Narrow Handle Bars, Perfect Bike Saddles & Chain Wax | GCN Tech Clinic

[@gcntech]

WE WANT YOUR TECH QUESTIONS! ⚙ Use #askgcntech in the comments to be featured 🔥

[@fotmheki]

#askgcntech hello Manon, Alex and Olli, I'm in the process of upgrading my gravel bike with a new pair of wheel. As I would like to use tires from 700x34c up to 700x50c what internal rim width should I looking for? Thank you!

[@tomkunich9401]

​@fotmheki - uh, in the US, the front brake is on the left lever. Perhaps you meant that in the UK, the front brake is on the right?

[@cycleistic1365]

@@fotmheki From 34 to 50mm sounds quite a leap, does you bike frame have actual clearance for that wide upgrade? If so, rim iw 25-32mm would be in recommendable range, meaning 2.0-1.5:1 tire to rim ratio. In general I've found ~1.5:1 ratio to be the sweet spot for most applications, but 2:1 is totally fine too. Not to forget 26" MTBs used to run on 17mm iw rims with 50mm tires way back in the days, ~3:1 ratio. Crazy, right?

[@ellisroe6527]

#askgcntech Hi all, can you confidently recommend shoe covers that are actually water proof? I've never found ones that actually manage to keep my feet dry during properly wet commutes, even ones that claim to be water proof don't seem to work. PS I have taped up the little vents on the bottom of my Torch 3.0 shoes.

[@hgron]

#askgcntech Hi guys! I have a new super cool Madone SLR gen 7 with the integrated barstem. I'd like to do some shorter triathlon races with it too, but I haven't found any aerobars that would fit. Is it a total no go or do you have any ideas how to fit them to the barstem?

[@zetka102]

Brakes are this way for reason in UK - going over the junction turning right and crossing the incoming lane and signaling with right arm extended, Left hand can control rear brake and be more stable when compare to opposite setup (also reason why continental bikes carry opposite brake setup)

[@SecwetGwiwer]

This is the correct answer, surprised the GCN crew didn’t know that!

[@Tourrider99]

same here in Oz-Australia. Why left hand for the rear brake? The people in government at the time when the law and regulation was drawn up, they thought rear brake is the safer and the main brake. Obviously these people never rode bikes. Easy job to swap the sides around though but not sure if you end up in trouble with insurance companies if you have an accident.

[@ericpmoss]

I wonder if this is the case in Japan, too.

[@Papalazapoo]

Despite this being most likely the reason for UK brake layout, the inadvertent positive consequence is that a UK bicycle’s front brake is on the right hand side, same as a motorcycle the world over. Makes me very glad UK brakes are this way round and I think the rest of the world has got it wrong.

[@tomkunich9401]

You want the most powerful brake on your left hand if you are turning right across traffic. I'm surprised that didn't strike you.

[@bendemeyer6365]

I remember a friend's dad worked for a British company (we lived in continental Europe) and he got gifted a bike from said company, first time I experienced disc brakes... we were young, maybe 10, skidding our bikes around, was definitely a fun surprise when I slammed the right brake expecting a massive skid but instead I flew over the handlebars...

[@gcntech]

Ouch 🤕

[@dakalla]

I live in Austria and ride front brake on the right lever. Before cycling i was riding motorcycles, so the usual way felt wrong to me. Now I still think its better, as I have more control, coordination and power in my right hand than my left. Especially with cold and wet fingers on a rainy descend.

[@gcntech]

We agree 😉

[@johnrodgers6049]

The saddle question: I have tried many saddles and the problem is that often they feel good initially, but after an hour or two things start getting numb. I think measuring your ischial tuberosities while sitting upright is not very helpful as you are never in that position on the saddle but rocked forward on the more anterior portion of the bones. It comes down to trial and error and can get expensive, but when you find the right saddle you stick with it. Full disclosure: I’m 57 and I am a Urologist. I use a Specialized Power saddle.

