Recently Retired Pro Cyclist's Guide to the Best Kit Right Now

[@joachimbn]

Brilliant! If Rick Zabel trusts Alex, so do I. Just listened to Rick‘s latest Podcast where he talks about Israel mechanics asking him what bike setup he wanted for the upcoming race, and up until recently his answer always used to be „same as Alex“.

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

No wheel I’d rather sit on than Rick or Braendle ☺️

[@marvin3673]

Whats about nutrition? What worked for you? Maybe a topic for a Video

[@mubakka2642]

i was hoping for more there to be honest.. there wasnt much critisism, just a lot of everyone is happy

[@TheUsername1302]

An interesting one would have been tyres. A lot of teams (sponsored or not) were on Vittoria’s a few years ago

[@l.d.t.6327]

there are still plenty of teams on Vittoria, or do you mean there were more a few years ago?

[@TheUsername1302]

@@l.d.t.6327 I mean that in TT’s for example some teams who are not sponsored by Vittoria would use Vittoria tyres because they thought those tyres were an advantage

[@veganpotterthevegan]

​@kingofcrunk4237 it makes little difference with the fastest tires. A company like Maxxis and Hutchison only have slow tubed tires though

[@dantelobue]

Alex's new Bike sponsors is definitely Specialized!!!!

[@jifdave]

100%. Chanel is already riding specialized I think.

[@LOOK860]

He just ruined his credibility what’s next SRAM is good 😂

[@jamesnichols5163]

@@LOOK860tbf as a hill climber, sram mechanical rim brake is proper light, but yes agree specialised is more overpriced than colnago these days

[@veganpotterthevegan]

​@@jamesnichols5163 its definitely not more overpriced than Colnago😂

[@garrett6389]

Not a pro but very surprised Shimano wasn’t mentioned for shoes. I’ve tried Specialized, Mavic, Spiuk and Shimano. My RC-9’s are my favorite so far.

[@alexspencer7170]

Im on exactly the same +1 for the RC-9's

[@jackswift12]

Would love to hear more pro insights like your comments on "No Shimano team will run an OSPW because Shimano wouldn't know what caused any issues". Less brand focused and more focused on why certain riders choose certain TT wheels, why someone would choose non-sponsor equipment, basically why pros make decisions that go against conventions. That's the kind of thing only pros get insights into, which is rare for spectators to see

[@unfab]

Yes please. Need also the subjective ones

[@mrvwbug4423]

I also noticed he didn't bring up tires. I know on the MTB racing side it's pretty common to see sharpied out logos on Maxxis tires with DH and Enduro pros and sharpied out Schwalbes on the XC side. Though for the last couple season the Specialized factory riders seem happy enough to run Specialized tires, but you NEVER see Trek factory riders on Bontrager tires in MTB racing, and Giant specs Maxxis on all their MTBs.

[@The_One-Eyed_Undertaker]

"Specialized has an advantage", really? Milan - San Remo: Canyon Flanders: Colnago (2nd: Canyon) Paris-Roubaix: 1st and 2nd Canyon You are too biased for your own good. Canyon (with its direct sales model) is eating up Specialized and Trek's share every single day and twice on Sunday. Also, the most popular wheel brand on modern geometry bikes where I live is DT Swiss, which you didn't even mention...

[@shaylorcyclingwahoolecol8313]

Lol, we just going to ignore it was MvDP and Pog astride them? The riders won those races, he basically said the bikes are all similar enough the riders are the difference.

[@shaylorcyclingwahoolecol8313]

Didn’t age well with Remco winning LBL either 🤣

[@deepazure]

So yea the video goes like this: "Yea that's an interesting one, brand X is the best, but brand A B C X Y Z are also great, and have upgraded, bla bla bla bla. And then this brand is also decent bla bla bla bla and no one complains about that brand because that's also nice." So in the end, 0.0% factual content on "best kit right now" except for the obvious sponsor-to-come Specialized that used to be the brand everyone wants, but now no one races except for Quickstep that isn't winning anything what so ever in the past long time.

[@neilmckenna236]

Nowhere near controversial enough 😂

[@iainhuddart8496]

They make some trash though, the new Specialized Sirrus 😂😂😂

[@johndef5075]

That thing is fugly too.

[@gregmorrison7320]

And everything is way over priced.

[@elnumerounobohsman]

I feel like Cervelo’s marketing team have put in a lot of work to make them the in brand - the dream bike for most. It used to be Pinarello, then Specialized took over with the tarmac, but I think the S5 is taking the reins as the ultimate race bike now.

