Is The Science Wrong? Which Bike Actually Climbs Faster?

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Lightweight vs aero is one of cycling’s biggest debates, and after all the love we’ve seen for the new lightweight Orbea Orca, it’s time to open it up again! Science says aero bikes are faster, even up climbs, but is that actually true? We’ve called on our resident hill climber, Andrew “The Twig” Feather, to find out which really is the fastest bike for climbing.
00:00 Intro
01:12 The Climb
04:13 The Bikes
05:44 Run 1 - Aero Bike
07:55 Run 2 - Lightweight Bike
10:17 Conclusions
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25 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 555

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

Which would you choose: lightweight or aero? 🤔 Let us know in the comments below! 👇

@nemure 9 месяцев назад

Aero, on a non windy day they tied but on a windy normal every day aero will win easily, cause aero bike is faster not only going fast but against head winds. That being said if you ride out of the saddle like Andrew, aero bike kind lose its purpose, is not suitable for his style.

@Songbirdstress 9 месяцев назад

He looks so much more comfortable on the lite. Maybe it depends on the person?

@DarenC 9 месяцев назад

At my age and power, and the type of riding I do (e.g. not racing), a more lightweight and "endurance" style bike probably makes most sense. But I just love how aero bikes _look_. Neeeeeeeoooooowwwwww!

@twatts4436 9 месяцев назад

Personally a lightweight bike with aero wheels. A good compromise between outright speed and feeling lively.

@juanllorca1447 9 месяцев назад

Same starting speed Same watts Same position No body in the front No cars And you'll be able to take conclusions

@yonispinal 9 месяцев назад

I was ‘that guy’ being passed at 6:08 in. To anyone who thinks it’s demoralising- it’s not- it’s a great experience being lucky enough to see the uk’s best fly past you as you’re doing hill reps. Take the positive in things- just see what is actually possible- and the ridiculous speed the elite riders smash these climbs up with. Just get out and cycle - I’m not demoralised or broken. I didn’t get off to walk and put the bike on eBay. I just did a few more reps and enjoyed the day out 🎉. And Andrew and the gcn crew were great to chat to.

@MaxMax-th7uz 9 месяцев назад

Like a machine going past !

@nickpatten5263 9 месяцев назад

You were doing well too but zoom goes the feather past you. Inspiring isn't it. Good work mate.

@Mububban23 9 месяцев назад

Same mate, I love hills but am not fast on them, so when I see someone flying past me I just have to go "wow!" and appreciate the talent and fitness some riders possess. Then it's back to me gasping for breath and questioning my life choices 😀

@ImAnEmergency 9 месяцев назад

I'd be stoked having GCN roll up and past on any ride so fair play to you my dude

@AndyWJP 9 месяцев назад

Where I ride up hills, the fastest riders are 2x faster than me but I still love riding up hills.

@Zwiesel66 9 месяцев назад

It's kind of funny to give Andrew a (heavier) aero bike and expect aero benefits when his preferred riding style is out of the saddle 😅

@budbud2509 9 месяцев назад

Yes the aero bike saving as a % of his body drag is going to be small

@a1white 9 месяцев назад

Good point. He did say he tried to get as aero as possible on the flat section though

@ryuujinusa 9 месяцев назад

Exactly. He's not an aero rider, he's always standing.

@Frostbiker 9 месяцев назад

I came to say the same. When you are out of the saddle you are spending energy swinging the bike side to side, and the heavier it is the more energy you waste. So all other things being equal, if you are riding out of the saddle you will benefit more from a lightweight setup.

@Karovaldas 9 месяцев назад

@@Frostbiker, interesting observation about 'swinging'! No only it takes more energy due to inertia, sideways motion also disturbs the air-flow and cancels the advantage that aero frame provides. These frames are designed to cut through the air not slalom through it.

@hallockstuart7899 9 месяцев назад

No power meter no meaning

@Rob6020 9 месяцев назад

Pointless test. Told us nothing. I'd expect that a highly trained athlete would be able to do very similar efforts. Just guessing that the lighter bike is faster. Could have done that from the studio.

