Ollie being picky about each bike that is leaned against the wall stationary for a bike vault, but at the same time smashes this poor orbea's handlebar like a beast while washing it ;)
I have aero socks, washable bottles, torque wrench and chain wear indicator. Ollie has sold me on the tyre pressure gauge and caliper centring tool - added to my Christmas list!
Also, the insulated Camelbak bottles are brilliant when the weather is hot. If you fill them 2/3rds and freeze them, then top em up with tapwater before you ride, they'll stay cold and slushy for 2-3 hours. Makes all the difference when it's 30 degrees C.
@@mlgugb8965The new metal vacuum-insulated podium is much more effective than the old polystyrene-insulated plastic podium, it actually keeps water cool for hours!
i completely agree with you, it's a game changer for me the podium ice one is amazing its a must have ,very important to drink and so refreshing when its cold
Best of the lot is the disc centring device. I have a couple in the workshop and I carry one on the bike. I have most of the rest bar the pressure gauge - how does it cope with sealant? FWIW Decathlon throw a simple torque wrench in with their bikes (clang). Never tried it, already have a decent one. Own favourite gadgets: bit of wire with two 90° bends to hold chain together while fiddling with quicklink, old spoke bent into a hook at one end to pull chain through derailleur when fitting & yet another spoke bent into a chain hanger for waxing. You can put a hook in one end to go over the rim of the pot and screw the nipple onto the other end to stop the chain slipping off. A couple of dog dishes for soaking chain in petrol and washing latter off before waxing.
@@yohansharp3040 ideally you’d service it every year but can’t say that I’m that I’ve ever serviced it. It seems accurate enough and I’ve never tested it from new anyway.
I'm using the one recommended by my bike shop when I told them I want to to experiment with tire pressure (also the only digital one they carried) I've been using it since 2019, but always wondered about the accuracy of it... recently saw a video checking the accuracy of various tire pressure gauges, and it turns out the one I have is actually one of the more accurate ones. the downside is that it doesn't refresh the readout if the tire pressure changes while you do the bleed, which seems like a massive oversight, since if you want a new reading you actually have to take it off and reapply it to the valve, meaning you're probably going to reseat it incorrectly, ruining any bleeding. does this topeak pressure gauge stay attached to the valve while you pump and bleed? or do you need to swap back and forth between the pump and the gauge? honestly I wish there was one that replaces the valve cap and you leave it on permanently. another idea that would be good for tubeless is to have two valves: one for sealant/high volume air and the other a normal presta/Schrader, but the normal one isnt only a valve, it's a TPMS sensor as well as a pressurized reserve tank, set and maintain the pressure via a set-point in an app and this would enable the ability to adjust tire pressure on the fly from the cockpit. I'm no expert of course but it seems like the only tough bit is a small enough pump that can fit inside the rim to remove pressure from the tire to put back into the tank when you want to lower the pressure in the tire. the tank is easy it would be a tube that wraps around the inside of the rim. probably a bit much for your average ride, but imagine how it would change cobblestone races
I think you need something that clamps firmly onto the nozzle to get an accurate reading. I have a digital car tyre pressure gauge and it's pretty hopeless because you're supposed to hold it against the valve stem, but it's hard to get a proper seal. So you get inaccurate readings and lose pressure in the process.
I use the Zipp Tyre Wizz. Correct pressure at the start of the ride, piece of mind when I don’t know if I have a puncture and I can survive a slow puncture with topping up for 10s of Km.
Ollie, your recommendations are excellent. Thankyou. Now I need you to do one more video on the nutrition you recommend for endurance rides. Specifically, how in the heck did you avoid cramping whilst climbing 18,000 meters in 36 hours ?
There is only one chain checker tool worth having: the Abbey Bicycle Tools LL Chain Wear Tool. These things are manufactured in the USA to meet the incredibly tight tolerances that you need for measuring chain wear. They are a little on the pricey side at $45 but they measure both pin-to-pin wear and lateral chain wear, which is something that you have to take into account with modern 1x group sets that are designed to cross chain.
I suggest the Camelback podium. I scored a deal on one at REI because someone returned it thinking the straw inside was the wrong size (the straw isn't for sucking in water). I don't care about it being heavier than a normal bottle, especially when I've just ridden 20 miles and still have cold water.
This valve cover you speak of would be great for folks that ride in Central Park in New York….Especially when it rains. I was once told this while I was there to race the Mengoni race. the day before the race it rained in the morning and one of our teammates (local guy) says, “Don’t drink from your bottle, the water road spray from your tire gets on your bottle and the horses that pull carriages poop on the ground get on your bottle. It will make you very sick.” How’s that for local knowledge?! There you have it @Camelback Bottles; your new area to market to…..Central park riders….and there appears to be a lot of them according to Starva. Up until recently when 4 professionals went out at 1am, I use to hold the KOM for Central Park from that race in 2013….and I was 40+ years old when I got it. 😊
Since you mention torque wrenches, it would be good that you make a video, or at least mention it sometimes, how to properly use it (also torquing greased or glued/locktite bolts). I get often bikes that were (according to the customers) torqued to the specs, but really weren’t (so the parts were making noise or got loose).
Would be interesting to see how big diffrence torque wrench makes for installing 6 bolt rotors. Some people say that without it their rotor gets bent slightly which causes rotor rub.
