Vintage Bike, Modern Rider - How Hard Is The World's Oldest Bike Race?

[@dlevi67]

Thank you for the birthday present, GCN! I was born in Torino on this day, 55 years ago, and I learned to ride a bike on these same roads.

[@jowen85]

auguri

[@dlevi67]

@@jowen85 Grazie!

[@gcn]

That's so cool! Tanti auguri!!

[@dlevi67]

@@gcn Grazie!!

[@panosni1]

I own both a modern carbon fibre bike and a fully-functioning 1979 bike, which I ride from time to time (the latter about 10kg, 5 gears which I modified to 6, with 52/42 front and 14-27 back). Positives for the retro bike: runs smoothly, steel makes the ride very comfortable, maintenance is quick and simple, mechanicals can be fixed quickly with manual solutions. Negatives: gear changes are slow requiring a tiny pedalling pause and preparing in advance, gear ratio is a major issue in very steep gradients - treat it as an exercise and you are fine. I find that weight, aerodynamics, breaks, wheels, pedals make little difference. Overall, in an identical flat/slightly hilly route, my average speed differences are small (just 0.1-0.3 kmh faster on modern bike). Big differences are on climbs and mostly due to gearing.

[@oadka]

Thanks for the comparison! I have a vintage bike like that which i absolutely love and I used to wonder how much slower it is compared to a modern bike! I'm planning on modding the bike a bit and adding a 3rd chainring on the front with lesser teeth to get a lower gear ratio for climbs....

[@jowen85]

@@oadka already done that, but find I don't use the third ring very much at all. The 52/42 26 is too tough for me these days though. The triple chainsets usually have a slightly smaller middle ring, which is just perfect.

[@panosni1]

@@oadka It could work, but there are several problems to consider. I agree with J Owen above, you might find that the smaller ring is not used at all and, to add to this, it might be difficult modulating the front derailleur. A simpler solution could be to use a smaller middle ring (you could fit a 39), but consider also changing the big ring as the jump might be too big. Another solution could be a 7 speed back derailleur with a matching cassette, but don't expect anything more than 28 at the back. Sourcing rings/cassettes/etc. that would fit is usually a major problem if you go this way. And even if you find one, once your components wear out it will be even more difficult. Considering the options, I find it wiser to use a modern bike (even a cheap one) for most of the rides, and just use the vintage bike as it is, for a long flat course on a sunny day

[@ericrichardson7575]

I love my 1987 steel bike 12 speed Shimano 105 SIS. Was 52/42 and 13-26. I found a 38 chainring fits and switched to a 13-28 freewheel. Works nicely and helps my old legs a lot.

[@panosni1]

@@ericrichardson7575 That's definitely an improvement. 105 SIS is indexed and also clears the larger range. A nice setup! My components are Huret with downtube shifters and not indexed. I recon that they could stretch to 13-28 and 38 front but that would be the max they could take!

[@chrisbaum998]

Really enjoy the mixture of history and riding with other GCN presenters from the other GCN channels! Well done. Ollie and Alan.

[@gcn]

Thanks Chris!!

[@asdasd01]

Oh boy, how exciting....

[@NeverTooTiredToRideTwoTyres]

Alan's accent when shouting encouragement is just so wholesome, lifted my spirits

[@woodsdavid2887]

Hats off to Ollie for doing that climb. Nice that he had an encouraging partner in Alan to help him along up the hill.

[@indy2867]

"Don't give up! ...We're just at the begining of the climb!" 😄

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Ollie is such a machine. Two race courses in two days, that is hard. He really looked like the racers back in the day rocking back from side to side with his upper body and about half the cadence we are used to. That was 1000+ watts for sure.

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

Two of the reasons I watch vintage races: the bobbing/rocking due to the lack of low enough gears, and the crazy low cadence. The grittiness of the effort is more visible and makes for a great spectacle!

[@chrisridesbicycles]

@@abdul-kabiralegbe5660 My knees hurt just from watching.

[@WCIIIReiniger]

@@chrisridesbicycles I can relate to that with my singlespeed bike, that I build based on a 90s trekking bike from italy. Gladly my area is mainly flat, so I can live with that.

[@chrisridesbicycles]

@@WCIIIReiniger My knees are hurting by the thought of it. I‘m a mountainbiker by trade and my cadence is almost always above 90

[@kilianortmann9979]

The gearing probably even influenced the body type of modern riders. I don't know if a modern climber like Quintana or Contador would have been able to grind those huge gears nearly as effectively.

[@deswhite8268]

Being old now I remember getting my first bike with derailleurs. I went from 3 speed Sturmer- Archer to 10 speed Simplex and thought I was in heaven.

[@bubblesezblonde]

yeppers

[@kaischroeder4473]

I started with a 10 speed Simplex from a bike from my uncle. Then I found a 10 speed Sachs which was already a tiny little bit better. After that it was a 12 speed Shimano 105 which I used half my life. The last update was a 22 speed Shimano 105. The main difference isn't the number of gears but the comfort of changing gears without moving the hands away from the handle bar.

[@terrycorkum]

Awesome.

[@gcn]

Love this Des!

