Is A Retro Time Trial Bike Faster Than A Modern Superbike?

[@gcn]

Are there any bikes you'd like to see us put up against a superbike?

[@CuulX]

A tandem velomobile. I don't think any exist but still tandems and velomobiles/streamliners are cool. Or a human powered plane (which exists but still might be harder to get anyways since they can't just be prototyped as easily).

[@AJ-ci4zn]

How about putting the Ribble up against something like a Ridley Kanzo Fast or a Pinarello Grevil? The fastest aero road bike against the fastest aero gravel bike.

[@steveprice9737]

Moulton track bike? They were banned due to thrashing the standard track bikes. I have a 64 Moulton done up for time trials, still fast despite its age ( and mine)

[@SaintGerbilUK]

Well the 10,000 likes have been passed

[@AndreasMic]

You got your 10k likes and more!!! We want to see the lotus bike please 🥰

[@Umut-Sen]

Every time I see Ollie in the thumbnail, I bet there will be humour, and never get disappointed. Well done guys.

[@rjvk1985]

We need more Ollie in our lives!

[@davidpatrick79]

Thanks Mrs Bridgewood 😜

[@emaniez]

They need to feed Ollie he looks like he lost a lot of weight.

[@cdemo1186]

Ollie doesn't look very healthy 😞

[@detolerandisstultorum]

Ollie and the humor, la vache et le ballet. Maybe sarcasm, or moodiness of a lonely middle aged male in a feminist society.

[@douglasbooth6836]

These two guys are great. Nice comparison too. Would be good to see them in a aero tunnel too. We want proper full aero wheels on the new aero bike for the big test against the lotus.

[@jbruner182]

Cheers!! Nice one Douglas

[@aarondcmedia9585]

80's speed blur, screen size and grading are spot on, good job that editor. What a nostalgic clip. Great stuff guys.

[@lucasjw]

The John Tesh backing track!!!! Well played. For those who haven't watched vintage 80s race coverage, broadcasters (at least in the US) thought that cycling was best covered as a montage of scenes backed by 1980s synth pop music.

[@ericpmoss]

I’d love to see a test of that old bike with one upgrade at a time - one ride with just new wider tires and latex tubes on the same rims, one with just narrower bars, one with just better sized cranks, one with shallow rims but fewer, bladed spokes. Do all the individual savings add up to the total difference with all the changes in one go?

[@nickyburnell]

^This

[@Sionnach1601]

Being honest, from real-life experience, I'm beginning to find what GCN is pumping out, harder and harder to swallow. I think the wide handlebars on the Battaglin would have been the chief culprit. Isn't it very interesting that they never once mentioned the fact that steel tubes are very skinny? Interesting that - not one word about it. I think the REAL test would be to put LeMond's '89 TT bike against a modern 'aero' road bike. It still had the supposedly awful steel tubing, but because of its Triathlon bars, they probably wouldn't do it. The skinny steel tubing might be exonerated. We might start affecting the sale of new bikes, and that gentlemen, simply won't do.

[@Sionnach1601]

Actually just checked and saw LeMond's winning '89 bike had a carbon main triangle frame, with steel stays and forks. However, most TT bikes within the next year or two were still steel low-pros, but with the Tri bar, so any one of them would still serve as a valid comparison object. I bet even LeMond's round-tubed carbon frame which he rode the following year in 1990 (also with a Tri bar) would sufficiently outperform a modern 'aero' rode bike. Let us not forget that we are meant to believe that Si on a modern TT bike beat 3 other riders on 'aero' road bikes, with the ONLY real difference being rider position. Now if rider position is so critical (which I believe it is, relatively), then a 1990 steel tubed TT bike with TRI bars would probably compare very well to, OR even beat a 'modern aero' road bike. Again, I don't see that video being featured as it really would not suit the consumerist agenda at play here. Pfft! So much for 'green' concerns: conserving and reusing! God the hypocrisy just chokes.

