Do you think the UCI should relax its rules to encourage more innovation? 🤔
@PartisanGamerDE
Жыл бұрын
As entertaining as this might be rules are in place for a reason. Innovation is cool but it can also be a deciding factor for inequality. I like my sports regulated so that teams have a chance to get on to relatively equal footing and the athletes as such become more important.
@scottshipley570
Жыл бұрын
Instead of weight, bike frames should have to be certified to a certain standard. So regardless of weight they all have the same safety
@Jari1973
Жыл бұрын
If the technology is allowed to develop.. soon we will be driving with tractor tires and 100 KW electric assistance 😁
@simonm1447
Жыл бұрын
@@Jari1973I ride bikes with 4 and 4,7 inch tires on beaches with 0,3 Bar pressure, but without an electric support
@allyw7405
Жыл бұрын
Nope. Bike manufacturers should build road bikes outside of the UCI rules for the average club riders. Better bikes than the pros for less money? Yes please.
@benibf
Жыл бұрын
I think the biggest argument for the UCI's sometimes stringent rules is to ensure that the spotlight remains on the riders and their abilities, not on the equipment they use. As a parallel, around 2008 was the era of those ultra hightech full body swimsuits which completely revolutionised swimming. As a result, world records were being not just broken, but downright shattered in pretty much every event at the 2008 Olympics. The unfortunate outcome was that commentators of the sport spent less time talking about the swimmers themselves, and more time talking about the swimsuit they were wearing, and which swimmers might have the edge due to their suit being better. The year after, FINA banned those high tech swimsuits, and to this day, world records from that era carry an asterisk next to them. It would be really unfortunate if the same thing happened in cycling. Imagine if, at this year's TdF, we didn't bother talking about Vingegaard and Pogacar's amazing abilities, but rather about which one had the better bike to propel them to victory?
@FlourescentPotato
Жыл бұрын
Agreed, an essential part of pro cycling is the feeling of 'these guys could still do this on a bike I can afford, the only barrier to success is the rider', if cycling goes space-age tech, that feeling of accessibility is lost.
@etherealicer
Жыл бұрын
This raises an interesting question. How much technology is really needed. And not just the pros... at amateur level, a $10000+ bike could/should be considered an unfair advantage.
@the.communist
Жыл бұрын
Yes, like motogp races
@savagepro9060
Жыл бұрын
“Vingegaard and Pogacar's amazing abilities”? Are you even sane? No one wins the TDF on mineral water .. .. JACQUES ANQUITIL
@gcntech
Жыл бұрын
This is such an important point! The focus should always be on the riders and what they have achieved but tech is a growing part of out sport 👀
@chrisdavie8617
Жыл бұрын
10:26 in ….. darn near spat my coffee over my desk with a Trek “A hole” reference!! 😂😂
@endcensorship874
Жыл бұрын
The problem with the price "arms race" in cycling is that there certainly is a trickle down effect down stream. We all see how expensive it is to get into bike racing, with even entry level racing quality bicycles starting at $3-4K. This is a massive barrier to entry for those with less equitable means. We very well might have the next Greg LeMond in some city and we will never know, because he can't afford to even buy a bike.
@gcntech
Жыл бұрын
Do you think that there should be a ban on carbon in younger races? 👀
@endcensorship874
Жыл бұрын
@@gcntech Yes. In fact, everyone should ride the same exact bike. Steel frames with cabled shifting, like older 105. Box profile wheels. Gear restricted. I'd even say single speed bikes would be great. The point of juniors is to develop talent, not find out who has the richest daddy.
@MTBScotland
Жыл бұрын
main issues with CF other than it's stupidly overpriced cost is the lack of recycling and it being used where it really shouldn't (cranks, chain rings, spokes).
@redrocker1055
Жыл бұрын
The lack of efficient recycling is the main reason I'll never consider a carbon frame.
@yooz3R
Жыл бұрын
@@redrocker1055 I see what u did here, good one
@richardmiddleton7770
Жыл бұрын
They also don't last as long and can snap in half in a crash! Yes they can be repaired but you'll definitely ride slower after it's been repaired and good luck selling it!
@savagepro9060
Жыл бұрын
"Carbon fiber is not recyclable. "
@jayem22quin
Жыл бұрын
True, Yeah agree to that
@NewPolishScientist
Жыл бұрын
Onion fibre is. Why no one is using it?
