How Much Faster Is A Modern Road Bike & Kit? | Retro Vs Modern Wind Tunnel Tested

Is modern tech really as aero as it claims to be? Jon and Ollie visit the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub's wind tunnel to test a classic steel framed road bike against Ollie's Pinarello Dogma. The team even visit Jon's retro dressing up box to see how significant advances in clothing technology have had an impact on aero performance.
Check out the GCN App:
gcn.eu/GCNiOS
gcn.eu/GCNAndroid
Subscribe: gcntech.co/subscribetogcntech
The GCN Shop: gcntech.co/m4
GCN Tech Uploader: gcntech.co/upload
#Cycling #GCN #GCNTech #RoadBike
Do you prefer modern aero bikes over retro classics? Let us know in the comments!
If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍
If you'd like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here's the link - gcntech.co/m3
Watch more on GCN Tech...
📹 gcntech.co/m5
Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
The Ocean Is Near - Brookii
Downpour - Brendon Moeller
Taste The Sun - Particle House
Circle - Jones Meadow
Lost Inside The Dream - Chaxti
Mexico - Gamma Skies
I'll Follow - Mochas
Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphoto.net/
Brought to you by the world’s biggest #cycling channel, the Global Cycling Network (GCN), GCN Tech goes deeper into the bikes, kit and technology stories that matter.
GCN Tech is utterly obsessed with seeking out and showcasing the best in bikes, tech, products and upgrades. Everywhere. Every week. From news and rumours, first ride exclusives, how-tos, the weekly GCN Tech Show, pro bikes, set-up tips and more, we geek out over the tiny details that can make the big differences to you.
With years of racing and industry expertise, we also bring you instructive maintenance videos to hone your mechanical skills, as well as behind the scenes factory tours and in-depth analysis of kit chosen by the pro peloton to keep your finger on the pulse of cycling’s latest technological innovations.
Engage with us every week on the channel and across social media - we’re here to answer every question you’ve got on cycling tech.
GCN Japan: gcn.eu/subscribe-gcn-japan
GCN Italia: gcn.eu/GCN-Italia
Suscribirse a GCN en Español: gcn.eu/Suscribirse
Facebook - gcntech.co/gcntechfb
Instagram - gcntech.co/gcntechinsta
Twitter - gcntech.co/gcntechtweet

[@FlyWithMe_666]

My bike is from 2017 (Tarmac) and some parts of my kit are more than 12 months (!) old. Thanks for confirming that I need to blame this retro setup for me constantly getting dropped.

[@jussa101]

No it's just you.

[@chanito_nyc]

jussa101 he was joking

[@firesurfer]

@@chanito_nyc Whoosh!

[@jussa101]

@@chanito_nyc I know

[@mattmaurer2297]

jussa101 you must be fun at parties.

[@michaellee1663]

Bottom line. Pinarello, is for speed & miles. Eddy Merckx, is for smiles 😊

[@OctogonOxygen024816]

@daAnder71 I read nukes instead of pukes lmao

[@jemma_19988]

Another bottom line : Steel still safe to ride after thirty odd years - carbon after thirty years - not sure ? If you bought that steel frame back then you could be passing it on for many more generations yet !!! I don't know if you could trust Carbon to last that long - It might be OK though

[@allwinds3786]

@@jemma_19988 I ride a '71 Sekai 4000 and it works fine.

[@inlovewithgoats1092]

Honestly, I don't think most people here (certainly including me) are good enough to really experience the difference. I'm certainly not fast enough

[@danielandersson3539]

That is not a HUGE difference considering a 10k£ bike versus a 30-40 yo bike you could almot get for free. I think Ollie made a gross exaggeration which surpised me a bit. The pro's wouldn't be able to compete on the Merckx, but you and me could take our sub 300 FTP's and stretch to get more Aero instead of spending 10k £ on a bike. Check out their video on bike position, clothing etc and you'll se that by just getting more uncomfortable positions to work you could save way more. I'm not saying "go get a retro bike" but you could as well buy the 1 k£ shimano 105 alu bike instead of the top of the range if you're not a pro. You will put out seriously less watts at the same speed as your mate on the F12 if you can get aero and he catn sustain the same low position.