[@hd33444]

Tdf win helps. Is a sexy bike though

[@caet49]

Its nice….but here comes the cheap Canyon aeroad CFR winning two monuments 😂

[@gp9499]

Exactly, when fans see these bikes winning races...that's sponsorship

[@gp9499]

​@Christian Zimmermann Witt Canyon most underrated frame, great company R & D, customer service is #1& truly a fast bike

[@jakobjas4212]

Canyon and Cervelo hit the jackpot with Van Der Poel and Van Aert. Couldn't have asked for better advertisement. Those two are doing for those brands whats Cipollini did for Cannondale back in the day.

[@charlieb85]

How about Cannondale?

[@QrankChannel]

Not at the level as others but are trying to change

[@mariostocco4289]

Alex, you didn't touch on tyres (tires)...

[@yashkeough4216]

Does your Ostro review still stand then? I recall you were very positive about it at the time, and your thoughts seemed quite genuine, so curious if you still feel it's a leading bike?

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

It does, I think the wheels let the Osteo down somewhat. Bike is superb though

[@llorzz]

Would love to hear your thoughts on the adjustable tire pressure systems that jumbo and dsm have been testing and will be using at Roubaix

[@rob_cd]

I'm just an old person one step from a hybrid who doesn't understand half of what you're talking about, but I thoroughly enjoyed this video.

[@notpablo8369]

Unbiased unsponsored 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

[@matttilley8620]

I'm 6:30 minutes into this video, and so far it's a bit of a bummer. I was excited to hear you talk shit with the audience in the way you did within the peloton, but this is kinda lame. Why does it matter that Specialized make a range of bikes? Missing here are explanations of why certain bikes suck and why Specialized is a better road bike. So far, this sounds like an advertisement. Surely you've heard of Hambini. What say you about his opinion that Time and Look make the best road bikes in the world? Do you believe your experience as a professional rider outweighs the opinion of an engineer? I don't mean that in a "gotcha" way, I'm just genuinely curious. I see why you're playing this safe, but the bike brands critique reveals very little. P.S. Edited to add that I would watch an honest version of your thoughts without the little teasers. Do something different and unique! You have a perspective and experience that very few people in the world will ever achieve. I feel like a manager at this point, but tap into your creative side. That is all.

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

I’m sorry you’re upset at the video. In the description I explain where my opinion comes from. I’m not an engineer, I go off what wins, what riders seems happy with.

[@matttilley8620]

@@AlexDowsettOfficial I'm not upset at all; I don't have enough emotional investment to be upset. I'm just voicing some thoughts is all.

[@mornenaude2885]

I actually run Bontrager Aeolus Pro 5 TLRs on my SL6 Tarmac. Specialized cardinal sin! However I believe the Rovals are way over priced.

[@julianallen515]

Alex, many helmets and shoes have very different fits. So how do riders how have a round head but are sponsored by Specialized make the helmet fit? Similarly how does an oval head shaped rider make an Oakley or Giro helmet fit them? I have to question the efficiency/safety of a helmet whose head shape differs from the helmet shape.

[@TypeVertigo]

Interesting insights especially in the wheelset department. One company that has successfully "divorced" itself from a de facto companion wheelset mindset is, funny enough, Campagnolo. They spun off the Fulcrum brand for wheelsets that can be used by folks who aren't on Campagnolo drivetrains, and they seem pretty well regarded.

[@JustinValenstein]

I've been waiting to here your opinions on these for a long time. Can't wait to see what you choose for a bike partner.

[@bubbachua]

Specialized

[@joshustaran-anderegg9399]

Would be interesting to hear what are the best bikes/components that you have ridden over the years?

[@jeffkolodny]

You need to be more honest and give us something we can’t get someplace else.

[@DigitalB11]

A bit vanilla! No surprises or call-outs here.

[@dylanl9532]

So the bike sponsor is specialized or trek probably

[@KetzalSterling]

Do some actual science. I'm sorry to say, but this is poor content Alex... back up these claims with real data. Anything else is just pointless speculation. Leave that drivel to GCN.

[@WLRKldn]

Surprised you didn't mention Cannondale - my understanding was the systemsix was very well regarded as an aero bike

[@invisiblescout6335]

Best aero bike aside from Simplon

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

I didn’t want to pluck an opinion out of thin air, that wouldn’t be fair. I honestly can’t recall a Cannondale rider being especially happy or unhappy.

