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Glossary of BMX TERMS

Terms are listed in Alphabetical order

ABA: American Bicycle Association or Alberta Bicycle Association (depends on who you are talking to.)

AMATEUR: Any non-pro rider.

AXLE:   The shaft on which the wheel revolves.

BEAD:  The outside edge of the tire, which is stiffened by a wire.

BERM:  An embankment on a track built up on the outside of a turn to create a banked curve.

BMX:  Abbreviation for bicycle motocross.  BMX indicates a style of bike and kind of race or competition.

BONUS POINTS: District points available at national events from, quarters, semi and main events. Get bonus points only after completing 10 local single points race events.

BOTTOM BRACKET:  The mechanism at the bottom of the bicycle frame, which holds the spindle and crank.

BRAKE SHOE: A rubber pad that stops the bike by pressing on the tire's rim, creating friction.

BRAKES:  Any bicycle braking system which works by opening and closing two brake shoes on the tire's rim in a clamping motion, like jaws.

BRAKE LEVER:  A lever mounted on the handlebar used for activating the brake by pulling the cable.

CABLES:  Steel wires braided into cables and sometimes covered with plastic coating.  Cables are used to connect the brake levers to the brakes.

CAGED PEDALS have an aluminum cages around the outside of the pedal with spikes that grip your shoe.  These are a great way to break your ankle in BMX racing.

CALIPER BRAKES:  A braking system that is centrally mounted to the frame.  Two arms with spring mechanisms to provide the movement at the brake pads to the rim.

CANTILEVER BRAKES:  A dual post mounted brake where the brake spring is connected to the post.

CASE: Coming up short on a jump and the back wheel of the bike, hits the peak of the landing.

CENTER MOUNT BRAKES are most commonly used on older frames. Frames have a piece welded across the top tubes of the rear triangle behind the seat post tube that the brake hooks through.

CHAIN STAYS:  The part of the bicycle frame that runs parallel to the chain.  It connects the bottom bracket to the rear dropouts.

CHAIN WHEEL:  A one-piece front gear.  The chain wheel is attached to the bottom bracket and crank.

CHAIN RING: Chain rings are lighter than full sprockets, but are not nearly as sturdy.  They require a spider that is either built into the crank arm, or an additional part.

CHALLENGE CLASS: A rider who is not pro.  These are riders under the age of 16 or who have opted to remain amateur.  A UCI – designation.

CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS:  Riders who are in Jr. Elite or Elite, and do receive remuneration for their racing thus making them professional racers.  A UCI – designation.

CLASS BICYCLE: A bicycle with 20"wheels

CLASSIFICATION:  Skill level at which a rider competes.  Novice, Intermediate or Expert

CLIP LESS PEDALS: actually hook or “clip” to your clip less shoes.  They are the new technology that replaced toe clips on pedals.  Some clip less pedals have a cage around the outside of the pedals. 

CRANK:  The L-shaped metal arm to which the pedals are attached.  Too long of crank arms will make a rider swing their bike side to side, wag their tail, and or ride choppy at their hip line. If you’re swinging your bike to the side & someone bumps you, where do you think you’re going to go? DOWN! You don’t win that way & you can get hurt. Too short of crank arms and you don’t get enough leg extension, therefore not enough power.

CRUISER: A Bicycle with 24 " wheel diameter.

DISQUALIFY: To officially remove a rider for the day of racing as a result of any rule infraction.

DOWN TUBE:  Part of the bicycle frame, which slants downward at an angle.  It runs from the head tube to the bottom bracket.

DNF: Destination on a moto sheet that a rider "Did Not Finish" in any particular event.

DNR: Destination on a moto sheet that a rider "Did Not Race" in any particular event.

DNS:  Destination on a moto sheet that a rider "Did Not Start" in any particular moto or main.

DROPOUTS:  Small, slotted openings, which hold the front and rear wheel axles.  On many bikes the dropouts do not appear to be separate parts.  They are merely the opening at the ends of two other frame sections: the seat stays and the front fork.

ENDO:  When the front wheel of a bike is stopped and rider falls over the front handlebars.  (A.K.A.: something you'd like to avoid!)

EARNED NUMBER: The ranking within a given class and/or district at the end of the points season.

ABA season is Jan 1st to December 15th of each year

ENTRY FEE: Paid to register for any sanctioned event.