[@TheWaxChainFanClub]

This reminds me of a terrible nightmare I had.... A strange man approaches me from a tunnel, "I've brought my dressing up box" he smirks at me... and no matter how fast I tried to pedal away I got nowhere. Sheer terror.

[@benson4u215]

Lol true story your brain was running at half speed which was why you couldnt get away

[@Fred_the_1996]

@@benson4u215 nah he was riding the steel bike

[@christopherdolan7330]

I would be curious to know how the retro frame would perform with modern wheels. Having ridden a retro bike with retro wheels and then switching to modern wheels, the wheels alone make a HUGE difference.

[@markeetea]

Search 'Hambini aero wheels' for a relevant analysis, at least. He reported data at 30 km/h and 50 km/h. I remember reading that some wheels advertised as the fastest were not the best performers at the more human speed of 30.

[@christopherdolan7330]

@@markeetea Not even aero wheels specifically. Even modern training wheels make a HUGE difference in my experience. It's surprising how much of a difference just reducing the spoke count will make for aerodynamics and weight versus old 36-spoke wheels.

[@tonyfranklin8306]

I've got a 1959 Carlton 531, I ran it with 10 speed cassette + 38mm carbon tubs, the frame at some point before I got it some 15 years ago had been cold set to accept a modern/130mm OLN wheel. It looks weird with the black wheels as it's a BRG frame and white bars/saddle but just rides a bit differently to the wheels I normally have on there. The tubs are 22mm conti 4ks so on the smooth local bypass you can nudge 30mph for short spurts even with this old codgers legs and the bike is fine, I kept it as a mix of parts that matched rather than all period correct especially wanting to have some dual pivots though some of the older brakes were pretty decent if you set them up okay so they do work on carbon rims so long as you pop the right pads in if you're going to be braking a lot. The main differences with a particularly retro bike and modern wheels I found is the handling at speed in sweeping bends and even compared to a 1990 Vitus Triple butted the Carlton feels less stiff all round so you're feeling your way a bit more around bends so not as fast or as tight though it doesn't feel too bad in terms of comfort or if hitting a bump through a fast bend. There's obviously an element of not having ridden the bike much in that set up (pretty much once with the carbon wheels) so as with most things it's about getting used to how the bike goes on certain terrain and how you might need to adapt a bit to get more assurance. All that said she's a bike to show off, have a pootle without putting too much effort in and chatting about old bikes rather than gunning her, I can easily fit 32mm tyres, probably 35s so you could ride her off road if you wanted to but I normally ride her with some older tan walled Vredstein Ricorso's in 32 which are a lovely tyre, I use slightly wider latex tubes so the ride is cushy as f.

[@tonyfranklin8306]

@@christopherdolan7330 I've got a pair of 36 spoke racing wheels, they are a smidge under 1700g and that's with traditional round spokes, not very aero but as older wheelsets go for a 36x36 they're pretty light for clinchers.

[@richardcarr6493]

WELL l ride retro steel with modern kit just fine at 30 -48km hr and the new groupo on old bike rides awesome thanks l wish it was lighter but it sure is comfortable compared to my carbon TREK !!

[@danielbum912]

You guys listened to feedback from previous videos and included 25 kph, I appreciate that a lot. Great video.

[@brankododig1585]

Basically when you factor in that airflow is just not as smooth outside, modern well fitted clothing is really worth it, but a modern bike is well into marginal gain territory and most of the aero savings come from replacing box section 32 spoke wheels.

[@gregtaylor6146]

Shhhh, don't say that, how will this Wiggle channel (errmmm, sorry Gee Cee Ennn) continue to churn out spin for all the carbon framed crap to the 'cognescenti' out there???

[@gearmonkey]

"This is, specifically, quantum physics" was such a glorious retort. Unless you're going _really_ fast this is all pretty firmly newtonian mechanics...

[@beeble2003]

It's relativity that deals with very high speeds. Quantum mechanics deals with tiny things.

[@stephenm8270]

"Have you ever ridden any thing as old as this".......but of a personal question !