[@GordoGambler]

I did the opposite. In 1974 I bought a cheap Raleigh 5D. Was nothing but a struggle that I recall, maybe had a 60 mile day. I was young but didn't ride much at all, what with friends and a hard job. In 2012 I was retired and built a tour bike, first with a SA XL-RD5w. I loved it, when it was shifting proper. Century day rides got easy. On one hill it goes over 45 mph. In 2020 it was working perfect, I rode a double my age ride, 133.6 miles and it only took 12.3 hours with a long lunch and icecream break at 108 miles. The bike was 73 lbs, LOL. Just this day a 76 yo club racer guy on a CF bike happened along at mile 18. Ended up platooning with him 20 miles. We were doing 18/19 mph when not upslope, where he was going off ahead. The GIs are about 45 to 115. In 2017 I bought a 42 lb 1973 CCM with a SA 3 speed. I wanted drum brakes, so I upgraded both wheels, kept the front hub. Last year I did three century rides on it in 12 days, GIs were 48 to 84. This bike goes EASIER than all my others, but a mph or so avg slower. I just waggle more up hills. Then I figured out it actually has a bit WIDER GIs than the crap 5D. The tour bike has had a Rohloff14 for 18,100 miles. I guarantee it goes better than any derailleur pulling less weight. I've never had a light bike or race outfit.

[@lucafwn]

The Superga climb is BRUTAL - I live in Turin, and I've never even attempted it from that side. Kudos to Ollie for climbing it on a 42/26, and on a big windstorm too.

[@kushalsheth1473]

What's the Gradient?!

[@lucafwn]

@@kushalsheth1473 9% average, but irregular, with several segments at 13-14%.

[@kushalsheth1473]

@@lucafwn Oh I see, I can't even climb 9% gradient, I can climb upto 7% climb😁

[@gcn]

It is such an awesome climb!

[@alfabetti66]

Stunning video, great job GCN and superb presenting from Oli. It was a pleasure to be able to provide the bike, building them is fun but seeing them being ridden tops it all ❤

[@gcn]

Thanks Steven!!

[@YouNeedMyVoice]

This is by far one of your most coolest videos!

[@zaneclone]

Ha ! I remember some years back riding the "Pen y Pass" climb (North Wales) every other day - on a heavy steel BSA bike with 3 speed sturmey archer gears and 26 x 1-3/8 tyres lol ! Crazy when I think about it- but you get used to what you have...

[@YukitakaOhashi]

Alan was so kind with Ollie, always helping and rooting him, I just love it!

[@gcn]

It's great to see!

[@rrobsn6939]

I love to see how you are including presenters from other countries GCNs in your videos lately. Hope that nasty virus wont stop you again from doing projects like this. Thanks the great work!

[@ronaldgjosey1254]

Great episode Ollie & Alan. I raced a similar style bike in my mid-teens in 1970,71 &72 and remember them well. I had a Mercier "Special Tour de France" with 52/42 Chain Rings and a 5 speed, 11-23 Cassette. It came with the standard Downtube Suicide Shifters but I had mine converted to Bar Ends. For a helmet I had a similar black in colour Vinyl Strip Style(not much protection), wool cycling shorts and wool jersey, that’s what was used at the time . The pedals had a raised bar in the centre where you would place the slotted plastic disk that was attached to the bottom of your leather cycling shoes then tighten the strap to secure your shoes. A spare tire, a Tubular we kept under the seat in case of a flat. More of these type of episodes showing the Classic Bikes please.

[@douglasrobertson1330]

Champ, I had a Special T de F Mercier as well in the mid 70's, thein it had Simplex and Wineman components traded up to a Mercier Pro with Reynolds 531 db and Dura Ace gears and brakes, downtube shifters, toe clips and straps , spectacular, to me, pink color. The bike the Mercier team used, I remember Raymond Poulidor etc. I bought it on a layaway plan over six months because it was so expensive, my gf bought an orange one spectacular colors. The day we made the final payment was fall in Toronto, too cold for my liking but the ride home was a dream, so smooth. I told my friends that it was whisper quiet, whippet quick, turns a mean corner, blazing fast and stops on a dime!! haha It was so beautiful with the light blue and gold accents, sometimes I would just sit and admire it, and wouldn't let a MF touch it haha. But I wanted the matching pink jersey, so I drove to NYC, saw Broadway shows, football games etc etc but I also visited the famous bike shops there. No luck. Went to San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver B.C. no luck!! Irritated and antsy, I stopped by a shop close to where I lived and told the owner that I was frantic, I wanted the pink jersey. So he said " like the one over there?" I wheeled around thinking he was kidding, riffled thru his rack of jerseys and there it was!! TWO sizes too small!! Snapped it up, went home started to stretch the H out of it! Was I a fanatic or what?? Had that pink combo about 20 yrs, never saw anybody else in Toronto with that combo, sold it and went to China for many years. Out of curiosity, nostalgia or whatever, I looked up Cycles Mercier in France, seemed like they were out of biz, too bad. Cheers

[@djrlloyd]

Thank you for reminding me about my favourite country in the world. Love everything about Italy, especially the people, and the fact it has such a rich cycling history is just the icing on the cake.

[@bobabout256]

Well done Olly. I raced from 1975 to 1983 and my bike then had a very similar spec at the start. About the only difference was an alloy chainset. Me and. My peers were turning out long 23min 10 mile TTs and 1 hour 25 m TTs progressing to 21s and 54s by 1979.There were no bike electronics. As a credible modern man “Tester”, It would be be good to see what you could do on the now with a vintage setup. Warning, Chris Boardman had a crack at Merckx 1 hr record on the vintage kit. Enjoy.

