Can A Vintage Bike Survive A Modern Race?

[@gcn]

Have you ever gone racing on a vintage bike? 🚴 Let us know in the comments below! 👇

[@secretagent86]

Well i only ever raced on 1970 era downshifters, steel frame, five gear block, tubulars.

[@secretagent86]

Do a track stand at the start

[@secretagent86]

A classic bike would generally come with 52 tooth large chaining and 14 teeth rear for 100.3 inches. Now i have 52x11 which is about 27 percent higher. Eddie probably used 54?

[@secretagent86]

Fifty year old new campy wow!

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

No

[@nt2883]

Absolutely love the takeaway message at the end. I recently tried a couple of crits after exclusively racing track for a few years. Turned up on a $200 facebook marketplace special sporting 15 year old Tiagra. Did I win? No, no I did not. Did I have fun? WAY more than $200 worth. Turn up on whatever you've got and get stuck in! We aren't playing for rainbow jerseys or olympic medals. Just have a go

[@gcn]

Great! This is what we love to hear! Doesn't matter what you ride or where you come, the main thing is the enjoyment! And we think it's pretty hard not to enjoy riding a bike 😉

[@foldupaudi7645]

Love it!

[@jetsetsc]

Turn up on whatever you've got, and hopefully that also includes 10 years of pro racing experience. :)

[@lgarcia67]

I recently went to try gravel riding. I did not have a “gravel bike” so I rented one. As I was riding, I realized I was just riding a mountain bike without front suspension, and with drop bars. I took my rusting away, 2004, Trek MTB, cleaned it, changed all the drive train and the breaks, and changed the handle bar for drops. I ended up with a super fun, super comfortable (the suspension is awesome) gravel bike. I spent just $350 for the drive train’s cheap components and that was it. Save your money, lose some pounds and just ride. You will get better.

[@foldupaudi7645]

Best comment of the week

[@seattlegrrlie]

Didn't crash, didn't get dropped, finished the race - that's a win

[@gcn]

Beers on Si 🍻

[@biggertree7063]

As a vintage cyclist, I need a modern bike to keep up.

[@JejjeP]

A vintage cyclist is clearly a bigger problem than a vintage bike! :-D

[@tomahoks]

Well, lol

[@haksaw123]

Definitely 👍 😂

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

love it lol

[@budbud2509]

I need a 150cc one , but I do identify as a cyclists Stunning and Brave ........... 😂😂🤣🤣

[@l.d.t.6327]

I'm a vintage racer in Belgium, and I absolutely loved this clip. I would like to invite you to try out racing in retro races over here. There is a full calendar and It's so much fun, especially because it's much more tactical, with the slower shifting, slower accelerations etc.

[@lordraiden5398]

Way back in the late 80's I bought a used Vitus 979 Aluminum frameset. It was polished with a clearcoat. I transfered the Shimano 105 groupset from the bike I was riding and had a perforated leather Selle Italia seat. I still think that was the best bike I have ever owned.

[@gcn]

Sounds lovely! Do you still have it?

[@perpetualgrin5804]

Me too bought a 2nd hand Vitus in 86, did more miles than the space shuttle. Expensive but I go my $ out of it😅.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

Sounds very nice !

[@angepicard7968]

979 and 992 are so fun to ride. So stiff and agressive.

[@cariocakev]

We (mostly vintage) riders of vintage bikes are really enjoying these videos with the Merckx! It’s been great watching your learning curve, from quick release torque to gear choice, pacing, and clear position. It shows how complex all the factors of cycling are and that no one thing - weight, aero, efficiency, and tactics are all powerful pieces of the puzzle. No silver bullets.

[@SkyhawkSteve]

One pleasure of riding a vintage bike is that the mere act of keeping up with the group is a victory! You also get to demoralize the riders behind you, when they realize that a 40 year old bike is ahead of them. 🙂

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it! Have you seen our 'Following Merckx film on GCN+? 👉 gcn.eu/1969

[@secretagent86]

@@SkyhawkSteve not to mention a 40 year plus rider lol. i am 66 and would love to get back into "racing" condition... well, call it "not embarrassing myself to death" condition

[@SkyhawkSteve]

@@secretagent86 I'm a few years younger, and am happy to stay in decent shape, keep up with my fast peers, and just enjoy my bikes.

[@slawomirb1984]

@@SkyhawkSteve "You also get to demoralize the riders behind you, when they realize that a 40 year old bike is ahead of them." Thats a hell of a fun! Something similar I did on ultra. Old XC bike with cheapest mods into gravel like bike, just for a little better speed as I always wanted. At first some laughs, then many on 29ers left behind..

