Our Favourite Road Bike Tech From 2019 So Far | GCN Tech Show Ep. 69

[@gcntech]

What do you think has been the best bit of tech this year so far?

[@8paolo96]

I think it is on it's own the 10 teeth sprocket, allowing an all new combination of gears and chainrings, I would really like it if campagnolo and Shimano implement it too

[@christianaristizabal7396]

GCN Tech Grippy saddle surfaces and new “once in a lifetime” helmet padding advances

[@compassionsix]

⚙️ ⚙️⚙️⚙️⚙️⚙️⚙️⚙️⚙️⚙️⚙️⚙️

[@markmcmanus8566]

More improvements and divirsity in saddle sizes and more specfically the increase in short-nosed saddles. After the Spec Power saddle, we've seen more companies releasing short nosed saddles and I'm seeing more being used all the time.

[@Jeff-bd4gg]

I love the idea of the SRAM 12 speed, but if their chains, cassettes, chainrings, etc are proprietary it will be a no go. No way in hell I am buying into a system where I am locked in to one brand for all my component needs.

[@WorldoftheWoods]

That look that Ollie gives at 22:42 after the comment about them having a long weekend hahaha

[@ABM-UK]

Interesting hand gesture (at 4:02-4:03) Ollie!!!

[@trizvanov]

"It's a nice bit of kit" was Jon's reaction to that!.

[@doktormoss]

Thanks for the SUPER NICE on my Zeus! And special thanks to Ollie for anointing me "Doctor Who".

[@andrewclare1422]

If he really respected you it would be "Mister Who"

[@WorldoftheWoods]

That bar tape is called SuperCaz. It’s becoming fairly popular in my area. It’s not double-wrapped, that’s just the way it’s made.

[@Calum_S]

Are Jon and Ollie the UK's most weather sensitive cyclists? They declared it was a terrible winter because it snowed a couple of times and went on to say it was scorching hot in Britain because it's got into the high teens Celsius.

[@nootnoot1463]

I’ve lost all faith in the bike vault. Standards have been slipping and rules increasingly often broken by bikes which somehow are still given super nice. Unslammed and uncut stems, reflectors, dodgy bar tape and bad alignment of cranks and wheels. It’s giving me nightmares

[@albr4]

although yes you're right but I think they're trying to be inclusive, that first bike with reflectors, they obviously can't afford a super bike and have just made what they have look nice. But they really do need to remove the spoke reflectors and front reflector on the bars.

[@nootnoot1463]

Alan Braaa Yeah I’ve got no issues with inclusivity in terms of price. But most of the stuff that makes a bike sexy is free or cheap, and only costs time and love. And it definitely shows when someone really loves their noble steed enough to go the extra mile in terms of attention to detail.

[@sullysullster8217]

I understand there might be newbies but un cut steerers arent kosher.

[@geolocate]

Yes, please bring back the high standards. Bikes are slipping through.

[@adamszigeti8542]

“It’s absolutely, blisteringly hot. We have reached double digits.” Bruh, I mean 😂😂😂

[@danielbum912]

I love my DT Swiss wheels but the freehub sounds kind of sickly imo. Vision wins for me. Cool format, the freehub battle.

[@treyquattro]

I'm a stick-in-the-mud: I don't want any more gears on my road bike cassette (Ultegra), nor do I want a 1-by crank setup. I'm planning to *eventually* move to Di2 from mechanical. Shimano: yes to power meters, no to following Sram down the 12-speed hole!

[@frenchbikewrench7451]

For the Bike Vault, I think getting the right colour bar tape is important to qualify for a Super Nice. That Zeus was a great bike, but the yellow of the bar tape wasn't the same shade as the frame. In my opinion it’s either got to be a good colour match, a contrasting colour, or a neutral (if in doubt, go with black!) Appreciate that colour a can look different in photos to real life, but we’ve only got the pic to go on.

[@tomshield9730]

That vault Bianchi: the rims aren't on the same way! Front wheel in backwards?

[@harrylea5805]

you let reflectors into the bike vault but not a bit of steerer tube

[@yilmanbabilonia]

It looked like a stock bicycle.

[@manankaramchandani8137]

It was out of the box

[@Jeff-bd4gg]

The only rule of bike vault is, there are no rules of bike vault.

