Our Top Picks for Cycling Tech in 2024 | GCN Tech Show Ep. 365

[@gcntech]

What was your favourite bit of bike tech in 2024?

[@Choedron]

Wider tires. Way more comfortable to ride on. I would love to see more comfortable road bikes, with wider tires and no slammed stems. But rather with a more upright riding position. It is really hard to find a road bike, where the stem has not been made very low from the start. Besides, many Chinese brands are NOT of good quality - and I am not talking about the Western companies, who get their stuff made in China. They have way better quality control and put demands on material used. Chinese companies do not care much for the quality. They simply want to copy well made Western products and sell these products for a fraction of the price of the original. To sell products off this cheap, they have to choose inferior materials and electronic components.

[@PrzemyslawSliwinski]

I have been riding on 50mm slicks since 2018 and I am glad people are finally beginning to realize that it makes sense (especially when you don't race).

[@PrzemyslawSliwinski]

@@Choedron When the handlebar is low it is also difficult to fit the aerobars so that you can ride on them comfortably for a long period of time.

[@johne7100]

The stuff I bought about 10 years ago - bombproof Exal-rimmed dynamo front wheel built by Dave Gill at Spa cycles, supple leather saddles from Selle Anatomica, excellent Carradice saddlebags...

[@narisevansangynriivaama9903]

My favorite bike tech of 2024? Definitely not anything from Chinese brands tied to a government complicit in forced labor, including the exploitation of Uyghurs and children. It's disappointing to see channels like GCN, with Chinese sponsorship, turning a blind eye to these issues.

[@markpeterbarry6112]

Returned at age of 49 cycling 20 miles into work a day. Videos have been really helpful and useful

[@gcntech]

Glad to hear that, keep it up!

[@2.old4this]

After lots of knee surgeries (Afghanistan) and a failed TKR I thought my biking days were soon to be over. Huge shout out to BIKEFITUK and Dan Smith convincing me to shorten my 105 (Giant Defy) and GRX (Croix de Fer Titanium) cranks from 172.5mm down now to 165mm cranks. Knee pain hardly noticeable and in October I cycled 3 weeks bike-packing on West of France La Vélodyssée route (if you haven’t - check it out!!). Conor let’s do it in the Spring! Shorter cranks can truly be life-changers…..

[@marvmininger1835]

Love the insertion of the sound effect of an old dial up modem and the blank look on Ollie's face. Great editing and too funny!

[@richm.3477]

That was well done.

[@tertiaryeel2066]

Week 93 of asking for a "The UCI has no jurisdiction here" t-shirt

[@Rob6020]

💩

[@benjaminanderson3086]

Just make it yourself 😂

[@ronb9901]

I’m making it!

[@gcntech]

We’re nearly there

[@Boomeranger]

@@gcntechThat’s what my wife says.

[@craigfoulkes]

Shorter cranks are not more extreme for shorter people. Normal cranks are extreme for shorter people. The cycling industry are doing a disservice to those of us who are not that tall.

[@WhiteBeardLife]

Shimano now have 160mm; I use these and 155mm Rotor on the gravel bike.

[@凸Bebo凸]

I'm 185cm pretty tall and 170mm cranks feel extreme to me. Short dudes aren't alone in this, above 165mm cranks just suck.

[@mctrials23]

To be fair, its only in the past 1-2 years that its become accepted that most people should be on 170mm or shorter cranks. I think that in the next couple of years we will see 165mm become pretty standard with 170mm specced on L/XL. Theres no benefit to manufacturers to selling bikes with cranks that are the wrong size.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

@@凸Bebo凸 Either you are measuring your height wrong or you have extremely short legs for your height.

[@凸Bebo凸]

@@einundsiebenziger5488 Nah, above 165mm cranks are a modern invention that does nothing for the non racer. 9 percent more stress on your knee going from 165 to 170, utterly useless.

[@JimtheRangerTimmy]

Big foots apendage 😂, Ollie's hair is fantastic, it reminds me of watching Dodgeball

[@rufflycorrect]

Blimmin' hilarious ending. Still wiping tears from my eyes 😂

[@abhimawa1]

Merry Christmas Alex & Ollie!

