Manon: Welcome to the GCN Tech Show. Ollie: This week, we've got wheels that will
last a lifetime, new tubeless tires, wearable tech, your upgrades, the bite vault and--
Manon: Our main talking point, powermeters for just $6. Will all bikes have powermeters
in the future? [music]
Ollie: First, a quick update on our search for the next GCN tech presenter. Now, we've
had some absolutely brilliant submissions so far but if you've not done your submission
video yet and you'd like to apply, then there is still time.
Manon: You can also view all the current submissions on the app too and you can like and comment
on them. Pretty exciting as one of them is likely to be the new tech presenter.
Ollie: It's great that you guys-- We want your say so vote and comment on the ones that
you like the best. [music]
Ollie: Time now for our main talking point. Manon: You can't buy much for $6 these days.
Ollie: Well, you could get 14 Mars bars. Manon: Right, okay. Well, Danish tech firm
claims it can provide bike manufacturers all the tech it needs to make a powermeter for
$6. Ollie: A powermeter for $6?
Manon: Yes. The Danish company, Sensitivus, gauge app says it wants to help bike manufacturers
create a more affordable bike powermeter by offering all the know-how technology and design
it has developed. Ollie: The company has stated that it would
like to make this mature technology as it calls it available to manufacturers so that
they can make affordable powermeters on all bikes. It's a pretty crazy statement to make
and interestingly Sensitivus was set up with the intention of building an optical sensor
based powermeter. I don't know what that is- Manon: Me neither.
Ollie: -but I thought it sounded cool when I looked at it on the website but then they
said that they switched to building a traditional strain gauge based unit because the technology
for optical sensors isn't far enough along yet.
Manon: The plan isn't to sell these really cheap powermeters to the public but to the
manufacturers of chained sets and cranks for them to fit them. You can't expect some markups.
Ollie: The markup shouldn't be too much though because the CEO of the company, Rolf Ostergaard,
has said that his mission is to democratize power and make it available to far more people.
Manon: The question is, would you buy a powermeter for $50?
Ollie: Well, quick maths, that equates like 140 Mars bars.
Manon: Right, a powermeter or- Ollie: Would you rather?
Manon: -Mars bars? Ollie: I think we should have a poll in the
app, Manon, not Mars bars. I think the question is some of you have powermeters already, some
of you don't but those of you that don't, would you buy a powermeter if they were available
for less than $50? Manon: Because if the answer is yes, then
I guess we're moving towards the future where all bikes are fitted with powermeters, even
entry-level bikes at say, 500 euros. Ollie: Yes. Now as a data nerd, I love this
right because powermeters allow you to quantify your training and structure it in a way that
we weren't able to do in the past. You can see if you're actually improving. They also
allow you to relate to the exploits of the world's best riders. You can ride up a climb
and then relate to and compare your effort to someone in the Tour de France and then
it allows you to appreciate how good they are on a whole another level.
Manon: Yes, but for the rest of us, are we just better off going outside and enjoying
the wind in our hair and the freedom? The main reason why we started cycling in the
first place. Ollie: I guess you kind of got a point.
Manon: And there's the risk of every single rider you know turning into a data ball like
you. [music]
Ollie: I don't know what you mean, Madam. What's the data ball?
Manon: We all know them. The rider that goes on and on about their FTP and their power,
what power they did on the climb, what power they're doing on the front of the ride and
then when we get to the cafe, it's just more FTP, what the current FTP is, what my FTP
is, just FTP power everything. Ollie: What you're saying then is that if
everyone has powermeters, it's going to ruin cafe stops.
Manon: Yes. Ollie: It could but I don't think it will.
By the way, what's your FTP at the moment? Manon: See what I mean. Anyway, let us know
in the comment section below because it is highly likely that most road bikes will be
fitted with a powermeter in the future but is it a future you want to be part of?
Ollie: Also don't forget to vote in the poll in the app, 140 Mars bars or a powermeter?
[music] Manon: Now it's time for some hot tack.
Ollie: Starting with WHOOP. Now, WHOOP has updated its software and introduced a journal
feature. WHOOP if you're not unfamiliar is a wearable fitness tracking device that monitors
your recovery. I've got one on here. I actually used one when I was doing the hour record.
