Cheap Bike Vs Super Bike | Commuter Challenge

The performance benefits of a top of the range aero super bike compared to a cheap bike have already been proven, but just which should you use for commuting? In true GCN style we set Ollie and James a race to find out.
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Leave us a comment below!

[@gcn]

Do you ride your best bike today work?

[@madczechgamer1408]

well, i don´t have more than one bike

[@xiaomengsu6006]

My best bike is cheap bike

[@mikeymike1792]

Nope. My old CX bike gets workhorse duties instead.

[@andycarr5405]

No. Because panniers. Hank and Ollie look like they are on their way to Mordor with half the world on their back.

[@twatts4436]

No. I ride the gravel bike. My summer bike can't take mudgaurds, has rim brakes, and components which cost more to replace (even if the replacement is the same frequency) It also means (as ollie pointed out) I can feel the benefit more at the weekend. I did ride the summer bike to and from work in the summer for a while last year, just spent my life cleaning it! Personally I find the less racey position more comfortable with a backpack!

[@420cm]

It's not about the speed, it's about not getting stolen

[@AandA697]

Right. Or riding in the Rain or Snow...

[@gcn]

True, safe storage is pretty damn important!

[@rudolfsciemins4293]

@@gcn what's the weight difference with heavy duty chain on superbike?

[@thrownchance]

Well, in my experience, if it has a racing bike handlebar, it will get stolen.

[@andrewnorris5415]

@@thrownchance Spend money on the lock. £100 gets a decent U lock one. Abus are great. Worth it for peace of mind. Expensive bikes don't suit commuting. Even with a good lock they could take the components off. Most of us don't have safe storage.

[@MegaPhilly20]

great experiment.. until you used a single speed. Went from 'cheap bike versus super bike', to 'geared bike versus single speed'.

[@thecrowfliescrooked]

Phil Heard yeah they shit the bed on that one. I’m sure the reason why is they did the whole video comparing superbike to normal bike and found out there is no fucking difference in the city.

[@kamillisowski2931]

Calm down , single speed is perfect bike for commuting, That's what they show , commuting it's not a race, u can use single speed even for relaxing ride on country sides roads like road bike so calm down That was good comparison What shows you U don't need spend fortune for that kind of "commuting" 😂

[@ronbyers9912]

@@kamillisowski2931 I rode a single speed when I was a kid. Unless the terrain is table top flat and there is no wind, I wouldn't ride one now. Gears aren't hard to come by these days. The point is well made. Single speed bikes might be good for youngsters trying to get into shape but they are not as good as the simplest geared bike for commuting. I think an entry level road bike vs a super bike would show virtually no difference between in the commute they filmed. Of course, Hank is a professional rider not long out of racing and Ollie is a bit older so my money would be on Hank, but if it was a commute to work the two would be pretty close. Hank wouldn't have had time to order and have the waitress serve drinks.The issue is how much money do you have to spend on your bike.

[@genehendrix1847]

Yup totally pointless..

[@kamillisowski2931]

@@ronbyers9912 I know mate, even with Tourney set on cheapest bike U can enjoy your ride and ride so fast, difference comes in gear ratio, gear durable,frame weights and brake distance Like was mention In older movie ☺️ But Single speed Is still alright for normal ride without any big climb's 😊

[@MrPhillian]

Have 5000 coffees and any bike becomes a super bike!

[@rossc7006]

Better ditch the bibs for when it needs to exit.

[@gcn]

🤣

[@duston1540]

More like superyou

[@2andrewblack]

After work at happy hour one summer day, I drank 4 shots of espresso blended with ice and Mexican rice milk (horchata). Upon consuming it, I rode 30 miles with a heavy backpack in street clothes (jeans and tennis shoes) into a downpour. And was still jazzed at the end of it.

[@xsystem1]

try red bull..drink liters of it

[@quito787]

Cheap bike will win for commuting... since the superbike will vanish.

[@robbchastain3036]

Perhaps the next trend could be invisible superbikes.

[@better.better]

honestly, if I was commuting on that, it wouldn't be staying outside at all while I was at work. I only leave mine out if I have to as it is, and mine is only a $600 bike. I've seen people steal even cheap bikes, or just wheels, or just the saddle. I once saw three bikes all on the same street, all chained up securely, and all three were missing saddles. I always use a long cable lock, and always go through both wheels, frame AND the saddle... but like everyone points out, that's only just mostly effective.

[@andrewnorris5415]

Or you worry it will. Not worth the marginal gains. You get fitter to compenstate anyway. Just like people on e bikes end up less fit. Your fitness depends on the level you work out at.