[@gcntech]

Same to you!

[@Servicevelo]

Pre recorded I hope. Working on Boxing Day. No way. Not since I was a cop at least.

[@gcntech]

You know the deal 😂

[@williamsylvia3962]

@22:50 “Bigfoots appendage” 🤣🤣🤣

[@williamsylvia3962]

@13:40 I’m doing the turned in lever too. Vegan cyclist actually made a good point and that it is, this it’s more ergonomically correct when you’re on the hoods. I agree, it’s just more comfortable.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

A slight inward angle is absolutely correct for proper ergonomics, but the extreme angle some riders mount their hoods now (45 degrees and more) is absolutely silly as this only forces your wrists into another unnatural position. More aero does not make you faster when it's also more painful.

[@tonysadler5290]

I'd like to see the development of the " Touring bike" - Hard wearing frame, capable of taking the knocks, and scrapes. 700c/29" wheels with a 27.5"/650b option. Fork suspension, dropper post, flaired drop or MTB bars, shimano group set - then you could have the option to easily change between1x or 2x. - capable of receiving 40mm to 2.25" (56.25mm) tyres. Tubless compatible rims. Disc brakes. Cables run non internally (best sheaved like giant has on the roam disc 0) 73mm BSA threaded BB. 148mm rear axle, 110mm boost front. Good bearings, tapered head tube, sound rack fittings. Mudguards compatible ( proper ones not the rubish flimsy ones) frame/bar bags friendly, two bottle cages. Mechanical shifting. Yes - that'd be good. Thank you for all your efforts, regards Tony Sadler South Wales UK 🎉🎉🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🎄

[@ANTPS32CREWCHIEF]

Breezer Bikes

[@reinholdachleitner2069]

Thanks for all the bike vaults this year,was my favourite part of the show,Love the Snowman Christmas cracker joke.😂 ☃️

[@MrAsthenia]

It's heartwarming to see how easily amused Dr Bridgewood is. No need for expensive gifts for this man; a bit of tinsel in a risqué shape has him entertained for hours. I bet he's still giggling about it even now 🎉

[@cherriagana]

Looked as if he just woke up after a 15min nap to recover from a fun Christmas party :D

[@the_unattached_cyclist]

I am 6'1" and have been riding 170mm cranks since 2014 because in the triathlon scene, way back then, the rumor was that it helped save your legs for the run, made for higher cadence, etc. Then in started racing fixed gear crits and went to 165mm for cornering clearance. I feel partially vindicated that I was just ahead on my time 🤷‍♂.

[@ANTPS32CREWCHIEF]

As a bike mechanic of 33 yrs and shop owner for 13 here is my advice: Steel frame and fork, quill stem, Shimano hubs, downtube shifters, and Panaracer tires. I say this because people who go this route are my happiest customers by a mile.

[@ronb9901]

👍 As are the mechanics….

[@jimvozheer3744]

Downtube shifters are horrible. I recommend 105 brifters

[@ronb9901]

@ not horrible if indexed but definitely less efficient.

[@jstogdill]

They aren’t happy. That’s dementia you’re seeing. 🤩

[@stephencurry8552]

handlebroken: Odd, none of my Italian equipment has ever let me down. Yes... funny that.

[@williamsylvia3962]

@17:30 agree with Alex. Compliance is great in the right places. That’s the beauty of modern day carbon. You can get vertical complain and lateral stiffness at the same time which is amazing, but in the cranks is not the right places.

[@MatthewMabborang]

When Alex mentioned “Chunky Boys”, I thought he’ll mentioned and included the size my gravel fat bike that is 4 inch wide when it was featured in the Bike Vault a few months ago 🤣🤣🤣

[@peterjanovcik9973]

My favourite bike tech were my rechargeable gloves FingerESC with sensors which monitor how hard I squeeze the carbon fibre handle bar. The data is then sent to a manufacturer of carbon fibre handle bars which then produces handle bars with reinforcement in the areas that are squeezed particularly hard.

