An indexed list of all my videos (with categories, tags, and a search button): www.bikegremlin.com/youtube/ For any questions, comments, additions, and corrections, I recommend you use the BikeGremlin forum (KZread is awful with comments and doesn't let you search & find questions and answers later on): www.bikegremlin.net/ Patreon support page: www.patreon.com/bikegremlin P.S. It seems like KZread is losing some of my own replies and comments to this video - bug or a feature (censorship) - who knows. Forum does work. :) Relja

"Its better, in my opinion, to hit a tree at 20 or 30 kmh than 40 or 50" Never change. You the man!

@benjaminmirt5029

10 күн бұрын

If I see a Surly long haul trucker I know where to send it. Building up a Disc Trucker for a Friend atm.

9:00 - I LOVE friction shifting. I just move the lever until the gearing feels right and sounds good.

Hats off for your sincerity. You won't get sponsors with this video, but, at least you get my thumb up. Keep up such good work.

@BikeGremlinUS

8 күн бұрын

Thank you. :) I highly prefer the independent Patreon supporters - beats answering to any corporation: :) www.patreon.com/bikegremlin Relja

I couldn‘t agree more. The problem is that you don‘t have a real choice anymore. If you buy a new bike, disc brakes is pretty much standard these days. Rim brake, if available at all, is limited to low-end bikes. I started out on rim brakes and aluminum frames with external cable routing and really love the simplicity. Fixing and maintaining older bikes is a breeze compared to modern ones. We need to go back to affordable, reliable and simple bikes.

@watertankhikes

13 күн бұрын

@@Goenzelsen Look at Rivendell if you want a quality bike with rim brakes.

@NoahStephens

12 күн бұрын

@@Goenzelsen No one wants rim brakes. That’s why they aren’t sold anymore.

@fulgacian

10 күн бұрын

You can always opt for cable actuated disc brakes. Best of both worlds.

@Goenzelsen

9 күн бұрын

@@fulgacian Yeah, that’s an option. Would be interesting to test some one day. Are they less prone to rubbing? That‘s what annoys me the most about my hydraulic ones.

@fulgacian

8 күн бұрын

@@Goenzelsen They only push one piston, the other being fixed, so you can fairly close to the fixed pad and let a larger gap up to the "movable" one. No rub if done right. I'd go for larger discs sizes, as they are obviously less powerful.

I’ve got 2010 Shimano 105 rim brakes, got laughed out of my local bike shop when looking for replacement pads.

@Up2L842moro

2 күн бұрын

Find another shop.There are still more rim brake bikes than disc.

@steve24550

Күн бұрын

There's nothing wrong with Shimano 105 kit. I've got the same. Can't fault it.

More professional mechanics need to be making this type of video!

@rabbishmuelgoldberg1896

Күн бұрын

@@aintnobodygottime4dat you mean less professional mechanichs need to make more professional videos? :) I think the simplicity and sincerity of his video speak to his point. Sometimes less is more

I agree with almost all your point, in particular regarding steel frames, rim brakes, and getting bikes overly complicated ... even with filled up with electronics. That does not belong onto a bike, except may be for the light or the speedometer. For me no electronics on the bike, and simplest technology made with good quality materials. As you mentioned, it is unfortunately not even possible anymore to find a good steel frame or good old J-forks. Many would be surprised how smooth and safe such a bike rides.

Bravo. Every point you make is spot on. Been riding for 50 years and my 44-year-old steel, long wheel base touring bike is still a dream to ride and service. The bar end friction shifters eliminate so many problems. The indexed shifters on my three other bikes (including full carbon) are OK but often need attention. Indexing has been a step backwards in terms of practicality. Subscribed. 👍

@BikeGremlinUS

19 күн бұрын

Thanks. :) A (not very) fun fact: I love the friction shifters too, though I prefer down-tube shifters for technical trails and manoeuvres - with bar ends I sometimes bump a shifter with a knee, at an awkward moment for (unwanted) shifting. For touring and commuting that's not an issue though. Relja

@marcdaniels9079

3 күн бұрын

@@markandrewtait1974 I have ridden indexing brifters for 15 years and never had a single problem.

@michigancur6670

3 күн бұрын

@@BikeGremlinUS I've fallen back in love with the friction shifters. Sure it takes an extra moment to shift, but there's something heart warming in the sound they make. Also, micro adjusting the derailure (esp front) is awesome. Though I will admit there is also a satisfaction in the instant snap and click of a properly adjusted index system. I generally error on the index for my mountain bikes where more immediate change is more often required. The road / rail trail bikes where I can lag a few use friction.

The only question they are asking to themselves when making bikes and parts is : How can we make more money with these sheeps riding their bike and willing to pay anything? That's where we are at, they don't care about practicality.

Ritchey makes steel frames that have long chainstays!

@Skooteh

7 күн бұрын

and surly!

Sizing is the biggest nightmare now for riders like me who are between sizes. Because of the fashion of long reach, slack angles and short stems it leaves very little scope for adjustment without really upsetting the handling. I either go for a larger frame that has a factory 60mm stem and shorten in 20mm , which makes the bike really twitchy or take the size down , have the seat way back on the rails and lengthen the stem to the point where it just feels plain weird. I never had this issue with older longer stem, shorter reach bikes.

@oreocarlton3343

19 күн бұрын

Good point, modern mtb geometry really is stem dependent but it's so much safer than retro mtb geo, maybe try playing a bit with rise?

@impaledface7694

19 күн бұрын

When the bike gets twitchy you can run shorter handlebars too, that gives you less leverage over the bars and slows it down some.

Am novice when it comes to choosing a bike. My idea of a bike thats good enough is trip to Walmart. Where i got the Ozark Trail gravel bike for $268 (including tax). Ive been enyoing it so far. Am just looking to have fun. The bike industry has forgotten that part and has made everything convoluted. Just like any other industry. Look at any piece of hardware, its getting so specilized its easier to throw it away and buy new one. And they'll plant a tree in Amazon and call themself carbon neutral. Pozdrav iz Bostona,

@ivancho5854

13 күн бұрын

Your next bike should be a used simple older steel one. You can thank me later. All the best. 👍

very nice "Kein Bier vor 4" picture on the background. Greetings from germany.