@TheProbe
Жыл бұрын
It is. Google is your friend
@NewPolishScientist
Жыл бұрын
@@TheProbe onion fibre?
@Gmh6477
Жыл бұрын
@@TheProbeOnly bare carbon off cuts with no resin can be recycled. But once it has resin applied the cost of grinding it into a powder is not worth what it costs so it’s classed as scrap and goes to landfill where it isn’t biodegradable. (Info from Google)
@GHinWI
Жыл бұрын
Rather than unlimited tech, I think racing would be more interesting if it were a standardized bike. That way, the only variables are the human ones. Unlimited tech would lead to a lot more race athletes getting hurt-they’d inevitably be riding on paper-thin frames.
@johndef5075
Жыл бұрын
I have exactly one carbon component on my 5 bikes. A headset spacer. Carbon aint 💩 to me.
@keitakimura719
Жыл бұрын
Talking about innovation, I want much more of them around rider safety. I don't understand why we don't have spine protectors for roadies, dyneema made jerseys to reduce road rashes, and so on.
@adamweb
Жыл бұрын
Seems like there's more safety innovation happening for MTB gear since mountain bikers crash into things often and don't care so much about aero...
@v0ldy54
Жыл бұрын
The problem is also sweating and body temperature, you can't load riders with too much gear or clothing that doesn't transpire or they'll overheat
@martyjbrown
Жыл бұрын
Dyneema jerseys in TdF this year... can't remember team but sponsor was in the fibres business.
@Finnspin_unicycles
Жыл бұрын
It's an interesting point. You see developments in helmets (things like MIPS) to reduce concussion and I would tend to think that that's the most important and feasible area. Road rash sucks, but most people would take that when they crash once every few years over wearing something that makes you warmer since it isn't going to cause really permanent damage. However, brain and spine damage is something we take the compromise on, however I am not sure how common spine damage that could be prevented with a spine protector is for roadies.
@gcntech
Жыл бұрын
You make a great point! Perhaps protection is the next wave of bike innovation. Do you think that road racing should be made safer? 👀
@janwillemkuilenburg7561
Жыл бұрын
It is about time that prices for bikes are reduced. Cycling already has closed its doors for many and futher tweaking would push up costs even more.
@smitsamuel
Жыл бұрын
Is Hank drunk? 😂 Also, pretty sure a bike with drivetrain facing the wall just got a super nice 😅
@gcntech
Жыл бұрын
Hahah you can never quite tell with him 🍻
@jrooker1113
Жыл бұрын
While it certainly has its benefits, the biggest issue I had is with recycling. It seems so insanely wasteful for all these carbon bikes to be made that will just end up on a landfill. And while they are strong, they do break easier then a metal bike so more likely to be wasted from damage
@the.communist
Жыл бұрын
As a enviorenment issue, carbon fibre is a disaster
@devdroid9606
Жыл бұрын
Argon 18 has started a recycling program to make crushed up carbon fibre frames and parts into new things like furniture.
@ivandean1
Жыл бұрын
I prefer titanium over carbon. Between CroMo steel (1992), carbon (2020) and titanium (2023) bike, carbon is the least favorite one to ride. The only reason it gets more riding time compared to the 1992 steel bike are spare parts. I'm trying to keep the 1992 as close to original specs/parts as possible and those are getting expensive.
@davethedogdude
Жыл бұрын
I'm old and have ridden everything except for Magnesium. My carbon bike is sitting in my basement and is only used as a backup bike these days or for a random "old dude does a crit/cross race day", because I like riding my Ti frame so much more, most especially as the distances approach 50k+. I wish I still had my old 1980s steel frame although it would probably be near impossible to keep it running if I rode it a lot. I don't miss my aluminum frame, but my impression is that they have improved aluminum bikes since then.
@etherealicer
Жыл бұрын
Innovation does not require carbon fiber. E.g VW has lightened their Golf from Gen 6 to Gen 7 by switching from aluminium to steel (they shaved off about 100kg). How? Improving the steel alloy and construction. To me that is true innovation as it both saves resources and improves the vehicle.
@superyamagucci
Жыл бұрын
I know a guy lost a bike. Went out for an apres ride pint and woke up the next morning and went about his weekend, which was mostly feeling sorry for himself. Early afternoon he went outside to wash it, just as it was being delivered by the local police - they'd picked it up outside the closed pub at 3am, unlocked, right on the side of the street. Brand new S-Works, got it just a few days earlier.