[@sgbryant1962]

That was very informative. Thanks guys. By the way, Both of those bikes were “Super Nice” !

[@11-inch]

Goddamn beautiful Eddy Merckx there Jon!

[@jpvvandermerwe87]

Another great, useful informative one guys ! Thank you very much - keep it up ;)

[@veebeem953]

With my retro bike, I gonna burn 10% more fat keeping the same speed. I will stick to retro!

[@cypriano8763]

its a super small difference in lost watts between the 2 bikes, its minimal, they just wanna sell bikes, typical gcn, infomercial. just keep your old bike, no difference really. not worth forking 6000$ for 20 watts, give me a break also, he wore a skin suit, who wears that

[@nmop3pisdn554]

i was thinking this earlier today, stick with a retro bike and baggy clothes, burn more fat and be more fitter, plus you don't look like a woofter with all that stupid outfit on, also if you ever do ride a fancy bike with all the outfit it will be easy.

[@RB-xv4si]

Hmm well, if you’re riding by yourself, doesn’t make you work harder. It just makes you slower. Lol

[@sepg5084]

@@nmop3pisdn554 if that's the case then ride a fixie: heavy steel frame, single gear, no brakes. All the workout without spending a lot on parts compared to a road bike. Don't forget to bring weights for extra weight.

[@WesternUranus]

@@sepg5084 Bonus : free motivation when a fat guy passes by you on his carbon bike

[@ronbyers9912]

Everybody talks about modern training methods being so wonderful, this test just proves to me that if you put a 25 year old Eddy Merchx in skin suit he would be a force on the modern tour. I am not even sure he would need a modern bike to be competitive. Maybe just modern wheels.

[@gcntech]

That would be awesome to see whatever the outcome!

[@albertogonzalez6296]

Wonderful video. One of the most interesting videos from GCN.

[@sethfrankel3542]

The deeper lesson in here is that the bike itself is dramatically less significant than the rider. Bike alone had MUCH larger difference at higher speeds, but with rider it dropped massively. So, conclusion: If you really want more speed than your friends, just get off the bike and stare at it in the coffee shop!

[@ricksnyder6318]

Fantastic video guys! The difference in modern vs retro clothing is shocking. Well done!

[@stellarpod]

Really interesting segment, guys. As always, thanks so much for sharing. Steve

[@gcntech]

Thank you for watching Steve!

[@MrTurbohampster]

Still can't get over the Assos G-string skinsuit 🙈

[@ohshitnotanotherknob]

Yup it's like an arrow pointing at his butt.

[@jeffreygrover3585]

MrTurbohampster 🙃 So awful! I would push an extra 100 watts all day long before wearing a ridiculous thong costume

[@djtaylorutube]

Got it! So my takeaway from this is that if I want the same workout in a shorter space of time, I am better off riding my 40 year old Carlton Cyclone. Thanks! :)

[@MrDazP1adv3ntures]

Really interesting and informative . Great stuff.

[@howieyoung3816]

Great video, thanks for sharing video of beautiful Vancouver and the Whistler Gran Fondo.

[@jen3800]

great show! i bet you could calculate Merckx' hour record had he simply worn aero kit. any thoughts?

[@KMnng10]

I was just watching the video to see some retro tech. Thanks!

[@richardstoffel6585]

Nice vid! Good to see the comparisons. Some simple things such as clothing and position really will effect. Then if you have a good modern aero bike that will just improve on that as well.. one day you guys need to get a wind tunnel and test out different modern aero bikes to test again manufacture claims as “the more aero”.

[@appa609]

I was hoping they were going to actually report the CdA values.

[@robertchung4914]

There's not *quite* enough info given (they needed to provide the air density) but assuming a ballpark value of 1.18 g/cm^3 for air density and the wattage values given, CdA(bare merckx) = 0.1285; CdA(bare F12) = 0.1006; CdA(merckx/modern kit) = 0.3814; CdA(F12/modern kit) = 0.3562; CdA(merckx/retro kit) = 0.4270.

[@appa609]

Thanks. I was being lazy.