@aw13 9 месяцев назад

totally agree...wasted effort, half hearted production

@upgrade222 9 месяцев назад

Maybe the meaning is that Orbea wants to sell their new lightweight bike and "asked"($) GCN to make a video about it Maybe not

@woodworks2123 9 месяцев назад

I don't think anyone believes that a heavier aero bike can go uphill quicker than a much lighter bike, I don't care how many degrees the person telling me that has. Does that calculation take into affect your not in the same riding position doing both and seeing as your the thing creating the most drag and at much slower speeds.

@ahenahen3724 9 месяцев назад

In the name of science, why no power meter????

@andras.89 9 месяцев назад

That overtake at 06:08 was a straight up murder :D

@LednacekZ 9 месяцев назад

poor guy

@keirr1 9 месяцев назад

Audax club Bristol jersey too. Those guys are no mugs.

@Shadowboost 9 месяцев назад

Even crazier that that guy is in the comment section, lol

@markstone722 9 месяцев назад

Mr Feather, a rider who goes up hills faster than most people descend.

@Songbirdstress 9 месяцев назад

Gorgeous legs he has.

@Tbo1235 9 месяцев назад

😂

@Tbo1235 9 месяцев назад

@@Songbirdstresssaucy

@mbal4052 9 месяцев назад

@@Songbirdstressthirsty

@mrf9893 9 месяцев назад

@@Songbirdstress spicey

@FlatSpinMan 9 месяцев назад

That white GCN British champs jersey is a thing of beauty.

@jedisdad2265 9 месяцев назад

@GCN should make a line of jerseys in National Championships livery with GCN LOGO’s so obviously not past or current National Champions. It would promote National pride.

@cyclingjack 9 месяцев назад

It’s the dutch flag (or luxembourg). So would fit other countries aswell 😅

@RobLarsen 9 месяцев назад

I think we need power to compare, for starters. I'd also like to see someone who normally climbs seated since climbing out of the saddle makes the whole system way less aero. Deep dive please!

@erikdali983 9 месяцев назад

Exactly! You can’t trust “feel” over actual power data. By not having a power meter on the lightweight bike, it’s getting an unfair weight advantage too.

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

We better get our lab coats on! We love to get nerdy 🤓

@GeorgeD1 9 месяцев назад

@@gcn Yes, it would also be nice to not delete comments criticizing your testing methodology... ;)

@oliverberger5946 9 месяцев назад

Putting power meter pedals on it, would have taken 5 minutes. Shame on you. 👎

@dannyjbr8870 9 месяцев назад

Why wouldn't you have a PM for this test?? 🤔

@kidShibuya 9 месяцев назад

Because what is the point of a light bike if you are adding the weight of a power meter? Then its heavy vs heavy.

@jaskepinski1096 9 месяцев назад

@@kidShibuyaa powermeter weights an extra 30g

@dannyjbr8870 9 месяцев назад

@@kidShibuya it wasn't an ultimate light weight build bike. Could have easily added a pm. Assiomas on both bikes or something.

@krehme 9 месяцев назад

Great job Andrew! I really appreciate your participation in all the tests GCN cooks up for you. It’s a joy to watch you fly :)

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

Hahahaha we always feel like evil geniuses cooking up videos for Andrew 😈

@andreasolsson2336 9 месяцев назад

Bringing one of the best amateur climbers in the world and then NOT using power meter on both bikes? Hmm....

@a1white 9 месяцев назад

A test over 2 days would have been better, so he had time to recover. But as Andrew said, it’s a relatively shallow climb with a flat section so it’s one of those perhaps borderline scenarios. Overall it doesn’t change the fact that aero is faster on flat and lightweight is faster on uphills.

@SJPMs 9 месяцев назад

Wonder what the cyclist at 6.10 was thinking😆

@lazzaboyman8003 9 месяцев назад

If he sees this video he’ll feel better as it was the Twig going past at speed!

