Vintage Steel vs Modern Carbon Road Bike Road Test

Join me in a road bike shoot out as I compare a 25 year old steel road bike, against a modern carbon Di2 road bike.
Time for a road test!
The bike test includes a flat test around the velodrome as well as a climbing test on the 1 in 20 Strava Segment out in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges.
The vintage steel bike is my trusty 1989 Repco Victory Tri-A.
The carbon road bike is my 2014 Giant TCR Advanced SL0.
For power metrics, it's my Favero Assioma Duo pedals.
Any chance for me to wear my old Carrera Tassoni cycling team kit.
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/ melbournecyclingsegments
MCS Facebook Group:
/ melb.cycling.segments

[@midwesttreasureandrelicrec7914]

everyone does a retro versus modern bike comparison no one has done a modern steel top-of-the-line road bike versus a top-of-the-line carbon bike that would be a wonderful video thank you for the video cheers

[@robertdore9592]

Or even a Titanium v Steel v Carbon??

[@toddschinell5198]

Agreed, or even a top of the line retro steel bike… No offense to the repco but 22 lbs is heavy for a retro steel race bike, most were around 19 or even less in reynolds 753 or super vitus, which would've closed the gap with the carbon bike at 15.9lbs. 22lbs would've been a mid grade with shimano 600. It's unfair to compare to a Dura Ace bike. Also they would've been on decent silk tubulars and light rims not continental gatorskins!!! All that said at least this test is far more fair than the one done by GCN where they used a bike with bad brake pads and dry rotted tires.

[@markanderson3870]

@@toddschinell5198 True, the GCN guys basically disqualified their comparison from the beginning, so kind of pointless.

[@transkryption]

@Paul Wieringa D12? kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5y8pImbbauGn8k

[@aaron___6014]

Everyone, I would strongly disagree that everyone does this compariy

[@bikenut7777]

Very good video, and I agree with your conclusions. After riding and collecting high end steel racing bikes for 20 years, mostly bikes from the 1950s to the 1970s, last year I bought my first carbon bike. I found I could typically ride about 1 km/hr faster on my usual routes, but attributed this mostly to the gearing and ergonomics. Being able to stay closer to optimum cadence and maintain that constant pressure on the pedals seemed like the biggest factors. The other significant factors were 1) on very steep climbs the carbon bike felt weirdly effortless, even when compared to steel bikes with the same overall gear range, and 2) comfort - after a week of riding only the carbon bike, getting back on a steel bike felt amazingly comfortable. The carbon bike feels solid and stiff, but unnecessarily harsh for a fairly light rider like me.

[@richardcarr6493]

EXACTLY WHAT I FOUND TOO but l did minor upgrades to my steel bike to make it perform closer to my much newer carbon bike gearing wise . l do have bigger tires on the steel bike giving me much more comfort overall 35 vs 25 s ,80 psi vs 100 psi :) PS l can hit over 50 km hr on both even tho there s a 3.5 kg difference between the two

[@1114gabby]

There is something really cool about riding a vintage steel bike. Cool review -thanks

[@tarasbulba7114]

I have a steel road bike since 26 years. In my city is the best. I think the best advantage is its indistructibility also in accidents on the road.

[@aggiesjc]

I've recently bought a couple of 1980s era steel Bianchi bikes, and love them both. Beautiful with lots of character and a silky smooth ride.

[@deloemathatas5915]

I have two 1990s Bianchi road bikes myself. Both lugged steel w down tube shifters. I built the one from frame up and have since upgraded to 10 in the back and 50/34 165mm cranks in the front with friction shifters. The other I bought for 200 American with 7 in the back and 53/39 in the front and have since upgraded to 10 in the back and 50/34 165 mm cranks in the front with Durace 10 speed index downtube shifters. For this bike I'm using DT Swiss 460 rims that I built into 105 hubs with Continental 5000 tubeless. Two great bikes that I can maintain myself for less less than the cost of one carbon bike.

[@jamesmedina2062]

would you mind telling me what kind of tubesets were used with your Bianchi bicycles?

[@donalsinnott4303]

Best measured modern vs vintage comparison test I've seen. I did extra maths and I'm glad to see you're only 5% faster with the modern bike (I ride a vintage bike)

[@greenfoam]

The Repco is more than a minute cooler than the Giant. It'll get you more girls too

[@hermanhyde7000]

love how candid MCS is about cycling gear. he doesn't buy into the latest and "greatest" tech. just ride and improve your engine.

[@carloswolff]

I really like the comparison, in special the fair conclusions. Thanks!

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

Thanks for the comments and input on this video, great discussion ❤️ Remember to share the video on your social media so we can keep the conversation going Apologies for the audio, it was a super windy day and lugging around two bikes and camera gear and riding the bikes ain't easy. This isn't GCN... Im a one man show 📸

[@mauricioorantes9809]

Excellent job, we appreciate the hard work to provide us with interesting content. I now own a Nishiki Tri-A which brought me to your channel. I was unaware that the Repco Tri-A was the same thing for the Australian market. Beautiful beautiful bike with the garish 80’s colors. Love ur bike! Obviously it holds a special place in your heart if it’s still in your stable of bikes. The Tange 1 steel is so freaking good!! Keep the videos coming I have personally subscribed.

