Tyres For Cobbles, Optimum Tyre Pressure & Pre-waxed Chains | GCN Tech Clinic

[@gcntech]

If you've got any more questions, or your questions wasn't answered, leave them in the comments using the hashtag, #askgcntech! 💬

[@rickyrickstan563]

*your question

[@paradillobryledanen.6559]

#askgcntech. Hello team GCN.. As a higher cadence sprinter in flat roads, does the 165mm cranks good for flat road races like criterium and time trial? Because my 170mm cranks hurts my legs too much if I do both low and high cadence sprint just to keep up the peloton without getting drop off..

[@morlamweb]

If you're using hooked rims and clincher tires, and the bead is seated properly, then there's little danger in inflating lower than the recommended air pressure. Obviously there's a lower limit to the pressure level, in which the bike is unrideable, but as long as you're above that, then you're OK. My method for tire mounting nowadays is to inflate to about 60 psi to ensure that the bead seats properly, then deflate to 30 psi (Rene Herse Rat Trap Pass tires, 50-559). 60 is slightly above the max pressure listed on the tires, but I don't ride at that pressure.

[@oplkfdhgk]

i am basically always using lower than recommended pressure. i am not worried even when i am going really fast as long as i slow down for big bumps.

[@markusseppala6547]

Manufacturers minimum tire pressures often make no sense. They have a huge margin of error probably to avoid lawsuits etc.

[@pbandjosh]

Riding on cobbles is honestly kinda miserable. I'd run the biggest softest tires you can fit in your frame, regardless of what bike you're on...

[@nigelhaarlidge5808]

Hi both, I bought some TPU tubes to make my rather nice aero bike lighter. In early November I had a head on with a motorbike going the wrong way "without lights"🙄 I live in Ha noi Vietnam, the roads are always "chaotic" (It was an early ride & still dark) Amazingly only bruised & walked away. The point...my front tyre popped I found out that it had a TPU tube fitted so replaced with the said new TPU tube. I have a Trigon cyclo-cross bike for general use, fitted with butyl tubes & just wondered.... if I used only "1" TPU tube would it be better on the rear or the front ? I understand of course re carrying different material spares. Great show cheers lads.

[@RenAigu]

3:20 Re: buying pre waxed. Major benefit is you have a no effort drop in replacement, for when a chain swap is not foreseen. Stripping a chain in a window of a few days if you see it coming is not that bothersome to me, but if a chain suddenly reads .5% unexpectedly between back to back riding days, it is way less convenient. Of course you can set that up yourself as well, but that requires planning!

[@winterwatson6437]

i strip and wax in batches, always keeping at least one spare chain that’s ready to go. it makes the whole process much simpler

[@rider65]

Rene Herse Tyres. Best supple tyres. Great wear properties and good traction-braking properties.

[@xGshikamaru]

When it comes to lower pressure, the risk is denting your wheel, I've done that a few times on my wheels though luckily they're not broken. Railways in particular are deforming the tire quite a lots when you cross them.

[@axum.gebreyohanes]

I did Paris-Roubaix on my Canyon Grail last year. 40mm Schwalbe G-One RS Evo run tubeless. No punctures thankfully.

[@Who_Are_You_Joe]

watch Dylan Johnsons video for optimal tyre's. He just did a video discussing the wattage saved for different tyre widths. TLDR fatter with smaller casing = good

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

100%

[@paulwoodward8265]

What tyres were used for the Wales coast to coast ride? And which mudguards? Of the tech used, what would you have done differently?

[@RenAigu]

The question about pre waxed chain got me thinking, I had switched to Wippermanns (of the reusable connex quick link fame) pre-waxed chains. However I felt they were rusting extremely easily this winter, more easily than the chains I rode previously. Before stripping they had factory grease. Was a little bit of residual grease protecting against corrosion? At least one of the chains I rotated back then did not have an advertised anti rust treatment or coating. Is there a community favourite chain with a coating that protects against rust, but does not inhibit the wax to bind? I believe there are some coatings that do not work well for wax. #askgcntech

[@alexgold1981]

Sort the headset on that Canyon frame!

[@peterdobos1606]

Adding a pinch of common sense to the minimum tire pressure bit: someone like Alex can safely ride lower pressures than someone like Connor, right?. I imagine those "limits" are based on an "average" rider weight...?

[@km09876-t]

#askgcntech If I have a puncture on a tubeless set up, where the tyre has a recommended max psi of 70 or so, but I need to insert an inner tube, should I stick to the tyre pressure or does it become less of an issue?

[@paulwoodward8265]

That's a "get me home" fix, and so I'd see no reason to exceed the 70psi. I'd imagine 75 or so would be fine, but why risk it?

[@Mavrik-60]

Best thing for cobbles is to take your mtb lmfao

[@rickyrickstan563]

Wassup homeboy

[@richardzanetti9006]

I had issue with handle bars moving. It turned out that I had tightened the bolts such that one side was clamped together with no gap. I was told I should insure there is a small gap on both sides. This solved the issue

[@winterwatson6437]

we don’t know until we know! i try to keep an even gap all around

[@Sutlore007]

Best tire for cobbles? Conti GP5000!! choose the widest one for a gravel bike, that's it. I have been using it in mixed terrains for years. It is so good, never looking for other. For the minimum tire pressure question, I do have the same problem. My 28mm Schwalbe One 365 has tire pressure range 85-115psi printed on its side wall, while effective tire width when fitting on the wheels are 31.7mm. So, do I need to stick on its minimum 85psi for safety?

[@rider65]

😂😂😂🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@jonkepko9217]

I’m doing the Paris-Roubaix challenge in April with my Specialized Roubaix with 32mm tubeless tires at 50/55 psi. I’m using Silca fiber sealant. Any suggestions beyond these?

[@garybrown5769]

Rename the channel to “GCN unfounded opinions” You guys just making it up as you go 😂😂😂

[@winterwatson6437]

me-yow

[@dajodajo7214]

#askgcntech what would be optimal rims/tire combo for fast crits?

[@rider65]

Omfg... 😂🤦‍♂️