But how is the carbon ring faster. All it states was that the carbon rings that Wiggins had used were larger, which decreases chain tension. You could make a larger aluminum ring as well to get that effect. They would be heavier, so less efficient in that respect (marginally). What I fail to see is how that small of a marginal gain makes it worth going to a carbon cog, which wouldn't be that much lighter and the diameters are so small that any "gain" would be so small that you probably wouldn't be able to measure it anyway.

What is it about carbon's inherent properties that make it better? Is it "self lubricating" because they wear faster? Is there some elasticity in the material which takes and gives energy back? What have I missed that's so great about these things? There's gotta me some tangible advantage beyond blinging out one's bike. I mean titanium hammers have been proven to be more efficient, so there has to be something about the carbon that makes someone take a risk like that.

The rear cogs look like a combo carbon/metal cog:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BK-315ph...gged=peekrings

I hope these cogs can withstand chain whip abuse.

Carbon is better, bro. Everyone knows that.

Would risk anything like this if 10w were my big problem.
Need 200w more, instead... :-)

Anybody tried the Sugino Gigas alloy cogs? They seem legit, and legitimately pricey.

Interestingly, the Aussie nationals have been streamed live on cycling australia’s Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/CyclingAustralia/

So, we can watch their nationals live but their was no coverage at all of our British nationals

How about a few extra watts saved with a nice pair of gloves? AeroCoach AttackSpeed? gloves

I bought a 12t Gigas cog off that used NJS parts store on eBay and absolutely love it. It's held up as well as my Dura Ace ones and is really solidly made. Dunno that I'd spring for it new, but couldn't find anything below 13t that I could trust within my budget. Cost me like $25 used with the lockring.

The 12t Gigas is steel. The others are alloy and much, much more expensive, around the same as the EAI Gold cogs. I actually bought one used years ago, but the threads were ****ed, so I was unable to try it. They have some kind of surface treatment on them that's supposed to make them last. Just curious if it actually works.

I'd be surprised if the difference vs. Al or Steel is even that much. If the teeth are shaped right, there's not a whole lot of rubbing between the chain and cog- the friction is mostly inside the chain and takes place when you bend the chain as it wraps to the chainring or cog diameter (which is why bigger chainring & cog for the same gear is less lossy - less bend). Watch a belt drive as it goes around - all it has to do is bend - there's no rubbing once it's captured.

The feel on a carbon cog is probably a whole lot better when you rip the teeth off - it's like there's no chain at all.

Their marketing team needs some lessons on how to sell data. Bare hands are equivocal, or faster, according to their own data. Certainly not going to get me out of my 25 pounds!

I actually find it refreshing and much more believable than most "hyped" aero equipment. I think Xav and crew know they aren't going to be selling to a huge market, but their loyal customers want "real" data, not marketing hyperbole.

The fact is, most people like to wear gloves. If you feel like you have to wear gloves... why not wear fast ones? (other than they aren't full finger / don't say "5bling" on them... not hating, I own 5bling gloves too)

That said, I wear gloves when I ride drop bars, but not when I ride aerobars... but I don't have hairy hands :D

I wouldn't buy those gloves strictly because I wear gloves for two reasons and they satisfy neither of them. Protection, and grip. Squishy palms and whispy materials write them off my list. It's true, they are selling to a very niche market.

British world champs squad announced

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/gb...s--Apeldoorn-0

Here's one linked from the video above. It's pretty good. It explains much better than I could.

Carbon Fiber Vs Aluminium – 5 Things You Didn't Know About Aluminium

Oh, haha forgive my ignorance.

This is an example of Talent Identification working. One doesn't need to have been participating in a sport since childhood to excel at it.

From Rio Games to Winter Olympics, Pita Taufatofua takes on cross-country ski - BBC Sport

"Taufatofua only hit the snow for the first time 12 weeks ago..."

He didn't finish DFL. He finished 114/118, beating Colombian, Mexican, Italian, and Spanish athletes, not to mention that he qualified for the Olympics (not sure what the qualification process entailed, but there was one for sure.)

I know this is a big feel-good story for the Olympics because the guy gives great interviews and whatnot. I just want to use this to illustrate that if the fact that we can advance our sport by looking for and welcoming athletes from other sports.

Just stumbled on this chain length calculator, have been using it backwards to figure out what gear combos are possible with a given chain length. This can be a headache if you've got short track ends or if you are using a big swing of chainring sizes (e.g., over-geared training).
Javascript Bicycle Chain Length Calculator

For info, GB omnium champs live at our Velodrome in Derby.

Thanks for this 👍

This popped up on my FB feed. Harry Tanfield’s from Omnium champs https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...0e&oe=5B04B6F5

Had a good number of (road) fibre lyte rings... great product, last forever.

On an aside... I know on one of the threads a few weeks ago somebody linked to a company that made (metal) larger chainrings. (56+) For some reason I can't search it up. Help? Don't want to buy a $400 Zen ring. :O

GR8 rings in Australia will do custom orders on almost any size you like.

GR8 - Home

I ordered some last year and they arrived quickly. They're pretty nice rings, too. Nicer than the FSAs, but maybe not Shimano 7710.

Gebhardt Chain Rings ? The Blackline

Some of my friends use these in 57-60.