---
title: Zinn Cycles Blog | Bike Stories, Tech Tips & Featured Rides | Lennard Zinn (4)
description: "As a frame builder, Lennard Zinn has been designing and building custom bicycles for over 42 years; he founded \nZinn Cycles in 1982 and co-founded \nClydesdale Bicycles in 2017. His \nTech Q&A column on Substack follows his 35-year stint as a \ntechnical writer for VeloNews (from 1987 through 2022). He is a former U.S. National Cycling Team member and author of many bicycle books including \nZinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance, \nZinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance, and \nThe Haywire Heart. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Colorado College. (4)"
---
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Zinn Cycles Blog
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### Latest Articles
[View all articles →](https://blog.zinn.bike)
[](https://blog.zinn.bike/zinn-technical-faq-sitting-on-carbon-top-tube-through-axle-security-hill-gradients)
velonews
### [Zinn technical FAQ: Sitting on carbon top tube, through-axle security, hill gradients](https://blog.zinn.bike/zinn-technical-faq-sitting-on-carbon-top-tube-through-axle-security-hill-gradients)
There's far from a consensus when it comes to sitting on top tubes. Read the full article at Zinn technical FAQ: Sitting on carbon top tube,...
Lennard Zinn Aug 03, 2022
[](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-narrow-tires-on-gravel-bikes-through-axles-rotor-tub-clamping-carbon-leg-length-with-age)
velonews
### [Technical FAQ: Narrow tires on gravel bikes, through axles, rotor tub, clamping carbon, leg length with age](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-narrow-tires-on-gravel-bikes-through-axles-rotor-tub-clamping-carbon-leg-length-with-age)
'Don’t sweat trying different tire sizes on your gravel bike,' says Lennard Zinn. Read the full article at Technical FAQ: Narrow tires on gr...
Lennard Zinn Jul 29, 2022
[](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-12-speed-chain-with-11-speed-derailleur-brake-mineral-oil-compatibility-bike-shaking-in-the-wind)
velonews
### [Technical FAQ: 12-speed chain with 11-speed Derailleur, brake mineral oil compatibility, bike shaking in the wind](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-12-speed-chain-with-11-speed-derailleur-brake-mineral-oil-compatibility-bike-shaking-in-the-wind)
Lennard says you can 'rung what you brung' in terms of chains and mineral oil and talks about his exploits on the legendary Morgul-Bismarck ...
Lennard Zinn Jul 10, 2022
[](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-shorter-legs-with-age-lighter-cranks-10s-11s-crank-compatibility-and-decreasing-drivetrain-wear-with-chain-waxing)
velonews
### [Technical FAQ: Shorter legs with age, lighter cranks, 10s/11s crank compatibility, and decreasing drivetrain wear with chain waxing](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-shorter-legs-with-age-lighter-cranks-10s-11s-crank-compatibility-and-decreasing-drivetrain-wear-with-chain-waxing)
Shorter legs = lower saddle, lighter cranks = less energy spent Read the full article at Technical FAQ: Shorter legs with age, lighter crank...
Lennard Zinn Jun 29, 2022
[](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-chain-optimization-for-recreational-riders-pressurizing-tires-denatured-alcohol-in-california)
velonews
### [Technical FAQ: Chain optimization for recreational riders; pressurizing tires; denatured alcohol in California](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-chain-optimization-for-recreational-riders-pressurizing-tires-denatured-alcohol-in-california)
In this week's Technical FAQ, Lennard Zinn answers questions on tire pressure and chain optimization. Read the full article at Technical FAQ...
Lennard Zinn Jun 16, 2022
[](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-qa-with-lennard-zinn-cleaning-solvents-prior-to-chain-waxing)
velonews
### [Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn: Cleaning solvents prior to chain waxing](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-qa-with-lennard-zinn-cleaning-solvents-prior-to-chain-waxing)
Lennard asks the experts at Zero Friction Cycling, Ceramic Speed, Silca, and Molten Speed Wax about the order of operations. Read the full a...
Lennard Zinn Jun 08, 2022
[](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-deeply-diving-into-graphs-of-rolling-resistance-data)
velonews
### [Technical FAQ: Deeply diving into graphs of rolling-resistance data](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-deeply-diving-into-graphs-of-rolling-resistance-data)
An interesting back-and-forth discussion of rolling resistance data. Read the full article at Technical FAQ: Deeply diving into graphs of ro...
Lennard Zinn Jun 03, 2022
[](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-hill-gradients-campagnolo-derailleur-capacity-it-bands)
velonews
### [Technical FAQ: Hill gradients, Campagnolo derailleur capacity, IT bands](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-hill-gradients-campagnolo-derailleur-capacity-it-bands)
Examining hill gradients, Campagnolo components, and the IT band. Read the full article at Technical FAQ: Hill gradients, Campagnolo deraill...
Lennard Zinn May 25, 2022
[](https://blog.zinn.bike/long-distance-bike-riding-tips)
road bikes
### [Long Distance Bike Riding Tips](https://blog.zinn.bike/long-distance-bike-riding-tips)
Lennard Zinn May 20, 2022
[](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-crank-length-and-bike-fit)
velonews
### [Technical FAQ: Crank length and bike fit](https://blog.zinn.bike/technical-faq-crank-length-and-bike-fit)
Examining the effects of crank length on saddle position, and changes to gearing. Read the full article at Technical FAQ: Crank length and b...
Lennard Zinn May 18, 2022
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