@BikeGremlinUS

19 күн бұрын

That is our strict policy… (does the video show the watch numbers?) instagram.com/p/C8cuW-HN7nV/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== :)

@ivancho5854

13 күн бұрын

​@@BikeGremlinUS🤣👍

Great video!!!! I agree so much, I am older rider with a carbon bike and disc brakes. I need to bleed my brakes and don’t want to even try. Just ordered a Rivendell with friction, rim brakes and a triple. Those who know will know. Thank you

@maxisamael

10 күн бұрын

"Those who know will know." - Exactly 👏

I love good practical, common sense advice. Good video. Yes the bicycle industry, like a lot of other industries get us to buy things that are proprietary in nature so you have to by the “next biggest thing” rather than building something that will last.

@BikeGremlinUS

19 күн бұрын

Zeitgest…

I've got a Rim brake Surly Cross check (that I'm very attached to) but have been hankering for a bike with disc brakes, you've just about convinced me to stay with my crosscheck (not to mention the 3x that I was considering changing to 2x) Thanks for the level headed advice.

@ABHI-dl4dc

9 күн бұрын

I also love my 3x nowdays 🙌🏻

@thedownunderverse

6 сағат бұрын

Disc brakes (good ones at least, like Campy and Shimano 12sp) are objectively better in every way. So is electronic shifting. I’m a 25 year Campy rim mechanical user, btw.

@antoniocruz8083

3 сағат бұрын

Mechanical disk breaks work great and are so simple to adjust. From 1/4 turn of a screw to easy cable change.

Bravo! For someone to finally say it, loud and clear. Old school forever!

What a fantastic video. I always double my knowledge of bikes when I watch The Bike Gremlin. I'm gonna watch it again to pick up the more subtle points.

@BikeGremlinUS

19 күн бұрын

Thanks. :) I tried to keep it civil, but I was genuinely frustrated and we recorded this spontaneously (the original plan was to just record the cranks overhaul). :) Relja

Im 6'4" 190lbs and 43 years old and agree with everything you have said in this video. Even though I own a fully carbon disc brake bike that weighs 16lbs. It's a 2 by, and I i have full mechanical shifting and brakes. I do indeed miss the days of simple friction shifting... And heavier bikes always seemed to have a more firm plant onto the ground in gravel and anything offroad.

The opinions video is very much appreciated, because at least some of the questions have already been on my mind. One of the things which I dislike is the move towards making parts proprietary and exclusive - for example, tube shapes that are not round cylindrical.

@BikeGremlinUS

19 күн бұрын

Yup. On a downtube, it "only" prevents me from mounting down-tube shifters - but when it's an oval seat-tube, then you need proprietary seat-posts. It sucks. Relja

@dawn_rider

19 күн бұрын

@@BikeGremlinUS You mean like the Giant D-fuse seatpost ! Combining stems and handlebars into one piece is an even worse trend 😞

@benjaminmirt5029

10 күн бұрын

Yeah I we get that more and more in shop. Proprietary Stems, even Handelbars that inculde the Stem, Batteries built in the Frame. Its just greed, nothing more.

Yep, I had a pedal totally shred a SRAM GXP carbon crank last week. The pedal actually fell off! On inspection the alloy thread insert was completely shredded. The thread has entirely worn smooth and the pedal slid out of the crank!!! Incredible.

Thanks for sharing your thought. I agree with most of what you have explained but i do enjoy using mechanical disc brake because it is some what serviceable easily for a newbie like me. Do you have any thoughts on fixed gear bike or single speed bike?

@BikeGremlinUS

19 күн бұрын

Single speed are nice for flat terrain (especially for commuting). Fixed gear - I’m not a fan. Some folks love them. In Serbia, fixies are exotic/boutique and more expensive. Relja

This is the first time I've discovered your videos, excellent rant! Your pov reminds me of another excellent site, The Path Less Pedaled. BTW, you convinced me to keep my Surly LHT with the rim brakes and 3-by chain rings! Thanks!

@BikeGremlinUS

19 күн бұрын

Good choice. :) A famous cyclo-tourer from my country (Snežana Radojičić) went around the entire globe on such frame (the rim brake version). She's still rolling on it. I'd say it's quite a good frame - worth keeping. :) Relja

Hello! The first thing i would do is (because this is a carbon fork and steer tube) to switch back the stem from the negative to a positive angle and take off one or two spacers from the steer column, therefor the height of the bars would remain the same and it would be a more solid build. The extra spacers you place them back on top of the stem!

I had a race face carbon fibre spider “explode” at 5mph going over a small mound. It threw me over the bars onto my back. The worst component is sram force CX1 hydraulic brake/ shifter lever. The carbon shell leads to endless issues with leakage, thread shredding and other failures.

I have seen carbon frame crack without the carbon wheels even sustaining any damage, or without even being knocked out of true. It is also impossible to know if someone has over tightened parts without using a torque wrench. I.e I would not buy a used carbon frame or bike without knowing the owner and how they treated the bike. And buying used, you generally loose the lifetime frame warranty if it came with one, so you better get it cheap.

@ivancho5854

13 күн бұрын

Carbon fibre, except for a few very specific use cases, is a terrible material. It is bad for bikes and the aircraft industry will find out to their cost that it's bad for planes. Steel is hugely underrated, but marketing loves carbon fibre. All the best.

@jochenkraus7016

6 күн бұрын

I saw a plate of fiber material (forgot whether it was carbon or not) that got hit on one side for a test. On the impact side a small dent, on the other side completely cracked.

As spoken from my heart 😊 Especially the discussion about the brakes!

Are there still Shimano friction shifting lever? To put where on what kind of bar?

@rhoelalvarez7208

18 күн бұрын

Shimano stop making friction shifters yrs ago. The best thing you can do is go to ebay and search for 7 speed with the option of index shifting.

@user-ho4rv6kg8u

17 күн бұрын

Russ from Path Less Pedalled has some advice about friction shifters. He uses Microshift .

