How Tough Are Gravel Bikes?

Gravel bikes are tough but just how much of a beating can they take? To find out, we sent Hank to a 4x4 test track on a bike equipped with Shimano GRX 400, the brand’s entry-level mechanical gravel groupset. Oh, and he’s taking on a Land Rover Defender too! Gravel bike vs 4x4: which is the ultimate off-road machine?
In association with ‪@RideShimano‬ 👉 gcn.eu/Shimano
00:00 Intro
01:42 Bike & Challenges
03:04 Land Rover Defender
04:28 Round 1 - Mud Steep Climb
07:25 Round 2 - Mud Dunk
10:52 Round 3 - Swamp
13:37 Round 4 - Time Trial
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Who or what should Hank go head-to-head against next? 👀 Let us know in the comments below! 💬
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🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
A Chance to Escape - Alec Slayne
A Real Hotshot - Hampus Naeselius
Consistency - Timothy Infinite
Corpse Drag Gravel - SFX Producer
Demon in the Night (Instrumental Version) - TAGE
Fractured Paintings - Trevor Kowalski
In the Enemy's Eyes - Reynard Seidel
Keep Up This Time - Trevor Kowalski
Kissed by Thunder - Elliot Holmes
Konditoriet i Angered Centrum - par
Lost Crusaders - Hampus Naeselius
Shovel Scoop Mud 1 - SFX Producer
Spain on Mars - Tellsonic
Splash 1 - SFX Producer
Splash On Cement - SFX Producer
Splash Shallow Pool - SFX Producer
Stumbling Tango - Ludvig Moulin
Swamp Hideout - Blackout Memories
Water Movement 1 - SFX Producer
Water Movement Single 1 - SFX Producer
Wild Man's Pass - Splasher!
Wood Box Drag - SFX Producer
Your Time Is Now - Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen
#gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife #landrover #4x4 #gravelbike #shimano
📸 Photos - © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sprint Cycling Agency
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[@gcn]

Who or what should Hank go head-to-head against next? 👀 Let us know in the comments below! 👇

[@willmdn]

Hank Vs a tank, just for the name of the video

[@chris1275cc]

Repeat this but with one of those crazy comp-safari guys in a "lightweight".

[@chrisstrider]

A jet wash??

[@lovecycling193]

Stuart maybe a weirdy beardy but!!!! He fist bumps big hero six style 🤜

[@petersteadman841]

Brilliant video really enjoyed watching hack go against a winching enthusiast. 😂. Hack verse laxatives would be interesting, will he make it back in time😅

[@dasf89]

The Land Rover is not driven by Hank's dad. My disappointment is immeasurable.

[@gearknobz]

That’s next, bike vs tank

[@drb2323]

Hank wouldn't have had a chance versus Hank's Dad....

[@Songbirdstress]

I literally shouted Hank Senior lol.

[@jeffreywilliams3646]

I must have missed the introduction of the weirdy beardy. Didn't catch his real name at all.

[@frozenbean]

I half expected Hank's dad in a fake beard to show up.

[@beyond990]

Hank is a beast and such a sport to do these videos time and again. ❤😊

[@gcn]

You think he has a choice?? 😉

[@alaefarmestatesllc]

@@gcnhe had a choice to tap out 10 seconds into the apple de zwift climb video lol

[@Turbobuttes]

First of all really impressive skills by Hank there, also shockingly good performance by the bike. Obviously the car will be quicker in speed tests, but you can see how easily it starts struggling as soon as it has its massive weight working against it. Also when was the last time you could lift your 4x4 over a fallen tree or boulder blocking the trail?

[@alpsalish]

How was that shockingly good performance? It was exactly what I expected. Much greater expenditure of personal energy, wet, muddy, etc. Bikes these days have never been better at what they are intended to do. Road bikes have never climbed better. Mountain bikes have never been better at tackling extremely dangerous terrain and gravel bikes have never been better at riding through relatively mixed conditions. Oh, and don't forget about separating us from our hard earned money. Si was giggling more though. These just aren't comparable in any meaningful way. Honestly, maybe a dual sport motorcycle and a bike might make a little more sense. You could even make the competition price comparable.

