Wonder how I'd do on my oldest bike. Reynolds 531c frame & forks, SunTour AccuShift 12-spd gears, cost £300 back in 1988. OK, I know really; I'd be dropped within 500m, but that's _me_ not the bike. Still, it'd be interesting to see how proper vintage bikes stack up against the latest.
Quite right. I would say most viewers ride a bike somewhere between the bikes in the race and superbikes GCN shills for their sponsors nobody can afford. Pros are given superbikes to ride, they don't buy them.
As I have personally learned a entry level bike that is a good fit and comfortable to ride is better then a better bike that is uncomfortable and that you can’t get the fit correct on .
It’s it really more realistic? Look at what the others in the video ride. I know most people in my area ride bikes closer to super bikes than these budget bikes.
Budget challenges don’t sell new bikes. Which is what GCN sponsors wants. Pinarello, Trek and Decathlon don’t make money on secondary bike sales. Except for consumables like tires. You’ll always need new tires for your bike when they wear out.
I do like to see the super bikes and obviously the channel wouldn't exist without the support from. certain brands. However I love the cheaper bike challenges to give a different perspective and give an idea of the bikes that quite a few of us ride or start on are capable of.
I would love to see something to where you guys talk about your size and why you choose the size bike you use normally. Also would be cool to see pro sizes they use vs their size. Could help a lot of people who are new and want that aggressive look and style to pursue racing. Plus….. would just be downright interesting
Obviously most normal people are most interested in the $500-1,500 price range for bikes. That’s a solid range to get decent quality build and components for a normal working class person who is relatively new to cycling and/or only rides bikes for a bit of fun and exercise. The types of guys who show up for these races will almost always be riding bikes which cost $2,500-6,000+ and they take cycling very seriously.
I’d be interested to see the comparison between a $500 bike and $500 to upgrade vs starting with a $1,000 used bike. I find in my area that price range can get you into a pretty nice fairly modern bike, but not sure if it’s better.
@@trovelemmanuel5627 Don't need to. Get on a bike and ride, any bike. All these RU-vid cycling channels want to turn riding a bike into rocket science. After all, they need clicks and likes and subscribers, and daily content.
More interesting would be going into the other direction: 250 £€$. Would love to see a 50 £$€ Challenge as well, but the bikes you get for that probably have to be repaired a little bit (at least in my area). But with very cheap upgrades like Ollie's selfmade disc wheel the race-challenge looks interesting. :-) And please add aero fins. :-P Perhaps an exception from modification rules have to be negotiated with the race officials? :-)
This is my first year racing and I'm riding on a 2011 Trek Lexa, just a basic alloy bike that my Grandfather and I put almost 20 year old Ultegra on. And guess what, I'm smashing it with 3 wins in a row and going. EDIT: 4 wins now And just beat a kid on a brand new stacked Pinarello Dogma F
@@gcn Very much so! The bike rides and works really well. The only bitter quality is I can feel the frame flex when I'm really hammering up a climb out of the saddle.
Great to see a Triban in the challenge, Triban 3, my first ever road bike £80 bargain 2nd hand, only ridden 3 times, loved her to bits, great value bikes
Also got a triban 3 for 150, used it for 5 years of fast commute, just changed the back wheel because I'm a power rider and I ruined the rear hub pretty quickly 😅 Decathlon mid range bikes are great value for the price and for beginners or commuters
Love it! That Trek madone is a bargain (just need to get that gearing sorted), but how nice did that silver Ultegra look? Bit gutted that Ollie didn’t get to ride his magnificent Pinarello (get well soon Ollie). Shows you can get a very decent bike for a bit more than the awful Eurobike.
I have that same Discover Channel Madone. It served me well for many years. Rather than sell it for peanuts, it's been repurposed to be my Zwift bike. Still has that classic styling, even on a stand.
