Do GC Leaders Choose Lightweight Or Aero Bikes? | GCN Tech Clinic #AskGCNTech

Do team's leaders go for an aero bike or a lightweight one? Should you use tubeless tyres or tyres with inner tubes? What's Alex's catchphrase? All of these questions and more answered in this week's GCN Tech Clinic!

0:00 Intro
0:12 Should you use an aero position in a tailwind?
0:56 Tubeless or Inner Tubes?
1:50 Should you buy some winter wheels?
2:30 Do you need to wash your bike when training indoors?
3:30 Alex's Catchphrase?
4:01 Lightweight or Aero for GC Leaders?
5:26 How often should you replace your chain?

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Remember to leave your question below using the hashtag #AskGCNTech and we'll answer it in a future episode of the Clinic!

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[gcntech]

Remember to leave your question below using the hashtag #AskGCNTech and we'll answer it in a future episode of the Clinic!

[supersixmikeohimod]

Alex has really improved his presenting skills since his first video. Really impressive stuff. Well done and keep it up.

[benjiherring]

Thanks so much for answering my question 🎉🎉🎉

[bentantasook]

I have an aero bike. It’s a 2018 Diamondback Podium Equipe. It weighs 17.2lbs or 7.8kgs. It gets the job done and it fits me like a glove. Fitness matters more than the type of bike you ride in my opinion, because you can get stronger, then adapt to the bikes weight, and be as fast as everyone else if not faster.

[LarsRR]

In addition to your very good answer to the first question. You are basically always faster in an aero position given the Same power.
HOWEVER, considering you have a longer race and you cannot sustain the aero position for the entirety (most people can’t sustain being super low for 2-5 hours), then a tailwind section would be the point where sitting more upright or even standing up while pedaling is LEAST COSTLY. Yes an aero position is still faster, but you sacrifice less speed in a tailwind section, than in a headwind or crosswind section.

[GOlone]

By far, this is the best video of Alex so far haha

[BeerMatt]

Loving the content, guys. #AskGCNTech We've seen mountain bike wheel diameters change over the years from 26" to 27½" to 29", with changes in weight and flat speed per revolution as a result. With the range of gravel bikes and other hybrids now on the market, is there any will to explore different road bike wheel diameters, away from the ISO 622/700c standard? Is there any flexibility in UCI standards for elite road or track racers to go smaller or larger for weight or flat speed reasons?

[marekkozub]

I usually replace my chain after 6000k More or less. I tend to ride in the hilly areas, so chain gets stretched more quickly. Better be safe, than sorry. Chains are cheaper and easier to replace, than worn out cassettes and chain rings :)

[scotthamilton]

If it’s warm enough to wash a bike outside it’s highly likely that one wouldn’t be training inside. Instead it’s most likely winter and garden hoses are stored and hose bibs are off because of freezing temps. So maybe some shop rags along with a gentle household cleaner would be wise to wipe down the bike to neutralize the sweats high acidic level.

[jkruegel]

Bad answer on the tube or tubeless.. from my experience, I’ve wanted tubeless to work on my road bike as well as it does my mtb so much and I’ve tried everything, including the newest high pressure sealants. But my results are this... the sealant doesn’t plug legit holes at a higher pressure (above 60) then plugs get blown out too easily and you end up replacing tires 3x or 4x more then with tubes

[kevinderung]

Can you show what exactly is happening when a chain is being worn? I have always heard the chain "stretches", is that actually what is happening?

[JulianAndresKlode]

Tubeless + Schwalbe Aerothan in the pocket gives you tubeless but also an emergency tube if the tyre gets cut too much for the sealant to close it. Just doing Aerothan tubes works as well as tubeless too, but you lose the advantage of auto-sealing of small punctures.

[judaciousrugby]

#AskGCNTech As a keen 13 year old cyclist I train 4 times a week indoors and 2 times a week outdoors. The indoor sessions are about 1 hour long and I tend to work on my NM power on Monday, AC power on Tuesday, MAP on Wednesday and FTP on Thursday. The two outdoor sessions on the weekend are more endurance based. Do you think this is overkill? After how many weeks of this cycle should I take a rest week and what should I do during that week?

[bradj]

I use baby wipes as a quick, easy way to wipe my bike down after rides, indoor or out.

[gethind-j]

Yet I've only seen Roglic on an Oltre, unless for a TT, which is an aero bike.

[devianb]

I had always wondered about the tailwind position. My theory is to have butt way in the air to get that sail, but have hands in the lowest part of the drop for reduced drag.

[razordimeback]

Hey GCN, could you do a real world test of aero bike vs lightweight (standard) bike? I've seen a lot of useless comparisons over the years, like testing the standard bike with shallow wheels vs aero bike with 80mm wheels and a skinsuit, but I'd really be curious to see the difference between two bikes, same fit, same wheels, same guy riding it, same power, over a normal road (not pan flat, not super steep climb). Also maybe test with someone who's not riding with a pan flat back, like most people do.
I'm pretty sure an aero bike can make a difference for a pro, where everything else is optimized, but I'm really not that sure for a normal rider, with a normal position, compared to a normal bike with identical components.

I really hope you do test it :)

[chrisrichardson]

#AskGCNTech I’ve only started to focus on cycling as a way to stay fit in the last 6 months and I am loving it. I’m looking at investing in a Wahoo indoor trainer but can’t choose between the Kickr 5, Kickr Core, and Kickr Snap. If money isn’t an issue, what would you recommend and why? Thanks.

[MrAyley]

#AskGCNTech what do teams do on pro cyclocross bikes after a season? do they go up on sale after the season like the ones on the grand tours or they trash them out because they where so heavily beaten up that selling them ain’t an option?

[joneinarmattiasvisser]

A chain lasts only a year? Mine is on my bike forever. Like proper forever. Maybe even since it was made. Idk how often the previous owner changed the chain but I suspect not much if any at all. Then my chain is 30 years old😂. Not rusty, still in great condition. Perfect isn't it?!