If you're new to mountain biking some of the jargon might be a bit confusing. We've provided explanations of a few of the more common words you might hear below:

Bikes

• Full sus:

  a mountain bike with suspension systems at the front (in the forks) and rear. Short for ‘full suspension’.

• Hard tail:

  a mountain bike with suspension at the front, rigid frame at the rear.

• Granny ring:

  the smallest of the front chainrings, which comes in handy on the steepest climbs.

• Granny gear:

  the lowest gear you can ride.

• Berm:

  a steeply banked corner which it’s possible to take at speed. Trails can be described as 'bermy'.

• Bomb hole

  a large crater-style hole.

• Boulder garden/rock garden

  a section of the trail strewn with stones and rocks.

• Camel bumps

  two jumps placed one after the other with a gap in between.

• Double

  see camel bumps.

• Drop off

  steep and sudden drop in the trail. Often a vertical drop down the side of a rock.

• Gnarly

  a section of trail that’s especially rough and rugged and often steep.

• North Shore/timber trail:

  raised timber trails often referred to as 'North Shore' having originated in Canada, where mountain bike trails are built across boggy ground. Can take trail across loose or wet ground.

You might also like to have a look at the skills and tips page and the new to mountain biking page and the understanding trail grades page.