[applause] Manon: The first time you mentioned in the
show, maybe halfway through the show and you've only mentioned once.
Ollie: Well, anyway, it tracks your recovery when you're training. I found it very useful
when I was training for that. I've continued to wear it since but they've now updated with
this journal which allows you to then log loads of other different things that can affect
your recovery. Now you can do it with- you can put in if you've had caffeine and how
much caffeine you've had and when you've had it because that can affect your sleep, right?
Manon: Definitely. Ollie: The update allows you to log more lifestyle
behaviors than you could in the past. There's loads of ones you can put in things like if
you're on your menstrual cycle or if you're taking a new diet like a keto or vegan diet.
How much alcohol and caffeine you can consume and loads of other things. As a scientist,
I like that you can log these things and see how they impact your recovery and look at
longer-term trends. It's cool. Manon: New tires now. Pirelli are in the final
testing phase of the new P Zero Velo tubeless tire. Pirelli currently offers the--
Ollie: Cinturato. Manon: Tubeless tire. This is more of an all-round
tire and the P Zero is more of a performance tire.
Ollie: It's been developed in conjunction with the men's and women's Mitchelton-Scott
teams and also the Trek-Segafrado pro-team who have been sponsored by Pirelli and have
been testing out the new tubeless tire. Manon: Pirelli told us they're 90% of the
way with the tire but they have some little adjustments to make before the tire is released.
Onto carbon wheels and Bontrager are offering a lifetime warranty on their carbon wheelsets.
Ollie: Many people are put off by buying expensive carbon wheels because they're expensive. They
can be very pricey if you need to repair them or replace them.
Manon: Bontrager have a lot of faith in their carbon wheelsets as they're offering a lifetime
warranty on both wheelsets from road to mountain bike. This is at no extra cost.
Ollie: It only applies to the original purchaser, have a look at the small print. If you buy
a second-hand pair, it won't count. Still, it's good to know and it's also one of the
big advantages of disc brakes these days because you don't get that rim wear. More hot tech
next week. [drilling noise]
Ollie: It's time now for screw riding upgrades by upgrades where you submit evidence, it
can be pictures, videos, animations, still not had any stop-motion animation yet of the
upgrades you've made to your bikes or cycling lives. This is all in a bid to win the ultimate
price, the GCN cap or casket if you're French or Hank.
Speaker: Caskets. Ollie: Before we get into this week's entrance,
last week results, Manon. Bring in the laptop. Manon: Last week's results.
Ollie: We had Iterum Salsa La Raza, versus Contact Robert's Raleigh single speed conversion.
The winner [drumrolls] quite a big victory. 63% was Iterum's La Raza.
[applause] Manon: Nice.
Ollie: Nice work. Get in contract using Facebook and we'll sort out a cap over to you or casket
if you're French. You didn't put your location down so you might just be, just covering all
bases. Who've we got this week? Manon: This week we've got Julien and he bought
this bike for his girlfriend's 30th birthday. She had her Look bike stolen two years ago.
It's a very special bike to her and it's a gift from a friend, so he bought the frame
on the forum in France and it was a little bit duller than the previous model. He completed
the Camby groupset, sanded down the wheels. Ollie: Nice.
Manon: Airbrushed and he got pedals to match. He used three colors everywhere and stem engraved.
Ollie: Stem engraved, it must be love. Wow, that paint job looks wicked, doesn't it? He's
done a really smart job with that. Manon: He did all that himself?
Ollie: I like the chenille bars and the white bar tapes. It's really nice. Loulou, I'm guessing
that's her name. I like the rainbow bar tape, the rainbow cable housing that's nice, it
kind of works with the paint job. That's just trick, isn't it?
Manon: I really like that. Ollie: How's he done that on the wheels with
the--? Manon: I feel like the pedals just make it
as well. Ollie: Yes, I think we need more bikes with
bright colored pedals. You don't see them often. They're normally just black pedals,
aren't they? Manon: Yes.
Ollie: That looks like that, that is trick. Manon: It pops.
Ollie: Yes, it really does. That is really good.
Manon: That's a good upgrade. Ollie: That is a good one, that is a particularly
strong one. Let's see if our-- Manon: It's going to be a tough one to beat.