[@HC-kn2sq]

The driver of the 4x4 didn’t help at all

[@benjaminsmuda7214]

Man... I felt it when you said that cars use to destroy gravel paths. Here in Germany, good-looking and light gravel paths get converted into mud hell and rough terrain with lots of potholes and puddles after trucks and trailers get past it to cut trees. Sadly happens here a lot

[@gcn]

Do you think cars ruin those areas? 🌲

[@xenotrixx]

@@gcn All areas to be honest. I developed a hate against cars thanks to suv‘s.

[@Tibovl]

That intro is surprisingly spot on. 4x4's aren't a big problem where I come from, but quad's completely tear up mud tracks and are unapologetically dangerous. So much that farmers sometimes block parts of the road with hay bales (bless them). Rant over :)

[@a1white]

How much more abuse can you put Hank through?! 😂 Love it. Top gear vs GCN. Good to showcase how capable mid-level bikes and groupsets are. 10speed mechanical ftw!

[@gcn]

Any suggestions are encouraged 😉

[@sandiegocyclingnutz]

A couple of things. 1. Hank is just awesome. Not only is he willing but he has a blast and gives it his all. Hats off bro! 2. Your weirdy beardies are far more pleasant than the 4x4'ers in the US. 😉

[@2.old4this]

Loved this. Fair play to Si, man of his years suffering the cold and wet like that. Well done old chap!

[@888johnmac]

most impressive thing here ..... Hanks bike control

[@Seppster58]

I LOVED this video. As an ex-4X4 offroader, when transitioning into the world of cycling, I went the gravel bike route as that is where I feel the most comfortable. I loved the adventure and excitement of that environment, so it was a great fit. Kudos to GCN and especially Hank and Si for bringing this to us. Definitely saved as one of my favourite videos!!! ❤🤩

[@gcn]

What do you prefer... 4X4 or Gravel? Sounds like we hit your sweet spot? 🪨

[@marcm9074]

Loved the camera shot of the shotgun shell with the bike in the background. Grind it out!

[@darius1189]

Amazing work Hank!!! Thank you! It was fun to watch and considering the 122 horses vs one biker sure the biker is the winner!:)

[@birkaster]

It'd be nice to see a 4x4 with more brutal tyres vs @GMBN Hank was, as usual, a beast!

[@KorbensBum]

Lowering the car tyre pressures would have helped massively.

[@gcn]

How do you think the off road team would get involved? 👀

[@birkaster]

@@gcn Good question! Brad, that tech guy of yours just tested a gravel bike with suspension forks, so xc vs sus gravel vs 4x4 sounds like a good challenge!

[@mrvwbug4423]

@@KorbensBum Not that much, BF Goodrich KO2s are actually bad in mud, they clog up pretty quick. This Defender also didn't appear to have differential locks.

[@Aragorn.Strider]

Love this kinda stuff! Well done Hank!

[@JonPaul]

Great video guys. Hank knocked it out, well done. "I've barely had porridge this morning"

[@NunoJoel]

Hank is a PowerHouse ! I never thought he would pass tha water!!! 9:16 😮

[@philipcooper8297]

The myth, the legend... Hank the Tank is back, doing stuff so we don't have to.😀

[@frozenbean]

Oh there's an idea for a future video - Hank vs.a Tank!

[@gcn]

Hahaha that's why we've got him 😂

[@me1976ac]

Quite surprised the defender didn't break down ,the dealership often give you a free puppy when you buy one they feel it's nice company for when you have to walk home!😂

[@mrvwbug4423]

with the quoted "122hp" it sounds like an older D90 with the 300TDI engine, rather than a BMW engine. hard to tell which one is less reliable

[@chris1275cc]

This popped up on my phone, no thumbnail no description just the title, and yet I KNEW it would be Hank.