[@Boopop1024]

I know sometimes people give GCN grief for being sponsor funded and often talking about flashy new bikes (and I don' t they overdo this anyway), so chapeux for putting up a video that essentially says "actually, just ride the bike you've got" :)

[@gcn]

Thanks a lot, Tom!

[@jeremynorth]

I'm one of those critics so I liked this one for its honesty. Si is a good bloke too

[@Driver8takeabreak]

They have a lot of videos like this (using cheap bikes or older bikes).

[@rizzlerforthergyatt]

aren't almost all content creators sponsor funded ?

[@nizar3469]

They do need the sponsors to keep giving us news funny vids Tech help tutorials for us

[@bimblingalong]

sure you had the wrong cassette in, the toe-clips were too small, & down tube shifters, but you also had the best looking bike there... so that's a win!

[@stevemawer848]

He didn't have a cassette, he had a "freewheel block".

[@cptjeff1]

@@stevemawer848 Also a bit of a corncob. He does know that you could have a wider range within those 5 gears installed even then, right? The pros didn't for the sake of macho, but you can get a much wider range than shown here, just depends on how authentic you want to be to Merckx and his ilk versus how you want to ride.

[@stevemawer848]

@@cptjeff1 Ah yes, the Regina board with all those lovely sprockets waiting to be mixed and matched! Are things really better nowadays? 🙂

[@michaelatkinson7577]

My son is currently racing a 1953 Flying Scot (around 8Kg) at Scottish Highland Games Grasstrack races (fixie racing - quite exciting.....). The bike (frame) has been competing for nearly 70 years on the Grasstrack scene and he moved up to Adult racing from the juniors this year. First meeting out - he managed to win the 800m race....he did win the Scottish Grasstrack championship last year. We also have my 14 year old racing on a late 1940s Excel(sior) cycles steel fixie - leading the junior Grasstrack champs this year.

[@lazlo2511]

You just made a whole generation subscribe to the channel with that awesomely crafted comment about getting stuck in no matter what you on! This day out was actually a breathe of fresh from GcN. Bravo.

[@gcn]

Thanks so much! We always look to inspire people to get out and ride!

[@brianf.nastali6827]

I've won many of modern races on a vintage bike...as have my kids. We all have modern bikes, but enjoy our "fun" vintage bikes. My daughter's first national track race 10ish years back, was on a borrowed 70's track bike...she beat competition riding $10k modern aero track bikes. There are definitely advantages to the modern bikes and components, but at the end of the day, in mass start races, especially crits, it's about the rider.

[@gcn]

It's all about the engine 🙌 Does your daughter still race?

[@jonathanscott7372]

I agree, the rider makes a bigger difference than the bike.

[@swites]

Drafting makes an incredible difference that no wheelset, frame or skinsuit can compete with. So if you have none of those don't ride on, or go off the front! It actually forces you to ride smart and not waste energy or otherwise you get dropped.

[@jason200912]

That's not true, it took 5 gcn drafters to beat a single tt bike guy

[@paulmcknight4137]

No kidding! That could be why you "faced a wall" off the front! :)

[@davidf2281]

@@jason200912 If you don't think drafting makes an enormous difference you haven't done much cycling

[@swites]

@@jason200912 First of all in a road race everyone is on the same road bikes. TT bikes are not allowed in road races. 2nd of all it is an undisputed fact that drafting saves one ~30% of ones energy. Anyone can see this if one has a power meter. In a recent race I was averaging ~300watts for a minute on the front and ~200 watts in the wheels at 40kph in my small group of 8 on the flat. Unless you're on a Boris bike you won't be dropped in the wheels of similar level cyclists.

[@jason200912]

@@davidf2281 sure it makes a huge difference but you still need 5 road bikers to beat 1 tt biker

[@andrewjohnson9896]

Would love to see a follow-up on this, a series of videos showing this same race and going through the ages of bikes, up to a modern super bike. Would love to see this!!

[@gcn]

Great idea Andrew! In the meantime you could watch our 'Retro vs Modern' film on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/rvm

[@russstarke6004]

Raced similar setup many times (cause I'm old). Of all the advances clipless pedals hold a special place in my heart. BTW I trained on my Merckx and raced a cheaper frame. Much more likely to mess up a bike in a race.

[@secretagent86]

i totally agree about the clipless pedals. fabulous i raced in the 1970s and my poor Cinelli hit the deck too often. sigh

[@gcn]

Great point! Crashing a 10k super bike is never a good thing 👀

[@brianrainey2739]

Would love to see the whole GCN crew go on a tour, each with a ‘70’s bike they chose and with vintage wool kit and leather shoes w toeclips. You could still stop for coffee and cake but absolutely no gels allowed! 😄 Any chance any of the group knows how to do a roadside tubular repair?

