Duration 11:19

Can You Use A Carbon Road Bike On Gravel | GCN Tech Clinic AskGCNTech

by GCN Tech

60 071 watched

1.3 K

Published 14 Jul 2021

Are carbon road bikes okay to use on gravel? Should you get new bikes serviced? How often should you charge Di2? Alex answers these questions and more on this week's Tech Clinic! 00:17 Is it okay to use a carbon road bike on gravel and how do I protect my frame? 01:28 Would it be worth upgrading the components on my 10 year old bike or should I get a new one? 02:39 How do I stop my carbon bars and allow stem creaking/clicking when I sprint? 03:59 Is "carbon fibre" a posh way of saying plastic? 05:05 Are there any glasses or visors to help with Schermer's Neck (neck muscle fatigue) when riding a TT bike? 06:29 What maintenance should I do after my bike gets soaking wet in a rainstorm? 07:24 The manufacturer of my new bike suggests I need to get an inspection after 300km, is this really necessary? 08:32 How often should I charge my Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset? 09:59 Is my first bike (Aerodynamic, 10kg, Shimano Sora) good enough, or should I look for a new bike? Subscribe to GCN+ for cycling as you have never seen it before! Live racing, shows & cycling adventure films: https://gcn.eu/plus Subscribe: http://gcntech.co/subscribetogcntech The GCN Shop: https://gcn.eu/64D #Cycling #GCN #GCNTech #RoadBike Do you have a burning tech question? Leave it in the comments below using the hashtag #AskGCNTech and we'll answer it in a future Tech Clinic! If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍 Watch more on GCN Tech... 📹 http://gcntech.co/canyonkom Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/ Brought to you by the world’s biggest cycling channel, the Global Cycling Network (GCN), GCN Tech is the only channel you need for all things bike tech – past, present and future. Simply put, we’re obsessed with tech: we seek out and showcase the best in bikes, components, tech, accessories, upgrades and more from races and events, tech shows and product launches across the globe to bring you the best in road bike technology. We’ve also got great maintenance videos to help you get the most from your bike; pro-bike tours from all the biggest races; special features and the weekly GCN Tech Show. We also take a deeper look into the future of cycling, apps, smart tech and virtual riding. Join us on the channel and the GCN App to submit your content, vote on the latest tech and keep abreast of exciting new trends. GCN Japan: https://gcn.eu/subscribe-gcn-japan GCN Italia: https://gcn.eu/GCN-Italia Suscribirse a GCN en Español: http://gcn.eu/Suscribirse Facebook - http://gcntech.co/gcntechfb Instagram - http://gcntech.co/gcntechinsta Twitter - http://gcntech.co/gcntechtweet Zwift: https://gcn.eu/Zwift

