Lingo questions

[snpdragn]

Okay.
What is a Shimano Ultegra?
for that matter, what is a derailler?
I've got my guesses, but all the websites I've seen just about buying one... not one of them has told me what it is.
Any website help would be greatly appreciated if you don't feel like typing out the answer!
I just have been through many of the posts and don't see anything about some of the different lingo.
And that's just a start of what I don't understand.
::feeling a bit out of Kansas::

Lish

[singletrackmind]

Shimano Ultegra is a decent line of road bike parts, including things like derailleurs, brakes, hubs, etc. Another example would be Dura-Ace.
You have 2 derailleurs on most road and mountain bikes, one by the rear cog set (gears) and one over the front set. They are the things that move your chain to the appropriate place when you change gears. If you have trouble finding them follow the cable from your shifter to each derailleur. The only other cables on the bike go to the brakes.

[NorCalGal]

Hi snp,

I don't know how to provide a link on forums (or how to use the quote button, either....) but someone provided this link on another thread:

http://sheldonbrown.com/gears.html

Sheldon explains gearing and all that stuff in pretty basic terms. I learned a lot!

Also, I just now Googled "how bicycles work" and one of the first choices was howstuffworks.com and their bike explanation is great! It has pictures of everything, too. I'm going to go back when I'm done with this note and eddicate myself!

Keep learning!

[SadieKate]

The know-it-all Sheldon Brown also has a glossary.

http://sheldonbrown.com/glossary.html

[snpdragn]

that's awesome! I really appreciate the help. I kept trying all sorts of things in google and kept coming up with sales sites. lol, i obviously didn't ask the right questions!