[@gcn]

Hahahah that could be a lot of fun! We've done some epic retro challenges 👉 gcn.eu/1903

[@anthonyhatter196]

Not a racer but welcome to my childhood and teenage years. Steel frames and toe clips. Those shifters bring a tear to my eye. Loved my early bikes, a Peugeot and a Dawes.❤

[@Kendoji1]

Amazing stuff. Si is a beast! As someone who rides a modern but vintage inspired steel bike (Temple) I’d love to see one of these videos with a traditional-ish steel frame but modern wheels, gears and other bits.

[@gcn]

You should check out our 'Retro vs Modern' doc on GCN+! 👉 gcn.eu/rvm

[@nuttycommuter3718]

I’ve got a 1995 Mercian in Reynolds 531, but with modern 105 groupset and new wheels. The gears made the biggest positive difference - my smallest gear when I had Suntour was 42/21 and now it’s 34/28 so hills are much easier! However my pedals aren’t as good (IMO) - I had Time Equipe and they were absolutely stunning and had more float and were more comfortable than the new Ultegra I’ve got now.

[@AlexChklar]

I think the biggest takeaway is racecraft. Learning how to ride in a bunch, hold a wheel etc, will get you a long way. Not riding safely or considerately in a bunch will get you spat out. Loved racing these kinds of events and launching ill fated attacks... Thanks for the memories!

[@patrickwalsh279]

Lovely video: fun and articulate, especially that uplifting morale of the story at the end. As to the bike, didn't Merckx himself say "less upgrades, more riding up grades"? Being smart about your bike and while you're on it goes a long way, but then so does fitness. Cyclists obsess over the weight of their components and the "aero" qualities of their gear, but if you're not in shape, all the money in the world wasted on expensive gear won't save you from being dropped.

[@nerigarcia7116]

What I love about the Met Trenta is that it looks like the old hairnet helmets of that time, from the front. I had a modern custom steel frame bike built with modern gearing and it can keep up in my group rides but it does take a little extra effort. Rides so smooth though. Now, if I took my '82 Olmo on my group ride, I think I'd struggle more to keep up mainly because of the gearing and the steel was a bit heavier. It feels more sluggish than my modern one. Once it's up to speed, it's up to speed. It's a like a truck and a sports car can both go 60 mph, one can just get there faster. I do feel the difference though when I get back on my carbon bike in the responsiveness on acceleration and handling. It takes less effort.

[@mistagregory]

When I compare my rides on Strava between my Pegoretti Luigino and my OPEN U.P. with 50mm aero wheels, the Pegoretti is just as fast if not faster on a lot of segments. Some of that might be due to the larger chainrings but still, that lugged steel bike is so fast and more comfortable than the carbon one.

[@joules531]

One of the best GCN videos ever! Really inspirational. And I write this as someone who used to race in the 80s, but gave up due to the bike tech arms race. If there was some opportunity to race with other riders, on basic bikes like we used to see (at least up until the mid 80s) then I'd get back into racing, even though I'm now in my 60s and obviously a lot slower than I was.

[@equusasinus]

In 2003, together with two other oldies from Canterbury Cycle Club, I decided to get a veteran's licence and go racing again. We entered a road race in Tenterden in Kent and I was riding a twenty year old classic De Rosa steel-frame bike. Unlike Si's 1969 bike with down-tube shifters and foot clips, I had upgraded the De Rosa with 21st century Campagnolo Record groupset and clipless pedals. To be honest, I don't think the classic steel bike was any handicap whatsoever. What failed was my nerve. After so many years since I last raced, I was terrified going flat-out downhill on narrow Kent country lanes, shoulder to shoulder in the peloton, watching the wheel in front as if it was a grenade with the pin out... After 15 miles I was dropped, but I kept a respectable distance from the broom wagon for the rest of the race. I never raced again but I just enjoy riding my bike.

[@johndef5075]

I tried racing a couple times. After hearing the sound of snapping carbon frames in the cat 5 class I decided it wasnt my cup of tea😅

[@tomrachellesfirstdance7843]

Good luck in 50 years getting a moden day dura ace to work 😂 Si as always a beast on the bike

[@andrewmcalister3462]

At that stage, the di2 battery would hold about enough charge for the neutralised 1st lap.

[@milosstoiljkovic]

Mechanics say those old friction shifters are practically indestructable.

[@jameslee-pevenhull5087]

My oldest bike with derailleur gears is a 1953 James that has Cyclo Benelux Standard THREE speed for 1/8" track chain. 27 x 1 1/8" High Pressure.

[@MissCaraMint]

I just fixed up my dad told road bike from the early 80s. It was such a joy to ride it. The downtube shifters are actually really nice, and I feel more in tune with the bike using them. It’s probably slower than a modern setup, but the feel is outstanding.

