Top Tips For Tinkering With Your Road Bike | GCN Tech Monday Maintenance

[@gcntech]

What's your favourite part of your bike to tinker on?

[@harryl5085]

Totally the derailleurs....totally "hey seatpost where are you?"

[@bigryoonimilesbigathanwill1873]

GCN Tech handle bars and shifters

[@gretamt-berlincyclingvideo5022]

Chain & chainrings

[@abedfo88]

I like taking apart anything with bearings: BBs, headsets and wheel hubs. It's so satisfying to clean them out or put new cartridges in.

[@dvs70]

I do a mini overhaul every four months: headset, cranks, pedals, and tighten everything. I clean after almost every ride. "Riding Slow Looking Pro."

[@itsporkroll3401]

If it ain't broke, fix it till it is.

[@gfreddo90]

If it aint broke, spend money on it till you are!

[@wecf1411]

Yeah I used this rule, I messed up all my bike gears. Then converted to single speed.

[@wecf1411]

Then after my conversation I realized that it was my barrel adjuster 😑

[@djdelarosa25]

Lmao exactly what I'm doing with my bike

[@thegrowl2210]

This is how I broke 2 front derailleurs.

[@jentemertens4754]

Ollie: If your free hub sounds like a Harley Davidson, it's too dry. Free hub: 12:02

[@paulneville3346]

First thing I do when cleaning my bike is make sure i'm not wearing a white t-shirt :)

[@TheFirstCalled.60AD]

Any relation to Gary and Phil? 🧐

[@paulneville3346]

no

[@shanenelson1606]

As a mobile bicycle mechanic, i love any encouragement to tinker with bikes as i inevitively get a call to put thing right :-)

[@zimboy777]

Good one Ollie - you are the king of solo videos - kind of thinking out loud style - and I agree there’s nothing like “really” cleaning your bike, feels so fake to just wipe it down 🥴 most satisfying tinkering is drive train - when that’s clean and smooth everything else is happy 😃

[@gcntech]

Agreed, nothing like a super smooth drive train!

[@sebbeflebbe1]

When I change my chain I use the old one for reference. Cut the new one so that the links are equally as many as the old (it has after all "just" stretched). Must surely be the easiest way.

[@Ed.R]

In theory yes but it assumes 1. The old chain was the correct when fitted. 2. It hasn't been snapped and had a link removed.

[@gsb_tm]

Me too

[@DerFilmgucker]

Yes. This always works. I would only fit it to a new frame or when changing to a different size chainwheel.

[@1777DK]

For those of us without a frame sponsor, it’s advisable to split the chain on the underside of the chain stay, where there is less chance that the pliers will slip, and bang into the frame, when the link suddenly give in.

[@olly24c]

I've never seen anyone so passionate about cleaning jockey wheels

[@stefanosabbioni5821]

Completed every single task before hitting day 3 of quarantine. Then I had to stop myself from re-doing it every day.

[@andersweinemo]

Ollie is always fun to watch. And, GOLD is always GOLD!

[@royevans4581]

An old toothbrush comes in very handy for the mechs especially. White spirit is really cheap and an excellent degreaser. Paraffin is also very good. Just plonk your little bits and bobs in an old 'bait box' and get to work on them with the toothbrush and the white spirit. The ingrained muck on rear sprockets and jockey wheels does not stand a chance with this method. Dipping the chain in the white spirit releases all the crap out of the links and you will be surprised how much grit and crud is held in the chain. The solution will be black. Next stage is hot water with a good bit of washing up liquid in there to wash off the white spirit from the parts. Leave the chain from this step (hot water and soap) and instead spray it with WD40 or GT85 and then wipe off with a clean rag. You can then either dip the chain in oil/ wax or fit to the bike and lube it on there while spinning it round the gears.