[@javierortiz82]

The stories of the man of old are mesmerizing, yeah, they were smaller in size than we are, but their spirit and determination are another thing to behold, from the stories of Mallory climbing the Everest with little more than a jacket and a pair of gloves to the heroes of wars from yesteryear to the cyclists who paved the ways we pedal today, we can only hope to be half the stature of the men of old. Great video.

[@岩男沢山]

Wow! I really enjoyed this. Ollie and Alan were fun (good chemistry) and wow, what a climb challenge.

[@gcn]

Thanks so much - glad you enjoyed it!

[@imoverthetop44]

This is the best ride yet. when i started racing in the 70s we used exactly the same machines and we only worried about weight and getting a flat. We also used to say after the race if i only had another gear . WE use to ride big gears and survival of the fittest. No LYCRA or coolmax just wool shorts and shirts. they sucked.

[@ChrisP978]

I had a pair of chamois shorts at the time but they were actual leather, synthetic chamois hasn't been invented yet and neither had clipless pedals so toe clips it was.

[@ynotnilknarf39]

The sad thing is that there were bigger gears available, Stronglight has the 99Bis which meant you could have a 50/32 double clanger (TA also had the cyclotouriste and probably others) and Suntour had sprockets as big as a 36T. Riders were either not aware or the bravado of the times which went well into the early 2000s, meant that they were always wanting another gear and likely under-performed due to the pushing the 'big gear' thinking. I never raced (rugby league amatuer), cycling was for me primarily a mode of transport in the early 80s when I got my first 'race' bike as a young teen, but watching the Milk race and other races on TV at the time, indeed doing my first audax at 17, and many years later finding out about what was available for retro machines, makes me think that club and pro riders back then were more likely stubborn in their thinking than eplore what was available to them.

[@imoverthetop44]

@@ChrisP978 Wow i remember those they used to come up fluffy when you washed them and like crap when you would ride in them.

[@imoverthetop44]

@@ynotnilknarf39 Yeah i had sun tour superb pro. looked awesome in its day. It had 6 gears and it was state on the art. Retro isn't what i would have thought lol. now people hardly know what frame shifters are.

[@gcn]

So much has changed with the development of tech, but we love looking back in videos like these. Check out our 1903 Tour de France stage from a few years ago if you haven't already! 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaSuYZWphpx0bbM

[@1966jamesM]

Simply brilliant! More like this (Ollie suffering that is... 🙂). Ollie would never have survived racing in the 70's and 80's, let alone the 50's. I had to nail my first set of cleats to my leather soled shoes and even as a junior my inner chainring was a 42... Downtube friction levers and toeclips and straps!! Being one of the first in my club to transition to clipless I can appreciate the modern tech. especially the "tourist" sized chainrings but I still occasional find myself searching for the gear lever (probably an upstairs problem as the leather hairnet helmets weren't that effective in a crash 🙂). I still have my Campag-record equipped steel-framed Daccordi from mid 1980's - 6 speed 42/52 & 13-18 and even with today's carbon and all the aero-tech I can't go anywhere near as fast as I used to. Happy Days.

[@bindingcurve]

" today's carbon and all the aero-tech I can't go anywhere near as fast as I used to." That's because we just keep getting older.

[@slippycam]

great vid, this reminds me of my racing days in the 80s and how much more pure grinding had to be done to do climbs thanks to the minimal gears and how familiar it looked to see you grinding that gear Ollie. Like Millar, Le Mond and Hinault quads bulging and cables swooping up over the bars.

[@johnkinder9041]

Brilliant video, chapeau Ollie. Alan couldn't stop gigling watching Ollie struggling up the climb.

[@gcn]

Thanks John!

[@lesliereissner4711]

This was a great video and kudos to Ollie for dealing with those annoying pedals! They actually work if you tighten the straps enough, but then you can't get out very easily if you come to a stop. I have six bikes with them, from 1975 to 1989, and in addition to the pedals I find the worst thing about the earlier bikes is the single-pivot brakes. But riding an old Masi or Colnago or Bianchi is a wonderful experience, particularly if you can take part in a vintage bike event like the Retro Ronde, In Velo Veritas, or l'Eroica. Toe clips, heroic gearing, bad brakes, beautiful frames, championship gurning--welcome to history, Ollie!

[@angkikee]

Well done Ollie and Alan! This is the first GCN video in a while that made me laugh. I'm only 46 but have been riding for as long as I can remember and my first serious bike was a Tomasini Steel frame with downtube shifters and this totally brought back memories of those days. Back then frames were made in 1cm size incremements and cassettes were small and "manly". grinding up hills was pretty much the only way to go and watching Oillie grinding was so funny next to Alan spinning away on a lower gear. Beautiful scenery and back story. very well done. This video brings back some nolstalgic moments!

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@R20VT100M]

It's a lot of fun taking on bigger climbs on a vintage. I get lazy on my modern road bike and spin but I go around the same speed on my vintage as it makes me work harder and get up on the pedals more. It's only when I get home I feel my legs ache more!

