Technical FAQ

How to set up Shimano Syncro Shift to get a wider gear range.

Mountain bike tech could offer a UCI-legal solution to improving aero positions on road bikes; more discussion about skin sensitivity, allergies, and irritations when wearing cycling shorts.

Our technical expert discusses rashes and adverse reactions to materials used for cycling apparel.

VeloNews' technical expert take a deeper dive into the math involved in calculating chain tension.

How to service a Shimano rear derailleur with a Shadow+ clutch.

How to calculate chain tension, and how it relates to power output and gearing.

The VeloNews technical expert takes a deeper dive into protective cycling apparel.

VeloNews' technical expert talks about drivetrain alignment and more about how to diminish wrist pain when riding.

The VeloNews technical expert discusses saddle woes on the trainer and also why apparel manufacturers are just starting to make protective clothing for the road.

The VeloNews technical expert discusses optimal tire-rim widths, T47 bottom brackets, and how to silence shrieking disc brakes.

VeloNews' technical expert offers a clue into black boxes on bikes and a better explanation of why to grease threads.

Solutions for alleviating wrist pain while riding, and how to get wide-range gravel gearing.

The VeloNews technical expert offers suggestions on how to manage riding with arthritis, and when to lube vs when to use a thread-lock coating.

VeloNews technical editor Lennard Zinn offers advice about lubricating e-bike chains and the mechanics of gearing and timing chains on tandems.

VeloNews technical expert answers questions about cross-chaining and drivetrain friction, as well as disc brake pad delamination.

VeloNews tech expert Lennard Zinn offers insight into SRAM chainrings with a CeramicSpeed bottom bracket, and disc brake pad surface issues.

Our technical expert offers advice about SRAM front derailleurs, and shoes for those with differing foot sizes.

VeloNews technical expert examines using Mastik tape and tubeless sealant with tubular tires, how to adjust a SRAM front derailleur, and more.

VeloNews technical editor Lennard Zinn answers your questions about hacking electronic shifting, braking technique, and tire pressure.

VeloNews tech expert Lennard Zinn examines possible causes of recent crashes in time trial events.

Lennard Zinn analyzes how geometry, braking, and tire choice could have played a role in Dygert’s world championship crash.

Our technical expert answers questions about pro teams tracking flats and muddy, icey SRAM chains woes.

Our technical guru answers questions about bottom brackets, floor pump gauges, older Campy style cable housing, and frame geometry.

Lennard answers questions about Shimano GRX drivetrain compatibility, tubeless-ready tires on standard rims, and how to manage sticky bottle-bosses.

Questions answered about steerer tube spacers, disc brake maintenance, and carbon rim brake track wear.

I received a lot of responses, and many of them are so interesting that I wanted to share them with you.

I previously wrote about how we might maintain the current cycling boom. I received many wonderful letters in response, and I can hardly contain my enjoyment at reading them.

Lennard answers questions about Shimano GRX chainline and derailleur adjustment, brake calipers, and also reviews questions about Salsa adjustable seatposts

Lennard addresses those pesky seat clamps, and helps one reader fix an annoying and dangerous descending shimmy.

I started riding during the bike boom of the 1970s, and now we’re in the midst of another one.

Lennard offers advice for solving fork vibrations, and troubleshooting SRAM battery drain.

Lennard answers questions about multi-brand shifting compatibility across different speed groups, and how to alleviate the causes of sore arches.

Lennard answers questions about riveting carbon frames, freeing a frozen seatpost, and tricks bleeding Shimano disc brakes.

Tech expert Lennard Zinn offers suggestions on how to fix shifters, if it's OK to ride a carbon bike on a trainer, and optimal tire setup.

Lennard offers advice about how to secure a carbon frame into a workstand; discusses SRAM AXS drivetrain cross-compatibility; how to re-align rear derailleur hangers.

There are many variables to consider when examining how a bike handles when riding no hands.

Lennard Zinn instructs on how to deal with a misaligned mount, addresses the advantages of tubeless tires, and explains the sailing effect when riding with the wind.

One reader asks about using a Campy crank on a Shimano drivetrain, while another reader inquires about mixing in a Wolftooth component.

A dual-sided power meter may be helpful in determining differences in left-right power production.

I’ll bet lots of people have looked at the marks on shoe soles and wondered what they mean. I passed this question along to Shimano, Bont, Giro, and Scott.

Tubeless tires on a tubeless rim with a bead-lock ridge should stay mounted better than most clinchers upon rapid deflation — though still not as well as a well-bonded tubular.

We answer reader questions about eTap battery drain, and what cleaners are safe for bike finishes and can also be used as disinfectants.

When disinfecting — mild solvents like isopropyl alcohol, up to quite strong ones like acetone — are not going to damage a bike.