[@___Bebo___]

I use a similar saddle the Fizik Argo Tempo. This really feels like the best soft tissue protecting design I've tried. Nothing ever touches the saddle at all except the very tips of the sit bones at all times, perfect.

[@gcntech]

Thanks for sharing John🙌 The saddle isn't the only thing to think about. If you are still getting numbness you may find there is a different fit issue at play. This video may help 👉kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2i3pqCYnM6ikLM

[@paulgrimshaw8334]

One of the best suggestions I saw online was to use a thick piece of corrugated cardboard. Place it on a flat surface and sit on it for 15 minutes. The imprint of your sit bones will be visible when you get up. Measure the inner, outer and middle distances between sit bones. Compare that measurement to seat manufacturer specs. That will narrow your search considerably.

[@nickkambitis5340]

I use an ultra sonic cleaning tank for all my chains using hot water and an aerospace grade degreaser Ardrox. The chains come out surgically clean ready for the wax pot. A good ultra sonic tank for a single chain shouldn’t cost no more than £100. If you think of the cost of strip chips, it should pay for itself in time and you can use it for lots of other cleaning procedures including chain rings, cassettes etc. there is a video with Josh from SILCA showing this.

[@space.youtube]

To my mind the front brake is the most important and most people are right handed. It makes sense that the brake that does the lion's share and controls the traction of the most important wheel would be allocated to the dominant, most dextrous hand. Locking up the front has more consequences than the rear. Motorcycles reflect this too with the rear brake being half the size of the front and relegated to the right foot (usually).

[@kelvs45]

Same thing in Japan, they run their front brake with the right brifter. I own a bike that came from japan and it came stock with the front brake on the right sti. Changed it up when i upgraded the whole groupset

[@johnleonard5936]

Bike seats are tricky. I tried the Selle Italia SLR and it killed me. I then purchased the Selle SMP Well saddle after using their online seat calculator that recommended 4 seats. My local bike shop contacted them and ordered the seat for me. From mile 1 it felt great and with 300 miles on it I am so pleased. Their bike fitter is now planning to add the Selle SMP line of saddles to the shop. Selle Italia and Selle SMP are 2 different companies.

[@gcntech]

It's great to hear that you found the saddle that works for you 🙌

[@GregLanz]

New Zealand and I believe Australia have the controls as in the UK. It does make sense as it is the same for the right hand as a motorbike also most people are right handed so having the more important brake on the right side seems logical and possibly safer. Living in Canada I've always had the front brake on the left on my bicycles and on the right on my motorbikes, somehow I've never had an issue swapping back and forth

[@florianjunghans8087]

Anecdote: 30 years ago, many cyclocross cyclists also mounted the brake cables the other way round. Reason: Most cyclists dismount to the left of the bike before obstacles/steep inclines and grip the down tube or top tube with their right hand while rolling in front of the obstacle with their left foot on the pedal. In this situation, it is safer to brake with the rear brake than with the front brake. As only the left hand is still gripping the handlebars and therefore only this hand can operate the brake, this hand must be able to operate the rear brake. Many cyclocross riders have also fitted this brake configuration to their road bike so that they don't have to get used to a different brake configuration twice a year. Narrow handlebars can be problematic when pedalling out of the saddle, especially in combination with short stems, because the short levers make the bike unsteady. I can still remember my first sprints on the track with my track bike and narrow 350 mm handlebar: an incredibly unstable ride!

[@seattlegrrlie]

Correct, my friend's cyclocross bike is also like that. Her road bike isn't. Gotta engage the brain not the instinct which doesn't always work

[@CryptoBond007]

Yes I use BananaWax Chain Drag Reduction & Friction Professional TdF Bike Chain Wax. I've Been using this on my bikes for over 10 years it's excellent.

[@MrErtugerdem]

0:55 because old shifter (down tube) opposit side front brake rear shifter, rear brake front shifter.

