Narrow Handlebars, Squeaky Pedals & Bike Flaps | GCN Tech Clinic

[@gcntech]

Make sure you send in your questions using #askgcntech

[@TBATTIECYCLING]

F GCN

[@chrisbaum998]

#askgcntech A few of my cycling friends wear a base layer to pull the sweat away from the body on warm summer days. Is a base layer really that helpful? Noticed in the TDF, on warm days many of the Pro’s don’t have a base layer on while racing. They just unzip the jersey to get air to the body. Is this because the Pro's have support crews that they can get water/ice socks with no problem to help with cooling the body? Or they don’t want the extra weight of a base layer? Or is it a personal decision?? Look forward on your thoughts Alex, Ollie and Manon!!

[@newhorizons.english]

For the one person talking about the squeaky pedals, I have a tip: It's worth trying some candle wax on the cleat/pedal interface. That sorted out my squeaky cleat/pedal

[@docj511]

I emailed Silca with this very question. Lubricating the springs and interface on Speedplay Zero cleats and pedals is a great place to use Super Secret drip on wax. Made my cleats silky smooth and totally silent.

[@tychoMX]

@@docj511 LOL. I do use Silca to top-off my waxed chains, but use a cheaper dry wax lube on my pedals. I think I still have some Rock'n'Roll Gold that I use almost exclusively for pedals and similar components.

[@joekawasaki]

Also the if they have the newer wahoo speedplays there's not a place to grease anymore.

[@jel10ukkite]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/on3WenaMl5drfrM

[@brianrichards350]

I have also found that shoes widen a bit in the heat..chafe against the crank arm can be an unexpected squeak that wasn't there before.

[@docj511]

Wings on F1 cars increase downforce and drag actually make them slower on the straights but the increased downforce on the tires provides more grip in the corners and allows them to corner faster which more than compensates for this. I believe they fine tune the wings for each race track to optimize the straight away speed vs cornering grip ratio depending on the geometry of each track.

[@Andy_ATB]

Compare the wings on cars on a fast track, like Monza, to a slow circuit like Hungaroring/ Monaco.

[@jbratt]

My dad raced cars in the 60s and invented adding an airfoil to a car for downforce.

[@lesflynn4455]

Highly relevant to bicycles.

[@filipruml]

@@jbratt Was your dad Colin Chapman, or Michael May? First wings appeared on cars in the 20's on the likes of Opel Sander-Rakete and then later in the 50's you could see a proper wing on Porsche 550 Spyder during the 1000km of Nürburgring.

[@jbratt]

@@filipruml no. His name was Mark Bratton. He raced scca centered in Texas and experimented with an airfoil in the sixties. He had never seen or heard the use of a wing for downforce at the time. Jim Hall (also from Texas) expanded on the use and is credited for much of the development.

[@daniel_zitter]

Richard Mille watches are also known for being very lightweight and shock resistant

[@emilvaradi9393]

Nice to hear. ;-)

[@bingissimo6902]

The RM website says that UAE get the RM 67-02, which comes in at 32g or about 1.1 oz for those who measure in black and white. Or if you prefer another comparison, 1ml of water has a mass of 1g, therefore if a bidon contains 550ml/550g of water you could put 17 of those watches in to reach the same mass.

[@stevevanness4195]

I changed from 42cm to 38 after seeing a bike fitting video. I used aero bars for over 30 years because of my hands going numb on the hoods. I’ve been using the 38s for a few months now, and no numb hands. The only issue I found was my knees hitting the drops on steep climbs. I would buy flared bars if I had it to do again.

[@haggardgrin]

With regard to leaky tubeless tires - can't recommend enough a product called Fatty Stripper. It's a latex rubber strip that is used in place of rim tape. Makes seating the tire easier and leaks way less air. My fatbike held 12 psi (high pressure for a fatbike) for a year and half! Going to put the skinny version on my gravel bike when I get around to it.

[@tychoMX]

Love Speedplay pedals - but they can squeak. Often it is NOT the pedal, it's the interface with the shoes. I use a candle/wax block before installing the adapter plate. They used to include a bit of grip tape with the adapters. That works too. And also use some dry lube in the circlip that secures the pedal to the cleat. These pedals really hate contamination so flushing the cleats out after putting your feet on sand can also help.

[@m.talley1660]

This is all true. Original company sold small bottles of White Lightening (a wax lube that left a dry film).

[@mikesmith2864]

Regarding movable aero flaps, when the (gen 6?) Madone with the flaps that covered the front brakes when they were turned came out, there was a lively discussion at our bike shop on whether they could both be actuated to act as a speed brake. The consensus was that it would be cool but ineffective.

