If you’ve recently gotten into mountain biking, one of the fastest ways you can connect with other riders and improve your mountain biking skills is by knowing mountain biking terminology. Instead of feeling confused in a conversation or struggling to describe a part you need to a technician, you can review our guide to the primary bike terms to ensure you always know what other mountain biking enthusiasts are talking about.
Bike Anatomy and Gear Terms and Definitions
If you’re interested in purchasing a mountain bike or want to talk to other riders about their bike’s setup, you should know a few key bike anatomy terms first. With these terms in your back pocket, you’ll be able to confidently talk about your bike’s parts and better evaluate a bike you might be interested in buying.
Below, you can find definitions for the most commonly used bike anatomy and gear terms:
Bike & MTB Glossary
Bead (Tire)
The edge of a tire that fits into the rim to create a secure seal. Tires with wire beads use steel wires for strength and rigidity, while folding bead tires are lighter and use more flexible materials like Kevlar, allowing them to be folded for storage.
Bottom Bracket
The part of the bike where the crankset attaches to the frame and the pedals rotate. It's essential for power transfer from the rider to the bike.
Brake
The part of the bike that helps you slow down and stop. Rim brakes are more cost-effective and excel in dry conditions, while disc brakes offer improved performance and stopping power, especially in muddy or wet environments.
Chainring
The chainring is a toothed circular component attached to the crankset that engages with the chain to transfer pedaling power to the rear wheel. Chainrings come in various sizes, affecting the bike's gear ratios and pedaling efficiency.
Chainstay
The section of the bike frame that connects the bottom bracket to the rear axle, playing a crucial role in the bike's overall stability and handling.
Clipless Pedals
Pedals that secure the rider’s shoes with a clip system, providing better power transfer and control. Despite the name (the term “clipless” was originally used to distinguish these pedals from older pedals that used toe clip systems), clipless pedals "clip in” to a rider’s cleats.
Cockpit
The area of the bike that includes the handlebars, stem, grips, and controls, where the rider interacts with the bike for steering and control.
Crankset
A set of crank arms, chainrings, and a bottom bracket that connect the chainrings to the pedals. This component is the main power transfer mechanism, using the force from your legs to turn the chain and transfer energy to a bike’s rear wheel.
Derailleur
A mechanical or electronic gear-shifting device that moves the chain between different gears, consisting of a rear derailleur, which shifts the chain across the cassette, and a front derailleur, which moves it between chainrings on the crankset.
Dropper Post
A seatpost with adjustable height that allows riders to raise or lower the saddle on the fly using a remote lever, improving control on technical descents.
Flat Pedal
Flat pedals feature a platform without any cleat attachments. They’re the “standard’ bike pedal and allow bikers to ride their bike with regular shoes rather than specialized biking cleats.
Frame
The main structural component of the bike, typically made from materials like steel, aluminum, or carbon fiber, forming the backbone and determining the bike's shape and strength.
Front Fork
The component of a bicycle that holds the front wheel and connects it to the bike frame, allowing the rider to steer and absorb impacts from the ground. Its primary role is to support the front wheel and enable steering, while also contributing to comfort and handling by managing impacts and forces during riding.
Full-Suspension (Full-Squish)
A mountain bike with suspension in both the front fork and rear shock, designed to absorb impacts from rough terrain, improving comfort and control on technical trails.
Gear
Your bike’s gears refer to a mechanism that lets you change the amount of resistance while you pedal, helping you navigate different terrains at various speeds. If you have a bike with grip shifters, you’ll twist the shifter to change the gears, and if you have a trigger shifter, you’ll pull or push it.
Granny Gear
The smallest chainring on a mountain bike, typically used for climbing steep terrain. It makes pedaling easier on challenging inclines.
Grips
Rubber or foam coverings on the handlebars that provide comfort and a secure grip for the rider's hands, reducing fatigue and improving control.
Hardtail
A type of mountain bike that features suspension in the front fork only, without rear suspension, making it lighter and more efficient for smooth trails.
Head Tube
A vertical tube of the bike frame that connects the top tube to the down tube, housing the headset and allowing the front fork to turn for steering.
Head Tube Angle
The angle formed between the head tube and the ground, affecting how the bike handles. Steeper angles are responsive, while slacker angles offer more stability.