Used vehicles vary in condition too much for any comparison to be projected onto what someone else may experience. Compare a couple of new cheap bikes racing against the new expensive ones and then show the types of old expensive bikes that you may find out there. In a criterium an old expensive bike in perfect condition is just as good as a new expensive bike, maybe a couple feet per mile less, maybe not. And give each bike a true and tune before racing them. To be fair and not handicap one of them.
Am I the only one who wonders how the hell they managed to find a Pinarello for 500pounds? I can barely find 30+ years old steel ones for this money :D
@Timothy Jeffcoat yes I remember but because it's a very rare find(not only because of the specific model but mainly because of the bang for the buck factor) I probably would have chosen something else.
Yes. I have an RC120 too - quite OK. but I bought it also 2 years back and can't believe it is around the 500 mark now - for that price can buy cheapest Trek or Specialized unless these also went up in value
@@9uiop I think Wiggle/CR/Vitus are pretty good too, the components are on the lower end (Claris, Sora, etc) for equivalent prices but the frames and wheels are a bit higher spec, and if you catch a bike at the end of the line they really flog them off cheap.
@@9uiop I can see that also Decathlon discontinued the rim brake version of the RC120. But overall as a beginner cyclist 2 years ago, I actually liked the experience of buying at Decathlon vs when I went to Trek to take a look. The sales guy at Decathlon was super nice and helpful. whilst at Trek they were trying to upsell me to something that I didn't want
My big take-aways here are that, if you have a very limited budget, buy a good, very old bike rather than a mediocre new one, and then, once you've bought the old bike, fix or replace the worn-out bits BEFORE you race it. Also: you can probably totally get away with spending less than 1000 pounds/euros/dollars, but not 500. (Especially if hills are involved.) I think the best choice for most people is to just buy a decent mid-range bike new or very nearly new, and then upgrade it in small, financially digestible bites over time. (More comfortable saddle, better tires, better-fitting cranks, maybe new carbon wheels after a while, etc.)
As a beginner I would still just buy a newer bike like the decathlon one. You don't have to worry about used components and the geometry is geared more towards beginners. If you plan on racing and have good knowledge on bike maintenance I agree with you
I had a racing friend back in the eighties. He had actually raced in France some years earlier and for all of us amateur newbies we absorbed every bit of cycling he would pass on to us. He once described his first race in France. It was early in the race season and he said the team's bike sponsor had not yet provided him with a race bike. He was forced to ride his training bike, a bike that was setup for the usual bad weather, a heavy beast complete with fenders. He said the whole peleton was laughing at the start line, but not many were laughing when he managed to finish a respectable 11th place.
That was great, let's see a beginner version. Where beginners enter a similar event on entry level bikes. Perhaps the GCN presenters could be the coaches.
That's a really cool idea, did you watch our "World Tour To Cat 4" Documentary on GCN+? Tom Southam from EF took the reigns of a group of racing rookies
got a Triban RC 120 yesterday, my first ever road bike (I've always had MTBs), flat bars version 'cos I prefer to be more upright compared to drops though I like both systems. It's really good to see "realistic" bikes for most people being able to at least compete
Would like to see more budget bike challenges. It would welcome more people to the sport before feeling the need to invest in a bike that costs several thousands. Hilarious video! Well done to Si and Alex, including Mark for attending haha! Looking forward to Ollie's return. Keep up the great work guys 👏🏼
As much as I like gcn videos. I liked this one even more. Not that a 5000 pound bike isn't "realistic". 🙄 It's just not something everyone can afford. Alex finishing just outside the top ten was superb and gives a lot of people hope (not necessarily about winning or finishing close but that we can get a cheap bike and do well/ride fast.) I had a Bianchi hybrid that I converted into a road bike and despite it being really heavy was fast... Very fast. With just 8 (x2) gears to play with i could keep up with anyone and was quite quick in races. Even broke plenty koms if that matters. Rode some 30000 km before parting with it. 🚲❤️
would be nice to see their wattage compared to other racers and/or wattage + speed on the same track with their usual bikes. I am sure if you put a top tier 450 FTP cyclist in this race on a budget bike, he would crush them all. Hard to gauge this.
