or dialed-in)

Either when a bike is perfectly set up or when a rider is doing very well on a trail.

Ditch

Either a ditch or "bailing" from a bike to avoid injury.

Dope

Awesome. Good.

Dork disk

Plastic disk that sits in between the spokes and the biggest sprocket on the cassette.

Double

A gap jump (a jump with space in between that a rider must clear).

Doubletrack

Two side-by-side trails, or often a road upon which riders can ride side-by-side.

Downhill

A mountain bike discipline of riding literally downhill on steep descents, rough terrain and over features such as rocks, drops, and technical obstacles.

Downshift

Shifting to a lower gear.

Downside

A downwards-facing slope that allows you to gain extra speed. It will normally be after a jump.

Drift

When a bike slides, or drifts as momentum pulls the rider to the outside of the corner - especially on loose or wet terrain.

Drivetrain

The front cranks, chain, derailleurs, and rear cassette on a bike.

Drop

When the trail abruptly changes to a steep enough angle that you cannot easily (or not at all) roll down to the lower elevation.

Dropout

On a bike frame, the place where a wheel's axle slides in and out (for removing the wheels).

Dropper (or Dropper Post)

A seat post that's raised or lowered by pressing a lever.

Dropping In

A rider's call (and warning) to other riders that they're beginning a descent onto the trail.

Dual suspension (dualie)

A full suspension bike with both front and rear suspension.

Dude (or Dood)

A common and endearing term among mountain bikers, typically American. While traditionally used among guys, it's now almost universal among both guy and girl riders.

Edit

A short film showcasing the talents of a rider or riders

Endo

When the rider crashes and goes over the handlebars.

Enduro

Another primary mountain bike discipline and race format. In a typical enduro race, only the downhill sections are timed, while the uphill or more transit cross-country sections are not.

Face Slappers

Tree and bush branches that have overgrown the trail and slap you as you ride.

Fat Bike (Fattie)

A bike with tires usually 3 inches wide or wider.

Feathering

A braking technique when a rider modulates their pressure on a brake lever to control speed (as opposed to stopping).

Fire Road

A rural road built for purposes of fire control and remote park access.

Flat cornering

Navigating a corner without a bank or berm.

Flow

The trail nirvana. A feeling all mountain bikers seek where one obstacle melds into another just perfectly. You know it when you've found it.

Fork

 The part of the bicycle that holds the front wheel.

Front Triangle

The part of the frame - the top tube, down tube, and seat tube—that form a triangle.

Full suspension

A mountain bike with suspension on both the front and rear wheels.

Gap (Gap Jump)

A jump constructed with a space, or gap, between the takeoff and landing that the rider must clear (safely).

Gassed

Exhausted.

Gear Smasher

Someone that rides in too high of a gear and they have to mash the pedals. Inefficient and excessively slow pedal cadence.

Geometry

The basic shape of the bike frames and angles between the major components. A bike's geometry affects performance.

Gnar

A difficult trail or trail features.

Gnar-Gnar

Very difficult trail or trail features.

Gnarly

Trails or features that are difficult, dangerous, and challenging.

Granny Gear

The easiest gear on a bicycle.

Gravel Grind

Long gravel roads.

Grease the brakes

When an over-zealous rider (or parent) splashes chain oil on the brakes or rims. Grease only belongs inside the bearings.

Greenway

A wide, flat trail in which there is little to no elevation change, and no technical obstacles.

Grom

A young mountain biker, typically under the age of sixteen.

Grunt

A very difficult climb.

Hanger

A metal attachment between the rear axle and the derailleur.

Hardtail

No rear suspension

Head Tube

A part of the frame where the front fork steering tube is mounted to the bike.

Hero Dirt

When the soil is the perfect consistency for riding, especially "just right" between moist and dry.

Hip

A hip jump is a type of jump that transfers you from one side of the trail to the other, or forces you to change direction.

Huck

To ride a large jump, drop or trail section with questionable features and without regard for the consequences.

Huck and Hope

To Huck and hope for the best.

IBD

Independent bicycle dealer

IMBA

The international mountain biking association.

Involuntary dismount

A crash or un-intended dismount, sometimes call a get-off.

JRA

Just riding around.

Jump

A jump, when the bike leaves the ground on a feature and goes airborne.

Kicker

A steep jump that give massive air time. It can also refer to a jump that leads to a part of the trail with a higher elevation.

Kick-out

A bunny hop (trick or flair) where the rider will kick out the back wheel to the side.

Klunker

 An old mountain bike that has been kept in somewhat ridable condition.

Knobby Tires

Off-road tires with deep treads or protrusions to increase traction.

KOM

King of the Mountain. A guy who has the fastest time recorded on Strava on a particular segment.

Ladder Bridge

A boardwalk section that changes in elevation.