[@davidarifine]

Love the four identical unopened 8mm pedal wrenches just casually dangling over Ollie’s shoulder

[@danamcdavid782]

That Canyon frame on the wall behind is FIRE!

[@jordanjacklin9400]

The empire pro groupset is absolutely class for the price now. Only downside is the front derailleur. Swap that out for an old sram red one and your good

[@ronb9901]

I’ll have to look that one up for a possible new build rim brake.

[@jordanjacklin9400]

@ronb9901 the rear derailleur and shifters are brilliant mate. The chain and cassette that come in the box from sensah are crap though I've had to swap them out also. Ive just renewed everything on an old titanium frame with Ali express parts. The ee rip off brake calipers which are called g4 rim brakes are very good/light for the price

[@ronb9901]

@@jordanjacklin9400 how ironic, I’m looking at putting this on my 2009 Ti frame as well. Want to switch from the old 10sp group to 11 as all my other bikes are 11sp. Thx for the info, any more is welcome. 🙏

[@jordanjacklin9400]

@ronb9901 the frames last that long it makes sense doesn't it. I think the frame ive got is from 2004 and it's immaculate somehow. Only downside is tyre clearance on the rear is only upto 25mm

[@ronb9901]

@@jordanjacklin9400 actually my frame (Lynskey) will probably fit 28 but it’s the brake clearance that’s holding it back, need a more modern higher arch rim brake set to clear that tire.

[@H457ur]

My randonneuring bike is set up with 26” wheels and *58mm/2.3”* tyres. To my knowledge, that’s the widest road tyre you can get, although not the largest outer diameter since a 26” is 559mm vs. a 700c is 622mm. The advantage here is pneumatic trail; if you have 700c’s with huge tyres, you change your handling, but 26”’s with very large tyres handle like 700c’s with smaller tyres. I chose that size because at the time, 58mm x 26” Rat Trap Pass was the largest road tyre you could buy from René Herse. You can get it in an extralight casing (410g) and the grip and comfort are absolutely unmatched for ultra distance riding (I’ve used it on 1000km rides). As an aside, one big benefit with this setup is that the 26” Derby carbon wheels that I use are very light compared to comparable width 700c’s or 650b’s.

[@steveross2786]

Thank you Happy New Year to all the Team

[@gcntech]

Happy new year! 🥳

[@Viral-vids-147]

Really loved the video

[@montrose252]

ELITE wheels are the best! As good as the major brands for a fraction of the price.

[@Benemax]

Guys, re the bike vault, you keep banging on about cranks not being aligned on the photo's. Well, I've just bought a GCN shadow stand as recommended by yourselves and it puts the position of the cranks at 10 past 7!!! Might be a return to the twig 😉

[@WredFawks]

3d printed metal, definitely my favorite bit of frame tech for the year, but hey, cool Chinese group set stuff? LTwoo's triathlon/time trial ER9/ERX group set, definitely making me think about that.

[@richm.3477]

Seeing how amused Ollie was by the decorations on the last Bike Vault submission reassured me about my own Beavis and Butthead moments that I routinely have as a so-called adult. However I was disappointed that Alex didn't do a Butthead impression earlier in the show when reading the viewer's comment about skipping over the jokes about how stiff their cranks are. ("Hu hu hu...")

[@chrisridesbicycles]

My two standout bits are my Merida Silex gravel bike with MTBish geometry because it still handles super well offroad even when it is loaded with bike packig bags. The other is the Assioma Pro MX powermeter pedals which just work flawlessly, have a great battery life and are reasonably priced, especially the spare parts.

[@nottusleinad]

Merry Christmas chaps !!!

[@markreams3192]

The new set looks good. It has a garage vibe. Is that Dan Lloyd’s garage?😂

[@gcntech]

It's the spare garage; the main garage is reserved for important occasions.

[@ДмитрийЧапыгин-к9ч]

The best 2024 tech for me is new lowflare top shelf handlebar from Redshift. It's the only handlebar on the planet that has 7 cm of rise and min. width of 41 cm. A real helper for smb who needs higher front end.

