Terms are listed in Alphabetical order


ABA: American Bicycle Association
AMATEUR: Any non-pro rider.
AXLE: The shaft on which the wheel revolves.
BEAD: The outside edge of the tire, which is stiffened by a wire.
BERM: An embankment on a track built up on the outside of a turn to create a banked curve.
BMX: Abbreviation for bicycle motocross. BMX indicates a style of bike and kind of race or competition.
BOTTOM BRACKET: The mechanism at the bottom of the bicycle frame, which holds the spindle and crank.
BRAKE SHOE: A rubber pad that stops the bike by pressing on the tire's rim, creating friction.
BRAKES: Any bicycle braking system which works by opening and closing two brake shoes on the tire's rim in a clamping motion, like jaws.
BRAKE LEVER: A lever mounted on the handlebar used for activating the brake by pulling the cable.
CABLES: Steel wires braided into cables and sometimes covered with plastic coating. Cables are used to connect the brake levers to the brakes.
CASE: Coming up short on a jump and the back wheel of the bike hits the peak of the landing.
CHAIN STAYS: The part of the bicycle frame that runs parallel to the chain. It connects the bottom bracket to the rear dropouts.
CHAIN WHEEL: A one-piece front gear. The chain wheel is attached to the bottom bracket and crank.
CHAIN RING: Chain rings are lighter than full sprockets, but are not nearly as sturdy. They require a spider that is either built into the crank arm, or an additional part.
CLASSIFICATION: Skill level at which a rider competes.
CLIP LESS PEDALS: actually hook or "clip" to your clip-less shoes. They are the new technology that replaced toe clips on pedals. Some clip-less pedals have a cage around the outside of the pedals.
CRANK: The L-shaped metal arm to which the pedals are attached.
CRUISER: A Bicycle with 24" wheel diameter.
DISQUALIFY: To officially move a rider to last as a result of any rule.
DOWN TUBE: Part of the bicycle frame, which slants downward at an angle. It runs from the head tube to the bottom bracket.
DNR: Designation on a moto sheet that a rider "Did Not Race" in any particular event.
DNS: Designation on a moto sheet that a rider "Did Not Start" in any particular moto or main.
DROPOUTS: Small, slotted openings, which hold the front and rear wheel axles. On many bikes the dropouts do not appear to be separate parts. They are merely the opening at the ends of two other frame sections: the seat stays and the front fork.
ENDO: When the front wheel of a bike is stopped and rider falls over the front handlebars.
EARNED NUMBER: The ranking within a given class and/or district at the end of the points season.
ENTRY FEE: Paid to register for any sanctioned event.
EXPERT: Highest level of amateur competition.
FINISH POINTS: District or national points earned for respective finishes in any main event.
FORK: The double-pronged section of the frame, which holds the front wheel in place.
FOUL: The double-pronged section of the frame, which holds the front wheel in place.
FOUL: Any flagrant or malicious move during competition resulting in disqualification.
sFREE WHEEL or COG: A one-piece rear gear that allows the rider to back-pedal. Bearings are built in.
GEAR RATIO: A number, which indicates the relationship between the two gears and tells you how much work a particular combination of gears will do.
GRIPS: Plastic cover who goes on the handle bars at the end to aid in gripping handle bars.
GUSSET: A triangle of reinforcing steel located between the top and down tubes on your bike.
GYRO: A device that enable you to spin the handlebars a full 360 degrees without cable interference.
HEAD SET: Bearing set for which your front end rotates on and your fork/handle bars slide into.
HEAD TUBE: A short vertical tube at the very front or head of the bike. The front fork fits inside the head tube.
HELMET: Important and required item necessary for head protection.
HOLE SHOT: Taking the lead position out of the starting gate and going into the first turn.
HUB: Cylinder, which holds the axle of each wheel.
INTERMEDIATE: Skill level for riders with limited experience and ability.
LANDING: Where rider lands his bike on a jump from on area to another area.
LANE: Position 1 thru 8 on the starting gate. Also referred to as "Gate".
LOCAL RACE: Any single points race at any sanctioned track.
LOOP OUT: When the rider on a bike is on back wheel only, flips off the bike backwards.
MAIN EVENT: Final class race, after all qualifying has taken place, to determine class placing.