[@ryaneverett8891]

Love Oli’s lockdown videos, he’s definitely my personal favourite GCN presenter. Keep up the great work 👍🏼

[@BartAppleseed]

agreed! a worthy successor to Matt's humor :D

[@TriCoachBjorn]

Never take my bike to a shop. Do everything myself!! 😁 great time for some work as well.

[@gcntech]

That's great! Nothing beats being able to look after your own bikes!

[@TriCoachBjorn]

@@gcntech for sure!! 😎

[@KiLLEz7]

much the same. Managed to free a super stuck BB today which I was going to take to the shop. Was such a good feeling once I did manage to pop it out.

[@TriCoachBjorn]

@@KiLLEz7 feels great to fix your own stuff. 😎

[@TriCoachBjorn]

@@diniehilmi6285 look at what they do and ask questions. 👍

[@WowRixter]

Always be sure to wear white when dealing with greasy bits

[@asherbeal8357]

Awww, Sheldon Brown. I knew him in the 90’s before his internet fame, he was a riot. R.I.P.

[@thomlarson681]

If you have a metal frame, it’s a good time to take the seat post out, clean it, and put a fresh layer of antiseize on it. Make sure you’ve marked the height first!

[@HenrikLundinF]

Seeing Ollie holding the camera for a close up with one hand while poking at the jockey wheel with a screwdriver... It's like watching a whale trying to knit.

[@rm709]

Ollie might just be my favorite presenter on GCN... now and in the past. Goodness he’s got a healthy dose of humor!

[@BartAppleseed]

agreed! a worthy successor to Matt's humor

[@jackharris6571]

I have just degreased the drivetrain swell as perfecting the gear changing by adjusting the screws on the front and rear mechs. Super smooth!

[@richardharris8538]

I wouldn't dream of tinkering on my bike. I can usually find a bush or tree.

[@ericrobison8591]

Solid dad joke right there. I can literally hear my dad saying that to me.

[@space_cakes]

British dad joke that I don't get

[@Minecraftrok999]

@@space_cakes tinkering = pissing

[@space_cakes]

@@Minecraftrok999 I now understand British dad jokes haha *(in British) *

[@danielhardwick3]

Brave man doing this wearing a white tee!

[@TreFlip1992]

I plan on doing a deep clean tomorrow on the bike. Some components haven't been off the bike in 3 or 4 months to be cleaned thoroughly. Front and Rear mechs (pulley wheels off) off aswell as both brake calipers with pads and to be placed in an ultrasonic bath with some Isopropyl alcohol. properly wipe the brake tracks down with some IPA also.

[@sebasforest963]

Putting on fresh brake pads are one of thoses little things that tend to get delayed. Yet it feels so good when you do change them!

[@Liger0x1991]

Y'all missed two things to mention in the case of the Dogma: a chain that is excessively worn can wear teeth on cassettes, and showing a glimpse of the routing between pulley wheels so that people don't run their chain against the cage of the derailleur

[@Shellewell]

Way ahead of you here, just ordered a 105 R7000 groupset to upgrade from my old 2300 triple. Upgrading is more fun than cleaning!

[@gcntech]

That's one way round it I guess!

[@wazzup105]

I have a bike here for a brother in law who moved to Japan. It's my dedicated indoor bike now, but yesterday I gave it a proper clean. It's a very old bike (1973 Gazelle tour de l'avenir) and I don't think it had ever felt so much love as when I deep cleaned it. Turns out the cassette wasn't supposed to be black :-) It was so satisfying that I plan to do clean it again in the fall, this time taking it apart for a really really proper clean and replace some worn out cables and maybe touch up the paint.

[@TheQuikMix]

i went tubeless after buying a new set of tires for my bike. One had a slow leak and eventually had to remove, clean, and reapply new tape. Unfortunate, but a good learning experience. My first time on tubeless. Manufacturers definitely need to make that process easier from the start. Something like Bontrager's tubeless strips seems like a step in the right direction. No sticky messes with taping wheelsets.