Tbf in crit races it never usually comes down to power. There is tactics and having a good sprint helps. You can have someone with a 350w ftp get dropped because they can't accelerate out of the corners.
great video. I would love to see it on an different price range may be 1k or 2k but everything included ( helmet shoes pedals etc) may be each GCN presenter gets to pick a bike and actually get it ( no canyon that is never in stock ) have different test. race commuting bike packing, etc
Yes, I thought this test was interesting, but given the constant shout outs to modern day 105 mechanical, that would make an interesting benchmark. In the UK, can get that groupset (or better) with disc brakes and carbon frame for around £2k (recent second hand, or on government cycle to work scheme)...more importantly, I reckon that is a more realistic entry point for many people looking to get into more serious road biking. Plus, I don't have the ability (or tools) to sort out an old bike like Alex, so would probably cost a bit for the LBS to sort out any niggles. I sold a perfect 2017 Trek Emonda SL5 for a lot less than 1k, that would be a much more competitive option, for just a bit more than £500.
I’m glad he didn’t. I’m a big believer of buying used if you don’t have a lot to spend. It’s a great way to get a much better bike than you would. And researching the bikes you find for sale teaches you a lot about what’s out there. You end up learning about what makes a good bike, and what makes a bike good for you, fast.
Triban 520 Sora for winter/commute/gravel here running 38c (love it), with immaculate (eat your dinner off it clean) 10 year old modern classic S Works Roubaix for best (my forever bike)
You've undermined your premise by using bikes that were 1) mostly unobtainable used bikes or fluke deals or 2) cannot be purchased retail at your target price -- Your viewers would probably appreciate a realistic comparison of current, *retail purchases* to know what real value for money one could expect -- even your used bike prices seem a bit unrealistic. 500 ukp is ~$600US. You can look at sfbay.craigslist.org to get a sample of what's here in Northern California (probably better used performance bike stock than most metro areas). The best i've seen today is a 20+year old Trek 5200 for $550; a fare lesser bike than your team Discovery bike - - and it goes downhill from there.
Si...washed up ex-racer 🤣...nec minnit, average of 44.6km/h. I can only dream of going that fast on my brand new very expensive race bike...you know what they say, all the kit and still 💩, well thats me. Well done Si, Alex and Mark for having a go!!!!
Well, not quite the same thing, but I just bought a $1,300 Fuji (aluminum) to train on, versus my $7,000 Cervelo R3; and I feel quite the fool because out on the road, I can't tell much difference between them.
I've been riding a Kinesis I picked up for 300quid for the last few years, I've changed some things where I could afford it and I would spend thousands on something better BUT I can't tell you how good it feels when I'm riding it and how much better it is than NOT riding anything. My advice is to just go and do it. Maybe you will have more money down the line, maybe you won't but you will be cycling Also do not get Alex to set up your gears ......
I like these videos when the GCN presenters enter races, like when Hank and Manon raced in the fixed gear criteriums, although I would like to see more of the actual racing.
Superb video today guys.... Recently bought a 2021 Vitus Razor Disc for £629 new...only required upgrades are new stem/saddle, and a set of DT Swiss 32mm P1800 wheels and Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres running tubeless, got the bike I want for
Have one rc120 myself, first ever "proper" road bike Did an upgrade this spring; Microshift Advent X shifters, rear derailleur, a Deore 10 speed 11-46 cassette, Deore cranks single speed 38 t (BB hollowtech II), Avid bb 5 brakes, Schwable Smart Sam and a flaired handlebar A quit straight forward conversions towards gravel 35 Schwable Smart Sam,
Mark is actually a power house. He could sustain more than 300w on tt position on a tri bike, so that's probably more if he's sitting more upright and open his chest to breath more easily. Thanks for playing as Ollie's part lol (although Ollie now transforms from dropped to dropper)
Brilliant guys, that was enjoyable to see, when I was in my racing heyday I had the best I could afford, always less than the competition, and not having a car meant I cycled tens of miles at the crack of dawn even before the start line! Enjoyed my time though!