@budbud2509 9 месяцев назад

I thought the same , he probably thought ..... I must get an E bike too ........ Such was the speed of the pass

@Songbirdstress 9 месяцев назад

@@lazzaboyman8003 Maybe the same as I do on a stiff climb I do (mostly on foot lol) when a proper mountain biker goes past while I'm lying down resting :)

@alanfreeman7932 9 месяцев назад

Probably thought he was going backwards

@DamnMyNickIsTaken 9 месяцев назад

He quit cycling that day.

@danielopicache9811 9 месяцев назад

Fun content. But this is just an Orbea commercial, not really a “test”.

@malmsey1541 9 месяцев назад

Feather out the saddle is what caused it imo, aero bikes aren't really that much more aero when the rider isn't included in the system. It's the way the aero bikes direct the air around the rider that makes the difference, and when your out the saddle it's completely different really.

@murtheblur33 9 месяцев назад

Great video! When Simon threw the lab coat down at the end, I was really hoping he was going to pick up the lightweight Orbea and give the KOM another shot!

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

Hahahahah don't temp him 👀

@FlatSpinMan 9 месяцев назад

The speed at which he passed that other cyclist!

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

He's pretty fast isn't he 🚀

@LarsKerch 9 месяцев назад

I feel a deep kinship with the rider Andrew blew past.

@TheBridgee100 9 месяцев назад

Generally any long ride will have a mixture of terrain. As such a bit hard to judge on a 1.4km uphill effort. Also aero tends to lose significance when climbing. When it comes to longer rides, positioning and comfort take the prize. Ollie's awesome 1000km had him commenting that a more relaxed position would have been better and led to less pain. Really enjoyed watching this video. Andrew is such a unit!! Left the other rider looking like he was standing still.

@cyclingjack 9 месяцев назад

@@G-rig6969no, it’s not. More Aero always helps. Check evenpoel during saturdays ride in vuelta. He’s way more aero than his opponent. See the difference in position and body. Crosswinds even can help you push forward , not sure if you posses deep wheels, but if you had, you should have felt it. Biggest aero component is the rider, crosswinds or not. The faster you go the more it has advantage.

@adambrickley1119 9 месяцев назад

@@G-rig6969 moderen aero tip with a rounded rim can create lift at yaw angles where older blade like rims would have created instability. You could speculate a modern profile of 80mm might have the instability issuea of a 40 to 50mm older rim. Be a good test, prob a bit to techy for gcn though.

@adambrickley1119 9 месяцев назад

@@G-rig6969 yeah, thats defo the area of greatest gain.

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

Picking a bit that suites you and makes you want to ride should be the most important and will more than likley get you faster 🙌

@MrRichi251 8 месяцев назад

I’m a bit late to the party here but this is very interesting. As Simon mentioned towards the end of the video, “lighter cyclists often prefer lighter bikes”. I would assume that this is because the lighter you are the more that weight of your bike/equipment will affect your w/kg. The heavier a rider is the less effect the weight of the bike will have and technically then aero would help more. So the question to be answered from this video that would be interesting is not which one is faster, but at what weight is there no difference. As I have no doubt the aero bike is faster at a higher rider weight.

@klovercast4266 5 месяцев назад

The first part of this statement is absolutely true: because of the lighter weight of the rider: the bikes weight ratio to the rider will be more significant: but this is also aerodynamically true, being smaller for a culmination of reasons provides aerodynamic benefits, this means the exact same situation arises with the bike in aerodynamics (the aerodynamics of the bike is more important for smaller riders) so this pretty much means the bike is more important if you are less of a factor from a weight and aerodynamic standpoint. it does NOT mean weight is more important than aerodynamics for a smaller rider (just that the bikes properties (with weight and aerodynamics) are a higher percentage of that ratio) Hopefully this makes sense :) My conclusion is it will just extremify the circumstances (the aerodynamic bike on a smaller, lighter rider will be substansially more important for the rider in the right situation (flat, windy section) then it would on a taller, more heavy / powerful rider. Visa versa Kind regards

@hotsky83 9 месяцев назад

6:10 imagine your confidence crushed like that 😂. You're climbing along, doing great and someone just flying by you on a climb. Andrew should have yelled " don't worry its ok, I'm the best!"