MANUAL: The act of riding a wheelie without pedaling typically over the top section of various jumps.
MIXED OPEN: An open class that will consist of only Novice, Intermediate and girl riders.
MOTO: a.) A single racing heat. b.) Any riders specific race.
MOTO BOARD: An area where the moto sheets are posted before and during the race.
MOTO NUMBER: Number corresponding with any specific race (moto).
MOTO SHEET: Paperwork displaying the days races in moto number order.
MOTOCROSS: Originally a cross-country motorcycle race, the term is now also used to describe BMX races held on dirt tracks.
MULTI POINT RACE: Any race race offering more than single district points.
NAG: National Age Group: National Points ranking by specific age only.
NATIONAL EVENT: Any race offering national points.
NOVICE: New rider to the sport.
NOVICE GIRL: New female rider to the sport.
NUMBER PLATE: Displays riders earned or temporary number for identification purposes
OPEN: Non-points class available to any rider regardless of amateur skill level.
OUT OF CLASS: Any rider not competing in his/her correct class.
PLATFORM PEDALS: are the most commonly used pedals for trails, street, and ramps. They have a platform that your foot rests on with little pegs that stick to your shoe.
QUALIFYING SYSTEM: The method by which riders are transferred from motos to the main event.
QUARTER MAIN: An additional qualifying race for classes with multiple groups.
RECLASSIFICATION: Moving a rider back in classification.
RHYTHM SECTION: A series of jumps or rollers back to back on a track that pose as an obstacle.
RIMS: Round part of the wheel that the tires attach onto.
REGISTRATION: Where you go to sign up to compete in a race (moto).
ROLLER: An obstacle on a track that is rolled over as opposed to being jumped.
SADDLE: Another name for a bicycle seat.
SANDBAGGING/Slacker Intentionally allowing other rider(s) to pass during a main event or within any round of a total points race so as not to gain wins towards classification advancement.
SAVER STAMPS: Alternative track award having cash value towards items at redemption centers.
SEAT STAYS: Section of the frame, which runs from the seat tube to the rear wheel dropouts.
SEMI MAIN: An additional qualifying race for classes with multiply groups (Follows quarters).
SEW-UPS: A type of tire which is actually sewn around the tube - also called tubular tires. These are mostly used for youth racers.
SEAT POST: The tube which holds the seat and goes into the frame.
SINGLE POINTS RACE: A racing event that you earn single points in the main event.
"SNAP": Slang for the technique or body motion out of the starting gate.
STAGING AREA: The area where the riders gather or are place in chutes for loading into the gate.
STARTING GATE: Platform area with a hinged portion. This is where each race commences.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE (SCR): Formerly known as state championship qualifier (SCQ). It is a required event within each state championship series.
STEM: The part connected to the forks that hold the handlebars - sometimes referred to as a gooseneck.
STEP-UP: A jump in which the landing is elevated about the launch.
SPROCKET: Same as a chain wheel or either the front or rear gear assembly.
TABLE TOP: A jump on a track that is completely level or flat all the way across it from the lip to the landing.
TEAM: Any number of riders with a sponsor'(s) or title name.
TEAM ROSTER: Listing of team members.
TEAM SHEET: The official entry and record keeping for particular event.
TOTAL POINTS RACE: Olympic system of competition which only has three riders. Each three riders race the first and second round.  Riders do not race the third round. Then all three riders race the main event. The rider with the lowest points out of all two rounds and main event wins. First place = one point. Second place = two points. Third place = three points.
TOP TUBE: The top horizontal tube on a bicycle frame between your head tube and seat tube.
TRACK OPERATOR or T.O.: a person who runs and maintains all aspects of a BMX track.
TWO MOTO TRANSFER: When the third round of motos is cancelled and the number of qualifiers from that round are combined and transferred with those of the second round.
V BRAKES are the most commonly used brakes for BMX racing. Frames must have cantilever mount posts to be able to use this type of brake. You will find two small posts located on the top tubes of the rear triangle of your frame if this type of brake will work for your frame.
VIDEO SCORING: A video camera system with review capabilities used strictly as a back up to the official scoring crew.
X-UP: When you turn your handle bars half way around in the air on your bike.