Ollie: It's going to be a tough one to beat but Sam Fisher is hopefully up to the task.
Manon: Give us your best. Ollie: After being hit by a car on his road
bike and having his bike written off and also his cyclocross cycle stolen got stolen as
well. He's had no luck. Manon: That's not good. Sorry about that.
Ollie: Down on his luck, he decided to build something sensible, right? He built a commuter
bike. He also wanted something that you could hit the trails on with the kids. Versatility,
I think we're going a bit gravely with this. He took an old steel touring bike, stripped
it, painted it and used parts that he took and decommissioned off other bikes. Then in
the name of an easy ride, he's gone for flat pedals. Which is sensible for commuting and
riding with the kids. 10 speeds, cracking group there, isn't it?
He also wanted to try and keep things fairly light as well but just using the parts that
he had. He said, this sounds crazy, but he only spent money on the cables, the band on
front mech and the new headset. All the other bits were recycled from other stuff he had
lying around in old bikes. Manon: A cheap upgrade then.
Ollie: Yes but that's good, isn't it? Recycling and upcycling bits you've already got lying
around the garage. That's great, we love it when people do that. That is good work. It's
a lot of elbow grease [unintelligible 00:11:02 and some proper nice SRAM.
Manon: Yes. Ollie: Some SRAM red on there. I love the
way that it's SRAM red and all the rest of it. Then you've put the flat pedals on because
it's the functionality you want from this particular bike, on what you want from it.
I like it. That's good. Right, it's going to be tough. Yes, but it's not down to us.
Who wins the cap or casket if you're Hank? Let us know, vote in the poll in the app.
Manon: It's now time for my favorite part of the show, the bike vault.
Ollie: Yes, where you submit pictures of your bikes and then we judge them to be either
nice or super nice. If they're super nice then we ring the bell-
Manon: The bell. Ollie: -and they go into the bike vault. You
can also vote for the bike vault bikes on the app yourself. If you disagree with our
super nice or nice judgments, well, you can have your own say. Anyway, by the way, Manon,
last week, there's a few people commenting saying that you weren't ringing the bell with
enough enthusiasm. Manon: Oh.
[music] Manon: I'll try my best this week.
Ollie: Good to know. Right. Manon: More enthusiasm.
Ollie: Without further ado, here's this week's first entry. It comes from Shailz via the
app. It's his BMC Teammachine SLR01. We were just all about pedals being colored and these
got some as well. Manon: Red pedals.
Ollie: Red pedals. Manon: They go quite nicely with the green.
Ollie: Yes, I've not seen a black and green one like that before.
Manon: That saddle-- Interesting. Ollie: It's very minimalist, isn't it?
Manon: Yes. Ollie: It doesn't look the most comfortable,
I have to say. Manon: Definitely, doesn't.
Ollie: Saddle comfort is personal. He's got SRAM force 12 speed on there, the access one.
A squiggle, but not Biggie Smalls. Manon: The valves aren't really lined up.
Ollie: Biggie middle. Yes, not lined up his valves on his beautiful MV wheels. Also, how
does he drink? He's not got any bottle cages. Manon: Hydration is key.
Ollie: I think that's a nice-- Manon: That's a nice, yes.
Ollie: Nice bike. Manon: We'll move on.
Ollie: Yes. Manon: Next up, Andre and his Bianchi Infinito
Disc. Ollie: What do you make of that?
Manon: Why is the chain- Ollie: So slack.
Manon: -sagging? Ollie: Yes, a saggy chain.
Manon: What's going on there? Ollie: We allow saggy chains into the-- If
we allow saggy chains into the bike vault, the flood gates will open, everything will
get in. We can't allow-- Manon: This is not a good start, the bike
vault, is it? Ollie: No, Bianchi Infinito is a beautiful
bike. They're really nice looking bikes. He's got some nice bits on there but--
Manon: At least he's got bottles. Ollie: Yes but no, no, no, no, no, no. Next
up, we've got this from Eper. That is a Canyon [crosstalk].
Manon: Gold chain. Ollie: Yes, look at that.
Manon: That bar tape, the wheels. Ollie: Tan sidewall tires look really nice.
It's really clean. Manon: Matte black.