@phildunn1983
Жыл бұрын
Hi GCN, ex aerospace composites manufacturing engineer here. I was an expert in filament winding and associated composites process. If you've been on an A350, you'll have been on a plane with parts I helped design process and qualify manufacturing and inspection process. Regardless of that, the bike industry in terms of its quality of engineering leads a lot to be desired. The level of defect escapes from process along with some incredibly questionable engineering choices lead me to believe that bike manufacturers and their suppliers do not understand when to apply cfrp and what shapes are suitable. Also, considering that compaction is one of the lost important controls, use of internal bladder bags on complex internal geometries is stupid. Bike industry has a long way to go and is very much a lottery/potluck if you get a good frame or not.
@rangersmith4652
Жыл бұрын
Carbon fiber bikes and parts have made a lot of money for handful of manufacturers and retailers. That's fine as far as it goes, but aluminum, titanium, and steel are still perfectly viable materials for making a bike frame and bike parts. The industry is using the carbon fiber craze (along with motorized shifting, disk brakes, and wide tires) to oversell average riders, and that's not a good thing.
@Cyclist-o6e
Жыл бұрын
Agreed, 100%. They're selling average cyclists on very expensive carbon fibre frames that simply won't be as durable as other materials in most cases. Really, only competitive riders need aero or superlight carbon frames.
@Finnspin_unicycles
Жыл бұрын
That's simply the world we live in. Price for high end bikes seems to be dictated by how much people are willing to pay for it. I find it hard to blame the industry for taking what people at the top end of the market are evidently more or less happily paying. Meanwhile, there are still objectively great cheap bikes available, you just have to live with the fact that it doesn't quite have the same brand names and group specs as what the pros are riding on it. (Disk brakes and wide tires should be cheap and good btw.)
@rangersmith4652
Жыл бұрын
@@Finnspin_unicycles Being profitable is the goal of any business, of course. The situation we're in is a combination of the profit motive of bike makers, the profit motive of social media, and the insatiable appetite of a lot of many riders to have the best and latest thing. For a rider to be oversold, he or she has to be willing to open that wallet for features and specifications that are beyond the need. So yes, much of the blame lies right there.
@mulinanr
Жыл бұрын
I have lost my city bike once. I was riding home from a friends house after few too many beers and needed to stop for a wee. So I left my bike beside a tree and when I was done I couldn’t find it anymore. I went home, came back next day and there it was 😅
@gcntech
Жыл бұрын
Had you had a bit to drink that night? 🍻
@travisduyck4223
Жыл бұрын
I love how in every video Alex has that super cheeky grin everytime he says A-hole, lol.
@henkdevrjes9640
Жыл бұрын
Just got my first set of secondhand carbon wheels for my steel Collnago. Can't wait to smack on a cassette, some rubber and pump them up for a ride this weekend!
@gcntech
Жыл бұрын
Enjoy! Feedback to us, we would love to know how you get on 💨
@henkdevrjes9640
Жыл бұрын
@@gcntech will do, perhaps even submit it to the bike vault
@Likelybiking
Жыл бұрын
I love that the madone’s iso flow is now called the A-hole 😂
@gcntech
Жыл бұрын
Great name 👌
@sfeter_23
Жыл бұрын
Hank's face when Cuthbert rang the bell when explaining bike vault rules 😂😂😂
@r3ttgaming177
Жыл бұрын
Have you guys thought about doing a video were you measure how much a noisy chain or brakes can impeed your performance and power output (or if it even impeeds performance in the first place)? I think this is a very interesting topic and truly deserves to be explored more. Love ya content!
@serisingh
Жыл бұрын
I personally would love to see bike manufacturers innovate more (frame shapes, weight, materials etc.) however I also don’t want the TDF to become a test of technology rather than physical fitness. We need a second kind of race every season where innovation and tech is the showcase.
@BrianJohnson-bq9tr
Жыл бұрын
Your argument using F1 as an analogy is specious at best. In F1 you are talking about engines as well as body design. In cycling, the human being is the engine and, as such, you have a built in limit. I am getting tired of the costs associated with cycling now. Innovation is terrific but there have to be limits if the industry wants to remain consumer friendly. Super bikes are not for everyone I have been a cyclist and a cycling fan for over 40nyears and have never ridden a super bike because I could never afford to buy one. The fact that entry level road bikes cost around $1500 CDN is causing many buyers to forego entering the sport and that is the urisk of limitless tech innovation. I love bike tech as much as the next cyclist but, your emphasis on bikes the average consumer cannot begin to afford is off putting.