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

I guess they’re happy and riders are good at complaining 😅

[@frankiegonzalez3005]

Love the long form sharing of ideas and perception. Cheers Alex

[@QrankChannel]

So, Roval and HED are top tier wheel brands? What about ENVE?

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

Yep, and lightweight and number of others I’m sure.

[@toxicexplorer1382]

This was an interesting video. Not because of the content, which was relatively shallow, like WHY are some bike brands faster than others. But because it shows the viewpoints of a pro rider which is far different from a regular consumer. There is consideration of sponsors, feeling and perception eg. pros viewing Specialised bikes as faster because their riders win more. Personally, I want to be as close to fast as pros (apart from fitness) for a fraction of the price and without forced brand loyalty. I would challenge Alex to take a different learning approach: what makes a bike fast? System aerodynamics (wheels, cockpit, frame), friction losses (drivetrain, hub bearings), rolling resistance (tyres, frame compliance). I would argue that if you put 5 most winning bikes to a test and you test them with 5 different riders, you will see different riders doing better on different bikes. Anyway, lunch time now! 😊

[@rmb_dev]

Great vid from Alex. As an average cyclist, who doesn't race but rides around 10k a year, I look for endurance bikes where Cervelo and Look have excellent options with Caledonia and 765 Optimum bikes. Specialized or Trek don't have specific endurance bikes that have a good stack/reach/trail ratio and weird combinations that are more focused on gravel.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

The Domane is an outstanding bike and always has been outside of the bb90 stuffs but that's not a problem anymore

[@vladfromfrance]

If you are an average cyclist, you probably can't really go wrong between big brands. Alex is talking from a pro's perspective. But you and I probably can't even really tell the difference between a frame from most big brands, with the same groupset and wheels.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@Vladimir Jacob there's an enormous difference in ride quality between bikes in the same price range. Also, the number of average cyclists with power meters is enormous now and it's easily seen when 1 bike is faster than another. Not saying any of the big brand bikes are bad. But you can easily buy a good bike with it being the wrong bike for your desired characteristics, even if fit isn't an issue

[@felixkloss5667]

I prefer the Campagnolo Bora Ultra over the Roval because they are really stiff🫠

[@DrJRMCFC]

Boras are the best wheels you can buy in my humble opinion. Perfect balance of weight, stiffness and unmatched build quality. Easy to maintain too.

[@The_Normalised_Cyclist]

What about factor road bikes? You didn't mention it, as you have raced pinarellos and factor (i'm interested mainly in ostro aero bike) what is your opinion? Are they the same tier as trek, specialized, cervelo or pinarello in terms of performance?

[@daningram7804]

5.44 in the video

[@The_Normalised_Cyclist]

@@daningram7804 yeah i know thx, was hoping actually for more in depth analysis. But yeah actually the answer for my question

[@Velotv_Uk]

‘You never see Roval wheels in a trek’ Alex Richardson ‘hold my beer’

[@felixcunin2403]

So everyone in the peloton is happy about their gear ? It just confirms what I've been observing after joining a club and started racing : the faster they are, the less they care about gear. Give them a bike, they ride it, they don't ask questions.

[@BeatPoet67]

The best thing about new good stuff (and disc brake takeover) is that old good stuff (a lot of it barely used) starts getting sold for stupidly low prices. You can pick up top end bikes with DI2 starting at a grand. I saw a Trek Madone 9.9 Project 1 for "buy it now" at 3k the other day. An SL3 for 1175. A Focus Izalco Max for about the same. It's nuts! So an interesting video would be a sub 2k "bargain" bike ebay challenge. What would you recommend etc. And also a fair, old vs new bike challenge - i.e put the same aero wheels on the old bike as the new bike and then do a circuit. Cheers!

[@davidrae8475]

Hi Alex, I was hoping for when you were talking about kit, it was what everyone uses on a rainy training ride or a cold winter training day or who has the best chamois. Maybe a Part 2?

[@freburt2772]

Alex, really good take on the separation of manufacture sub lines such as Trek/Bontrager. Most of them do it for cost savings instead of outsourcing wheels/parts. Plus creating that eco system you can create product add ons to consumers when they buy a bike. When I shop wheels, I immediately cross off certain brands because I don't ride their frame. Will be very interesting if this becomes more normal over the years to see cross branding. BMC/DT Swiss another example

[@funkytransport]

mind when specialized started suing companies using Roubaix? aye that.....

[@sanjaynayyar]

Just brought a pair of Roval Rapid CL II to put on my Cervelo Calendonia 🙂. Got to say I love them so far.