[@jbratt]

The brakes with the left on the rear and the right on the front is similar to how motor cycles are setup. On a motorcycle the right lever goes to the front brake and the left lever is the clutch. The rear brake is operated by the foot. I set up a couple of bicycles for old motor bike guys that were more comfortable having the front brake operated by the right lever for this reason.

[@feedbackzaloop]

As an old-ish school climber I'd take all the leverage a wider bar can offer to engage core muscles. But I appreciate newer narrower bars with flare, turning in the hands and therefore turning the elbows outwards

[@gcntech]

It's all bout what works for you 🙌 Are you grinding up hills to rather than spinning?

[@kbbarton1]

I recently bought a new road bike in the UK and I asked them to set it up with right-rear, left-front and the shop said it was "illegal" and refused to do it. All my other bikes are set up that way so I'm going to have to be very careful not to go OTB on the road here.

[@derekbiggerstaff]

I believe it's illegal for the shop to sell it to you left/front but it's not illegal to change it afterwards.

[@mohammadtaufek5529]

I’ve just bought a new Saddle Bjorn Setka 3D printed weight about 132gm…. Its the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever used. Previously I’ve used Fizik Argo Vento R3, San Marco All road carbon FX the Fizik Argo Vento R1. This is my first 3D printed Saddle …

[@ThomasNing]

I don't know about signalling or driving side (Australia), but I like having the left hand on mostly steady brake pressure, and the dominant hand on the stronger brake to modulate more precisely.

[@ivordavies1828]

I think having the front brake on the right makes sense. Most people are right handed and with the front brake providing most of the stopping power you should control that with the hand that you are most dextrous with. That's the way I look at it. Plus I also ride motorbikes so it is nice keeping that bit the same

[@bjm2762]

Hi. I've had prostate cancer. Had the op to remove it plus radiotherapy, etc. I have a road bike with full saddle and a hybrid with cutaway saddle and both suit me fine. So, the answer is to try some out as Ollie says. 😊

[@peterdoege1740]

I went with a series of noseless saddles and settled on an ISM PR saddle. Don’t be afraid to abandon normal saddle manufacturers

[@rayk6251]

Rear brake on the left is definitely British. My 1972 Triumph Bonnie had it on the left, with shifting on the right!

[@davehause8571]

The left lever for rear brake was also preferred when you had down tube shifters, you could better modulate your speed with your rear brake / left hand while slowing and shifting the rear derailleur with your right hand.

[@feedbackzaloop]

Had a bottle of drip-on wax evaporated and solidified over winter, but if it was on the chain, should have been fine as such evaporation is part of application process... However, some oils turn lacquer over time and if it happen on the chain, must be dealt with.

[@colinmackie8857]

So if you are running 11 speed replace chain at 0.5% but if running 8 speed you can let it go to 0.75%? Why the difference? I know an 11s chain is narrower but all chains have the same half inch pitch so why wouldn't you replace them at the same amount of stretch regardless of number of speeds?

[@seattlegrrlie]

My newest bike has handlebars wider than my last one and it took some getting used to. At first I didn't think I liked it, but it's better going uphill and gives more room for the knees when tucked.

[@songfta]

Bar width also ties in with shoulder stability. While narrow bars are getting popular for myriad reasons there are some for whom they're not comfortable or practical, especially if they have a tendency to subluxate (dislocate) their shoulders due to rotator cuff weakness, ligament damage, etc. So it's not all about opening up the chest to allow the lungs more freedom to expand...

[@markusmencke8059]

#askgcntech Re SILCA waxing: use a spoon or similar to prevent the handle of the chain tool to fall into the melt. That way, you can put the lid back on and get a brew while the chain stews.

[@shamendra.sakthivel]

#askgcntech Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. Does that mean silent freehubs are more efficient/faster than loud ones?

[@living4adrenaline]

Wider bars are definitely better for climbing and more comfortable. They give you more of a base for pulling and are great for singletrack and sketchy loose dirt/gravel

[@gcntech]

Do you think the steepness will make a difference?