[@brockjennings]

I came from a time when wider bars were considered better. The logic was the more you can spread your shoulders, the better you can open up the rib cage to improve breathing.

[@sventice]

Going to narrower bars (from 44 to 40cm) is probably the best change I've ever made to a bike. Before I made the change, longer rides, more than 3 hours or so, were a bit like torture: pain in my shoulders and neck would gradually build to the point that it actually affected my ability to continue riding. Since I switched to the narrower bars, I can literally ride all day long without any pain at all, other than the usual burning legs, etc. At this point, I'm perplexed that almost all complete bikes available at stores, especially gravel bikes, come with ridiculously wide bars at any given size. In my frame size, bikes almost invariably come with 44cm bars, but most bicyclists my height don't actually have 44cm, rugby-player shoulders. Why do manufacturers continue to size bikes like this?

[@rg807]

If your thinking about going to narrower bars, try turning your hoods in slightly. This looks kind of goofy, but it's way more comfortable. And if you do go to narrower bars, and you're broad shouldered, having the hoods turned in will be less restrictive. The biggest downside for me is sprinting - there's simply less leverage.

[@D2traveller]

Had a problem with my Speedplay pedals squeaking when climbing - eventually worked out the plastic surround was rubbing, not the cleat itself

[@emmabird9745]

Flaps on bikes might be relevant as Air Brakes for Alpine style descents.

[@twowheels222]

As a kid, I had a cheap department store bike with a laughable spec at the time. The largest cog in back was 28T when "real" bikes had 25T at most. The 'bars were just 38 cm wide. The tires were 38 mm wide and the cranks were just 155 mm long. Now most modern bikes have at least 28T on the cassette. Wide tires, short cranks, and 38 cm bars are trendy. It was really heavy, yet now manufacturers are saying weight is not that important. Where are we headed?

[@MsTatakai]

the tyre deflating is due to diference in atmospheric pressure and heat/cold... each time that happens the pressure either goes up or goes down depending on the temperature so they deflate... slowly ... the beads has nothing to due with that also happens in non tubeless tyres

[@travelinalaskan]

You missed the meaning of the question about the tubeless tire rims and the pixies. He was asking where does the air go that is in the tire when you put inner tube in a tubeless tire and inflate it. Naturally one would think there would be trapped air around the inner tube when you inflate the inner tube. The question was, where does the trapped air between the tire and the inner tube go?

[@colinstones]

I think the answer given was wrong anyway. Car tyres are so much thicker and heavier than bike tyres but the main difference is the pressures used. If you let you bike tyres down to 30 psi they will be very slow to deflate.

[@MrPharmageek]

My guess: you need to unseat the tubeless tire to get the tube in, so there won't be nearly as good a seal. Inflating the tube is rather different from inflating the tubeless tire directly, so the bit of air in the tire escapes around the bead.

[@m.talley1660]

Car tires vs bike is mostly about a huge difference in volume.

[@markvanlintel]

also a car tire runs on 2.3 -2.6 bar the added pressure also aids in leakage

[@svenlima]

Against squeky metal things I use copper paste. You get it from car mechanics or at hardware stores.

[@AlSalisbury]

Ollie has touched on his “poor sprint” in a few videos recently…. It would be interesting to see if a dedicated sprint training programme would have any noticeable impact and see an improvement…. How do the GCN Team compare in a sprint?

[@Noddingdog63]

I still use wired bead because they are cheaper. Back in the day when I but 20,000,000 psi in my tyres I had to carry an extra folding tyre just incase but not so much now.

[@ivarbrouwer197]

My Look Keo blade cleats squeak a lot when new, I do tend to have some lateral movement which doesn’t help.

[@a1white]

4:41 I’m sorry, but I’m not riding anywhere with a Hippopotamus

[@MechaNick767]

Thx Lads! 👍

[@halnorwood6978]

My speed play aero cleat covers regularly squeak after walking on them.

[@TESTA-CC]

Mind Blowing The Price Of That Watch.

[@marcopaganotto9125]

Robbery!

[@SlickWillyTFCF]

Overall, that's relatively mid-range in the watch world. The Patek Phillipe 5711 with the Tiffany blue dial is currently selling for about seven times that much on the secondary market; and there are a handful of watches like the Breguet Marie Antionette and the Patek Phillipe Grandmaster Chime in the $20,000,000+ category.