[@KandiKlover]

Yeah even if you had a good view of it someone would still run off with it. Especially california with the idiot laws they've passed in the past 5 years it's now turned into a third world country failed state similar to Venezuela. People will push you over and steal your macbook right in front of you.

[@edwardmullan2724]

Guaranteed.

[@alandougan3600]

Wife: soooo you need a £5000 downhill mtb for your work commute? Me: gcn told me it was economically viable.😁

[@derpynerdy6294]

Hahahaha Well that's not great not horrible either..

[@jawzdu5549]

Alan Dougan wife: Nah you need a 15k tt bike

[@andrewnorris5415]

I'm pretty sure wives would ban all the global channels if they knew about them.

[@DaveShawMusic]

@@andrewnorris5415 speak for yourself, my wife watches with me :D

[@IamUzyf]

DerpyNerdy you’re delusional

[@TheBRad704]

Commuting points aside, thank you for giving the extra screen time to the bike shop. Co-ops are fantastic and really deserve more recognition for what they provide the community.

[@gcn]

Cheers Brad, we're lucky to have the Bristol Bike Project on our doorstep!

[@better.better]

Actually, @Global Cycling Network you should do an episode on these, where you go and put in some volunteer time, show what they do, how they work. We have at least two near me, one in Albany, NY (Albany Bike Rescue), and another in Troy, NY, (Troy Bike Rescue) (not sure if they are affiliated with each other) which I only found out about from a coworker once when my bike was broken. I knew of the Troy facility from Facebook, but not what they did, or how it worked. these work by volunteering time and effort in exchange for parts and learning how to build/repair bikes. I found out about the other one later, but how many other people don't know about these?

[@Flix-f6q]

How can I upvote you more? My Regards go to all Mother-Theresa´s of Bikes that take in old junkers and give them some love and a second life.

[@KandiKlover]

Co-op is a good commuting point though. It makes it easy and cheaper to replace the wearable parts like brake pads and tires and such and keeping the wheels true. They usually have little work stations where you can do it yourself and get help if you need it.

[@mxkstfmk]

110% agree with the theft nervousness part. I'm always uber nervous any time I have my pretty bike in the public eye..

[@halu959986]

Hanks reaction at the end was beautiful. I hope Ollys behaviour wasnt scripted as that's pure class. (And proves a very valid point)

[@Maxwaehrens]

He "forgot" his backpack so that most likely was scripted.

[@halu959986]

@@Maxwaehrens I agree, but they've also poured clear water claiming it was tea😅, so it might just be a production thing (but yes, almost certainly scripted)

[@MrBJPitt]

Could have been ad lib, original script could have him leaving while Hank talks to camera. No reason he had to leave for real. But it certainly highlights the issue of riding a bike for commuting to save money. A stolen bike can punch a bike hole in the budget.

[@tobingj]

Yes. Loved the cheeky ending. Sit outside but you can't always watch it. Tone of Hank implies it was ad-lib and physical reaction to almost run after the bike before acknowledges it is his mate.

[@robbchastain3036]

GCN features such as this are like a soap opera, and we know soap operas are real. So stay tuned and don't touch that dial.

[@dennisvanderkuylen669]

I always bike to work (around 15k), but almost never use my Canyon Aeroad to get me there. There isn’t a safe spot to put my bike (nor are there any showers). Occasionally I get the Canyon out, and I put it next to my desk (frowned upon in general, unless by fellow cyclists). When I do so however, I find that I am only able to shave a few minutes of my commute, which is broken up by traffic lights every 2k. Since the wait for the ‘ready-set-go’-green is so long, you’re barely able to make big improvements, even versus the fairly ‘leisure’-style riding some other cyclists have, we al get stranded at the same traffic lights. My other bike is great for commuting and still pretty fast, and I don’t have to worry as much about it being stolen. Also, not having to change into lycra and having cycled at a steady pace is quite pleasing. I now only bring my aeroad to work when I go for a ride with some mates after.

[@gcn]

At least you can do some great cyclo-cross start drills at all those lights!

