$1000 Ebay Bike Vs $10,000 Superbike: Hill Climb Challenge

[@gcn]

Which of these bikes would you choose?

[@kristijansolev2485]

I can only afford one of them so not much of a choice really.

[@itaybruck9671]

Give me the Canyon please I just can't buy it alone...

[@satori4183]

I'll have the purebred that carried Ollie up in under 15 min please 😎That was impressive Ollie, chapeau!

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

Rim brake 4 eva. Btw, Ollie, choose a vanquish next time.

[@alinapopescu872]

@@kristijansolev2485 Same here. And not even that, because I haven't got the equivalent of 1000 pounds in Romanian currency.

[@Dermiezz]

Ollie has had an incredible story. Once upon a time he got dropped, then he took it personally...

[@Likelybiking]

And he is the only one on the team who was never a pro! Good shit haha

[@henkdevrjes9640]

Yes, and all of us weren't bullying him but helping him, motivating him to become the strongest GCN presenter. I'm only holding out hope for Si....

[@Ridewithjst]

Villain origin story

[@markgunn6680]

He could still get dropped on the flat by the heavier guys of course but top effort all the same! 🙂

[@hotsky83]

He's the best haha

[@philipplorenz9485]

Ollie is an absolute beast and some real inspiration for people with no racing background.

[@serdiezv]

I wish there was more background variety with presenters. I think more average joes with good communication skill would be great.

[@satori4183]

@@serdiezv This. Average Joes, and average Janes

[@colinricketts1415]

Ollies got loads of racing in his background, just not as a pro!

[@serdiezv]

@@colinricketts1415 he's a true amateur cyclist, which isn't the same as the recreational cyclist which is what most of us are. IMO it's the perfect link between pros and us.

[@verryd]

Haha, you kept me in at 6 minutes! I was shouting ‘Do it for the Tech show!’ 😂 Great effort guys 👏👏

[@GCNuser123]

cheers mate!!! i remember!

[@yeungline]

For anyone curious, Ollie is 19th and Alex is 53rd in the race. The winner's time is 13:16, more than 1 minute faster than Ollie's time.

[@pauldolphin7961]

Yeh, great, thanks for that!! 🙄 FFS!

[@Gannicius]

@@pauldolphin7961 what's your issue with this comment? The guy is talking about the results of the race, not a timestamp.

[@liiightoriginal9949]

@@pauldolphin7961 What is wrong with you?

[@chairmanmeow8388]

@@liiightoriginal9949 I suspect he's a big poopy pants.

[@eto2352]

Wow Ollie really ripped it! Top 20 is fantastic

[@rosscads]

What a performance by Ollie! 🚀 Nice little crossover with Francis Cade’s channel too. 🎥

[@nathanm5594]

Was looking out for FC at the top having seen his vid and he's full on sprinting away up there!

[@DrewKime]

I've figured out why I like Ollie's videos so much. All the former pros are comparing themselves to their younger selves and know they'll never be that good again. Ollie is the only one still improving. You can see the enthusiasm every time he achieves another goal.

[@ralphallen5021]

Alex's reaction at 7:50 after the shoulder look made this whole series worth watching :D

[@charlesjungclaus]

Totally!

[@jvogel431]

Awesome to see Ollie get to gloat for a change. Well done. Ollie is an inspiration for all us recreational cyclists and wannabes.

[@alanwright4628]

Inspirational that a bike costing £11k is fast.

[@jvogel431]

@@alanwright4628 If Ollie and Alex traded bikes, Ollie would still come in 2 min ahead. And, if Ollie can get that fit and strong as an amateur, maybe some of us can too.

[@alanwright4628]

@@jvogel431 no he would not.

[@jvogel431]

@@alanwright4628 sounds like a good follow-up video for Alex and Ollie. They can switch bikes and do the same course again. Then you will see that although an 11K bike is lovely to ride, and is faster on the flats, on a steep climb it doesn't make that much of a difference--certainly not 2 min.

[@Mububban23]

@@alanwright4628 exactly how much difference do you calculate 200 grams would make??? Alex's bike was stated as 6.2kg, Oli's was 6.4kg. Unless it's more about the gearing?