@pimbeweegt 9 месяцев назад

I would have been sure the overtaking party was using a e bike haha 😂

@shanejarvis7962 9 месяцев назад

He say that, didn’t you stop his national champions jersey, nothing says I am the best more than that!

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

Hahahah how many people do you think Feather has passed on a climb? 👀

@pimbeweegt 9 месяцев назад

@@gcn on a busy day on alp du huez, 600+

@tommavir 9 месяцев назад

Feather doesnt climb seated so he's not getting aero gains?

@Millicente 9 месяцев назад

Of course he does. If you put flat panels on his bike it’s going to slow him down whether he stands or sits. In the same way an aero bike is still going to cut through air more whether he himself is aero or not.

@rachmatt5082 9 месяцев назад

He almost always standing up while climbing.

@LarsKerch 9 месяцев назад

I'm a US rider and watching your rides on the more narrow (and more picturesque) UK roads I always wonder how riders and drivers get on? Your drivers seem to be extremely patient compared to US drivers.

@JamesSanderson85 9 месяцев назад

They generally are. In the cities it might be a bit more boisterous, but on country lanes generally everyone gets along.

@davidgeorge9233 9 месяцев назад

It’s a real mixed bag to be honest, there are good and bad drivers.

@MrGinjaNinjaTV 9 месяцев назад

In these videos, probably the camera pointing out the back of a motorcycle in front of the cyclist helps a lot.

@MaxMax-th7uz 9 месяцев назад

Car drivers are cnuts everywhere ! Cyclists have the same respect as pedophiles in uk

@ggold3357 9 месяцев назад

My family moved to Switzerland a year ago. The Swiss roads are similar to the UK roads in terms of width etc. The Swiss are avid cyclists and I can confirm that the drivers are extremely patient and respectful of us cyclists. The quality of the roads, the scenery and the respectful drivers will be sorely missed when we head back.

@IlkkaHarmanen 9 месяцев назад

Andrew climbing out of the saddle probably ruins aero-Ollies sleep 😅

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

Ollie the Aero Police

@fredmcgough748 9 месяцев назад

Hi. On a side note. How far below your inseam should a bikes top tube be?

@paulketchupwitheverything767 9 месяцев назад

I enjoy hearing more input/comment from Andrew Feather on these rides. From what I recall of ones from a couple of years ago he didn't get to say much and there was the running joke about him just eating a lettuce leaf. It was as though there was a bit of 'The Stig' thing going on, which was funny for a while.

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

Hi doesn't waste his breath on talking... he keeps it all for the climbs

@revelationdetailers894 9 месяцев назад

I recently bought a new bike and looked very hard at aero vs. lightweight and specifically an aero Canyon or a lightweight Cannondale. I just couldn't bring myself to get over the bulk look of the aero and opted lightweight instead with wireless shifting. I ended up with a Cannondale Supersix Evo with SRAM AXS eTap. I have to say, it climbs like a goat and seems to not require the wattage my almost 13 year older Trek Madone full carbon bike. Hard to compare these bikes with such a time spread and technology that has come in last 13 years to frames. But I am happy with my choice of lightweight over aero.

@storegga 9 месяцев назад

Check out how backwards the bars are rotated / high the hoods are. Interesting position.

@brandonclark8736 9 месяцев назад

With my body weight, bike and add-ons, I'm pushing 275lbs up hills. Hills are already hard enough for me!

@sethgriffiths6539 9 месяцев назад

The GC grand tour riders still prefer the light bikes on the climbs. Admittedly they get towed up most of it in 2nd or third wheel but if aero really was faster why hasn't the science convinced them/the teams otherwise? Deep dive involving the pro teams POV too... Makes me want that Orbea now, more than ever!