EXPERT: Highest level of amateur competition.

FINISH POINTS: District or national points earned for respective finishes in any main event.

FORK:  The double-pronged section of the frame, which holds the front wheel in place.

One of the easiest ways to lighten your bike is with a lighter fork than comes stock

FOUL: Any flagrant or malicious move during competition resulting in disqualification.

FREE WHEEL or COG  A one-piece rear gear that allows the rider to back-pedal.  Bearings are built in.

GEAR RATIO:  A number, which indicates the relationship between the two gears and tells you how much work a particular combination of gears will do.  (Something you probably won't ever figure out! LOL)  Click here to a link to a gear chart to help you

GHOST RIDER: Any rider fraudulently signed up to satisfy requirements in forming classes.

GRAND NATIONALS or " GRANDS": Finale to the national series held every year in the fall.

GRIPS: Plastic cover who goes on the handle bars at the end , to aid in gripping handle bars.

GUSSET:  A triangle of reinforcing steel located between the top and down tubes on your bike.  A brake that reinforces frame-tubing junctions.

GYRO:  A device that enable you to spin the handlebars a full 360 degrees without cable interference.

HEAD SET: Bearing set for which your front end  rotates on and your fork/handle bars slide into.

Headsets come in 1" and 1 1/8" sizes. They also come threaded and thread less. Today's new frames are made for thread less headsets, stems and forks. There are 2 sizes of 1" headsets, be sure & get the right one for your frame!!!

HEAD TUBE:  A short vertical tube at the very front or ?head? of the bike.  The front fork fits inside the head tube.

HELMET: Important and required item necessary for head protection.

HOLE SHOT:  Taking the lead position out of the starting gate and going into the first turn.

HUB:  Cylinder, which holds the axle and bearings of each wheel.

INTERMEDIATE: Skill level for riders with limited experience and ability.

LANDING: Where a rider lands his bike on a jump from one area to another area.

LANE: Position 1 thru 8 on the starting gate.

LINEAR BRAKE:  A particular type of brake that utilizes a side or linear pull system in which requires a v-type or linear lever.  This system offers the most braking force available.  Generally used by racers.

LOCAL RACE: Any single points race at any sanctioned track AKA: District Race.

LOOP OUT: When the rider on a bike is on back wheel only, flips off the bike backwards.

MAIN EVENT: Final class race, after all qualifying has taken place, to determine class placing.

MANUAL:  The act of riding a wheelie without pedaling typically over the top section of various jumps.

MIXED OPEN: An open class that will consist of only Novice, Intermediate and girl riders

MOTO:   a.) A single racing heat. b.) Any riders specific race.

MOTO BOARD:  An area where the moto sheets are posted before and during the race.

MOTO NUMBER: Number corresponding with any specific race (moto).

MOTO SHEET: Paperwork displaying the days races in moto number order.

MOTOCROSS:  Originally a cross-country motorcycle race, the term is now also used to describe BMX races held on dirt tracks.

MULTI POINT RACE: Any race offering more than single district points.

NAG National Age Group: National Points ranking by specific age only. ABA Term.

NATIONAL EVENT: Any race offering national points.

NOVICE: New rider to the sport.

NOVICE GIRL: New female rider to the sport.

NUMBER PLATE: Displays riders earned or temporary number for identification purposes

OPEN : Non points class available to any rider regardless of amateur skill level.

OUT OF CLASS: Any rider not competing in his /her correct class.

PLATFORM PEDALS: are the most commonly used pedals for trails, street, and ramps. They have a platform that your foot rests on with little pegs that stick to your shoe.

QUALIFYING SYSTEM: The method by which riders are transferred from motos into the main event.

QUARTER MAIN : An additional qualifying race for classes with multiple groups.

RECLASSIFICATION: Moving a rider back in classification.

REDLINE CUP( Previous called Gold Cup): is a 10-month BMX racing Series sanctioned by the ABA . The Series involves 49+ Qualifier races and three regional REDLINE CUP® FINALS. It is at these three Finals--held in the East, Central and West; where a rider can become Redline Cup® No.1 by winning his or her main event. But before heading to the Redline Cup® BMXers must first qualify for the Finals, to be invited to the Finals. All a rider needs to do to get an invite is make his or her main event at one of the many Redline Cup® Qualifiers. Sponsored by Redline Bikes.

