Cycling’s long-accepted truths that could be set to change - The GCN Show

The main talking point on this week's GCN Show, other than some rather fancy new studio microphones, is inspired by one of our recent GCN videos. The video in question examined how tyre width influences speed and found that it doesn't necessarily follow that a narrower tyre results in more speed, despite that being a widely perceived truth for a long time.

We won’t go into the full details of that video here, you’ll have to watch it for all the insight, but the basic outcome was that a 35mm wide tyre at lower pressures was the same speed as a 26mm tyre at higher pressures when the tyre construction is otherwise like for like.

With their minds significantly blown by that revelation, Dan and Si started to think about what other popular beliefs in cycling folklore have recently been debunked. And then what might be next on that list?

The guys delve into topics like carbohydrate intake, weight training (of which Dan has been rigidly participating of late), cross training and Si has a hunch that super low handlebars will soon be a thing of the past. Meanwhile, Dan thinks sunglasses have limited time thanks to designs like that seen on the infamous POC helmet, and, while zone 2 training might be enjoying the limelight of late, its time is short-lived.

Watch this week's show to find out more on their reasoning and let us know if you agree with them in the comments below.

This week’s Cycling Shorts kicks off with some actual cycling shorts. Well, not just shorts, more specifically a whole collection of kit as we look at AGU’s new Undyed Range of cycle clothing. This is part of AGU's attempt to reduce its carbon footprint, which is achieved by cutting out the colouring process, thus reducing its water and energy consumption. The results are this range of kit all made from recycled or recyclable materials. You can find out more about it on the AGU website.

Read more: Sustainability inspires AGU's new Undyed SIX6 collection of clothing and accessories

And don’t forget you can also get hold of our GCN x AGU pro kit available on the GCN Shop now or click on the rail below.

Dan and Si also take a look at an interesting new tech product called Copilot from Velo Ai. It's essentially a tail light with a built-in AI sensor that monitors traffic behind you and can detect how safely a vehicle is being driven. It then alerts both the cyclist and the driver via audible and visual signals to help prevent potential collisions.

The guys also give a shout-out to a former semi-pro cyclist, Serhii Krasnov, who has launched Tour de France Ukraine. He is planning on riding the equivalent length of each Tour de France stage, during the actual Tour in July, but he’ll be doing it on the roads of his home country in Ukraine. He's aiming to help raise awareness and funds for those refugees forced from the Kherson region because of the ongoing war.

Hacks and Bodges

Onto this week’s Hack and Bodges and the first entry comes from Stephen who lives in Indiana in the US and has designed and printed his own neat Garmin Varia mount. He's obviously pretty handy with the 3D printer and tells us it's one of his top cycling accessories. What do you think, though?

© GCN

3D printed mount for Garmin Varia

Ralf in Munich has designed and printed this little accessory for opening the battery compartment on things like your heart rate monitor. Normally done with a coin this is for those moments when you don't have a coing to hand. The guys like the look of it but question what happens if you lose this device…

© GCN

3D printed battery compartment tool for when you can't find a coin to open it

We don't see many cargo bikes on Hack or Bodge but here’s one from Copenhagen, in Denmark courtesy of Emil. He says he often sees this one in his courtyard and it's designed for transporting blood. According to Emil it's a very Copenhagen-style thing and assumes it has a cooling system in the enclosed box to keep the blood temperature correct

© GCN

Cargo bike in Denmark used for transporting blood

Don't forget, if you want to see your Hacks featured in a future show you can submit them via the GCN uploader. We're still having some temperamental issues but please be patient and try again if it doesn't work the first time.

Coming up on the channel this week*

Wednesday 20 March: What size bike do I need?

Thursday 21 March: Ways to make every ride a great ride

Friday 22 March: No pain, what gains? Zone 2 training

Saturday 23 March: Vintage Bike - Pinarello Dyna

Sunday 24 March: Can Ollie hold a pro's wheel on the flat?

* Video schedules are subject to change

If you like the look of Dan and Si's t-shirts on this week's show, the good news is they're available now to buy over on the GCN Shop. There are loads of designs and styles to help get you fully ready for the spring racing season. Head over there or click on the rail below for more info.

Did you know? You can now listen to The GCN Show as a podcast. That means you can still get all the insight from the latest episode of the show without actually having to look at Dan and Si at all, if that's ever been an issue for you. Search for 'Global Cycling Network' on your chosen podcast provider.

For all things general news, check out this tab on the GCN website.

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