@phila9288 2 месяца назад

I am so glad Simon still does GCN

@Gabizzle3 9 месяцев назад

Can we see a return of the aero bike/aero wheels, light bike/light wheels, aero bike/light wheels, and light bike/aero wheels?

@MTBScotland 9 месяцев назад

That poor guy in the orange top having Andrew fly past him

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

Feather out there destroying everyones dreams 😂

@JayLato 9 месяцев назад

@@gcnsome say, that man un-clipped, and is still walking up hill ‘til this very day.

@amishrider 9 месяцев назад

Deep dive please! This was interesting. Perhaps Andrew can repeat this experiment starting with the lightweight bike. That would really put the nail in the coffin on this debate.

@jeremypritchard569 9 месяцев назад

Maybe the aero bike would make more of a difference in a climber that stays seated? Love the Andrew Feather videos - he doesn't leave anything out there. Respect.

@stevocanuck 9 месяцев назад

Y’all should do a review on factor ostro on flats vs climbs

@andrewsallee6044 9 месяцев назад

I think Andrew Feather is faster on that climb than I am on the flat.

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

He certainly doesn't hang around 😉

@MrBensa 9 месяцев назад

We are all the rider Andrew flies by at 6:11 or so. Just keep pedaling…just keep pedaling…

@DanuelNuel 9 месяцев назад

I recently wonder about climbing - what about shorter bikes? If standing gives more power to cranks should more straight position gives similar effect?

@Lillee1969 9 месяцев назад

No powermeter!?!?!?! Cmon guys, back at it again tomorrow with a powermeter

@9090Glenn 9 месяцев назад

GCN MUST do a CLIMB CHALLENGE on BRASSKNOCKER HILL in Bath 1.082KM and 151M - a stiffie 13.96% average gradient with plenty of 16% thrown-in to keep you honest - the gauntlet has been NUKE DROPPED

@user-zx3hl4hq3t 9 месяцев назад

I'd vote for Lansdown Lane/Weston hill. 1.58km, Elevation Gain of 164m Avg Grade 10.3%, with a steepest 100m with 17.4% gradient.

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

Pretty sure Andrew already has the KOM on that 😂

@dtaufua2 9 месяцев назад

What glasses is Andrew Feather wearing? They look sick. Need to get me some

@rogerhickman2919 9 месяцев назад

The aero frame is designed to have high aspect tubes to slice through headwinds (or low yaw angle headwinds) but it has a far higher lateral surface area when it comes to rocking from side to side when the rider is out the saddle. Just think about a motor boat or a fishing boat which sets a small mizzen sail to stop its lateral rocking when at sea in rough water. The higher lateral area of the frame and wheel rims on the aero bike is dissipating energy in just the same way that mizzen sail on the fishing boat does. And where does that energy have to come from - the only place it can come from - the rider. So there's part of your reason for the aero bike being slower than expected. They are fast when ridden into a headwind (and don't forget at pro speeds, yaw angles are nearly always low) but they start to dissipate the rider's energy if the rider is honking like AF.

@miltonfreeway1529 9 месяцев назад

I love Belmont hill. I used to use it for hill reps for alpine training after work, especially after they resurfaced it. By all accounts, probably the last time the council resurfaced any road in Bristol.

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

It's a lovely little climb isn't it! Or not if it's your last hill before home after a long ride 😂

@nischleranton5665 9 месяцев назад

Maybe the bike is aero and light! It would be really interesting how much difference is between the two bikes. It would be a nice wind tunnel video 😅

@chrisdunn8215 9 месяцев назад

The feather needs to stand it's the way he rides to get the most power out, the climb is to short for the aero gains to show through needs a longer faster climb. The feather is a cool dude, great video keep them coming 👍

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

For some more of Feather, you should check out our 'Everesting' film we made with him on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/8848m

@einundsiebenziger5488 9 месяцев назад

... too* short

@JonBush-fj6zq 9 месяцев назад

Thats one of my vans as the 2nd bike takes the first corner up belmont, they said the moped behind andrew filming him nearly come off 😁😁

@yootub1314 9 месяцев назад

gee thanks. I’m wrecking my head whether my next bike will be lw or aero. This cleared all doubts. Relatively speaking.