[@gearmonkey]

This is exactly me as well. (though my fancy carbon isn't a Canyon). I do 14k in Central London each way, lights every few hundred metres with a couple exceptions, very little room to get much out of the nicer bike

[@ethositachi]

Same situation for me. Got an Aeroad for the weekend, during the week I commute on a gravel bike with a rack and Basket on the back to hold my stuff. I try and use the commutes and recovery rides, but occasionally I'll get ambitious and pass roadies who then try to race. The other day I passed a roadie and held it at 40 kph for the last 2 km home, absolutely full gas for me, emptied the tank, he got to sit on my wheel and seemed pretty surprised that a dude in sneakers and a business shirt was doing that on a bike with a basket :)

[@andrewnorris5415]

Plus the aero position of the more expensive bikes is not safe to see clearly on a commute into a city/town. You need a more upright position to see peds stepping out, doors opening, cars over running junctions.

[@nazcaman]

Didn't mention the extra time washing your superbike after every ride...

[@gcn]

Yeah, true... that would be an extra 5! 🤣

[@philt6725]

I commute on a 1989 Kona fire mountain fitted out with panniers for all my stuff. I don't get a sweaty back and I still think it's fun to ride. It's super comfy, absolutely bomb proof, plus a heavy bike is a better workout so I get fitter.

[@ronwhite8503]

Don't tell everyone! I have a Lava Dome and a Cinder Cone steelies and they are cracking. I've put drops bars on them, turned one into a cruiser and am always playing with them(!). Light, versatile, cheap and yes steel is real. Both keepers.

[@andrewnorris5415]

Can get quality old school 26r mtbs for next to nothing, often in very good condition. My rock lobster cost £90. 853 steel frame that today would cost £500 for the frame alone. It's really comfy. UN52 bottom brackets £10 - last years even in Uk conditions. Get far more deals on components. I got a super high quality 1.1 8th headset for £20 (reduced from £100) that should last 10 years or more! mt35 26inch wheels with discs for next to nothing! Chain rings are deore, and being steel they last longer than all the super expensive ali stuff. And so on.

[@andrewnorris5415]

And I don't worry about it being nicked even in the city. i got a good quality abus u lock for £50 (reduced from £100). It's total freedom and nothing to worry about. No repayments. Just as a bike should be !

[@BikesNBeers]

Best ending ever! You can spot the genuine fear for a split second 😆

[@MrBJPitt]

Yep, that split second "oh shite" moment you get when you look and your bike is gone! The worst feeling.

[@scarts777]

Ah yes, time to bring my Cervelo S5 with Sram red eTap to school.

[@rossc7006]

My biggest concern since getting eTap is some prick stealing my batteries.

[@jawzdu5549]

Darth Father why stop there? Just take the whole bike

[@sygon296]

@@jawzdu5549 the frame and wheels are locked, so i'll just help myself with the groupset, cockpit, saddle, and crankset. Thank you very much for the donation!!!

[@ronaldevangelista4007]

Super Bike to work: try not to walk home challenge

[@pabloscope]

Hank going full gas, screaming "woohoo", as the indication on the floor of the road is SLOW. Love it.

[@woozertoo]

Should've given a cheap multi-speed bike to Hank, to see if he could overcome its weight & aero disadvantages, and have Ollie on the superbike.

[@EclecticStuffs]

There should be a later sequel, round 2. As already mentioned by other comments, a single speed compared to a costly high tech, electric shifting super bike? That is 'apples to oranges'. The cheap bike should have been multi-speed equipped. Even with basic derailleurs, the maintenance is still very low cost. Also, the 'cheap' bike should have had toe straps on the pedals! Entertaining & informative and I do enjoy GCN's creativity & variations of 'this Vs that' themes.

[@brighta7815]

Same thing I thought of when I watched him purchase the bike.... I thought they were going to do some upgrades on the cheap bike but they left it as it was... So there was no way the cheap bike was gonna have any advantage.... Do some upgrades on that cheap bike and then do this video again....😁😉

[@IanPayne]

"Cost of cycling per year about £200" Don't tell my wife I can get away with only spending that on bike parts!

[@soundninja99]

@@s.9075 Did the wife catch on?

[@rossc7006]

@@s.9075 I have a guy at work that gets his drone and bike parts delivered to work for this very reason.

[@nstrug]

My wife has always refused to tell me how much her vintage Rickenbacker 4001 cost. She’s never asked me how much my bike cost (a lot less I’m guessing...).

[@mikeainsworth4504]

That was just irresponsible putting things like that on a video that my wife can see. How’s a chap going to maintain his platinum discount on Wiggle for just £200 a year?

[@patrickverhey9264]

when I die, my biggest fear is that my wife sells my cycling gear for what I told her it is worth.....

