EQUINOX - BICYCLE(1989)

This is a documentary about the history and the science of the bicycle.
GB. Channel 4.

[@madeinuk68]

I have ridden my bikes almost every day,since I got my Raleigh Chopper in 1977,and I can honestly say that it is the only thing that has kept me from suicide. The world seems to be in a massive hurry,to get nowhere fast. I think a lot of adults today think that bikes are for kids,or people that can't afford a car. When in fact it is probably the greatest invention in transportation ever. It is remarkably simple,but at the same time incredibly ingenious in its design. It is a machine that is great for the body and the mind alike. This was a fascinating documentary. I would love to have been an apprentice of the three guys building the frames in the UK.

[@johnthompson9602]

Keep riding. When the world falls around you, the bicycle is there for you. Forever !

[@atexnik]

So true!

[@magnumllama400]

@@johnthompson9602 G J Real

[@edgarbeat275]

100 % Agree the most wondrous invention. I'm 37 have owned 350 plus bikes various types. I have ridden recumbent, recumbent trike, racing trike, vintage Pennty farthing and bikes pulled out of skips discarded. I collect vintage but I also have a gorgious 1980s Denton mountain bike. Old school hubs and wide wheels. One of my goals in life is to one day build my own frame the old school way. I took my Denton to a modern bike shop in inerleithan Scotland expecting to have the piss taken but the mechanics father worked in the Factory at Newcastle and was chuffed to see one. I never knew they were made in UK I treasure my bike as the local mechanic where I live taught me bike maintenance and where I bought the Denton died of cancer would keep old vintage stuff aside for me and I'd buy. I miss him and the bike reminds me of him.

[@danieljones3955]

Spot on I’m not religious but a good 3 hrs on a bike in the mountains where I live is the best form of medicine controls my anxiety and puts your mind in a state of peace I’ve had bikes since 1984 as a kid

[@stevezodiac491]

I rode ( raced ) to work for 25 years in all weather, 35 miles a day, 5 days a week. I am retired now and still train and race doing time trials at 62. This year I came first over 60 and third overall first claim member scratch of any age, in my cycling club's evening series of races and put my current fitness down to the years I battled to work. I do not know anybody my age who is as fit and healthy and see nearly all of my mates (who are still with us) now suffering with what I call lifestyle diseases. Cycling keeps you fit, healthy, sane and most importantly alive.

[@DavidStandard]

Thank you so much for sharing - I am the chap join the black 'NESS" kit throughout - on the front at 35:00 - I have been looking for this for 20 years - in tears watching it. Thank you!

[@123oner]

Wow, amazing. What are you riding?

[@PeowPeowPeowLasers]

A proper documentary, made in an age where producers and directors didn't rely on music and fancy editing to make the subject matter more interesting. Just as the old frame builders took their time, so did the people who made this. What a fantastic programme.

[@eekamouseman]

well said..

[@franciscasalazar5108]

"didn't rely on music"... Did not you enjoy all tht exquisite opera and classical music? I did!

[@pyramidion5911]

Lay off the 'member berries

[@krishnan-resurrection714]

@@franciscasalazar5108 ..beats 'Rap' music any day of the week .....

[@SuperOlds88]

Couldn't agree more. Plus they show content in a relaxing way where the frame doesnt change from scene to scene every 2 seconds.

[@jpguthrie6669]

Ah, 1989. I was working in a bicycle shop (and was therefore living in poverty), and watching Greg Lemond on television. I was in sunny Southern California, riding on the coast, the hills, and the deserts, and having a wonderful time. Today I am watching this video while cleaning and adjusting my Moulten after enjoying a 10 mile ride (I had t cut the ride short due to the weather). The bicycle is the reason why I am not overweight in my middle age, and why my blood pressure today is the same as when I was 18.

[@James-zb8vs]

as a bike mechanic for over 30 years i find this fasinating its not just a lifestyle but a way of life.

[@PrivateEyeYiYi]

I sorta knew how a billet of steel was turned into seamless bike tubing, but this documentary actually shows the process being done in a Columbus factory. Incredible!

[@kottelkannim4919]

2021 update: Campagnolo is probably thriving in an age of shortage in bike components. Columbus tubing still manufactures tubes in Milano. Raleigh no longer manufactures bicycles in the UK.