[@relic0457]

"There is... a.. dork disc... on... the backwheel..." - Bridgewood

[@hbade]

@@relic0457 That was simply the worst part. You could argue the reflectors are for safety, but the dork disc... is just dorky.

[@Levelochef]

Bike made it to Buy Upgrades. MEGA.

[@Grunge_Cycling]

Looks like you're winning this one too! Mega indeed.

[@jasperfk]

Can’t believe you sold the primes!

[@SillyCyclist29]

The time delay on the fist pump at the top of the show was just so great. :)

[@manankaramchandani8137]

Thanks for the super nice on the Scott speedster.my first ever road bike

[@cd66061]

Unless it’s the law where you are then it Needs the reflectors removing! I’m surprised they never picked up on that! 😉

[@roadbiker8333]

29:30 I think the front wheel is being install the wrong way round. the printed logos doesn't match with the rear.

[@pibba]

Bike Vault segment was LoL! That Zues is sweet!

[@obriaind]

Campagnolo Chorus 12 speed just announced today too, presumably post-filming of this episode. We have so many cogs at the back now, we must surely be close to the point where they just switch over to internal-hub CVT.

[@obriaind]

Also, that Zeus! Bring back chrome forks!!!

[@laurentp89]

Well, it isn't technically "low gravity" Ollie, it's just free fall compensated by tangential motion, known as being in orbit, if we wanted to get technical...

[@pliniofilho4765]

Hi guys. My predictions are: 1 - Shumano will not make any move to 12sp cassette. They are expecting to see how popular this can become. To make this or 13sp or even 14sp (futuristically speaking) would require deep changes to back part of the frameset, making it very easy to break once the wheels with these future cassettes would have longer cubes and hubs, not only thicker to make it stiffer. 2 - My bet is on shimano, once it is very conservative and I'm sure that will be no future to 13sp and 14sp road cassettes. Great guys, hope to see fro you. Have a nice week.

[@dawnmcintyre4160]

I dispute that the new Specialized Roubaix is actually a suspension bike. Suspension usually isolates a vehicle (in this case the bike frame) from its wheels. The Roubaix only isolates the handlebars.

[@robinseibel7540]

You guys completely missed Campy Chorus 12 speed! The group offers an 11-34 cassette AND a 48/32 crank!

[@OllieBridgewood]

Robin Seibel it came out just after we filmed the show’unforts!

[@robinseibel7540]

The dedicated bicycling journalist doesn't let little things like causality get in his or her way. Fact: after retiring, Edward R Murrow used to travel forward in time to see what exciting bike developments were going to happen after his death.

[@nightowleta1751]

As a follow on to the suspension on road bikes discussion, it is at least interesting that the Specialized Future shock is very similar to Cannondale's Headshok of the 90's and 00's. As with all hardware, the advances in design and materials continue to make suspension components lighter and therefore more viable on lightweight road bikes. If suspension is legal for racers even on some stages then it is relevant period. For non-racers, if it works, it works.

[@SpioraidNaHabhainn]

I want to see more old TT bikes turned to aero road bikes.

[@cristianguerrero9683]

I remember when having a quiet gear freebub was better to come up quietly behind the competition. They are so loud now,so give yourself away earlier on a jump quiter?

[@D.Eldon_]

5:07 -- wrong again! The correct phrase is "micro gravity".

[@austinbenesh1193]

...vs "macro gravity"?

[@jonathanlund2456]

Macro means bigger/stronger so you’d have to go to a centrifuge or rollercoaster for that!

[@Katalyhsathor]

I am not in on the 12-speed hypetrain and wouldn't even be surprised if shimano just stuck with 11-speed. I never missed having more gears in the rear with 11-speed and it feels like increasing the number of gears just makes for compatibility issues and even thinner chains and cassetes, which might at one point negatively effect durability.

[@deskelly9313]

And the wattage saving from having covers over your shoe laces is now in.... 0.0005. Fly my pretties!

[@compassionsix]

I love my AXS 12 speed. Always have a perfect gear and never run out of gears ⚙️ high or low.

[@treyquattro]

some excellent eye-rolling from Ollie at 22:41!

[@brunocyclist]

For freehub sound of the week, I missed a third option. Both are hideously loud. Like kid's bikes with playing cards in the spokes. Nary a sound should be heard from a grown up's steed.