[@roadracermark7946]

What about Cannondale? worth a mention the new Super Six Evo looks like a weapon.

[@sportbootjo]

I am happy with my Giant Pro SL in that Team Sunweb design back from 2018 that you picked as photo for a Giant bike. Rim brakes rule!

[@MrColnagoCLX]

I prefer rim brakes - sorry!

[@AZ-cx8gi]

I had a Advanced Pro, Advanced SL, Cannondale Supersix Evo, and now Wilier Cento10SL, Best bike of my life was the advanced SL (with integrated saddle) with ultegra and DT Swiss 48mm dicut wheels

[@conorhealy898]

Thanks for a very informative video, what's the general opinion on Cannondale and Lapierre road bikes?

[@andrewwilkerson9758]

I will say, I think now with the new Scott Foil, that bike is supposed to be uber fast.

[@MichaelWilliams-iv6dj]

They also have a new TT frame in the pipeline.

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

Certainly looks that way! I haven’t much to go on with that

[@philipk4475]

​@@AlexDowsettOfficial Tour magazine does generic aero testing

[@JRd941]

20mins of nothingness

[@guillem3222]

Could you make an in-depth review of both Factor and Pinarello? You cover it quickly but I’d love to hear the actual details (each frame, wheels etc), and you must have a very detailed opinion having ridden both for years.

[@samuel8590]

He did a review on the Factor Ostro. If I remember correctly, he said it was the best bike he's been on.

[@Chiller11]

Seems like Cervelo and Colnago are killing it right now. Does UAE wish they were riding Specialized?

[@RB-lj7ge]

12:42 - “treks are….” Heavy I think is the word you’re looking for 🤣🤣

[@TheWoogeroo]

Specialized sponsored teams clearly have plenty of money, but I’m not sure the frame is gonna make any significant difference in 2023, of it ever did. Almost all the bikes look indistinguishable, and a couple of manufacturers have made big strides this year (Giant, Cannondale) so are probably ahead of anything else in aero.

[@mitchellsteindler]

Is it possible that the best teams are sponsored by the biggest brands? So the biggest brands are more likely to win, and other riders want to blame the equipment instead of themselves for not winning?

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

Could be. In the same way in f1 the best drivers end up in the best teams/cars.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

To say there are vast differences in wheels was shocking to hear. Of the big brands... are they not all very similar in quality, performance, dimension, etc., etc.?

[@7orx]

Are tyres just related to the wheels? Would love to also hear opinions about them, as they also have problems. Last year it seems UAE had some... dodgy tyres especially on wet descents, and this year they seems to have a very high amount of flats still.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

I gotta agree, the Nopinz stuff that I have are the best. Currently I only have the socks but they are my favorite... they don't fall down and they don't rip when you put them on. Hello Castelli.

[@cuebj]

Before the great Shimano crankset recall. Wonder how that will pan out, especially if they end up having to do it in Europe like USA. Took my Roubaix in for its check on Monday. If replacement required, I get an 'equivalent'. Didn't ask what that meant. I had a right crank snap in 1976 - new bike, short slope, hammered on pedal, snap, car coming past... I held my line! Sid Standard, Beeston, very apologetic. Hence I prefer robust to ultra light and worried about the current recall. Time to pump up the 23c tyres on the 2007 SystemSix Ultegra. SE London & Kent potholes bigger than when it last had a run out.

[@joselozano7475]

Actually Alberto Contador has complained about the specialized. He even it was that bike he would never buy with his own money 😅.

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

Alberto has his own bike brand... :)

[@joselozano7475]

@@AlexDowsettOfficial I know he is biased.. But he also said he really liked the Trek. Of course it is just the opinion of one guy.

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

Absolutely, it'd be interesting to hear his opinion on other bikes after riding them, but he's also a very different athlete to before.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Is it surprising Colnago doesn't do an aero bike? Or maybe they know what Specialized seem to know. (Specialized no longer has aero)

[@KevinFoulds]

I think you missed the Giro issue with SRAM and TREK for Molema when he was caught giving a mouthful about SRAM gears... kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqTOZK13j95_l7M

[@JNNKLNDN]

As a matter of fact I have a pair of Bantrager Aeolus pro5 disc wheels on my Colnago CLX disc and a pair of Bontrager pro 3V on my Colnago G3-X. Their warranty and no rider weight limit was dealbreakers for me. Being a heavy rider at 95-100 kg. some of the carbonwheels on the market have ridicoulus system weight limits...