LOVE these tools! I must mention, though, that I believe there's more than 1 reason there are 2 indicators on the chain checker, and the fact that there are always 2 indicators implies you should check your chain wear every time you think about it, and you can't check too often, but you do have some time to replace your chain between those 2 readings, so even if the chain is dirty or freshly waxed, as long as you're between the 2 readings, it's not too late to replace that chain. I'm not waiting to check the chain until it's squeaky clean-- I check it every time it's convenient. That said, I find that little tire gauge absolutely indispensable! Tire pressure is just too important and too easy to dial in with the right equipment at hand.
I have one and like it, but what it doesn't have is thermal insulation. On a hot day, it will be warm within an hour, whereas a Podium Chill will be cold 2 hrs in, and a Podium Ice will still be cold 4 hrs into a ride. Makes a big difference when you're 60 miles in on a hot summer day.
Highly recommend the Cycplus portable air compressor. Absolute game changer. No need for a stupid mini-pump and it has the pressure gauge built in so you can set you pressure. easily fills up two tyres from flat to 61PSI and has juice for more. Fits in the downtube storage bit of my bike as well
Gizmo I'd add - a pair of chain pliers to break quick links that also have a chainbreaker built in. I have a Lyzene pair that also hold magnetically spare quick links and it fits inside the topeak ratchet case 🙂
@@SniperSnake50BMG Yes - and I also have a pair of large chain link pliers for use at home. The Lyzene ones with a chain breaker built in (also has a rotor straightening part, a valve-core tool - plus magnets for holding spare links) is for carrying on the bike - considerably lighter and smaller than a standard pair of pliers.
I bought my first (online) while sitting crying in Malaga having snapped a bolt during post-flight assembly using the hotels tools. That was 8 years ago. Since then, have never touched any bolt on my bike without a pre-set torque wrench on the end of that socket / Hex etc ... :)
Agreed. I picked one up recently, and while it's a bit of a brick (they do make smaller), it seems to work great on testing--including topping up a tire which has a bit of sealant in the valve so it's hard to hand pump air in.
Bivo make a vacuum-insulated bottle with a high flow valve that can also be completely disassembled, it's brilliant. The Camelbak vacuum bottle caps can't be taken apart like that. Vacuum insulation means that even the water I got from a convenience store 1-2 hours ago is still cold, unlike when I had the foam insulated ones.
Adding to the toothbrush, I keep old bottle brushes from the kitchen and retire them on the bike. Great for hubs and narrow areas that need a bit more reach!
I prefer Elite fly or fly tex bottle cages. Super light, and the nozzle is a lot simpler and easy to clean! Doesn't have a fancy valve, but I don't find that to be a dealbreaker.
I recently got an Elite Fly 950ml bottle free from The Feed. It's great to have that much volume in same space as other bottles. However it has zero insulation properties. I use the Elite as my first bottle and bring a second or third Camelbak Podium Chill or Ice for a cold drink 2-4 hours into a long ride.
Please get Ollie into a room with Richard Ayoade. Their humour is so similar. I love it. And Richard actually has a great love for cycling. At least for his three speed Brompton anyway.
I've now got quite good at just eyeballing the disk calliper alignment after failling with all the hacks including business cards, hold on brake lever etc. Generally when you finally pinch the bolt up tight, the calliper moves a little as you turn the bolt, ggrrr! This as you say may be down to poor facing. Saw one new hack, which is to put a tiny bit of grease between bolt mount on frame/fork and calliper so that it slides easily when you adjust the calliper, I will try this next time.
Yea, it’s pretty useless most of the time for me, unless as you say, your mount posts have been machined perfectly and your disc itself has to be perfect also. I just go by ear. And if there is 1 small rub, I can normally get rid of that 1st try with a slight tug on the rotor with rotor truing tool.
Ollie nerding out bike gadgets, oh yes love it! Some of these I had already discovered and some I hadn't. Torque wrench is a no brainer for sure, haven't yet got a tyre pressure gauge but its going on the list, as for aero socks well I'd wear one on my head if it helps me go faster 😂
Good one! Got that very torque wrench in my workshop (had it for ages) and mini Topeak set too (though not the one Ollie showed) I swear by them. Never heard of the disc brake guide. Good one. Gonna buy that. I do wear aero socks. No shame in that
I'm not sure about using a brush on the inside of your bottles. At least with the Purist water bottles (and I know Camelbak doesn't make a Purist bottle) the instructions are to be pretty delicate with the inside. Even with a regular bottle I'd be worried about scoring the inside of the bottle and thus creating a place for things to grow inside. I don't quite understand how people's bottles get so dirty. As soon as I get home after a ride I empty the bottles and leave them on the kitchen counter with the lid off so that everything dries out fairly quickly. I suppose if you forget when you get home or have driven someplace for a ride and then discovered them in your car a week later... Great video!
I liked this video and found it useful. On the bike I use Topeak tools and pump, off the bike I use Park Tool incliding the stand. And I have a wash mitt very useful.
Regarding the pressure gauge, it is possible to look for a correctly calibrated device and compare the data with those displayed by the pump (your own device) and know how much to inflate. I did the same with a torq wrench of mediocre quality
I woudl have said inner tube fixing kit, but tyres seem to have improved a lot in the last 15 years. I used to fix my inner tubes at least once a month when I rode to school, but now I've been riding for over 6 months without any problems, except the ones I caused myself.