[@smallmantynan]

episode 69, nice

[@arcboutant]

Sensah Empire Pro 12 speed 👌 had it since end of summer last year.

[@ArjenvanHassent]

Rotor Hydraulic 1x13 speed might be something to give a little attention too

[@awakenedbahamut2574]

I've crashed before on my commuting bike when my shoelaces became undone and got tangled in the drivetrain.

[@feliperenaultcsp]

Interesting to see that Bontrager’s wave cell helmets, marketed as such a revolutionary thing did not make it into the list. I haven’t got an opinion on them but maybe their mkt strategy might have not been that successful

[@oreocarlton3343]

"in the USofA" 😁😁😁 Love your american accent Ollie!

[@mattparsons6487]

Oreo Carlton I read that as “U Sofa”😂

[@THEdavehogue]

21:31 People in the office were tickety-ticked off at you, Mr. Cannings.

[@_MattyG_]

Would love a video on build vs buy? Is it better to buy a bike turn key? Or build one out of similar specs?! Keep up the good work #askgcntech

[@albr4]

Something you have to consider is the fact that pre-built bikes include lots of parts which you'll upgrade eventually or that you don't want on them, so you save money in the long-term by buying exactly what you want the first time round. Many pre-built bikes have quite cheap stems, handlebars, wheels, tyres, and saddles to bring the price down which just aren't very good, unless you go for really expensive bikes which will likely be over-priced for what they are.

[@_MattyG_]

Alan Braaa brilliant. It is just a lot to navigate for the entry level rider~

[@WheelersAtLarge]

If you want smooth roads, cycle on the Isle of Wight 👌

[@_pitje_]

the vision hub wins, hands down. Also, good to see that, after having my bike-hobby lapse for about 15 years(...), therer's still a fun mix of actual cool stuff and idiotic focus on the inane stuff ( wider tires; cool. aero? inane :p )

[@8paolo96]

Going from that specialized venge to the Bianchi (pronounced bianki! Like kilometer, I'm Italian) looks like going from a giant to a dwarf (no offense), one should belong to someone at least 2m high and the second someone around 1.6m! The difference is really impressive!

[@glenlarimer1358]

You tell 'em, Paolo - the chi or che combo is always a hard "K" sound. There is no question/argument, as it is the Italian language, not the Brits' personal choice! ...and get those reflector- and rear wheel pie pan-ridden box bikes outta here!

[@OmarTan]

2020 Canyon Aeroad, you hear it here first!

[@johnkelly1571]

The Shimano patent is long since expired, and technically it didn’t claim a 14-speed cassette, but rather the spacing between cogs. What will be interesting is whether Campagnolo gets its 12-speed cassette patent. In the US anyway, the claims are subject a 42-page rejection by the patent office. I’ve seen lots of rejections, but never a 42-pager.

[@ninebolts]

#askgcntech I have a 2009 Trek Madone 5.5 with SRAM Force 10 speed groupset. Can it be upgraded to the new Force AXS 12 speed electronic groupset and what components would need to be changed out.

[@joshmagrum3552]

I have a pair of lace up Giro shoes. Super comfortable, warmer in the winter due to them being fabric and not leather, cooler in the summer

[@stuartdryer4089]

Yes! Plus a little elastic thing to keep laces from getting caught in your chain. Great shoes.

[@indiebikes]

That new Dogma FS looks like it has old skool rim brakes - so much for the death of rim brakes, FSA!

[@stuartdryer4089]

The first rule of bike vault is super blingy bikes must be scrutinized and called out and the more trivial the reason the funnier. Oil on the water bottle. Actually that is the second rule. The first rule of bike vault is never talk about bike vault.

[@jamesmason2291]

A red bianchi Jon must be in love with it

[@andyklyon]

I agree there has been a ton of great new tech, but I wondered what the thoughts are of how Mavic are dealing with the neutral service of the new tech? Rim/disc, disc rotor size, cassette size, through axle diameter. How many wheels are neutral service going to have to carry. Ollie pointed out a team (I forget who it was now) was using a drill driver to undo the through axle and giving their riders a hex on their seat tube. Is that really better than a QR for fast wheel changes?

[@walterramos1054]

I us to have a Zeus bike in the 80 and i love never let my down my was in red color i love this show saludos

[@callumhockey383]

23:30 was that a cassette spoke protecter getting a super nice !?!?!?!