[@kp5833]

I run Bontranger Aelous 6/9 on my Pina 65.1 and I run Princetons on my Dogma F . Honestly it's the rider not the equipment typically. I'm a former Narional team athlete and if you put the fastest guy in the country on the biggest pos he's still going to beat you hands down ...

[@montrose252]

The BMC with the cadmium orange cockpit looks really great.

[@KushPizzaSleep]

there is no difference between high level road bikes, they are all the exact same, alex is delusional

[@tobiasnakken149]

Colnago had a rim brake aero bike a few years ago. Kristoff said it wasn’t good enough and that it was part of the reasons why he switched teams.

[@subhumanpostalworker8051]

Kristoff har trasha colnago å campa så hardt

[@l.d.t.6327]

Kristoff won the Tour stage on the Champs Elysees and Gent Wevelgem with that Colnago aero rim brake bike, so it couldn't be that bad. In 2020, he got a disc brake bike and raced that one for 2 years, in 2020 he won the first stage in the Tour on that bike and was 3rd in Tour of Flanders. In 2021, he wasn't getting too many good results (partly because he didn't fit in the UAE GC team), and he left because he felt UAE didn't want to renew his contract for a good salary, so he felt underappreciated (UAE probably thought he was old and done). So it didn't have that much to do with the bike.

[@Niala8419]

Great vid Alex. Very interesting. Disagree on the helmets. No mention of Rudy Project. They are really great quality helmets if a little heavy. Kask are the best quality in my opinion but the cage clashes with glasses I often find. I ride a Met. Think they are good re weight and sit well on the head not creating the mushroom head. Only complaint is the strapping and cage is a bit basic and could feel more premium given the price. Northwave shoes for me.

[@litespud]

How much does the frameset really matter though? If it fits, is adequately stiff and aero, and brings the bike into the region of the UCI weight minimum, is the frame not just something to hang the drivetrain on? Has any rider, on frame X, seriously complained that they would have done better on frame Y?

[@mwitasz1]

Sorry, did I miss you saying something is NOT good? Basically it seems there are major brands and other brands catching up but generally it looks like everyone is happy with what they are riding. And some obvious things like Bontrager is Trek blah blah blah. I did not find anything useful in the 20 minute talk, sorry.

[@alexmichl3137]

Sorry but i would love some backing on some of the claims from this video, the title should be more like "Pro rider thoughts on cycling kit" or something like that. Technically speaking you dont have any aerodynamic advantage on specialized frames, the only thing they are good at is making things extremely overpriced. Lot of these huge brands actually have issues with manufacturing tolerances, and those are the things that should have been said here, not just "my friend said this bike is better".

[@donoldduckben]

not taking anything from specialized, but knowing that merida basically makes most of specialized bikes (Knowing that merida owns 50% of specialized, it is more than likely that the rumours of merida making most of specialized bikes are true) and then claiming that merida is somehow beneath specialized is a bit ... biased ? I mean if you look at the sworks sl7 which is widely believed to be one of the best bikes out there, it says handmade in taiwan, you know what else is made in taiwan ? merida scultura and reacto ...

[@sonim4858]

Yeah so i guess you can win the Tour on 30 different brands of bikes. So it is the rider. Sagan is on Specialized since he is „famous“ but the last years where not so fruitfull. I guess Trek was not very successful in the last years. Where they ever winning a Grand Tour

[@PedroPrego]

And for a man of aero, it has an aethos in the background. The opposite of an aero bike. Care to explain?

[@WillPower46]

How is this a "guide" to the best kit? Should an "assessment" of kit currently used by pro teams.

[@TheMASDrummer]

I drop everyone on my tarmac sl3 with mechanical Dura Ace

[@sand9577]

I'm not gay, but this dude's voice had me doubting. Also, great video thank you. I'll keep an eye out on nopinz, I had no idea they existed.

[@basvanleeuwen4502]

What do you think about Cannondale, they don't sell the gear but the bikes are rally good, coming from a bike mechanic.

[@fredericfrancois3234]

banalités...

[@uknowbass]

I’m pretty sure Giant is the largest bike manufacturer in the world, tho not the racing world

[@gangstermonke1]

Hi Alex, I was just wondering what your opinion on vorteq skinsuits are, as you used one for your hour record and Dan bigham also did?

[@AlexDowsettOfficial]

The technology has moved on ☺️

[@davidli3582]

Seems like full on aero bikes aren't that much faster. That might change in the near future with revised rules allowing wilder tube shapes.

