10 Things That Will Only Make Sense to Cyclists and Cyclists Only

Written by
Michael Nystrom
From the outside looking in, cycling is just a bunch of nerdy people riding bikes while wearing brightly colored spandex. But once you dip your toe into this tradition-based culture, your lexicon will soon include cycling-specific words like echelon and derailleur. It can take a lifetime to hone your craft and master all the essential cycling vocab, but these 10 things are a good start.
Holding Your Line
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This is group etiquette 101. As you enter a turn, follow the path of the rider in front of you—don't swing wide or cut the corner. By staying aware of the riders around you, you'll help prevent any clipped wheels and close calls.
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Clipless Pedals
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Ah, the infamous clipless pedal—it is the bane of the rookie cyclist's existence. Taking cues from skis, a cleat is installed into the bottom of the shoe and is then clipped into a specific type of pedal. Clipless pedals greatly improve efficiency, comfort and pedaling fluidity.
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No Valve Stem Caps
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This is purely style points, here. You know that black stem cap that comes on all new tubes? Once you install the tube, throw the stem cap away. While you're at it, leave the washer nut off as well. #grams
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General Classification (GC)
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To a non-cyclist, someone watching the Tour de France could be confused why the overall winner didn't win many stages. It's all about cumulative time: The rider with the lowest overall time after all the stages are added up wins the GC. Technically, the winner could not win a single stage but still win the race.
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N+1 Rule
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This is perhaps the most important rule of cycling. In this highly-scientific formula, replace N with the number of bikes you currently have. Sounds like you need another new bike!
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Braze-On Front Derailleur
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There are two ways to mount your front derailleur—braze-on and band clamp. A braze-on derailleur is bolted to a small tab that is welded or riveted to the seat tube. The braze-on system has become the preferred option over the past few years.
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KOM
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KOM, or King of the Mountains, is awarded to the leader of the mountain classification in the Tour de France. That rider dons the polka dot jersey until the final traditional laps of the Champs-Élysées. Strava has recently given the acronym a new meaning, with the fastest time (no matter the grade) awarded the digital KOM title.
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Domestique
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No, this isn't what you call an American-made beer. A domestique is a cyclist who rides in support of his or her teammates. They oftentimes take long pulls at the front, close any gaps and shuttle water and gels to other teammates. All work and no glory, a domestique is an underappreciated but crucial part of a team's success.
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Slam Your Stem
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With lightweight tech and high-end carbon frames, there's no reason to be going around propped up like you're riding a penny-farthing. Ideally, you'll have the stem positioned on the headset, but if your back won't allow, a few centimeter spacers are appropriate. Generally, the lower your riding position, the more efficient you are. Just look at the pros.
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Grand Tour
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While the Tour de France is a household name in the United States, all cyclists know there are really three grand tours: the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España. They are the only races allowed to last more than 14 days, and each includes three weeks of stages with two rest days.
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About the Author

More Articles by Michael »Michael Nystrom
A California native, Michael Nystrom graduated from the University of Southern California with a master's degree in journalism. He is a 2x IRONMAN and has done countless sprint- and olympic-distance triathlons. Follow Michael on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.