When the Paramount was relaunched in 1998, the demand for the bike was so high, they were painted and shipped them as fast as they came in from Serrota.

Lennard answers questions about rebuilding a Serotta - Schwinn Paramount with a new fork, mixing and matching Shimano and SRAM components, and making a mathematical correction.

When riding tubeless tires, don't leave home without a spare tube, tire levers and inflator, which can be used should you suffer a blowout which will not seal.

The superstars of some pro cycling teams are catered-to by their bike sponsors, at least to give them a psychological edge of thinking that they have a special bike—if not an actual performance advantage.

How to mix and match SRAM chainrings, chains, shifters and cassettes, and also how to unfreeze a frozen bottom bracket.

Ultrasonic, non-destructive frame testing is not a reliable method unless one has a perfect reference sample of the same carbon used in the fabrication of the bike frame.

Why to use a chain gauge to measure bicycle chain wear, when you can use a ruler instead.

Lennard addresses sealant causing high-speed wobbles, and mounting tubeless tires without sealant.

Running tubeless tires without sealant, and examining the precision of the ETRTO standard for measuring tire and rim widths.

More discussion about measuring chain wear, and the correct way to align chainrings.

In this week's column, Lennard looks at firmware updates for electronic shifting, mixing mountain and road components, and using tire liners for additional tube protection.

In this week's column, Lennard explains how the position of your rear derailleur can impact chain friction.

In this week's Technical FAQ, a reader wonders why his Specialized S-Works Turbo 2Bliss blew off his Hunt Aero 30 wheels during a ride. Lennard believes the answer lies in the reader's crochet-type rims.

In this week's column, Lennard addresses a reader who made his own calculations for how to measure the friction losses in a bicycle's drivetrain.

In this week's column, a reader wants to know whether there is any data on the life expectancy of carbon-fiber racing rims.

Why don't road and MTB handlebars have the same grip diameter? In this week's Technical FAQ, Lennard explains the logical reason behind this fact. Also, a reader wonders how ultrasound is used to check carbon for damage.

When a reader cannot stay warm on those long descents in the Alps, Lennard chimes in with some sage advice. Staying warm on descents, even on summer days, requires a riding and apparel strategy.

In this week's column, Lennard fields questions about friction caused by cross chaining in modern drivetrains.

A reader survives a crash with an automobile, but his steel bike does not. How should he go about repairing the bent frame? Plus, mixing SRAM Rival and Campagnolo Record components.

Lennard offers advice on the best cycling boots for cold conditions. Plus, a carbon repair firm weighs in on the damage that can be caused by indoor trainers.

Bicycle manufacturers offer advice on using a carbon-fiber frame with an indoor trainer. Plus, can tire sealant corrode raw aluminum?

In this week's Technical FAQ, a reader weighs in about using a warm hat and how it impacts helmet fit; plus, is it OK to reuse your cables and housing after trimming away the fray?

In this week's Technical FAQ, Lennard fields questions about mixing Shimano GRX components with XT; plus, a reader who applies cleaning wax to his bike discovers a problem with braking on carbon rims.

This week Lennard gets to the bottom of a broken spokes dilemma and offers advice on replacing spokes, but not nipples

Lennard Zinn delves into the impact of motorized bikes, and discusses tubeless tire issues and solutions in the latest edition of Tech FAQ

Lots of interesting tire talk in this latest edition of Tech FAQ with Lennard Zinn

In the old days, pro riders like Jan Ullrich often raced on custom bicycles painted to look like a sponsor's bike. Does this practice still occur? One reader wants to know.

After a reader suffers a tubeless blowout on a Pyrénées descent, Lennard digs into the potential causes for the catastrophe.

Lennard Zinn addresses questions on tubular patching, tubeless rolling resistance, and inspecting crashed carbon for this week's edition of Technical FAQ.

After a crash, Lennard performs the coin test on his carbon fork, and the component sounds OK; it isn't until later that Lennard discovers the full extent of the damage.

Lennard Zinn addresses questions on hooked vs. hookless rim profiles for this week's edition of Technical FAQ.

A reader writes in after an unfortunate crash on tubeless tires; Lennard gets more feedback on his lightning column

Lennard receives ample feedback from his recent column about lightning strikes and frame material, plus some insight into proper junior gearing

In this week's column, Lennard fields questions about junior gearing, bent derailleurs, and whether a bike can zap you in a lightning storm.

In this week's column, Lennard discusses how to make sure that your front and rear wheels are aligned in the same plane

Lennard gives advice on how to check a crashed carbon frame for damage; plus, advice on how to store your Shimano Di2 bike

This week, Lennard Zinn explains the science — complete with equations — regarding tire pressure and the width of your rims.