@jim9685769
Жыл бұрын
The car magazines (and now KZitem channels) do the exact same thing. Always have. People like seeing cool things that are out of reach.
@waynephillips-wprealestate
Жыл бұрын
Long time fan and lover of GCN here. And more recently a GTN too. Thank you to everybody responsible for putting out such great content so consistently. Love it! In full disclosure, I am an older AG triathlete here in the USA. But hearing the debate on whether or not the sport of cycling should in my words, “micro manage” details of bike design, unrelated to safety concerns, what can and can’t be done, like it has for a long time now, like with with carbon fiber frame designs, etc., unlike Triathlon does (does not!), and allows pretty much everything, underscores why I guess I am truly a triathlete at heart in multiple ways, more than a cyclist, even though what I love most is cycling. Maybe it’s the American in me. FREEDOM! Cheers!
@gcntech
Жыл бұрын
Hahaha you've got to let the American in you out! 🙌Freedom can be great but what about safety?
@Gmh6477
Жыл бұрын
Problem with carbon fibre is it’s not sustainable and is absolutely terrible for the environment (worse than plastic).
@louisalexallen
Жыл бұрын
“You know how that Trek Madone has that… A hole” nice one Alex 😂
@lbx5359
Жыл бұрын
To help with the exit of airflow, right?
@fleurdelispens
Жыл бұрын
hot take: most people who ride bikes, even most roadies, shouldn't be riding carbon fiber frames. I think the durability and recyclability of alloy is more important to your average cyclist than the potential aero and weight benefits of carbon. Unless you're racing and genuinely in the running to win, alloy is just fine.
@1969Escobar
Жыл бұрын
So sad it's not recyclable, cheers guys
@charlesblithfield6182
Жыл бұрын
Bring on Keirin style bikes for races. Everyone races on same machine. Advanced tech and innovation allowed but everyone uses the same gear.
@orvilleclisby6748
Жыл бұрын
If you are not interested in time trials, steel frames are the best for durability.
@matthewbaynham6286
Жыл бұрын
The UCI should hold back on the innovation and make sure that Alex's fantasy of Tron bikes is held back. There are already a few bikes that cost over 20,000 Euros per bike. The big teams will get all this equipment for free, but the smaller teams might not. When a team has a dozen or even two dozen riders they then they will use up a lot of bikes per year, plus all the TT bikes. It would just price out smaller teams too fast. It might be wise to have two or three different price caps for difference races, so the grand tours would see the most expensive bikes and the lower pro race would use cheaper bikes and amateur race have the lowest price cap. And if you have two different price caps in the same race then the lower price cap can get it's own leaders jersey.
@drooghead
Жыл бұрын
Japanese Keirin racing has everyone on the same type of steel bike. These bikes are elegantly beautiful compared with modern carbon monstrosities.
@MrSJR39
Жыл бұрын
Hank is the king of generalisations! All new bikes are carbon……errr no they’re not, plenty of new steel, titanium and aluminium bikes released this year (eg Trek Emonda ALR, Moots Routt CRD). Everyone wants a powermeter…..errr no we don’t, not all of us are obsessed with speed, power, heart rate etc, we just enjoy riding our bikes.
@marcove3
Жыл бұрын
3:00 Submarine industry, doesn't love it.
@charlesblithfield6182
Жыл бұрын
Doc looks amazing. I have travelled in Tibet way back in late 80s and it’s on another planet level!
@imagineneri
Жыл бұрын
When do we see the Hope Lotus bike on gravel? Look at the tire clearance!
@graham3100
Жыл бұрын
The 4iiii ‘find my’ tech would be great for loved ones, if they’re concerned on the whereabouts of the rider. ❤
@tertiaryeel2066
Жыл бұрын
Week 21 of asking for a ‘The UCI has no jurisdiction here’ T-shirt
@aerobelly
Жыл бұрын
Fair play to Hank for noticing that the a-hole helps with the exit of airflow…
@planABC
Жыл бұрын
Carbon fiber is Not important. Ive been riding 50+ yrs. 16 serious. Have 2 high modulous carbon bikes. Light yes. Strong No. Bike fell over & drop bar punched a hole in top tube. $2500 frame ruined. Just buy Al now. Whats a few more grams??
