- So I'm back with another episode of the GCN Tech Clinic
where we help answer your technical bike-related questions
First up I've got a great question from Dragana who asked.
They're looking to buy a new helmet and they're wondering
will a black helmet generate more heat than a white one?
Well, you know, I love the helmet questions.
So here we go.
Some of you will know I used to work
actually for a helmet brand and leading up to
the Rio Olympics I was in touch with
quite a few riders who were wearing that brand of helmet
at the Olympics and they wanted to know
if their helmet was cool enough for it.
And that's in terms of comfort, obviously,
not looks so internally we actually did
some thermo-dynamic testing and
with the black outer shell so
the plastic shell of the helmet
that did retain slightly more heat
than that of a lighter coloured one.
However that all really went into insignificance.
The fact that the foam of the helmet,
so the EPS, the styrofoam people call it,
it doesn't actually transfer heat that well at all
so it wasn't getting through and
effecting the comforting of the rider.
So basically, choose whatever sort of helmet you want and
also, a little fact there,
we did also try to use some reflective silver paint
to try and actually bounce the sun's rays away but
unfortunately the manufacturing process of it
didn't really work very well and the chrome paint
wouldn't really adhere to the plastic shell.
So it didn't work but it was worth a try.
And it was good fun doing that.
So now I've got a question from Ani who asks
I have a octalink bottom bracket.
Is there any compatible power metres available
apart from the pedals based one available?
Well, that's a great question.
Octalink bottom brackets are not commonly used anymore.
Basically it's a system from Shimano
where your cranks attach to the bottom bracket spindle
via a spline so it's an eight spline sided axle or spindle.
Now they're not used that much anymore but
SRM, I do believe, actually make one of these.
The Science Model Powermeter that will fit.
The problem is with that is that it's actually
more designed for a test facility because
the cranks on them are actually extendable
so it's not really something that practical
to go out on your bike because to be honest
it's going to weigh quite a bit.
What I would actually suggest is for
the low cost of changing your bottom bracket
is to do that and then you're going to
open up the door to way more options of a power metre.
Alternatively have a look around on Ebay and
you may well find an old standard road octalink
SRM chain set for you.
Okay, now I've got a question from Chris who asks
Any tips for removing old, discoloured frame protection
on a white downtube and chainstay?
It came with the bike from new.
It's really well stuck on but it's now going yellow
and needs replacing.
Well, Chris, nobody like a grubby frame protector.
That's a fact.
What I'd suggest, grab yourself a hairdryer and
basically hover that over for quite a while.
That's going to soften the glue off those frame protectors
and then you should be able to peel it off.
If that doesn't work, basically just
persevere and pick with your finger and
just try and get it going.
Once you get it going, try and
pull it off in one big chunk.
Now to remove any remaining glue
what I'd suggest is with an old rag
spray on some WD-40 or a product called
Sticky Stuff Remover.
Yep, that's actually the real name of a product.
I use it all the time.
And just wipe that over the frame
where the sticky stuff remains and it'll go.
Now if you're going to reapply some frame protectors,
make sure that that area is totally free of
dirt, grime, dust, anything like that.
Ideally, get yourself an alcohol wipe and
actually prepare the frame before applying the protector
and you'll be good to go.
Right, next up a question from Joe who wants to know
when will us commuters get a cycling bell
that sits on or integrates with the hoods?
So basically of drop handle bar brakes
because they moved over from a flat bar bike.
Well, Joe, the great news for you is
I actually cycle with someone who
had this bell on their bike so
I know it exists.
I've done a little bit of research for you as well
and it's produced by a company called Osaka
who basically make bike bells,
quite a wide variety too.
And it does in fact clip onto the break hood.
And also I've seen it on some of the older STIs
clip onto the cables that exit from the lever hood.
However when I used to ride with this guy
back in Belgium, every now and then
the bell would just go off and
he didn't mean for it to go off.
Now I don't know if somehow he used
to hit it when he changed gear but
we always knew when he was attacking because
the bell would go off so there we are.
If you do get one, let me know how you get on with it
and if the random bell ringing happens for you too.
Right, finally, a question from Mohd Yusuf who asks
knee warmers over or under cycling shorts?
Hmm, that is a good one.
Because you don't want the fashion police coming after you.
But in all seriousness, now if I'm going out on my own
and I know I'm going to be taking off my knee warmers
probably after 15 or 20 minutes, something like that
I'll actually put them over my shorts
that way it's easier just to take them off
whilst I'm riding along.
No need to stop, nothing like that.
But if I'm meeting up with some friends
and I'm doing that, there's no way I'm going to do that
because I'm going to get ridiculed.
They're going to give me a really hard time.
So ultimately, yeah, put them underneath your shorts really.
Now on the contrast, track cyclists who
are on and off the track all the time during
their training sessions,
they normally put them straight over the top
because it's just easier to remove them.
But for safety issues, from fellow cyclist
may be giving you abuse for not fitting the rules.
Just put them underneath your shorts.
They look better.
Also having them underneath your shorts is
actually going to help them stay up more because
you're going to have that extra layer of Lycra
over top and likely the gripper around the edge
of your shorts is going to hold them in place.
So put them underneath your shorts.
Now remember to leave your questions for us
on all forms of social media using
the hashtag askGCNtech.
Remember as well to like and share this video
with your friends.
And now for a great video on
how the pros choose their stem length
click just down here.