[@gcn]

Who else is mad enough? 😉

[@aaronedgeart]

Bonkers fun to watch, well done all... particularly our gladiator Hank!

[@gcn]

Hank smashes it again 🙌

[@OllyKilo]

Hank is the man. Excellent video, excellent production, excellent presentation. Magnificent.

[@zukzworld]

Bloody hell…. Loved it, all the way. ❤️ Well done Hank! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾✌🏾

[@gcn]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@iconhotel182]

That was epic, surprising, and so fun to watch!

[@gcn]

That's what we like to hear 🎉

[@anthonyoldfield4965]

Hats off to Hank! 👏👏👏👏

[@ronaldweed6103]

I truly enjoyed this. The Lad on the bike is awesome strong 💪 thx Guys

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MTBScotland]

I loved my V8 Landrover. Did the Corrieyairack Pass 20 5 years ago on a rigid XC mountain bike with the SLROC.

[@thsaintful]

Hank's a beast. Pedaling up that climb, through that river, through the swamp, that requires a lot of strength and handling (and thats coming from a MTB'er 😅)

[@williamsmith1453]

What in tarnation? That's no four wheeler, that's what we in America's south call swamp-bait. Them gators ain't going hungry if ya driv'n that thingy! Seriously, However you sold me on the 400 gravel set. My Salsa gravel bike is an 8 speed, was thinking about up grading to true gravel 10 speed. Fun show, thank yall.

[@rolfaalto]

Proper 4x4s have lockers, at least in the rear -- this one isn't set up for real offroad driving as was running on just 1 wheel traction for the main weight bearing driving rear axle on uphills, you could see one wheel not turning at all and the other spinning madly, ripping away the mud -- so very little forward force! At least a bike has 100% power to the rear driving wheel, so much better in theory and practice!

[@unconventionalideas5683]

It may also have limited slip, though, and that would work, at least in theory.

[@dorydiavelone3531]

Stewart was a real trooper fun video!!Hank you Rock your amazing!!! GREAT JOB!!!

[@BIIIKES]

Rename the video to: Can a Land Rover Survive a 4x4 Course? Fun video. Awesome chemistry on screen! 🤘

[@paulcollingridge8387]

Soaking cold.... The new temperature system. Awesome Hank, that was a great ride

[@wyrierit]

Would be cool if you made a follow-up video about cleaning that bike to perfect condition.

[@gcn]

Hahahah Hank has really drawn the short straw here 😂

[@itadokimasu]

loved this!!!

[@orvillealdrich7601]

Loved the vid fellas! Si is looking much too warm…

[@alvinlim2725]

Enjoyed it very much

[@craigr2167]

There was only one real winner in this video and that was Hank. Incredible riding through whatever that was...

[@gcn]

It was a big push this video 🙌

[@dgregoryherschell7300]

Chapeau Hank, awesome ride

[@martinthomas5194]

Great vid team 👍

[@matthewbaynham6286]

When Manon joined GCN she did an intro video and I'm sure she said that she did rally car racing as a hobby, didn't she? What about Hank verses a rally car?

[@gcn]

Who do you think would win?

[@matthewbaynham6286]

@@gcn Hank of course.

[@alpsalish]

​​@@gcn rally car...

[@markvanlintel]

Well done Hank! Taking one for the team again.. ❤ Proper team player. Also why does the car get an extra point?

[@jim9685769]

Poor editing likely.

[@alainpfammatter8224]

Cool idea and video.

[@dorydiavelone3531]

I Love Hank he is such a sport and so strong love him!!!

[@gcn]

Never a dull day filming with Hank! 🙌

[@griff9290]

Awesome job Hank!

[@trainiax]

This was such an entertaining video that it almost makes me want to take my gravel bike through a swamp myself (almost....)

