Shimano Abbreviations, Terms, and Codes
Ever wonder what the Shimano model codes and abbreviations mean? The most common ones are listed on this page.
Do you feel that something is missing? Please let me know.
BCC Battery Charging Cord/Cable
The SM-BCC type chargers are essentially just power cord, most often used with e-bikes.
BCR Battery Charger
Shimano's SM-BCR1 is the charger used with the external Di2 battery, SM-BTR1.
The SM-BCR2 charger was used with the 11-speed internal batteries.
BH Brake Hose
Hydraulic disc brake hoses.
BL Brake Lever
BM Battery Mount
(external) battery mounts.
BR Brake Caliper
BTC Battery Case
The SM-BTC1 was a rather bulky case for the internal Di2 batteries.
CD Chain Device
A Chain Device refers to a chain guard or chain keeper, designed to help keep the chain on the chainring on 1x bikes.
CG Chain Guard
Chain guards help to prevent your clothing getting caught between chain and chainring. They are usually found on urban/trekking cranksets.
CL Center Lock
Center Lock disc rotors.
CL Clincher
CL refers to clincher tires.
Clinchers have an open casing that houses a separate inner tube, and they're held on the wheel by the rim bead hooks.
CN Chain
CRG Cargo
Used with e-bikes and e-bike drive units designed for use with cargo bikes.
CS Cassette
A cassette refers to a group of sprockets.
DC Drive (unit) Cover
Cover for e-bike drive units.
DU Drive Unit
An e-bike drive unit is the motor - the component that provides the pedal assist.
EW Electric Wire
Electric wires are used on almost all of Shimano's Di2 bikes.
EWC Electric Wire Cover
Cover for Di2 electric wires. Allows you to stick Di2 electric wires to the frame.
FC Front Chainwheel
When Shimano use 'Front Chainwheel', they refer to a bike's crankset.
FD Front Derailleur
FH Freehub
A bike wheel rear hub.
GM Grommet
Rubber grommets are used to secure internally routed E-TUBE wires as they enter the bicycle frame.
GS Grand Sport (medium cage derailleur)
Shimano GS derailleurs are medium-cage derailleurs. They generally work with cassettes up to 32T-36T.
(GS can also refer to 'long' cage derailleurs. Shimano usually ,call them medium though, and that's what we'll go with here)
HG HyperGlide
IL I-Spec Left
IR I-Spec Right
LG LinkGlide
M Mountain Bike
MA Mount Adapter
MU Motor Unit
R Road
RD Rear Derailleur
RT Rotor
SGS Super Grand Sport (long cage derailleur)
Shimano SGS derailleurs are long-cage derailleurs. They generally work with cassettes up to 40T-50T.
SM Shimano / Shimano Modular
SM is used when referring to generic small parts, also known as Shimano or Shimano Modular parts.
SS Super Sport (short cage derailleur)
Shimano SS derailleurs are short-cage derailleurs. They generally work with cassettes up to 28T-30T.