[@shawnh08]

@@Sionnach1601 Upgrading the wheels/tires on my old steel bikes makes a massive difference, 2nd only to my body position. They spend a lot of time talking about the frame but I mostly agree with you. It really comes down to the riders position #1 and the older tire compound (possibly tire pressure too). LeMonds setup with his aero bars + new low resistance tires slapped on & LeMonds bike would win. Or adding narrow handlebars to bring the riders arms in + tires & it would be much closer. I really want to see retro vs new with the same wheels/tires & the rider in the same position. I really think the gains from a superbike frame won't be nearly as high as many would expect on a flatish time trial.

[@MattRain]

This, 100%

[@Blipthethrottle726r]

Just getting into cycling, my first ride was yesterday and my seat bones are bruised as hell. I’m currently 102kg and looking forward to shifting some timber and making progress in my cycling performance. Live near Bath so it’s really cool watching this channel for some local inspiration. If you wanted to document an overweight newb get in shape with cycling I’d happily embarrass myself for the viewers.

[@ChieffinOnReefer]

Is this normal?

[@roberttell1587]

Love the retro video effects for the time trial bike! Kudos to those behind the camera.

[@Aureas133]

I love retro stuff, always good to see Simon.

[@FlatSpinMan]

Interesting video, especially as I’d just finished GCN+’s documentary “The decade that changed cycling” this morning. That was a really interesting video, and the guy in the bike shop that lent the bike in this video really explained the evolution step by step. Well worth watching.

[@marshallw]

I have a TT bike (Litespeed Sabre) from the year 2000 that I built up as a road bike. I'm not sure how much slower it would be than a modern road bike, but it still feels fast and puts a smile on my face!

[@reginaldscot165]

Trust me, it’s probably faster.

[@crnkspinnr3342]

I still ride my Tachyon with 650c wheelset. Not going to say it's faster but it puts a Big smile on my face.

[@desertrainfrog1691]

All of these differences between road bikes are so incredibly arbitrary outside of a race. Bike manufacturers and their sponsors want to sell us things, it would seem it's working. Don't forget to exchange your 2022 road bike (slow) for a 2023 (fast) next year fellas. Wouldn't want to leave any time on the table.

[@chrisgilligan4968]

@@desertrainfrog1691 lol - for sure there's a lot of that. I do think that there has been progress in bike technology in the last 40 years to make bikes faster and more comfortable (which almost inevitably makes them faster as well). But for the most part it is marginal gains, and marketing mumbo jumbo. If having a cool bike makes you want to ride more - then it's a win....so there's always that.

[@dachlatte8580]

@@desertrainfrog1691 i replaced my 2010 road bike wth a 2021 road bike (same specs, carbon frame, 105) and increased my average speed by 1,5 km/h. that´s pretty significant for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@medeuce]

Yes finally! Lotus vs modern road!!! Also do the track version Lotus with Manon! Always been curious as to the tech of those vs today.

[@andrewg923]

That Ribble is soooo sweet!!

[@emmett1ish]

It may be much slower but that vintage TT bike is gorgeous. The curved tubes, the chrome details, the Campy shift levers all beautiful.

[@henrybikeman]

…and Roche’s original had the beautiful Delta brakes too!

[@simonroebuck7145]

The Ribble was nice, but theres something about old road bikes for me, and that Battaglin is a beauty! But perhaps the biggest technological advancement in the last 35 years is the tech. Power meters/pedals, and computers. Who would of thought it back then. Makes you won where we will be in the next 35 years

[@sepg5084]

Would of?

[@davidmundow1074]

The biggest technological advancement of the last 35 years is the tech(nology)! 😂

[@JSC131]

That Ribble looks something else! i remember Roche riding that TT bike its gorgeous and in my day looked so advanced great video.

[@jopsjosef9414]

Love the retro touches - film quality and ratio, plus synthesized sounds! :D

[@emercxkcorsa]

I love the 80"s style video and music when on the 80"s bike! Hilarious attention to detail. GCN is the best!

[@daxmotis27]

That ribble is amazing.

[@VIEultimate]

I sincerely hope GCN gets to ride the Lotus mentioned at the end not only to compare it to modern aero road bikes, but also to compare it to the hyper bikes featured in earlier videos (e.g., TriRig Omni and Ventum One) to see how UCI-illegal bikes compare across generations.