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Testimony to the quality of this episode, my obsession with bikes and the fact that I've probably watched it about ten times, I found myself speaking along with some of the narrative ....word for word, with a silly smile on my face :-)

[@MrPhotodoc]

This explains everything about why I love bicycles. Greetings from USA.

[@markhancock7527]

been looking for this for years remember watching it in the eighties,thanks classic film.

[@petesmitt]

Equinox made great documentaries.. the 2CV doco they did is terrific.

[@literallyanythingelseother]

honestly one of the coolest bike documentaries/movies I've ever seen. Sad to see this loss of craftsmanship in cycling especially as a young bike mechanic.

[@petesmitt]

Hand made is too expensive and time consuming for mass production.

[@krishnan-resurrection714]

..now its throwaway crap produced in china or Taiwan ....some of the stuff they are allowed to sell ...-iits a disgrace ....

[@buzzardsbass1137]

A car can go down the road smoking like a pig but a bicycle has to be perfect~! And it is the perfect form of transportation. I'm 60 years old; a mechanic my entire life; I've built everything from motorcycles tgo aircraft; but I'd still like to spend some time learning from these guys in Britain. It's really almost a crime that the factories shut down and bikes are mostly built in Asian countries.

[@petesmitt]

I have a 90's Taiwanese built frame made from Tange Japanese made CRMO tubing.. it is superb, whereas the rubbish coming out of China doesn't compare; stating 'Asian countries' is a faulty generalisation.

[@robertdewar1752]

Thanks for posting this. I saw it when it was first aired, and taped it. I almost wore the tape out watching it. Haven't seen it for years, it is still one of the best bicycle documentaries out there.

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Same here :-) I was talking along with some of it.

[@guynorris4439]

First time I’ve seen this since the day it first aired. I’ve been trying to find it for a while and I believe it was shown straight after Lemond won the tour by 8 seconds over Fignon (might need to check that - it was over 30 years ago!). It’s a beautiful snap-shot of the transitioning of cycling as an industry, sport, transport and leisure activity at the time. Thanks Fixie.

[@TheSoulTwins]

Correct - this was first shown immediately after the final stage of the 1989 Tour De France (Lemond's epic defeat of Laurent Fignon by 8 secs) on Channel 4. In my opinion, it is one of the best ever documentaries on cycling/bicycles - although I still don't understand why architecture (in the person of Norman Foster) was used as a metaphor. (bicycles are pure engineering). Incidentally, the Cinelli TT bike so poetically lauded by Foster in the conclusion actually 'failed' during the Olympics!

[@murphylhunn]

Born in Kent, CT, USA, raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, proud framebuilder and mechanic, thanks for the upload!

[@hondated]

I remember watching this when it was aired on tv and its been better watching it all these years later. The explanation of how the rear brake bridge has been lowered over the years and watching the pin striping was a treat. Thanks for posting brilliant.

[@dandyhorse1979]

Very inspiring documentary, the time and craftsmanship that goes into these amazing machines

[@ste7193]

When TV was worth watching.

[@GTMarmot]

A visit back in time to 1989 is never bad.

[@cyclingwatercolours]

Superb film, great to watch again......the Cinelli is a work of art

[@dave20thmay]

Good to see this about bikes. Shame that so many industries over here were wasted. There are of course a good many examples of quality things that still remain. One being the Triumph motorcycles, then Brompton and Moulton. Good to see the old BBC Computer being used it the endurance test at the university. But one thing that surprised me, are those chaps on inline wheel skates at 37:54?

[@MechanicalHeart]

that's why i ride and like steel frames

[@ZZZ-0999]

Exactly

[@TheEvilscotsman123]

And then Greame Obree and Chris Boardman came along and changed cycling in Britain forever, not to mention what a bicycle looks like.

[@stevezodiac491]

and then got banned by the UCI.

[@stasysba1]

This was amazing! Film made with taste! Thanks

[@fitzpatrickjohnb]

That was awesome. Thank you for making it available.

[@jthepickle7]

My first frame, in 1974, was a used Cinelli. One might say, "bicycles are deviously clever"

[@AfroPoli]

SImply wonderful. GOOD OLD TIMES.

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

Thank you for a fastenating vidio of the hand braised bicycle. What.a treat! Please save for further study? Thank you entirely!