I have 2 torque wrenches. One for various fasteners with min torquing of 5 Nm and a bigger one CW/CCW for the bottom bracket (goes to 40 Nm) I haven't bought but is needed a torque screwdriver for the range of 1-4 Nm for the very small parts that screw on carbon fiber threads
Hey Ollie, have you seen that there's now a chainring wear checker tool? Wipperman make it. Would be interested to hear your thoughts. I don't know if it works on cassettes too but it could be a game changer if so.
Very good choices, I use Venzo torsion torque wrenche, very easy and compact to use even on the road. Completely agree about bottles, I've known about serius illness due to microbes on the bottles, but I would choose simple bottles, camelback are quite difficult to clean and I ended up not cleaning as well as I should, at the end that went bad...
GCN gives good advice. For chain checkers, I value what Adam at ZFC says. I mean, that man's livelihood revolves around checking chain wear. IIRC Adam also endorses this particular checker from Park Tool but he also likes the Shimano checker and the one from Abbey Tool. He also identifies some really bad checkers that give bad readings.
A torque wrench is a cracking investment, I got one as soon as I got a carbon frame. You're talking to a man who once broke a cylinder head bolt on a Mini, sold it soon after !
The thing with chain wear tools is it depends on your application. Yes the latest 12 speed components are going to mean you have to remortgage your house if you want to replace them, but if you are commuting on an 8 or 9 speed drive train, it is often only marginally more expensive to replace the cassette and chain at the same time over buying 3 or 4 chains to stop the wear causing issue. All while in the former situation, you only have to do one job, the latter you have to do the same thing 3 or 4 times. I just run by drive train into the ground on my commute bike, and replace the whole thing, on my nicer road bike I check then wear and replace the chain every 4000-5000 miles.
Exactly. I don't like the fad for getting rid of front derailleurs for that very reason. 8 speed chains and cassettes are easy and cheap to change, less fiddly to maintain and more robust. And you don't have to tediously click through 11 or more gears if you go straight from a long downhill to a sharp climb.
Quite agree with the tyre gauge Dr. Bridgewod. Changed my rides and hence my life. Thanks for the tool tip and good on you for pointing out quality matters in tools. I quite agree with Felix (or the Ginourmous Leprechaun) per socks though. They are silly. I prefer the German attitude towards clothing. Fun vid
Ollie, I'd like your opinion on this: Should the threads of most fastening bolts (e.g. for stem, seat post binder, seat angle etc.) be greased? This is something that is rarely mentioned, but in my experience it makes a big difference, particularly when using a torque wrench. When you grease the threads (and not the shoulder) of a bolt, there is less friction on the bolt threads while tightening. As a result, the bolt tightens with more force resting on the shoulder or fixing the parts more tightly together. When I first started adjusting my saddle (without having greased threads), the clamp and would come loose after 30 minutes of riding, even when carefully positioning and tightening the clamp. Now, I grease the threads and everything stays torqued. I usually check it once after 30 minutes of riding, to be sure. What do you do? And what do manufacturers recommend?
Only agree with the Camelbak... I use Zefal bottles as they are just as easy to clean and have a wider neck for filling with powder...better nozzle for drinking and half the price.
For pressure, I like to go 2 psi under max, then let the tires naturally leak air over a few weeks, until I'm down to min pressure. Then rinse and repeat.
I'd recommend proper pair of heavy workshop tyre levers (I have some Topeak stainless steel ones). They remove the most stubborn tyre with contemptuous ease.
Can you talk amongst yourselves about listing some tools in the GCN shop, not necessarily workshop tools, but tools suitable to carry on longer rides and bikepacking adventures. I live in a place that has several bicycle shops, but they all seem to use the same catalogue from the same franchise, and the tools on offer are low cost and hard to use. Probably because that is all the locals will buy. Also check out the baby bottle steriliser industry, some of the equipment is expensive, but obviously babies need clean sterilised bottles. Perhaps you could talk with a sponsor like Camel to develop a useable and cost effective bicycle water bottle steriliser system, that includes bottles capable of being boiled as well as being easy to pull apart for cleaning. Boiling as a means of sterilisation does not require strong chemicals. For a bikepacking version, the bottle could be used as a kettle on an adventure, but for general use discussing an additional few grams vs suffering food poisoning could be discussed. Another also, the germs and microby things that grow in water bottles may not give you food poisoning, but they may cause other unhealthy effects like rotting teeth and bad breath.
Camelbak valves are good but they don’t cannot be disassembled completely. And the bottle itself is still plastic. Try Keego bottles. Squeezable titanium and a simple silicone nozzle 👌
That topeak toolkit seems the best of the lot. Which of those did you show, Ollie? Their store had a range- was it the DX, NTX, NTX+, other? If it's good enough for Dr. Bridgewood..., thanks in advance, cheers!
Have them all - except the socks! Most important = the torque wrench without question. People risk thousands of pounds of damage and/ part failure without one.The topeak mini ratchet kit has one included for low torque settings, so double benefit. As far as water bottles go - I clean mine regularly with miltons fluid, or sterilising tablets. A good soak and in bleach followed by a good rinse afterwards does the trick. Annoyingly, my daughter chews the end of the valve on her bottles, so they don't last that longe a time!