[@malesu1068]

Reminding me of my first proper bike.. Daccordi Lo Pro with 26" & 700C tubs (Corsa CX's - what a pain trying to get the 26"s) with curved top and double curved seat tube, and also some Profile bars & Tri bars. Groupset was mix of Campag gearing and Shimano brakes :-)

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

I appreciate the old TV quality going on with the old bike. I also appreciate that my joints are 10 years old and also a little still at takeoff, too. 3:06

[@Corkiepie]

Nice video! My godfather set a National 100 mile record in 1969, going under four hours - I’ve always thought it would be great to see how a modern time trialist would get on using a bike of the era, on a course of similar difficulty. By any metric, less than four hours is impressive, but doing that fifty years ago is so impressive.

[@kerbodynamicx472]

Respect to your godfather! I assume cycling back then doesn't have nearly a good experience as now. Race bikes will be uncomfortable, and shifting gears will be rough. I can't even imagine how people cycled through days and nights on heavy and uncomfortable bikes in the first Tour de France.

[@darinsteele7091]

@@kerbodynamicx472 those are the only bikes they had back then, they wouldn't even know what carbon was likely. you can get used to anything, they wouldn't be thinking "damn i wish i had a carbon disc bike from 2022" !!

[@secretagent86]

as a junior in 1973 i did 25 miles in 1 hour 1 minute 50 seconds (came 7th in national competition). we used to read about these blokes breaking the 25 mpg for 50 miles and more and were amazed. but 100 miles? omg respect. gcn had another video somewhere, i think he could knock off 10 percent of his time on modern equipment based on their findings

[@nickacelvn]

You're not wrong.

[@Corkiepie]

@@secretagent86 yeah, Insane! A sub four hour 100 is a good time now! He did it in 3:51:41. That same year he set the 12hr record at 277 miles. I’d be ecstatic if I could manage those times today!

[@drampadreg1386]

I was a bike messenger around 87, and remember chro-mo time trials for about $3200CAD at the time, but they were shorter than that one, and had to have a curve in the seat tube to accommodate the rear wheel coming up closer to shorten the bike and you sat pretty much over the axle so keep spare axle's around! I broke many on my Miyata 310 and was only 145 while working on the bike, down from 190 . I miss being in that shape, but not getting hit by idiots in cars. They also had aero tubing then, not all round. i think it was Renyold's tubing but it was in the 80's so maybe not. They were great in the winter, low to the ground but high maintenance cost.

[@dennisdownes9319]

I'm not even a racer, but in typical GCN fashion, this is such a wicked cool video!! Well done!! DD

[@Skyum123]

That ribble is beautiful! Even the paint is insanely good looking!

[@zoo2263]

I just bought one in that colour after seeing it on here, stunning colour.

[@duncanhamilton5841]

I live on the coast, and my commute is along the seafront... on a Brompton... with headwinds up to 40mph... and I'm 6'4" Puppy paws on Brompton S-bar is sometimes the only way of achieving forward motion. However, counter intuitively, taking the bag off the front usually makes no difference and in some cases slow me down as my legs become the first thing making a hole in the air, and they're moving (anything moving is bad for aero). So the spoiler bars make perfect sense.

[@JackY-pu5nh]

All my favorite cycling heroes are from the 80s, except for Eddie Merckx, seeing one of these retro bikes is just like visiting an old friend. I also own one of them, I just love them so much!

[@briandavid1355]

Legend s . Love being part of this family. Riders united.

[@jbruner182]

Always appreciate your guys' (your editors, your team!) choice of music, been watching GCN every week since 2015... todays video is GREAT! Love the tunes, love the vibe, Ollie and Si always a great duo especially for anything time-trial :). SO DOPE! Love this video, rock on guys. Cheers!

[@Darsithis]

That Ribble is drool-worthy. I want one

[@markhagen7777]

In 1986 that was my teams time trial bike and they rode it to the nationals in the US that year it’s amazing at my advanced age that I can even comprehend what you guys are talking about half the time

[@gsmd770]

That Ribble is nice. I would love to have one,but since the UK is no longer a part of the EU. The import tax is the killer.