[@jamesbrowning9309]

Great to see some love for the singlespeed commuter. Been riding my fixed to work everyday for the last 9 years, about 25000km, so far it's only needed a new set of rims, 1 set of tires, some brake pads and a £5 chain each year. Cogs are 1/8" steel so will never wear out! Bargain!

[@MrJaree]

Glad u mentioned the theft risk. The cost/year is going to be much higher when the super bike gets stolen. Good video

[@gcn]

Oh yes!

[@dominicfindlay]

'When' Damn you making me scared.

[@sebsoud]

Also if the bike has to be repaired in case of accident... If frame is damaged well, just cry :-D

[@orense58]

A commuting bike requires: WD-40, tirepressure and one service per year and no worries great video GCN!

[@myownsite]

WD-40 is not a lubricant my friend.

[@charliewhiskey8440]

@@myownsite but it works just fine for commute length rides.

[@myownsite]

@@charliewhiskey8440 what does the ride length matter? It's the wrong tool for the job, it's decent for cleaning but it's not like chain oil is hard to come by.

[@2andrewblack]

​@@charliewhiskey8440for winter commuting, WD-40 works in a pinch just to get the nasty off the chain. But something like Finish Line 1-Step is better (it has a little lube in it).

[@charliewhiskey8440]

Lots of people keep parroting it doesn't work but I'm not sure whether you're really speaking from experience. I'm been using the stuff for a while (and other expensive stuff before). I'm sure it's not "the best in absolute performance" or "lasts the longest per application" but it is pretty good at "cost over time" and "time efficient" especially with that straw applicator.

[@miljanstojiljkovic1782]

Hank with the weirdest gear choices of all time

[@dzonibravo7867]

U kom minutu?

[@denizbaklac9493]

Happy to hear that I am not the only one who has noticed the horrible cross chain use of the DI2.

[@fgabrieltomas]

Cheap electric commuter bike vs the super bike..

[@tech4pros1]

I love sailing on past lycra wearers on multi £k carbon framed road bikes with my sloppy homebuilt electric bike, while 'pedaling' and laughing like a maniac :D

[@sitanhuang9402]

Cheap c 4 cylinder car vs a super bike that costs more

[@elevenkdb]

One of my favorite GCN videos. Cheers to whomever came up with the bike stealing gag at the end. Well done!

[@SashaTromsa]

I mean, it's a hell of a bike for the money: Sugino Messangers, Gatorskins, looks like decent bars... That's a steal!

[@andrewnorris5415]

Amazing the deals can get second hand.

[@mowatettorre7193]

I've used both, but the cheap bike is set up for max comfort with the bars, tape, tires. Then I dont have to be so careful of the road condition either. And a heavy pack, miserable on the best bike. Also I dont want to be sweaty and tired when I get to work so why race there.

[@Jayneflakes]

I used to commute from Bath to Bristol for work and trust me, that is a drudge of a route in the winter. Some days the train was so much nicer than riding in poor weather, but it cost me £400 a month for a rail card even back in the early 2000s. That was when the railway was at its worst though, the line collapsed at Keynsham, the trains were always late and the carriages were so full at the end of the day that I would have to stand up if I could even get on my train. The beauty of the bike commute was riding home in under 90 minutes. Commuting by public transport took so much longer because I needed to catch the bus to the railway station, which added another thirty minutes. The cyclepath there was joyous, until on parts of it, it became common to have difficulties with angry locals who enjoyed tormenting cyclists. If I had to do it these days, I would consider an e-Bike or even my motorbike rather than dreadful public transport.

[@gcn]

We're very lucky to have it!

[@malcyates]

20+km commute with a pack that size. Not the comfiest. Single speed means more sweat, so you'd need a shower at work, no question ! But - support your local bike recycler 😊

[@niss63]

This is a favorite video by GCN. Maybe not the most technical, or even the most informative, compared to your other videos, but the banter and camaraderie was enjoyable to watch.

[@ylblick]

Should have been a bike with gears, really needed two similar style drive trains.

[@ernavill3261]

Not really, bikes with gears cost much more; even a new 'normal/regular' city bike with only 3 or 7 gears costs a few hundred euros more than one without gears. So testing a cheap bike with gears is much more unrealistic. And a super bike without gears is not a super bike.

[@ygtcbee23]

Olie nick'd your bike mate! Hilarious to see Hank catching him whilst riding the budget bike

[@cllris]

If you can afford a super bike, you can afford a cheap/decent commuter. The main things for me on a commuter are proper mudguards, easy to maintain and potentially somewhere for luggage something I wouldn't stress about if it got nicked (gives you more post work flexibility of you fancy going for a pint somewhere. Why I commute on a single speed, also the added bonus of it a being a nice bit of daily training. Keep the nice bikes for after work and weekends. Basically pub bike/commuter.

