Forgotten Cycling slang

[tyred]

Brake lever extensions (rather unfairly called suicide levers by some...they sort of work) were "GT levers" and rather desirable in the late 70s.

I like them. They work fine for controlling speed when cruising along.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Avocet computer, the first modern speedometer I remember, before that I remember the mileage recorder by the front hub that clicked over with a thing fastened to the spokes, and the speedo that had a cable coming from contraption on the front hub, but I can't remember if they had specific names.

I remember having the Huret items that operated by the screw-on peg (on the spokes)
Like one of these; https://gonevintage.com/vintage-bic...lometer-ussr-1970s-boxed-papers-mint-nos.html

Also, an odd black plastic one, that operated via a small drive-belt from the ring on the hub
One of these, they even had a trip function


I remember the Avocets, very accurate indeed!

My first one was a 30, then a 40, & a 45
I may still have a couple of them somewhere??

I recorded my fastest ever speed on the 40
62.something MPH, down 'East Chevin' dropping, like a stone, into Otley

 

[postman]

I remember nothing

View: https://youtu.be/s6EaoPMANQM

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Knobblies for your tracker bike.

 

[Cuchilo]

Tester, are time trialists still referred to as testers ?

Yes

 

[rogerzilla]

Amber wall tyres.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I remember the Avocets, very accurate indeed!

My first one was a 30, then a 40, & a 45
I may still have a couple of them somewhere??

I recorded my fastest ever speed on the 40
62.something MPH, down 'East Chevin' dropping, like a stone, into Otley

A mate owned a bike shop at the time Avocets were about and he stopped selling them, reckoning he had a 50% return rate of faulty units.

They did look rather cool though, nice and slim on the bars. I think most of the pro peloton had them at one time.

 

[Fenrider]

'Cross bar' = top tube
'Crossie' = with a passenger sitting on the top tube, hence 'wanna crossie?'
'Racing bike' = a bicycle with dropped handlebars and 5 speeds
'Tracker' = a bicycle modified by fitting bull horn handlebars and knobbly tyres
'Push bike' = any bicycle
'Rough stuff' = off road

 

[Levo-Lon]

Croggy was a lift on the cross bar for us.

 

[Moodyman]

'Backie' used when being given a lift on the seat whilst the pedaller stood up.

 

[rogerzilla]

A road racing bike was just a "racer". The modern term "road bike" is nonsensical as Bromptons and touring bikes are also road bikes.

Mags were any wheel using the cartwheel concept of just a few thick spokes. Originally magnesium and used in BMX, later plastic.

 

[Profpointy]

'Backie' used when being given a lift on the seat whilst the pedaller stood up.

A “saddler” was the term in South Wales

 

[Globalti]

Avocet computer, the first modern speedometer I remember, before that I remember the mileage recorder by the front hub that clicked over with a thing fastened to the spokes, and the speedo that had a cable coming from contraption on the front hub, but I can't remember if they had specific names.

Huret. Made in France.

 

[rogerzilla]

It was said at our school that they had a pin in at 40mph at well as at 0, so you could break them if you went too fast.

 

[overmind]

I used to hear the term 'sprocket' a lot in relation to the cogs on the back wheel.

This seems to have been replaced by freewheel and cassette.