LBS

Local Bike Shop. Your go-to place for any repairs, upgrades or just a nice chat about bikes.

Lid

Helmet.

Line

A chosen path through a particular trail section.

Lip

The edge of a takeoff or landing

Loam

A specific type of loose, dry dirt. Loam is desirable for its grippy characteristics and the ability to create roost.

Lockout

Locking out the suspension.

Log Ride

A feature where a rider rides along the top of a log.

Log Roll / Pile

A pile of logs constructed into a ramp or A-frame type shape that can be ridden over.

Loose

(1) trail conditions in which there is loose gravel or rock sitting over hard-packed soil. (2) to ride hard, fast and stylish, and with a higher chance of crashing.

MAMIL

Middle-aged Man in Lycra.

Manual (wheelie)

Lifting the front wheel off the ground while in motion and staying in motion to maintain momentum and balance.

MTB

Short for Mountain Bike

Mud Diving

Occurs when a bike slows abruptly in mud, throwing the rider into the mud.

Neutral Position

Balancing your weight equally over the front and rear wheels.

Northshore

Raised wooden board walks. This is named after the North Shore of Vancouver from whence this style of riding came.

Off-Camber

An off-camber segment of trail, describes a section where the outside edge of the trail is lower than the inside edge.

OTB

Over the bars. A crash in which the rider is sent over their bike's handlebars.

Over-cook

To carry too much speed into an obstacle or a turn.

Pimp

Extremely nice mountain bikes or components.

Pinch Flat (snakebite)

Pinch flats happen when a bike is using inner tubes, and the tube gets pinched between the wheel rim and the tire and punctures the tube. A pinch flat can create two small holes in the tube a that resembles a snakebite.

Pinned

To ride very fast.

Pivots

These are the moving bearings that allow the rear suspension to travel freely up and down.

Plus size

Can refer to tires (or bike with plus size tires) with a width of 2.8-inches and 3.25-inches.

Poach

To ride a trail in an unauthorized manner. Typically using private trail without paying an entrance fee, without the land manager's knowledge and permission, or when restricted for use.

Presta Valve

The type of value typically found on high-pressure road and most mountain bike inner tubes. Presta valves are longer and about half as wide as the car-tire-style Schrader valves. Unlike a Schrader valve, which uses a check valve that allows airflow in only one direction, a Presta valve seals based on the pressure in the tube or tire.

PSI

The amount of air pressure in a bike's tube or tire measured in Pounds per Square Inch.

Pump

A technique that allows you to gain speed without pedaling. A tool for inflating tires. Short for Arm Pump, where your forearms get tired when riding at a high level.

Pump Track

A dirt track or off-road surface track consists of a loop of banked turns and roller coaster-type features designed to be ridden by pumping rather than pedaling to gain and control speed.

QOM

Queen of the Mountain. A female who has the fastest time recorded on Strava on a particular segment. Also see KOM

Quick Release (QR)

A mechanism used to attack a wheel to a bicycle frame.

Racing Stripe

When mud is flung up your back by your rear tire by riding on a muddy section of trail.

RAD, "radical"

If something is rad it is considered much better than something that is simply cool or awesome.

Rail

To ride a corner so well it is as if you are "on rails."

Ratchet

A pedaling technique in which your pedal with partial strokes in order to clear obstacles where a full pedal stokes isn't possible.

Reach

The horizontal distance between the center of the head tube and a vertical line that runs down through the center of the bottom bracket – how far you reach to grap the bars.

Rear triangle

The part of a bike frame that connects the rear wheel to the main part of the frame.

Rigid

A bike without front or back suspension.

Rock Garden

A section of trail covered with rocks.

Rock Roll

A large boulder or rock face that can be smoothly descended without either wheel losing contact with the ground.

Roller Coaster

A section of trail with several short ups and downs where the rider feels like they're riding a roller coaster.

Roost

Dirt that is kicked up behind a rider as they ride sideways into a corner. You can also roost a rider behind you.

Rooster tail

When water flies off your back tire while riding a wet surface.

Rotational velocity (angular velocity)

The amount of rotation that a spinning wheel undergoes per unit time. Simply, a larger tire is harder to accelerate.

Saddle

A bike's seat.

SAG

The amount your suspension compresses under your weight.

Schrader valve

The type of tire air valve found on automobiles, children's bicycles and most entry-level mountain bikes.

Scrub

A motocross technique used to keep low and fast over a jump. A technique to slow your speed and regain traction.

Sealant

Liquid chemical concoctions that help seal tubeless tires to the rim and seals small punctures in the tires.

Seat Stay

The part of a bike frame that connects the seat tube to the rear wheel.

Send it (or sent it)

To ride a trail aggressively, particularly a difficult section. To go for it.