[@ghowell13]

Ollie was a great sport in that video, you must admit. Cheers from the States. Thanks for the eye opener in that content!

[@decentdiversions]

Great video and especially liked the footage from Vancouver! The modern kit stats are neat too.

[@gcntech]

Thanks for your comment, we hope you continue to enjoy our content!

[@chrisko6439]

I like the Eddy Merckx bike. Great job with the beautiful modern silver Dura Ace crank, too.

[@deluc6821]

Has anyone EVER seen Jon on a bike?? just asking

[@11-inch]

Yes, in the historic Lotus bike episode.

[@rajeshkannan_s]

Yes, in a power meter video.

[@milanbabic92]

And in one where he changes tires or chain.

[@prestachuck2867]

And a Holiday video in which he is seen riding in a group with all of the other presenters.

[@chanito_nyc]

There one in which he was riding next to Jimmy Hoffa... after he disappeared!!!

[@ultima199g]

This was your chance to do "legs shaved vs unshaved" testing. You missed it!

[@khaki.shorts]

The specialized 'win tunnel' has already done a great video on this. I believe it's called "The Win Tunnel: Shaved and Dangerous?". It makes a much larger difference than I had thought.

[@erikcrins]

@@khaki.shorts Sleeves for the win!

[@reznikvolodymyr8145]

unshaved will be faster according to aerodynamic laws

[@RevoltingRudi]

@@reznikvolodymyr8145 afaik they tested it and i give like 40 sek. on a 100km ride.

[@randalbladel2817]

Aerodynamics says shave the front of the legs and arms and leave the rear unshaven.

[@davidbotterill5001]

Got my first skinsuit this year. Also got my first race win this year.

[@khaki.shorts]

Coincidence? I think not!

[@AaronGoodTimes]

I find the information you give us rewarding too

[@leeoien3645]

Love the technical approach! Now I can justify the new GCN kit on my Christmas list-- cheaper than a new bike!! :) :)

[@gcntech]

Great stuff Lee! Hope Santa brings you the kit so you can get super aero 😉

[@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1]

I save 3 "watts" when cycling by saying "pardon" instead.... Ahh thank you and goodnight 👋

[@Kim_Miller]

Only three watts? That's not very bright. :)

[@sen5i]

When you are going fast on a vintage (not retro) bicycle you use the drops. It would have been nice to see a comparison of the riding positions on the Eddy Merckx, interesting vid though, thanks

[@alpenjon]

Very intetesting, thanks!

[@tmbmtl]

Top ten vid from GCN. Kudos.

[@gcntech]

Cheers for the support!

[@Cyclingmasterseller]

Would have liked to see what wearing a modern helmet vs. tight retro bike cap would be. I feel that when I wear the latter I actually feel faster, even if I do look slower, hmmm? Please respond, if anyone has conducted this experiment. Thanks, man, great episode!

[@gcntech]

Cheers for watching! We haven't actually done this experiment so can't comment sadly!

[@n4boards144]

Best gcn tech video I've ever watched

[@thilo1berg]

Very Interesting! The result.

[@evelasq1]

I took a picture of the results with my phone for future references as far as buying modern clothing. My De Bernardi Road Bike has a teardrop design on the front fork, top tube, bottom tube and seat stays. I think my bike is a modern retro aero bike 🚲. I did put the photo on the GCN APP so everyone could see it. Happy to see that 92% of the audience sees it as a nice bike for a custom made bike 🏍. With these numbers, it should be a super nice 👍 bike.

[@af4od02]

I’m new to the channel. I think wind tunnel testing of an aero bike and different wheel widths would be interesting. Thanks.

[@ltrtg13]

I was waiting to see Ollie's power number in a pink tutu.

[@Bob_Shy_132]

Good work guys.

[@gcntech]

Thanks for watching!

[@Jimboblay74]

Very interesting study - well done! So much of the drag is due to the rider, putting a huge premium on position on the bike. Recumbents have a real edge here...

[@randalbladel2817]

Except I never see a recumbent going fast. Never.

