Ask Josh Anything #007

We're back with a new set of questions for Josh, digging deep into the topics super-nerd cyclists care deeply about. We talk about the products that intrigued Josh most at Eurobike, find out what size (diameter and width) he'd make road wheels be if he could start from scratch, speculate on whether the very aero-looking Ceepo Shadow-R is actually aero, consider marginal gains in gravel races, ask whether it's better to wrap cables together or keep them separate, ponder the age-old question of tubeless vs latex tubes, and...ponder marginal gains opportunities in inline skating. (Hey, rollerbladers need marginal gains love, too.)

Got a question you’d like to ask? Text or leave a voicemail at the Marginal Gains Hotline: +1-317-343-4506 or just leave a comment in this post!

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23 comments


  • Steven Down

    Hi all, a question for Josh, prompted by the final hour record podcast and the comments about Boardman’s frame I his Merckx record.

    I love my steel bike. Old fashioned round tubes. Simple diamond shape. Caliper brakes. Is it worth my while having my old CX-ray Mavic Open Pro wheels rebuilt with something cheap and ‘aeroish’ like alu Kinlin 31. Will I feel more benefit from the aero gains or the rolling resistance improvements or perhaps not that much at all?

    Thanks for keeping my brain ticking in my dotage.

    “Oh no! Not again”


  • Jordan Louis

    Hey josh, I’m a national level time trialist in Australia. For The past few seasons I’ve been riding a plasma 10 but am looking to upgrade. I’ve almost settled on a giant trinity TT (needs to be UCI compliant). Is this the best TT bike available at the 3500-5000 per frame price point?


  • Miki Vuckovich

    If this works, why don’t e see it in the Pro Peloton?

    https://www.reddit.com/r/BeAmazed/comments/dgdw8q/using_aerodynamics_for_his_advantage/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

    Thanks.


  • Jordan Louis

    Hey josh, I’m a national level time trialist in Australia. For The past few seasons I’ve been riding a plasma 10 but am looking to upgrade. I’ve almost settled on a giant trinity TT (needs to be UCI compliant). Is this the best TT bike available at the 3500-5000 per frame price point?


  • Peter

    Foam tire inserts (Nube, Tubolight, Pepi’s) in tubeless tires are getting a lot of traction in the popular press as an upgrade for XC and cyclocross racers. They’re supposed to allow lower air pressure (say 17 psi versus 22 without an insert) due to protecting the rim while providing sidewall support so they’re not squirmy. Nino Schurter and other top XC racers have been reported (and seen) to be using them this year. People are suggesting that the extra weight (from 100 to 200 grams for both wheels) can be made up by going back to narrower tires like 2.1 or 2.2s. And there have been reports of improved rolling resistance. But all reports have been anecdotal as far as I’ve seen with no controlled testing, and it would be great if you’d comment on the idea and any theoretical advantages (or lack thereof).


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