@imrevadasz1086

12 күн бұрын

Until recently at least, there were still some of the nice Dura-Ace 9x shifters (one of the best shifters ever made, might be the exact model you can see in this video) available (sold as bar-end, but can be mounted at downtime as well) that can be switched to just friction. I bought those new 2 years ago. But they might be out of stock now. They only seem to sell Shimano indexed bar-end shifters now. Right now, one of the best friction shifters would be the Rivendell Silver shifter (made by Dia Compe). There is also a bar-end version of that design (the Uno shifter) that has a larger barrel to work with 11x pull ratio as a bar-end shifter.

I 100 % agree with you about the Disk Brake debacle. Trust me. Done 40 years on rim brakes + 10 years on disk brakes all over Europe. Just back from the Alps and i left most riders in the dust during the descend ! Since 2018 i use the same rim brake pads, costing me NOTHING ! Look at what disk brakes cost in maintenance as well… What a mess…

Last good thing in the cycling industry was threadless headset. Lol! No truer words have ever been spoken!! Great video!

@BikeGremlinUS

15 күн бұрын

Thanks. :) The story of how that patent was invented is an interesting one: bike.bikegremlin.com/17645/cycling-industry-nonsense/#1 Relja

@Rusty-Metal

14 күн бұрын

@@BikeGremlinUS That was Aheadset's design, correct?? Might make for a good video??

Thanks for the rant. I was considering a new bike , but will probably upgrade my vintage touring bike I bought used that has very little miles on it. New tires, and better cables and better brake levers etc .. I heard how much better supposedly hydro brakes are , but I always suspected on a touring bike the disc can get bent, dirty, pads contaminated and probably not as good as the old school canteliver brakes properly adjust with new pads and high quality cables, levers.

Well spoken. Very honest and educational. Thank u

I agree with most of what you said there. Thanks :) I have a carbon fork just like the bike in the video and I don't see the benefit of it at all. I just worry it will break on me one day. Carbon is strong in pure tension but the front fork is mainly subjected to compression so I guess it's only the resin matrix taking all of the load and the carbon itself is not doing much.

Dude, I have 3x drivetrains on three of my bikes! I have 3x7 drivetrains on my old MTBs, and I have a 3x6 on my vintage Cannondale ST500. I have a 2x7 on my old Marukin M420 road bike, though it was originally 2x6. All four of my bikes have rim brakes. My MTBs have index shifters, while the road bikes use downtube shifters. They're not fancy, but THEY WORK! I'm not a fan of the 1x drivetrains, either. 3x7 and 3x8 drivetrains have been around for decades. Why? THEY JUST WORK! Give me a good, solid 3x7 drivetrain, and I'm a happy camper... 😁

I even sold a modern Di2 disc brake bike because of rubbing and slow shifting. I continue to ride a 10 year old rim brake bike and it's bliss. Ride feel is the same.

I have 223 Trickstuff rotors, got the half off retail second hand so grabbed them, I wanted to try regular rotors, as floating rotors can creak after some years, long before the braking surface is worn out. And I hate creaks on my bikes. No matter size it seems like I will bend them a bit. Of course sticky pistons will make it worse. So remember to lube the pistons. Things come in contact with the rotor, pistons might need re-lubing. bike might fall down, someone might hit the rotor. Stuff happens.

Excellent video. I ride old steel bikes, and I’m glad I’m not enticed by most of the technology. I do like integrated brake levers/shifters (brifters) but maybe I should go back to bar-end shifters for reliability. I’m not interested in disc brakes or silly crank designs. I love your Trek, and it’s extremely sensible.

Absolutely agree with what you've said, I've got 2 modern geometry/component bikes and yet my 24 year old mtb bike is able to keep up with them and WAY easier to maintain and still feels fantastic!!!!!

Although I have a pretty new bike with almost many of the marketed items you’re talking about, I basically agree with all what you said. What I do enjoy with disc brakes more is the chance to use much wider rims and tyres. The bike overall is a fair bit more comfortable, other than that I still think my 20 year old rim brake bike is great

Totally agree! I’ve a full suspended mountain bike with 1x and disc brake for really technical or muddy trails and wouldn’t want theses features on any other bikes. Rim brakes are powerful light and easy to maintain. Triples gives you plenty of range. The only drawback is that I can’t find any triples with short crank arms for reasonable price 😢.

@bakerk5030

14 сағат бұрын

origin 8 makes great short square taper triple crank arms!

Spot with your points. Thus my affection for Surly (simple but very adaptable steel frames), Shimano Cues and TRP HY/RD cable operated hydraulic disc brakes. Simple and reliable is out there it just needs some digging around to find.

Your crank thoughts are right, the best shape to resist both torsion and bending is a round tube. Most BMX cranks are tubular.

@pchykins6680

8 күн бұрын

yeah but they all weigh a to!!! And they are also expensive if you're looking into a BMX BB that would fit your MTB BB shell. I mean yeah, if you're just looking to ride around, you can try and make your bike weigh like 25 kg...it's fine...but if you're racing, that would be impractical. Now, as for the price and for replacement costs, it's not you who is paying...cyclists knows what are the pros and cons of modern bikes. So the designs are fine. If you prefer to stay stone age, that's your choice. There's really no need to bash the industry.

Great video, totally agree. I ride a 20+ yr old Trek - no discs, no carbon.

"One by is a fad" Thanks for saying that...I just don't get it on road bike. Smaller cassette, front derailleur, larger gear range...much better

@cynic777

19 күн бұрын

And chain angle…higher angle on 1x less efficient than 2x.

@yourdeadjack

18 күн бұрын

1x works well on my commuter bike.

@stuvademakaroner9607

17 күн бұрын

1x works great in a flat city with a small cassette. Big cassettes bend derailleur hangers

@phildivalerio

15 күн бұрын

Like everything else, there are trade-offs. I have a 1x and the benefits are clear. Cheaper, lighter and simpler setup and maintenance have sold me. I'm absolutely onboard with rim brakes though. I don't think I'll ever go back to discs.