After you patch a tire on the road, remember when you get home to RE - TORQUE your axel bolts, those are 15 nm spec and as far as i know there are no small portable torque tools out there that reach 15nm.
#3 and #4 I've had for decades. #2 I rarely use mine. The rest I still don't know that I need: Pressure gauge on my pump is just fine, bottles I get free with the tubs of powdered "iso-swill" mix. Sox? You're kidding me! Wash mitt? My brushes work just fine and don't scratch...in some cases I'd wonder about mitts that hold grit might be worse?
Tire pumps are a pita. Their gauges are typically low quality and set up for everything from kids’ bikes to track bikes. Way too broad a range for any kind of accuracy. A pump manufacturer should take a modular approach… chuck, hose, pump, gauge. All quick connect, multiple options. Same pump body. Could switch out everything else according to need. Cost effective for some consumers. Highly profitable for the company for those wishing to get on various upgrade paths… digital gauges, multiple chucks, etc.
9:10 Even not every pro-cyclist wears aero-socks, many of them prefer more classic common socks instead. So it is really unnessesary thing for cyclist. I self have one pair and I use it only for social rides when I want to look stylish.
On a recent ride, one of the other riders commented that he thought that I had a childs jersey on, to which I replied, no, it just fits, nice and snug and no flapping. The change in fit of jerseys etc. over the past few years is very marked, just having a proper skin-tight fit that is still comfortable and non-restrictive makes you so much more aero and faster for no extra cost. This is coming from a now recreational cyclist, no races or chaingangs, just want to enjoy my riding with little hassle, but the aero just makes things speedier for the same effort. I would say with aero socks, don't over spend, just be reasonable (Mr Cavendish I'm looking at you).
What did you think was the most important of the lot?
I would say a chain checker is the most important.
Torque wrench
The Patrik Berger headband
Thanks for reminding me that bottles need to be cleaned often. Aero socks are not as good as shaving your legs and arms.
You missed off tyre glider a brilliant gadget. I suppose they don’t sponsor the channel or am I being a little cynical?
Ollie being picky about each bike that is leaned against the wall stationary for a bike vault, but at the same time smashes this poor orbea's handlebar like a beast while washing it ;)
BecoZ when stuff is free / sponsored, it's fine. 😂
I felt that, watching those poor shifters 😢
The pad centring tool is definitely brilliant. Rubbing discs are the most annoying noise that suddenly appear. This tool works every time.
I have aero socks, washable bottles, torque wrench and chain wear indicator. Ollie has sold me on the tyre pressure gauge and caliper centring tool - added to my Christmas list!
What aero socks do you have? I’m looking for some now
Also, the insulated Camelbak bottles are brilliant when the weather is hot. If you fill them 2/3rds and freeze them, then top em up with tapwater before you ride, they'll stay cold and slushy for 2-3 hours. Makes all the difference when it's 30 degrees C.
30C Isn't even hot. That's just nice riding weather
@@richardggeorgetry that in my area where it is often 90% humidity at that time. The cold water makes a huge difference
This. Also having two different colors to know what bottle has electrolyte or glucose and what is pure water
@@mlgugb8965The new metal vacuum-insulated podium is much more effective than the old polystyrene-insulated plastic podium, it actually keeps water cool for hours!
i completely agree with you, it's a game changer for me the podium ice one is amazing its a must have ,very important to drink and so refreshing when its cold
Didn’t know the bottle valves came apart! Thanks for the tip!
We're glad you found it helpful!
Best of the lot is the disc centring device. I have a couple in the workshop and I carry one on the bike. I have most of the rest bar the pressure gauge - how does it cope with sealant? FWIW Decathlon throw a simple torque wrench in with their bikes (clang). Never tried it, already have a decent one.
Own favourite gadgets: bit of wire with two 90° bends to hold chain together while fiddling with quicklink, old spoke bent into a hook at one end to pull chain through derailleur when fitting & yet another spoke bent into a chain hanger for waxing. You can put a hook in one end to go over the rim of the pot and screw the nipple onto the other end to stop the chain slipping off. A couple of dog dishes for soaking chain in petrol and washing latter off before waxing.
Torque wrench was one of the best tools I first invested in.
Completely agree. Essential for a carbon frame, I’d say.
Completely agree. Essential for a carbon frame, I’d say.
@@axum.gebreyohanes yeah I got it building first bike. Had a carbon aero seatpost and thought I’d been putting off owning the tool long enough.
I just wonder how long it takes before their readings become inaccurate, since you're supposed to check or recalibrate them
@@yohansharp3040 ideally you’d service it every year but can’t say that I’m that I’ve ever serviced it.
It seems accurate enough and I’ve never tested it from new anyway.
The Topeak pressure gauge is great. I've got the older model - it's a bit cheaper and works fine.
Strong recommend.