[@ivocaldera2891]

As Ollie flew by Alex he missed a golden opportunity to yell "LOVE YOU, BYYYEEEEEEEEE"

[@GCNuser123]

to be fair… i couldn’t really talk 😂

[@cornishcat11]

@@GCNuser123 great ride mate

[@spinnersf]

@@GCNuser123 You have learned well, Grasshopper. Less chat, more spin. 😎Fun video guys!

[@CJONE764]

@@GCNuser123 are you and Alex going to Nationals? It would be a great video, bike swap comparison. Also doing it for us northerners! Yes lad.

[@secretbrad9259]

Scandal! Ollie disqualified for wearing non uci regulation length socks! 😂 cracking vid guys

[@nstrug]

Luckily hillclimbs are regulated by CTT not UCI.

[@daredemontriple6]

Probably cost him about 5 grams for those too :D

[@mikewoods6697]

That and the aero skinsuit. How much savings would you reckon?

[@flaviusc.4286]

@@mikewoods6697 he pooped 💩 before, -800g

[@a1white]

The UCI has no jurisdiction here! 😅

[@ericcoxtcu8037]

Ollie's revenge tour continues. Earlier this year he dropped Hank, now he's taken down Alex. Once he defeats Connor, do we get a boss battle with Si? Bonus points if the time trial bike is involved.

[@cb6866]

Thanks Alex and Ollie and crew . I saw you guys on Francis Cade's channel as well , A legend to be sure !

[@johndicksonmamil]

Guest appearance by Francis Cade there near the top of the climb

[@1xXNimrodXx1]

yeah was authentic af

[@Bikes_N_Adventure]

Andrew Feather would have been interesting to watch as a third contender for scale!

[@marks4471]

Absolutely!

[@권용대-b5v]

Honestly Alex’s bike looks way cooler to my eyes, with the removed decals adding badass vibe.

[@patrykK1028]

It looked gross with that Trek branding, it really didn't age well.

[@davejan9865]

I think, if alex just equiped a smaller chainring he could probably close the gap against ollie. Looking at his pedalling, he's clearly struggling on the climb as you saw when ollie passed him, while ollie is just much more relaxed and just keep on spinning and spinning. Well still, in the end, the point is that you had fun riding your bike no matter the price is.

[@a1white]

Needed a proper 2x compact with a good range of gears on the cassette. Bit more weight, but it’d give him the gears he was lacking

[@truthseeker8483]

It did seem that Alex didn't have low enough gearing..a different cassette would have fixed it.

[@magnushartell]

Being new to cycling (since some months) I have been grinding through most of GCN and GCNTech from the past 3 years. I just want to salute and say that you videos are getting better every time, this was awsome

[@tigerv88]

Ollie has climbed the mountain, physically as well as psychologically and has emerged from the ashes. Alex now needs a full training montage comeback complete with an 80s music soundtrack🤜

[@cornishcat11]

full Rocky style?

[@tigerv88]

@@cornishcat11 absolutely and maybe run up some stairs with the ultra light aero bike on his shoulders? As the montage progresses the beard gets thicker 😂

[@benjyse]

ollie's evil laugh is priceless:)

[@technocynic]

I was expecting to Ollie to beat Alex (even if he had the cheap bike) but gobsmacked about that margin. Ollie seems to be the most ardent enthusiast among the presenters, the only GCN presenter who appears to still compete just for the joy of it. Love watching him

[@ajc_7]

Hill climbing: absolutely amazing, love it, simple task, get to the top of the hill as quickly as you can... perfection 🙌

[@dmoore4520]

Ollie was RIPPING up that hill. Inspiring.

[@alanwright4628]

On a £11k bike he should be fast.

[@richcrompton6891]

I’m totally not surprised Ollie was a beast uphill! You can’t forget what he did last year at the Tour de Stations! This year he was on the ultimate ‘stock’ bike (for millionaires). Surprised he didn’t opt for some £1000 aero socks though...

[@Criscross292]

That was clever 😉 For the casual observer, they would think that the $10k super-bike was far superior. But put Ollie on the Trek, and he would have had the same (or slightly faster) hill climb.

[@paulim8703]

Agreed. Same power but two minutes faster = weight. And the bikes were similar weight too.