@stuvademakaroner9607

14 күн бұрын

@@phildivalerio with shit weather and dirty roads discs are a huge advantage. Mechanical > Hydraulic

Absolutely spot on I’ve probably saved 000’s by buying ‘Old’ rim brake bikes and wheelsets instead of moving over to disc brake

MORE RANTS PLEASE! I really dog cy ling rants yt!

Threadless stems were the last real improvement? What about stronger wheels? More precise rim standards? Better tires? Much improved cockpit ergonomics? I could go on. There is no way I would trade my 2022 road bike for a vintage steel rig with friction shifters, my new bike is more comfortable and better in every way. I do love these retro-grouchy rants though so please don't mind me and keep them coming!

I bought an offbrand crankset on Ebay. Instead of holes drilled through the crank where the rings bolt on they are threaded from the backside.

I went into one of my two local bike shops looking for a 10 x 135 axel, only to be told we don't sell them because you can't buy them on their own, they come with the wheel as a complete unit. The only thing that was complete was the bollox she was talking, I was trying to support my local shop instead of buying online. The other shop laid on the BS about buying a wheel from them as well, yeah we don't stock them but you'd be better off buying a new wheel because if you put a new axel in, it won't run right see, it will be worn out inside the wheel. I had already checked for wear, the wheel still had a good original tyre and innertube as well. I was flipping bikes 40 years ago back when a road bike was called a racer and you could get any parts local or have them ordered in. Locally, My stockists only stock a small handful of random parts and tons of accessories gadgets and the latest must have's now, why would I want Bluetooth gear change when I still have to press something to do it, I don't need the shave a fraction of a second off my gear change. Old English proverb- If it aint broke, don't fix it.

I wholeheartedly agree with everything you have said, apart from being old. 🤔 If I were to buy a 'new' bike, it would be from the 80 to the 90's. I started mountain biking in 84 in Snowdonia, North Wales and our bikes took an awful amount of abuse, but they got us home. Carrying a 34 lbs mountain bike on your shoulder was part of the course 😁. I find the latest bikes to be soulless, no character, plastic looking, fragile, just horrible. It's all race orientated, marketing hype, keeping up with the Jones' BS, throw away society that we live in. A very sad state of affairs. You have my subscription young man 👍

When do you exert force on the pedal at six o'clock? Usually The Force is exerted in rotation.

@BikeGremlinUS

Күн бұрын

When you are coasting, getting in and out of the saddle, pedalling out of the saddle, etc. at 6 o'clock, practically all your weight is put on only one pedal.

You speak a lot of truths. 👍 Some subjective, but still truths. 🙂 I’ve never liked curved bars personally, and disc brakes for road bikes are unnecessarily expensive, brittle and complicated. I literally don’t understand how they get away with charging as much as they do for road disc brake systems… But on the MTB / hybrid / straight bar side of things? I’ll take discs any day over rim brakes. 🙂 (I have a small commuter with rims and a rigid steel hybrid straight bar bike with discs - and 445mm chainstays 😉). You can get a full front or rear MTB brake system for around 25 euro, which gets you maybe a cheap rotor on the road side. One additional thing I’ve noticed that drives the lightweight change is that although companies love lightweight stuff so they can sell you parts and frames more frequently, a lot more peole are mainly driving cars today, work on computers for a living, and are less used to manual labour. As a result, many are simply out of shape, see steel frames as ’too heavy’ and then opt for an aluminium XC bike with a cabon fork. It’s a bit sad but it is what it is. On the flipside, there are a lot more cheap options to get people into riding today, and a boatload of other, more advanced options of all kinds than, say, in the 90s. I don’t drive electric myself, but I’ve also seen a lot of positives from that front - older people and those unused to physical fitness getting into riding bikes more. E-bikes also need more durable components, so those are starting to drip down to ’acoustic’ bike use as well. I hear a lot of good things about Shimano Cues, for example. Plus if you browse the used market, you have a LOT of options, even in small countries. But yeah - bikes have experienced technologization and ’advancement’ in a sense similiar to computers: in order to buy a good bicycle that fits the bill today, you also need to know about bicycles. I can feel your pain as a previous specialty shop worker myself. Things would be easier if the only thing people could buy would be an expensive but also a durable, high-quality tool. But then you have people complaining about the price all the time. 🤷‍♂️ I think basic mechanical steel bikes peaked in the 3x9 to 2x10 days. When I saw where the industry was headed, I bought a 2x10 steel frame, tools, a lifetime of spare parts and learned to wrench for myself. No regrets. There’d be a lot of demand for simple, durable, ’it just works’ -frames. Something like a Buffalo Bike. I’m sure someone will take on the challenge as the years go by and the SRAM v. Shimano tech development competition goes too far. 🙂

@BikeGremlinUS

19 күн бұрын

I ride 7 or 8 at the back (whichever I find cheaper), and a 3x cranks up front. Ebikes are great. If my work were up-hill from home, I would rather commute on an e-bike, than take showers at work or use a car (or even a motorcycle). Durability-wise - I recently fixed a destroyed Shimano Microspline 15 mm thru axle rear hub of an e-bike. The cartridge bearings were shattered (bearing balls split in half). It also has some design problems I discussed about the DT Swiss hubs (axle breaking problems look innevitable). That hub is sold for MTBs (for aggressive off-road riding) and, apparently, e-bikes. :( Regarding Cues: It seems to be incompatible with other stuff. Not sure about quality and durability. It will arrive to Serbia in a few years, once used bikes with that tech. start coming in from Germany. :) Relja

@CodSlap

19 күн бұрын

@@BikeGremlinUS Regarding CUES, I’ve heard of different types of hacks. No experience of my own yet, but still. PLP likes testing things, and may be interesting to you if you’re not familiar with it: kzread.info/dash/bejne/eH5kqtGTorHXfbA.html The road side may be problematic again, but again the mountain / hybrid use may be ok. That cartridge bearing blow-out doesn’t surprise me - except for the most durable part splitting in half: that must have gone through some heavy dirt. 😳 I’ve heard that Shimano’s quality has been steadily going down over the years, and there are also lemons here and there, of course. Thru-axle is nice for rigidity, but I’ve never liked the idea that it threads directly into the frame. If those threads go, your frame is toast, which is why I’m still on quick-release. And again personal preference only, but I think cartridge is fine for the bottom bracket and headset, but I’m still using cup and cone, loose bb hubs for wheels. If you know how to set them and grab a few extra cones as spares, they can take almost anything (outside hardcore mountain stuff) and last you a long time. I also expect a lot of newer Chinese / Taiwanese manufacturers entering the Euro market via Aliexpress in the coming years, which should fill in a lot of gaps that the big manufacturers are making.