[@bofustjohnson]

hey Mr Fixie....thanks so much for finding the film, and then sharing it with us....excellent insights start to finish, front to back, side to side, top to bottom....just what I needed to see on a chilly Halloween afternoon...

[@farouk6564]

Amazing documentary thanks for sharing

[@amboroverdecillo8101]

A window to the past. But how they overlooked the Brompton bicycle which existed in London at the time, in 1989, being mass produced even then is really an unfortunate oversight and flaw in this documentary. The original and totally unique Brompton is finally revolutionising cycling today.

[@BaddaBigBoom]

The Brompton as a unique design was eclipsed by the Moulton IMO, even though the latter was separable rather than foldable esp as Moultons, right from the early 70s had full suspension and a design philosophy that they would "grow with you".

[@neilfurby555]

Super...especially the wheel build ! Another wonderful channel 4 documentary, a great series, whatever the topic.

[@david43485]

Thanks for this documentary Monsieur Zoiberg!

[@surfpile9142]

Fantastic documentary. Shwing!

[@GorVala]

Who were the 29 but cracks who not liked this awsome documentary.. ahh back when music had soul and people on screen cared

[@poly_hexamethyl]

This is a really great film. Thanks for posting it!

[@digitalvelvet]

Absolutely awsome.The Taylor brothers are legend.Thank you Sir.

[@gocnogan]

how natural this industry is! definitely my world

[@unixnerd23]

Lovely :-) Remember seeing it on TV.

[@gprinceaszomszedbol8708]

"The bicycle is the only product that is purchased by it's own engine ." Good point there i never thought about it like that . (Approximately at 29:00 )

[@UnivegaSuperSport]

along those lines, it's funny how we phrase activities like "ride a bike" or "drive a car". In reality we DRIVE a bike and we RIDE in a car.

[@dingane]

Bikes were so beautiful back then.

[@Dreadfoool]

20:38 is that an oval chainring? thanks again youtube algorithm recommendation for this amazing documentary! this is so interesting to watch!

[@WillEyedOney]

Still got this on VHS :)

[@stevezodiac491]

Betamax ?

[@WillEyedOney]

Unfortunately not.

[@petesmitt]

@@stevezodiac491 he stated VHS.. clueless troll?

[@BaddaBigBoom]

I remember when I bought my first Campagnolo product (a rear mech) I had the same feeling as I had about thirty years later when I bought my first Leica camera lens. It was like holding something made of Kryptonite, the machining quality of both was like no other ...silky smooth, totally without blemish and extremey precise, it felt like perfect almost alien technology.

[@yakobcdiego]

Watching this terrific documentary now I understand all the work behind our modern rockets and why they has became so costly. What is a shame is inflation and the diminished purchase power of the middle class. You must have really good incomes or save as hell to afford just one. Thank you very much for posting this, as a Colombian is a pleasure to be able to watch this fantastic programme.

[@jasonwyatt1449]

So good - thank you Sir!

[@OffBelay_]

Steel is REAL!

[@ElliotFlowers]

This is really cool. Thanks.

[@Hybridvanguard]

this doc is just brilliant

[@KevinWinklerSpokesnSprockets]

Great Documentary!

[@Ubique2927]

My dad worked at Desford TI Tubes all of his working life producing pipes/tubes for all sorts of things.

[@Montrealcycling]

I'am born in 1989 lol! Such a EPIC video✊️👍🚴🏻

[@petesmitt]

good for you - I'll alert the media.

[@Montrealcycling]

@@petesmitt thank you very much it is very appreciated! Let me know when you alert the media!

[@ChezBolin]

Very nice and interesting documentary!!!

[@taiwarrior1]

Fascinating! Thanks for uploading.

[@andrewprettyquick2070]

40. Ride daily. Sometimes long distance. Still strong, skinny and happy.

[@leduch]

merci mr fixie !

[@Whizzy-jx3qe]

Now it’s e-bikes specifically for commuters in large cities.

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Yep. I was in my 20s when this documentary aired, bought my first mountainbike around 1986 when they were still a novelty. These days I still own and ride a titanium mountainbike from the 1990s that I assembled myself ...and an e-bike :-) ...love the new tech, and the old.

[@peterquest6406]

Can i say this is bl@#dy amazing.totally great!

[@ObamaoZedong]

Haha "the bicycle is no longer capable of rapid development" what a laugh!