[@tybysdad]

Oh man! Thanks for doing this comparison! I still have the recorded Tour De France coverage from 1987 on VHS of Steven Roche doing the final TT on that bike - with the cool John Tesh music playing in the background (in the USA…). His form was perfect, putting power down, and flying! I always wondered what happened to that bike - now we know it’s safe for the world to see!

[@ralphc1405]

Roche won ALL three tours that year...with Hinault retired, Fignon injured, Lemond mistaken for a turkey during a hunt, Roche had it wrapped up.

[@abosworth]

What a cool video! That Ribble bike is absolutely amazing. So cool.

[@sasha371]

Guess what, 10k will be there by Monday 😉 I'm sure you already filmed part 2? Can't wait

[@brandonclark8736]

That 80's montage was so cool!

[@권용대-b5v]

I gotta admit, that Ribble is the hottest bike in recent years as I remember. Nice video!

[@per_young]

I was starting to wonder why the show dimmed all of a sudden when I didn't even change the brightness setting on my device. Haha. Good one!

[@KennethMesser1]

Did this old bike justice!! Great music as well ;)

[@jamesstobinski6144]

I remember these old style bikes. The shop that sposored our team had 7 Fuji TT bikes with the 24" front wheels in the 80s. We used them for TTTs. They were faster then any road bikes then, even more so when tri bars were added.

[@crusherbmx]

I remember watching the 1984 Olympics track cycling and being in awe of those bikes.....and a lot of those ideas are still being used on road bikes today, actually if you jump to the 90's there were bikes that looked a lot like new bikes.

[@Sionnach1601]

Oh but you will be told that 2022 bikes go miles faster than those bikes of even the early 90s. Almost like saying that a hammer of 2022 works far far better than a hammer made in 1969! It really is so much commercially -driven horse sh.

[@chuckfrizzell8668]

Ouch! From someone who currently rides a 1987 Eddy Merckx Columbus SLX road bike this video really hurts my 63 year old feelings! Great video guys! Thank you! From Colorado Springs, Colorado.

[@Sionnach1601]

I'm sorry but there is a lot of hype in this. It's also a ridiculous comparison to have made by choosing the '87 bike which had no Tri bar, when LeMond's '90 own brad had a Tri bar and steel tubing. They could have used this as a viable comparison, but no: we couldn't have the 'improvements' from newer technology looking so marginal now could we? It might affect new bike sales, and that simply wouldn't do.

[@a1white]

saw the joke coming at 2:32, a mile off, but it was still worth waiting for 😂

[@gcn]

Didn't realise we were now referring to Ollie as 'the joke' now, but we're 100% on board

[@stevoc123]

Best vid on the channel is a long time. Well done

[@bobmckenzie394]

We need a “How many Ribbles does it take to beat a time trial bike” video series now

[@crapilanofridge7745]

The Battaglin reminded me of my old Basso Curved top tube TT bike. Had a 650 front wheel with a 19mm tyre. Fine in the dry. Lethal in the wet :)

[@Ghostina1]

The latest video i have seen on YT which is looking upon aerodynamics on is the one from hambini ... Thats a good addition to that video!

[@mcclausky]

The music when Simon starts... awesome 😁

[@Jester5110]

The all famous Lotus...a beauty back then...still a beauty today! I'd definately dream to see this one tested here! You've got my like, indeed, sir!

[@antonlvdm]

I had a lotus back in the day. If you throw a pair of tt bars on them, they would 100% beat the new bike. What I'd like to see is if the bike Lemond beat Fignon in the tdf would beat the modern bikes. The narrower TT bars make a huge difference!