RELEGATION:  When a rider is moved to last place in their moto for an infraction based on the judgment of the race commissaires or if they received aid from an on track official for first aid or other.

RHYTHM SECTION:  A series of jumps or rollers back to back on a track that pose as an obstacle.

RIMS: Round part of the wheel, that the tires attach onto.

REGISTRATION: Where you go to sign up to compete in a race ( moto)

ROLLER:  An obstacle on a track that is rolled over as opposed to being jumped.

SADDLE:  Another name for a bicycle seat.

SANDBAGGING/Slacker: Intentionally allowing other rider(s) to pass during a main event or within any round of a total points race so as not to gain wins towards classification advancement.

SAVER STAMPS: An ABA alternative track award having cash value towards items at redemption centers.

SEAT STAYS:  Section of the frame, which runs from the seat tube to the rear wheel dropouts.

SEMI MAIN : An additional qualifying race for classes with multiply groups.( Follows quarters)

SERIAL NUMBER: Located on the bottom left of a membership card and is that riders official ABA

identification.

SEW-UPS:  A type of tire, which is actually sewn around the tube.  Also called tubular tires.  These are mostly used for youth racers.

SEAT POST:  The tube, which holds the seat and goes into the frame.

SINGLE POINTS RACE: A racing event that you earn single points in the main event.

STAGING AREA:  The area where the riders gather or are place in ?chutes? for loading into the gate.

STARTING GATE: Plat formed area with a hinged portion. This is where each race commences.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE (SCR): Formerly known as state championship qualifier (SCQ). Required event within each state championship series.

STEM:  The part connected to the forks that hold the handlebars.  Sometimes referred to as a gooseneck.

STEP-UP:  A jump in which the landing is elevated above the launch.

SPROCKET:  Same as a chain wheel or either the front or rear gear assembly.

 Sprockets are strong. They are a combination of a chain ring and a spider together

TABLE TOP:  A jump on a track that is completely level or flat all the way across it from the lip to the landing.

TEAM: Any number of riders with a sponsor'(s) or title name.

TEAM ROSTER: Listing of team members.

TEAM SHEET: The official entry and record keeping for particular event.

TOP TUBE:  The top horizontal tube on a bicycle frame, between your head tube and seat tube.

T.O.R.F or TRACK OPERATORS REPORTING FORM: Form that is to be filled out and sent to ABA after every race event with that events race results and ABA fees .

TRACK OPERATOR or T.O.: a person who runs and maintains all aspects of a BMX race day's organization. Does all this for no pay to help the kids and parents who love BMX. Thanks to all track operators in BMX!

TWO MOTO TRANSFER: When the third round of motos is cancelled and the number of qualifiers from that round are combined and transferred with those of the second round.

UCI – Union Cycliste Internationale, the world governing body for all disciplines of cycling.  Responsible for BMX at the Olympics. 

U-BRAKE:  A U-shaped center pull brake that uses a ratcheting spring tension system.  Generally more of a freestyle brake.

V & A BRAKES: are the most commonly used brakes for BMX racing. Frames must have canti mount posts to be able to use this type of brake. You will find 2 small posts located on the top tubes of the rear triangle of your frame if this type of brake will work for your frame. Mini V brakes are now available for the little guys bikes.

VIDEO SCORING: A video camera system with review capabilities used strictly as a back up to the official scoring crew.

VOLUNTEER: 1.a VERY special person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake help for the track and riders .. THANK YOU TO ALL VOLUNTEERS WITHOUT YOU WOULD BE NO LOCAL BMX tracks.  Click here for a list of volunteer jobs at most BMX tracks.

X UP: When you turn your handle bars half way around in the air on your bike.

Abbreviations:  

ABA  American Bicycle Association

or

ABA Alberta Bicycle Association

CCA Canadian Cycling Association

DBL    Double Point Race

ED   Earned Double Race

NAT    National Points Race

PCR    Provincial Championship Qualifier (Canadian)

PCF    Provincial Championship Final (Canadian)

RCQ   Redline Cup Qualifier (Gold Cup)

RFL    Race For Life  

RLC    Redline Cup Final (Gold Cup) 

SCF    State Championship Final

SCR    State Championship Race

TO  Track Operator

UCI Union Cycliste Internationale

WNS West National Series