[@gcn]

Hahahah that is mission accomplished for us 🙌 Go get muddy!!

[@trainiax]

@@gcn Haha I went on roads with occasional damp patches a couple of days ago using mudguards, and I almost got wet... I guess that's a start?

[@pittviper6320]

I love these videos!

[@gcn]

Thanks! What should we make Hank do next?

[@ierefaanbatchelor2578]

Wow 😅. Well done to GCN's very own "Crash Test Dummy". Stellar effort Hank.

[@keithmccallum1054]

Great effort by "Hank the Tank"!!!

[@andrewmcalister3462]

12:40 Hank does his best Dan Lloyd impression.

[@gemshiddenhistories6575]

Hank is my hero. Can't believe he rides thru all this crap, in the cold. Wow!

[@Zwiesel66]

Ok you have convinced me, I am gonna buy a Landrover - I guess it was what you wanna achieve 😅

[@mrvwbug4423]

If this video shows anything, it's that Hank is an absolute beast. It did help Hank that this particular Defender was running BF Goodrich KO2 tires which are actually bad at clearing mud, and that Defender looked to be stock and didn't have differential locks (stock Defenders run open diffs at the axles). That Vaast gravel bike is also very impressive for what is actually a very reasonably priced bike, but with a trick magnesium frame that is almost as light as carbon.

[@RebekahWegener]

Hank is an absolute legend!!

[@gcn]

He's one of our best 🙌

[@andreemurray7039]

That looks great fun

[@TheEpieikeia]

Hank displays such COMMITMENT... however silly the challenge might be!! 😃

[@strawhorn1]

Well done Hank for showing off what a gravel bike can do. Even road bikes can deal with a fair bit as I have found out, the only thing that let it down was the slick tyres. To see what a specialized bike is capable of look at Danny Hart's 2011 World Championship Winning Downhill Run at Champery, even a mountain goat would struggle with that. Bikes are just fun and sometimes you just have to get muddy. Be a kid again and worry about the clean up after you get home.

[@238949]

Loved this, being married to a "beardy weirdy" (without a beard) who would never do off roading at the speed shown in this video, I'm as ever so impressed by Hank and his enthusiasm and energy. I would have preferred the warm car too :)

[@gcn]

Hahaha Hank is a ball of energy! The warm car was the place to be! 😂

[@webster169]

Firstly, Hank is a beast on a bike, secondly, how many sheep can you carry on the back of a gravel bike and thirdly, where did Si find wellies that would fit his ankles?

[@andyharbin411]

Hank is a Beast!!!

[@danbeasley8465]

We need gravel bike vs trail/ ultra runner, il do it as an average one if needed haha

[@giuseppemignogna153]

AMO QUESTA PUNTATA! Saluti dall'ITALIA!!!!! 🇮🇹

[@EljunPacomios]

Did Hank get a carrot cake after this? He deserves a ton.

[@kennlicht]

That's the Incredible Hulk, oh no, sorry, the Incredible Hank!!! Best GCN video ever!

[@gcn]

Glad you liked it! 😂

[@kevin._.farren]

Can I volunteer to be Hanks stunt double? Looks like great fun!!

[@Tr.Brandon]

12:35 absolutely love it!!

[@eb6055]

Haaaang on a minute - the car gets multiple attempts to make it successfully through the Mud Dunk and scores a point, but Hank falls off once in The Swamp and koses out?!?!? Conclusion - bikes rule 💪🏻

[@SlimOneable]

Si in his first role as Directeur Sportif. 🙃

[@seanoleary771]

Soon as I saw the Swamp bit, and even more as the Rover cut grooves through it, I thought "I'd have gone first if i were you Hank".

[@mrrolandlawrence]

should have got the ineos 4x4 to compete against ;) thats got cycle friendly features! this video is making me want a gravel bike..

