What Exactly Are Spinkings?
If you have spent any time around British mountain biking circles, you may have heard the term ‘spinkings’ thrown around. For the uninitiated, spinkings refer to the small, often overlooked adjustments, tweaks, and improvisations that riders make to their bikes to improve performance, comfort, or simply to get home after a mechanical. The term itself is thought to have originated in the workshop culture of the 1990s, when riders would ‘spink’ — a dialect word meaning to tinker or fiddle — with their components.
Unlike major upgrades, spinkings are subtle. They might involve re-routing a cable, adding a shim to a brake lever, or wrapping tape around a frame to stop a rattle. Over time, these small acts of ingenuity became a badge of honour among riders who preferred practical solutions over expensive parts.
The Origins: From Workshop Slang to Trail Talk
The history of spinkings is rooted in the DIY ethos of early mountain biking. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, mountain bikes were still evolving, and riders often had to adapt parts from other bicycles or make their own tools. The term ‘spink’ appeared in several regional dialects across northern England and Scotland, meaning to work on something with care but without formal training.
As mountain biking grew in popularity across the UK, these ad-hoc modifications became a shared language. Riders would gather at trail centres like Coed-y-Brenin or Glentress and swap stories of their latest spinkings. What started as a necessity — making do with what you had — turned into a creative outlet. By the early 2000s, spinkings had become a recognised subculture within the sport, celebrated for its resourcefulness and humour.
Why Spinkings Matter to Modern Riders
Today, spinkings are more relevant than ever. With the cost of new bikes and components rising, many riders are turning back to the simple joy of fettling. A well-executed spinking can save weight, reduce noise, or improve ergonomics for pennies. More importantly, it fosters a deeper connection with your machine. Understanding how a small change affects handling or braking gives you confidence on the trail.
Moreover, spinkings are a form of self-expression. A custom-machined spacer or a hand-cut mudguard tells a story about the rider. In a world of off-the-shelf perfection, spinkings celebrate imperfection and individuality.
The story behind spinkings is more interesting than most people realise at first glance.
Common Examples of Spinkings
To give you a clearer picture, here are some classic spinkings that riders still use today:
- Shimmed brake levers: Using a piece of aluminium can to take up slack in a worn lever pivot.
- Inner tube chainstay protectors: Wrapping an old inner tube around the chainstay to silence chain slap.
- Custom cable routing: Re-routing gear cables to avoid sharp bends and improve shifting.
- Homemade mudguards: Cutting a plastic bottle or folder to fit the down tube or rear shock.
- Grip modifications: Adding O-rings or tape to lock-on grips for extra purchase.
Each of these spinkings solves a specific problem without breaking the bank. They are passed down through forums, club rides, and word of mouth, forming an oral history of practical bike maintenance.
The Future of Spinkings
As bikes become more integrated and proprietary, the scope for spinkings might seem to shrink. However, human ingenuity always finds a way. Riders are already 3D-printing custom brackets, using heat-shrink tubing to tidy cables, and repurposing hardware from other industries. The spirit of spinkings — making something work better with what you have — is timeless.
Whether you call it fettling, bodging, or spinkings, the practice remains a vital part of mountain bike culture. It reminds us that riding is not just about the latest gear, but about the relationship between rider and machine. So next time you reach for a zip tie or a bit of tape, know that you are part of a long and proud tradition.