Lightweight Wheels & Aero Dork Discs | GCN Tech Clinic with Josh Poertner

I love my cross bike, always loved her. I bought when the gravel bike fever was unknown, and swap conti5000 and schwalbe cx tires for summer and winter rides. ✌🏾

I like the way Josh thinks about his answers. He has a real gift for explaining tech with words not techies can understand. And he also explains his position with facts and science. Invite him back as often as possible as a guest. He really fits well with you GCN bike nerds.

And Josh.... what a super cool t-shirt!

absolutely loved having josh on - he brings a very unique perspective to the discussion points (thinking about the PTFE/PFAS stuff) and that adds another level of credibility. perhaps he can join in via zoom/etc every now and again? :)

Merida Crossway IS NOT A CX BIKE!!! It is a crossbike, meaning a cross between roadbike, gravelbike, hardtail. It has suspension, flat handlebar, but is meant for riding mostly on smooth roads. It basically is a commuter bike. And all the talk was about CX bikes while the question was about crossbikes (not cyclocross bikes)...

Tyres will finally end up at 32s! Wow! I'm still coming to terms with 28s. Such a great show this week.

🏆🏆🏆 You have created a compelling formula for discussing technical topics with a unique perspective. Josh has the ability to answer controversial questions with flair, poise and credibility. Yves and Ollie add useful commentary and with good follow-up questions 👍. Aside: I was wondering why Silca has been creating more innovative products as of late. Now I know why. Keep up the good work guys.

Ollie, Geoff - get on that golden nugget of info about the 7.5% aero/weight crossover point. I want to know more (oh and yeah, great job of course)

Josh is so good. Do what you can to include him more often.

LOL I don't think you have bought a CX bike in a long time 😁 apart say the CRUX most CX bikes take nearly 40mm on 700c and 42-50mm depending how knobbly tire is. I have a Kensis CX cross light for winter with full mud SKS guards + bottle cages and summer bike is Trek Boone carbon frame which also takes full mud guards+bottle frames 😁 So you can't define CX bike by one or two bikes ie CRUX or odd Italian bike. It's like picking a gravel bike and ignoring the rest, like saying 3T Exploro gravel is typical gravel bike with no mud guards and recommend 36mm tire clearance ?

Merida crossway isnt a CX bike, u would call it hybrid bike.

Loved hearing that aero makes a difference, even for us one day a week riders 👍

We need more Josh.

Excellent show chaps. It's good to hear someone who knows what they're talking about for a change🤣, proper expertise thanks to Josh.

Use a used gel wrapper as tire patch. So a snack wrapper can be useful flat tire hack.

A show very well done. Using paper money to ride a damaged tire home certainly can work. I have in my bag a piece of Tyvek, recycled from a used mailing envelope. Very strong. Fortunately, I've not had to put it to the test. Bonus: If I did, I'd still have some cash to buy a refreshment, as consolation for wrecking an expensive tire -- unless I forgot to put my cash in my pocket, which I have done.

I have an awesome Ridley Carbon X-Fire CX bike that is very light. You really think I am going to ditch it and spend more than $4000 dollars for a Gravel bike? Not going to happen.

Here in the US in age group racing racing, Clydesdales are men who are 200lbs in weight or more.

Love Josh's expert knowledge and explanations!!

RE: Spares while riding tubeless. When riding with inserts, spares are optional. Put a mini tool in your pocket and press on. Say goodbye to external bags.

Hi - I don't get the 7.5% comment on aero at the end - please could someone explain?

Great content. 🎉. Why in the cycling world - as athletes- do they not understand on/off /training / cutting periods and how to create blocks. It seems like they do. 🤔

not single sane human being rides tubeless on a road bike in belgium.maybe only pros but when they train then never on tubeless. it is a gimmick.

To the Tubeless question... I carry a dynaplug and a Smartphone... if 1 min of faffing about doesn't solve it... I (plan to) call home... haven't had to do it yet in 4 years of riding tubeless

Great show guys,glad to see "Willam shatner"of the planet geek back!😁😎👍

I think you should pay this man, and put him on the crew.

I wasn't the one asking, but I think Alex misunderstood the first question. That person was asking about cross bikes and not 'cross bikes (CX bikes), hence why he wrote Merida Crossway as an example in the brackets.

Dork disc on a Zipp wheel, cut here. LOLOLOLOL

I think you guys have mistaken what the first comment was talking about. The Merida Crossway was given as an example of a cross bike, which is not a cyclocross bike. In this context, a cross bike is road bike frame equipped with flat handlebars and wider tyres, more commonly called a hybrid bike. I think the reason nobody talks about them is just because they're not designed for athletes or serious training, but instead for general recreational use.

I think your definition of a crossbike and what the first question refers to is quite different. Where the commenter lives a crossbike is a bike with flat handlebar, usually with telescopic shock absorbers in the front, more relaxed geometry, and lower end groupsets, like Shimano Alivio or Turney. This is the most common type of bike that people ride on.

Bonjour GCN,
I subscribe to mywindsock (amazing for geekery) and I have recently upgraded to the premium version. This gives me a CDA number after each ride. Do you know how accurate this is? I have two bikes I ride regularly, one seems to average a CDA of 0.41 and the other more like 0.38. What does this mean in terms of wattage at real world speeds of day 30kph and 40kph?

Silca makes some damn good product. Damn good. I have their saddle bag, bike pump, and chain lubricant. Best in class.

Cross bike is not a CX bike ! This type of bike is way older than gravel bikes. You can also call them 'Fitness bike'. Look at the Merida CROSSWAY line to get an idea.

Jesus christ Alex, the guy asked about CROSS bikes. Also known as hybrid or urban bikes. Not Cyclocross. He even gave an example, the Merida Crossway.

Great vid as usual and Josh is a really good, interesting guest to have!

I really wish people wouldn’t buy CO2 canisters, single use and bad for the environment, just get a mini pump and accept that occasionally you might have to put in a little effort

Great video guys! Love Josh's knowledge!

I'm 210 lbs and switched to 32c over winter for reflective sidewalls. I run tubeless at 60-65 psi in dry conditions and 55-60 lbs in wet.

The ride quality is awesome and I am as fast as I need to be for a commute bike with storage for all 4 seasons (in Seattle).

I also run Silca secret chain blend (no PTFE!). Re-waxing is simple and an easy evening chore once a week or so.

I get to spend more time with my bike, and it's much cleaner with no grease.

I describe it as a luxury sedan. Solid, tight, and a bit heavier and more luxurious (steel/carbon fork) :)

Ride on everyone 🚲

Josh Portner with endless plugs for his grossly overpriced products. Well done GCN.

Love having Josh with you at the HQ! And Dr. Bridgewood brought his fluorine facts with him, too!

Josh: "Don't use PTFE". Me: Checks the lube I just bought. Hangs head in shame.

Josh Poertner is fun and knowledgable... add him to the constant GCN fold!

Cool info about the CX bikes and confirms the choice I made for my current build!! I'll be riding mine mostly in the city and on my commute to work but we do have this small hill in the middle of the city with trails just 2 blocks (litterally!) up the hill from where I live. I Think I'll be going with 2 wheelsets, one more suited for pavement with a bit taller gearing and an other one a bit stouter and I can go 40mm easy with lower gearing for climbing and having fun with my MTB friends!!