[@aliensporebomb]

Notice when Olllie was in the run-up to pass Alex, Ollie is spinning fast versus Alex was grinding running a higher gear it appeared. I’d be curious the comparison of gear ratios between the bikes and if Alex would have done better if he had been spinning too. Still epic performance from both. And the top of the hill seemed like quite a party. I’d love to attend one of these in person.

[@Star14trek]

Hidden electric motor 😁 for the win!

[@paulim8703]

They're great fun and all over the UK, late autumn season.

[@aliensporebomb]

@@Star14trek Ollie is a glucose powered electric motor!

[@JuJu13406]

Out of all the presenters Ollie to me seems to be the fittest for quiet some time now. He is insane!

[@joegamas1194]

What an awesome video, I was laughing my head off when Alex realized that Ollie was already on he’s heels and he was about to pass him, congratulations to the both of you on your results and thank you ones again for another awesome video, great job guys

[@MagicM0e]

Great video champs. Good to see how much fun you both had in your own ways. I got a little sad at the very end when Alex wanted cake and Ollie said he probably shouldn't. It may have been fun and games. However it sets a stigma. Being a heavy rider myself I want to be able to feel ok with a proper reward for hard efforts. Not cake everyday. Alex totally deserve that cake for that effort.

[@jimcappa6815]

Alex: I hate you Ollie: Love you, bye! 😂

[@JoshPeak]

Lol finished a Zwift session, then watched part 1 of the budget bike build.. in the time it took me to watch the three parts this video came out and has made my Friday night. The real test is to get Ollie on the £1000 bike and Alex on the £10k+ bike and compare. Pretty sure 2 minutes confirms how little the bike has to do with it and more about the rider. Awesome series and great content. 🎉

[@spicy_mint]

But Ollie had a lower power output, unless being fitter means you can do more power per watt (which doesn't make any sense). Most of those gains can be chalked up to the bike and rider weight.

[@cornishcat11]

@@spicy_mint ollie is a lot lighter watts per kg always wins

[@ironkeld]

It’s not about the bike. It’s the fittest rider wins. Ollie is lighter and stronger.

[@JoshPeak]

Yeah exactly, relative weight and power to weight ratios. My bike is 9kg and I am 90kg. It’d be cheaper and more effective for me to lose 2kg than to spend a couple of grand shaving 2kg off my bike. Well so my wife tells me 😅 But also training to increase my FTP. I think Ollie even did an episode ages ago talking about the mechanics of what are dominating forces between hill climbing and TT. So yeah, as others commented, very curious the W/kg numbers.

[@DI-ri9md]

Great series! Loved every minute of this video. I would LOVE to see the same race but with swapped bikes and suits (see how much difference the gear makes), because the power output was comparable. Thanks GCN - please make more!! :D

[@prestachuck2867]

Expected outcome when it’s a sprinter vs a climbing specialist on a long, steep hill. Great job, Alex. You are a trooper and a real sport!

[@NunoJoel]

Alex did an Amazing job with such an Old Bike !! No matter what the bike you use the most important is "to have fun and enjoy!"

[@chrishey6891]

Ollie's nerdy little laugh at someone else getting dropped :-) Alex is in Ollie's playground now ;-)

[@lufo5]

next video: watch Ollie dropping every gcn presenter!😁

[@hotsky83]

He legit could on a climb

[@chrisvoyer1857]

You guys do some cool stuff. Other than the constant rain, amazing place and cycling community!

[@ThelastSkeleton]

„I think Andrew was doing a recovery ride“ HILARIOUS 😂

[@chirpy999]

10.57 the pain faces!!!! Great job top film!!!

[@eto2352]

Love the video! Back to Ollie's roots in hillclimb race vids.

[@LukeGJPotter]

07:50 Alex looks behind, sees Ol-berto Contador, and he's basically Ralph Wiggum. "Chuckles, I'm in Danger"

[@lanmandragoran2092]

GCN needs to make a “maillot à pois” for Ollie! Tu es un inspiration pour nous tous, une vraie légende! Great work guys!!

[@paulworth70]

Epic video loved it. Ollie has got some serious climbing ability, well played.

[@amishrider]

Many examples of "appropriate reactions" from Alex whe he sees ollie catching him 🤣 The power output from each of you...beast mode!