I'm using the one recommended by my bike shop when I told them I want to to experiment with tire pressure (also the only digital one they carried) I've been using it since 2019, but always wondered about the accuracy of it... recently saw a video checking the accuracy of various tire pressure gauges, and it turns out the one I have is actually one of the more accurate ones. the downside is that it doesn't refresh the readout if the tire pressure changes while you do the bleed, which seems like a massive oversight, since if you want a new reading you actually have to take it off and reapply it to the valve, meaning you're probably going to reseat it incorrectly, ruining any bleeding.
does this topeak pressure gauge stay attached to the valve while you pump and bleed? or do you need to swap back and forth between the pump and the gauge?
honestly I wish there was one that replaces the valve cap and you leave it on permanently.
another idea that would be good for tubeless is to have two valves: one for sealant/high volume air and the other a normal presta/Schrader, but the normal one isnt only a valve, it's a TPMS sensor as well as a pressurized reserve tank, set and maintain the pressure via a set-point in an app and this would enable the ability to adjust tire pressure on the fly from the cockpit. I'm no expert of course but it seems like the only tough bit is a small enough pump that can fit inside the rim to remove pressure from the tire to put back into the tank when you want to lower the pressure in the tire. the tank is easy it would be a tube that wraps around the inside of the rim. probably a bit much for your average ride, but imagine how it would change cobblestone races
I think you need something that clamps firmly onto the nozzle to get an accurate reading. I have a digital car tyre pressure gauge and it's pretty hopeless because you're supposed to hold it against the valve stem, but it's hard to get a proper seal. So you get inaccurate readings and lose pressure in the process.
I use the Zipp Tyre Wizz. Correct pressure at the start of the ride, piece of mind when I don’t know if I have a puncture and I can survive a slow puncture with topping up for 10s of Km.
Ollie, your recommendations are excellent. Thankyou. Now I need you to do one more video on the nutrition you recommend for endurance rides. Specifically, how in the heck did you avoid cramping whilst climbing 18,000 meters in 36 hours ?
Pad centering tool… ❤!
I’m confused. Is this a road bike thing? I don’t own a disc road bike but on my mtb you just loosen bolts, hold brake, tighten bolts. Boom centered.
There is only one chain checker tool worth having: the Abbey Bicycle Tools LL Chain Wear Tool. These things are manufactured in the USA to meet the incredibly tight tolerances that you need for measuring chain wear. They are a little on the pricey side at $45 but they measure both pin-to-pin wear and lateral chain wear, which is something that you have to take into account with modern 1x group sets that are designed to cross chain.
I suggest the Camelback podium. I scored a deal on one at REI because someone returned it thinking the straw inside was the wrong size (the straw isn't for sucking in water). I don't care about it being heavier than a normal bottle, especially when I've just ridden 20 miles and still have cold water.
I'm completely in agreement with you on 6 of the 7 gadgets, but I draw the line at aero socks ;)
Well I guess you don't want free watts
06:45 Camelbak makes a cover for the valve top. Recent experience with wet conditions makes that a new "must have".
This valve cover you speak of would be great for folks that ride in Central Park in New York….Especially when it rains. I was once told this while I was there to race the Mengoni race. the day before the race it rained in the morning and one of our teammates (local guy) says, “Don’t drink from your bottle, the water road spray from your tire gets on your bottle and the horses that pull carriages poop on the ground get on your bottle. It will make you very sick.” How’s that for local knowledge?! There you have it @Camelback Bottles; your new area to market to…..Central park riders….and there appears to be a lot of them according to Starva. Up until recently when 4 professionals went out at 1am, I use to hold the KOM for Central Park from that race in 2013….and I was 40+ years old when I got it. 😊
the pad centering tool is cool! 👍
Since you mention torque wrenches, it would be good that you make a video, or at least mention it sometimes, how to properly use it (also torquing greased or glued/locktite bolts).
I get often bikes that were (according to the customers) torqued to the specs, but really weren’t (so the parts were making noise or got loose).
Would be interesting to see how big diffrence torque wrench makes for installing 6 bolt rotors. Some people say that without it their rotor gets bent slightly which causes rotor rub.
LOVE these tools! I must mention, though, that I believe there's more than 1 reason there are 2 indicators on the chain checker, and the fact that there are always 2 indicators implies you should check your chain wear every time you think about it, and you can't check too often, but you do have some time to replace your chain between those 2 readings, so even if the chain is dirty or freshly waxed, as long as you're between the 2 readings, it's not too late to replace that chain. I'm not waiting to check the chain until it's squeaky clean-- I check it every time it's convenient.
That said, I find that little tire gauge absolutely indispensable! Tire pressure is just too important and too easy to dial in with the right equipment at hand.
Can't over emphasise having clean bottles, as Gianni Bugno once said about Belgium "a lot of the s**t on the roads is actually s**t".
Hi Ollie
Elite bottles have the same feature. I like them better as the nozzles have less parts and are easier to clean and reassemble
I have one and like it, but what it doesn't have is thermal insulation. On a hot day, it will be warm within an hour, whereas a Podium Chill will be cold 2 hrs in, and a Podium Ice will still be cold 4 hrs into a ride. Makes a big difference when you're 60 miles in on a hot summer day.
Highly recommend the Cycplus portable air compressor. Absolute game changer. No need for a stupid mini-pump and it has the pressure gauge built in so you can set you pressure. easily fills up two tyres from flat to 61PSI and has juice for more. Fits in the downtube storage bit of my bike as well
Thanks, I'll look it up, I got one on my motorbike but it's too heavy for the bicycle
I have the camelbak's and didn't know that it can be disassembly... Thank you!