[@TimFitzwater]

I commented elsewhere that you can build up a decent vintage steel frame with something like 105 2x9 for around $200. Throw a decent wheelset you have laying around on it and you have a great bike that you don't have to be paranoid about.

[@cllris]

@@TimFitzwater most bikes guys know your commuter is usually a Frankenstein of bike shit you've collected over the years!

[@TimFitzwater]

@@cllris Exactly!

[@PedigreeMonkey]

Very entertaining. Great fun for me watching Olli and James present. One clearly notices all the fun they had doing the video. It´s nicely narrated ( I specially like the ending), graphics and paints have proper context and are even funny ( Is this really Daniels car?). The camera work is done quite well, especially the riding shots ( I like the slowmo details even more though ^^). The edit is quite pro, nice rythm, fluent cuts. Good music choice, also …. You´re really improving your production skills steadily. I really appreciate that! Can´t wait to see more from you!

[@chasc2389]

Lots of variables but great fun to watch. I'm curious to learn more about the new frame material Hank's bike is made of at 45secs. Hank said its made of 'carbinumfibre' which sounds brilliant and strong and light. What were you both carrying in those MAHOOSIVE rucksacks??

[@colinthompson5881]

Great film, good fun and makes a good point. I never use my best road bike to commute, but a nice spec commuter does make the daily grind more fun

[@BikeLifewithRob]

Interesting, next time let’s pick a geared cheap bike vs the geared super bike.

[@iberiksoderblom]

Ollie taking the Orbea wasn't agreed beforehand 😁😁😁 But... !!! A commute bike with the right geometry and set up as close as possible to mimic the carbon racemaschine, delivers a fantastic training. You need less aero and a heavier weight on the training bike. It adds a lot. If Ollies had been a 5 to 10 speed, it would have been perfect.

[@Boopop1024]

As much as I like riding my summer bike to work, there's a lot to be said for having a pannier rack rather than a backpack. Riding 9 miles each way with a backpack isn't great.

[@Boopop1024]

That's said, there's also something to be said for smashing it home on the summer bike on a Friday afternoon at full gas! :D

[@robbchastain3036]

Panniers all the way. All that weight on your back is a drag, plus you can't easily look over your shoulder.

[@SteveHill68K]

Never thought I'd see Bristol's Turbo Island in a GCN video. :D

[@theweirdlookingcat8062]

At least get one with gears to make a decent comparison.

[@robbchastain3036]

I enjoy commuting on a bike which cost me little to purchase and little to maintain, and I enjoy treating it right because it treats me right. And it provides a cheap thrill when I get overtaken by a serious dude who mistakes me for a kook. O how that thrills my soul. And my youth returns. It's like chasing mopeds in Frankfurt when I was a high schooler in the Seventies. I can't catch them with any regularity, of course, but sometimes, O yes, O yes indeed, I become a friend in need, in need of just a little more speed, and my commuter bike responds to the chase, panniers flapping in the breeze. And I'm okay with being a kook on a cheap bike. It's quite fun, actually.

[@richaw6689]

I'm seriously thinking of jacking in the motor for everyday commuting. They've just built a new secure bike store where I work, so vids like this are a great encouragement.. don't take your eye off your bike Hank.. specially with Mr Bridgewood around!

[@gcn]

Do it Rich, the best way to start the day!

[@bobbyhempel1513]

A single speed vs a multi gear bike is not a fair comparison.

[@FlyLopez1991]

I got a old school CCM Falcon Grey and Yellow Mountain bike such a beast !!

[@kimhansen8615]

Ha! My commuter bike is an old ladies (Grandma style) bike about 20Kg. Works great and very good training...

[@ebayfield]

A cheap project bike is good to have for when the weather turns bad. Much cheaper to maintain; easily pays for itself. Use the superbike for good weather only.

[@stinkypete3900]

I'd love to see the times when Hank was on the cheap bike and Ollie on the superbike

[@TheSpaceBrosShow]

Single speed bikes are very viable low maintenance commuters. Great comparison!

[@gibbins1982]

How did I miss these guys filming right outside my house?

[@gcn]

😭

[@peterwitama]

love the ending! hahaha.. greetings from Indonesia. I was looking for a new bike and GCN is really helpful for me to decide which bike I should get. Really fun videos, informative and thorough explanations about all the things I need to know. Super nice channel!