[@Sionnach1601]

Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. I would suspect that this video will not be done. The mere change in handlebars could blow right out of the water all the sales talk and waffle about R&D into new bikes. All the other many faults pointed out by pundits like these would be immediately exonerated as well, or very nearly, to be absolutely accurate about it. This would affect sales, which would affect sponsorship. We couldn't have that now could we? I really don't buy it. P.S. Have just had a quick refresher, and his '89 Bottechia actually had what looks like a carbon moncoque inner triangle, with both the chain and seat stays being steel, plus obviously the front forks. However, on his winning '90 TDF 'LeMond' TT bike, he had gone right back to full steel. It still won everything. So the rider position afforded by the handlebars were THE single most important feature. Everything else about aero tubing Vs steel round tubing seems to be extremely minor if even that. So, the real test would be his '90 TT bike Vs a modern road bike, on a relatively flat course.

[@kennethward9530]

Most bikes sold in my size (61cm) come standard with 44 bars these days, my Trek came with 40 cm bars back in 1985. Never mind what they’re putting on gravel bikes these days as well

[@ethangodridge6833]

Thanks guys, really interesting video.

[@margsmiloo5511]

New Ribble❤

[@bokehinfocus]

What a great episode!! Nostalgic for my old 80’s bike…and loved the music!!! Would love to see the Lotus vs aero road bike!!

[@AlexChklar]

Can't wait to see the lotus bike in action... I remember trying to get my hands on a similar style tt bike in the early 2000s... The dream lives on!

[@gcn]

We can't wait either!

[@lennymccartney1]

love the comedic touches...

[@nazardemchuk9122]

Left my like here :) it is already 9k, so only 1k to go 🎉 Nice video!!!

[@lesliereissner4711]

This was very entertaining but no surprise that the Ribble was faster as the aero position on the Battaglin just does not look very aero. Only two years later Lemond's tri bars showed that narrow is better at the Tour. Maximizing power would seem to be an issue as well with the old bike's positioning--I imagine that the bike was custom-made to fit Roche.

[@markwatt6764]

Think you need the same tires on the bikes next time fellas

[@bennnzzzz]

awesome vid. would love to see you guys do the hour on the track in boardman’s superman position though. what a time that was in bike aerodynamics

[@hoopdoggydogg]

That's a good shout on the next video. Lotus vs Ribble 👍🏾

[@JTrillo]

This summer I bought a Quintana Roo TT bike from around 2000/2001 for $120. Going to be working on it through the winter downtime. I believe it's a steel frame, however it has a more traditional tri bar setup allowing for a more upright, but narrower body position. I'd be very interested in seeing this video redone to see at what point an old TT bike can beat a modern superbike, and I think a bike like this one I just bought should be the next challenger.

[@sheepwithblack0]

I think this Battaglin is a little bit different with the Team Carrera one, of course, this one also is come from the 1980s. but on the Team Carrera 1986 & 1987, the bottom bracket and chain stay have a most iconic design in the 1980s, and the tubing is different too, Columbus SLX is the most popular tubing used on the Italian racing bike in the 1980s, but this one in the video is using Columbus Cromor, their weight, steel type & tech also different.

[@MrOrangeman18]

We all know the next video has already been filmed. However I still liked the video 😂

[@unfab]

The only AD video i support and like, is the one from Ribble❤️

[@celtichugs]

The editing and comedy in this one is why I watch GCN.

[@robertkeyte8144]

I used to have one of these bikes in the past and used to use it on the a1 , and there used to be a nick name for bikes called noddy bikes , and used to have a small wheel on the front

[@chrislang7146]

Loved the throwback music too.

[@byrondixon4648]

Similar video done in August 2019 by Bike Radar.... Keen to watch that one now

[@ladefoged87]

Loving the new kit! The WT teams should take note

[@derekhartloper11]

Awesome comparison GCN! Always love hearing what Si and Ollie have to say and this answered some questions I've had since the modern fat tube road bikes appeared. I'm now a believer! So now we have the TT results, one wonders if there is much difference in a 180 strong peleton.... Thanks for another great video GCN!

[@1977JJT]

Another cracking video! Now for the Lotus...

[@gatorboys7]

would love to see similar video with (as close as you can) 1989 copies of Lemond / Fignon final TT bikes and kit (you can go no helmet this one time...closed corse....no blonde wig please ) over similar length w power meters. (might as well throw in modern TT bike while you're at it).

[@박지청-t8g]

The retro bike is beautiful!

