Glossary

A glossary of bicycle and bicycle parts and their functions.

Bead

On a clincher type tire, the beads are the two metal or fiber hoops that hold the tire to the rim and provide a sealing edge against the rim.

Blowout

A bursting of a tire and inner tube., usually associated with a loud popping noise. This can be caused by filling a tire past the recommended air pressure, filling a tire that is mounted incorrectly or that is damaged, and can happen while riding and hit an large obstacle or sharp object. A blowout will typically necessitate a replacement of the tire and inner tube.