Gizmo I'd add - a pair of chain pliers to break quick links that also have a chainbreaker built in. I have a Lyzene pair that also hold magnetically spare quick links and it fits inside the topeak ratchet case 🙂
Normal pliers work just fine if yo know how to use them. Even needle pliers
@@SniperSnake50BMG Yes - and I also have a pair of large chain link pliers for use at home. The Lyzene ones with a chain breaker built in (also has a rotor straightening part, a valve-core tool - plus magnets for holding spare links) is for carrying on the bike - considerably lighter and smaller than a standard pair of pliers.
That brake disc centering tool… I used a business card and it was a good alternative but that tool I NEED!!
Great video Ollie. I think the torque wrench is the most important tool that you discussed.
I bought my first (online) while sitting crying in Malaga having snapped a bolt during post-flight assembly using the hotels tools.
That was 8 years ago. Since then, have never touched any bolt on my bike without a pre-set torque wrench on the end of that socket / Hex etc ... :)
Can you do a video on small electric pumps? Wonder how they actually do relative to hand pumps on real world rides
Agreed. I picked one up recently, and while it's a bit of a brick (they do make smaller), it seems to work great on testing--including topping up a tire which has a bit of sealant in the valve so it's hard to hand pump air in.
Bivo make a vacuum-insulated bottle with a high flow valve that can also be completely disassembled, it's brilliant. The Camelbak vacuum bottle caps can't be taken apart like that. Vacuum insulation means that even the water I got from a convenience store 1-2 hours ago is still cold, unlike when I had the foam insulated ones.
Adding to the toothbrush, I keep old bottle brushes from the kitchen and retire them on the bike. Great for hubs and narrow areas that need a bit more reach!
I prefer Elite fly or fly tex bottle cages. Super light, and the nozzle is a lot simpler and easy to clean! Doesn't have a fancy valve, but I don't find that to be a dealbreaker.
I recently got an Elite Fly 950ml bottle free from The Feed. It's great to have that much volume in same space as other bottles. However it has zero insulation properties. I use the Elite as my first bottle and bring a second or third Camelbak Podium Chill or Ice for a cold drink 2-4 hours into a long ride.
Disc brake centering tool is a must have!
what a useless thing, way should i make the disk thicker and then center the calliper.
agree with all, I have an old metal coffee can in the garage full of old toothbrushes.
Please get Ollie into a room with Richard Ayoade. Their humour is so similar. I love it. And Richard actually has a great love for cycling. At least for his three speed Brompton anyway.
The pad centering tool is a great tool but only if your brake mounts are perfectly flat. Useless if the mounts aren't faced
I've now got quite good at just eyeballing the disk calliper alignment after failling with all the hacks including business cards, hold on brake lever etc. Generally when you finally pinch the bolt up tight, the calliper moves a little as you turn the bolt, ggrrr! This as you say may be down to poor facing. Saw one new hack, which is to put a tiny bit of grease between bolt mount on frame/fork and calliper so that it slides easily when you adjust the calliper, I will try this next time.
Yea, it’s pretty useless most of the time for me, unless as you say, your mount posts have been machined perfectly and your disc itself has to be perfect also.
I just go by ear. And if there is 1 small rub, I can normally get rid of that 1st try with a slight tug on the rotor with rotor truing tool.
Thanks for the video.
Ollie nerding out bike gadgets, oh yes love it! Some of these I had already discovered and some I hadn't. Torque wrench is a no brainer for sure, haven't yet got a tyre pressure gauge but its going on the list, as for aero socks well I'd wear one on my head if it helps me go faster 😂
Good one! Got that very torque wrench in my workshop (had it for ages) and mini Topeak set too (though not the one Ollie showed) I swear by them. Never heard of the disc brake guide. Good one. Gonna buy that. I do wear aero socks. No shame in that
The Topeak Mini 20 Pro is brilliant. Bigger and better models are available but for it's size and cost it is to me the best for my repair/tool kit.
I'm not sure about using a brush on the inside of your bottles. At least with the Purist water bottles (and I know Camelbak doesn't make a Purist bottle) the instructions are to be pretty delicate with the inside. Even with a regular bottle I'd be worried about scoring the inside of the bottle and thus creating a place for things to grow inside. I don't quite understand how people's bottles get so dirty. As soon as I get home after a ride I empty the bottles and leave them on the kitchen counter with the lid off so that everything dries out fairly quickly. I suppose if you forget when you get home or have driven someplace for a ride and then discovered them in your car a week later...
Great video!
Just found out there's a beam type torque wrench...and ordered a Park Tool one.
Very useful list super thanks Olie !
I liked this video and found it useful. On the bike I use Topeak tools and pump, off the bike I use Park Tool incliding the stand. And I have a wash mitt very useful.
Camelback water bottles are great...get the cheap silicon cap as well, and no more grit, dirt, and worse in your nozzle on rides!
Yes we use these and they are definitely worth putting on your bottles
Best tip of the lot “Don’t buy cheap”. Nothing worse than rounding out a fastener using a cheap Allen wrench.
The harbor freight Allen wrenches are great though
Yep. Especially the smaller sizes that require lower torque,,,I’m looking at you bleed port screw that I stripped using a cheap 2mm Allen key.