Hanger
A derailleur hanger is a small, replaceable metal or alloy component that connects the rear derailleur to the bike frame, positioned at the rear dropout to ensure precise alignment for accurate shifting. It is designed to bend or break under impact, acting as a sacrificial component to protect the derailleur and frame from damage.
Pedals
The part of the bike where the rider places their feet, available in platform (flat) or clipless styles, depending on the type of riding.
Saddle
The seat of the bike, providing support for the rider, often adjustable for comfort and performance during long rides or technical terrain.
Shock
The rear suspension component of a full-suspension bike, designed to absorb impacts from rough terrain and improve comfort and control.
Sag
The amount a suspension compresses under the rider's weight, which helps optimize the bike's suspension performance and comfort.
Travel
The amount a suspension fork or shock compresses, typically measured in millimeters (mm), indicating how much impact the suspension can absorb.
Tubeless
A tire setup that eliminates the need for inner tubes, reducing the risk of punctures and allowing lower tire pressures for better traction and comfort.
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Trail & Terrain Terms and Definitions
When you’re talking to another biker about a trail or reading up on the terrain of your next ride, you’ll likely come across the following terms:
Trail Glossary
Berm
A banked turn on a trail, built up around the outer edge to support riders as they corner. Berms are designed to help maintain speed through tight turns without losing traction, allowing riders to lean into the corner with more control.
Singletrack
A trail wide enough for one bike. Singletracks tend to be the most common type of mountain biking trail.
Doubletrack
Two parallel lines of trail, often resembling a dirt road. These trails are wider than singletrack and can accommodate multiple riders side by side. They’re typically used for less technical terrain and often created by off-road vehicles like ATVs.
Flow Trail
A smooth, rolling trail with berms and rollers designed for speed and rhythm. These trails are designed for minimal braking and pedaling, enabling riders to maintain a constant flow while navigating downhill or undulating terrain.
Hike-a-Bike
When the terrain is too steep or technical to ride uphill, riders may need to dismount and walk their bike. “Hike-a bike” refers to this act of carrying or walking your bike over unridable terrain.
Line
The path a rider chooses through a section of trail or obstacle. A good line maximizes speed, control, and efficiency while avoiding obstacles that could slow the rider down or cause a crash.
Loam
Soft, rich dirt that's ideal for traction. Loamy soil provides a grippy surface, making it easier for riders to navigate through corners and obstacles with good control, especially in wet or muddy conditions.
Off-Camber
A section of trail that tilts sideways across the slope of the hill, causing the bike to lean unnaturally. This leaning reduces the bike's contact surface with the ground, making it harder to maintain traction and increasing the difficulty of maintaining control.
Pump / Rhythm Section
An undulating part of the trail with a series of bumps designed to be "pumped" through to generate speed without pedaling. Riders use their body movements to absorb and release energy from the terrain, allowing them to maintain or increase speed.
Rock Garden
A section of trail filled with rocks of varying sizes. Riders must carefully choose their line through the rocks to avoid punctures and maintain speed. These sections require skill and precision to navigate smoothly.
Sendy
A term used when a rider commits to a large jump, drop, or feature, typically requiring confidence and skill. Being "sendy" means taking on a feature aggressively, without hesitation.
Switchback
A tight 180° turn on a climb or descent that helps manage the slope of the trail. Switchbacks are common on steep trails and allow riders to navigate sharp corners without losing too much elevation or speed.
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Mountain Biking Trail Ratings
Knowing what different trail ratings mean is essential for mountain bikers, as you don’t want to suddenly end up on a trail that doesn’t fit your skill level or preferences. The trail ratings used in the United States can be found below:
Trail Difficulty Ratings
Green Circle – Easy
Accessible trails with mild challenges for newer riders. These trails feature a wider path, grades up to 15%, and occasional small obstacles, helping riders build confidence and foundational skills.
Blue Square – Intermediate
Intermediate terrain that requires more balance and focus, with grades often exceeding 15% and obstacles up to 8". These trails may include narrow bridges and technical features, offering riders a chance to hone their skills.
Black Diamond – Difficult
Advanced trails that are steep and rough, requiring strong technical skills. Expect loose rocks, abrupt elevation changes, and obstacles up to 15" with challenging technical features, suitable only for skilled riders.
Double Black Diamond – Extremely Difficult
Expert-only terrain with steep grades over 20% and unpredictable, technical features. These trails have narrow paths, significant obstacles, and demanding sections, meant only for fully confident, experienced riders.
