What does MECH mean in bike terms?

tlippy

Active Member
I really did do a search on Google and didn't get an answer. Is it slang for "mechanical"? I think it's used when referring to the derrailuer?
 
I really did do a search on Google and didn't get an answer. Is it slang for "mechanical"? I think it's used when referring to the derrailuer?

It's a general term for any mechanical failure when riding.

Take a look at this list of cycling lingo and memorize it to be cool... ;)

mechanical:
Slang for a problem with the bicycle. "He had a mechanical."

 
It's a general term for any mechanical failure when riding.

Take a look at this list of cycling lingo and memorize it to be cool... ;)

mechanical:
Slang for a problem with the bicycle. "He had a mechanical."

I did find that site and MECH wasn't in the list. But it means "failure"? I thought it was referring to the chain rings or shifting mechanism
 
Mech is slang for mechanical in the US ... My bike had a mech and I'm out of the race.
 
If it's reference to the shifting system, it could be referring to a mechanically-shifted (by cable) system, as opposed to a fancy electronically shifted system (see SRAM eTap or Shimano Di2 systems).
 
I really did do a search on Google and didn't get an answer. Is it slang for "mechanical"? I think it's used when referring to the derrailuer?
I've heard the term used for a long time, mostly by road bikers. They mean: mechanism. You'll hear them say 'rear mech', 'front mech' when referring to the rear or front derailleur.
 
I've heard the term used for a long time, mostly by road bikers. They mean: mechanism. You'll hear them say 'rear mech', 'front mech' when referring to the rear or front derailleur.
It maybe comes from the time of the safety bycycle which had a mechanism and the pennyfarthing didn't
 
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