[@ianallen8746]

Motorcycle setup. Front brake lever is on the right. If a person rode or raced motorcycles it was the preferred option.

[@neilmdon]

another wear thing at least according to zfc, wearis not at all linear. once you start to notice wear it will accelerate pretty quickly. so .5 vs .75 is not 33% less time but maybe 10-15%.

[@martyngreen1532]

It’s so we can change gear on the rear derailleur while slowing using the rear brake especially when we operate mechanical shifting

[@HabaneroTi]

And, I can vouch for a too-stretched chain not being replaced in time prematurely wearing down a cassette AND chainring. I let my 10s chain stretch beyond 0.75" and it wore both down, forcing me to replace them, likely thousands of miles before I would have had I replaced the chain when it got to 0.75". So instead of spending just $20 for a new chain, I spent that PLUS $50 for a new cassette and $80 for a new chainring. $20 vs. $150. Do the math. Actually I did it for you. Friends don't let friend ride stretched chains!

[@StratoJohn]

I live for these videos at the moment ❤

[@hockysa]

as a motorcycle rider UK front brake on the right makes sense.

[@daveroyle6310]

Motorbike riders in Europe often swap the levers round on their bikes to be the same as UK so front brake is always on the right on motorbike and bike. Makes sense.

[@timcollins4011]

I recently upgraded to Shimano 105 11 speed after years of running a 3x8 Sora setup. As such I have a few wheels with 10 speed hubs that have no spacer (they're older hubs). I know Shimano makes an 11 speed 11-34 cassette that will fit on a 10 speed hub die to the 34 tooth sprocket being cantilevered like a MTB cassette. My question is if I use this cassette to convert my older 10 speed wheelsets how does that affect my rear derailleur setup? I already have an 11 speed wheel that is 11-28 that I want to swap occasionally. Since the 34 tooth sprocket is closer to the spokes I assume I would need to adjust the B limit screw to index everything correctly, but wont that mean I need to do that again when swapping with the typical 11-28 tooth wheel? #askgcntech

[@markusseppala6547]

Ppl forget that chain stretch is not linear. Going from 0.5% to 0.75% is no where near third of the life. Chain goes a long time without stretching until the treated surfaces wear out and then starts to stretch fast.

[@richardharris8538]

The rear brake is for gentle deceleration. In countries where people drive on the right side of the road, the most critical turn signal is with the left hand, so the rear brake needs to be controlled by the right hand.

[@HabaneroTi]

Also, apropos of nothing and in no way a bike tech issue, like many people I have to shorten new chains before installing them on my bike, and have a collection of short chain sections that serve no useful purpose since I don't mess with pins and such and use quick links. I recently tried inserting a long and narrow screwdriver into the ends of several of them and found that it made for a strangely relaxing and enjoyable stress reliever akin to those ones that have the large silver ball bearings attached to the ends of several rods connected to a vertical shaft that you move forward and back to strike each other and bounce back satisfyingly. Try it, it's kind of addictive!

[@cjmwrites]

I carry a cafe lock on longer rides. It won't stop the thief who comes prepared but it will delay the opportunist thief from walking off with it while I'm ordering a coffee inside. I always keep the bike within view if I'm on my own.

[@cuebj]

I'd always assumed that, if there is a reason, UK brake lever side relates to turning right - stick your right hand out while gently controlling the braking with your left hand, especially as rear brake was less grabby due to longer cables or, in really ancient days, hinged solid metal rods

[@stevenpike7530]

Australia & New Zealand too…re brakes & shifters…

[@Ryan.T89]

I run all my 11 speed chains to 1 percent with no problems. Have done for years and it doesn’t cause wear problems with anything. I wrecked a 12 speed cassette by running a 12 speed chain to 1 percent so lesson learned with that 😂

[@nathanmcginty5755]

Front brake on the right. Isn't it somthing to do with hand signals with the right arm, so that bike and car hand signals are the same? Left hand on the control brake right hand giving out information?