[@danslinky]

Heading south on Prince Street, ok, then east on The Grove 🤔

[@danslinky]

Also, the map route overlay is completely different to the video. According to the route, you didn't even go through the city centre as the video shows.

[@mmmMarkyyyy]

That ending was hilarious!

[@cjunpro_official5054]

Dang you can actually see the extra effort! Godbless you both from the PH

[@thephantom9227]

I'm using Polygon Helios C3 with few upgrade to commute and very happy with it.

[@davidfinn9828]

Ollie well used to single speed bike after doing "how hard used cycling be vlog", 🤣🤣

[@TheCârtiță]

My comuting with my roadbike, not a race one but a pretty light aluminium with carbon fork helps me kill almost 30 mins comparing taking the bus, also i usually wait the buss in front of the destination.

[@pobg]

I have a thousand euro Scott speedster and it a a super bike (to me) thanks for this vid guys. Great work. Ollie is the king of the feature video.

[@gcn]

Hell yes! Cheers pobg

[@jonhh6918]

Now let’s see what happens when Ollie ride the super bike to Bristol and Hank ends up riding the cheap bike back to Bristol. 🤔

[@Bob_Shy_132]

He's got your bike AND he's going on vacation! Honestly, I did it like Ollie did for years. A 32 lb mountain bike during the week and then on the weekends, went racing or riding the trails on my 24lb fancy bike. Pedalling the fancy bike was like being on vacation!

[@two-eyedRoy]

I went for the one ring to rule them all and split the difference for mine going for the cross/gravel bike option. 125km/wk commute and same again of a weekend. No complaints, though we've some pretty 2nd rate bike paths where even with 28mm tyres, 35-40s at >60psi would be prime. A query of the vid though... 3rd option: internal hub gearing? They're up around 8spd now, I don't have experience with them so wondering what's their endurance/wear like?

[@theguzziman]

I love single speed riding in that sort of environment.

[@EndUser-yu7gg]

Biggest point right on the head ... a bike so expensive you cannot do anything but go to and from work with it ... ofcourse that is assuming a thief is camping exactly where you go on the day you choose to stop.. if you don't do so regularly you are probably still plenty safe ... its totally sad you have to work so hard to protect something you work so hard to pay for from someone who would rather take yours than get their own! ... i feel that way with my ebike i just bought ... its a premium model $$$ but i love it and the 20 minutes each way it takes off my average 40 mile pedal commute

[@K-sp]

195 quid for a bike with a track-frame, Sugino cranks/chainring and new Gatorskin tires? As if...

[@nadeemafzal8984]

Very good - ! My question is about the time difference if the cheaper bike werent single speed - and would perhaps counter those Bath Bristol hills a bit easier which would be the middle ground between a high end bike and cheap bike. For me 'older guy' I find luxury in a comfy upright bike - I started off with electric (i would never have started biking if it hadnt been for the electric) and moving on to mix and match with a gears non e bike --- my boring bike story Lovely video ...

[@Cliffjumper]

I feel so slow, I been cycling for a couple months and I average 13-15 mph on a 7 speed Cervelo P3 Carbon with drop bars, and short stem. (17.5 lbs with lights and flat pedals.)

[@gibbins1982]

Just keep cycling and you'll get faster :)

[@Lillee1969]

There are three ways to get faster, ride your bike, ride your bike and ride your bike 😄

[@andrewnorris5415]

Have fast days where you sprint hard. And more days off to begin with.

[@Cliffjumper]

@@andrewnorris5415 thanks for the support. I'm making slow progress. I can only hold 20 for maybe 5 miles.

[@averyhillroad235]

Re bikes attracting attention: I bought a v. cheap bike from the internet to use as a shopping bike. I removed the fancy stickers to make it look even more cheaper. The first time I used it I exited the shop to find a group of teenagers surrounding this bike, saying what a great cycle it was and could they ride it. Since then I now use a race cycle with campag equipment, Fulcrum wheels, carbon bars etc. The only interest I received was from an ex pro racer who lives around the corner from me!!!!

[@petinka721]

Ollie and James! What a dynamic duo :)

[@HikariNora006]

I ride on my Bianchi Impulso Allroad but the good thing about my work is that all of our bikes are under security cameras indoors and I have insurance. I’d rather be comfortable on the bike I’m used to

[@mortimersnerd8044]

Nobody in their right mind would ever choose to commute with a back pack, and mudguards are also as essential as a carrier for commuting. Perhaps you guys should have asked for some advice at the co-op about selecting a functional bike, and a bespoke randonneur/porteur would have been the right choice for the superbike here.