[@SkyhawkSteve]

as a guy who rides bikes from the 70's with clips and straps, I'd suggest that Ollie get some proper shoes with slotted cleats. That makes a huge difference in applying power to the pedals. I've got some Shimano slotted cleats that fit the 3 bolt Look pattern if he wants to give it a try. Kudos to Ollie for showing off such a glorious Italian bike!

[@vinniep01]

Got to wonder how much the road surface may have improved since the early days of this race. I think an improved surface would make a huge difference to the times being ridden, yet not mentioned in the VT!

[@nstrug]

Surprised no mention of the biggest improvement: metalled road surfaces. Up until the 1950s most bike races were primarily on unmetalled roads, similar to Strade Blanche. In wet weather it was often a case of pushing for miles through a mud bath.

[@GCNuser123]

yeah good point!

[@SichardRamuels]

LOVED this video because it just somehow encapsulates the sheer joy of cycling. It doesn't matter whether you're on the latest "all mod cons" superbike or something you've had stashed in the shed for 20 years, the senses of adventure, freedom and achievement are just the same.

[@Srt3D01-db-01]

Not only the equipment, tech etc. the big deal was also the ROADS , back in the day the roads were awful ... damn they were awful for cars imagine for road bikes, I would consider more for semi modern mountain bike . My massive respect for all. I watch often these retro vine videos; these are so inspiring. Good job guys

[@fennec13]

lol - Alan is hilarious - its nice to see more of your GCN family from other channels - poor Ollie - i think he'll need a rest after this.

[@WendsH]

Thanks for all the laughter - my Zwift machine is a '72 Schwinn Super LeTour featuring toe clips with a 7 speed cassette in the back (only 6 available due to frame spacing when mounted on my H2 trainer). Leaves me with a 42/26 for my climbing gear. I feel Ollie's pain every time I train lol Great job on that climb!!! Did a helluva lot better than I ever could have! Oliver Bridgewood is a /machine/.

[@kenblair2538]

Well, another great Sunday video, GCN. Ollie, you deserved 2 , "high 5's" I'll bet you really appreciate your plastic, aero bike, now. Yes, we (I am 75) were tougher back in the 70's and 80'. When I was stationed in Germany, (I was in my mid 30's) , I spent a lot of my off time, riding up and down the Rhein River valley. I don't recall the grades, as we had no fancy GPS gadgets. My '83 steel Ciocc had 52/42 chain rings and 12-26 cassette in the back. We though, this is hard, but thats how it was done . Get strong. I loved it, too. Now that bike is still with me, but has modern 10 speed components and look pedals. Shimano 105 group set. Modern wheels, too. The bike sports a 50/34 chain ring and 11-34 cassette. It's still fun to ride. And climb too. My son, who is an avid mountain biker, just got his first road bike, and first thing, needs to change the cassette from a 11-32 to a 11-34. He is 26 years old. More GCN presenter's, need to ride that bike. Didn't Simon ride a vintage bike , some time ago ? I salute you, Dr. Ollie. KB

[@russstarke6004]

As someone old enough to have ridden such equipment (but not so nice) for decades, I appreciate the modern carbon, the gears, integrated shift/braking, etc. I heartily second Ollie's opinion that clipless pedals are the best innovation since derailleurs. Ironically the thing that most new riders find the scariest is actually the biggest game changer.

[@bernardwatts5339]

THere's no pushing till you can't go anymore. You take a foot out of the pedals or risk falling off.

[@bindingcurve]

Clipless peddles are just safer. Emergency stops resulted in falling over if you could not track stand with clips. But for "normal" stops and slow speed, I loved the option of just loosing the straps.

[@hutchmusician]

That Bianchi is utterly gorgeous, I’d give a couple of my children to own that.

[@lalremruata_chongmang]

*woah* wild comment there 😂

[@MrLazyPirate]

Wise man! That bike gonna stay with you while your children will leave you someday.So why not 😬

[@gcn]

😂

[@Swampster70]

@@MrLazyPirate But does the Bianchi stay to change the adult diapers when you get to that age? 😳

[@MrLazyPirate]

@@Swampster70 just “do” that on bianchi no need diapers my man

[@popeyebouldercreek]

Dr. Bridgewood, you are a beast! I still have my road bike (Gitane Tour de France) from the 1970s and I wonder how on earth I managed to get up any climbs, let alone Clingman's Dome (42x24 was my lowest). Then I remember I was 40+ years younger and 30 lbs lighter.....

[@leemorris2127]

Nicely done! I run a carbon bike now, but about fifteen years ago had the experience of climbing to the (very windy) top of Whiteface Mtn (NY State, USA) with an ancient Gitanes steel frame Campagnolo from the late '70's, with climbing gears to match - as in none. Toughest, but most memorable climb, in my life. Roughly 13 km long, over 8% grade pitch on avg. Got left behind by everybody on their lighter three thousand dollar frames - but I was smiling through my pain.

[@kevinbuja8105]

Bianchi, Ciocc, Masi, and Colonago, with Campy Record equipment were all bikes I dreamed of when I was riding my Raleigh Record. I remember going from 5 to 7 to 9 to 10 to finally 11 gears on the block before I had to stop riding because of a horrific work accident. There is something special, about not just riding a vintage bike, but looking at it too. I live in an area where Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren are just about everywhere, but I got more smiles, more thumbs up, more compliments and more photos of my ‘68 Mustang GT convertible than any Ferrari owner. The same holds true for vintage bikes that have been taken care. It’s the nostalgia that they invoke.