[@galenkehler]

You can't just "hop on" a narrow bar and expect the muscles that have adapted to a wide position to be comfortable. However, with a few weeks adaptation, narrow bars end up being more comfortable, especially on long rides.

[@stephencharles6932]

#askgcntech I hope this may be of use to others like me. I manage my bike pretty well through the year with a nicely (buttery smooth) waxed drive train and attend to any issues as they occur, such a disc brake pads. However, I am no mechanic and have little idea of what needs servicing/checking annually to prevent long term issues building up for the future. I have no wish to do it myself but I would like to be able to make an educated request to the bike store of what to do. All I really know is that the bottom bracket should be checked and re-greased. What else should be checked? Rear hub? Or anything else as regards lubrication? And is this an annual thing or based on km of riding? My local store have service levels with lists of things to do but most of that I do not need, such as drive train and brake pad checks and a clean and I only wish to pay for what I need, what is important (and usually hidden from view). Many thanks. * and very best wishes to lovely Manon

[@TimR123]

I'm not sure you got the answer right there about why bike tires lose air faster than car tires (sorry, 'tyres' 🙂) Car tires are MUCH thicker than bike tires. I've always assumed the issue is that the much thicker casing and tread is better at resisting gasses passing through it. I'm sure the very tight beads help, but frankly, when proper, bike tubeless setups also have a tight fit AND we use goop (sealant) to fill small gaps which is generally not done on cars

[@RodneyMuhling]

I have been useing 42 tryd 38 on track bike to small for me

[@Pedro_Pasi]

Nobody ever talks about worse breathing abilities with a narrow bar. I recogniced this while doing VO2max intervals, that breathing with a narrow bar ist limited caused by a lower lung volume when your narrow arms force your breast to be narrow too. So, can it be better to have a wider bar, especially on steep climbs where aero doesnt matter that much?

[@emilvaradi9393]

I think you answered your own question.

[@GK-zr9cq]

Narrow doesn't seem to affect breathing on TT bikes though

[@riKi_dk]

#askgcntech Hi, I’m a man who is 188 cm tall and weighs about 100 kg. I’ve been experiencing numbness in my lower region while cycling. Despite trying 7 to 10 different saddles and adjusting my riding positions, the issue persists. Will getting a bike fit guarantee that the numbness will stop, or should I focus on losing weight first?

[@shiznit76]

Probably more to do with position than your weight. I'm similar weight and smaller, I don't have the issue. Saddle might be too high

[@WilliamDu-h9e]

#askgcntech should beginners start with flat handlebars or drop bars

[@bobbybobman3073]

#askgcntech Is there a good way to estimate your peak power without a power meter? Frankly I can't seem to find an "estimate I trust". Various calculators have given me estimates from 1000 to 2000 watts, that is like saying "yep, you were sprinting".

[@newhorizons.english]

#askgcntech I'd like to ask about saddle fore aft adjustment... It seems like it's some elusive thing that people just brush past and never talk about enough. Anyway, What are the implications of adjusting it back or forward?

[@ollybooth6138]

I have two questions Does using a speed sensor make the bike computer battery drain faster Also if I use 25 mm tyres on 21 mm internal rims will it affect the cornering compared to a 19 mm internal rim

[@GilbertTang]

It’s like you moved the set to a different spot lately. Lots of sound from the room. Also, were mics too hot?

[@stevemc1790]

Did you ever go to fill up a tire using a hand pump ...then accidently sluce through your tire😢 and did you find this extremely frustrating...and dud you find a way tovdolve this problem?

[@abemcbeard6290]

#askgcntech I wonder if you can help. When I am cycling there is an audible clicking noise from either my bottom bracket or chain set. What could be causing this noise and should I worry about it? Thanks

[@UKBROOKLYN]

I was riding 44mm bars and decided to try 40mm... Hmmmph... Now my left shoulder injury from 10 years ago is playing up and my elbows are displaying tennis elbow like pain.. I went narrow because I was rolling my hands in from the hoods a lot.. But now I seem to be injuring myself.. Should I try to adapt or just put the old bars back on.. oh and no I am not a giant..

[@broccoliwobbles]

#askgcntech Regarding tubeless setups, would you just normally inflate it to the same pressure as you would with an inner tube?

[@andrewbackhouse5828]

Tyre pressure calculators give you a Tubeless yes/no option, and I think tubeless is generally 10% less as you don't have the problem of pinch flats.