@Chrisblottphoto 7 месяцев назад

Simons videos are always the best 🎉

@lilylow17 9 месяцев назад

Love Andrew’s new stripes!!

@bikeanddogtrips 9 месяцев назад

did Andrew hold shares in Ken Dodd's Jam Butty Mines near Knotty Ash in Liverpool?

@TheDolphinator8 9 месяцев назад

Love lightweight bikes

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

They're so great for flying up those steep climbs! 🚀

@ianhuckle8101 9 месяцев назад

ive got an aero bike as my everyday bike ( an Orro ). It is comfortable, quick at speed. The 28mm tyres & deep section wheel upgrade take all of the road out. it's definitely the quickest bike ive ever had... but whenever i get on my previous road bike, a prolite carbon frame, aluminium rims, 23mm tyres at 110psi, cantilever brakes & much lighter, I just feels sharper, more reactive & so much better to climb on ( and im a fat old man who climbs like an anvil )......even more fun to ride... dolan aluminium track frame, vittoria tubs at 180 psi 40cm bars ( ridden 42s on my road bikes for 46 years ). Twitchy AF even on the low banking at herne hill... not a bit of carbon in sight but guaranteed to make you grin

@myHuge249 Месяц назад

Remember aerodynamic drag scales with velocity squared. This means that if you halve your speed (lets say from 40km/s on flat to 20km/s on a climb) you are only experiencing a quarter of the drag. Those few percentage point reductions in drag are now far less meaningful. Obviously those reductions are even smaller when you ride out of the saddle. Compare that to weight which is now both effecting your friction and physically pulling you down the hill

@_vinceverano 9 месяцев назад

the patience of the driver of that gray car from 2:02 to 2:41 😭🤣

@stuntjake912 9 месяцев назад

We have a hill that is literally almost identical to Belmont Hill there in the UK, its in Indiana US, same distance, elevation gain, category. Very punchy and fun.

@Iolo3 Месяц назад

I thought the primary advantage of using aero is "descent" section so would have been more relevant if this combined time for both going up and return, not just climb part only

@arvidfahlander5364 9 месяцев назад

Re-do the test, with powermeter on both bikes. Numbers don't lie. At 26kph aero should save "some" watts. And do at least 3 runs each with both bikes.

@RonaldRichard 8 месяцев назад

I live in a hilly region and watched this video hoping to garner some information on gear ratios. The only clue here was the closing shot and the partial view of the cassettes.

@LarsKerch 9 месяцев назад

I vastly preferred my lighter bikes for climbing but I also prefer my current heavier, more comfortable bike for the 20km of bad roads I ride just to get to the start of the climbs. I don't climb as fast or as far anymore, but I enjoy my ride days more.

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

Seems to us that the moral of the story is just enjoy the bike you are riding 👀

@LarsKerch 9 месяцев назад

@@gcn the Aero part of Aero Endurance bike is also surprisingly nice, especially with a persistent head wind.

@dorydiavelone3531 9 месяцев назад

Yes do the deep dive I’m curious very curious!!

@eloyanzola 9 месяцев назад

Accelerations, the lighter bike handled even small changes in gradient better - even if the power, effort from a rider is steady, it reaches optimal speed faster.

@roberttell1587 9 месяцев назад

Looking at the Orbea it’s a bit aero. At least compared to bikes of a few years ago. I would guess it’s aero enough especially for someone mostly out of the saddle. It would be interesting to do a wind tunnel test of Andrew on the two bikes.

@gcn 9 месяцев назад

Oooo Feather in a wind tunnel! That sounds great 👀 We'll see what we can do!