[@frenchbikewrench7451]

Great video! Would be interesting to give Ollie power pedals and compare his power needed to climb with the vintage bike vs Alain on the new bike.

[@dlevi67]

Probably not much different (adjusted for Ollie being lighter as a person) - main difference in perceived effort is the gearing. That climb is quite steep, so aero is not a huge driver of results, and narrow tubular tyres are quite good with low speed rolling resistance.

[@davidhadley6164]

That's what I was thinking!

[@matthiaswuest7271]

Yep main difference would be torque rather than power I'd guess

[@Swampster70]

@@dlevi67 When I got my 'fancy pants' bike in 2010 - a Dura Ace equipped Cannondale HiMod SuperSix, I thought it wouldn't really be that much faster than my old race bike from the mid 90's, a custom made 653 that had been retrofitted with a mix of Dura Ace 7800 in the late 2000's. So I chucked both in the car and went off to the local hill. Using the same set of wheels, that included a PowerTap rear hub the Cannondale was not only more fun to ride up hill but at 300 watts was 15 seconds faster over 8 minutes. Going down hill the Cannondale inspired so much confidence that it spanked the pants off the other bike which was impressive as I thought, back in the day, it was the best handling bike I'd ridden and I had ridden a few nice bikes like a Colnago Master, Peugeot Carbon de Fiber (which I believe was a carbon Vitus with different stickers) and my old Brian Rouke 531. The other thing I noticed was comfort. We all say that steel is comfortable and great for long distance. The Cannondale had it squarely beat on that too. Combined with the FSA carbon bars, stem and seat post, the Cannondale with the tree trunk sided downtube had an all day comfort that the steel bike could only dream of. The old narrow tubulars were horrific for rolling resistance but they sure did feel light and spritely. I loved my Mavic GEL280 rims with Vitorria CX tubs as they felt so great. Many didn't use latex and back in the day the tub glue was soft enough to allow them to stick spare tires on at the side of the road. Soft glue increases rolling resistance as much as using butyl tubes rather than latex but was a necessity. If you use a modern shellac based glue you can get the rolling resistance of a tub down to that of a clincher.

[@randalbladel2817]

@@matthiaswuest7271You’re likely correct. At the same pace on the old bike as a modern bike, there would be a bit more power needed due to the modest added weight and perhaps a little energy loss in frame flex, so at low crank rpm and angular velocity the torque would have to be higher. And that’s why it hurt so much more: because our legs are generally more efficient at delivering high power at a higher cadence than Ollie could manage with the lowest 44 inch gear he had on that sweet Bianchi. I disagree with him about the pedals. The only problem with good toe clips and straps paired with well fitted cleated shoes was the entry and exit when starting and stopping. Oh, and in crashing, I suppose.

[@guyhancox4246]

Yep, we can pat ourselves on the back these days and say we are getting better and better, but once you study the old school, you realise that we have it easy. Climbing is the same - the greats from the 40s and 50s are still the best in my book.

[@rokitprops]

Amazing video, amazing ride! Vintage Ollie and the old Bianchi looked exactly like scenes from Breaking Away! Now for the next challenge: drafting behind a truck [er... lorry] until you achieve 60 mph

[@tedallenwolff]

Oh that was great. Excellent job Ollie, you smashed it. My first bike was a 1975 Miyata 10 speed. The gear ratios were very similar to the one you rode inthis video. Toe clips were standard, and frankly, I loved them! I didn't switch to clipless until 2012.

[@hicky62]

Takes me back. Had my Reynolds 531DB frame made to measure, Weinmann centre pulls and rims, Campagnolo Record gears and hubs, TA cranks (cotterless), Cinelli bars and stem, Brooks saddle. My dad took me all over Midlands to get parts and assembled it myself. Cost me a fortune. Wished I still had it. Just been given a Mercian steel framed bike, not quite as retro, but I'm loving it again. Oh and I have a DeRosa carbon too.

[@Jimbo5063]

Great climb Ollie, I started riding on a Fiorelli frame configured much the same as your Bianchi in 1967. I rode that bike for 20 years before upgrading, Bicycling was really hard back then. Keep up the great work

[@monochromebluess]

Fantastic video. Great interaction between you both. Just love those old steel bikes. I have a 1959 Gios Torino built by Giuseppe Pelà. I need to try that climb on it. Mind you I think I will need both Ollie and Alain to push me up much of the way !! More video’s like this please.

[@gcn]

Oof, cool bike! That would be a tough effort though!

[@jessetamez7362]

GCN plus quality. I think toe clips came in sizes and it really looks like you were pedaling on your toes. I rode in that era and it was fun!

[@jessmolfod2541]

God do I miss my ‘87 Marinoni. Columbus SL, lugged frame. Campy Victory gruppo. 42/52 x 11-19 straight block freewheel. Mavic rims. 19mm sew-ups, pumped to 120 psi. And it came original with toe-clip pedals (you’re not a real cyclist till you’ve fallen over while trying to track stand at a red light and then suffer the ignominy of blocking the intersection while you try to extricate your shoe from the pedal as the light turns green) I later upgraded to clip less pedals. That side to side rocking on climbs was the mark of a true cyclist and where Phil Ligget coined the term: “Dancing on the pedals!” Ah, mama mia, the old days…

[@9118693223]

glad to see marangoni with GCN . of course this bianchi was a well made bike . hand made by the best frame builders .

