GCN Tech Clinic: What should I look for in cycling shoes?

Welcome to the latest GCN Tech Clinic, the place where we answer all of your tech questions. Alex and Ollie are on hand to provide all of this week’s answers so without further ado, let’s take a look at what’s in store in another jam-packed edition.

Where should I put chamois cream?

We kick things off with the sensitive subject of applying chamois cream. Is it best to spread it onto your bib shorts or directly onto your body? Thankfully there are no demonstrations used while answering this one.

Can wheel rims be too deep?

Moving swiftly on, can wheel rims be too deep? In a cycling world where aerodynamics is at the forefront of thinking, deep-section wheels have become a more common sight, even among everyday cyclists. Deeper doesn’t necessarily mean faster, though, and there are various factors that affect wheel speed, as Alex and Ollie explain.

Check out Alex's deep-dive into the subject below.

Can I put grease on my chain for indoor cycling?

We get a lot of questions about chains and what type of product to use on them, which is understandable as they’re critical to performance and are particularly susceptible to wear if not taken care of.

On this occasion, while we don’t think applying grease would be bad, it also doesn’t have any benefits over the most effective outdoor lubes or waxes. If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it, right?

What should I look for in cycling shoes?

To the untrained eye, cycling shoes all look the same. Sure they have different fastening systems and various designs, but how much difference is there between shoes and what should you look for when buying new ones? Alex and Ollie offer their top tips.

Is the frame or are the components more important when buying a new bike?

This is arguably the most important consideration when buying a new bike. So, is it better to buy a top-tier frame with a lower-tier groupset or a lower-tier frame with a top-tier groupset. Shunning either option, our presenters think you should avoid both, instead opting for the best of both worlds with a middle-tier combination of both.

Should I get a dummy hub?

Dummy hubs essentially replace the rear wheel once it’s been removed, slipping into the dropouts and providing a place to rest the chain.

Are they worth buying? They get a vote of confidence from Alex and Ollie as they protect the paintwork on your bike from a stray hit from the chain and simply make maintenance more convenient.

Are 11-speed chains more durable?

Finally, are 11-speed chains more durable than their 9 or 10-speed counterparts? There are a lot of variables affecting this one as chains are made from different materials and modern chains tend to be more durable, but Alex and Ollie weigh everything up to provide their verdict.

That rounds everything up this week. Have a tech 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.