Regarding the pressure gauge, it is possible to look for a correctly calibrated device and compare the data with those displayed by the pump (your own device) and know how much to inflate. I did the same with a torq wrench of mediocre quality
I woudl have said inner tube fixing kit, but tyres seem to have improved a lot in the last 15 years. I used to fix my inner tubes at least once a month when I rode to school, but now I've been riding for over 6 months without any problems, except the ones I caused myself.
Get a chain wear indicator with a built in bottle opener - essential if you tend to get a bit thirsty during a prolonged bike maintenance session.
Hack? 😂
I have 2 torque wrenches. One for various fasteners with min torquing of 5 Nm and a bigger one CW/CCW for the bottom bracket (goes to 40 Nm) I haven't bought but is needed a torque screwdriver for the range of 1-4 Nm for the very small parts that screw on carbon fiber threads
Hey Ollie, have you seen that there's now a chainring wear checker tool? Wipperman make it. Would be interested to hear your thoughts. I don't know if it works on cassettes too but it could be a game changer if so.
Very good choices, I use Venzo torsion torque wrenche, very easy and compact to use even on the road. Completely agree about bottles, I've known about serius illness due to microbes on the bottles, but I would choose simple bottles, camelback are quite difficult to clean and I ended up not cleaning as well as I should, at the end that went bad...
What makes a digital pressure gauge more accurate than an analogue one? When was it last calibrated......
My thoughts exactly. Fatuous precision without accuracy. Having said that, I have a digital one because I'm very shallow :)
@@robbybobbyhobbies😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
GCN gives good advice. For chain checkers, I value what Adam at ZFC says. I mean, that man's livelihood revolves around checking chain wear. IIRC Adam also endorses this particular checker from Park Tool but he also likes the Shimano checker and the one from Abbey Tool. He also identifies some really bad checkers that give bad readings.
A torque wrench is a cracking investment, I got one as soon as I got a carbon frame. You're talking to a man who once broke a cylinder head bolt on a Mini, sold it soon after !
Probably better to say it is an anti-cracking investment.
The thing with chain wear tools is it depends on your application. Yes the latest 12 speed components are going to mean you have to remortgage your house if you want to replace them, but if you are commuting on an 8 or 9 speed drive train, it is often only marginally more expensive to replace the cassette and chain at the same time over buying 3 or 4 chains to stop the wear causing issue. All while in the former situation, you only have to do one job, the latter you have to do the same thing 3 or 4 times. I just run by drive train into the ground on my commute bike, and replace the whole thing, on my nicer road bike I check then wear and replace the chain every 4000-5000 miles.
Exactly. I don't like the fad for getting rid of front derailleurs for that very reason. 8 speed chains and cassettes are easy and cheap to change, less fiddly to maintain and more robust. And you don't have to tediously click through 11 or more gears if you go straight from a long downhill to a sharp climb.
@philiphumphrey1548 Actually, 12 speed chains are generally the strongest, and some of the high-end ones wear the longest, by far.
Surprised not to see Oli's hairband on the gadget list 😄
I was missing just the disc brake centering tool. I was :)
That toothbrush was immaculate.😮
Quite agree with the tyre gauge Dr. Bridgewod. Changed my rides and hence my life. Thanks for the tool tip and good on you for pointing out quality matters in tools. I quite agree with Felix (or the Ginourmous Leprechaun) per socks though. They are silly. I prefer the German attitude towards clothing. Fun vid
A fellow fan of the Listerine Reach toothbrush for both teeth and bike cleaning (other brands are available)
Excellent
Absolutely love the camelbak bottles!!
They are great!
You should take a look at Keego bottles. Squeezable Titanium bottles with disassemblable caps that are super easy to clean and dont taste like plastic
Ollie, I'd like your opinion on this: Should the threads of most fastening bolts (e.g. for stem, seat post binder, seat angle etc.) be greased? This is something that is rarely mentioned, but in my experience it makes a big difference, particularly when using a torque wrench. When you grease the threads (and not the shoulder) of a bolt, there is less friction on the bolt threads while tightening. As a result, the bolt tightens with more force resting on the shoulder or fixing the parts more tightly together. When I first started adjusting my saddle (without having greased threads), the clamp and would come loose after 30 minutes of riding, even when carefully positioning and tightening the clamp. Now, I grease the threads and everything stays torqued. I usually check it once after 30 minutes of riding, to be sure. What do you do? And what do manufacturers recommend?
Only agree with the Camelbak... I use Zefal bottles as they are just as easy to clean and have a wider neck for filling with powder...better nozzle for drinking and half the price.
Makita LXT compressor brilliant easy and has digital pressure gauge and which you can set and it automatically stops 🥳👌🏻
For pressure, I like to go 2 psi under max, then let the tires naturally leak air over a few weeks, until I'm down to min pressure. Then rinse and repeat.
I'd recommend proper pair of heavy workshop tyre levers (I have some Topeak stainless steel ones). They remove the most stubborn tyre with contemptuous ease.
Thanks
Thank you for your support 🫶
Super thanks 😂. But seriously, super interesting, as I have a these gadget and often wondered if I'm over thinking it.