[@darrenmiller6129]

Another great summary of why the British hill climb scene is special. Ollie is correct in the assumption that anyone can and should have a go. I also ’race’ on my only bike which has disc brakes. Monsal HC is this Sunday, which is a fair bit shorter than the struggle and worth a watch if you are close to the Peak District. Alex - A rematch could be required at the nationals?

[@willmo1725]

Good fun video. alex and ollie looked like a blast.

[@lokerola]

That looks like a ton of fun! I wish we had these in the US.

[@dennisdownes9319]

I have absolutely NO desire to race this course, but what a great event and beautiful scenery not to mention a great video; Well done to your whole crew! Thanks Guys!! DD

[@ojtibi9906]

Adding my like to the 10k target. After getting dropped in all the other challenges, Ollie deserves to get a documentary of his win on Alex!

[@greengonzonz]

Yes lads, that was awesome. Really looks like massive fun

[@238949]

Fabulous video as always, Ollie you are such an inspiration to all cyclists, such strong performance, Alex, the gentleman as always. Said days ago, Ollie would win, strength and endurance is his forte x

[@Jari1973]

Putting the chains in place while driving.. Is really a Pro 👍

[@ColdDarkNorth.]

Good to see you lads! Welcome to the Cold Dark North!

[@cyndyroo4512]

I love seeing the sportsmanship between GCN riders; great job Alex and Ollie! I would have liked to see the end though when you cross the finish line. The folks standing there seem to swoop in to help keep riders upright. Is that right? Do they prop people up to prevent fallovers from riders being exhausted?

[@GCNuser123]

you know it’s a good event when there are “catchers” at the finish 😂😂😂😅

[@paulim8703]

Yup. Many throw up.

[@paulim8703]

Check out bikeradar's hill climb diaries on KZbin - more detail on a season and it shows the ups and Downs of the competitive riders too.

[@virtualZ161]

Just got back from the UK in the Lake and PeakDistrict. Gorgeous areas for riding. Disc brakes on my Ultimate SL worked great on those steep descents.

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

@3:06 now that would be a good photo for the caption competition.

[@motomehanicar459]

Both guys ride very well, their times are really quick! I would die somewhere in the middle of the road. Cycling looks like an easy sport until you try it. 🤣

[@DCassidy42]

People 1000% sleep on Ollie's climbing and endurnace. Might get dropped on the flats with professional riders but he's a true athlete.

[@rh6078]

Yeah his climbing is really good, there's a video he did when he was at Cycling Weekly where he trains for hill climbing and sets up a lightweight bike and wins one of the Peak District hill climbs, Operation Hill Climb I think it's called

[@SteveBrill]

Brilliant effort guys and so lovely to se Ollie basking in the fact he dropped you Alex! 👏💪

[@Star14trek]

With a hidden electric motor 😁?

[@nickslatter3559]

Great film I have been waiting for this since you started building your budget bike 👍🏻

[@thebudgetcyclist4310]

The most entertaining gcn video in like 4 years

[@PBUCKY1969]

Great work fellas, really enjoyed watching - thanks!

[@angusdavidson15]

10:28 "What a stupid sport" every time I got for a long ride 🤣

[@InvertedProphet]

Awesome video guys. Really enjoyed the build up to this and seeing the bike build. Great work.

[@lukewalker1051]

Congrats to Ollie. Alex is a strong rider, no question. I like Alex's chances on the flat. That said, you know we all want to see it. Ollie versus Si. Same bike up the same clmb. No question Ollie has the goods on the flat against Ollie but Ollie has turned into a bit of a climbing machine through hard work and low body weight. Whattdya say? Lets see Ollie and Si face off up that climb.

[@treyquattro]

Alex should have chosen the aero socks. Ollie has become the GCN climbing machine. The man puts in an enormous amount of training and practice, as attested by Strava, and I bet he does a load that's not even on there too! Brilliant effort by both Alex and Ollie. I'm only disappointed that the likes haven't reached 10K yet.

[@DnDMF]

Amazing series of episodes. Congrats to both of you.

[@jascollinscork]

poor Alex…… beaten by the faster man …….. now GCN HAS a new Slow boy 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 ooooh lord Ollie getting the final 🥾 in at the end……”don’t think you should” when taking to Alex about cake …… 🎤 drop 😅😂🤣🤣

[@madyogi6164]

👍What a joy to watch!