[@jowen85]

defo one of the best videos. Loved the collaboration with GCN Italia. IMO, generally speaking, it's best to upgrade a few components on the old bikes and keep the old bits for "show" purposes, IF you decide not to ride it much. I have a 1950's Armstrong which I rode unimproved for years. Currently it's got a triple up front, silver but more modern wheels, running a Shimergo set up, weighs about 10 kg.... and it's great like that.

[@paulmorrison30]

When I started cycling toe clips and straps were all that were available and you had to have your wits about you when coming to a stop. Clipless pedals are definitely better but at the time of transition many old school cyclists were reluctant to make the switch. Personally I’ve never looked back 👊🏾

[@johnc.parker2090]

Finally something I can do better than a GCN presenter! At an advanced age I have always ridden with toe clips and watching Ollie having to get a boost to start because he couldn't get his toe in made me feel good about my pedal flipping skill. However I bought a set of clipless pedals a couple of weeks ago to try out once the snow and ice clear. Then I'll be the hapless pedal pusher again.

[@BikeItUK]

Utter rainy day viewing pleasure, great video! Finally managed to get my hands on a Bianchi to restore...watching this has got me eager to Crack-On and get stuck in. You work well together, nice one guys, all the best Andy

[@crawfordmcilveen6137]

Looking forward to that restoration Andy!

[@neilparnell5712]

I have a vintage De Bernardi fully chromed frame and forks size 54 x 52 with Columbus SL tubing that weighs only 2.2kg built up with modern 10 speed Shimano Tiagra and Mavic Ksyrium SL wheelset with Continental Grand Prix Classic tyres. Gearing is 50 - 34 with 11 - 34 cassette. Whole bike weighs 8.7kg and rides like a dream. If I shut my eyes I can't tell the difference from my carbon bike with same wheelset which weighs 1.5kg less ! It even descends quicker and surer, and is just as good on the flat. being only marginally slower climbing. Building a neo -retro bike is the best way to experience the magic of a classic steel frame combined with better brakes, more friendly gearing and better wheels / tyres. I am 62 and ride in the Peak District and could not manage on vintage gearing but on this setup the experience is amazing. Best bit is it only cost me £440 for complete build inc. spraying and decals with everything purchased on e-Bay.

[@jezjeyasingham5025]

Well done gents! I feel for you Ollie, those guys had it hard; we are SO blessed these days with our equipment and the science. Great show

[@gcn]

Couldn't agree more!

[@mountaintruth1deeds533]

We all rode toe clips with slotted cleats back in the 80s, the stiff sole helped to relax the foot and ankle, the strap put the foot to sleep. It was common to see duct tape and/or a leather pad on top of the shoes to spread out the pressure from the straps. Don't really remember having difficulty getting in or out of the clips as long as the strap was loosened.

[@nkish]

I first started riding on a Mt. Bike from K-Mart, but then moved to a bike similar to what Ollie is riding here as I got more serious. It was a hand-me-down from my Aunt. Rode that for a few years before moving on to a modern road bike that I still use today (over 15 yrs)!

[@VyantQuijt]

Man, do I empathize... I fought my way up the Mont Ventoux last summer on a 39x28 lowest gearing, and oh boy what a grind it was. My prior climbing experience was pretty much zilch, but I came back feeling like an absolute weapon. I made it up to the top in a modest 1h43, and I'm convinced that having lower gears would only have slowed me down in the end; when you're at breaking point and your cadence reaches rock bottom, but giving up is not an option, you might be better off in that taller gear! (Bike was a yellow and celeste 1998 aluminium Bianch Reparto Corse)

[@gcn]

Well done, great achievement!

[@christophermorin9036]

Seeing that old racing bike really makes me miss my old 80's Royce Union 12 speed. Only bike I've ever hit 58mph on.

[@billmccaffrey1977]

Imagine how strong the riders of those days had to be. Strength was your best differentiation from the next rider. It would be amazing to take a modern bike and kit back in time to one of those riders and see what they could do.

[@casuallycycling9339]

Exactly! Hard men they truly were.

[@derekhartloper11]

Great fun Ollie, thanks! Right then, back to the windtunnel you go. Please give us the aero numbers for the old small diameter steel tube bike vs a modern aero road bike. And, while you are at it, could you hop on a dyno to compare the rolling resistance or friction losses? I suspect some of the old plain bearings may have less friction than modern sealed bearings.

[@rangapae]

Good job Ollie! Appreciate your willingness to demonstrate just how hard it was back in the day. I’ll never take my modern bike for granted.

[@davidburgess741]

There was a day when I dressed in similar kit with a bike 10 years newer. The chainrings 42-52 and freewheel 14-18. The '73 Nouveau Record still on the bike can handle 27 tooth cog max. I sure didn't miss anything with those cottered cranks, and refuse to reinstall those Campy pedals with their Alfredo Binda torture devices! Restored and kept for special occasions.

[@masonbell8840]

I have a 1980s Falcon which I love. I’m so used to changing gear on the diagonal bar that modern bikes look confusing. I love my Falcon.