I'm into mountainbiking and ride a 140mm hardtail on our local trails, some of these trails I wanted to ride through wouldnt have worked with my 100mm one I bought before (which -my fault- I havent checked was upgradeable to something like a dropper and had QR axles). However now I keep up with some 140mm full suspension locals without having to maintain rear suspension at all. Having mostly externally routed cables is a blessing as well and although I thought I'd want to upgrade my drivetrain from 10 to 12 speed, looking at the cost of a 12spd cassette and just wanting a one size bigger first gear I might go to 11 spd if not just getting a spacer or a derailleur with slightly more range. From the beginning until now I found carbon on bikes a bit intimidating especially in MTB . I don't think I'll try going for it in the near future exactly for the points you mentioned but also because you have to be so exact with mounting or it's an immediate life risk. I also feel that the prevalence and dominance of metals even in pro Enduro/DH is a sign. I do all of my maintenance myself and do a small repair shop at my university. The thing is that I rarely have "sporty" bikes in the shop so I kind of have more frustration with dutch bikes where changing a rear inner tube takes what feels like taking half the bike apart 😂 Also hub gears. As many of the bikes I see are pretty old and never cleaned, some of them have internal problems with hub gears. Absolutely dreadful when that happens😅

@BikeGremlinUS

12 күн бұрын

Oh yes - the geared hubs. :) My friend Mićko is a great mechanic, and he loves geared hubs (has those on his bikes). He does overhauls and everything (we even recorded some videos with him). But, once he had a flat tyre, he pushed his bike for just under a kilometre to his bike shop, because he didn't want to replace the tyre without the bike on the stand. :) Relja

Good video man! Agree with all of your points. Industry is getting crazy. For me the worse part is push of hydrolic disc on road bikes with fully integrated one piece bar and stem combos and a shitload of proprietary parts. Nothing worse than that.

I always wonder how much force a gravel bike carbon fork can take.

@BikeGremlinUS

19 күн бұрын

A lot. It’s the failure mode and (lacking) warning symptoms that worry me.

@gravelDave

19 күн бұрын

@@johndef5075 Its the carbon steerer tube you have to watch for on gravel bikes, even a small amount of bearing play can wear rings around the tube, made worse by the shocks sent through by riding rough gravel.

Wow.....just WOW! This video is so damned good. It's one thing to listen to some "bike guy" that doesn't know the mechanics and even physics behind how a bicycle works, but you clearly do...and it's appreciated by those of us that need to be educated and need to stop buying what is promoted as "the latest and greatest". I couldn't hit that subscribe button fast enough. BTW, your English is outstanding, and I appreciate the time and effort you're putting into this stuff. Thanks!

It's good to hear I'm not the only one. I'm riding a steel road bike with rim brakes and Alu rims, and am quite scared that they'll stop making parts for it.

@BikeGremlinUS

9 күн бұрын

I wasn't expecting anyone to care about this topic (much less to share a similar view) - just needed to get it off my chest. The video's comment section is a surprise (and a pleasant one at that). :) Relja

@hkszerlahdgshezraj5219

9 күн бұрын

@@BikeGremlinUS But 1 thing to add, just my speculation, is that everything comes from the high end and trickles down to the mid range and entry level. I have a low profile Alu rim. Road riders prefer high profile, because it's aero. But if it's an Alu high profile, it's gonna be really heavy. So they make it out of carbon. But putting a rim brake on a carbon rim is tricky. So they convert to disc brake. And if you want to be able to sell different bikes at different price ranges built on the same frame, you'll have to put disc brakes even on the entry level one, because you have a disc brake frame. There is sense behind it, but at some point, the needs of a Tour de France racer completely diverge from the needs of an every day rider such as ourselves.

@BikeGremlinUS

9 күн бұрын

@@hkszerlahdgshezraj5219 I would argue that Tour de France rider needs are put behind the sponsor/sales/profits. Fitness (climbing) wins the races. And aero. But the disc brakes and similar stuff are just put to sell them ("it's what the pros use, so it must be the best"). At least that's how I see it. Have you seen the video where Froome complains about the brakes: :) bike.bikegremlin.com/3871/pros-and-cons-od-bicycle-disc-brakes-compared-to-rim-brakes/#4

I like the old components. Threaded headset. Square taper BB. Frames wherein the seatstays are welded in line with the top tube. People say "Oh but they're heavier:" So what . Unless you're doing climbs up the Pyrennes it does'nt matter. The only technical innovation I like is disc brakes. Also -these ridiculously large cassettes that are featured on MTB's. The 3 ring chain wheel was fine.

12:45 have to disagree on this one. Crank is thinner because there is lower torque due to shorter lever arm when the crank is vertical. In this case lever arm is ~8cm (distance from crank to middle of the pedal). On the other hand when crank is horzontal the lever arm is ~17cm which means it needs to withstand double amount of torque. So rectangular cross section does make sense

I still drive my flinstone bicycle with square wheels. I dont have to worry about any of this stuff. I dont even need a Kickstart.

@BikeGremlinUS

11 күн бұрын

The T-Rex ribcage frame, or the crappy modern saber-tooth boned one?

Agree with everything except Hydraulic disc brakes and 1X. With cable actuated brakes you always have to adjust them as the pads wear. and with hydraulic disc brakes you just set it and forget it until they become squishy, and you have to bleed them. I've been successful bleeding them without putting the bike in different angles like you describe and it gave me a chuckle. As for 1X drivetrains, I switched to 1X drivetrains in 2017 and never looked back. I just easier to use and maintain, you shift with one shifter and adjust one derailleur. With the right cassette and chainring setup you can have enough gearing. The only downside of a 1X drivetrain is the gaps cyclists complain about them not finding the right cadence to ride at a certain speed, you eighter end up grinding harder or spinning faster than normal or just go slower.