Category

Comments - 193

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@blueshun3 years ago Alex always sound like the patient teacher who would answer every question regardless of how trivial it sounded. 52
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@baskruitnl3 years ago I appreciate that he didn' t say a bad thing about a 10kg bike. Just enjoy the ride. I' ve been doing a bit of touring on a 12kg single speed for . ...Expand 3
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@fentuz3 years ago I use vinyl car wrapping film rather than bike protector.
vinyl is low tack and cheap. Can be changed and recovered easily. 21
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@jbratt3 years ago On the creaky stem problem, check the front quick release and/or front hub. Also i had a creak in the stem area that turned out to be a cracked handlebar. 2
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@MosesPlays3 years ago How can anyone dislike alex' s great attitude and knowledge?
what is wrong with humanity:
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@Rover200Power3 years ago I' d just like to say that i am now a 100% believer in aero frames. I just changed my old round tubed alloy frame for a tt style one with some road it shaved over 2 minutes off my commute to work, so if you want to be more efficient with your time you have to buy aero. ...Expand 1
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@rob-c.3 years ago In the 20s (before posh heli-tape etc being used) i had neoprene frame protectors on my mtb which wrapped round the seat stay and secured with velcro. Definitely an option for the first questioner. 1
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@GCDodwell3 years ago You could use belay glasses to avoid the neck problems while in an aero position. But i dont think it should be recommended: p. 7
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@origmarm3 years ago For protecting bike - old inner tubes, cut lengthways, wrap around tubes where required, zip ties to hold on. Looks terrible but works for a one-off temporary solution. 1
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@crawfordbrown753 years ago David at get your fork inspected by a professional if it's carbon. Likely ring of death and risk of snapping especially if you're heavier. 10
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@vishwanathmallela29263 years ago my new road bikes front wheel hub keeps making a rubbing noise every f ew revolutions or so. It isnt noticeable on the ride, and I found out when I spun the wheel when I was cleaning it. Brakes arent rubbing. Any advice? Thank you. .. ...Expand 2
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@ltrtg133 years ago To protect the carbon frame from chips. You could either wrap the downtube with and old inner tube. Or use the mountain bikers trick. Get an old tyre cut . ...Expand
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@ignatiuschristianto82863 years ago Please make a video about converting to headset internal routing cable. Thanks! 2
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@kirbymarshall3 years ago My cracking in the cockpit area was because the compression plug was too low in the stem and it was allowing the top cap to move enough to make a cracking . ...Expand
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@cubatea3 years ago @/askgcntech i have a 10 year old trek road bike. The seat has started tilting back whenever i hit a bump. I reset the hex screw as tight as i can but . ...Expand 2
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@3dr1ch3 years ago Good job you reminded me to charge my di2 - just checked and im on red an hour before my ride!
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@samuelfoster44403 years ago For the comment about neck injury and using glasses - perhaps belayers glasses from the climbing world would work as they prevent the same style of injury - not very aero though.
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@AMPJ083 years ago Oh well if you cannot then what about the hard tail mtbs made in carbon? 3
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@trainiax3 years ago - I have a gravel bike with disc brakes and Sora, new from last year. I bought it with the idea that I would eventually upgrade the groupset, but have since found it's hard to justify. From a weight perspective, simply upgrading the wheels and crankset removed almost a kilo, and the rest of the groupset is pretty much the same weight as 105. .. ...Expand
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@BeefPCC3 years ago Alex. Little question. For same frame and same componants. Could we save money if i buy bike in part instead all premounted?
thanks.
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@kikiarianto14333 years ago I have a problem when installing the wheels on the frame, the rim always hits the brake pad (rim brake frame) on one side. it's also the same for the back wheel too, I always set the brakes repeatedly/hold the rim to keep it in the center line when I tighten the qr. is it normal for a bike with qr hub? and how to fix it?
thanks .. ...Expand
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@adama49563 years ago I ride an endurance frame, Trek Domane, with 32mm tires. I love the bike and overall compliance / comfort. I have started doing more competitive drop group rides, approximately 2 hours in duration. I see a lot of the guys running 28 mm tires on their more race orientated frames. Should I drop down to 28mm or stick with 32mm? .. ...Expand 1
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@grahambowes7563 years ago On the di2 charging question, i put the bluetooth module in, so that does use a bit more power, now and needs more frequent charging. Having said that . ...Expand
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@lawrencenahlik98053 years ago I do exactly what the first questioner asked: i ride my giant defy on gravel. I haven' t done anything to protect the frame, though that sounds like . ...Expand
