GCN Tech Clinic: Pros and cons of carbon rim brake wheels

It’s been another busy week in the world of bike tech and over that time we’ve received lots of your questions, which can only mean one thing - it’s time for the latest GCN Tech Clinic. Alex and Ollie are back to share their tech wisdom and hopefully clear up your questions, although we can’t promise they’ll have all the answers.

Why aren’t there any shoe-based power meters?

Kicking things off this week is a power-meter related question. SRM launched the first commercially available power meter in 1989 and since then they’ve become more affordable and accessible. The tech has also advanced and there are now a range of power meters available, from crank-based to pedal-based options. Noticeably, there isn’t currently a shoe-based power meter available, but why is that? Alex and Ollie offer their thoughts.

How should I care for my derailleur after washing my bike?

Moving on from power meters to maintenance, do rear derailleurs need special care after you’ve washed your bike and do the joints need oiling?

Alex thinks not. We know how well he takes care of his bikes, so we’re willing to trust him on this one. Just be wary that a particularly strong degreaser can strip the joint on the pulley wheel of any grease.

Should I get my frame wrapped?

It’s tech more commonly found on cars but it’s made the move to bikes, providing a much more cost-effective way of giving your bike a funky paint job, not to mention an extra layer of protection. That’s only if you’re willing to sacrifice a little extra weight, though. Don’t expect to see vinyl-wrapped bikes on your local hill climb anytime soon.

Will GCN cover belt drive bikes?

For those who are unfamiliar, belt drive bikes, as the name suggests, use a toothed belt instead of a chain to transmit power to the wheel. They’ve grown in popularity, especially on commuter bikes, as they’re much more durable than a chain.

Why don’t all bikes use them then? Like any tech, belt drives have their downsides and they’re not as efficient as chains. So don’t expect to see them on road bikes anytime soon.

Carbon rim brakes: are they worth it?

Elsewhere on this jam-packed edition, our dynamic duo weigh up the pros and cons of carbon rim brake wheels. They’re lighter and can be shaped into more aerodynamic profiles than their aluminium counterparts, but they’re not without their drawbacks.

For a start, fewer manufacturers are actively developing the technology mainly due to the industry turning its attention to disc brakes. There are also certain performance concerns, especially on long descents when the wheels struggle to dissipate heat. So, are they worth it? Alex and Ollie have their doubts.

Why can’t we see pro data?

Moving away from componentry to a different type of tech, why do the pros hide a lot of their Strava data? Is it because they don’t live by the same ‘if it isn’t on Strava it didn’t happen’ rules as most of the cycling world? Or, as our presenters suggest, could it be down to more practical reasons of not wanting to give their rivals an advantage?

Should my indoor and outdoor cycling shoes be different?

Finally, what’s the deal with indoor cycling shoes? Are they just another unnecessary fad?

While we wouldn’t say that they’re unnecessary, there’s nothing wrong with using reliable outdoor shoes indoors. If you have multiple pairs of shoes, we’d suggest using your cleanest pair indoors to keep them in tip-top condition and the dirtier pair outdoors.

Have a question you need answering? Head over to this week’s Tech Clinic video over on the GCN Tech YouTube channel and add your question to the comments along with #ASKGCNTECH.