[@mnolanco5599]

For cleaning the jockey wheels I use automotive interior panel removal tools as they are plastic, strong, and won’t scratch any bike parts especially if you don’t remove the wheels. Watch out for skateboard tape if you hang your bikes together as it will really scratch bikes stored next to them.

[@Papa-Giorgio-Ni]

Thank you for showing how to properly fit a chain. I can't count how many times I have fixed poor shifting by checking chain length on customers bikes.

[@nobody12j]

Ollie has gotten me legitimately excited about cleaning my jockey wheels. Thanks GCN!

[@abedfo88]

Thank you GCN for keeping me sane and upbeat. Light at the end of the tunnel now? I will miss all these home videos though, shows such passion and creativity.

[@graemesadd6971]

Good video Ollie, really greatful for the chain length guide, I've been looking for a clear explanation for a while. My favorite part to clean on the bike has always been the jockey wheels, never fails to amaze me how much gunk can build up there.

[@andreyv116]

Dry chain oil is also nice in a pinch for cleaning linkages and shock cylinders. Emphasis on dry

[@craiglindberg4851]

Great video. This had me sit down and create checklists for bike checks, bike cleaning, and bike maintenance. I went through a few other GCN videos and my own experience to come up with fairly comprehensive lists (I think). Now I print them off so I can check things off (or skip them) as I tinker away. I also keep a maintenance notebook as I have several bikes and never remember what I've done or when. Perhaps GCN Tech can summarize these videos with a checklist for nerds like me. :-)

[@davegratz5895]

Great reference to Sheldon Brown in the chain segment of your video. Maybe consider a video demonstrating the ShelBroCo Chain Cleaning System?

[@AnggaSukmaP]

Nice tips Ollie. Well, during only-at-home, I clean up the chain too, but not as clean as you. I also lubricate several points with chain lubricants such as the left brifter of 105 R7000. It feels a bit heavy when shifting. Dunno why. In addition, I tried indoor cycling using a roller and bike trainer. I made them into the videos. It feels more difficult using a roller because you have to be focus and maintaining balance, hehehe...

[@LegSpinna]

Can't beat a good tinker every now and again.

[@ucfitness2287]

12:02 that wheel noise drilled my brain!! :D

[@itsonlyme9938]

Thank you for your guidance on fitting a new chain very useful.

[@davidsuchodoll4124]

Indoor riding challange: start at 100W, up the wattage by 25 for every time, olly says gunk

[@davidide1525]

Park CC-4 is the best tool for chain checking by far . It’s simple and will check the 2 stages needed to know. 1/2 worn and 3/4 worn . I’m not a snob but have used them all :)

[@erick_fernandez_78910]

Ollie, If you had a lot of time on your hands you’d be a drummer... Padum-psh! If not yet then, gardening would do the trick as you grow some beats.

[@mikethebike5014]

Normally if you have to replace a chain You would have to replace the cassette as well which is what I normally do. Great tips thanks

[@gcntech]

Yes that's right, although if you're careful you can usually get through 1 cassette for every 2-3 cassettes, depending on your typical riding conditions and how well you care for and clean your bike

[@garthly]

1 cassette for 2-3 chains, you mean.

[@JoeCincotta307]

Excellent home studio set up. Bravo !

[@standandeliver8376]

After using a torque wrench, release the spring tension (set at 0Nm) to store it. Otherwise the next time you use it, the torque will be too high. I learnt this the hard way when I broke a very expensive carbon handlebar trying to clamp the stem in place after adjusting it.

[@standandeliver8376]

@@Bungle2010 Interesting, thanks. Any idea why there is a difference or how we can tell (if no instructions)?

[@davidhughson6464]

Nice workshop Ollie. You have ALL the tools😄🚴🏽😄

[@freewheels7544]

For the jokeys and somme other fine parts on the drive train and the rest of the bike i just use somme ear sticks dipped in acetone

[@dpell3543]

I'm pulling apart my 90's all purpose diamond back. I have other bikes and made the decision for good reasons. I'll be giving it a new paint job too so it will be awhile. Man, I miss it already.

