Spinning Vs Grinding: The Ultimate Cycling Cadence Race

Riding with a high cadence is a widely accepted cycling practise, many people claim that it is more efficient and saves power and energy over long periods of time. However, as with most things it often comes down to personal preference, and there are many successful pro cyclists who have won bike races pushing big gears and grinding their way uphill. So in true GCN fashion we devised a totally unscientific challenge for our presenters to do....
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📹 Spinning Vs Grinding | gcn.eu/spinVsg...
Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
A Morning in Hindsight - Nebulae
Always in My Head - Swif7
Annihilation - Jo Wandrini
Dark Utopia - FormantX
Flavors - oomiee
Got Real - Splasher!
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slow breath - shamgang
Thoughts in My Mind - Swif7
Wardenclyffe - _91nova
Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphot...
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Leave us a comment below!

[@gcn]

Who did you think would win the race?

[@matthewlewis2072]

Conor, bacause Hank's knees would melt

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

Conor Spinner has the double-advantage of spinning faster uphill and freewheeling downhill nearly as fast as Hank Grinder.

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

Conor. I did enjoy Hank’s weird new sport somewhere between a cyclocross and triathlon. What’s he going to call it because hill climbing while running in socks is a mouthful?

[@titchc]

Conor won hands down. Poor Hank I don't think managed to cycle up any of the hills. 😂

[@NONAME-ry2kt]

Hank

[@MrUnderko]

I feel like a better test would be to allow shifting but limit the cadence. Hank would have to stay 100 for example.

[@iokarus]

Came here to say this. The video is a bit of a dumb test, even if it is funny

[@bigmango202]

+1

[@lgmsampaio]

As they say, the main goal of this "test" is just trying to break Hank.

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

Was going to say the same. This 'test' is pointless, stupid and no valid conclusions can be drawn from it.

[@michadebicki6534]

Sadly since long time GCN is providing excellent entertainment but very litte actually useful informaton

[@andyboreham3117]

This is the funniest episode yet. Conor’s legs whipping round like a cyclone and Hank running about in his socks. Just practically spat my coffee across the room 😂

[@itarry4]

Yhea you get the feeling that the guy with the longest legs in the world was given the spinning option for a reason and it wasn't just that Hank loves pain apparently.

[@dalailambda9420]

I watched it at 1.5x speed, and Conor spinning was one of the most beautiful, frantic things I have ever seen. Hank looked like he was complaining for no reason though! With all that running, and all those dips in the water he's done previously, you'd think Hank would appear on GTN more often.

[@houstoncommuterdashcam3013]

Haha thought he was going to take off like a helicopter

[@tts8907]

What’s most impressive here is that you picked a course that made it so suspenseful and close with multiple lead changes. That’s not that easy. You chose a great course that made it fun to watch.

[@conradhyde4318]

another impressive thing about that course, at the start the set off about 150 yards from the tennis courts of my school! crazy that gcn are set in bath where i live lmao

[@balazsdusek]

@@conradhyde4318 the global in their name stands for England

[@red00tl]

The whole episode reminded me of the movie “Dumb and Dumber.”😂

[@_Philip_.]

Ahhaha

[@ianluigilastra1850]

hahahah

[@Livlifetaistdeth]

I've been watching GCN for over 5 years and I can't remember a more exciting race.

[@Latchfpv]

That was a fun, if inaccurate comparison, Would love to see a race where you had to stay above or below a certain cadence but you could still gear shift within those limits. Great seeing Hank and Conner giving it their all. Was not expecting Hank to ditch the shoes, that was awesome.

[@pmaspmas]

Should have had SPD pedals - the shoes would have made the walking and running much more efficient.

[@kinthelt]

Hey look, they're both pulling a Chris Froome!

[@NebulaMK]

Underrated comment right here.

[@ianluigilastra1850]

i saw a vid saying chris froome has a motor on his bike

[@manutavano]

This video is a great advertisement for mtb shoes

[@TheNeelonRokk]

For sure, and for derailleurs as well. 🤣

[@vongdong10]

Nah, I started with MTB shoes then tried road shoes. Never going back. Cleat covers are a thing for road shoes.

[@shannontrainer5857]

The only thing you ride is BMX.

[@billincolumbia]

Or flat pedals.

[@LukasDombrovsky]

@@vongdong10 Funny, I did exactly opposite. I rode four years in road shoes/pedals, then both needed replacement. So I just swapped my mtb pedals to my road bike and never going back to road shoes. Easy walking on stairs or street/cafe - no need to put covers to jersey pockets and shoes. And I don't see any performance or comfort loss. Beside that people who do both road and mtb can invest in just one quality shoes.

[@badbitecrew]

I haven’t laughed this much since COVID started. Thank you for the cheer.