[@michaelholden4914]

That’s incredible! Well done!!

[@Seppster58]

Love that helmet Ollie! I had a similar bike when I was a kid in the 60's and thought it was the greatest thing. Again Ollie endures pain for our enjoyment of the sport. One of the best. Thanks GCN for another awesome video.

[@gcn]

Thanks Steve!!

[@jishnu13]

Alan was such an amazing sport helping Ollie! Well done both, very entertaining! Thank you...more such videos please!

[@gcn]

Thanks Jishnu!

[@belowthehill]

I am pleased to see so many commenters reveal their ages and admit they had bikes like that in the 70’s. Me too. Perhaps GCN could use more presenters in their 60’s like Hank’s Dad to provide an older biker’s perspective! For example, I was interested in Ollie’s comments about gear ratios making the climb very difficult. I know he averages about 250W versus my 160W (I’m in my 60s and have bad knees), so that makes me wonder whether I should be selecting my sprockets by my FTP so I can keep spinning?

[@simonporter4150]

Well done Ollie, I also started cycling in the pennines and for last 30 years I've been living on the other side of that hill and I can confirm that it is a fairly brutal 5km, about 450m of ascent with pieces at 15% and no real rest. As far as old vs new for me the big difference is not the bikes but the data and the smart trainers. 30 years ago the start of the season was pure sufferance, now it's easy to stay in form over winter, last year at 57yo I beat my PB on that climb in March.

[@gcn]

Thanks Simon and well done on that PB!

[@britonabrompton9912]

When I bought my first road bike back in 1973 it came with 5 speeds 49 upfront and 14-24 at the back, I changed it to 10 speed, by installing a 52-40 on the front, so my lowest was 40x24. Most had 52-42 and 14-24 in those days, but we managed.

[@kevin._.farren]

Wow, the view from the top of the climb is amazing! I’ll happily suffer up a climb with such vistas as my reward. We’ll done Ollie!

[@gcn]

Thanks Kevin!

[@rzlin]

The Torino Superga climb is arguably the one that got me into cycling! As an exchange student in Torino I was commuting to school on an old steel mountain bike found in a flea market... and somehow got into the idea with a friend to cycling up there, because why not. The pain was real, but the view, sunset and satisfaction on top was absolutely unforgettable, the experience so simple yet unique...! Now I'm going from col to col every summer when I can and following all cycling races... The Superga climb is probably is the reason why I ride and have gone into following the sport. Grazie mille Ollie and Alan for the trip down memory lane!

[@drvxd]

Epic work Ollie - lean, mean, climbing machine. Undroppable - even on a 60 year old bike.

[@monkmchorning]

When I got my first "modern" bike, around 2005, at the age of 53, I switched regularly between that and my 26 year-old Gios, except on long canyon rides. As I got older I needed the wider gearing more and the extra weight of the frame and wheels became more apparent. But the best riding of my life was done on that Gios.

[@neilt]

That's brutal. Kudos to Ollie for getting up that hill; I'd struggle on a modern bike!

[@AOH1321]

I have to say, this episode might have been the best one I have watched in a while. The enthusiasm of the Italian fellow was wonderful. More of him please!

[@beckyball1646]

I've always ridden with toe clips (so they were there when Ollie started cycling...). First road bike I rode was my dad's, steel frame, downtube shifters. Can't remember the gear ratios. The worst bit was the old leather saddle, that had been broken in by my dad 😕😂

[@gcn]

All that's important is that it got you into cycling 😍

[@ildutcho]

I rode in Italy and Switzerland on an old school touring bicycle with toe clips, you really feel when you are climbing on the top of your feet something I miss and have to remind me to constantly use and follow through in the pedal strokes with clip in shoes now

[@ronbell7920]

My right foot would go numb after about 40 minutes in the clips. Man, I could not believe how great those clipless pedals were! By the way, 42x23 my lowest gear. Thank God I wasn't in the alps! Good job Ollie!

[@bindingcurve]

Dude, you don't have to clinch them that hard, I betting your shoes where NOT biking ones.

[@ronbell7920]

@@bindingcurve , you would be wrong. The shoes were awesome Pumas made of kangaroo leather😀😀

[@ronbell7920]

It was the way the clip came across my toes!

[@bindingcurve]

@@ronbell7920 again, the issue was your shoes. I have always used dedicated bike shoes with straps or clipless.

[@ersturdevant2831]

C'mon now...the old school bikes aren't that bad...quite good actually. Solid steel, "bang 'em" shifters, what's not to love? Great vid!

[@glennoc8585]

They are ok as long as you take care of the frames.

[@bananaboombox3620]

Alan is the cycling buddy we all need.

[@Harry_Lew]

Cool to see the old designs. The wool jerseys, shorts, the leather hairnet and even the bike design persisted into the mid-1980's. I started with that gear and equipment. Look pedals and index shift came soon after as did lyra. No one misses the itchy wool shorts and having to treat your chamois after every wash. Helmets as we know them today really did not come into their own till the 90's. Interesting that Ollie had a 26T in the back, 28T was the biggest you could get back in the day and straigth blocks (1 teeth differnce between cogs) was the norm on flat stages.

[@arraiacc]

Loved the history and the addition of Alan... and Ollie's hat/helmet!

[@gcn]

Thanks!