[@ZoomZap95]

If you're not afraid of getting a bit grubby, I find you can usually undo the quicklink by just taking a bight of chain and the additional leverage of a single link on either side is enough to undo things.

[@Rogue-xf5jg]

I love Ollie’s lockdown videos, even if it’s just to check on how the plant is doing........OMG where is she!!!!! 😁😁😁

[@Pratalax]

Bigup the alfather of bike maintainence, the eternal Sheldon Brown! Learned how to build a wheel thanks to his site.

[@TheFirstCalled.60AD]

I'm a beginner mate so wouldn't dream of taking my bike fully apart.. but I'll watch the video for future reference anyways. Nice one 👍 Edit: fist pump for the gold chain 👊

[@IanB17]

Your chain was at 1.0 wear? I thought for 11 speed the recommendation was to replace at 0.5 rather than 0.75?

[@georgehugh3455]

I'm glad someone said this - probably should be leery of a worn out cassette.

[@kpizzle1985]

Why has no one else mentioned this?! Used to be able to get to 0.75 maximum with SRAM 11 speed but if I do that with Shimano I have to replace the 11t sprocket.

[@ChrisHeerschap]

The CC-2 can be made to read just about anything you want. Too difficult to get a repeatable result. Aside from that, yeah, 1.0 is potentially too worn.

[@chefdeparty]

Howling at all the TLC references. 😂 Chapeau Doc. 👏👏👏

[@hedleykerr3564]

Ollie gold chain went out last year now you need KMC's DLC in a red and black to match!

[@gcntech]

😲If a Gold Chain gets a fist bump...what does a colour matched red and black chain get?

[@hedleykerr3564]

@@gcntech High five when we can ride again outside with your buds! Again great job as usual!

[@JonCannings]

@@gcntech coloured other than white or gold get nothing.

[@drjekyll832]

I thought this was a joke, but they _actually_ have a red and black chain! Instabuy! 😉

[@francisboundy5170]

They look great for a few weeks until the colour starts to flake off them! I’m back to a (much cheaper) plain one...

[@Pasdechevredreamer]

I like the chain length tip. Cheers

[@iana9387]

That's the best way of measuring a new chain i've heard of.😁

[@DJSPOONYOFFICIAL]

Love the video. Some great tips. Could you please put a list of essential tools we should all have? Other than a multi tool and pedal wrench, stuff for chains, torque set etc. Thank you. Please keep up the great work. I'm new to this world but LOVE it

[@MeowTheCheesepuff]

On fire with the TLC references , are you alright man? 🤣😁

[@GCNuser123]

lockdown is getting to me! haha

[@prestachuck2867]

SRAM recommends cutting the chain that way, but they suggest one full link of overlap (as Ollie has done here) for short cage derailleurs, and two full links overlap for mid-cage derailleurs. This might still be too short if you have an osp system though.

[@JonCannings]

Someone has tinkered by cutting their own hair 😜

[@francoisduclos1430]

Next GCN tech episode : what do you need for a perfect haircut x)

[@prestachuck2867]

The pompadour is no more. 😁

[@ebenhaskelhulley1646]

Jon, why are you no longer on the show?

[@itsonlyme9938]

I have Pinnarelo F8 with Pinnarelo printed on the down tube in gold I will from now on use a gold chain to match it

[@krissk77]

Noisy free hub feel fine. Very noisy frre hubs helps on busy road networks. Like what we hv in Kenya.

[@TomikaDanceVideos]

The way my boyfriend is reacting to this suggests a GCN gogglebox night be in order. Never known such excitement for cleaning gunk from your components. Oh and luube 🤣

[@clintnieves]

Better talk to Manon about that Super Nice Doc

[@markhaneklaus282]

dear ollie, did you measured the chain wear propperly. i got different results on that using different tools and methods - e.g. rohloff check tool or unbranded and what i am more interesting in is measure inside or outside (chainring side/outside) and more important stumping on the pedal with breake on !?!?