[@FassinTaak]

I think what they mean is that the efficiency of the form of what the bike has become is very close to efficient perfection as it is possible to get - that isn't to say that the bike can still develop and evolve, but compare it to the computer mouse - new components, designs and materials but the fundamental concept of it can never 'rapidly develop' as the design is perfect.

[@pyramidion5911]

It really hasn't changed much if you think about it.

[@stevezodiac491]

@@pyramidion5911 nearly exactly the same as the rover safety bicycle.

[@dissolutopunito0408]

Fascinating film. I miss steel bicycles.

[@BaddaBigBoom]

I don't, they weigh a ton. Steel alloys like Reynolds 531 or Columbus, or Tange were much better.

[@MegaJackpot180]

Jack Lauterwasser @41.13 onwards 1928 - Road Records Association 50-mile record, 1hr 54m 47s. He also punctured and lost 3mins. First rider to beat 50 mile paced record. 1928 - Summer Olympics - 160km road race, Silver medal 1928 - Road Records Association 100-mile record, 4h 13m 35s 1928 - Polytechnic CC “Gayler” trophy 12-hour race, covered 240 miles 76 yards. the first rider to exceed 20 mph

[@johns3106]

16:00 It is really too bad that very few bikes are built this way anymore.

[@okantichrist]

Had a Raleigh 653 and a dynatech in the 90’s both nice lightweight frames for that time.

[@c-record]

@49:09 ah... the Cinelli Laser. bravissimo!

[@Montrealcycling]

Nice vidéo very interesting! you should look at Giuseppe Marinoni bike builder since 1974 from Montréal Quebec Canada a LEGEND in Quebec cycling history🚴🏻✊️

[@ZZZ-0999]

Respect

[@joachimmacdonald2702]

I’m not a big fan of how they say the bike isn’t working class, and that it being working class is bad - of course the bike is working class! And that’s great!

[@wangdangdoodie]

Surely the bike is classless?

[@stanjavorsky7151]

beautyfull

[@MasterOfWTF]

21:47 Work of sheer beauty!

[@doktorbimmer]

production of Raleigh Bicycles in the UK ended in 2003

[@francoduville842]

And now where is Made in? Thanks

[@greghall7887]

Taiwan

[@petesmitt]

@@greghall7887 mostly China.

[@adredy]

3:05 today bike like this on street :) this movie is pure gold must be restored ! 28:56 respect for this gentleman;)

[@TheSoulTwins]

Many thanks Mnsr Zoiberg for posting this superb documentary - but is this the complete version? I seem to remember a segment where an engineering professor talks about the near-perfect design of the bicycle. To illustrate this, he is filmed on an air-strip with a bicycle that has had the front fork 'inverted' (in effect, the fork is facing backwards) for stability. Running along he pushes the bike off down the air-strip. The rider-less bike stays perfectly upright for over half a kilometre!

[@PavelSavyhin]

That is another film, I can find you link if you want

[@sauravbasu8805]

​@@PavelSavyhinPlease provide the link, I am curious.

[@javiergomez9970]

Very good. There are also 2 equinox programmes called running to time and trouble on the line. Have you watched those yet?

[@djameshsf]

can anyone identify the music at the end. Stunned by it's beauty,

[@j1mbobable]

"Dove Sono I Bei Momenti" by Gundula Janowitz & Orchester Der Deutschen Oper Berlin & Karl Böhm

[@moaningpheromones]

49:12 track ride position. the 'handstand'.

[@shshankking]

Wao, my first MTB i'm getting next week is Raleigh TERRAIN 10 - 29ER.. Means Jaguar :-D

[@elizabethrussell183]

what is the music. thanks.

[@martynm.449]

Ebikes are great!

[@kanthakathewhite1012]

Totally agree

[@kanthakathewhite1012]

Imagine bringing an Ebike back in time and showing those guys

[@martynm.449]

@@kanthakathewhite1012 Ha! Yes. One with hidden batteries and motors.

[@pintofkimberley]

An interview with GoD, weren't many of them published. Carlton, SBDU & Raleigh lightweight hero.

[@marshalllucky]

when I was there boy I have these raleigh budgies with there columbo tubings :-(

[@javiergomez9970]

There is no doubt in my mind that this was broadcast on July 23rd 1989

[@zacharycat]

Don't see many steel frames in the pace lines these days, mainly plastic looking frames from Taiwan. Light & fast but don't try to repair one.