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@B-Rad-K3 years ago I had anoise that was driving me crazy! Sounded like it was coming from the cockpit area, it would happen with the first high pedal torque effort and again when applying brakes, reoccurring with this pattern. After pretty much retorqueing oralmost every component i found it was the seat post to frame connection; and the noise was gone. I had a similar one pop up since and it was fixed by tightening the rear quick release, thought it was plenty tight but needed just a bit more, according to the peak torque channel our qr and even through axles should be quite tight. It seems these noises can transmit through the frame and are hard to track down, especially when they will only occur while riding but not on the work stand, but so far the source of the noise has never been where i initially thought it was coming from. ...Expand
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@jacquestheisen93813 years ago For the neck problem: lock into some climbing material. They use prizm glasses so they can look at theor peer without having to move their head. 9
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@scotthamilton10543 years ago Soaked bike from being on car roof and driving for 4 hours: i did experience front wheel bearing seize. Wasnt too happy for it was an expensive roval w . ...Expand
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@The_RyCheu3 years ago I have an entry-level carbon bike with a 105 groupset, and am considering an upgrade to Di2. Would upgrading the groupset first and later the frame (buying the frameset then moving the parts over) be advisable (possibly cheaper in the long run) or would it be better to sell my bike off and get one already kitted with Di2? .. ...Expand
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@peterprisching11093 years ago
Hey Alex!
Is there anything you can treat your sunglasses with that the rain repeals? I was attending in a race the weekend in it was pooing down my glasses were full of drops inside and outside. Anything you can recommend? .. ...Expand
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@oscarcraig1073 years ago Whats the difference between S-bend aero bars and J-bend aero bars? I'm looking at getting some clip on aero bars for my road bike.
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@mnbv5555cxz3 years ago Re: prism glasses - these are often used in rock climbing for belayers so they do not need to stand and constantly tilt their heads up to watch their climber. . ...Expand
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@Grovreicraynth3 years ago Good day. I have a road bike with a Shimano Claris groupset. I'm planning to upgrade to a Tiagra or even a 105 soon. Is it safe to start with a 105 standard Chainring with my 8 speed cassette and Rear derailleur? .. ...Expand
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@hnyremo3 years ago hi Alex, is it possible for a gravel bike to use MTB group set (example shimano XT front chainring, crank arms, cassettes and rear mech) together with shimano 105 shifter? .. ...Expand
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@ericspmc093 years ago I know the TdF just ended, but what sensors (I'm assuming) appeared to be taped or shrinkwrapped on the front fork? I've never noticed them before. I know they have a sensor under the saddle. Thanks! .. ...Expand
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@niezbo3 years ago belayer glasses. Never tried those, some did tho.
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@ltrtg133 years ago Is the mirror glasses what dan tried out in a video a few years ago. Then crashed in to a bush if i remember right as he could work out which way to go. 1
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@mathewrose29513 years ago I' m a fan of upgrading the groupset on a frame you like over buying a whole new bike. I upgrades old 7800 duraace to new 9150 and then put the old . ...Expand
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@nandikeshsivalingam73703 years ago I have a new gravel bike (with Gravel Tyres) and i mainly ride on the road, however the side wall in my back tyre has got cut twice in two different tyres, despite running at higher pressures. Im not sure why its happening and i dont remember going over sharp objects. should i go for more thicker tyres like schwable marathon? .. ...Expand
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@sbong143 years ago I'm considering changing to a tubeless set-up. The MTB community claims that sealants have been designed for low pressures, are there any sealants that are optimized for the relatively high pressures we still run on the road? .. ...Expand
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@LA-yg9tp3 years ago I bought a brand new old model t mobile 2006 tcr and have ridden it for 1000 km the chain had a bit of rust from when i bought it and could'nt be removed. should i replace the chain now cause im planning to do a full rehaul of the bike .. ...Expand
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@deseanhalley30663 years ago I am looking to upgrade my smart trainer to a direct drive (saris h3 or a wahoo) and i was looking at 10 speed cassettes online and noticed that shimono . ...Expand
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@akokada9733 years ago look up for belay glasses used on rock climbing :D
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@JektorII3 years ago Hi. I've heard that talcum on the butyl inner tubes reduces rolling resistance. Is this true? I find it makes the mounting process easier. Could/Should I apply talcum on TPU tubes? Or could it be even harmful? .. ...Expand
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@martinnowotarski74933 years ago Hi ollie and alex, can you run different size tires on a road bike, for example 28mm on the front and 30mm on the rear? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of this type of set up? Thanks.
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@kunminger3 years ago Hello guys, please help.
I have a Cannondale caad12 with a BB30 converted to use an FSA crank, i think (power2max power meter). My bottom bracket has started grinding, and thinking maybe I need to change the bearings, or at least regrease it?
Could you tell me what tools I will need please?
Thank you very much.. i'm a bit of a tools noob, but in Egypt with no mechanics, it seems .. ...Expand
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@bstubbs91303 years ago should you occasionally lubricate spokes where they join alloy rims? If so with what and could this interfere with the adhesive of tubeless rim tape if any lube gets inside the rim cavity? .. ...Expand
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@HaveFunBikes3 years ago I' d like to add on the weight question. Weight does indeed mean nothing, unless you are chasing milliseconds.