@steveoy100 9 месяцев назад

That guy he passed was probably on an Ebike aswell 😂 Feather is a Beast!

@brannmacfinnchad9056 9 месяцев назад

I think you also need to review this with someone who climbs seated, so they actually get more of the benefit of the aero bike. And power meters on both bikes!

@gerrymcbride6429 9 месяцев назад

I guess using a power meter on both runs would have proved something one way or another, which may not be in line with Orbea's marketing aims.

@nickhutchinson9068 4 месяца назад

what size bike was Andrew riding ?

@bensmith2609 9 месяцев назад

What I'd give to be pedalling up a climb; see El Feather come blasting past and then appear in the background of GCN

@galenkehler 9 месяцев назад

We need to redo this test with Andrew holding an aero position 😅

@housepfhoopz 9 месяцев назад

Such a waste of time why would one do a comparison video like this n only not use a power meter on both bike.

@TheHaitian 9 месяцев назад

I would like to see Emonda vs Domane next if possible for the same test on the same road and rider.

@sibothner 9 месяцев назад

Should’nt be a straight out choice between a lightweight (6.5kgs) and aero (8kgs) as these days one can buy an “aero” bike which is 6.8kgs… the choice should be how fast you ride up gradients. If you can ascend greater than 14kms/h the aero becomes more impactful. Over 10-12%, speeds are unlikely to go higher than 14kms/h, then a pure lightweight would be faster. Point though, is to actually just buy the lightweight aero bikes on offer and enjoy the best of both worlds

@wobc1872 9 месяцев назад

When are we going to find Andrew Feather fanshirts in the merch shop??? Seriously!

@tomshaw7738 9 месяцев назад

I’d like to see feather race a world tour pro up a 5-6 minute climb.

@lordad 9 месяцев назад

you can watch him race an almost pro Luca Vergallito who is in Alpecin Develpement team (Its a video from some years ago).... It migh be shocking to you but Feather lost. A WT Pro Climber is a lot better than Feather (And in this case someone who is close to becomming a pro but not yet a pro was also better).... for some reason people always want "regular people" to be better than pros..... but there is a reason pros turned pro.... because they are better >-

@tomshaw7738 9 месяцев назад

@@lordad feather’s not really a regular person though is he, just look at his power on strava.

@noptimized 9 месяцев назад

Among some of the other questions people have raised, I'd like to know how much more aero this lightweight bike is than a lightweight bike from five years ago.

@alanfreeman7932 9 месяцев назад

About time with modern materials and technology bike manufacturers should be able to make a light weight aero bike

@fr6652 9 месяцев назад

Gcn, can't believe you gave feather a bike with bar tape ! 😂

@leissp1 9 месяцев назад

Andrew blowing by the guy in the classic Bristol jersey priceless.

@GeekonaBike 9 месяцев назад

Just like watts pre kilo is an effective measurement, bike weight to body weight is also a relevant ratio.

@erich8258 9 месяцев назад

I wonder if you would have gotten a different result with a seated climber. Andrew's standing climbing position is incredibly effective, but it probably nullifies any potential aero gains.

@fotmheki 9 месяцев назад

It's sad that there is no power meter on the climbing bike, this let space for speculations only. Btw, as we know the bike count for only 8% of aerodrag, if anyone want to be aero going uphill needs to focus his effort on putting out power seated instead of out of the saddle. I think that because of the speeds involved aerobike could help going faster only on gradient equal or below 5%. So, for this climb lightweight should be better then aero

@gerrymcbride6429 9 месяцев назад

Similarly the 1.3kg difference in bike weights is only around 1.7% of the system weight or around 7watts on that climb.

@SiliconEngineer 9 месяцев назад

My theory is that this is just bike geometry coming to play. The aero bike prolly has a much bigger departure from Andrew’s traditional climbing bike and therefore, his climbing position.