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Skills & Riding Moves
Interested in adding some tricks and specialized moves to your mountain biking skillset? Check out some of the most common mountain biking riding moves below:
Riding Techniques
Bunny Hop
Jumping both wheels off the ground by loading (compressing) then explosively unweighting the bike. Used to clear roots, rocks, and small gaps.
Cornering
Leaning the bike (more than the body), looking through the turn, and weighting the outside pedal to maximize grip and carry speed.
Drop
A feature where the trail ends abruptly and the landing is lower than the takeoff.
Feathering the Brakes
Light, controlled braking to fine-tune speed and maintain traction without locking wheels.
Gap Jump
A jump with empty space between the lip and the landing that must be fully cleared; casing the gap (when you land on the edge of the landing, coming up short on your jump) can be hazardous.
Manual
Lifting the front wheel and balancing without pedaling. Riders control balance with hips, arms, and light rear-brake modulation.
Pump
Gaining speed without pedaling by pressing into the backsides of rollers/berms and unweighting over crests.
Preload
Briefly compressing suspension/tires before a lip or obstacle to store energy and “pop” higher or farther.
Tabletop
A jump with a flat deck between takeoff and landing; more forgiving if you come up short.
Trackstand
Balancing in place on your bike without forward motion. Also called a standstill, this technique allows cyclists to remain upright on their bike while it's stationary, preventing the need to put their foot on the ground for stability.
Wheelie
Lifting the front wheel while pedaling. Cadence and body position keep the front end up as you move forward.
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Rider Slang & Culture
Want to sound more like you’ve been a part of the mountain biking community for years? You’ll want to update your vocabulary with the following mountain biking slang:
MTB Slang & Common Terms
Bail
Intentionally ditching the bike to avoid a crash or lessen its impact.
Bonk
A sudden energy crash from depleted glycogen (a form of glucose that regulates blood sugar levels), leaving you weak until you refuel.
Chunder
Loose rocks and trail debris that make a line bumpy and technical.
Endo
An advanced skill that refers to applying the front brake while you shift your body weight forward, causing the rear wheel to lift.
Full Send
Hitting a jump or line with 100% commitment—no holding back.
Gnarly (Gnar)
Very rough, difficult, or dangerous terrain/lines.
Hero Dirt
Perfectly moist, grippy soil that delivers predictable traction.
Over the Bars (OTB)
A crash where the rider is pitched forward over the handlebars.
PR (Personal Record)
Personal Record—your fastest time on a particular route.
Session
Repeating a section or feature to practice line choice and technique.
Shred
To ride with speed, skill, and style.
Sketchy
Unstable or unpredictable terrain or features that feel risky.
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Event & Ride Types
If you’d like to test your skills in a competition or want to challenge yourself, you have a lot of mountain biking events and specialized riding types to choose from:
MTB Riding Styles & Disciplines
Bikepacking
Multi-day riding while carrying camping/sleeping gear on the bike (frame/handlebar/saddle bags), often on off-pavement routes that blend backpacking with cycling.
DH (Downhill)
A style of mountain biking that primarily includes steep, rough descents. Downhill competitions often feature rock gardens, drops, and jumps.
Dirt Jumping
Riding purpose-built dirt jump lines and performing tricks, typically on strong, small “DJ” bikes or BMX, with style prioritized over time.
Enduro
An multi-stage format race with timed downhill stages linked by untimed uphill transfer sections. The rider with the lowest combined stage time wins.
Fat Biking
Off-road riding on very wide, low-pressure tires (typically ≥3.8″), for float and traction on snow, sand, and other soft surfaces.
XC (Cross-Country)
Mass-start/lap-based racing on mixed terrain emphasizing pedaling efficiency, climbing, and endurance. XC bikes are light and efficiency-focused.
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Mountain Bike Through the Smoky Mountains at WildSide
If you’re ready to hit the trail with your new mountain biking vocab, you’ll want to check out Wilside. Our 20+ mountain biking trails are located in Pigeon Forge and run through the Great Smoky Mountains. With 11+ miles of bike trails, 600 feet of elevation gain, bike classes, and a jump park, our adventure park offers something for everyone, no matter your skill level. We also have standard and electric mountain bikes for rent!
Learn more about our mountain biking experiences today!