@playandteach
Жыл бұрын
That track cycle photo at 11:22 - couldn't understand why they would ride banked over, but then realised that the photo has been levelled on the banked track instead. Can't wait to see the Himalaya trip video. Saving it for wine and curry.
@Seppster58
Жыл бұрын
#Himalayas #Hank "I absolutely loved that documentary on the epic ride in the Himalayas. Hank and Si were so inspirational. Totally my all time favourite GCN+ video and so happy I subscribe. This is something everyone should watch and support!!! "
@aveedub7403
Жыл бұрын
Hi Guys, a.good video. In an ideal world I do agree with Alex about allowing a complete "free from UCI stifling rules" for bikes. However, again agreeing with Alex and as a fan of Formula 1, a free for all kills the smaller manufacturers and competitors mainly down to cost constraints as can be seen in the current climate. I'd be inclined to think the same could apply to the bike industry, there would be new bikes costing eye watering prices, and whether the "trickling down effect" would have an impact is anyones guess!😁 id love to be able to buy a £12k + bike, but have been fortunate to have recently bought a new Giant TCR Advance Pro Disc 2, which i had modified at shop level with a complete Ultegra drive train. That suits me just fine. Shout out to Roe Valley Cycles in Limavady! As an aside i still have a heavily modified 1998 Cannondale alloy R800 which i love riding, and incidentally is lighter than the Giant so all singing all dancing carbon fibre is not always better imo!😁
@nikolaspatelis149
Жыл бұрын
Alex has got F1 wrong. F1 is an engineer sport where the best engineers who can interpret the rules (which are also very strict) the best, can produce a better car for their drivers and the drivers work with the engineers to further develop the car. For cycling I think the most important part of racing is the athletic performance and strategy and by shifting the focus from athletes to bikes I am not sure what the impact would be. Also bikes should look more or less like bikes. In addition if you have manufacturers following a completely different development and r&d path for bike races and commercial use I think the prices of bikes would further increase 💸
@Jean-jk4zv
Жыл бұрын
Today I received a brand new Carbon Canyon Grizl CF SL7. The frame was cracked. I waited 3 weeks for it to be delivered despite it was in stock, it was supposed to be delivered in a week and I contacted them 3 times but they gave me zero informations about the delay. I started a return process and they are absolutely not helping me with their emails impossible to reply to, chat never working, and requests taking ages to process. Carbon is important for me atm obviously. Will go back to carbon with lifetime warranty(Orbea, Santa Cruz) or go back to metal as soon as I get my refund. ohh I forgot to tell you about my faulty Salsa Carbon fork I'm wiaiting for 2 months already for a replacement. Both of the bikes are 3k+ bikes. Thanks carbon. Never had those problems with bikes before.
@maxwedge7593
Жыл бұрын
100% agree with Redrocker1055 comment, new budget bike ( base models ) shootout that anyone can afford.
@kylecannon4217
Жыл бұрын
Im thinking it might be, not pushing the envelope to bikes that are good for a single race and having non pros want them. How many sports can you go out and buy the exact bike the pro's use. No one is buying a f1 car. Plenty of people will drop 10-20k on a bike and if you can only get a few hundred miles before the frame is at risk of falling apart from general riding. That will be a safety issue. Could manufactures adjust how the consumer bikes are and more them more robust compared to a (theoretical) 4kg pro bike, sure but the people dropping 20k on the bike will want the 4kg weight the pros are riding.
@hornetluca
Жыл бұрын
If technology innovation could allow me to go at 60 km/h on a 10% climb using only my leg power, I would stop driving my car.
@gcntech
Жыл бұрын
We think we all would 👀
@bubblesezblonde
Жыл бұрын
Felix's final point at about 8:14 is a spot-on observation.
@brianp7022
Жыл бұрын
I agree with the comparison with F1... It is completely hopeless for the man in the street to think about affording a pro level bike now and I think this gap will continue to increase as the sport becomes more science based( dare I say it like F1). What I see is prices being driven up by demand across the board with average cyclists spending 1000s on machines which they really don't need.. To me it's pricing people like myself off the road and even basic bikes now can be well into 4 figures which if I'm cynical, is just funding shops post covid boom.. It may all come crashing down and as a cyclist that would be a tragedy guys ❤
@casquilho
Жыл бұрын
The jelly bean bike is like a handful of jellybeans! They don't match, but they go together ;P
@F1ll1nTh3Blanks
Жыл бұрын
I am split on it. For the reasons highlighted. I would be all to happy but if it prices out smaller factories or makes consumers have to foot a larger bill then, idk.