[@brian1971berry]

Keen to hear from you about seats and pedals. Seems like these contact points may be important enough to make pros want to choose their own, or be unhappy with what the sponsor provides.

[@beachmonkey1990]

It’s more that it’s so personal to each rider. Same with shoes.

[@brian1971berry]

That's true. There's always going to be someone who loves it, and someone who hates it when it comes to seats and pedals.

[@michaelmechex]

Seems to me like they usually just bundle pedals in with groupsets, so mostly Shimano and Time (Time pedals are owned by Sram) and odd Look here and there. I think Speedplay used to be quite popular prior to Wahoo acquisition, but I haven't noticed them much since then.

[@calebgonsalves2970]

what are your thoughts on chinese direct equipment, such as SEKA bikes or Lun wheels (especially the Lun MEGA) or wheels like Lightbicycle? A lot of tech nerd review/commentary racer cyclist channels have been obsessed with such gear, does it have the caliber to compete with the equipment in the big GT races?

[@giordanostramare]

I have bontanger wheel and i use it on the cannondale... without the stickers anyway :-)

[@bewster7]

What a superb and honest video. Enjoyed it more than I thought I would.👍

[@achn2b]

Talk of shoes, and no mention of Shimano? From what I've seen over the past few years, it seems half the pro peloton are wearing their shoes.

[@erictoth4903]

Hmmm, he didn't talk about Cannondale bikes... maybe his new sponsor?

[@DJJPlus4]

Even from a pro, I refuse to believe that OSPW is nothing more than an expensive gimmick.

[@cyclinginceleste2166]

It is so funny and strange, how a retired pro can't or won't pronounce Campagnolo correctly...

[@matthewk3233]

I think Giant, Scott (maybe not tt) and Cannondale are as fast as trek and specialized. The Specialized tires suck, they have clearly cost Quick Step in cobbled races.

[@robpetrie]

Cannondale?

[@christeschke9844]

Most of those main bike companies wheels are rebadged DT swiss anyways :)

[@LOOK860]

Chinezialized and Merida are the same bike some how Chinezialized is better I can’t see either brand at the level of Pinarello

[@jamesetheridge6224]

No mention of Wilier.... because everyone already knows!

[@enigma1000]

I was watching this for the comments on disc brakes and tubeless tyres…..

[@GatorDevastator]

Americans they just have best marketing on the planet.......

[@Pedalpioneer]

So this video is going to upset possibly many people… but everything is nice never mind

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Cannondale lost their way, sadly. Not even a mention in this video.

[@DanTuber]

no mention of dmt shoes?

[@ericsaari2901]

I enjoyed this Alex! If you would do more of these, maybe go into a little more in-depth analysis and opinion, both your own and from what you heard from teams and riders, that would be amazing, and I would watch all that for sure. I raced on an amateur level, and worked in sales in a shop some years. An interesting crowd to get opinions from are the mechanics. We carried Trek and Specialized, among some others - Cervelo and Pinarello at one time. The consensus was that Specialized was much better built from a day in, day out mechanical use perspective. If you're a pro rider, and team sponsored, and have mechanics for the team, that isn't so much an issue. Things that came up was cable routing, frame voids, various fitment parts on build, bottom bracket ovality. I'd choose a Specialized over a Trek. I raced on Cervelo and had endless problems with the bottom bracket area. Had to warranty a couple of them. Not a problem for a team or a sponsored rider. Their bikes were really fast. I liked them when I had no problems. I ride a LOOK now. Quality of the frame and the bottom bracket tolerance was the overriding factor. If I didn't choose that, it may well have been Specialized. Personal bias to some degree - I just wanted something different than Specialized or Trek - but my experience with LOOK bikes and the reputation for fine tolerances was a selling factor. Anyway, awesome video. Quite enjoyed this!

[@csren8328]

Give Pog any bike on the peloton + a good team, he will surely won... So what matter most???

[@slowcyclist4324]

So I guess that most impt ia to buy a bike that makes you happy? Thankfully, an sworks makes me happy, and I can afford it, so what matters most is that I am riding an sworks and that makes me happy.

[@CFCMahomet]

Cervelo, really? It seemed like were desirable when CSC was riding them.

[@horizonchasing]

One area that remains untouched, but is of great importance to the general cycling population, is nutrition, be that energy gels, bars and drinks or post ride recovery protein. Things have changed in the SIS range, and I can't seem to work out how things are meant to piece together any more. I don't know how it is with other suppliers.