[@jericomanoguid]

Another Great geeky video! I'm looking forward to more comparison of retro vs the hypers. Good to see Simon again hope we can also see Daniel doing the test. Btw am I the only one noticing Simon's figure around @2:32 - @2:45 he looks like the worm guys from MIB. lol Anyways Keep it guys.

[@tasdrouille]

Get the Lotus. And get the same wheels and tires the same on both. The tires and wheels difference here was massive, thanks for acknowledging it.

[@Skaughtto]

Did Ollie's training plan get showcased in a video? It felt like I was hearing "dropped" all the time, then I blinked, and now he's a TT powerhouse!

[@tupolev141]

He got dropped during a team TT due to inexperience, he was always a bit of a solo TT powerhouse I believe

[@ccg2301]

You know it's gonna be fun when Si and Ollie is in the vid. I'm pretty curious how the Modern RB would fare against the Lotus. But, I'm pretty sure the Lotus would still win the race. lol

[@kestralrider313]

I laughed out loud during Ollie's disk wheel and aero rant, nicely done. always great to start the day with a laugh. So how does the Ultra SLR actually ride? I'm waiting for a more comprehensive review of this bike, the previous intro review talked about the aero innovation, but how was it to ride on longer rides, climbing and railing through a turn?

[@Avioto]

The sponsored bike won?!! That's craaaazy

[@bg-jo7kj]

The Battaglin is stunningly beautiful. A classic. The bikes of today are like the cars of today.

[@ralphc1405]

Like plastic Corollas and Hyundai's. My early 80s paint chipped Colnago Super always gets compliments

[@AnvilAirsoftTV]

That Low Pro is absolutely banging. Makes me wonder what a modern version would be like…?

[@nihonbunka]

With a modern (or c 2005 e.g. a Trek 5200) carbon frame and a -30 150mm stem you can make one, with narrow bars too.

[@jonny2r]

Love these. Cheers guys

[@joevose6601]

it would be great to see a series going up every 5 to 10 years to see when a TT bike gets faster

[@garagesale5948]

Lowering your shoulders 1/2" (12.5mm) does more to improve aerodynamics than any equipment design on the bike.

[@karstenmeinders4844]

Yes please, get the vintage Lotus TT bike!!!

[@BruceDouglass]

Numbers! We want numbers! Btw, I did appreciate the 80s music. Nice touch.

[@simonstucki]

cool video! would be interesting as well to isolate just the frame and wheels, by improving the position and biomechanics (cranks) on the retro bike.

[@SyLens1]

I’d love to see a retro frame like that with brand new top end technology. And see how much closer it gets

[@Sionnach1601]

That would be the test to see alright

[@titomon]

Was really laughing out loud on the Ollie joke! Good one, Si!

[@jascollinscork]

Sweet lord this is a EPIC video! Loved every second of it!! Fairplay to both for being lucky enough to ride both!! Can't believe the Ribbon don't have a Pro team!! Guess they've more sense than money 🤔

[@Lena-mj3kr]

Im so jealous of Ollies bike, such a cool bicycle

[@ianwiddows1726]

I would love to see a video where you test the performance differences between a family of bikes, such as the Cannondale Synapse bikes

[@cycle_365]

10,000 likes already smashed Already looking forward to the Lotus video 😃 Lotus vs Aero Road bike vs Modern TT bike vs Giant/Cadex Tri bike

[@gcn]

Do you know anyone with a Lotus track bike? Asking for a friend...

[@twinpiperzed7222]

Funny but the bars on the Battagin that they complained about look about the same height as the drops on the road bike

[@robinsonsadventures2174]

Well done guys great video! your at 10k likes get that lotus sorted😜

[@chunhaylee]

I have that same Battaglin lopro bike! It's a beautiful bike even if it's a few seconds slower! BTW , I'm not Italian but I believe the name is pronounced Batta-yeen.

[@alanmckellar908]

Looking forward to that Lotus ride!

[@asafianski]

Strange, they should be faster on the vintage TT bike, in that position you're constantly descending 🤔

[@ralphc1405]

It's the weight difference that steel bike that's the big thing