@paulwheeless1080
Жыл бұрын
Can't wait for your epic journey to actually Everesting! (Sagarmatha-ing)
@superyamagucci
Жыл бұрын
I've spoken to a number of people in carbon manufacturing and they can't understand how it's still so expensive for large production runs. Like bike components.
@allegrobrio968
Жыл бұрын
I disagree with the concern that allowing further technical improvements in the usage of carbon fiber in bicycles will make the sport less accessible for those wanting to enter the sport. Mainstream manufacturers such as Trek and Specialized sell bikes with alloy frames--such as the Emonda ALR and the Allez--that well regarded. No, they're not at the same level as their carbon-framed counterparts, but they are close, and they cost much less.
@mindaugasmartisius5382
Жыл бұрын
Hi Alex, please can you make a video about bicycle computers, how to choose which ones are the best for basic rider, also cadence and speed sensors, explain how does it work. Thank you
@SpecialeyesRider
Жыл бұрын
I'm glad to see Hank back! It seems that he's been missing for a while. I was going to start drinking milk just to see if he was reported missing. Funny that Alvin is in short sleeves and Hank is wearing a sweatshirt.
@guyd4067
Жыл бұрын
What you ignored is that CF, as opposed to metal, is utterly unrecyclable. I am never buying a CF bike again.
@mamoolaki
Жыл бұрын
Even though I have a high regard for Alex, I fundamentally differ with him on this issue. In my view, these UCI restrictions actually shape distinctive cycling communities globally, differentiating it from any other sports. When participating in group rides anywhere in the world, you'll encounter a broad spectrum of bikes. Also, the disparity between a high-end bike and an aluminum one is not so considerable as to prevent someone from riding alongside individuals with luxurious carbon bikes or from participating in numerous races that cater to both recreational and professional cyclists. Such variations don't inhibit people from concentrating on enhancing their own abilities to become proficient cyclists. In contrast, only a very small fraction of the population can realistically envision themselves competing against top-tier drivers or operating a vehicle resembling a Formula 1 car.
@wonchoe
Жыл бұрын
Longtime fan and love the show! I was looking up how temperature affects CFRPs, and it seems that the compressive strength of some epoxies can decrease by some 20-30% between 25 and 50dC. A bike left out in the sun during a coffee stop could easily reach such temperatures, or higher. Do you folks or your connections have any insights on this? Wondering if a carbon frame would feel stiffer in winter and squishier in summer! May be an interesting topic for a future episode.
@TheLimeCurd
Жыл бұрын
Carbon frame & parts were the last innovation in cycle. All manufacturers come up with these 'marketing' innovation gimmicks (aerodynamic) to justify price increase and trick consumers into feeling they need to upgrade.
@rodandjuliestevens6596
Жыл бұрын
The Himalayas ride is an epic one. Makes the subscription to GCN+ well worth having. Great job Si,Hank and the rest of the team.
@gcntech
Жыл бұрын
Great to hear you are enjoying your GCN+ subscription 🙌 What other docs have you enjoyed?
@ebikescrapper3925
Жыл бұрын
Carbon is difficult to recycle, good for landfills as well.
@supabika2339
Жыл бұрын
you can shred it pretty easily
@ebikescrapper3925
Жыл бұрын
Most people put their old / damaged carbon parts in the bin. This then goes to landfill, this is not exclusive to carbon.
@gregmuon
Жыл бұрын
Triathlons are regulated too, just differently. It's not like you can use a recumbent, even though IMHO that would be safer.
@dallboy04
Жыл бұрын
Carbon bikes and non wear parts are great. Trying to make chain rings and wear parts out of carbon is stupid. Oh and Hookless wheels are stupid.
@the.communist
Жыл бұрын
Carbon fibre is extremely light but very brittle
@SniperSnake50BMG
Жыл бұрын
Man i sometimes when riding alone i use full face helmet (yeah really) because i think they look really cool like going in a sport bike and some other roadies look at me in a strange way but meh i love it!
@izi941
Жыл бұрын
It’s difference between manufacturer having/owning a team (F1) and manufacturer sponsoring the team (cycling)
@itscliffvtr
Жыл бұрын
The Trek Madone's A hole helps with airflow 😂😂😂
@wspmjw
Жыл бұрын
The Seymore is much like modern Alpine Ski Boot technology. Inserts mold to your ankles, feet, and lower legs.