[@jmb275]

I’ve a question for the first 2025 show. Can we talk about torque specs with grease and/or anti-seize? Do manufacturers assume grease/anti-seize when giving torque specs? Is that applied under the bolt head or just the threads? The motivation for my question is that I’ve had several bolts in the last few weeks, on my carbon bike, that simply won’t reach the torque spec despite being really tight, and in one case I thought I could hear a carbon cracking noise on my carbon saddle rails. There are lots of KZbin videos showing how dramatically grease/anti-seize changes bolt stretch, actual torque, and perceived torque on the wrench, sometimes reaching 2x torque on the bolt while the wrench still doesn’t meet the spec.

[@andrewmcalister3462]

It took me over 30 seconds to see it. Now there is no way that I can unsee Bigfoot’s appendage. Thanks a lot, Ollie.

[@andrewzach1921]

Thanks for the video, it was very nice😅

[@the_unattached_cyclist]

In the US that is Not "tinsel" . Tinsel was/is individual strands meant to emulate icicles hanging off your christmas tree or other decor. In the last bike vault pic that is "garland".

[@feefee8ify]

In the UK, individual strands are called ‘lametta’ and the joined together stuff is called ‘tinsel’.

[@Benemax]

Tinsel in the UK mate, Happy Holidays........sorry I mean Merry Christmas 😆🤣😆

[@MrGarycoww]

Love you guys,Giuseppe and teen wolverine 😂

[@carlmullender2941]

1.05 - you crack me up 🙂

[@evandackers1260]

GCN (In countless videos): "Wider tyres are better. Wider tyres are faster. Wider tyres are more comfortable." Olly: "People want wider tyres... I don't know why. It's a mystery."

[@jonathanzappala]

I bought that cooling vest, it’s trash 😂. In part because it doesn’t go small enough for me

[@3pranksters276]

1:05 really felt you on that thought

[@WarHammerWH]

1:05 “We all know we have to get back to our loved ones, not because we particularly enjoy it but because we need a pass…” Alex has been hanging around Ollie too much…

[@keithappleby4244]

What’s the odds on getting Ollie to ring that super nice bell,

[@gcntech]

very low

[@markp353]

It might be hard to believe Ollie & Alex, not everyone #1 priority is being faster / aero. That Pirelli 40mm road tyre offers more comfort, more grip and potential less punctures. As well being a little better off the bitumen than a 28mm.

[@johnwolff1043]

I got that same reindeer joke in my pop-it thingy.

[@velocybirr]

03:54 I'm going to need an Amazon link for the cooling vest, TIA.

[@EchoConstellation]

Potential question for a future show: if you could choose between a carbon framed bike with Tiagra or an aluminum framed bike with 105 for the same price with a similar quality frame, which would you go with?

[@logtothebase2]

I t the tyre and wheel size thing will just go round in circles

[@francisville4132]

6:19 that‘s Inflation for you

[@Epiqe]

To GCN, Merry Christmas to y’all from Slovakia! ❤🎉

[@gcntech]

Likewise!

[@andrewl.3460]

Merry Christmas!

[@gcntech]

and happy new year 🥳

[@padmanabhaprasannasimha5385]

The best part of this video was when I found out about Magene power meters..

[@khansaramond1471]

The cooling device will certainly prove useful... The powerrangers bag is the most funny. How does it suit you on a bike? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@richm.3477]

The last Bike Vault submission for 2024 was clearly made from hi-tinsel steel.

[@karlhiner1618]

New Year’s resolution, judge the bike vault to your rules no letting stuff slide

[@epicgamerlifemate2852]

What was the beef with the last bike? 😂

[@richm.3477]

I love Officina Battaglin's bikes, but I am confused by the 1984 model. My impression is that mechanical shifting is usually compromised by internal routing. The only mainstream rim brake / electronic shifting combo I can think of is Sram Force eTap AXS. It seems like this is pretty limited for good build options. Am I missing something?