[@DrSomhairle]

Love it, nice to see you can race on an old bike, you could even upgrade the gears to more modern ones if you want!. And the pedals for that matter. Great one.

[@RNest11]

Loved the message, and the spirit. Biking is so universal. Greetings from France !

[@jakelanoux8173]

Absolutely love these vintage bike vids

[@alaintallier1956]

Eddy Merckx has actually said in interviews what he would chose from the modern era it would be clipless pedals. Everything else is marginal, that he says was a game changer.

[@jetsetsc]

All of my bikes are from the 70's and 80's. They all have clipless pedals. :)

[@bradjohnson169]

Yes, true re the pedals. The only other thing I would add would be 9 to 11 cogs in the back wheel + handlebar shifters. All else, frame wheelsets and tires need not be changed. Current bikes being carbon fiber are a real scam, far too expensive for what it gives in performance. They are also much too brittle.

[@wildmano1965]

Nobody had clippless until around '86. Prolly started arriving on to the pro scene by '85...Look. Seems like they could have figured it out way sooner tho...funny how that worked.

[@lunam7249]

clips are great in reality, grocery getter.....when you hit a large bump you can pull out of them naturaly , AND YOU CAN USE WORK SHOES OR SNEAKERS!

[@Ronnymikkonen2686]

Maybe it's not really marginal? Perhaps. But the parts doesn't need to cost a fortune. There are great modern parts novadays. For example saddle, saddle post, rims, and so on.

[@timmysalazar9695]

Im glad you always feature vintage roadbikes, and this one is the best si far, racing vintage roadbikes!😊

[@Aphidman1]

When a college student in the early 90s, my mid-80s very inexpensive bike frame broke. I got a hand-me-down racing frame from the 1970s and built it up with a mix of parts from the 1970s and 1980s. I confess to having clipless pedals by that time, though. I was able to hang in my local races, although the bike got its share of finger pointing and comments, especially the black rustoleum paint covering up its serious blemishes. I used the same bike for time trials in the early 2000s, albeit with a new paint job. It was called "Frankenbike." Tight finances drive innovation!

[@gcn]

Whatever works for you! Ignore the haters!

[@andyamos8594]

I did the Eroica Hispania last weekend. All bikes are vintage and much of the course is off road. A real test of endurance for old tech and rider!

[@kurre_kallkvist]

Up until this spring, my only roadbike was a circa 1976 Bianchi. I did a benchmark run on that one vs. my new carbon bike, and at my puny 210W average, the difference between the bikes was about 45s over a reasonably flat 7km course... With comparable tyres on both and without mudguards and luggage rack on the Bianchi, the difference would have been much smaller though...

[@jonathanscott7372]

I first road a time trial on a fairly normal bike, but just took the mudguards and rack off. The first time I rode on a proper racing bike, I improved my time by 4 minutes over 10 miles, despite crashing. (You can't corner on a racing bike, like on a normal bike with fatter tyres.)

[@roadcyclist1]

What carbon bike did you use? A Chinese branded one?

[@kurre_kallkvist]

@@roadcyclist1 Yes, Chinese branded, BXT 135 Gravel. Built up with Shimano Ultegra and 105 components, Chinese carbon bar and stem and some DT Swiss r470db wheels from a Specialuzed Roubaix.

[@jonathanscott7372]

I raced in the early 70's, but my bike had ten gears. (Later 12 gears) You could also buy toe clips of different lengths to make that comfortable. The shoes were much lighter and cooler with a metal plate with a slot, that slotted onto the pedal, meaning you could pull as well as push on the pedals, especially uphill. I only ever once had a problem getting my foot in the toe clip, and that was a criterium that started on cobbles. The straps were usually fairly tight to start with, you could pull them tighter when you got a chance, or needed too. I never started with them loose. I was frequently placed, but was a better track rider, than road rider, although I enjoyed the road more.

[@larryvaught3053]

Fabulous video Si ! I was impressed with how well you did. I must admit you did look like a dork, but man that dork can ride! Great job mate, keep up the good work! 🚵‍♂️😎

[@Frandaman84]

I would love to see these but the frame being the only factor, great fun video, love Si, but it’s not the first time they accidentally come unprepepared. Keep up the good work

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mitchpaliga4851]

My first road bike in my teen years was a 1970's Raleigh Grand Prix I bought from a friend. It had toe clips and was the wrong size for me. What did I know? Nothing but it was a gas. I had been riding BMX bikes before that, all this in the 1970's. Went to college and didn't buy another road bike until 2020 (mountain bikes up to that point). I discovered GCN at that time which has been great as I got back into road biking in my late '50's. Thanks GCN!

[@gcn]

That's so great to hear, Mitch! We're glad to have inspired your re-visit to road cycling!