@rg807
Жыл бұрын
Yes
@truthseeker8483
Жыл бұрын
UCI legislation should be for safety issues only....let tech innovation proceed at the pinnacle of road racing. You could also have race classes whereby some would be just for bikes sold to the public.
@dionkarmarkakerstrom2529
Жыл бұрын
When I travel with my bike, I always put an Apple AirTag in the bike bag. Then I can rest peacefully when I can see my bike is with me on the plane to mallorca. Now 4iiii can get other people to take it easy 😀
@PaulTheCyclist.
Жыл бұрын
Hank & I are on the same wavelength when it comes to saddle & Bar coordination.
@rg807
Жыл бұрын
I believe the budget for an F1 team is around $300M. This is more, I'm sure, than the entire budget for all bicycle racing teams combined by at least 2 factors, probably a lot more, so I'm not sure the comparison is relevant. The UCI needs to relax the rules a bit, weight for example, but let's not price out most teams with uncapped innovation.
@mickchaganis6607
Жыл бұрын
I was just going to say well done Hank for sticking to the bike vault rules, even not supernicing the same bike as Alex........ then the last bike, what a disappointment just because it had gcn water bottles, so you can be bought 🤪
@rhobson
Жыл бұрын
That was utterly disappointing indeed.
@WillPower46
Жыл бұрын
Innovation is great but mid to high end bicycles already cost the same or more than Italian built large capacity Ducati motorcycles. Just think about that a Colnago costs more than a Ducati, mental. The cycling industry already rips off consumers as it is, there are huge margins in the bike industry that is why every man and is dog owns a bike brand nowadays. The last thing we as consumers can afford is the bike industry having another reason to further price gouge.
@christophermee5214
Жыл бұрын
Bikes cost enough as it is. We don’t need more expensive bikes
@SMlFFY85
Жыл бұрын
Much of the appeal of the pro tour is that the riders are riding bikes that resemble what the spectator can buy (at least this used to be the case before all the obscene price gouging).
@gcntech
Жыл бұрын
Do you wish the bikes the pros rode were more alike the bikes that we can buy? 🚴
@rudolphpyatt4833
Жыл бұрын
There’s a lot of overkill in what the pros ride and the use of such bikes by amateur enthusiasts. I think it was in another video where Ollie made the point that most road bikes aren’t fit for purpose because they are optimized for riders and conditions that most cyclists simply aren’t, and don’t see even for racing. Take your typical flat 1km criterium; a top spec Madone or similar with Di2 and disc brakes is overkill. The full range of gears simply won’t be needed because there won’t be any climbing, certainly not of the alpine variety. I’d be surprised if anyone came off the big ring and used more than three or four cogs. Same thing with disc brakes: on a short, flat course, the advantage discs give are minimal at best - probably no more than a placebo effect. I get that marginal gains are motivating for pro teams and many amateurs, but let’s face it: The pros would still be fast on less exotic bikes. Most amateurs would still be fast on less exotic (and cheaper) bikes. I know people like to say “but you can get a top race bike. You can’t get an F1 car!” As a cyclist and car geek, that’s an inaccurate comparison. Closer to the mark would be the average driver buying a 911 or a Corvette or a Mustang etc. The performance limits of those cars far exceed anything that can be done on public roads. Most drivers will never approach those limits unless they’re at a track, and even then only after much instruction and experience. A top spec carbon fiber road bike is similar: Can it be enjoyed just tooling along? Sure, in the same way you can drive a 911 down to the shops. But that’s not what it’s designed for.
@Fenrirr220
Жыл бұрын
Lightweight vs aero, Ribble Ultra Slr vs Sworks Aethos. Should be interesting.
@salzhaltigersalzhaufen586
Жыл бұрын
Well the problem now is that certain areas are totally inaccessible because they are niche and barley anyone pays attention to them so the tech is super expensive but if that was brought to a broader audience the prices would drop for sure because there would be a greater demand and more interest
@robertnobles8189
Жыл бұрын
What was the last aluminum frame used by a pro-tour team?
@J.S.A.
Жыл бұрын
Factor ostro vs the new Factor 02 - same price range, one aero one lightweight.