[@chrisjames1924]

I recently changed my Ultegra chain and when I lay the old chain against the new chain there was enough stretch for the old chain to be an entire link longer.

[@jeremyunsworth2373]

Here in South Africa, the front brakes are on the right. Probably because we also drive on the left, same as UK.

[@smithandshortdogs]

#askgcntech follow on questions for the silca system one practical one hypothetical. 1) does a chain on a new bike count as a new chain (for stripping purposes). 2) if i wanted to do six new chains could I do them all back to back or would that overwhelm the wax as I would not be using the entire bag of wax. If no, what would be the procedure.

[@martinr7700]

you have the brakes in the opposite side, because you drive on the other side of the road. When you are signalling that you are braking, you can break with control while signalling with your left hand.

[@cuebj]

Very good additional point. Signalling that slowing down by waving right arm up and down. You rarely see that now but it's how we learned in 1960s

[@madpeddler8263]

Brakes not breaks

[@miniac60]

The rear brake is mostly ineffective, so when signaling that I'm stopping with my left hand, my brakes are mostly useless in America. If you need to stop now, you need to live dangerously and use that left hand! lol

[@frantzs1077]

It is in the name... Moto brake. Motorbike has throttle on right hand as main function. Putting rear brake on left is common sense and practical. Especially in city traffic. Since we don't have throttle on bicycle we can replace main function for rear brake if preferred. EDIT... I was talking about scooters.

[@_Zane__]

My question got answered 😚

[@3WalkingPoles]

Oh here you are. I was looking for you on the GTN channel. 😉

[@vincentcrispino1551]

Hey guys love the show I have a TCR with Campagnolo Bora Ultra wheels with a 19mm internal width Also have a Propel with Cadex Ultra 50 wheels with a 22mm internal width Both bikes I was running 700x28 Pirelli PZero tires on it.. I tend to normally ride the Propel and always thought the tires looked pretty big on the bike but thought that I was just imagining it.. The last time I rode the TCR I thought that I had 700x25 tires on it and had to stop and make sure the tires said 28 because they looked so much smaller than the same size tire on the propel.. I used a venire caliper and measured the width of the tire on the Propel and it measured 32. I put a Vittoria tire on the cadex wheels and it measured 28.. why is the 700x28 Pirelli tire on the cadex wheel measuring 32mm and the 700x28 Vittoria measuring true to size? Thanks

[@gregmuon]

Right hand front brake makes sense because most people are right handed and the front brake is the main brake. In the US, among racer types we used to call this set up "Italian" brakes, because it is (or was) also standard in Italy. Note vintage Campy record brakes are set up for right hand front. Left hand front brakes is the legacy of a time -- perhaps 100 years ago -- when it was thought that front brakes were dangerous.

[@dakalla]

Never heard of "italian" brakes, as everyone in italy rides left hand front brake. It should be called english brakes ;)

[@gregmuon]

@@dakalla Maybe now they do. Not sure when that started. Look at some old pictures. Fausto Coppi, Felice Gimondi, Francesco Moser. They all ran right hand front.

[@HabaneroTi]

I started waxing recently, with MSW, and have liked the results so far. My one minor quibble is that, because it also adheres to the outside, visible parts of the side plates and the dark-colored additives in it that presumably make it better than just wax, it makes the chain look "dirty", even though it isn't, and less shiny and silvery than I'd like. Assuming that the wax on those parts of a chain in no way benefits efficiency and longevity, is there a way to remove it to make the chain look nicer, that would in no way affect the chain's actual efficiency and longevity?

[@professorsogol5824]

I think it is an island thing: Countries that are islands like Japan and the UK and NZ and . . . drive on the left and put the rear brake lever on the left. (And don't talk to me about India; it used to be an island before it ran into Asia.)

[@johnstrac]

I'd say the front brake's on the right as most people are right handed but of course they are abroad as well so that theory falls down early.