[@robwelch6351]

not enough leverage for climbs, sadly

[@thomascdurham9130]

Jon & Ollie, remember who hosted the world championships this year! In the men's elite race, who wore only the skin suit and who wore the rain gear? Something that just proved your point! #GetOlliebellsfortheholidays LOL!

[@rotciv319]

I've done non scientific testing between my Dogma F10 disk vs my 1981 Gios Torino Super Record. I roll away without pedaling on each bike down the same hill. I tuck in to the same position (as close as possible) and then take note of the speed as told by my Garmin. Consistently the F10 is over 10 MPH faster at the bottom of the hill. I love that this video explains the science behind that.

[@robertchung4914]

Thanks. From the data in that video, the retro bike costs about .025 m^2 in drag area compared to the Pinarello F12, but the retro clothing costs about .07 m^2. A rough rule of thumb is that a difference of .01 in drag area is worth around 1 sec/km at racing speed, so a difference of .025 is roughly 2.5 secs/km, retro clothing is about 7 secs/km, and a retro bike/kit costs about 10 sec/km compared to tight clothing on a modern bike. If you're not racing, the differences are a bit larger than that, not smaller. Over the course of ten miles, the difference between a modern bike/kit vs. retro bike/kit is about 2-1/2 minutes at the same power.

[@iananderson8498]

Actually Cd is the drag coefficient, CdA is the drag area. (A is the area of the bike plus rider.)

[@jeremystig98]

Id love to see an 80s aero bike with an aero frame and Dura-Ace AX or 600ax groupset to see how aero bikes developed in 30-some years.

[@robtankbuster5215]

That Pinarello is one sweet ride.

[@greg_loper]

I would love to see a wind tunnel test with a cycling jacket.

[@mully006]

As a bike commuter I'm interested in the difference between wearing bike kit vs regular work cloths. Loose pants and shirt ect

[@FletchB01]

Well, the "retro kit" they were wearing didnt seem all that baggy or flappy.... and yet it was clearly the biggest difference... So we can safely assume "normal" clothes will be considerably worse....

[@trishalilly2924]

Love the video. Would be great if you could do something like this including a £1000ish pound bike, that is 105 setup. The sort of bike a lot of riders commonly ride, over your very nice but also rather expensive super bike.

[@gcntech]

Hi Chris, thanks for watching - that's a great suggestion, we'll consider it for the next time we get access to a wind tunnel!

[@piercethelutheran]

Love that the old helmets bands resemble the Union Jack

[@lauig]

Suggestion GCN : Please tell us if it was a simple laminar flow study or if it was way more realistic than that with a decently turbulent flow. Also, would've loved to see the same study at different yaw angles.

[@mvm9407]

I want that Eddy Merckx so hard it hurts. I don't care whether it's hi-tech or not. What a beautiful bike!

[@shannonharris2816]

Hey fellas, great channel. Could you please employ a camera tripod? I suffer motion sickness watching your great content.

[@theparalexview785]

What, no wool jersey with front pocket and short shorts!? Shenanigans! Seriously, tho, good video. I've noticed more difference with clothing and helmets too, than between my carbon fiber and classic steel bikes. Even a cheap $20 aero helmet helped compared with my Poc helmet - although the Poc is more comfortable and probably safer.

[@erikcrins]

Thanks for this! Where's the test/results of 'retro (floppy) clothing on a modern bike'? I'd love to know if that would be worse then 'modern clothing on a retro bike'! So budget wise it would be smart to invest like this?: bikefit > modern clothing > aero helmet > shoe covers > aero wheels > TT clip on bars > aero/TT bike......

[@Digi20]

Interesting to the difference between the two bikes so small, if you swap modern aero wheels on the old frame it would melt closer again. i guess the very low cross sections (and thus lower frontal area) of the old frame makes up for some part of the more areo (but fatter) tubing on the modern bike.

[@deskelly9313]

Dear KZbin advertising algorithm. After watching a video comparing the aero drag attributes of retro and modern bikes and equipment, I am indeed interested in buying a little girl's doll called Deluxe Bestie. Everyone in my cycling club already has one and I've been feeling left out.