[@rainyambience923]

Could you make a road bike handlebar without drops, and with armrests designed to support the aero hoods position? And would it be fast? #askgcntech

[@MrRundervinkje]

#askgcntech Hello GCN tech, I own a Giant TCR model from 2021. The hex bolts on the bike are made out of gum and even using my torque wrench, I can easily turn them numb. I can't be bothered to unscrew each single bolt, find the size, search all over the internet to find it in black, wait for it to arrive (not use the bike) and then reinstall. Are there kits, bundles, websites out there to help you find all used bolts on your bike and can would you advise exchanging all hex bolts for torx bolts?

[@mattbockbrader2140]

We know you love us, even if you don't say it every time. 🙂

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Whats the relationship of that lion bike guy doper sprinter with the shoe company?

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

What color candle wax ?

[@GrantTakesPictures]

Why do riders like loud hubs? Aren't all of those decibels just Watts floating off into the air? #askgcntech

[@williamschultz8198]

I have a hard time riding no-handed on my road bike. Could this be a bike fitting problem?

[@festerofest4374]

More likely a bike geometry difference issue. My road bike was too "twitchy" to ride comfortably hands-free (sensitive, scary!), but my newer gravel bike is easy and comfortable to ride hands-free.

[@Exgrmbl]

it is often a headset adjustment issue where the bearings are squeezed too tight.

[@andrewbackhouse5828]

On an old steel frame, I had that problem. Turned out the frame was slightly bent from a crash.

[@lovemesomedetail]

#askgcntech I've recently build a new bike, it was my first time doing it and i went all in with two waxed xtr 12-speed chains, which i plan on rotating to make waxing intervalls longer or have a spare ready if needed. when i shortened the first chain i kind of went one link too far and while it would technically be rideable (in biggy bigs the derailleur is quite stretched but still has some free play in the spring) i want both to be the same length and looking the same when mounted. is it possible to elongate the xtr 12 speed chain and how would you do it? thank you very much

[@AlistairSproul]

The thread of the screw point between my left crank and my chainring crank has worn out meaning that it falls of every 30-40kms. The cranks are really nice and i dont really want to replace them is there a way of stopping it from unscrewing? Could i glue it if i knew i could break the glue seal when i need to remove the cranks? Thanks in advance. #askgcntech

[@SlickWillyTFCF]

Maybe some weak threadlocker like blue Loctite?

[@skulluxe1]

#askgcntech Hello GCN Tech, particularly Connor may help on this one... I need your help... any suggestions for someone with a long upper body that deals with short bib straps? I feel like I am being dissected with the majority of bibs I have tried. I either get the straps cutting into my shoulders or feel like I am being cut in half as the bibs are being pulled up by the straps so much. It's very uncomfortable and annoying. Is there any hacks out there that people have done to extend the straps without compromising their function or adding an area of irritation? or maybe a company that tends to have longer straps or offers a Tall option?

[@questgivercyradis8462]

Are you opposed to shorts instead of bib-shorts?

[@barrykearney-luc7232]

Ask Marc Cavendish about the 2 watches that were stolen when his house was broken into

[@wspmjw]

What if you have wide shoulders and 46mm handlebars fit perfectly?

[@wspmjw]

#ASKGCNTECH I've asked a few times in the past about dry rot on tires (tyres for you Brits) and how to prevent it and my question was never answered here. Curious why it wasn't answered?

[@platoali]

#askgcntech After a bikefit and a longer and lower stem, I felt a lot of pressure on my hands, I asked the fitter, and he told me , I would adopt to new position. A couple of months later, after long rides my left pinky finger usually become numb for a few hours. Should I be worry about it? Should I rise and shorten my stem? as the fitter has moved and I don't have access to him anymore.

[@yogatriathlete]

you need a better bike fitter

[@questgivercyradis8462]

Yeah, you need a better bike fit. To an extent, yes, you will take time to adapt to a new position. But that's usually more of a muscle soreness type problem, not numbness. Then you build the muscle, and stop being sore. Sometimes you'll go back in for tweaks to the fit. Numb hands has to suck. You spent the time trying to adapt, and it still happens - probably not muscles fully responsible for the issue. I may end up seeing my bike fitter about my pinky toes going numb when I go for higher power output in the middle of a long ride. Mostly happens on the side that has a very minor injury - could just be some nerve damage too. I suspect I may need some shoes tweaking though (alas, my feet are finicky AF).

[@platoali]

@@yogatriathlete we don't have any here. He was just visiting for a few days , and returned back.

[@platoali]

@@questgivercyradis8462 for me it seems there is a nerve under pressure for a couple of hours. As there is no fitter anymore here, I have to do trial and error. My best guess is to reduce weight pressure on my hands.