Ollie: Also you've got a nice horse on there, in the background. I wonder if that's his
horse. I don't know. Manon: That's a good horse.
Ollie: It is. I don't know much about horses but look, it's got a long tongue, that horse.
I think it's blowing a raspberry or is it eating some. Is that its tongue or is it--?
Manon: Yes, it's his tongue. Ollie: I don't know.
Manon: He's just posing for the picture. Ollie: Okay, well, that's beautiful. I love
his Reynolds wheels on there as well. Nice 60-millimeter, 62-millimeter Reynolds wheels.
A little moot point, he's gone Biggie Smalls, nice.
Manon: Nice. Ollie: He could have removed his little rear
light and his little front light. That just would have smart it up a little bit, but I
think I know where we're going with this. Manon: Yes, I think it's super nice.
Ollie: Super nice. [bell rings]
Ollie: Right, next up we've got this from Mark Kevorkian. It's his specialized S-Works
Venge with Enve 3.4. Manon: Another matte black.
Ollie: Nice, it's the older style Venge as well. Like the Mark Cavendish one that he
was racing on back in-- What was it, 2015-2016 time? Nice. Drivetrain's not the cleanest,
though, is it? There's a bit of dirt on there. Manon: Yes. Valves aren't lined up.
Ollie: No, they're not. Manon: It's a big bike. Really big.
Ollie: Yes, it's a big one. Valves aren't aligned, drivetrain's dirty. I think for such
a beautiful bike, he could have-- He's been a bit lazy, hasn't he?
Manon: Yes, little details that matter here in bike vault.
Ollie: I think it's nice. Nice. You can't let any old riffraff into the bike vault.
Manon: No. Ollie: Mick Swanland has submitted this. His
Trek Madone SLR9. This is seriously bling. DURA-ACE or the latest DURA-ACE 9150 on there.
Manon: Oh, my gosh. Ollie: That is a stunning paint job.
Manon: That is my dream bike. Ollie: Is it?
Manon: That is my dream bike. Imagine riding around on that.
Ollie: Yes. Manon: That's the dream.
Ollie: That sort of unicorn blood paint job. Do you like that?
Manon: Yes, I love that. Maybe that's not your style.
Ollie: I don't know, I think it's pretty cool. I do like that sort of iridescent paint. I
think it's pretty awesome. Manon: I've never seen one of them for.
Ollie: Have you not? Manon: How many them have I- in the whole
wide world? Ollie: It is very nice, isn't it?
Manon: That is bling. Ollie: Okay, I mean--
Manon: It doesn't even matter about the valves. Ollie: Because you like the paint so much.
Manon: Yes. Ollie: All right, super nice.
Manon: I'm sorry, guys. Ollie: I agree.
[bell rings] Ollie: Someone's happy.
Manon: More enthusiasm. Ollie: We got another amazing one. This one
is from-- It's in grand Canaria and it's from TORO7. What do you make of that?
Manon: That's super nice, too. Ollie: You're really quick in there with the
[unintelligible 00:17:03]. We have not had time--
Manon: I know, but just that paint. Ollie: Right. Biggie Smalls, align the valves,
it's the Sagan paint job on a brand new S-Works Venge. Again, like--
Manon: It's just bling. It's a bling bike. Ollie: I think what we've established here
this week, Manon, is that if someone submits a bite with glittery paint, you're going to
say it's a super nice. Manon: Yes.
Ollie: In this case, that is a super nice- Manon: That is super nice.
Ollie: -but I just want to don't let that become a precedent.
Manon: No, I can just tell by just glancing at it if it's a nice or a super nice. I just
know. Ollie: Okay, right. Bring the bell in.
Manon: Super nice. [bell rings]
Ollie: More bike vault next week. Remember to submit yours, and you can vote also in
the app. Manon: Make sure there's glitter on them.
Ollie: That's it for this week, I hope you've enjoyed the show. If you enjoy our content
and would like to support the channel, then give us a follow, and also give this video
a like. If you'd like to get some merch, the greatest merch available to humanity, head
over to the GCN shop. Goodbye 14 Mars bar, though.
[laughter] Ollie: If you're on your menstrual cycle,
obviously, that's for women, not-- Manon: Obviously.
[bleep] [laughter]
[00:18:30] [END OF AUDIO]