Can you talk amongst yourselves about listing some tools in the GCN shop, not necessarily workshop tools, but tools suitable to carry on longer rides and bikepacking adventures. I live in a place that has several bicycle shops, but they all seem to use the same catalogue from the same franchise, and the tools on offer are low cost and hard to use. Probably because that is all the locals will buy. Also check out the baby bottle steriliser industry, some of the equipment is expensive, but obviously babies need clean sterilised bottles. Perhaps you could talk with a sponsor like Camel to develop a useable and cost effective bicycle water bottle steriliser system, that includes bottles capable of being boiled as well as being easy to pull apart for cleaning. Boiling as a means of sterilisation does not require strong chemicals. For a bikepacking version, the bottle could be used as a kettle on an adventure, but for general use discussing an additional few grams vs suffering food poisoning could be discussed. Another also, the germs and microby things that grow in water bottles may not give you food poisoning, but they may cause other unhealthy effects like rotting teeth and bad breath.
Elite has already made sterilising system for their bottles. You can check their website to find more info about it.
saw video, purchased the Ratchet Rocket
Great film some nice tips there!!
Camelbak valves are good but they don’t cannot be disassembled completely. And the bottle itself is still plastic. Try Keego bottles. Squeezable titanium and a simple silicone nozzle 👌
Hi Ollie, Great tips thanks. Saw you last Saturday as I finished climbing Sa Calobra you were on your way down. Great weather unlike here. 😢
That topeak toolkit seems the best of the lot. Which of those did you show, Ollie? Their store had a range- was it the DX, NTX, NTX+, other? If it's good enough for Dr. Bridgewood..., thanks in advance, cheers!
Time for another shopping list!
I agree it amazes me how people don’t wash their water bottles. It’s also amazing how few letter “t”s gcn include in their bottles.
You had me all the way other than the bottle. Elite fly bottles ftw
I need the link for them all. I want to get them all for Christmas for my husband.
Best gadget I have is tubeless air liners. Zero watts lost, and has saved me in several races
how often do you get the pressure gauge calibrated
Very nice. My only complaint is the lighting. I'm not into the dark, mood lighting. For what it's worth.
I just bought disc brake tool :) also need electronic bike pump
Nice vid Ollie❤
Have them all - except the socks!
Most important = the torque wrench without question. People risk thousands of pounds of damage and/ part failure without one.The topeak mini ratchet kit has one included for low torque settings, so double benefit.
As far as water bottles go - I clean mine regularly with miltons fluid, or sterilising tablets. A good soak and in bleach followed by a good rinse afterwards does the trick.
Annoyingly, my daughter chews the end of the valve on her bottles, so they don't last that longe a time!
20000kms in a year. That’s an average of nearly 55kms/day if you ride every day. Certifiably nuts!
all about the pressure forsure
After you patch a tire on the road, remember when you get home to RE - TORQUE your axel bolts, those are 15 nm spec and as far as i know there are no small portable torque tools out there that reach 15nm.
How are aero socks different and how do they work in contrast to regular sock.
They have a dimpled surface like a golf ball, supposed to not drag as much
#3 and #4 I've had for decades. #2 I rarely use mine. The rest I still don't know that I need: Pressure gauge on my pump is just fine, bottles I get free with the tubs of powdered "iso-swill" mix. Sox? You're kidding me! Wash mitt? My brushes work just fine and don't scratch...in some cases I'd wonder about mitts that hold grit might be worse?
How do you know that the Topeak pressure gauge is more accurate than the Topeak track pump gauge?
I have everything but the socks and wash mit. I so not like mid calve socks, like my wool cycling just over the ankle socks much better
Anyone knows his aero socks model ?
Tire pumps are a pita. Their gauges are typically low quality and set up for everything from kids’ bikes to track bikes. Way too broad a range for any kind of accuracy. A pump manufacturer should take a modular approach… chuck, hose, pump, gauge. All quick connect, multiple options.
Same pump body. Could switch out everything else according to need. Cost effective for some consumers. Highly profitable for the company for those wishing to get on various upgrade paths… digital gauges, multiple chucks, etc.
Nice stuff. I do wonder though when you last used a chain breaker on a ride?
You need 2 different torque wrenches- the one you suggested won’t work on crank arms that you mentioned!
Which bottle cage do you use with the camelbak bottles?
Same as any other standard bottle.
9:10 Even not every pro-cyclist wears aero-socks, many of them prefer more classic common socks instead. So it is really unnessesary thing for cyclist. I self have one pair and I use it only for social rides when I want to look stylish.
On a recent ride, one of the other riders commented that he thought that I had a childs jersey on, to which I replied, no, it just fits, nice and snug and no flapping. The change in fit of jerseys etc. over the past few years is very marked, just having a proper skin-tight fit that is still comfortable and non-restrictive makes you so much more aero and faster for no extra cost. This is coming from a now recreational cyclist, no races or chaingangs, just want to enjoy my riding with little hassle, but the aero just makes things speedier for the same effort. I would say with aero socks, don't over spend, just be reasonable (Mr Cavendish I'm looking at you).
@@ysarn Told my dog about aero-socks, he just rolled over and laughed.
@@ysarn You can't say it's faster for no extra cost if you have to buy a new jersey to get it.
What torque wrench can be used for bottle cage bolts?
1/4-inch torque wrench, usually 3 Nm should be enough, but I always use perceived effort, never damaged a single cage or broke a single bolt.
I think these are the best 6 if you travel by plane; otherwise we should include the bike stand
what about the new Sugino derailleur jockey wheels ? Their center is out of the middle