So, We are going to start a dictionary of bike terminology. If there is anything you want to add feel free. If there is anything you want me to look up and post, let me know.
The Glossary
ISP -- Integrated Seat Post. When the seat post is the same as the seat tube, the result is a stiffer joint.
BSC -- Bonded Skeleton Concept. An improvement on the way that aluminum and carbon used to be joined. BSC is essentially a larger and tapered "lug" that improves ridigity and is designed to be a safer joint.
TCC -- Tuned Compliance Concept. This is an explanation for how carbon fiber sheets are stacked and pressed together in varying directions and thicknesses to specifically be lighter in places that can afford to be light and stiffer in places that need to be stiff.
105 -- Shimano makes bike components and 105 (one oh five) is the best entry level group of components. Shimano makes cheaper stuff and more expensive stuff and 105 is the best middle ground for price and quality.
MTB -- Mountain Bike
SPD -- Shimano Pedaling Dynamics. A very common pedal/cleat system. Because they are very common they are inexpensive. This is an excellent entry level pedal cleat system, an excellent MTB cleat system and found on Spin bikes.
NOS -- New Old Stock. This means that something is "New" as in it has never been installed or other wise used but "Old Stock" in that it may be an outdated part.
OCLV -- Optimum Compaction Low Void. In reference to how carbon fibers sheets are pressed together. Sheets are laid multi-directionally, sheets are pressed to squeeze as many air bubbles out as possible (it is virtually impossible to get them all but you can get them smaller), and carbon is placed in specific ways to take stress.
OEM -- Original Equiptment Maunfacturer. OEM parts are the parts that come on the complete bike at the time of purchase. A parts manufacturer that sells thousands of handlebars to a bike manufacturer for installation on the bikes has made their handlebar an OEM handlebar.
CPSC -- Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC stamps a logo on every helmet deemed safe. Helmets from department stores might not have this logo. Check.
CE -- Committee European. The European Committee for Standardization typically has higher standards for helmet safety than the US. When a CE logo is stamped on your helmet you'll know your head is as safe as it can be.
UST -- Universal System Tubeless. A standard for tubeless mtb wheel design (or tire and rim combinations) that is compatible with itself regardless of the brand of tire or rim you choose.
iSC -- Integrated Skeleton Concept. Tubing at juncture points are reinforced.
WSD -- Women's Specific Design. Term coined to denote the design of products that work best with a woman's physicality.
HM carbon -- High Modulus Carbon Fiber. This means that the carbon is better at taking impact. It's cooked at a higher temperature and as a result has a slightly higher elasticity.
HT carbon -- High Tensile carbon fiber that is cooked at a lower temperature, a little stiffer and better at transferring power.
oh my, the bicycle geekery is a treasure trove for acronyms. as open and transparent possibly only a close second to military culture...
ReplyDeleteacb; xc; mtb; tt; sl; bb; os; eb-bb; ss; cx; tpl; dbl; dh; bmx; ctc; fast; data; tri; db; dp; jis; bsa; qr; and I'm tired now...
WhaleWing,
ReplyDeleteWhile the cycling component thread pattern standard established in WW1 by an English firearm manufacturer is some really cool bicycling history, it might not serve to educate a consumer in the initial stages of buying a bike. But, some of those should definitely be added to the GLOSSARY. Thanks.
XC - Cross Country. Riding your mountain bike in the dirt on flatish trails.
TT - Top Tube. The tube of the bike frame that connect the seat to the bars. It's length is important for finding the right size bike.
BB - Bottom Bracket. The tube of the bike frame that connects the down tube, seat tube and chain stays. It is also the mechanical piece that is inserted into the tube. The mechanical piece is what connects the cranks to the bike.
SS - Single Speed. Any bike with one gear in front and one gear int he back. A Fixed gear is a single speed that does not coast.
TPL - Triple. Used to denote three chainrings in the crank set.
DBL - Double. Used to denote two chainrings in the crank set.
CTC - Center to center. One way to measure the seat tube of the bicycle frame. This is important for finding the correct size bike.
TRI - Triathlon.
QR - Quick Release. Some wheels bolt on (like kids bikes). Other wheels go on with a quick release. The Quick release is sometimes used on seat posts as well.