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Mountain-bike terminology
Plain-English explanations of common trail, bike and event language for newer riders.
Reviewed · General UK planning guidance · Check current operator and manufacturer information
Trail language
Words often describe shape rather than difficulty.
- Berm: a banked corner; roller: a rounded mound intended to be rolled or pumped.
- Drop: a ledge where wheels leave different levels; rock garden: a sustained rocky section.
- Chicken line or B-line: an alternative that may still have its own hazards.
Bike language
Setup terms affect feel and maintenance.
- Sag: suspension compression under normal rider weight.
- Rebound: the controlled return speed after suspension compresses.
- Dropper: a remotely lowered seatpost used to create descending movement space.
Ride language
Formats influence planning.
- Uplift: vehicle or lift transport uphill for repeated descents.
- Enduro: riding transitions between separately timed descents.
- Session: repeating a trail or feature only where stopping and rejoining are safe.
Useful official guidance
Rules, conditions and services change. Use these sources and the relevant venue’s current information before relying on a plan.
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