[@tobiascoates9727]

Its very gratifying watching Connor grind up that hideous hill leading towards Monkton Farleigh despite being in his easiest gear - makes me feel less rubbish for struggling so much with it!

[@whitehorsebricks2670]

Trying to remount in 50-11 half way up Brassknocker was pretty good for a giggle.

[@rommelsablas]

This by far the most amazing race I’ve ever seen in GCN!

[@jeffwilliams5355]

I always enjoy these Giraffe and Spaniel videos.

[@09keizo58]

Yesterday 900w to carry all that load, today 800w. Hank is pushed to hard 🤣🤣 #SaveHank

[@paulbavington4964]

Absolute class!! 😂

[@JerryHilts]

#SaveHank indeed. His knees must be shot to hell after those two challenges.

[@jimmytopsleywilly8757]

#SaveMe #SaveHank

[@Henrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

#savehank

[@joelwheeler8643]

What Sport Burns More Calories? Running Vs. Cycling Vs. Hank

[@ador4512]

Manon should've included Hank in her video last week lol 😂

[@rowdml]

Can’t say which strategy is more efficient or faster, but watching Conor’s Spider Crab legs spinning away with hummingbird cadence is definitely funnier.

[@jeffreytejada3090]

It's the most thrilling and exciting ever filmed by GCN by far (LOL)...KUDOS to you both, Hunk and Conor!!!

[@bear5197]

I feel like limiting the cadence is such a logical way to approach this test but GCN you do you😂

[@stuartjohnson8743]

Imagine watching this not knowing what they were doing. Seeing someone spinning like hell on the flats and then someone running in socks up hills

[@ron_nor_]

Next on GCN - Who is faster on cobble stones, a cyclist with 28mm tires at 90psi or Hank on bare rims? Stay tuned. 🤪

[@yonpark6245]

LOL

[@nousphabmixay986]

Great to see everyone training to beat Si.

[@monicamobley7994]

Thank you for inspiring me to get on my bike this quarantined day. Conor and Hank are a hilarious duo.

[@gcn]

Hope you had a great ride Monica

[@briandekeyser]

You wing nuts! That was hilarious and probably my favorite show you guys of done this year. LOL well done

[@trinityxyz]

Funniest GCN segment! Definitely interesting experiment. This also corroborates another hypothesis that flat landers/spinners are better at hills than hill climbers/grinders on flats.

[@gcn]

Interesting second point! Absolutely lots of evidence for this too

[@markhaneklaus282]

Thank you islanders - you manage to make our continental cycling winter fun . staying almost passive and motivated - watching YOU makes it possible

[@glharlor]

Would love to see this done again in a slightly less unrealistic way. Cap/minimise each rider at a specific cadence. Entertaining just the same

[@alastairbanton959]

It’s now like watching Top Gear challenge with you two on your crazy challenges. Brilliant well done. Oh and spinning (sorry Hank).

[@wayne8872]

Yes, this was up there with the best of GCN. Well done both of you but Hanks run at the end was brilliant.👍🏻

[@hutchmusician]

There’s just something about watching Hank suffer that really makes my day.

[@penrar]

Genuine edge of your seat viewing. Loved it. Well done lads, especially the editor!

[@grv7437]

This is literally the craziest, the funniest and apparently the funnest of your videos.

[@MrGarycoww]

"I'm a climbing WIZARD!"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@hipocondriaca]

I'm genuinely laughing my ass off. These two are just 🤣😂 I never thought watching cycling related content could be so fun!! hahaha!

[@jeffeversole291]

The drama of an intense murder mystery! Kudos to Hank's fitness!

[@benliu3522]

That was ridiculously awesome! Haven't laughed so hard at a GCN video, well done guys!

[@sasha371]

GCN: next time, single gear challenge! Manon has to be in! mutliple riders, same bikes, same tyres! Weight divided by 25 will give a ratio you should use. Then it will be interesting ;) Who's going to win?

[@bhargavsawant611]

Manon vs si ?

[@zukzworld]

Great show, does explain how useful the 2-by system is for normal cyclists like us. I switched to one by SRAM for almost two years and now back again with the trusty ultegra, can feel the difference in climbs. Thanks GCN for the show! 👍🏾

[@FPSChipmunk]

Hanks ability to casually bunny hop a road bike at speed ( 11:40 ) is the biggest flex.

[@LoscoeLad]

essential skill, man.. practice!

[@angela-onesroman8873]

Really enjoyed this one, so funny watching Connor spin away like that 😆

[@dwaynerandolph3565]

Very interesting race setup, I knew from the very beginning that spinning would reign supreme over grinding a hard gear, however the grinder had to do “2” disciplines cycling & running whereas the spinning guy stayed on his bike the entire time. So one guy did a semi triathlon & the other a circuit race. Did was fun to watch nevertheless @Global Cycling Network ✔️

[@CoolGrey7Man]

Luv'd this video . . . laughed and smiled through the whole video, another great one from GCN.