[@chrisdunn8215]

Well done Ollie 👏 good training for achieving your 1000 watts, which you will do with ease after only a few weeks of training 👍

[@kevinmckechnie456]

Vintage bikes aren't that much harder to ride than modern ones. Typically, it's just lighter weight, more gears and easier shifting that separate new and old, and vintage bikes can be upgraded with modern components to lessen the difference. Aerodynamics is a factor, but that's often dependent on wind direction and speed. If you really want to take it easy on a ride, E-bikes are always available, but that brings up the question "How easy do you want it to be?".

[@MashO356]

"It never gets easier you just get faster." - Greg LeMond

[@sykesybwoy]

A Vintage Bike isn't a Vintage Bike if you upgrade it, so as stated it is a harder ride than a Modern Bike.

[@theanswer00]

Yes you can upgrade many components but not the geometry and stiffness of the frame. I tried a 1970s Bianchi road bike some time ago and it flexed a lot under load. Also, vintage forks aren't designed for modern brakes

[@jowen85]

@@theanswer00 vintage forks have a rake to improve handling.

[@ynotnilknarf39]

@@sykesybwoy There were better gear options, it's just that the thinking didn't beleive that pedalling faster going up hills was better. Suntour for instance had a 36T large sprocket by the time 5 speed was around. TA also had cyclo-touriste chainrings down to about a 28T inner chainring. The gears were there, the professionals and indeed amateurs just didn't use them in the 50s onwards

[@gcn]

Do you think cycling has become easier in modern times? For the better or for the worse?

[@mikefule]

I don't know about the 1950s, but I would have been pleased to have a bike as good as the one Ollie is riding in the late 1970s. It was the early 1980s before I had my first set of alloy wheels. Before that, my bikes had chromed steel rims. We also had steel chainsets with cotter pins that worked loose. Alloy chainsets with square taper and with detachable chain rings were a luxury when they came along. Indeed, a 1 x 5 set up was quite a thing before 2 x 10 came along. It wasn't harder work; we just went slower.

[@buzz2248]

Great video, took me on a trip down memory lane. Beautifully produced, great rapport between the presenters. Excellent.

[@ragwort3369]

I know that Bianchi is less efficient and harder work than the modern carbon rocket, but it just looks so much cooler!

[@weesamexpress6730]

My father has an early 1980s road bike, I dont know the brand but it had a steel frame.... The mods he made to the bike was really ahead of the time. He first changed one of the chainrings to what were found on MTB's back then... The frame changes were done by a welder. He had the wheelbase shortened, which means you could hit the front wheel if you turn and pedal, the back wheel almost touched the seat tube. The last mod to the frame he did was routing the rear brake internally through the top tube.

[@betruly7894]

Every time I see a picture of those nostalgique riders on their bike it make my hair stand up. They been real heros close to gods. We are nowadays too good lazy ;) Nice video as always , love it ! and love that Italian accent

[@alpsalish]

Loving this cross over with the Italian team. Hilarious and beautiful video.

[@stuartmcgill5065]

What a brilliant video! Alan and Ollie make a great team! I really respect Ollie's love & passion for the history of our sport.... il Campionissimo, indeed ;-)) Get my turn at 'Gurning' up the Italian hills in October: L'Eroica :-P

[@donaldyoung8866]

Chapeau Ollie! That looked awesome

[@apm9507]

Ollie is riding almost my bike! I have a 1984 Bianchi superbike! Love it! I am an old man on a bike that was cool when I was a teenager.

[@davemcdonald5981]

I remember my first quality Mercian bike in the early 1970s. A good weaving technique was required on the steep 1 in 6 and 1 in 7 climbs in Lancashire and Yorkshire with a 42x17 bottom gear.

[@ragwort3369]

I'm in the middle of building up a 1973 Mercian King of Mercia that I picked up as a scruffy frameset for fifty quid on Ebay. I'll not be building it with that sort of gearing though!

[@roberttell1587]

Alan is a gem! We should all have an Alan on tough climbs.

[@michaelhayward7572]

Great vid. That Bianchi is beautiful. Those old steel racing bikes with rim brakes are so much prettier than the latest new aero carbon fibre bikes imho.

[@gcn]

Thanks Michael!

[@daredemontriple6]

I ride two different bikes currently - my new found love (A Cannondale SuperSix Evo 2021), and an old warhorse (A Raleigh Record Ace ~1980). The difference in performance between the two is insane. Going from one to the other, roads that seemed like a gentle ascent then become more like a fast descent or vice versa. But I love both of them equally even so. The Cannondale is brand new, and she's super fast and fun to ride, a bit like the two-seater sports car you take out for a drive on the weekend. But the record ace has soul and buckets of it, having seen more of the world than I have on countless tours with my dad, and now exploring it further still with me!

[@권용대-b5v]

That classic road bike is absolutely beautiful. No modern high tech bikes can match its style.

[@szkegl7225]

Please please please GCN ! Lean the difference between classic and vintage ! That was a classic bike . Thank you !

[@MrIsaac-dh3uh]

I so miss my Nishiki 10 speed after watching this. Rode the hills of San Francisco in summer of '76 before college on that thing. I must have been in such great shape ... or maybe I was just too young to know that I wasn't supposed to be able to just go up and down like that ALL DAY LONG. No helmet, clips ... please, enjoy your youth young people.