[@Epiqe]

I will be missing or probably dead just after 2 minutes on this brutal hill climb 😂😂😂 well done Oli and Alex!

[@olig1851]

whoever mixes the music in the vids does a good job

[@stephenwilliams8384]

Ollie's revenge, 1st Hank, now Alex, who next? Fab vid👍

[@phillymingion]

Lol @Francis Cade following Ollie up at 9:40

[@alansmith3872]

absolutely brilliant video, really well put together. well done lads

[@Stellar001100]

Ooh, I love DIY vs production model challenges!

[@josemanuelgarciaotero9393]

Another round of Angliru with presenters without Oscar this time (he was by far better climber than the rest) . I think Ollie would kill it this time, he improved drastically. Well done!

[@chrisandsamlivingthedream]

Wow £12,000 & 2 mins difference than a budget bike .. great ride Ollie .. love see you do it on the budget bike …

[@claysmith894]

Ollie is a beast. Never rode pro but is the living embodiment of someone that has a passion for their sport and is kicking ass

[@ashokdongre7289]

Great fun!! Total system weight, aerodynamics are crucial. Feels very biased in many ways. Best would be to have Ollie do another run on the budget bike.

[@JordyJayHomer]

Exactly, but there's one big problem with that: GCN are sponsored by Canyon :-)

[@IStandAloneize]

I love Alexes sportsmanship once again hahaha XD

[@sethgriffiths6539]

Nothing like a bullied child getting his own back eventually! ;-)

[@jaycamp2364]

I think one of the major tech stats for this series is "what was your lowest gear inches"? Yes you can ride up that hill (any hill) on any bike. Even a 40 year old Schwinn Varsity 10 speed (40 lbs) "if" you have the right gears! Noticed that Ollie's cadence was turning over faster than Alex. Was that by choice or limited by lack of having a lower gear inch to shift too? Alex recorded a higher Watt output because he had taller gear inch and had to use more power to turn the pedals. And how did that effect the last section with 20% gradient? For the next challenge Alex, change out that 34 tooth for a 1x 30 tooth crank. Don't worry about getting one too small as you have 10 speed cassette in back. Then compare the two efforts and see if a faster cadence gave you better results.

[@breg72]

Ollie total legend that’s the way to deal with all the naysayers 😊

[@EmrysJones]

Ollie became feather Jr 😂 " I hate you" as he went past laughing

[@zukzworld]

Well done, great show! 🎉👏🏾👏🏾✌🏾

[@bazmanj]

Another top video, your channel is so entertaining

[@questgivercyradis8462]

Jealous of the lovely cool foggy day you got for that. I miss fog!! Great riding, gents!

[@ShannonSouthAfrica]

Magnificent scenery.

[@laniernelson1019]

Atta boy Ollie! Strong effort 💪

[@phil_d]

I love that road! In a car, going downhill!! 🤣 Don't miss out on the great butchers in Ambleside too ... F W Garside!

[@ethangodridge6833]

A cracking and interesting video guys. I love the hill climb scene myself and I think Ollie won as he could wear the UCI illegal socks with the hill climbs being non-UCI organised😀. Only kidding a great ride Ollie and i'd like to see a follow up video.

[@robstanley7247]

What a year... May is the new Hammond and Alex is the new Ollie!!

[@bubblesezblonde]

Loved this Alex and Dr. Bridgewood. What are the maths concerning the win Doc?

[@andyheilmann1656]

having fun is the most important part :)

[@wotexpat9367]

I am sad.... we cannot Meme Ollie being dropped any more - I guess Alex has now taken than honour :)... GREAT vid guys. GREAT vid.

[@chrisridesbicycles]

At least we can watch him sink on the aquabike over and over again. 😂

[@leratomawela]

Well done Dr Bridgewood!!!!!

[@marksmith1524]

I just bought a giant tcr 2 2006 year . I love it so far .it goes fast enough. it flys

[@johnstygall860]

Great pub at the top!

[@savvy9647]

Ollie really love math😂😂 awesome watt both💪💪💪

[@a1white]

Great video and well done Ollie! Apart from rider weight/fitness levels, I reckon the biggest factor might well be the bikes gearing? You can see Alex is struggling in higher gears for much of the climb, as Ollie spins his way past. Really can’t see aero being that big of a factor on this steep climb? Can it?