[@zsigmondfoldessy8785]

For about twenty years from the eighties, I went to amateur competitions with a slightly modified three-speed picnic bike. :-) I was usually there in the first third of the field. I still use it sometimes.

[@veloman59]

Well done Si great film footage - takes me back a bit to the good old days of Eastway 😂

[@gcn]

Cheers Simon!

[@willjones7132]

Would be cool to see more with this bike doing more period refinements like larger toe clips and changing the gearing to suit the event, find out how good it could be.

[@PaulJakma]

+1 from me on that. I think the bike would do quite well. Clearly this kind of racing is about tactics in the bunch, not marginal aero gains. Any smooth rolling bike will work. And those old Campy Record hubs are still incredibly smooth spinning things to this day - better than a lot of modern hubs on that score.

[@norton750commando]

Yep, toe clips come in different sizes, but can be a bit tricky to find if you want to be period correct. I made the mistake of buying some smaller size toe clips to fit my Campy pedals on my early '80s Grandis as they were half the price of larger ones, and soon found out why. The balls of my feet were just a couple of cm's back where they should have been, and the ensuing discomfort was horrendous.

[@Fugitive_8]

The Vintage bikes were king in their era however, its close to impossible for an old bicycle to beat a modern bicycle with everything they have, carbon aero frames, 12 speed dura aces, carbon deep lip rims, faster and more accurate groupsets, all that cannot compare but it sure is a glory to ride one of these

[@1966jamesM]

Super vid! I take it you never had to nail your cleats on to your (leather soled and highly polished) shoes then? It's very amusing watching younger riders make sense of the stuff we just took for granted.... Yes, toe clips had to be the right length, akin to having clipless cleats in the wrong place. Gear changing? Just pedaled quicker or slower - it was simply terrifying to do that in a race... and the noise!! I remember my bike wasn't particularly light by todays standards, but I had lighter wheels for TTing and RR;'ing, so we did take weight into account for the discipline, the thing, is looking at today's results, it's only the really fast guys who are really showing what new technology can do, the average club rider aren't really doing any different times to what we did on steel and ali. More riding up grades and less upgrades, said one very famous cyclist. Ride your bike, ride your bike, ride your bike, said another...

[@lukewalker1051]

A wonderful video...especially for us oldsters who remember and raced on these old bikes. Takeaway is...like Lance said, its not about the bike....which of course is only partially true. Your talent as a rider and of course great genetics sure saved the day. Most of us trying to compete with the old equipment would be overwhelmed....downtube shifters which I remember back in the day, in this race format in particular, are a huge handicap. Toe clips that aren't custom made for proper length of foot...what you reported. Look at you go against these studly riders Si. Hats off. No doubt you are beaming with pride. They were all on the latest $10K wundersleds. Yes, Eddie would be proud and would be great if someone sent him this video. Great content and congrats. Just the mental tenacity to deal with the old tech among this sea of latest tech is impressive. I didn't expect this to be particularly pretty going in...thought it may end up being a homage video to how tech has changed the sport, and man was I wrong.

[@gcn]

Thanks very much, Luke! Glad you found it interesting.

[@Dreamweaver94]

I've got an 86 Cannondale and an 09 Cervelo P2-SL. The biggest change I feel is the down tube shifters, those are fun, but suck in terms of shift speed, usability, and practicality. The Cervelo is also easier to hold at higher speeds.

[@pts95er]

I grew up on old bikes with down tube shifters (I’m only 27) because all I could afford was older bikes. Didn’t stop me wiping the floor with all the others in the junior time trials and some crits. That said, 10 years on I can afford a newer bike, but am 1000 times slower 😂

[@lunam7249]

27 to 37, shouldnt be that dramatic, ride a little more often but lil less intense, aerobic drop is higher now 37 to 42....42+ you mentally adjust that the olympics wont happen anymore...

[@e3dave744]

It might of not been the quickest bike there but what a cool looking retro machine

[@aquilonianace4791]

Try again with clipless pedals, proper gears and some lycra. Also, you need teally stiff soled shoes and plates for clips. That's why your calves hurt. Wrong shoes, wrong gear. You are a beast though! 🦁

[@johnfitzgerald1192]

6:48 He should've used clip on with the shoes. And Zipp wheels with ceramic speed bearings and upgraded the shifters.

[@tyronebrown9936]

I ride a ‘96 Merlin Road w DA8, a ‘98 Litespeed Vortex w DA9 and a ‘00 Serotta Legend Ti w DA10 and I’m still fine on group rides on courses of about 55’ vertical per mile @ 18mph at age 63. Ride on folks.

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

Thanks! Bikes don't win races - racers win races. BTW, if you'd offer me my choice of any bike in that race I would go home with the one you rode. Eternal value and class.