Relja, your views, opinions and advice are much appreciated and invaluable. Re: the disc vs rim brake argument. "You are preaching to the choir." is an old saying, which I'm sure Serbians have an equivalent for. But, marketing departments are as clever as they are dishonest and if someone has to have the simplest of mechanical engineering principles "belted" into them then they are a lost cause. Re: 1x. I live by the beach. It is quite flat and I ride along the promenade for ~20kms every day, purely for exercise. I ride my single speed most of the time and there are some spots where I need to get off the saddle but I consider this exertion as additionally better exercise. When it's really windy I I know I am going to struggle too much I use my 1x6 bike. My point is that 1x do have their place, but I agree with you in that they have become a fad. Finally, I never watch any of your posts and not come away with something learnt. Thank you.

@BikeGremlinUS

19 күн бұрын

Thank you for the kind words. My first geared bike was a 1x (1x5 or 6). :) However, in this context, I mean the 1x marketed to people who need the wide gearing for long steep climbs, touring and similar. They are marketing and selling it as "the death of the front derailleur" and make abominable cassettes that start from 10 teeth (having to have a new, incompatible rear hub for it), and going all the way to 40+ teeth (requiring a new rear derailleur too), with 11 or more sprockets in order to avoid huge gearing ratio gaps between adjacent gears of such a wide cassette. 1x6 (or even 1x8) makes perfect sense for the use you've described. But it makes no sense (at least in my opinion) for the people who need very short (and very high) gearing for the above-described riding condidions. An exception could be very very muddy conditions or folks who ride dropper seat-posts and similar, and want all the controls at hand (one shifter fewer makes room for that). Another problem is the lack of alternative choices. I don't mind people buying and enjoying that stuff (1x and other). I mind not having options for us who don't want or need that. Relja

Threaded forks and quill stems allow much easier height adjustments so for casual city bikes the best choice IMO

@BikeGremlinUS

19 күн бұрын

Yes. 100%. But wuill stems are dangerous (I’ve seen them fail and had them fail). Reason why: bike.bikegremlin.com/10123/unsafe-cycling-patents/#3.1 Relja

@FuchsHorst

18 күн бұрын

@@BikeGremlinUS Sounds reasonable. I've had an a-head star nut fail during a ride but of course only the headset came a but loose during that ride. I've also read your comment about square bottom brackes. I've managed to exactly break one as a very heavy rider. But I also managed to snap off a hollowtech style crank (Rotor Vegast) during a ride and of course external bearings last only a couple of months while the failing square of the BB was 15 years old. For everything sportive/performance oriented use I 100% agree with your view but for city bikes and hybrid bikes I beg to differ.

@mtbboy1993

13 күн бұрын

But tightening the headset on the go is not easier. As you need a tool for that. Can't simply use a multitool. So modern solution is preferable, a syou can use a multitool, but adjustment is still possible with long enough steerer tube. So I don't see a reason to us eit on newer bikes.

@mtbboy1993

13 күн бұрын

Easier height adjustment yes, but not tightening the headset on the go, as you need a headset spanner or a suitable thin adjustable wrench.

@FuchsHorst

13 күн бұрын

@@mtbboy1993 I have a Stronglight vintage threaded headset that can be set by hand. The locking is done by a small Allen key. It has needle bearings.

I'm currently building up a '93 or so Giant Trooper for myself as a long-distance tourer. Fits me quite well (classic fit) with a 555mm or so C-T seattube at 5'6" height. Very practical frame with 45cm chainstays, downtube shifter bosses, kickstand mounting plate, all the standard front and rear eyelets for racks. And it's 4130 plain gauge tubing, so it rides very stable. It's very similar to the Giant Expedition of that time, just with plain-gauge instead of butted tubing. In my opinion the Giant Expedition/Trooper/Tourer from ca. '93/'94, maybe '95 or so might be a good alternative to the LHT or similar bikes. Those bikes are very underappreciated IMO, compared to e.g. the Specialized Expedition, Trek 520, and similar models.

@BikeGremlinUS

12 күн бұрын

Spot on - with one caveat: There are many well-build old models, but they all share the same problem - quill stems (threaded forks). I'm not comfortable with the bars being held on with only one bolt - my discussion on that: bike.bikegremlin.com/10123/unsafe-cycling-patents/#3.1 For a while, you could source 1" threadless (steel) forks and matching headset bearings. Now, that is getting difficult to source (if I manage to find it, it is botique/exotic pricing). :( So, I highly prefer 1 1/8" threaless fork frames in those terms. Relja

@imrevadasz1086

11 күн бұрын

@@BikeGremlinUS Oh indeed. I fully understand your position on avoiding threaded steerers. I've had a lucky accident myself when I didn't tighten the stem bolt hard enough. I'm a small and light person myself, I ride rather short 60-80mm quill stems, and I like the easy adjustability. So I'm not too afraid of stuff breaking on me (since I can assume a large safety margin in my case), and I'm perfectly happy dealing with the other quirks of quill stems for now. I fully agree with you that threadless steerers are safer though, and you seem to be a much taller person, so it would be a more important issue for you. Imre

10:36 depends on the terrain and trials you ride, if you want to corner well or get extra grip especially on ice, using a dropper post to be able to get lower and lean the bike between your legs makes a massive difference. But riding in the city relaxed or on easy trails straight up, not leaning the bike you might not need one. But riding down 50 to 90 deg steep rock rollers and rising trough gnarly downhill, you don't get the saddle in the ribs, and riding up rock rollers it's a massive help. Also when doing bunny hop, it helps you get height. But also it helps you get on and off the bike easier.