other bloke i follow have done so yeah, rolling resistance and aerodynamics play a huger role than weight. ...Expand
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@gravelexplorer24373 years ago Hi Ollie and Alex,
I recently bought a Canyon Grizl Slx as a Do-it-all bike. It comes with Dt Swiss GRC Wheels, which have an inner rim width of 24mm. I wanted to put on 28mm tires, but Dt swiss recommended at least 32mm, and that 30mm was the safety limit. After I saw your video about the new Zipp Wheels I wonder why these should be safe with 25mm tires, having a 23mm inner rim width, while the GRC are not. How different can the construction of the rims be, since they are both TSS and irw just differs by 1mm? Or do DT Swiss just recommend wider tires to be on the safe side? By the way: I intend to use inner tubes, to make it easier to switch tires and go tubeless for sportives and races. Cant afford another set of wheels for the road for now.
Thanks a lot .. ...Expand
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@tn92743 years ago , hi Alex and Ollie. have asked this once but no luck yet. wondering why when the chain on the smallest cog 11T, there is so much vibration (sort of rumbling) going on when pedalling? the sound and vibration is very noticeable. thanks! .. ...Expand
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@alexheney3 years ago Can you carry a carbon frame road bike on a "hanging" type car rack? I have a towbar mounted rack, and am considering a carbon framed bike, but unsure about whether the rack would be suitable. .. ...Expand
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@user-rj1ml1um9x3 years ago my v brakes on my bike don't retreat after I press the brakes as much as they can I fix it ?
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@dawitsolomon38473 years ago Great show guys. I recently changed my hood covers on both my UItegra Di2 and Ultegra mechanical shifters. However after the change the new ones seem to be a bit saggy and don't fit on the shifters as well as the first ones did. What am I doing wrong? Would ove to send yo a picture for you t get a better understanding of the problem. Thanks a bunch. .. ...Expand
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@dineashkumar27633 years ago Hi GCN, can i run 18-25 tube on 28mm tire? Thanks
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@ciaramadrona39953 years ago
Can I convert my 29er mountain bike into Gravel bike?
Also does 700x38c fitted on it?
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@TomZ233 years ago In the climbing industry there are things called belaying glasses, but i don' t know how safe it would be to use them while riding a bicycle.
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@gregkash193 years ago Petzl belay glasses could be used in tt position in theory.
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@nigeldepledge37903 years ago The biggest difference betweenand carbon fibre is the internal structure.
(this word doesn' t refer but to a whole group of slightly different materials) is amorphous, with little to no internal structure, which is why is relatively little structural strength. Most plastics can be made stiff, but they can only do this by adding extra material - which is why a polythene bag is flexible whereas a container made from hdpe (high density polyethylene, with is the same chemical substance) can be relatively rigid.
carbon fibre, as noted in the video, has a matrix of woven carbon filaments that are held in place with a resin (which is a kind of plastic) the carbon fibres are laid in layers with the weave lying in particular directions to give strength where needed. Carbon fibre is, therefore, very much stronger per unit weight than any. ...Expand
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@charlificity3 years ago Didnt the prism question get answered a while back when matt stephens was in the team? I think he even tried them. 5
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@swarnendumunshi3 years ago which is the thinnest possible tyre that can be installed on a 27 1 inch rim?
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@hrdbread3 years ago Currently running ultegra r8000, was looking into cassette capacity. Saw the Minimum low gear was 28t, but I'm currently running 12-25 are there issues running a 25t when the min is 28t? .. ...Expand
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@TheMediocreCyclist3 years ago hello! I am currently upgrading an old hybrid bike to add better components and drop bars. However the bike has V Brakes and I've read that STI shifters don't work properly with V brakes. What can I do in this situation? Thanks .. ...Expand
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@Shellewell3 years ago Re. Neck problem: helmet aerodynamics are designed for wearing while looking up and not down. If you had something like climbing belay glasses but with . ...Expand
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@SonnyDarvishzadeh3 years ago Endurance rider here. I want to know which type and depth of wheel is the most comfortable for +200km rides. Shallow vs Deep, Aluminium vs Carbon, do Spokes play a role? .. ...Expand 2
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@jennifercash10933 years ago - I'm considering some upgrades to my 2013 Ribble Sportive Racing. It currently has the original 105 drivetrain, and shimano RS11 wheelset on - with a limited budget, what will make the biggest difference to do first, the wheels or the drivetrain? Also, is it possible (or even worthwhile) to retro fit a disc brake system? .. ...Expand
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@xa95813 years ago is there advantage using ceramic lube on your drivetrain? 2
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@abiggerjimjr3 years ago My chain has started skipping off the cassette during hard climbs a couple times. Indexing is good and the cables are relatively new. What could be causing this? .. ...Expand
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@jedisdad22653 years ago I do it all the time. Might not be ideal but to me it is no different than riding city streets in houston.
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@chriskotting94623 years ago Re: schermer' s neck. Look into " belay glasses" rock climbers use them when belaying another climber, so they don' t have to crane their necks to watch the climber go up the rock face.