[@sullivanseanp]

I literally did the same thing in October here in the states. $200 used single speed from a local non-profit. I've put like 600 miles on it as my only bicycle and it's been a lot of fun. I've never ridden a fancy bicycle so i don't know what i'm missing!

[@jimmynich4791]

"No bike lock in the world is going to stop a determined thief from nicking your bike." Never a truer word spoken, you have to be really on your guard with your bike. I got a cheap tracker on my bike, it works well but needs charging once a week and I got it on the bike register as well.

[@maytersandwich]

Duracell Bunny???

[@playandteach]

From an old battery ad. The toy bunny with duracell batteries just keeps on and on while the others fade and die.

[@Bluemoon_19]

I used to cycle 6 miles to work and back for 2 years (about 6 years ago this was) before I got a car and it was awful for the most part. When you get up at 5am in the middle of winter and all you can hear outside is wind and rain its not fun. Then once I got to work I had 2 options for my waterproof gear 1, leave it out on the pegs in the locker room for the agency staff to steal or 2, put it in my tiny cube locker and it still be damp and stinking horrible by home time. I much prefer to drive to work(don't have to now only live down the road from work) and save the riding for the weekends and a ride out after work if the weather is good.

[@rossc7006]

Seeing all of these comments about parking outside makes me appreciate being able to take mine into work with me. Hell, I even take the long way to the bathroom to be able to check on it at a 10 employee company.

[@gcn]

Yeah we're super lucky too, often take it for granted!

[@leorose2680]

Enjoyed the video but miles per hour would be great. Bristol and Bath were both in England last time I checked and the road speed limits are still in mph.

[@Pratalax]

James and Ollie look like a before and after image. Who's who and what happened i'll leave you to decide.

[@caroldefaria3534]

Just love these guys and this channel🥰 great battle, btw😁

[@benstanden8784]

I have a dedicated commuter bike for getting to and from work a Whyte Wessex with a set of 47mm aero wheels. On my commute, which is 15 miles of country roads, it's way faster than a cheap bike! I wouldn't use my best bike to commute though, due to the high wear from commuting (and that I can't fit mudguards to my best bike) - I also wouldn't want to commute of 62mm aero wheels and 25mm tyres!

[@appleshampoo324]

I ride a minty 30 year old concorde mistral that i bought for 100 euro. It's 9kg and might not be the lightest but it so much fun to ride a steel vintage bike.

[@andrewnorris5415]

Quality old steel bikes are cheap. And give a quality ride feel. New bikes focus too much on weight and not enough on a fun or comfy ride. How does the weight of the bike matter when if you lose a stone in body weight you save 6kg!

[@amykalton6673]

Always commute on a track bike with short cranks and a fixed gear - most fun I’ve ever had on a bike

[@Radiokot42]

As for me, in commuting to work comfort is more valuable than a speed. While commuting I don't wear uniform and don't ride fast so when I come to work I'm not tired and sweaty and I only change my shorts (big wet spot appears no matter how fast I'm riding 😄) But I know that sweating and smelling are very individual so I'm just sharing my experience

[@EbrahimJohnson]

You're kit is smashing! Where can i get one? Top and pants

[@piano0b]

8:20 exactly, that's why my daily bike weighs 15-16kg... i use a trelock 500 as a training weight/lock

[@mikstratok]

I think that a commuter bike and a sports bike need to be completely different machines to be effective at what they are trying to do. My commuter bike has an aluminum frame, with front and seatpost suspensions, mud guards, a kick stand, a rohloff speedhub hub gear, a custom 3d printed fully encolsing chain guard, a wheel dynamo plus automatic lights, all sorts of reflectors everywhere, as well as a basket on the rack, paniers, and a ball socket for attaching my bike trailer should I need it, always keep some tools and rain gear on the frame bag. A couple months ago I eventually caved in and added a torque sensing mid drive conversion ebike kit to it after they temporarily shut down the gym and showers at work due to corona. Needless to say, this is a heavy bike... I need to set the pedal assist to about +30% to go as fast as my sports bike. If I had to describe it in 3 words: Sturdy, reliable, comfortable. Worth noting, that I don't ever have to carry it more than a single set of stairs... My precious carbon bike is a completely different machine: much lighter, more efficient, waaaay more agile and it feels more connected to the road... way more fun for a weekend ride with some pals, but would I take my workstation laptop on a backpack and get a watermelon on my way back from work? most likely not. Curiously though, the commuter bike ended up being more expensive than my sports bike, thank the rohloff hub gear for that... but honestly, for a commuter bike a hub gear is just much better than any derailer, especially through the winter.