@DavidCasebeer-wf8by 9 месяцев назад

Rider weight. I am 90 plus kilos now and not the 75 when I raced in the 70s. Oh well, now I am more worried about not falling over, dead. I am also bigger than the average climber at 187cm. I believe that light weight or aero doesn't matter much if you can't push the gears. It is your positioning and behaviors on the bike, how do you corner, maintain the power and attitude. In the olden days, with 5 or 6 speed wheels, I was out of the saddle stoking the biggest gear I could.

@libbykeiron 13 дней назад

Question for you? What about having a climbing / light weight bike with 50 mm carbon wheels, best of both worlds

@felipenavas 8 месяцев назад

A pedal based power meter and a pedal wrench would make the video way better

@fltstfrnd 9 месяцев назад

I could have been flown past by Andrew Feather on that climb, too! I hope that person sees the video. I wonder if he recognized him right away? I'm sure he turned around if he had thought he might have a shot at the KOM!

@yonispinal 9 месяцев назад

Ha- yes- I knew it was him. The speed he rode at was ridiculous- brilliant experience to see just how quick the UK’s too hill climber rides at. And no- zero chance of a KOM on that segment as it’s uphill 😂

@pacuelo82 Месяц назад

What profile of wheels did the Orbea Orca have, (the climbe

@BadTanLines 9 месяцев назад

That one second would have been lost in my guy here taking THE WORST POSSIBLE LINE through that corner at 8:06

@Questioneverything72 9 месяцев назад

Unfortunately without the power data on the second bicycle, this experiment wasn’t conclusive.

@brynmatton107 9 месяцев назад

Downhill section in a hill climb, take both bikes to hardknott pass and redo test.

@mec1 9 месяцев назад

Andrew Feather measures his performance with a jam meter. Sweet!

@amishrider 8 месяцев назад

We want to see Feather do it again on the orbea with power meter and fresh legs

@ChiTownBrownie89 9 месяцев назад

I definitely pick light for hill climbs, I believe unless you are going over 18mph the aero does not outweigh the weight.

@TheMilosDjuric 9 месяцев назад

I don't know Andrew's specs (pun intended), but I'd say he's a pretty light rider. The lighter the rider is, the more bike weight matters, as it presents more percentage of the system weight. I'm 58kg, I can feel a full waterbottle up a climb, so getting an aero bike just makes no sence for normal mixed riding. For people above 65-70kg (depending on w/kg), it starts to make more sence, the diminishing returns become really diminished, while for featherweights (pun intended), the differences are so prominent and that's why Andrew didn't need a powermeter to feel the difference.

@BillyJoeBob-tv6co 2 месяца назад

Climbing is faster while seated, the aerodynamics are much better, as a former runner I notice bikers slow down on even small inclines.

@djrlloyd 9 месяцев назад

I enjoyed the overtake at 6:08. It’s not always obvious how fast these guy go up hill when there is no point of reference. Seeing Andrew storming past one of us ordinary human beings ( no offence @yonispinal) makes you realise how fast they are.

@nellyracer22 9 месяцев назад

After lugging a touring bike fully laden with kit up Col D’Iseran, I can assure you that weight makes all the difference. A lighter bike is far easier to keep moving.

@prestachuck2867 9 месяцев назад

Even though you slanted the test in favor of the aero bike by choosing a less steep grade with a flat mid section, the lightweight prevailed as the better choice. Now had you been measuring time over a 100km rolling course, the aero bike might have been quicker by a greater difference, but for just one hill or for really steep grades, unless there is a strong headwind, you really are just trying to drag a weight upwards against the force of gravity, and under those circumstances less weight is better every time.

@oneninetyseven 9 месяцев назад

Personally, I prefer light weight bikes. I'm 6'5" tall and 230 lbs (104 kg). I don't need the extra weight. But one thing I've learned is that you can go too light. I have a bike that weighs 15 lbs (6.8 kg) and the moment a hill goes above 15% the bike feels awful. I have a bike that weighs 16 lbs (7.25 kg) and this issue doesn't exist.