[@deathbymidnight13]

Loving Ollie's hair in this... Makes him look like a tech guru/mad scientist 😀

[@gcntech]

Hahaha do you think he waxes it?

[@deathbymidnight13]

@gcntech knowing him, definitely! More efficient haha

[@larter_larter]

#askgcntech Not directly cycling related, but still relevant: What about bone conduction headphones for cyclist?

[@peterdobos1606]

Maths problem for you guys #askgcntech: 1 high-end chain costs $100. wet lube for the chain costs $15 per year the chain needs replacing every year when using wet lube wax for the chain costs $50 per year the chain needs replacing every 3 years when using wax A bike trip to the Alps costs $500. A) Which system will save you enough money for said trip, and how long will it take?

[@murranz]

Clarification is good Thanks

[@petedannatt]

Interesting that UK brakes are that way round. So if I bought a bought a bike in the UK is there any reason that I couldn't swap the hydraulic brake lines to bring it back to what I'm used to?

[@stevefarrell7741]

We have the front brake on the right in the UK because it is the primary brake, as the one that does most of the stopping, and therefore the one it is most critical to precisely control - and most humans are right-handed. It is the same reason the front brake is on the right on motorcycles, and it is the optimal arrangement. Locking up the rear wheel is less likely to lead to an immediate crash than locking up the front is. It is also the same reason the rear brake is applied by the right foot on motorcycles, while the left hand and foot take care of the clutch and gear selector, where precise dexterity is less of a priority. And the same reason the right foot applies the brake in cars and the left applies the clutch. And the same reason the throttle on a motorcycle is on the right-hand bar. Obvious really. While I'm on the subject, driving on the left-hand side of the road is optimal for a similar reason: Right-hand drive cars leave the right-hand free to steer while the left changes gear, as opposed to the other way round.

[@mlee6050]

#askgcntech I tried looking but do you have a good video of how to pick handlebar width if want to pick narrower than shoulders, unsure how far to go also seeing intergrated bars, basically all look round and not aero so was wondering if what aerodynamics wins, an aero bar and stem or intergrated bar that is round

[@cra_55]

#askgcntech Question about bike fitting. Is my bike too big for me? Is it normal to need to set your saddle as far forward as possible to be comfortable on a bike? I'm 178cm tall and the bike in question is a Surly Cross Check, a bike known for having an unusually long reach. Prior to this, I have never owned a drop bar bike, but I have gone on short rides on road bikes I borrowed from my mates and I've ridden both 54cm and 56cm bikes. The 56cm bikes were tolerable, but I much prefer the 54cm bikes. My Surly is labeled as a 54cm but the top tube, which is perfectly horizontal, measures at a whopping 56cm. I have 42cm wide bars that have been rolled backwards by a generous amount that's attached to an 80mm stem flipped positive, and it's all set up pretty high thanks to a generous length of uncut steerer left by the previous owner. My knees look like they are in the correct position when the pedals are horizontal. The standover height feels perfectly comfortable with my inseam length, and I have about 11cm of exposed seatpost, which looks consistent with pictures of other Cross Checks I've seen online. The setup actually feels fairly comfortable in its current state, and I've been thoroughly enjoying the bike as it is right now, but the longest stint I've had on that bike so far is only about 2 hours so I still don't know how it will actually feel on a proper all-day ride. I have a bad back, so comfort is a top priority. I've been told by some that Cross Checks work better as flat bar bikes, but I really don't want to go down that route as I already have 3 flat bar bikes and building this with a flat bar would kinda defeat the purpose of me getting this bike in the first place. p.s I know I probably should've bought something with more modern endurance geometry because I have a bad back, but godammit Surlys are just so damn cool and I've always wanted one

[@matthewho1053]

The rule of 105% stated that the rim must be at least 105% wider than the tyre to gain aerodynamic advantage. Some wheelsets like Roval Rapide CLX II and Reserve 40/44 has a wider external rim width at the front and narrower at the rear. Which tyre cobination is faster, using a wider tyre at the front and a narrower tyre at the back following the rule, or using equally wide tyres at both wheels, which have lower rolling resistance but too wide for the rear? #askgcntech

[@paulgordon7526]

selle italia smp trk good for the prostate issue ?