[@michaelb1761]

I ride my best bike to work, but it isn't a carbon fiber frame Orbea aero bike. I ride a relaxed geometry titanium frame road bike with older Avid mechanical disc brakes and older Ultegra drive train. I still wouldn't ride it to work, except I can bring it into my office when I get to work where I know it will be safe. This allows me to go on rides after work or even before work, if I get up early. It costs me about 5 minutes versus driving, but undoubtedly would save me a lot of time versus public transport.

[@markcalway4701]

Excellent video, I lived in Trowbridge and commuted to Bath, first on an old Raleigh racing bike then on a Bianchi d2 triathlon bike. It was 10 minutes faster, but servicing every couple of months was about 80, I used gatorskin tyres and they lasted around 2 weeks more than cheaper ones and needed changing every 6 weeks. Waterproofs were essential as even sunny days seemed to turn to wet ones. These would last around a year. Lastly councils didn't look after the roads and in Wiltshire particularly there aren't any decent cycle routes so you end up with extra repairs and losing things like lights that are shaken up by poor surfaces. All in all it saves a fortune realistically around 100 miles a week was costing about £1000 a year on the bianchi. That said the roads are so dangerous in Wiltshire with no cycle lanes on the roads that if you do it long enough you will eventually be knocked off and that could cost you far more. It is even more likely when you are on a bike that can do 20 to 40mph

[@gearmonkey]

I'm mostly just impressed (or maybe horrified?) that both James and Ollie choose do rides of that length with a backpack. cheap bike with a massive saddlebag >>> super bike with a backpack

[@dmitrysatalkin3480]

They care more about fashion and current marketing trends. Smart saddle bag can look sexy. It's a funny but stupid show to make you buy a Sram group set even though the whole episode was about Tullio Campagnolo. Not to mention that some of their performers wasn't able to pronounce "compagnolo".

[@Astrolavista]

I estimate that about 20 bikes get stolen from my place of work each year so I wouldn't dare spend more than 3 to 400 on a commuter bike. My current commuter is a 139 quid ebay hybrid. It's heavy and doesn't stop very well, but it probably wont get stolen with two D locks on it :)

[@ladamyre1]

I put 20 miles a day on my 1979 Schwinn Le Tour 10 speed and love every minute. Running $15 Serfas SECA tyres with thorn resistant inner tubes at 100 psi (I live in Florida, thorn capital of the world), I wonder if your superbike would make that much difference over my sweet piece of kit. I was gifted the vintage bike by an old woman who had it out in the back yard for who knows how long: the chain was rusted solid and could be used as a bludgeon. I've rebuilt the whole bike and for less than the 195 pounds you spent on that single speed *POS!* I get the formulae for your show guys, it's a very old idea that goes back to the 1980's. It's "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" for cyclists: showing off the latest and most expensive "stuff". I'm not impressed. I won't be paying $4000 for a bike, let alone $10,000. My Le Tour weighs two stone (I weigh about 15) and there's times I've pissed the difference between it and your carbon fiber wonder-bikes weight. lol

[@matyourin]

I'd clearly prefer the 5000 coffees...

[@rodrigomoriki]

Great video, guys! Fun to watch!

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Continental gatorskins all the way!

[@Mjayson]

Hank's reaction.. lol 😂

[@kamucho]

That project bike was awesome for £195!!

[@gee.el7]

*One thing i hate in single gear bikes that when you sprint there is a 60% that your chain will be slipped out of your outer rear gear*

[@gee.el7]

@@SEX_ON_DRUGS ok thabks m8

[@kylecouture1917]

When factoring in the cost of using vehicles like cars. You cant factor in the price of gas if you are going to ignore the cost of extra food you will need to ride your bike. Its still "fuel." So that 200 probably turns to 500-600 with the extra food you need to eat a year.

[@peeweepierce5798]

Nice video. I bike to work with paniers but quite like the look of the bags you guys are using. Can you tell me the maker please?

[@alex-h.]

How do you guys film these videos? Makes me wonder..

[@Norm0770]

Hank focuses on how much more fun the superbike is, but with chronic back problems wearing a backpack or messenger bag is no fun for me. My commuter bike is a single-speed that has a rack and panniers, something you can't put on a superbike. Also what is more fun than passing other riders doing their afternoon workout whist riding a bike with panniers on it?