Parts of a Bicycle

When talking about bicycles in French, knowing the vocabulary for each part is helpful for repair, description, or shopping. Le cadre is the frame, and connected to that are la roue (the wheel), which has la jante (rim) and les rayons (spokes). Attached to the wheel is le pneu (tire). For steering, you use le guidon (handlebar) and hold la poignée (grip). Pedaling powers the bike with la pédale, which connects to le pédalier (crankset) and turns la chaîne (chain). Shifting gears involves le dérailleur and le câblage (cabling). Stopping safely uses le frein. For comfort, you sit on la selle.

Examples:

• La chaîne est bien lubrifiée.
• J’ai remplacé le pneu ce matin.
• La selle est confortable.

Ways Bicycles Break

French has specific expressions for common bike problems. La chaîne cassée means the chain is broken. Cables that need to be replaced are les câbles usés. If the gears don’t shift well, the problem might be le dérailleur désaligné. Bad brakes are called les freins usés. A flat tire is le pneu à plat and a wheel out of shape is la roue voilée.

Examples:

• J’ai un pneu à plat après le trajet.
• Le dérailleur est désaligné, il faut le réparer.

Repairing a Bicycle

To talk about fixing a bike, French uses several specific verbs and tools. You might need to regarder (look at) and chercher (look for) the problem, then ajuster (adjust), aligner (align), installer (install) or remplacer (replace) parts. You can serrer (tighten) with la clé Allen or la clef à molette, and use la trousse à outils (tool kit). When the tires are flat, take le gonfleur to pomper (pump) air. Occasionally, you should lubrifier (lubricate) the chain and vérifier (check) everything.

Examples:

• Je vais ajuster les freins.
• Il faut aligner la roue.
• J’utilise la clé Allen pour serrer les vis.

Types of Bicycles

You can choose between several kinds of bicycle: le vélo de montagne for off-road trails, le vélo de route for speed on pavement, le vélo électrique for powered assistance, and hybride (hybrid) for mixed use.

Examples:

• J’ai un vélo de route pour aller vite.
• Le vélo électrique est très pratique en ville.

Bicycle Accessories

Bicycle accessories keep you safe and organized. For protection, wear le casque (helmet) and le gilet réfléchissant (reflective vest). See and be seen with les lumières (lights). Carry things in le panier (basket) and prevent theft with le verrou (lock).

Examples:

• Je mets toujours mon casque.
• Le panier est utile pour faire les courses.

Sensations of Cycling

Talk about how cycling feels using words like agréable (pleasant), excitant (exciting), fatiguant (tiring), and relaxant (relaxing). It might be difficile (difficult) but it’s often plaisant (pleasurable) and rapide (fast). Some find it pratique and fonctionnel. Effort is the energy you expend.

Examples:

• Mon trajet était agréable et relaxant.
• Le parcours est difficile, mais excitant.

Talking about Bike Rides

To talk about experiences, say aller à vélo (to go by bike), or la balade à vélo (bike ride). A person who rides is le cycliste. Cyclists may découvrir (discover) new routes during le trajet (the ride). This is all part of l'expérience (the experience).

Examples:

• Je vais au travail à vélo.
• La balade à vélo était très plaisante.
• Les cyclistes découvrent de nouveaux chemins chaque jour.