@BikeGremlinUS

13 күн бұрын

Yup. I know exactly what you mean and I agree. I could say that love dropper seatposts - just don't like maintenance and housing/cable routing for 'em. LOL :) Dropper post does help with the riding you've described. The thing is that most mid and high-end mountain bikes come with a 1x system (that clears the "dash" for the dropper seatpost control) - and it is getting more and more overwhelming even for trekking and road bikes. While only one in a thousand riders rides that aggressivelly. Less and less choice for us who prefer the simpler (and more durable - AND cheaper LOL) stuff. :) Relja

Good summary of everything wrong with modern bikes. My bike has a wheelbase longer than XL road bike yet it is a 46 size bike. Super stable, long chain stays. Perfect for TT

@veganpotterthevegan

19 күн бұрын

@colecoleman1499 a long wheelbase doesn't equal stability in all situations. You still need to account for head tube angle, rake, stem length and bar width. Also, TT bikes tend to have short seat stays. Weight balance on wheels is also a factor in geometry.

@colecoleman1499

19 күн бұрын

@@veganpotterthevegan agree, stem length is 90 and a non steep head tube angle as well

@veganpotterthevegan

19 күн бұрын

@colecoleman1499 depends on how slack that headtube/rake is but a my mountain bike has a slack headtube and 90mm stem. It handles very poorly at high speeds because minor adjustments make the bike very twitchy at high speeds. It's not a remotely stable bike. But for me, it's worth it to have a no maintenance Lauf suspension fork that's also very light. It's nothing I'd ever recommend to someone else. My TT bike has a long top tube for the size(I'm 6'1" and size down to a 51 because I need the short head tube) but it's still remarkably stable at high speeds in the aerobars. Sit up too much and unweight the front of the bike and it gets very twitchy.

First time viewer - have been a keen cyclists for decades - subscribed🎉

What are your preferred cranks?

@BikeGremlinUS

15 күн бұрын

Low-end Hollowtech II. Crank arm design is bad, but the axle and bearing design makes them safe (cracks on cranks are visible during pre-ride inspection). Square taper axle is risky, unfortunately: bike.bikegremlin.com/10123/unsafe-cycling-patents/#3.2 Relja

I love my surly Ogre. Built like a tank, i have a 2x crank with 9 speed cassette and friction shifting. Unfortunately they got rid of the rim brake bosses on the one i have, but simple cable disc brakes have been reliable enough for me. Oh and man is that chain stay long (and adjustable). Sadly i think its the dying breath of surly as they seem to be going in the same direction as the rest of the industry. If youre looking for a modern bike manufacturer that still make bikes like in the 90s and early 2000s check out Soma, i have a Pescadero from them and its rim brake only road touring geometry and a very capable bike.

Good rant - and in English! Thank you. I'm not sure I agree with all your points, but I understand and respect them.

Funnily enough, I now run 2-by + electronic shifting because my hands couldn’t handle shifting front with all that friction after 100+ miles in sandy/muddy gravel. It’s also better in the cold, whereas previously my front mech would freeze in one position and never shift to easier gear. Too expensive and another battery to keep track of, but it solves my problems!

@BikeGremlinUS

14 күн бұрын

Friction shifters work quite well for me in the winter - they are robust and allow for "yanking" stuf free when it gets frozen. :)

Track sprint cycle must have short chain stays. That's there characteristic. Any advantage there or purely weight savings?

@BikeGremlinUS

19 күн бұрын

For such specific use, it does make sense to go with shorter chainstays. (The problem is that it's become the norm for practically all frames). Relja

@colecoleman1499

19 күн бұрын

@@BikeGremlinUS when it came to cranks, you were only pointing out the recalled dura ace and Ultegra cranks which are bonded together? Or the entire hollow tech category of Shimano.

@lunam7249

Күн бұрын

im ex-olympic 1km, in general: weight savings, frame stiffness, more twitchy handling, rider gets more "crowded" on the bike gets more hampstrings and glutes , lower back involved = more power = more speed

@BikeGremlinUS

Күн бұрын

@@colecoleman1499 Modern cranks in gerneral, not just Hollowtech II, have a suboptimal design. Perhaps I should make a separate video on that.

@colecoleman1499

13 сағат бұрын

@@BikeGremlinUS yes plz..so that means my square taper is king?

Whats your thoughts on a titanium frame?

@BikeGremlinUS

10 күн бұрын

I suppose it can be a good choice for very salty conditions (winter or by the sea). Apart from that, I see it as a more expensive (and nicer looking) steel. :) It takes more skill to cut threads in titanium and to weld it compared to steel or even aluminium, so that too affects the price (and quality if the frame builder is not very good). Relja

13:45 what point was he trying to make about the cranks? its better for them to have wider q factor?

great content. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Much appreciated.

Absolutely an epic video mate. Thanks for sharing

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience! As a new cyclist it's invaluable to hear different perspectives in order to come to my own conclusions. Поздрав од Скопје!

Check out the New Albion Privateer frame. Canti bosses. Chainstays 430-450mm

@BikeGremlinUS

15 күн бұрын

Ha. :) Funnilly enough - my friend found such bike being sold used and I bought it right away (the seller wanted $140 for it). It looks very promising. I plan to move the components from the white Trek to that frame. :) Relja

21:35 restomodded 90s rigid with baloon slicks and front rack is your answer

the things you are speaking about is why when i buy bikes from decathlon i replace and change almost everything. i think the obsession with single chain rings provide many problems including cross chaining and lack of gear choices.i went to 42 cassette and 34 chain ring and still i dont have the gears i want. i think i will replace with small cassette and double chain ring much better idea and no cross chaining.

Carbon forks, especially in this era of oversized steer tubes have made bikes way, way too stiff on the front end. The transfer of vibration to your hands is increased by a lot. Don't think that running lower tire pressure is the "solution", because it isn't and won't be as effective as designing a compliant front end. Only a well made steel fork can accomplish the ideal combination of strength and vibration absorbtion. Of course the best steel fork will be a rim brake type where the fork legs can be made lighter and thinner due to not having to deal with disc brake forces.