[@DeadlyPlatypus]

Q: "Does spinning or grinding work better?" A: "Which terrain does the race END on?"

[@dh9517]

One of the best videos I’ve seen in a long long time! Genuine laughter 😂😂Excellent work GCN!

[@NealWilliams]

Conner's "No, No, No"s are hilarious!

[@stevenpepper123]

Fantastic video! Glad the higher cadence won. Brilliant how it was so close. Another video trying to break Hank and he survives! Cheers for the laughs fellas.

[@Big_M_T]

A page right out of a Top Gear episode.

[@sophiescyclingandwalkingch4294]

It’s dawned on me (I’m slow) that GCN is TOP GEAR for cyclists.

[@andrewwaller1948]

This episode is comedy gold, I cracked up the whole episode, cracked up watching conner at Def con 5 cadence 😂😂😂😂

[@Scarecrow-zr3zx]

As a single speed rider, I have no choice but to grind the uphills and spin the downhills

[@tomasdecamino8522]

As a fixed gear rider y grind uphill and spin fast down, however, you choose a gear ratio that works... using 50/11 is too hard, Hank should have used 50/18. Same thing for Connor a bit higher gear. There is a gear ratio where the technique matters more than if it’s high or low...

[@HweolRidda]

@@tomasdecamino8522 Exactly. And given that you are going to spin more you adjust your seat height to reflect that. A bit up and forward in my case compared to my multi-gear bike.

[@kangmi26]

Guys.. Whats your gear setup ? I just use 1x chainring 38 and 11-36 sproket, its feel spining for me.. Whats you sugest for me for chainring teeth ?

[@danthomas8674]

I didn't care who won! It was just awesome watching James and Connor annihilate themselves for our entertainment 🤣

[@gcn]

Cheers Dan

[@ridekernow]

“Yess...grinding wins”... it ain’t grinding if you’re running!!!

[@fritzlausier7053]

You guys ROCK! I love watching you guys right now. I can't ride much but great to have some entertainment during this slow period.

[@everactivedad]

Next it Grinding VS Spinning. Let’s have them switch.

[@robduncan599]

Absolutely. Not only that but a more realistic gear 50" v 90" and mid rider on a70" gear bike . But that wouldn't do would it ? What next crash a caravan like top gear ?

[@1a2b3c4.]

It was fun just watching, the most fun I had watching your videos I can only imagine doing it. Good idea. I had so much fun watching, I really L.O.L. Laughed out loud. 👍

[@iMadrid11]

Spinning is definitely faster. 🥰 HIME!!!

[@nihilisticfella]

Onoda!

[@mattshipstone9361]

Glorious insanity! You guys need to have a word with the local tourist board- it looks like cycling heaven round there!

[@duracellrabbid]

First thing asked in a pre-production meeting: So how do we make Hank suffer?

[@farizrd]

hank is the new lasty

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

GCN has already admitted this is true, lol

[@hueandsteve1989]

That was great! Great sportsmanship & two excellent guys, great job!

[@erick_fernandez_78910]

“Alright Mo Farrah!” Bahahahah!

[@talshanie]

Killer race, killer video! Dont remember ever laughing that much for utube video...

[@leeadams2413]

we saw Manon and Heather Bike agaainst runner who burnt more calories, so Hank must have doubled the burn count ;) So cool

[@piersgreen7521]

I love GCN! Laugh out loud funny. Thank god for gears is all i can say!

[@TheCup0joe]

"You have to unplug your gears" "I'lll take my batteries out" must be nice...

[@gc9792]

This was brilliantly ridiculous! Kudos to both Connor and Hank for this entertaining 20 minutes.

[@Quertreiber199]

Laughed so hard seeing Hank running in socks with the bike on his shoulder! Great episode!

[@SimonH72]

I think all at GCN deserve a big thumbs up for every video. They’re obviously constrained at the moment...so no foreign trips, team bus tours and the like. However, to keep creating quality content locally, I think, is even more challenging. Well done GCN!! 🚴‍♂️💨💨👍🏻👍🏻

[@gcn]

Thanks Simon, we are trying pretty hard to keep new and exciting videos coming every day, and it's always appreciated to read that people are enjoying it. ❤️

[@izylldus]

James "The Pain" Lowsley-Williams

[@everactivedad]

Those boys really gave 100%. Great show!

[@ericbauereis3732]

I guessed spinning by a hare but would love to see a third competitor, one that got to use all his gears. How much did they sacrifice by staying in one gear?

[@Charleypassy]

Cheers GCN. Connor spinning his legs whilst grimacing will definitely be my next fever dream.

[@workingguy-OU812]

Great episode. Wasn't a simple course, and it was long enough to make the data worthwhile. Honestly figured Hank was gonna take it.