[@richardggeorge]

Dork disc! 😂

[@Alllivesmatterloveeverone]

Campagnolo chorus now coming out in 12 speed. 🤔

[@-Bonobo-]

GCN is too busy fondling over Shimano and SRAM.

[@musloco]

Oh David... You shouldn't have picked it up against Jon's Super Bike...

[@markp353]

Hey John bit rough giving Ollie a hard time over the power cut when you are the only GCN presenter who we never have seen riding.

[@blakegoodwin3591]

Jon, nerd out, in the studio. Ollie, nerd out, in the field. ...some thoughts.

[@ZeroSeriesMMX]

Would you send Si/Lasty/Katherine/Oscar/JPow/Ollie out to test those Conti gravel tires? 😁

[@-Bonobo-]

*Fuck off Campagnolo, let's look at some cool shots of SRAM groupsets.* I wish GCN would talk about Campagnolo more often, they have some cool entry-level groupsets.

[@coolercooler642]

They opened up a brewery 20 miles from my shop, I instantly gained 50 watts

[@fritspas]

Victor Campenaerts bike is called; "The Campenator".

[@monty2078]

Why don't people use valve covers? Over the years I have found these help from valves getting damaged

[@ARKINHK]

Monty Richardson because they weigh a huge amount and will significantly slow you down. May as well cycle a bike made out of lead....

[@nefariousstylo9943]

They made up something about them adding weight, then they said it was ugly. Presta valves are just waiting for an excuse to snap so mine will stay covered even if I'm only on dry pavement with some bikes

[@nootnoot1463]

Not cool man

[@monty2078]

@@ARKINHK 😀

[@mikekirtland7971]

On rim brakes going extinct, I still don’t really see the appeal of disc brakes, rim brakes are still considerably lighter, the wheels are lighter as are the frames, they are far easier to maintain and modern rims are perfectly good at braking even carbon rims in the wet. Rim brakes are also far cheaper. Choices are now getting more and more limited because of manufacturers pushing tech that is not a necessity. Why can’t both avenues be developed?

[@christianaristizabal7396]

Mike Kirtland I honestly haven’t tried disc brakes, but I can’t imagine I’d switch over by choice. Wheel changes seem more difficult, and the brakes seem more likely to fail, to get contaminated, to need more maintenance.

[@mikekirtland7971]

Christian Aristizabal you may not get the choice if the manufacturers get their way, which for me is the problem.

[@crypto_que]

Jon it's only Spring, & double figures could be just 10 degrees.

[@IcemanYVR]

Garneau... Gar like car and Neau like Know. Now you know :)

[@eaglesbasketball5231]

If we move to 14 speed casettes is there a tipping point when triple chainrings become the better option?

[@hugobrown2516]

If your valves are lined up. And the logos. Then tires should be put on in the same place???

[@colindthomas]

Ollie beating that tire like it owes him money

[@jonathanzappala]

My prediction: a new canyon aeroad drops for the Tour, since everyone else has their new one out, it will be runaway new bike of the year

[@renegadeflyer2]

Just wondering when someones going to come out with a moving front chainring. Eliminate the cross chain problem.

[@daytch9485]

I would like to use a frame integral Ant+ sensorr.Aside from the big dollar cycle computers, are and which Ant + computers are cross compatible (sensors to head)?

[@luca3976]

I am not that much into cycling tech, what does "11 speed" group set means? Or 12 or 14 speed?

[@andersskeie3760]

Not all new bikes where disc only, the Dogma FS got rim brake.

[@patrikkovacs3216]

Hey Jon, great show! I have a 7 speed 105 RD-1055 rear derailleur. I've also got an older pair of ST-3300 shifters. I am having a problem reaching the little thumb shifters from the drops, even with compact bars. I have looked up some 7 speed Dual Control models with the smaller shifters (or whatever) being located behind the brake leavers, which one do you recommend? Thank you for reading my question, have a nice day! #AskGCN

[@earthstick]

I have DT Swiss 240s and that sound is very familiar. One thing that always bothers me is that the sound is not even through the wheel revolution. There is a pulse. Could that be a wheel imbalance? I can't think of any other reason for it.