[@nickw6175]

I would love to see a wind tunnel test with the basic three body types I see out there the thin, the normal, and the " well padded" could make a few of us " well padded " slim down a bit !

[@eternaloptimist2840]

I appreciate my mass when freewheeling past other riders in the descents, or leaving them in a headwind. Just don't ask me to climb fast.

[@rasmuswi]

It would be interesting to see a round bar vs a compact bar compared. I'm of course biased because I've ridden round bars all my life and compact just feels like a drop bar for someone how hates drop bars but I can also see that it's easier to slam the stem with a compact bar, and you don't have to get lower when going from the tops, to the hoods, and to the drops.

[@moustafashafie6682]

Amazing information i am from egypt

[@declanfaughey8471]

Watching this a little bruised and nursing hands with bad road rash after I fell off my bike when I hit a wet manhole cover on my way home from college on Friday. I am studying to be a bicycle mechanic. Good news my bike Jenny is just fine.

[@hedleykerr3564]

You need to use the old wool jerseys and shorts to be authentic! Also the brake cables housing would be hanging out for true retro!

[@eternaloptimist2840]

The vintage bike is mid-1980s I think, too recent for woolly shorts.

[@SwiCyc]

Great video! Sidenote: Spaceships do not care about aerodynamics, as there is no air in space. And when they are in the athmosphere, they use the air to lose speed, so the last thing they want to be is aero.

[@orsations]

The real joy is retro bike + modern kit & wheels.

[@simonstucki]

great video, never would have thought that clothes make such a difference! but would have been interesting to compare the different positions on the two bikes. by trying to keep the same position on both bikes you were basically trying to eliminate the influence of the rider, but you already tested the bikes without the rider...

[@secretagent86]

my old leather strip helmet did the job back in the day.

[@whenvioletsturngrey9597]

Great comparison! My real question would be how much difference do the wheels make? In the 90's they switched to 130mm rear width which allows for a modern wheelset. I run a deep carbon wheelset on my Corsa Extra. It really makes a difference compared to my other steel racing frame with box rims. Even a narrower frame could have a modern wheelset built for it, if performance is your goal.

[@randalbladel2817]

Or, reset the old steel frame fo modern dropout width.

[@peterknight9873]

Great show.. I hope you'll find this an interesting question. With this data can you calculate if Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain and Felice Gimondi if they were riding today with modern clothing and bike what would be the comparison to Froome, Contador and Nibali on the Legendary climbs of the Tour de France Alpe d'Huez, Le Mont Ventoux, Giro d'Italia Passo Stelvio, Passo Mortirolo Vuelta Espana Xorret del Cati, Cumbre del Sol… Would they be faster and producing more power? In in reverse would modern riders be slower and more power…??

[@chinboy66]

Peter Knight is that with or without cocaine?

[@0s0sXD]

Aero dynamic clothing for sub zero temperatures Or at least for 3-5 Celsius. You can make a whole video about that

[@Twisty1024]

Very retro crankset on the retrobike 😝

[@richardcarr6493]

YOU SHOULD RIDE THE DROPS TOO to see the aero gains there as well

[@jpconstantineau]

Headwind vs tailwind: I now see how much more effort is it to keep riding at 25kph with a headwind of 20kph. This is an area that could make another video...

[@LWSParents]

Then mount the bike sideways too simulate a crosswind. Theres a part on the bike path I ride, that you pray for a head/tail wind b/c a cross blows you into the ditch or oncoming lane.

[@SpicyTrifongo]

Mild nitpick, we do see cylindrical shaped space ships. Look at the nose of the space shuttle. This has to do with the complicated physics at hyper sonic speeds, which result in a totally different approach than something that is doing subsonic or super sonic speeds. Scott Manley has a great video on it. Check out the nose of the SR71 vs the nose of the Space Shuttle for a visual exmaple.

[@MrLuigi-oi7gm]

I wonder what Hambini would say about the value of areodynamic data generated in that highly controlled wind tunnel? 🤔 (HELLO HAMBINI FANS!!!)