[@breitemasse]

Good job Olli!

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

Leather bar tape ftw...occasionally I need to re-wrap the drops (just done), but I'm at a good 3k miles on this tape in all conditions and it's still going strong. Ollie, I hope you plan to wear gloves, or have some serious callouses when you use that skateboard tape...it's essentially 60 grit sandpaper.

[@edsapple]

6:15 best GCN moment ever 😂

[@richardrutishauser4689]

I saw someone recommend Q-tips and acetone to clean the jockey wheels and get inside of the derailleur, I would add that it is easier to get the blobs of greasy paste off the jockey wheels using the screwdriver like in the video but leave them (the jockey wheels) installed and on the bike, just turn them with one hand while using the screwdriver in the other hand to scrape the gunk away. Then go at it for the final cleaning with the Q-tips.

[@5tanw0rr311]

I used to use inner tube instead of bar tape on my old lo pro handlebars, tape up the cables and sleeve over them

[@ck1081]

Love the TLC lyrics... 🤗😬

[@davidpavely4539]

I do use wd40 for chain lube. It's awesome. You just have to apply it more regularly + it keeps your chain spotless. By the way wd40 stands for water displacement 40th attempt.

[@MarkLucasRev]

Before replacing rear mech check the hanger alignment. A bent hanger, even slightly bent, can be the cause of multiple woes. A simple job, well worth it.

[@gcntech]

Good suggestion!

[@habana6595]

A chain doesn't really stretch out. The rollers of the chain wears out because of the friction, so their diameter reduce with time.

[@satrioesar7151]

Really? That's pretty interesting to know

[@TiberiusMoon]

Some advice: Jockey wheels can be greased wherever the bolt axle and deraileur cage meet the jockey wheel, some jockey wheels dont have sealed bearings so greasing them can help. The result is it can reduce friction and make your bike quieter while pedalling. I use the complete opposite method of fitting a chain as it prevents wrong chain length. Fit the chain on small small with the chain in the deraileur and pull both ends of the chain together making sure the chain path has enough tension that the rear deraileur does not brush against the chain or sags then apply the quick link. Carpenters rule: "its better to cut to little off than too much." This is especially true with high end chains as relinking them can cause a weakness in your chain. Ollie's method is okay but its not compatible for all bikes as the jockey wheels vary in size, so if you had extra large jockey wheels you could be making your chain too tight. The only thing to help make your bike quieter is to regrease or replace your pedals. Hope this helps

[@jocelynmillar6953]

I wish this was put out 2 weeks ago.. As now out of lockdown 4 and back to work..... I will have to try and do it on a wet windy weekend

[@gcntech]

Glad to hear you're out of lockdown! But yes these tips could easily apply to a rainy day too!

[@alutious]

didn't take the jockey wheels out but i cleaned them. Took chain off and cleaned it, but also put on a new chain. Took rear mech off and cleaned it for 3 days. Cleaned the outside of the hub. Meanwhile used my other rear wheel to cruise around during cassette cleaning, meaning i could do a really good job of it. New large chainring, so i took off the small and cleaned it all and the cranks. New bb, cleaned frame bb inside. Cleaned a rotor. Measured old chain. Cleaned my hubs. I am wondering when i should take off the jockey wheels and what i couldn't clean? Oh also inside of rear hub where axle goes. And when the wheel is off you can really get in there and clean the derailleur. I had to readjust my front derailleur/move it, so i cleaned it pretty good and oiled the pins. Easier to clean when the chain is off, so try and clean the front derailleur when you do that. Not sure how to clean the front and rear derailleur springs. Have to watch and see what you do. And yeah, don't frickin put a nice new chain on unclean mech. Also jockey wheels are so easy to clean, but when cleaning gunk, it's difficult.So try and wipe it each ride, it's like 1/4 a crank rotation to turn each wheel. I do that just like a wipe my stanchions on my mtb after every ride. Thanks gj. :-)

[@gretamt-berlincyclingvideo5022]

Give it a 'rearly' good clean 😁 Oh, I'm 'frond' of this show!