Hi, i'm about to switch from my late 2000s' aluminum rim brake road bike to something newer and I decided to invest a little bit more as I ride quite a lot and I have a huge dilemma about the disc brakes and thru axels (you didn't discuss this, I wonder what's your opinion on thru axels) vs rim brakes. Almost everyone around me says disc brakes are the way to go, or electronic groupsets. But I have huge concerns about self servicing (I can repair ANYTHING in my bike), especially on longer trips. If a brake or shifting cable brakes I can replace it, I can even carry a spare with me for the trip, it weighs nothing. But if hydraulics or electronic brakes - that's it! At them same time, high quality carbon wheelsets make much more sense with disc brakes (A pity you didn't mention that)... Dunno what to do... another thing is that for a price of current entry level bike I can buy used, top-of-the-line bike from 7 years before... yeah, buying used carbon is a little scary, I admit.

@BikeGremlinUS

13 күн бұрын

Those are good, reasonable questions. The answer depends on your wishes, needs, and priorities. The new stuff is nice when it works, while it works. It is also a lot more expensive to keep running fine or fix/replace. I highly prefer the simpler stuff. Thru axles (until I make an article or a video on that): If the threads on your frame get damaged, you are in trouble. You might repair the threads in aluminium (or steel), IF you find the matching inserts, but I'm not so sure about carbon (may a carbon frame repair person correct me). Thru axle thread diameter and pitch variations (the word standard is not even applicable IMO :) ): bike.bikegremlin.com/2920/standard-bicycle-thread-sizes/#2 Thru axles make it a lot more of a hassle to remove or install a wheel. Why the quick-release rocks: kzread.info/dash/bejne/qaucypJ7namao7Q.html However, thru-axle design is safer for the front disc brake - for the rear it doesn't matter, for reasons explained here: bike.bikegremlin.com/11319/bicycle-frame-design/#3.1 (an alternative solution would be to mount the front brake caliper on the fork leg's frontal part, but that doesn't look cool - and that would require some thinking, not just copy/pasting of how it's done on motorcycles... which practically all have thru-axles, but those are hundreds of kg and horse power). So, the modern stuff can be nice and fun. If you have the budget (and don't mind waiting for a part to arrive in case some "exotic stuff" breaks down), it can be good. No doubt. I like to fix my own stuff, and to have bikes that serve me every day (both for commuting and weekend joy rides). Hence my strong preference for the "old" stuff. Relja

@Featinwe

13 күн бұрын

@@BikeGremlinUS oh wow, I didn't expect such a quick and detailed response, many thanks! Yeah, I'm used to repairing everything myself, and doing it easily so I get your point. Sure, I can replace hydraulic brakes on my own but it's pain in the... you know where ;) Dunno, I'll see how it's gonna go, I have some amazing rim brake bikes to see in a few following days, so maybe that's the way to go. I'd add a few thing to your rant (maybe part 2?): - proprietary aero seat tubes - integrated cockpits - ANOTHER bottom bracket standard (can't wait for the new one to show up!)

@BikeGremlinUS

13 күн бұрын

I would also add hookless rims and tubeless tyres (especially for road bikes). The list goes on. :) I'll probably first make a video about what a reasonably built/designed bike looks like. That would be shorter. LOL. :)

The most polite rant I have ever heard ❤

Mechanical disk breaks solve the problem of rubbing. 1/4 turn of a screw and it's adjusted.

Thank you for exposing the truth about these "innovations". Best video on the subject so far.

Good rant. I'm with you on many if not all of these points. Needlessly complicated and we are a victim of marketing.

Love my 1x bikes with 12 gears. Axs so no trouble with setting it up.

Your comments are spot on. So is the message on your shirt. 👍

Great content! ❤

@BikeGremlinUS

18 күн бұрын

Thank you. :) Great username, by the way. :) Relja

@E.T_rode_bikes_As_well

18 күн бұрын

@@BikeGremlinUS :)

I have campy record triples on two road bikes w a corncob 10-17 cassette and aluminum campy ergo shifters. I would not change a thing 😊

I have multiple bike and covered bikes to ebikes but mostly low power or mid drive 750 or less but I know everyone says diskbreaks are a must but I still prefer rim breaks for my bikes ,even though my newest is a disk but with was rim 😅

The problem is more that there is very little industry difference now between the racing and the utilitarian/recreational use of bikes. I race, and I fully accept the drawbacks and fragility of my lightweight, complicated, expensive carbon go-fast bike and components. The bike is made to go as fast as possible for a relatively brief period of time and the parts and perishables are expendable. I accept this as part of the sport. The trouble is that the bike industry thinks they are being helpful by tricking down this race theory into the bikes required by 95% of the riding public. The non-competitive rider has absolutely no use for performance-based bike builds, yet they are forced to inherit them and the problems that they didn’t ask for when only wanting to ride for fun.

Interesting views. I'm totally not into carbon anything mainly because of the failure mode as well. But hydraulic discs have treated me very well! I've had all manner of problems with rim brakes on cheap mountain bikes as a teenager in the 90s/early 00s. Pad wear/alignment issues, non true rims rubbing, crap braking power... Had calipers, v-brakes not much better Switching to mechanical disc was a revelation, especially in the wet. I then resisted hydraulic but my giant 26" hydraulic works fine 12 years after i bought it, never once needed a bleed/brake fluid replacement. Only pad swaps which are a no brainer compared to rim... So i was surprised to hear you're finding people have lots of issues, maybe i just got lucky! I've also got a belt drive Alfine 11 commuter... Man belts are so much nicer than chains, but new MTB I'm buying i had to accept chains again due to cost of pinion belt drive. Anyway thanks for the video, always good to hear opinions of a good bike mechanic at the coal face!

And I thought I was a retro-grouch ;-) I agreee with much of what you said, but I do like my disc brakes, although I use mechanical ones on both my MTB and Road bike. I have never once had a disc brake pad go out of adjustment and rub through my side wall :-). Now you've got me all nervous about the carbon forks on my Trek AL3 that I bought last year. Didn't see the point of carbon forks, but as you say, that's what was available. As for the Gram Geeks, I can save a couple pounds on my bike by drinking less beer.

Loved your talk!! Thank you

It’s a great video m, basically exposing the greedy cycling industry. Thank you

Odličan video! Pozdrav autoru

As a former bike mechanic, my bikes are easy to use and fix. Generic tech is the way to go! Thank you for this video😅