[@aitchy2k01]

I actually thought the grinder would win. You displayed amazing power for endurance. You guys are the absolute best.

[@SwedishHouseFifa]

This reminds me of when Si and Matt did a race up a hill in their largest gear lol

[@pjgarcia2417]

I really thought Hank would win this race. I thought he would get such a big lead on the descents and the flats that Conor couldn't reel him in on those climbs. There's no doubt in my mind that Hank got a much more brutal workout. This was an epic race! Great job to both of you!

[@tomrachellesfirstdance7843]

Surprised Connor didn't turn into ET spinning that hard

[@NaDerroCartwright]

Wait was ET spinning or was it Elliot?

[@susanwinston4123]

Lol...I think what I’ve learned, I’m so glad to not be riding a fixed gear bike...props to all those pro riders back in the day! Lots of fun to watch, great job guys!

[@tommyibex2626]

love these 2 guys sense of competition, made for a really fun video, was smiling all the way through watching it

[@jeefefoo]

this is the best GCN video of all time!

[@januwethomson1311]

The experient would have been more interesting, wenn not the gear, but the average cadens was the measure. The one would cycle at an average of 50-60 prm the other one at 120 rpm. I think this would be far more interesting for this topic. But all in all great video!

[@AlanJeffreyMcClainJr]

I loved this video. Connor's max rpm was mind blowing! Kudos to both contenders!

[@TheJmbf10]

props to hank's chain!

[@timhepworth7867]

What do you guys at GCN HQ have to chose Hanks challenges.... Hank Roulette, spin the wheel and see what Hank does this week.

[@sebastienbrochard9812]

What a brilliant race! Awesome guys! Well done!

[@ShakeNBakeUK]

11:42 LMFAO that air time tho

[@zubinshroff533]

You guys are really crazy pulling off a ride like this 😂 But believe me it was fun to watch.

[@stevencroat]

Those shoes tossed cost more than my bike...

[@dalewarner6865]

Great effort from Hank running up those hills! Very enjoyable

[@adiewarren]

Next time one should have a small range of easier gears and the other a small range of harder gears the outcome would be far more revealing.

[@gorzillak2793]

Kudo to the GCN guys to go thru such a torture of themselves to just proof a point and entertaining us 😅 Love you guys thou regardless.

[@davidhadley6164]

Love this one GCN! Good effort Hank. Would Si vs. Hank- (bc similar body size/weight - on the same bike(2 ring) setup be a better test? With Si limited to the top half of gears and Hank to the lower half?

[@jujuryan9632]

Would love to see that 🚴‍♂️

[@Wakey585]

Hank's little ramp jump on the bumpy road at 11:40 made me do a happy dance.

[@10ktube]

Cool idea, i'm not sure the execution was perfect though, it was too extreme. Maybe make the "grinder" not go above 70rpm, and the "spinner" can't drop below 100rpm or something like that? On the steepest hills that'll be near impossible, but again, maybe not use the extremes to keep it more measurable. Or do hill repeats with the same parameters? So much potential for more fun.

[@mcduckuk]

Agreed about the execution of the idea, the guy with the high cadence was grinding up some of the hills anyway.

[@till_hansen]

There is an old vid about that. I think this video don’t want to be a real test. It wants to be more entertainment

[@michaelskelton8516]

Great video, super fun, given the course chosen I was with Connor...whatever a proper good laugh👍😎

[@seniorcycling5352]

The ultimate cycling cadence race: spinning or running?

[@wutherer]

Funniest one yet! Lost my marbles when hank was still trying to pedal that steep climb what a monster!

[@srpskihayk]

20% hills!? I cry and am in the lowest gears at the sight of 3%!

[@JosephC9]

You guys are so childish. and I love it. GCN is amazing.

[@edfranks733]

While that was good for a laugh, I'd be curious to see the same test done on more gentle hills on which Hank might not have to get off the bike and Conor could pedal down the other side.

[@madiantin]

That was more entertaining than I thought it would be. Also, me knees hurt just watching.

[@avocette]

The setup should've been like 1x and limited gearing at the back, where the spinner use the smaller chainring and the easier half of the cassette, while the grinder uses the bigger chainring and the harder half of the cassette. Sticking to singlespeed doesn't prove anything from a practical point of view.

[@a.m.gososo102]

A bit late to the video but here's my idea: they could use a 2x drivetrain, but one of them has to be stuck to the smaller chainring while one is stuck to the larger one. Alternatively, they could use 1x drivetrains with diff size chain rings, i.e. one is on a 34, one is on a 50-something, and if there's someone else who'd participate, they'd use maybe a 42. They could still use the whole range at the back, though.

[@Luisfeliz28]

That running scene at 13:05 was both impressive and cinematic.