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@MarioDeFeliceNetworkEngineer3 years ago Is crosswind affecting more a lightweight shorter rider (offers less wind surface but he is lighter) or a taller but heavier rider ? E.g. a 170cm 70kg rider vs an 190cm 80kg rider? .. ...Expand
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@user-rj1ml1um9x3 years ago I have a handmade carbon road bike with kinda random components (different shifters ,difrent drive train components) and old(Shimano tiagra and sora).And for wheels I have some mavic alloy ones with a wheelset weight of 2.3 kg.What should be my next upgrade a groupset wheels or a new bike? .. ...Expand
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@brylowsf3 years ago I see a lot of pros having white stickers on their handlebar/stem area during races. I'm curious what do they have written on it.
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@OliverCrowhurst3 years ago What happened to the time stamps for each question?
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@alexgraves68423 years ago Dear Alex, Is the amount of stress received by the related bike components the same between high and low gear ratio? Which is better for parts longevity during a climb, shift to lower gear or stay at high gear, get off the saddle and grind? .. ...Expand
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@samloughton18853 years ago . I have 25mm tyres, I also have 18-25mm & 25-32mm inner tubes. Which tubes should I use? 1
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@LarryTait13 years ago I have had this exact same thought; visors or prisms to keep your head down. My neck takes such a beating.
shermans neck, eh?
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@user-rj1ml1um9x3 years ago is there any real difference in performance between mtb clipless pedals and road bike ones? 3
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@JPDynamics3 years ago Had a creaky headset that i suspected before but turns out to be on a seatpost.
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@magnusbark48863 years ago Hi GCN! A guy who I rode with the other week told me that he uses tyres with inner tubes, but he filled the inner tubes with TL-sealant (about half t id="hidden59" class="buttons">he recommended amount). In that way, he told me, he got decent puncture protection without all the smudges and the expensive TL tyres. Could that even work? .. ...Expand
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@alfredmuliady69503 years ago I am planing to buy my first bike and planning to ride it on weekend on the road, I am planning to buy a cheap mtb bike, I have a budget around 150 to 250 dollars could i get a decent bike with that or do I have to spend more? If so around how much and should I consider getting another type of bike(currently I's planning to buy a mtb)? .. ...Expand 2
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@exavolta3 years ago Small-sized (<=52) 700c road bike or 650b-optimized road bike of the equivalent size? 1
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@alexchastney31563 years ago can you do a video a testing of what is the cheapest bike one of you can buy and still manage 20 mph for an hour solo
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@robfetty64973 years ago What is lighter and more aerodynamic ? A disc brake wheel or a rim brake wheel of the same style/brand?
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@SeraStaplz3 years ago I FOUND IT! For those of you wondering about "belay glasses," here's that GCN video!
1
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@rafaelpalm40283 years ago Whats the best way of cleaning the bottom bracket area without having to disassemble the whole pedal/BB?
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@scotthamilton10543 years ago Group set differences are meaningless in the scheme of things. The bike industry has done a fine job of using the different levels of group sets as a id="hidden66" way to bucket products into price structure. Want real performance gains? Then invest in these areas: wheels, more aero helmet, stiffer lighter shoes. The helmet will be the most price effective way to become faster. 500 bucks on nice shoes i found make a huge difference, 1k on wheels? For me the jury is still out but one thing i know for sure is that a group set makes zero difference inlike being sold snake oil, unless you are in shifting scenario that mnt or cyclocross can throw your way you are waisting your money on anything above 105. ...Expand
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@user-rj1ml1um9x3 years ago my bike makes clicking noises when I ride out of the saddle what could it be .I have changed my BB
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@13ig13oots3 years ago Was it my imagination or was this week a little longer than normal?
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@MartialLawTV543 years ago Can you convert a traditional clincher wheel to Tubeless?
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@gerrymcbride64293 years ago Same mistake as last week Alex. Do not lubricate a bolt and then apply the recommended torque setting, this will overs tress the fastener as recommended torque settings unless otherwise stated are for clean and dry components. If you don't believe me then I can refer you to this site which quantifies the effect of lubricants on threaded components. .. ...Expand
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@carlosflanders5183 years ago Carbon fibre is literally short for cfrp - carbon fibre reinforced plastic. Alex just said that plastic isn' t plastic. It' s plastic!
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@alvarosuareztrabanco54003 years ago In some oold video of gcn with matt stephens they used belay glasses kind of as a joke. 1
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@zrgblork3 years ago On the subject of, not looking up is more aero. Didn' t dan make a video with such a mirror contraption a few years back? Can' t for the life of me find the video.
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@quietri0t3 years ago Wow, usually i admire yourbut the answer doesn' t pay justice to the title of the video. Insurance concerns?
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@macstmanj33 years ago Bike weight is something we should care less about when you' re starting out. You' ll get stronger faster!