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Bars preferred on descents then? Thanks

[@peaches7824]

My wife is a left hand dominant and I set her bike up with the rear brake on the left and front on the right. I did this because when they were the other way around she was hard braking with the front brake so I switched them for her safety.

[@KenSmith-bv4si]

Do youse guys in Jolly old England still use a Positive ground? My Spitfire(68) and MGB(74) were positive ground or earth.

[@kaduuuuu]

i mean having your right hand which is most people's dominant hand on the front brake is better because it's the most important of the two

[@mlee6050]

This is ironic as I was looking how to find right handlebar width, I currently use 40cm but how aero I want my trek Emonda ALR as how much spending on it, I'm questioning if go lower and by how much

[@trashmannieatgarbage7239]

#askgcntech Hi guys, I recently switched out my old jockey wheels for aluminum ones from Hope. They seem to be louder than the plastic ones, is that normal? Should I be able to hear them while riding? According to my chain checker the chain has barely stretched in the last 1000km and it shifts perfectly. Hope confirmed that they would be compatible with my GRX810 2x11. Can I keep riding? Oh and my cassette is wobbling maybe 1mm to 1.5mm and it's digging into my freehub! When should I replace the freehub body? #askgcntech

[@paulgordon7526]

Lol, remembered the brakes were the other way round when we hired them in Spain (Lucky i remembered this :-) )

[@JayKay-dt1ld]

#askgcntech Hi guys. A question about helmet choice for big Alpine climbs in hot summer weather (30C+). In terms of cooling, is it better to use a helmet with less ventilation holes (e.g. a road aero helmet), so there's less sun hitting your head directly, or a helmet with more ventilation holes (e.g. a standard road helmet) so the air flow is better? Presume that everything else is the same (the colour of the helmet, thickness, etc.) Thanks in advance!

[@michaelnewman4302]

This is the first time I've heard that the strip chip converts factory grease to wax. I need this confirmed by Josh Poertner.

[@vozzen]

Since I ride motorcycles as well, they all have (I think) the front brake on the right so it is a bit confusing when I have to switch to my bike where the front brake is on the left.

[@gcntech]

Why not get the swapped over on your road bike?

[@vozzen]

@@gcntech I guess I could, but I would then have to do it to all my bikes, and I would need to keep in mind that if someone borrows my bike to remind them that I have swapped the brakes and also when I sell the bike

[@janemf]

im just curious whether chain wax will help me on the swim

[@gcntech]

Where are you putting it 👀

[@wspmjw]

Y'all in the UK drive on the opposite side of the road, so why not alter the levers in a group set? Just let me know if I ever travel there and hire a bike for the day.

[@tomohiroharada336]

#askgcntech Hi! Enjoy your show a lot. I used to go on a 35km group ride with road cyclists using my MTB (GT Zaskar with Sram GX Eagle), but last month, I bought a new road bike (Wilier Garda with Campy Chorus) assuming that I would be able to keep up and go faster with less effort. But I have been comprehensively defeated by my PBs set by my MTB in most segments (except the flat section). I am wondering if there is something I am missing when it comes to transitioning from a MTB to Road Bike.

[@sirqui2751]

#askgcntech bars for gravel bikes tend to be larger than the aero ones for roadbikes. There are even ones up to 60cm or more. What length would you recommend or how much wider than my shoulder width might be optimal?