[@wangdangdoodie]

And built by people in countries with, at best, dubious human rights records.

[@jimjam6958]

No mention of recumbents

[@Handletaken4]

I imported Bob Jackson Bicycles for 5 years. Sadly, England does not have a trade agreement with the USA and every frameset I imported was socked with a $150 fee. Amazing. Chinese junk comes free.

[@PhilOsGarage]

True, though they are two very different sets of customers. Someone buying a high end bike isn’t looking for a cheap Chinese bike, just as someone buying a cheap commuter isn’t going to buy a hand built bike.

[@javiergomez9970]

Who's the opera singer in the closing credits?

[@IanLanc]

I think its "LE NOZZE DI FIGARO" - Mozart.

[@okantichrist]

ian8354 Mozart wasn’t an opera singer 🤪

[@jb1934]

fascinating to watch this. almost by chance i bought a steel road bike in 1989. It was affordable in part because it was made in Toronto where I lived, yet from a quality Columbus tubeset... something that was only possible because of the boom times referenced here. I became superficially acquainted with a lot of the material in this doc over the next few years, but wIthout ever really understanding it to any great extent. Now decades later, riding has become a lifelong hobby, i still have that first frameset hanging in the garage but the regular bike is Italian, and this doc has pulled together a lot of scattered things I used to know a little bit about.

[@marccarter1350]

Amazing Doc. Was great to see Condor Cycles featured here. I am a very proud own of a Condor. Its the best bike i have ever riden. I am 52, still cycle at an average pace of 17 mph. My Condor does help!

[@MrFixie]

What do you think about that ? brokebik.es/designer-contest/entry/533894712dc814.69328573/#.UziiEvl_s00

[@Montrealcycling]

Mr Fixie love your documentary video bro thanks a lot ✌️So much interesting to learn about cycling history. From Montréal Québec Canada 🇨🇦 thank you mate🚴🏻✊️

[@lindo110]

love a good ride on a bike. forget about the hassle of modern bs.

[@jamdaly329]

bike life!

[@tedwalker1370]

Automobiles are taking way to much of our income. This along with the lack of good exercise is doing an unbelievable amount of damage to our society. Has the automobile become a curse ?

[@bowwowrapha7790]

It always was!!

[@PhilOsGarage]

No, but laziness has.

[@boomshine7]

9:06 amazing steel tubers edit: now i want to ditch my carbon for a steel

[@PhilOsGarage]

Why not have both?

[@michaelinglis567]

Can you imagine a $600/pound custom bike these days lol?! 10:22

[@BaddaBigBoom]

£600 in 1989 is the equivalent of £1500 in 2023 ...you'll have to do the US conversion bit.

[@PhilOsGarage]

@@BaddaBigBoomthat’s still a fraction of what it would cost now, though given the massive array of options for stems, bars, seat posts etc there is less reason to ride a custom frame now, enough adjustability is built in.

[@mo0kthechef]

If you've got upwards of £600 to spend... 😭

[@misanthropickat6167]

I bike therefore I am

[@petesmitt]

Walking is better exercise than cycling.. cycling is not weight bearing and walking is far safer - getting knocked off by other vehicles and crashing/falling off can cause significant injuries, even death; cycling however is superior to walking for commuting, which given the correct infrastructure to separate bicycles from motor vehicle traffic, is quite safe and much quicker.

[@darrenangel461]

Walking is good but bloody boring

[@Dad-Gad]

Walking is just a normal human function and therefore not exercise.

[@peterwallis4288]

@@Dad-Gad hahaha what a weird thing you say. Of course it can be exercise. Walking around a mall, of course not.

[@graememorrison333]

"Virtually standardised throughout the world - virtually all bike components are interchangeable. The bicycle is what is known as a 'mature' product: no longer capable of rapid development...." Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM and carbon fibre: "hold my epoxy..."

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Hahaha :-) ...not to mention monocoque frames.

[@PhilOsGarage]

To a degree, though the vast majority still are for the most part. Steerer tubes are generally standardised so any bar and stem can fit any brand of fork, there are several bb standards, but again, there are huge numbers of options for those, lever clamp side and derailleur thread is standard etc etc. proprietary seat tubes are a pain though, but even they will take any saddle.

[@epicyclo6323]

Is that Jack Lauterwasser at 41:11 to 41:32?