[@Ob1sdarkside]

Louder

[@calcagnolibero]

Bicycle Quarterly published years ago a very interesting wind tunnel test comparing the positions on the bike with or without fenders, racks, bags, capes etc. and a rear life tyres test. The latter showed that the “small tyres-high pressure equals faster speed “ rule we’ve been always taught is not true

[@rabidsminions2079]

The wheels would have made up most of the aero inefficiency on the retro bike. Retro bike is so much more interesting than the space age bike.

[@prestachuck2867]

anthony mills The classic Merckx is much more beautiful and having owned many bikes of both types, I’m certain the road handling is as good with a much better ride feel than the pinarello.

[@brendonnoble3296]

Wheel sucking is much more aero than deep section.

[@Jeff-bd4gg]

anthony mills beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I find retro bikes ugly and modern bikes sexy.

[@user-yn5sk5ru5g]

CdA is Cd (drag coefficient) multiplied by A (frontal area)

[@Jules.C.]

Belgian national team shirt with great brittain helmet *sure*

[@stefanwagener]

Please more of this ... like slim vs. fat guy, short vs. long bibs, short vs. long sleeves, with vs. without jacket, aero helmet vs. conventional helmet, ...

[@StephenLaneCycling]

Retro bike.... with DA 7900 cranks... I love that actually... and I have done it to my old Colnago once.

[@gcntech]

Awesome! We'd love to see that - send us a picture for the bike vault if you'd like!

[@ludwigfriman8771]

Are we going to see a 3D printed Jon anytime soon?

[@TheVinokourov]

Another head cold for Oliver, always seems to be sick

[@Century_Rider]

I like the comparisons at the 25 kph speed. It's easy to forget that we're not all racers. The difference between aero bikes and retro bikes isn't extreme at 25-35 kph (15-21 mph if you prefer). If you don't need to get a racing advantage, you don't need to pay the high price for a top end aero bike unless that's what you really want to ride. It means the weight and aero penalties of my retro Wilier aren't enough to overcome the benefit of comfort that it gives me in local group rides.

[@SirotkinVictor]

nice shoes for walk in the tunnel

[@Songbirdstress]

For the clothing, it's mainly the helmet right ? The Mercx bike is so graceful... Watching This for just me I'd keep the bike and upgrade the helmet...

[@christianotoole763]

That Merckx is ridiculously beautiful.

[@Leon-vq7hv]

In some degress of yaw which you have to test with cause of turbulence and real conditions, the results would be different and the differences less. Also the biggest part should be the weels

[@markyoung950]

How much of that aerodynamic advantage is the wheels? How aerodynamic would the Merckx be with deep aero wheels?

[@bukarin]

Yeah interesting point!! I like neo-retro bikes, steel frames with modern components, some people build them with deep section carbon wheels so be interesting to know. Maybe Hambini has the answers!

[@jonathanzappala]

I wish you would have done it with the same wheels on each bike for a bike only run. I know, Jon would have to be ok with his rear dropouts getting spread an extra 3-4mmfor the new wheel.

[@declanfaughey8471]

It would be cool to see Graeme Obree’s bike with that riding position, and compare it to that Pinarello to see which is faster.

[@markusseppala6547]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXuceWN_g79lldU

[@llavero5]

Not interesting, everyone know position has a biger effect, and Graeme Obree’s position was very extreme.

[@rafasape94]

Please try something like 45 degree front wind angle or more and let's see if that thick "aero" design performs better than the classic thin tubes! Lateral components may play a huge role in global aero performance, specially in windy days and curvy roads..

[@jeanmarcleplattenier2762]

Retro clothing should be wool pants and wool shirt. Your video explains why I was so slow racing in late 60"s to mid 70's.

[@davidtam1518]

At 7:00, it looks like Ollie has pooped his bibs all over the bike... hahaha

[@stevefox7469]

"Ollie have you ever ridden anything as old as this?".. Sounds like a setup for a Jimmy Carr joke..

[@scottbelongie9051]

this study sucks for me because i am the one who rides the retro bike but i do wear the aero suit which i have known for awhile when wearing the new aero outfits i can go faster great bike Jon and Ollie great job, extremly useful information which my mates will use against me. again great job mates.