[@neilparnell5712]

My vintage De Bernardi Columbus SL steel frame with modern shimano 10 speed groupset and Mavic ES wheels weighs just under 9kg yet is just as quick and comfortable as my 7kg carbon bike with carbon C50 wheels on the same routes in the Peak District. It even descends quicker and more assuredly. I love both but it just shows that a good steel frame is still relevant. I only have modern groupset on it as I am 63 and vintage gearing would now kill me ! Everyone should own an old steel bike, it helps to appreciate the new stuff.

[@granthaller9544]

Did your shoes have cleats? I assume so but properly nailed on cleats make all the difference in clipped pedals. Were you on nice silk tubulars as Eddy would have had? Changing gears with friction shifters takes time to get good at doing it quickly and efficiently. If it’s not too hot wool keeps you dry and breaths. Real shammie in your wool shorts is super comfy, especially on a Brooks Pro saddle well worn. Great video. As one racer said “It’s not about the bike. “

[@simonsepic]

Looking at how he is clocking all the other bikes, I know that feeling all too well

[@MrJob91]

What an incredible video. It shows what cycling is really about. Its about you riding the bike. Racing to have fun, to have a challenge and grow as a person. Ty gcn

[@gcn]

That's the idea! We love showing grassroots races like this, this is the backbone of bike racing 🙌

[@youtellme18]

Great episode perhaps an episode racing vintage bikes from the past.

[@basikletavlog3987]

I'm a cyclist from the Philippines and I would be thankful if I'd get to try that vintage bike

[@johnnyt7067]

I think you're a bit harsh on your bike at the start of the video. It looks amazing to me. I would love to own it!

[@karlbates7271]

As the great Eddy himself said ... " If you want to improve .. just ride up grades... Don't buy upgrades."

[@nickdavis9280]

I reckon you would have done even better if you had it geared right. Great video!

[@gcn]

That sprint power 💥

[@bubblesezblonde]

Excellent vid Siborg!! The upgrade part of the end sort od tied in with Felix' s budget bike upgrade in my mind. It woud be fun to see a race betwixt the two.

[@havefunandbikestuffOver40]

Heck yeeaaahhh Si! That was fantastic 👏 I was riveted the whole vid. More like this please 🙏

[@steveprice9737]

I race regularly on my early 80s bike, on very hilly courses it can be faster than my carbon bike. Flat fast courses suffers aero disadvantages. I'll be using it at Malvern Mini Mountain this month.. over the hills twice.

[@BikeronaTrek]

Wow, what a beautiful bike. I have a vintage Eddy Merckx Motorola that I do still ride once in awhile. I'm in my sixties so I'm slow. I can ride my new Trek Emonda though with no problem in the "b" group rides. I never was a pro unfortunately. What I find is drafting is the deal breaker in any ride. It's just with the new bike, aero wheels, clipless pedals, and aero suit and helmet just makes it less painful. But the beauty and ride of the old bikes! You've got me thinking I should ride the Merckx sometimes on the group rides, instead of just solo rides. Great video!

[@keithjenkins7919]

Suggest you next try an approx 1980-2000 "vintage" that included bar mounted indexed shifters and clipless pedals, and maybe the Campagnolo Racing Triple. Most of the problems you mention had been overcome by then, but still "vintage." That will give the modern stuff a run for its money at a quarter of the price!

[@theniceoyster]

Great video!! You crushed it Si!!

[@moobaz8675]

Good effort and nice bike. I have expensive carbon, titanium and steel bikes. However, my favourite is a 1987 Revelle Romany tourer. Its not a racer but it makes me smile every-time I'm out on it and I don't need to rush anywhere with it, I just take the slow road. Anyway, I've never thought of racing, but might just have a go. What's the worst that can happen?

[@garygareth]

Just recently got a 1987 Peugeot 👍 love it simple and classic 👌

[@lostisleminstrel]

I only road raced on the exact same type of bike you are using. These are very good racing hardware. The old style shoes and cleats take some getting used to. Because of all the wind breaking going on you won't have trouble keeping up with the group. This era of bike was excellent and I doubt that the modern bikes would have much of an advantage on the type of course you were on as long as you stayed in the crowd and let someone else break the wind. I really enjoyed this video as it bought back so many good memories. By the way if you fall in an old set of pedals with the strap and the cleat on the shoe you won't be able to get your foot out of the pedal and you go down with the bike strapped to you. This is always awkward but it also leads to broken collar bones fairly easily though that is always an issue when falling off a bicycle. Don't ask, I just know.

[@icrinson67]

Really enjoyed this video, and Simon’s other with the Merckx replica. I think the ‘pedalling with toes’ issue would be resolved by larger toe-clips; they do come in at least three sizes! Having ridden plenty of Eroica-style rides ( not races), I can testify to the absolute joy of riding on a high quality vintage bike. Well done GCN - I have a subscription and I would strongly recommend the app.