Session

To repeatedly practice riding a particular technical trail feature or difficult segment until you can ride it cleanly.

Shralp

To ride in an aggressive manner. Allowing the rear wheel to slide without braking. It's a cross between shredding the trail and ripping it.

Shred

To ride a trail at a high skill level, or to ride a trail very fast. Also, to go ride and have fun.

Sick

Good – usually applies to a trail that is new to you.

Single-Speed

A mountain bike with only one gear.

Singletrack

The most common type of mountain bike trail, so called because it is narrow and much be ridden single file.

Sketchy

May refer to a section of trail that was particularly difficult, but due to conditions outside that particular trail's not ideal. Sketchy also refers to features that are rickety, old, feels or looks unsafe.

Skid

Locking up your wheel, which typically means you're losing control.

Skinny

A man-made feature, typically made of wood, that is extremely narrow—not much wider than the width of the average mountain bike's tires.

Slack

Describes a head tube angle where the front fork is raked outward, closer toward parallel with the ground. A longer angle or more slack head angle helps a bike track straight. Slack for downhill, steep for cross-country.

Sled

A general term for a mountain bike, either hardtail or full-suspension

Slop

The side-to-side wear of the bike chain that leads to slow, inconsistent shifting.

Snake Bite

A puncture gained by hitting a square edge. It leaves two parallel holes similar to a snake's fangs

Standover clearance

The distance measured from the ground to the top of a bike's top tube. Most riders look for 2 to 4 inches of clearance between the top tube and their crotch when standing over the bike.

Steel

Bikes constructed of steel (versus aluminum or carbon).

Steezy

Riding in such a way that it looks effortless, stylish, and elegant.

Step-down

A feature on a trail where the rider jumps down to a lower elevation from a higher section of the trail. A jump where the landing is lower than the takeoff.

Step-up

A type of jump that sends a rider up from a lower section of trail to a higher elevation. A jump where the landing is higher than the takeoff.

Stoked

Excited.

Stomp (ed)

To successfully land a trick or run – often a very, very difficult one – from great height, without flaw.

Stoppie

Essentially a reverse wheelie where the front brake is carefully applied and the back wheel is lifted so that the bike is ridden only on the front wheel.

Strava

Popular GPS tracking service used by road and off-road mountain bikers alike.

Switchback

Switchbacks zig-zag the riders up the hill through a series of S-curves.

Tabletop

A jump with a flat layer of dirt across the top. This is thought to be safer than a double or gap jump.

Taco

When a wheel has been bent by an impact to the extent that it looks like a taco.

Technical Feature (TTF, Technical Trail Feature)

Any feature on a trail in which the trail is no longer flat, offers additional challenges to the rider or requires additional skill to navigate properly. Such technical trail features include drops, rock gardens, berms, and jumps.

Teeter-Totter

A type of boardwalk where a biker rides up one side of the apparatus, and their weight on the far end causes it to dip back down to the ground.

Tomahawk

When a rider goes flying and somersaulting through the air after a crash.

Trackstand

A fundamental skill when a rider maintains their balance on their bike while standing up on the pedals and either keeping the bike stationary or only moving around very little.

Trail dog

A dog you bring to the trail to run ahead, behind, or alongside you as you ride.

Travel

The distance from the bottom of your suspension's stroke to the top of the stroke.

Tree Gate

A technical trail feature where two or more trees have grown very close together, and the trail path flows directly between those trees.

Tubeless

Setting up a bike's wheels to run without the use of an inner tube.

Unicycle

A bike with only one wheel. Yes, there are mountain bike unicycles!

Upshift

Shifting into a higher gear.

Vintage Steel

Older bikes (often from the early days of MTB) made of steel.

Wallride

A wooden technical trail feature built at a very steep angle—almost perpendicular to the trail surface—in which a rider can treat like a berm.

Wash out

When a bike's wheels completely lose traction and slide laterally out from under you.

Weight-weenie

A rider who is more concerned with how much minuscule weight a certain component saves off the bike's total weight than with how to be a better rider.

Wheelbase

The measurement of the distance from the center of a bike's rear wheel to center of the front wheel.

Wheelie

Lifting the front wheel off of the ground while pedaling.

Whip

When the bike is pushed sideways in the air. A whip is seen as a stylish maneuver.

Whip

A trick performed during a jump while the bike is in midair. The rider stylishly pushes the bike sideways in the air and then whips the rear wheel back in line before making contact with the ground.

Wipeout

A particularly spectacular crash.

Wonky

When something on your bike is not working properly or feels wrong.

XC

Cross-country.

Yard Sale

When a rider crashes, and all of their stuff—water bottles, nutrition, backpack, seat bag, etc.—goes everywhere.

Zone

When the flow is so good and your riding is so great, if feels  perfect.