@grommet20002000
Жыл бұрын
And the most important bike vault rule is the correct side of the bike that you missed on the last bike
@user-jw1rr4dp8c
Жыл бұрын
I always liked the rule that what the pros ride I could go buy, albeit a waste of tech and money at my ability. Still it makes the sport feel a little be more accessible.
@benjaminstevens4468
Жыл бұрын
You superniced a nondrive side picture?!? That’s the one sin I could never forgive. It was a complete shame that the GT track bike was built on wheels with rim brake tracks even though it was a brake less build, what a waste
@jeffreylee5770
Жыл бұрын
I would never buy carbon parts because they fail in catastrophic ways even in the Tour de France peloton where they all the best stuff and the best mechanics in the world. I never saw an alloy handlebar or fork or steerer tube fail in any peloton ever. Even carbon frames are so fragile that you can't clamp any part of one in a repair stand without risking damaging it. That said, when alloy or steel parts fail, they give obvious signs of coming disaster, so you have lots of time -- even weeks -- to find a solution. With 3-D printing of metals, maybe they can finally escape the carbon nightmare-delusion that this was ever a good idea.
@GamingowyTata
Жыл бұрын
I want bikes to stay bikes, not a space science technology where you will not be allowed even to lube a chain without “authorised”, super expensive service point. So aluminium and titan bikes all the way for me 😀👍
@kidShibuya
Жыл бұрын
I want my tron bike!
@whataname955
Жыл бұрын
Regarding the argument that opening up the rules would drive up prices - the manufacturers are already driving up the prices within the current regulations just fine.
@prestachuck2867
Жыл бұрын
Non-Drive side photos are NEVER Supernice! I bet @joncannings slapped you silly in the hallway after this episode. 😂. Hank is mostly right about the handlebar tape though. Match the tape to the saddle and the saddle to the tires, or Black. 😊 Cheers!
@matt_acton-varian
Жыл бұрын
I think the weight limit should not be ditched, but just reduced a little. Say by 0.5kg. allows for a little more innovation but keeps enough of a restriction to stop unfair advantages being exploited.
@Shellewell
Жыл бұрын
F1 bikes aren't road legal, so the average consumer literally can't get one, but we often point out in cycling that one really great thing is the accessibility, that you too can own the bike that a pro uses and ride the same roads. The grey area there is the track. Track bikes aren't road legal and fewer people have need for one, so why not trash the rules there specifically, at least as a trial? They already do a bit with things like the British Cycling Hope Lotus bike.
@Shellewell
Жыл бұрын
That said, how far do we relax the rules? The end point if we really opened things up would be recumbents.
@papagodzilla5465
Жыл бұрын
Carbon fiber is incredible. But it costs so much! You can get a better equipped bike (gearset, suspension, etc) for cheaper if you go for an aluminum setup. My aluminum XC bike is barely heavier than a carbon fiber setup. Unless for a real pro, probably nobody would really see the difference in weight while riding.
@51ATF
Жыл бұрын
and not important for making the hull of submersibles
@wspmjw
Жыл бұрын
#askgcntech - What's the industry percentage of "carbon fiber" bikes that have fiberglass in them?
@monty2078
Жыл бұрын
100%
@theamateurbunch5006
Жыл бұрын
Pushing the limits of innovation never seem to push the limits of long term durability.
@gcntech
Жыл бұрын
Interesting point! How about tech like internal hub gears or pinion gear boxes? 👀
@theamateurbunch5006
Жыл бұрын
@@gcntech Gearboxes are not really road racing innovation. I don't think they are banned by the UCI either. Internal gears are not innovation but I like the classified hubs. If we where to see more of this in road racing I'm sure the focus would be on weight and efficiency at the expense of durability. With lighter and weaker materials and narrower profiles. But of course saying never is an exaggeration. The pursuit of aero has led to a compromised use of carbon fiber. The switch to electric has also left us with a lot of obsolete high end components. I embrace innovation and sometimes a compromise in durability is worth it, but it seems to me that the innovation that benefits the majority is found in MTB and Gravel. Without the UCI rules I suspect that road bikes would not be as good as they are. But this is of course pure speculation.
@shellypalumbo5297
Жыл бұрын
Tough decision. My view it that while great bikes are wonderful, however, at what point does the bike tech overshadows the riders ability? Pro cycling should focus mostly upon the experience, talent and fitness of the cyclists. Perhaps the UCI attempts to have some uniformity of the tech so as not to overtake the cyclist abilities makes sense. 😉
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