[@lbowsk]

I used to ride a very similar bike. 80s vintage Peugeot frame (531) with Campy components. Brooks leather saddle. Toe clips. It's upstairs in a closet. I'm 65, Sniff. I sure miss being a young buck!

[@joekrepps]

I bought an entry level racing bike in 1981, a Peugeot PFN-10. Within 2-3 years, I upgraded almost everything. The seat was the first to go! The standard plastic seat really was a pain in the arse. A lovely Ideale leather seat fixed that. I have a neuromuscular disorder so I knew I’d never be competitive but I tried two “citizen class” races anyway. Had it gone over during the C19 lockdowns. I asked the shop’s owner if there was _really_ any differences in feel between it and the shiny new Bianchis in his shop. He said I’d be surprised at how well my 40 year old bike would compare. (I noted it would be nice to have shifters on the brake hoods Vs. downtube shifters-he agreed.) He said I should keep it, with the period upgrades I did, for as long as I can. My original 1980’s team Peugeot wool jersey doesn’t fit my pudgy 2023 body so I got Chinese knockoffs. Wonderful little “Time Machine”! Loved the video. Very glad you gave it a go!

[@edwardp5748]

that is sick. great job!

[@johnnyt7067]

Your comments on the drive train and other "performance" component of the bike not making a huge difference but the pedals and other "ergonomic" components do seems spot on. I've seen comparison of £300 and £3000 groupsets and the conclusion was that it doesn't really make a huge amount of difference to your performance. What does make a difference is how comfortable are you on the bike. "comfort=fast" is a phrase I have heard. Makes sense to me.

[@cb6866]

Thanks Si , and crew....the "pedals of death " ....scare the crap out of me ! Swiss alps, first day, first ride....yeah . Not good , nearly severed an artery in my leg . BUT , same trip , same day ..another rider had to be Helo'd off the mountain !! MMMM yup . it was still a trip of a lifetime . Cheers

[@gcn]

Wow, scary! 😳

[@cb6866]

@@gcn The Helo landed on the lawn behind our hotel , while we were learning to play the Alpenhorn . Crazy doo doo , at the end of trip , 2 on crutches , one stitched up old fart .

[@bluegem72]

I think your body will adapt to whatever bike you ride. The bike is just half of the equation. You can literally build the muscle to push the bike you have.

[@marvinsmall5002]

I would like to see you try again with different gears and your usual footwear and pedal. And maybe modern clothing

[@Digi20]

the clothing might actually make almost as much difference as a modern aero frame.

[@Pesmog]

I would not have begrudged Si if he had changed the pedals, gearing and clothing. You need to be comfortable on the bike regardless of era.

[@richcrompton6891]

Like racing a Lotus 72 in a modern F1 race! Cool!! You did well time traveller!

[@markclevedon81]

As a now older rider and recovering from a recent serious cycling crash - not my fault , but which has written off my late 80s immaculate road bike this has encouraged me to firstly replace my vintage bike and return to some veteran type racing. I enjoyed this feature which illustrates that a well set up older bike with an experienced, tactical rider can be competitive and enjoyable. Well done GCN. I wonder what the real world difference would be with a more modern bike with the same rider and strategy?

[@bikesnippets]

That Merckx is gorgeous....the best looking bike in that race.

[@hananas2]

My personal road bike is built with a 1988 Columbus SLX frameset, with a carefully picked mix of vintage, semi-vintage and modern parts to combine the best of old and new. I was able to fit a new silver set of Ritchey Classic Zeta wheels, and with a handlebar with a modern shape and a SRAM rival 22 levers and RD, I don't feel like the bike holds me back. The frame back in the day was seen as a stiff, hard frame, but with modern 28mm tyres, it feels just perfect. Comfortable enough to hit the Belgian cobbles at full speed, yet stiff enough to put the power down properly. And it weighs 8.8 kg including pedals and stainless steel bottle cage.

[@gcn]

Sounds pretty sweet! Have you uploaded any photos of it in the GCN app?

[@hananas2]

@@gcn thanks! But no, the GCN app doesn't accept my account creation 😂

[@iamthedalilama]

The tow clip saga at the beginning of a race still gives me nightmares. I’ve been spat out the back in the first 100metres back in the day, then lapped. 😂

[@mikeoc217]

I raced with a Sachs made from Reynolds tubing & Campy throughout circa early "70's" 🚴👍🏻

[@ralphc1405]

Nice! Always wondered about the Regina chains back then...the (brass plated?) Oro and Record Oro drilled chains

[@mikeoc217]

@@ralphc1405 I had all Campagnolo Record components, back the Shimano was in its infancy nothing like today.

