Stepping into the world of cycling can feel a bit like learning a new language. Suddenly people are talking about derailleurs, head tubes, and bottom brackets—and you’re just wondering how to get from point A to point B without sounding lost.

At Level Up Bike Shop, we believe that knowing a few key bike terms can boost your confidence, help you communicate better about your bike, and make riding (and maintaining) your bike a whole lot easier.

Here’s a quick guide to the basics—no jargon, just simple explanations.

THE MAIN PARTS OF YOUR BIKE

Let’s start with the core components you’ll hear about most often:

• Frame

  The backbone of your bike. It’s the main structure everything else attaches to. Frames come in different shapes and materials (like steel, aluminum, or carbon), but they all do the same job—hold everything together.

• Wheels

  Obvious, right? But it’s good to know that each wheel includes:

  
  

  • The rim (the outer circle),

  • The hub (the center part where the axle sits),

  • And the spokes (the wires connecting the two).

  
  

• Tires

  The rubber part that touches the ground. Tires come in different widths—city bikes usually have wider tires for comfort and stability.

• Handlebars

  Where you steer! City bikes often have upright handlebars for a comfortable, relaxed riding position.

• Saddle

  Fancy word for your bike seat. Saddles come in all shapes—some padded for comfort, some slim for speed.

• Pedals

  Where you place your feet to power the bike. Simple enough!

• Crankset

  The arms connected to your pedals, which turn the chainring (the big gear at the front) when you pedal.

• Chain

  The metal loop that transfers your pedaling power to the rear wheel. Keeping it clean and oiled is key to a smooth ride.

• Brakes

  They stop you—pretty important! Most city bikes use either:

  
  

  • Rim brakes (pads that squeeze the wheel rim), or

  • Disc brakes (a metal disc near the hub for stronger, more consistent braking).

  
  

GEARING TERMINOLOGY

If your bike has gears, here are a few terms you’ll hear:

• Cassette

  The stack of gears (called cogs) on your rear wheel. More cogs = more gear options.

• Derailleur

  If your bike has external gears, this is the mechanism that moves the chain from one cog to another when you shift. Some city bikes skip this altogether by using internal hub gears.

• Shifter

  The control on your handlebar that changes your gears. Often a twist grip or thumb lever on city bikes.

OTHER HANDY TERMS

• Fork

  The part that holds your front wheel and connects it to the frame. It’s called a fork because—well—it looks like one.

• Head Tube

  The front part of the frame where the fork passes through and connects to your handlebars.

• Bottom Bracket

  Hidden away where your crankset meets the frame, this is what allows your pedals to spin smoothly.

• Chainring

  The big gear attached to your pedals. Many city bikes have just one; sportier bikes might have two or three.

• Kickstand

  The little leg that lets your bike stand upright when parked. (Not all bikes come with one!)

• Fenders

  Also called mudguards, these sit above your tires to keep water and dirt from splashing up on you. Super useful for city riding!

• Rack

  A frame attached over your rear wheel (or sometimes the front) for carrying bags, groceries, or panniers (bike bags).

• Puncture

  The fancy bike term for a flat tire. Don’t worry—we can help with that too.

IT CAN HELP TO KNOW THE BASICS

You don’t need to memorize every bike part to enjoy riding—but knowing a few basics makes it easier to:

• Explain issues when something doesn’t feel right (“My chain keeps slipping” is better than “It’s making a weird noise”).

• Understand maintenance tips.

• Pick out accessories or upgrades.

• Feel more confident as a cyclist.

And of course, it helps when you’re chatting with folks at Level Up Bike Shop. But don't worry. If we use a term you don't understand, just ask. We're here to help.

GO AHEAD. ASK US.

Still unsure about what’s what on your bike? Don’t sweat it. At Level Up Bike Shop, we’re all about making cycling approachable—no gatekeeping, no jargon overload.

If you ever need a quick walkthrough of your bike, help with a part you don’t recognize, or advice on keeping things running smoothly, just stop by. We’re happy to show you the ropes (or in this case, the chains, cogs, and cranks).

Remember: The more you know about your bike, the better your ride will be. Let’s get you rolling with confidence!