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

The cables are "semi-integrated" which means some parts are still routed externally to avoid sharp angles. Some bikes from the first "integrated cable" era in the early 1990s even had internal steel tubes running through the frame to guide the cables, you could just push the cables through without need for magnets or dedicated guiding tools.

[@bobbafett1971]

What about bianchi. Two top tier bikes. One climbing and one for aero. Why had they entire industry just forgotten about that?

[@BrianRPaterson]

Excellent post Xmas tech chat!

[@ronb9901]

The only reason the CAAD 10 rim brake 105 or Ultegra 11sp isn’t made anymore is because too many people wouldn’t buy any of this “new & improved” bs the bike mfgs are selling. The best tech upgrade anyone could buy is still wheels/tires.

[@johnflynn4923]

Nigh on impossible to beat a CAAD 10 - my go to bike for serious stuff. Can't be bothered with any of the new 'super tech, aero, stiff lalala stuff'. Total waste of money.

[@buhrj66]

I just recently bought a caad 10 frameset, I’m excited to build it up, so they are really as good as people say they are?

[@ronb9901]

@ absolutely, I have Ultegra 11sp rim brake setup. Reynolds carbon wheelset with Conti 5000 28c tires, ride now TPU tubes. Zipp bar/stem (carbon) Love it!!

[@johnflynn4923]

@@buhrj66 yes, arguably the pinnacle of alu frames - build it up well and you won't be disappointed. For the bottom bracket replace the standard 6806 BB30 bearings with ones from NTN (Hambini supplies them), they are far far superior and not an expensive upgrade. Without getting into any fancy or exotic stuff I have mine (55cm) at 7kg excl the Assioma pedals.

[@buhrj66]

@@johnflynn4923 thanks, I was gonna go ultegra 11 speed with some carbon wheels. And replace the BB with a wheels manufacturing one

[@larrylem3582]

17:38, I'd expect the proper answer to be that the difference between the stiffest and flimsiest crankarms cannot be felt. Other things will bend and be felt before anyone notices how compliant a crank is.

[@agamemnonhatred]

Could someone get Dr Bridgewood a party hat that actually fits on his massive swede without tearing?

[@권용대-b5v]

Chinese brands dominating the market with more affordable products seem to be our inevitable future. Many riders have now become positive on Chinese carbon wheels, and drivetrain, frame are the next steps. It will be interesting to see GCN’s role in this era.

[@Piter-bike]

Ican

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

If only any of these weird new Chinese drivetrain makers would bother to set up a distribution and service network instead of just selling their stuff online through questionable channels. At the time you're completely on your own in terms of montage, repair, and service and you just throw these parts away as soon as the non-interchageable battery cannot be charged anymore if they don't break earlier.

[@the_propel]

Is the Christmas cracker + party hat a cheeky RuneScape meme?

[@ltrtg13]

How did the two sensible comments get into the show?

[@GummeeH3]

i've lived through several major trends in the bike business over the years. The pendulum swings WAY too far one way, then swings WAY too far the other, and at some point it'll stabilize back in the middle again.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

6:19 - the tyre and rim width issue. If we are not going to stop discussing nonsense like "the lower the pressure the lower the rolling resistance" leading to demands for 40 mm tyre clearance on road bikes, in a few years there will be only two surviving bike categories: Dropbar fat bikes with Formula 1 rear tyres and flatbar bikes with Formula 1 rear tyres. Stop the madness, if 28 mm is not "comfortable" enough for you, give up road cycling and never again leave your couch for good!

[@usernamefromhell]

We need a mainstream steel bike comeback.

[@NeilPartridge-x3q]

My zwift set up is in an unheated garage which tends to be 2° above the outside temp (uk south coast). Could that cooling tabard be used with pouches of warm soup? 😂

[@JuanAsencio-jc2ms]

I'm happy with my 23mm tires. Wide tires feel weird and slow while cornering.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

Switched from 23s to 25s because I can ride down my favorite local hill (1.6 km, avg 7 % gradient, five switchback corners) without braking, because there's more rubber for fast cornering. Understand 28 mm if you usually have to ride on bad roads, anything wider is not proper road cycling anymore.

