Video: Can Loris Vergier Learn to Fit and Set Up a Drivetrain?

Sep 2, 2020 at 1:33
by James Smurthwaite  

bigquotesRenowned for their endless tweaking and turmoil, PA and Loris are back with a new puzzle for them to unravel.

This time around Loris is tasked with a fresh build and new Shimano Saint drivetrain, for his yet to be ridden 2020 steed.

You'd think after close to 14 years on the bike he'd know how to change a gear cable by now... but it's never too late to learn!
Santa Cruz Syndicate


Author Info:
jamessmurthwaite avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles

41 Comments
  • 65 0
 It's unbelievable to me how Loris can be so talented on a bike while doing a perfect impression of a person who has never seen a bike before.
  • 13 0
 Maybe it's an act because Loris' dad owns a serious bike shop and he's handy with the tools so …
  • 3 0
 it's gotta be an act - how can he not know how to replace a derailleur cable? I realize he's a pro now and doesn't have to but how did he spend enough time on and around bikes to get as good as he is without ever apparently even pumping up his tires?
  • 4 0
 @gtill9000: dad owns a bike shop + been a sponsored rider most of his life = no idea how to fix/build a bike?
  • 1 0
 @tobiusmaximum: yup.

Of course I’m not comparable to Loris, but I’ve ridden seriously for over 10yrs and it wasn’t until covid that I am consistently doing all my own wrenching. I had never even done a lower service myself. Embarsssing.
  • 3 0
 That's the secret to being great. More time on the bike, less time under it.
  • 30 0
 Frenchies speaking english together is really funny!!
  • 2 1
 "y'a une chifounette en dessous"
  • 2 0
 Étale la graisse avec les doigts ! Ils sont énormes les deux zigotos
  • 1 0
 Le singe et sur la branche
  • 1 0
 The only moment French people might understand an english conversation better than english people Big Grin
  • 18 0
 Haven't watched it yet but I'm gonna say no before I do!
  • 10 0
 @jamessmurthwaite: Well to quote the wiki page : "A headline with a question mark at the end means, in the vast majority of cases, that the story is tendentious or over-sold. It is often a scare story, or an attempt to elevate some run-of-the-mill piece of reporting into a national controversy and, preferably, a national panic. To a busy journalist hunting for real information a question mark means 'don't bother reading this bit"

I now wonder if Loris setting up his drivetrain is a national controversy or panic?
  • 19 0
 @Rideuse67: Loris is clearly making setting up a drivetrain look difficult to create panic and hasten the onset of gearbox technology
  • 5 0
 Jokes aside, this video is great! Perfect video for someone who is almost a newbie and not that good with tools. It's easy for me to learn something just watching some You Tube tutorial because I use tools all my life but some of mine riding buddies don't know even how to properly hold a screwdriver
  • 6 1
 26 minutes.... good tip.
Always leave your bike in the smallest rear sprocket at night so you dont have the spring (or cable) under any more tension that needed.

I dont do that, never have, but will start if I remember, I wonder what difference it makes from a design side for reliability.
  • 1 0
 I think it's splitting hairs really. I'm sure it probably helps long term. Maybe if you're racing WC or national level and you need every advantage possible. I've had SLX derailleurs last a year and half with zero tension issues. Perhaps I would have got two years....
  • 1 3
 I've always felt that it's better to be under a bit of tension rather than slack. Don't ask why though
  • 6 0
 PA: "Always grease your shaft"
Loris raises his eyebrow.... LOL

wise words from PA!
  • 5 0
 Best how to video for drive trains. Went and checked and my logos on my chain were on the wrong side!
  • 3 0
 everybody can do it easily the only thing they have to do is watch videos from Sam Pilgrim doing mechanics Theres no one better them him specially mounting brand new stuff.
  • 4 0
 Now can we have a suspension setup with Loris?
  • 5 0
 Fox 40 rebuild with Jordi in the same style now that we's going over to Europe lol
  • 2 0
 @NorCalNomad: Poor Jordi gonna need a lot of beer Smile
  • 2 0
 "Oh yea this saint derailleur is great, no problems I just replace it every race"
  • 3 0
 Best "how to" video ever Smile
  • 1 0
 This is the first time I've ever seen someone setup a derailleur / chain length without the shock installed. Seems like that should be important, but maybe not?
  • 3 0
 This is great ????
  • 2 0
 Loris knows how to do stuff.
  • 1 0
 This was great. PA is as cool as a cucumber.
  • 1 0
 Man how can you help but love Loris Vergier Fab
  • 3 3
 Really good advice to keep your derailleur in the lowest cog overnight.
  • 6 0
 I think this might be a myth. If they are suggesting that keeping a spring in tension for a long time causes it to reduce its tension then they are describing creep. This generally only happens in metals at high temperatures such as aircraft engines. happy to be proven wrong!
  • 6 0
 @Barrold:

Correct. Cycling springs causes fatigue and creep, holding them in a static position does not. Even though it seems like there’s “stress” in the spring when it’s under tension, the spring won’t lose tension, no matter how long it sits there. This also applies to the cable and housing.
  • 1 0
 Yah but total bullshit. As the spring in your rear der. doesn't "creep"
  • 3 0
 @rideonjon: especially if that mech is changed twice a week (!)
  • 2 0
 I spent years being neurotic about this and then stopped giving a shit and there has been no discernable difference in shifting performance.
  • 1 0
 @Auto-XFil: so, the extra gear changes required to always leave it in the smallest cog will actually be causing more wear than just leaving it where it is?
  • 1 0
 @Barrold: you are missing the point - Loris likes to belive he is having everything the best, even with things he canno't even put a name on.

This is one of those things - it doesn't matter if its true or not, it matters that Loris and mechanic believes in it. Judging by his WC results i would believe into it too Smile
  • 1 0
 @Auto-XFil: right. there's absolutely no such thing as "cable stretch". what there is though, is housing compression. Smile







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