00:00We all know we need to replace consumable parts like chains, cassettes and brake pads,
00:05but today I'm going to share with you some things that, despite their much longer lifespan,
00:10also need to be replaced to ensure that you're getting the most out of your time on the bike.
00:19First up are your pedals. While everyone knows that you need to replace your cleats,
00:24the endless unclipping and clipping back in does also slowly wear down your pedal bodies,
00:31especially those that are made of composite rather than metal.
00:35If you don't believe me, then compare your pedals to some new ones and you will see the difference.
00:40Granted, this only works if you've been using your pedals for at least a few years with regular use.
00:47Now, some pedals can be serviced, which can aid the strength of retention,
00:52but on others where you can't, the retention will slowly get worse.
00:57There is an argument to say that this is the hallmark of a worn-in pedal and ones which will
01:02be easier to
01:03get in and out of. However, where possible, the ease of exit and entry should be controlled by either
01:09the preload spring or the stiffness of the carbon blades you're running if you're on a look-bladed system.
01:16Having excess drift and float in your pedals might not be quite right for your bike fit,
01:21and may mean that your knees are operating at an angle which may not be quite right for you.
01:27So, it's certainly one to take a look at.
01:33There's a sound that we are all too familiar with and that is the sound of a chain rubbing
01:39on the inside of your front derailleur. Now, as frustrating as this is, what's even more annoying
01:46is how that rubbing can actually be wearing away at a part which is designed to ensure your shifts
01:52are nice and smooth. Meaning, as time passes and that rubbing continues, your shifts may get worse
02:00and worse. So, take a close look at your derailleur and specifically at this piece of plastic which,
02:07in many cases, will be pushed into the side of the cage. Happily, this can be replaced. Just look up
02:14your front mech online and, in many cases, you'll be able to find the exact part number which your local
02:20bike shop can go ahead and put on order for you. Simply push the old one out and put the
02:26new one in.
02:27Once done, make sure your gears are indexed to stop the rubbing and hopefully, those front mech shifts
02:32will be all the better for it.
02:39Believe it or not, but saddles are a wearable component. Of course, they'll last much longer than a set of
02:45brake pads but with all that riding and all that weight going through it for hours on end, over time
02:51it will take its toll and ultimately, it will affect the amount of support your saddle is providing. Gel
02:58and foam breaks down and what used to give you support in the right place will now not because
03:04the support structure itself will have been compromised. We also can't ignore that when new,
03:11some saddles come with a matte or grippy surface and again, over time, this previously tactile surface
03:17ends up being polished resulting you sliding around on your saddle that little bit more.
03:22So, if you feel like your saddle just isn't performing like it used to, then it might be time for
03:29a replacement.
03:33Saddles are of course very important for comfort on the bike but bib shorts arguably play a bigger
03:40role in the comfort equation. Again, over all of those hours spent in the saddle, the chamois itself
03:47will begin to break down and not be as plush. You can help extend the life of your chamois by
03:53washing
03:53it at 30 degrees C and only using non-biodetergent. But again, ultimately, when the weight of a human
04:01is going through a piece of foam, there is only so long that these things can perform at their best.
04:07So, if you're experiencing saddle discomfort, try a new set of bib shorts. It might be a much simpler fix
04:14than a new saddle.
04:19In a similar vein, thanks to all of the watts that you'll no doubt be churning out, the thin bit
04:25of
04:25material between your foot and the sole of your shoe essentially turns into a wattage sandwich and
04:32over time gets squished down. Arch supports are crucially important to ensuring your knee is kept in
04:39the right position throughout the entirety of the pedal stroke. And it's important that you have
04:45the right arch support for you. So, while some are more robust than others, it's good to check if your
04:52insoles are still actually providing you with the right amount of support. Because if they're not,
04:57your knees will be taking the punishment.
04:59Okay, if you guys take a quick break, remember...
05:00...
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