[@kikoy08]

Can't wait for the 16 speed technology

[@paulpaul5606]

I’m going to do the bike vault once I get my Spin On These

[@hchernandez03]

Officially have screwed up the super nice segment with that first one 🤦‍♂️

[@alexgalpin8497]

Those vision team 35 wheels featured on screw riding upgrades buy upgrades and Jon’s Celeste bike upgrade are dreadful, I had a pair on a cyclocross bike where the bearings came loose after half a season and on my road bike spokes came loose on another pair 👎 Also the black rims like good for the first couple of weeks but after they are worn in they look like any other alloy wheel with silver rims

[@bobabout256]

Love the vlogs. Rhetorical Question. What happened to death by 1000 bike brake disc cuts! Did the pros get on the bicycle component manufacturers / sponsors message! They do work well and offer some benefits but the old solution does it job for the everyday.

[@pibba]

"I'm always in the granny gear."

[@maartenmeynen8760]

I own some Gaerne shoes, but have not got a clue how to say it either… PLEASE HELP!!!

[@EvoRides]

Front wheel on the "super nice" Bianchi seems to be on backwards.

[@johnc1913]

19:52 Pretty sure David put Vision Team 35's on his Pinarello, unlike the Team 30's on your cheap-to-super bike. Sorry Jon. Anyways I have the Team 30's myself, which are wonderful. #Actually

[@iGameOvertv]

I might upload my bike, which breaks all the rules, just to see you two get annoyed on camera :)

[@benhuygh9086]

The bike is called the Campinator

[@chrispage8936]

Turn the sound off, then guess what (or who!) Jon and Ollie were talking about between 03:55 and 04:05!

[@raynersaggers]

Let's see the audio description of freehub soundcheck faceoff...

[@blakegoodwin3591]

Nails scratching on a chalkboard - that’s what it’s like watching these two in the studio on the tech show... Who’s in charge of production? Jesus. Stop ruining my Thursday.

[@jeovazgmail]

Here are the winning numbers... 10, 11, 12, 56, 32, 14 😄

[@humbertoleandro896]

Not all were disc... The Pinarello you showed was rim brake.

[@Hardi26]

I don't care about gravel specific tires, or any other specific tires. Only road tires for tarmac are exception, they may exist.. I kindly allow that. All I ask is cheap knobby 35mm wide tires, that would work in mud and sand and also withstand small rocks of gravel, and not wear out in a half of a second at asphalt.. It's okay, if they are just little heavier.. I need to ride on asphalt first, to get to mud, or sand, or gravel. Or should I carry several types of tires and change, when road condition changes? I think they actually don't want me to do that, because they invented tubeless tires to make changing tires more difficult.. Just because they were afraid, that someone might actually do that. And then not buying a car to transport bicycle over asphalt sections by a car. PS. No I don't use tubeless system. I have no need for it. I love my schwalbe sv-17 inner tubes very much. They are best things ever. They fit all tires from 28 to 47 mm width and retain air so well. I can ride weeks, or even months, without needing to bump tires.

[@TheMerckxProject]

Could the Russians have not actually used a 'grease pencil/china marker?' Also, WHAT was Ollie's hand gesture at the 4:02 mark when describing his leaf spring?

[@laf9686]

The Parlee bike wasn't shot on the drive side.

[@paulharper8891]

Random question for the tech guys, can a wireless groupset be installed on any bike, I have a Giant Defy and was going to purchase a new bike, but it would be more economical to upgrade the components on the Defy, I just wonder would it be worth the hassle? #gcntech

[@christianaristizabal7396]

Would shoe covers make you the biggest doorknob at a group ride

[@christianaristizabal7396]

Or would it be the skin suit and tt helmet

[@gcntech]

Riding on aerobars in the group....

[@leektah354]

Christian Aristizabal on a group ride.

[@sparks6057]

I’m loving my diverge !!!

[@gsm9076]

Anyone using a Watteam PowerBeat Powermeter? Are they still working even if the company closed?

[@hugobrown2516]

One hour guy's wheels are of sync? 11 degrees are double digits? That's cold. Not hot.

[@richardnick2216]

How can you possibly award a bike a ,,super nice'' when it's full of reflectors?! Also, I am a big sucker for vintage steel but that Zeus has two different shades of yellow! Bar tape (which additionally looks far too thick and chunky for a skinny steel frame) and straps in a sort of lemon-y yellow while the frame is more on the orange side of the yellow spectrum. Just doesn't work very well together imo.