[@Chimy1423]

Nice job Simon. Like one famous💉cyclist said...It's not about the bike.

[@slawomirb1984]

Nice one! I have similar retro steel bike and plan to take it up on Sveti Jure in Croatia this year. Toe clips are great for amateur, romantic bike ride yet it still gives you waaaay better performance than platforms. And you can ride in ordinary shoes.. to work for example :)

[@edb8120]

You need longer clips and the right style of shoes. You could also find a very lightweight and very tight wool jersey. I would also cheat and move to the 6 speed cog (and pick the correct gears). It does look great.

[@leedorney]

What a classic of a production ✌️

[@CC-zm9fw]

Totally agree -“it’s what makes the pedals go round that really counts” as Mr Bishton said (a racing cyclist of the 1960s). Ive just done the HELL OF THE NORTH COTSWOLDS 100km mountain bike event on a ‘98 Marin Alpine Trail (26” wheels, 25yrs old) that cost £150 from a charity shop. Had a great ride, put in a decent time and beat lots of trick modern bikes

[@roadcyclist1]

It still would have been easier on a modern bike, regardless.

[@walterstoops2671]

Of course I raced a Vintage Bike. I’m 71 and raced in the Chicago area on a custom made “Crit” bike. Courses were 4 corners in industrial parks and we used 13-18 straight blocks 52-49 up front. I still have the bike. I ride a Trek Emonda SLR now.

[@Peter-u1y]

Ah, the straight block...I remember those days fondly. Everybody had the same equipment, more or less, so marginal gains were ever so marginal.

[@ciupercaaugustin]

Another proof about how talented and stronger the old school cyclists were ,comparring with you guys

[@dorydiavelone3531]

I’m loving all y’all racing so much more interesting then just re-eating the banal how to oil your chain etc…… All of you have raced so well it gives anyone the excitement to want to ride!!!

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it and found it inspiring!

[@seanlee7670]

A very nice bike. Man over machine. You are faster than a lot others that are on the modern bike!

[@ZENmud]

I rode only amateur, briefly: a neighbor/friend in New Hampshire (1995-97) introduced me to the Thursday night training races held at the NH International Speedway, using the motorcycle course and oval; they were points races and I actually won once 🏆 🥇 But the track you ran at resembles a track my Amsterdam friend took me to; it had an outer loop, then three or four shorter straightaways in-between something like this: "WV" (close the top). It was a half-hour drive out of town. He's been a top-10 Masters over-45 for the Netherlands(!) 🇳🇱 I think it was a 10 or 15 lap race, and I happily abandoned after maybe 8 laps, to watch Bert try to win. About 2004?

[@draconianTL]

I did my first sportive this year, on a 95 Dawes Super Galaxy Tour. Definitely the oldest bike out tgere but still did it. I love how steel feels but think I'll buy my first road bike soon.

[@lucakieft2671]

i train with a vintage bike and got the toestraps as well. at first it gave me calve sores, but after 3 or 4 rides i got used to it and i like them more that clip pedals

[@tylerstrampp9662]

I raced a Trek from 1986 at the Mammoth Laked Gran Fondo last year. I was able to keep up with the amateurs ok. Steel frames soak up the bumps.

[@MrOtterdude]

Toe clips are almost never long enough to pedal properly. All you need to do is extend them 1/2". Clearance can become an issue, but it solves the problem, for the most part.

[@movievaudeville]

Clipless pedals are for sure a huge change and improvement, but did you have vintage shoes for this ride? I'm sure you know this, but the old shoes like I had back in the '70s had a cleat on the bottom with a groove that would grab the pedal edge. Tighten the straps, It was almost like being laced into the pedals. If you had to put a foot down you'd better get ready to release the strap. With practice you'd get fast with it. Just curious about your shoes for the race....

[@hanselmugol4724]

Try doing it in a 90s era bike.

[@333wheeler]

Christophe toe clips came in S M L sizes . M being most used.. Cleats and shoe choice being a bigger factor. When the Nylon soled Adidas type shoes came in with built in adjustable cleats it improved matters a whole lot , and many top class races were competed 50 -50 between cleats and clipless .

[@kennethward9530]

Christophe’s also came in XL, still have some in my junk parts box. Last race I rode in clips mashed down toe clip at start, had to ride 3 laps of course before I could sort it out. Somehow in that faffing around lace came untucked, and on final sprint got wrapped around spindle, tightening shoe until it broke about 100 yards from finish. I purchased Look pedals and Velcro shoes that afternoon.

[@333wheeler]

@@kennethward9530 A lot of us who road cyclo X used to rivet 2 pairs together to stop that to some degree. Main fault was they were fragile and many a race or training ride they would fracture on the bend or across the bolt holes and dangle down. not good.