What a great video! I love riding my old Trek (2007 vintage) for a while now, I’ve hankered after a new bike, but shortages and price hikes have made me rethink. I’ve upgraded the drivetrain, wheels and tyres, saddle and pedals. Tweaked the fit, cut down the stem and although it’s a comfort frame, it feels far more lively now. I’m really happy with it. For the amount of fun I’ve had on it over the years, the cost to fun ratio must be extraordinary! I will now be looking for a second hand bargain though…
Love this. Was wishing the post race discussion continued. If you could change one thing on your individual bikes, setup, or preparation, what would that be?
Very refreshing video. Cycling as a sport suffers a lot from psychological obsolescence. That is, a piece ok kit which suits perfecly fine only until something new comes in. In the current state of affairs, it can be every 6 months or so... I come across a lof of people who constantly buy the latest aerolight bike, when in reality they would make a lot more gains by improving their training/nutrition/position first. And this mentality definitely trickles down to new riders who are often told their 'old' bike is one of the main reasons why they don't ride faster. Not to mention the carbon footprint from buying new kit all the time. Naturaly I am not talking about racing, as I assume all boxes must be ticked, including aerodynamics I also noticed none of the presenters were wearing aero kit, unlike other racers (was that part of the budget?). Given skin tight clothing is worth as much as aero wheels, a skinsuit and aero helmet would likely save a lot of watts. I would love to see these bikes upgraded in a way that makes them comparable to a modern racing machine, with a nice pair of aero wheels and bar, adjusted for the same position as the staple canyons/pinarellos. Then getting a pro to ride both in these races. Especially the trek and pinarello shown in this video. I've known riders selling their top of the range bikes from 7 years ago, only to buy an updated mid range bike with discs, suplosedly because 'it's not worth upgrading an older bike'. As others have said in the comments, its the legs, not the kit!
I completely agree with you. The degree of training, the right tactics and the will to win are the most important things. The result depends less on the racing bicycle. And those who only rely on a superbike, there is a saying about a bad carpenter for them.
my second-hand steel bike is not fast. But I love my bike. I cycle around my city and try to lose about 10kg :). I can cycle it up to 50km/h for a short time and 30km/h average speed. l I bought the cheap bike and spare my remaining money to buy tools, clothes, shoes, clipless pedals... But if I have enough money, I will buy a superbike :). Someday my grandchild will ride the bike that used to be a super bike back to my days.
Great video - I really think this makes the point that its still the head and the legs that do the vast majority of the work although I'm not against anyone with a superlight - super spec bike. Keep them coming
I've got the RC120 and I love it. I'm new to road bikes having ridden mountain bikes my whole life, definitely the worst bike out of all the people I ride with but it puts in the work just fine!!!
With how loose they play on the budget, need some kind of punishment for the self sold parts and the market adjustments. Current day costs with a kilo for every pound over should keep them honest.
Loved this video. You guys need to experiment with other price points too. Also these closed circuit races are awesome. Love to see more of this type of content.
From my own experience: my carbon fiber, high-end Trek Emonda with wireless electronic shifting (SRAM AXS), deep aero wheels, and aero wing handlebars doesn’t perform any better than my 10-year-old aluminum Ridley Phaeton with a mechanical Shimano 105 groupset. My Trek is more comfortable, overall, but my speed and power output are the same on both bikes. They corner the same and they accelerate almost the same (my Ridley is slightly stiffer and gets up to speed a little faster), so that aside from hub sound and vibration, they’re the same. Expensive and top-end feels overrated to me, in my opinion, from my experience. I’ve got both and I swap between them regularly with no change in anything.
Your old Ridley is probably rim brake and your Trek disc brake? Means they’re likely the same weight and both carbon. Agree though on new premium bikes not being the end all be all to speed.