[@matt39_]

21:55 on top of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Dolomites, Italy

[@andyzephyr1582]

Ollie with a hangover.

[@tshepangtlou8834]

the editing is sub par. you should show us the bikes that you are talking about.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

When Russia jumped into Ukraine, we felt really stupid having bought all that Russian oil. When China jumps into Taiwan, we'll again feel stupid for having bought all the Chinese stuff.

[@icequake2000]

5 Years Time 21mm Tyre is the new 40mm😶

[@michaelw7438]

Voluptuous or voluminous?

[@overcookit1433]

#askgcntech: Can I use TPU inner tubes in winter, or do they get brittle in low temperatures? I would like to test the 23gr eclipse TPU inner tube, as it is the only one recommended for 20mm tyres (yes, I still use them, at least on the front wheels - inflated with 7bar/101 psi, they are quite comfortable and sufficient for me with 62kg/137lbs) up to 25mm tyres.

[@suhdud4646]

Since the earth is round, could the far east also not be the far west? 🤔

[@mommamooney]

My one big concern with Chinese brands in particular is have they designed their own product or are they using big bike brand’s? I say this having experience in manufacturing and having customers that have their designs stolen and being undercut

[@marcosav5442]

why don't you do a mega bike vault episode?

[@gcntech]

It seems like you can see the future. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpytZWOKppKUipY

[@pedrolahoz]

They are either hung over or tipsy!!

[@jakebrakebill]

where I live, we can see 120 degrees plus. You can hose yourself down, start your ride, and be cool for the first mile, then completely dry by the second mile, then drenching wet from sweat by the third mile, going full circle. So, I got a laugh out of the cooling vest.

[@kidShibuya]

I think most people see far more than just 120 degrees

[@jakebrakebill]

@@kidShibuya good one

[@JonCannings]

❤❤❤

[@izi941]

If you need* to turn in the leavers, doesn’t it mean you have the wrong handlebar size? 🤔

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

You almost always need to turn in the levers* - slightly, as most bikes have them either pointing a little outward or straight forward when fresh out of the box. The extreme angles that some riders made fashionable now are equally unpractical as they force your wrists into an unnatural position.

[@ebikescrapper3925]

Where will it end? Gravel bikes will use MTB wheels and tyres, gravel specific wheels / tyres will not exist, wait a minute, they use the former already

[@Se7enFive]

Where is a Beaver? 😢

[@stephencurry8552]

Cyclists are no different, they follow what is and is not in fashion. What is trendy. If you are the one profiting from the latest fashion is the thing.

[@maximiliano8540]

Ollie keeps looking a bit shabby :) Christmas season hangovers?

[@kivriel2660]

We don ´t want to pay for new more expensive aero bikes… The prices are starting to be silly now.

[@neilmdon]

Heavy lies the crown Ollie

[@andreemurray7039]

I have nothing against new tech we have to move forward buti feel the cycle industry is making bikes more complicated to maintain and more expensive

[@jstogdill]

Cars. Motorcycles. Cameras. Houses. Airplanes. … That trend is true pretty much everywhere that we are pursuing optimization with technology.

[@sj1547]

No Eye Deer😂

[@jshanab42]

One riders extream position is anothers normal. Even the ole Lemond book says my crank length should be 153. FInally I can buy cranks more close to my normal..

[@leonbroekx]

22:12 No one would ride up that climb in biggie smalls and take a picture. With that kind of backdrop it shouldn't be a problem to become a supernice.

[@Gixer750pilot]

Big foots appendage. It’s something you cannot unsee once you’ve seen it 🤦‍♂️

[@jespernohr]

No joke is too low for the tech team ♥

[@richm.3477]

That's part of its charm.

[@凸Bebo凸]

#askgcntech Any thoughts on the Buffalo Utility S2 bicycle? It's a dual chain bike intended for developing countries. I had never seen a dual chain design before, was wondering what it did or any advantages.

[@glyphen]

You guys got the episode number wrong! Day ruined I tell ya!