[@IraklyShanidze00X]

Ollie, gold chains are so 2019, now you can get much classier with colors like purple.

[@diniehilmi6285]

Oil slick is best

[@IraklyShanidze00X]

Dinie Hilmi better than glitter?

[@diniehilmi6285]

@@IraklyShanidze00X well there's no glittery chains so oil slick it is

[@IraklyShanidze00X]

Dinie Hilmi unless it is covered with glittery lube...

[@diniehilmi6285]

@@IraklyShanidze00X but glitter is like derbies it will create gunk but sparkly gunk and that beautiful gunk will wear out your components.

[@rigger8722]

Hi Ollie, just to clarify for others, when splitting a chain with a trad chain-breaker tool, do not - do not push on the quick link pins. That way lies tears and tantrums.

[@nickgrimwade]

This is great! Is there a video for a "my first bike maintenance" setup haha? Would love to know the basics of what I need at home, how often I need to use them!

[@Schradermusic]

I love how you say "gunk" :D

[@adammillsindustries.]

Best video for ages. Can anybody tell me what that blue paint is on Ollie's wall? Wife wants the extension done that colour. Thanks.

[@warrenmienert6652]

I cleaned and waxed my chain with parrafin wax plus PTFE.

[@lukecooper1993]

ollie just seems so happy when he is working on his bike 😂😂😂

[@matthewvelo]

Sounds like my weekly bike clean and maintenance (except for the new chain and bar tape).

[@gcntech]

Good work! You must have a super clean bike!

[@matthewvelo]

@@gcntech Clean bike = fast bike

[@markdee6689]

Enjoyed Doc! Great segment!

[@gcntech]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@purklefluff]

ah, of course! Replacing your bar tape with *sandpaper* . Why didn't I think of that before?

[@gcntech]

It's definitely more of a consideration for time trialling, don't do this on your road bike!

[@purklefluff]

@@gcntech #grams

[@nurmibeowulf]

Make me wanna clean my bike and change my chain. Did I hear WD40?! Wow avoided for years!?(just watched Simons 5y old cleaning video mentioning it as a degreaser - best tipp so far) Yet another cleaning video. Like the skate griptape idea

[@rubaiyatu]

Like DoctorOliver's method for gauging proper chain length. I'll try it (if only to compare it to the recommended SRAM method I'm using now) next time I replace it. Cheers!

[@scottnu5605]

I always look forward to Ollie's bike based comedy routine. He is becoming cycling's own Carrot Top!

[@francisboundy5170]

Surprised nobody has mentioned that the jockey wheels are not interchangeable. IIRC the latest Shimano ones are labelled T-pulley and G-pulley for the Tension (bottom) and Guide (top) respectively. They also have an arrow showing which way they are supposed to turn.

[@DerFilmgucker]

Tip: The old chain had the right number of links! I never get why they need to measure in each new chain. I line them up on an old dry cleaning wrapper, and go with the number of links that the old chain had. Run through it once to make sure it's lined up correctly.

[@ianstewart8301]

So wish I could this. I’d be afraid I’d lose some of the pieces. Cleaning, sure. And cleaning the chain and sprockets, etc, sure. But taking all that apart? Eeek. Plus, I’m short on tools. Maybe some day.

[@winwinfield2839]

TLC and waterfalls, LOL. Y'all Englishes are funny with little effort. Love your videos. Must one really do all that taking apart of parts to give the minimum TLC? How often do you suggest the cleanings?

[@Dutcharmytent]

Another great video.

[@tnstef2629]

I don’t know why but I wish Ollie talked with an American accent. I think it’s when he puts emphasis on certain words. Love it.

[@Panthers001]

Good time to change all your cr2032 sensor batteries!