[@OldDavo1950]

The old way of Bar width was to get the curve on the inside of your shoulders, Most would fall into the 40 or 42 width. With 42 mainly being chosen by the majority. Among week to week warriors aero is a nonsense best ignored.

[@christianwirth6965]

#askgcntech I'm about to get a TT Bike but I want to stick to 2x. 2 questions: Is it possible to configure it such that I actually shift the front derailleur manually instead of using di2 synchro shift? Second: Is a 58/42 chainring combo fine, or is the gap too big? I have seen Campenaerts has such a setup but I don't have pro mechanics at my disposal on every race Thanks!

[@tychoMX]

Anecdotally - I have shifter 16 tooth gaps on the TT bike - more actually, 54-36. It really does depend on your bike and the spec there, and your equipment. I used to run mechanical shifters (Shimano DA) with an FSA Energy "wide" front derailleur. It worked better than the stock one because the cage was a bit wider and more forgiving. It was trickier to set up when I changed to SRAM Red because it didn't have as much adjustability on the shifter side as Shimano (that essentially could just be a friction shifter). It was much more of a pain to set up with eTap. It's a 'demanding' setup with non-round chainrings so everything is a bit more fiddly and I cross chain a bit more, and the derailleur needs an adapter to be pushed forwards and at a slight angle. Still sometimes drops to the outside so I have to pedal gently (and honestly, for a TT bike I prefer keeping it on the big ring). It doesn't help when the bike has tiny chainstays.

[@ravennexusmh]

you totally misunderstood the tubeless tyre question. its' obvious the person was asking when you put a tube in a tubeless tyre where does the air between the tube and the tubeless tyre go. assuming that tubless tyres don't leak air and non tubeless ones do. i mean it's obvious it leaks out the bead seat before it fully seats or non sealed rim tape etc.

[@Cycle.every.day.]

Narrower handlabars restrict your breathing , especially when breathing is in high demand (climbing for example)

[@andreasroither4407]

Flaps and fairings are Not allowed in UCI Races, i have Them on my oltre pro, arkea Rides their oltre RC without...

[@CrazzyJack123]

Carbon Bike Damage: Is using a coin to check the sound of the bike a reliable method to determine if the carbon is damaged and the bike should not be ridden? #askgcntech

[@DickSpencer1954]

HANDLEBAR WIDTH. Why is the first thing about aero?? Ollie, ask your bike fitter friend, handlebar width starts with the width of ones shoulders. Then you go from there. C'mon guys, James the bike fitter in London screams about handlebar width and the lack of choice for many cyclists. Let's get the info from London to Bath and onto gullible listeners/ watchers. Thank you.

[@robbchastain3036]

If I wore that watch, I'd prefer to ride alone in front, too. 😀

[@smithandshortdogs]

You do have movable flaps on a bike.... it is the rider. You get low for high speed sections and sit up to increase drag under braking...

[@neilwheel]

Poor Ollie. He's as bright as a button when it comes to bikes, but he still can't put his hat on the right way round...

[@harleypurcell7766]

Richard Milles are made from carbon, gold, saphire & titanium. I speak from experience owning a titanium one they are extremely comfortable & arent as bulky as other watches.

[@jugaloo5873]

Defo wanker gains for those watches 😀

[@VictorElGreco]

Handlebar width is a bit of a Catch 22. 🤔 If you go, say, from the stock 42 cm down to 40, the aero gains will be negligible but if you crunch down to 36, the entire geometry of the bike is altered. It may be better to just accept and adapt. 😌

[@lesflynn4455]

Life stays simple and relatively easy when you don't try speedplay pedals, 36 cm bars or expensive oversized jockey wheels.

[@Sign_Hero]

Well said!!

[@tychoMX]

Love Speedplays. I can put the foot exactly where I want on the pedal.

[@galenkehler]

Ah yes, the amish philosophy 😂

[@TBATTIECYCLING]

£15,000 it’s just a bike….

[@endcensorship874]

I'm old school. I came to this stupid sport in the 80's. I will never, never, EVER ride narrow bars. 44 4 life.

[@skulluxe1]

#askgcntech Hello GCN Tech, particularly Connor may help on this one... I need your help... any suggestions for someone with a long upper body that deals with short bib straps? I feel like I am being dissected with the majority of bibs I have tried. I either get the straps cutting into my shoulders or feel like I am being cut in half as the bibs are being pulled up by the straps so much. It's very uncomfortable and annoying. Is there any hacks out there that people have done to extend the straps without compromising their function or adding an area of irritation? or maybe a company that tends to have longer straps or offers a Tall option?