[@JDRELGOR]

I've got to defend SOME 4x4 drivers and motorcyclists that actually do a lot of good work repairing a lot of these byways & greenlanes, that's GLASS and the TRF, it would be interesting to see how much erosion has been cause by MTB's in the lakes.

[@kaltonian]

brilliant lads, hank done well against the landrover beast,

[@PereAndreuUbachdeFuentes]

That's how you do it! Kudos to Hank!

[@gcn]

He smashed it! Although he always puts in the effort 👉kzbin.info/www/bejne/barZend6i6tjg6M

[@richardruns4cake]

Definitely this could be the Top Gear replacement 💪

[@ridealoha2717]

Total silliness, but quite fun!

[@samuelsullivan9546]

Men and their toys bring such great joy!

[@florincojocaru7662]

Hank The Man Machine!💪

[@Cyclingismywholelife]

Hank the Tank! Thumbs go up!

[@Desmond17]

I demand a rematch ! I think Ineos are building a Grenadier 4x4 and Pinarello are the best looking gravel bike out there. Might that mean that we could have G vs Olly volume 2 ?

[@gcn]

Maybe one for the future 😉

[@abkold]

The most important reason for me to use Zwift is the stability. All other programs I have used have crashed or lost connections, etc.

[@frozenbean]

Always love a gravel bike video where things get almost as muddy as your average cross race.

[@gcn]

That's how all bike rides should start and end 🙌

[@boriss.861]

Several years to recover Si! It's the spring a flock sheep or a quick roll and you will never know by late summer you've been there at all.

[@lucianoalves2620]

Hank é uma máquina de pilotar. 😂

[@matejklimes8681]

Done a few things like that in a Volvo, my V70 is too low for that, my wife's XC70 would probably do some of that, our last before facelift XC70 definitely would... some of it I mean, been down and up some funny stuff over in Italy thanks to bad navigation skills :)

[@lilbruin]

Any ride; any time. Just as long as it's outside!

[@David-qx8jm]

Funny good entertainment don't stop my two fave. But it's like trying to win the tour de whatever on a down hill bike. But like i said laugh my but off which is good cuz now I don't have to buy that new seat I've been looking at. Thanks guys. Keepemcoming now ya hear?

[@cherriagana]

When they opened this one with "last year we tried to destroy" I honestly was expecting them to say "hank" after all the crazy stuff he has been doing :D

[@gcn]

We've been trying to do that for more than a year! 🤣

[@dorydiavelone3531]

Hank makes every Disgustingly hard challenge look easy!!!

[@tonymc90]

Hank, always game 🤣

[@bcschafer]

Hank is amazing. I would have died of hypothermia. Go Hank!

[@jrvaden]

The thing in the rear wheel after the creek crossing is a cocklebur

[@alessandrozucco5292]

I own a suzuki samurai and a speialized fatboy and i like to drive offroad with my 4x4 when is not broken 😅. I think that bike and car does the same things but in different ways.

[@jonathanzappala]

If done a few CX races that looked like challenge #3

[@paulworth70]

Hank the tank...! Legend

[@doggylover1958]

Mid level bike plus top level rider, that was brilliant!

[@mattwood2612]

Hank falling over in the swamp was unexpected, and absolutely hilarious! Although, I think Si had the harder challenge as he had to turn the heated seat on more than once. 🤣

[@falsemcnuggethope]

Unexpected? I think it was obvious, might have even been scripted.

[@gcn]

Hahahah it was a tough day in the office all around 😂

[@dorydiavelone3531]

Y’all need to come to the U.S. A. So we the viewers can participate!!

[@ericlundquisthere]

I gotta say, seeing Hank tear around that mud with a groupset very similar to mine is quite inspiring. Fair play!

[@gcn]

Go get it! 🙌Has it fired you up to get muddy?

[@ericlundquisthere]

@@gcn A little bit, if I'm honest!

[@dorydiavelone3531]

Dang Stewart handled the driving really well!!!

[@princeedmunddukeofedinburg]

amazing...