[@ollybooth6138]

If I have a 11 speed chain should I use a chain wear tool that goes to 0.75-1.00 or one that is 0.5-0.75? #askgcntech

[@teresaalmeida8622]

You often talk about the importance of tyre pressure, and having two track pumps who seem to perform very differently I would like to measure tyre pressure more accurately. I pressure gauger is the obvious choice, but what about those electronic mini pumps that you can set the pressure and they'll inflate the tyre? How accurate are they and would that be a 2 in 1 solution? #askgcntech

[@winzyride]

#askgcntech Which should I use or would you prefer? Sram Rival AXS eTap or Shimano 105 Di2

[@bikecommuter24]

If you nee all the nerdy details of the strip chip Josh at Silca goes into the details and science of the whole strip chip process on their KZbin Channel.

[@oOoACFREEMANoOo]

Left side driving/ braking goes back to the days when people held swords and weapons, at least thats what I read. So if you ride or drive by someone your weapon is on the right side. 🤷 Also it aids to help signal accordingly to the side of the road you drive on.

[@johntheconnor8721]

#askgcntech Hi Prof Oli and guest, i have a nice set of 10spd carbon Reynolds tubular rim break wheels i inherited for my dad. The question is 2 fold 1- can i put sealant in a tubular tyre as i loath the idea of carrying a spare while out riding? 2- the wheels are 10spd shimarno how do i make it 11 spd campag to suit my bike? Thanks in advance keep up the good work.

[@kevshields1604]

Yep hand signals

[@timtaylor9590]

selle italia doesnt make carbon base saddles with good padding or enough saddles without cut outs. most of their range use the plastic cut out base which has no support and flexes way too much. carbon bases are stiffer so they need more padding and they make saddles with more padding but flex like crazy with cut outs. they need to take a step back

[@rbonn3880]

Your discussion on narrow handle bars didn't touch on their impact on handling, especially downhill. Thoughts?

[@assco28]

The prostate is located just below your bladder. You can feel it if you insert a finger fully in your backside. If your saddle is aggravating your prostate issues you're using it wrong.

[@davewilson7762]

Shucks, GCN Tech answered my query 🥰. Handily I'm already cleaning my used chains 👍, just need to ensure they are "thoroughly clean" 😱. Thanks guys.

[@gcntech]

Glad we could help! That's what it's all about 🙌 Good luck with the chain cleaning

[@PuneethBedre]

The Australians share the same weirdness when it comes to the left being the rear brake and right being the front brakes

[@billmacrae1924]

The front brake lever should be on the right. First because that is the way it is on motorcycles. Second because the front brake provides the most stopping power and you need the strength and control of the right hand (if you are right handed) to effectively use the front brake. The right hand controlling the rear brake just causes it to lock up and skid, burning out your tires. (Cable routing for Vee brakes favour the front brake lever on the left. Cable routing for many caliper brakes prefer the front brake lever on the right.) Whether you drive on the right or left of the road is irrelevant. Americans, mosly used to rear wheel braking only with coaster brakes, were afraid that if the front brake lever was on the right, a hard stop with your stronger hand would send you over the handlebars, so they put it on the left to weaken your stopping power.

[@larrylem3582]

Silca wax is very expensive. I know GCN is sponsored by them but can I just candles or paraffin wax like people have been doing since the 70s, before Silca got into the chain waxing business?

[@6ft8incyclist]

If oils Evaporated, would make cleaning up oil spills very easy.

[@vozzen]

Can’t the manufacturers offer factory waxed chains instead? They have to understand how unsustainable the chemical procedure is for clearing the chain of the factory grease. I would guess that most cyclists do not go to a recycling plant to dispose of their used solvents

[@wonderwatch2239]

Would be nice, but wax is not rust inhibiting, and that’s needed for transport in different situations, storage…

[@vozzen]

@@wonderwatch2239 Store them in sealed packages?

[@TheRealMaxEffort]

Since the strip chip doesn’t actually strip anything shouldn’t be called something more like the conversion chip

[@alastairhamilton68]

It's due to turning right and signaling and braking in the UK and turning left and signaling and braking in (most of) the rest of the world.

[@ZannH]

Can you imagine how difficult it is to service and clean the drive train if ur brake and rear shifter is on the left side? 😵‍💫😵