This cycling glossary explains the terms and slang you will hear most on group rides, in races and in bike shops, from racing words like peloton, domestique and echelon to bike parts like cassette and derailleur and everyday slang like bonk and half wheeling. Knowing the language helps new riders follow race coverage, communicate safely in a group and talk confidently with mechanics. Terms can vary slightly between countries and communities, but the definitions below reflect common usage in English speaking cycling.
Quick reference: the most common terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Peloton | The main group of riders in a race |
| Breakaway | Riders who attack and ride ahead of the peloton |
| Drafting | Riding closely behind another rider to save energy |
| Domestique | A rider who works for the team leader |
| GC | General classification, the overall standings in a stage race |
| Cadence | How fast you pedal, in revolutions per minute |
| Cassette | The cluster of rear gears |
| Derailleur | The mechanism that moves the chain between gears |
| Bonk | Running out of energy on a ride |
| Clipless pedals | Pedals that lock onto cleats on your shoes |
Racing terms
Peloton: the main group of riders in a race, riding close together to save energy by drafting.
Breakaway: one or more riders who attack and ride ahead of the peloton, hoping to stay away to the finish.
Chase group: riders trying to catch a breakaway or bridge the gap between groups.
Domestique: a rider whose job is to support the team leader by fetching bottles, setting pace and protecting them from wind.
Echelon: a diagonal line of riders formed in a crosswind so each rider gets shelter from the one beside them.
Attack: a sudden acceleration intended to get away from other riders.
Lead-out: teammates riding at high speed in front of their sprinter to deliver them to the final meters.
GC (general classification): the overall standings in a stage race, based on total time.
KOM and QOM: King or Queen of the Mountains, the best climber classification in a race, also used for the fastest time on a climb in ride tracking apps.
Grand Tour: one of the three major three week stage races, the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España.
Classics: prestigious one day races, many held in spring in Belgium, France and Italy.
Time cut: the time limit within which riders must finish a stage to stay in the race.
Sag wagon or broom wagon: the vehicle that follows the race to pick up riders who abandon.
Palmarès: a rider’s list of career victories and major results.
Bike parts and equipment
Chainring: the front gear or gears attached to the crankset.
Cassette: the cluster of gears on the rear wheel.
Derailleur: the mechanism that moves the chain between gears, found at the front and rear.
Groupset: the set of components that includes shifters, brakes, derailleurs, crankset and cassette.
Drops: the lower, curved part of road handlebars, used for speed and sprinting.
Hoods: the rubber covers over the brake and shift levers where riders often rest their hands.
Clipless pedals: pedals that lock onto cleats on cycling shoes, confusingly named because they replaced older toe clips.
Tubeless tires: tires that seal to the rim without an inner tube, usually with sealant inside to plug small punctures.
Power meter: a device that measures the rider’s output in watts.
Training and riding terms
Cadence: pedaling speed in revolutions per minute.
FTP (functional threshold power): an estimate of the highest power a rider can sustain for about an hour, often used to set training zones.
Intervals: repeated efforts at a set intensity with rest between them.
Base miles: long, steady rides that build aerobic endurance.
Paceline: a line of riders taking turns at the front to share the work of breaking the wind.
Pull: a turn at the front of a group or paceline.
Sitting in: staying in the draft without taking turns at the front.
Slang and expressions
Bonk: suddenly running out of energy, usually from not eating enough on a long ride.
Half wheeling: riding slightly ahead of the person beside you, which pushes the pace and is considered poor etiquette.
Hammer: to ride very hard.
Chain gang: a fast, organized group training ride, often in a rotating paceline.
Fred: gentle slang for an inexperienced or unconventional rider, best used kindly if at all.
Road rash: skin abrasions from a crash.
Dropped: left behind by the group.
Wheelsucker: a rider who sits in the draft and never takes a turn.
Group ride calls and signals
Group rides depend on clear communication. Common calls include car back, meaning a vehicle is approaching from behind; car up, meaning one is coming from the front; slowing or stopping, warning riders behind to brake; and hole or gravel, pointing out hazards on the road. Riders also use hand signals, such as pointing down at potholes, a flat hand held low and moved up and down to indicate slowing, and an arm extended to show a turn. Calls and signals are passed back through the group so everyone behind knows what is coming. Local groups may use slightly different words, so ask before your first ride.
Mountain bike and gravel terms
Singletrack: a narrow trail wide enough for one bike at a time.
Berm: a banked turn that helps riders carry speed through corners.
Dropper post: a seatpost that can be lowered while riding for better control on descents.
Hardtail: a mountain bike with front suspension but no rear suspension.
Full suspension: a mountain bike with both front and rear suspension.
Gravel bike: a drop bar bike with wider tires designed for mixed road and unpaved surfaces.
Rock garden: a section of trail covered in rocks that requires careful line choice.
Switchback: a sharp turn on a trail that zigzags up or down a steep slope.
Flow trail: a smooth, rolling trail with berms and small jumps designed to keep riders moving with minimal pedaling.
Track cycling terms
Velodrome: a banked oval track built for bike racing.
Keirin: a sprint race in which riders follow a pacing motorbike before sprinting to the finish.
Madison: a team relay race where partners take turns racing, often exchanging with a hand sling.
How to learn cycling terms quickly
- Watch race coverage. Commentators use racing terms constantly, which helps you learn them in context.
- Join a group ride. Ask experienced riders what calls and signals they use.
- Learn your bike. Ask your mechanic to point out components during a service.
- Use a glossary. Keep a list like this one handy and review it after rides.
- Practice the calls. Say common group ride calls like car back, slowing and hole out loud when riding.
Common mistakes with cycling terminology
- Confusing clipless pedals with flat pedals because of the name.
- Mixing up the chainring and the cassette.
- Using slang that might offend newer riders.
- Assuming every group uses the same hand signals and calls.
- Calling any group of riders a peloton, when the term usually refers to the main group in a race.
Frequently asked questions
What does peloton mean in cycling?
The peloton is the main group of riders in a race, riding close together to save energy by drafting.
What is a domestique?
A team rider whose job is to help the team leader win by setting pace, fetching bottles and sheltering them from the wind.
Why are clipless pedals called clipless?
Because they replaced older toe clips and straps. The shoes still attach to the pedals using cleats.