[@soumyakottapalli2577]

Great video ... great sense of humour....Can you tell me know the music when you were riding the REPCO....:)

[@stevenmulder2115]

Great effort mate.

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

That was a great idea, making this comparison. I've been looking out for a comparison of this sort and it's great to find out the old steel bike is holding up well. Steel bikes are here to stay, which is good news.

[@garyberger]

Loved the video, thanks! I ride both and love my old steel Masi, it really feels alive and smooth as silk. The weight penalty on hills is only a factor in group rides when things get competitive. Down tube shifters and limited gearing are other drawbacks but just that glorious feel of steel is so wonderful...

[@JEXDESIGNS]

Nice one! This video was great. Thanks

[@bradleywood453]

Impressive effort to do this as a one-man show. Really enjoyed the video, and looking forward to seeing more.

[@jman3ification]

Excellent video!!!

[@iiLouixie]

“Same old boring crap”, that’s right, brother!

[@hooben...5211]

Thanks for mentioning how much more easy it is with modern shifters and a smoother ride that carbon gives. I grew up on steel, and downtube shifters are so cool.

[@amfinc2]

I've got a Kawamura Nishiki Prestige and can attest to the frame quality. Double butted tubing as well. Some cool colorways back then too. Swapped the downtube shift and Seguino bits for 8spd tri color 600 sti and derailleurs. 105SC hubs, brakes and cranks. Gave it a once over with new double butted spokes, mavic rims, dura ace rings, hollow chain, brooks saddle and some nice but discontinued AUS Welgo clipless pedals. Love the bike, great for long rides as long as the hills aren't too big. Nice video, thanks!

[@mcungaro]

Great video! I’ve pretty much ditched carbon, and gone back to lugged steel frames. The high end carbon bikes that I’ve had seemed to ride harsher over time. The steel frames hold their characteristics. Concessions I’ve made are a modern Campagnolo group set and modern wheels (aluminum rims, thank you). Dead on observation that with down tube shifters on a climb, you tend to just tough it out. So, yeah, modern shifters are great to have. All that said, my new manufactured steel frame is a bit lighter than a vintage one, but the pleasure in the ride is all there.

[@fishyfool]

There have been bar shifters on road bikes since the 80's, the downtube shifters were a 60's to middle/late 80's thing. We used to retrofit thumbies on them and that made a lot of people happy.

[@brettalexander3028]

I have steel, Titanium & Carbon frames .. their all different & depending on my mood as to which one I ride. I use the steel frame/carbon fork bike most often ... It's exactly my correct size, where my other bikes are almost my size ... it seems to make a difference to me imo ...

[@ralphc1405]

@@fishyfool Well actually since 1989 when Shimano and team 7-eleven (and a few other Shimano sponsored teams) stunned the world with their weird looking STI shifters. Campy followed up in 1992...the rest is history.

[@melbman43]

WOW, once again its not about the bike, but the rider. Thanks for doing this video.

[@kensisti2761]

Put aero wheels on the steel n make up the difference. I ride '89 Centurion Prestige fitted with 9sp DA. And a 2010 Cannondale SuperSix Red. I go back n fourth with 30 and 46 mm carbon wheelsets. Steel is an insatiable nympho that inspires to be ridden at tempo. Carbon flat backs the ride. My averages are quite similar on each machine.

[@JordyJayHomer]

Spot on. These tests annoy me because the wheels make the biggest difference on flat surfaces. It's meant to be a bike comparison, not a wheel comparison. I reckon these tests should have the same wheels on both bikes :D

[@arielserravalle7909]

Loved your video mate

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

Thanks for the kind words Ariel, much appreciated 👍

[@scamdemic1016]

Great video,I find the my steel bike more comfortable also you touched on the wind factor,the steel is more stable in high winds.Good job!

[@andredegraaf1643]

So much for a significant difference. To all of the people that have tried to get me to switch from my 1994 Colnago MasterLite to a modern carbon bike. No thank you. My top racing years and condition are behind me and now I just ride for the fun of it, but I find that I can still keep pace with a lot of riders on modern machines with my outdated but arguably much cooler equipment. Thank you so much for making this comparison.

[@kevinmarron5231]

I just rewatched your video! I just realized, you look like Pantani, with that Jersey on! 😊😁👍

[@anelkaisgood2]

5:45 Love the review style a lot. The NASA bike 🤣🤣🤣

[@andresjanz]

Great work mate, well done !...I have an oldie as the Repco (Olmo) and a more modern one (Merida) and love them the same, though sometimes, love more the oldie as I feel better in it !

[@dorseykindler9544]

California here. Did an exchange with an Aussie student in prep school. Fond memories of Melbourne and the Dandenongs. Never got to ride my bike there though. Cheers!

[@fergusfitzgerald977]

I love steel and tend to obsess about Italian and French bikes.It must be acknowledged that the Japanese made some wonderful steel frames as well. The Japaneses are happy to acknowledge the quality of European bikes and components - so we owe them equal respect . I love my old steel bike! Maybe it's nostalgia but I tend to think there is more to it ! Some things defy exact analysis ! Rgds

[@mauricioorantes9809]

Well said. I’m a retrogrouch. Carbon doesn’t hold a candle to the aesthetics of a vintage lugged steel bike. Yeah carbon may perform better but will never match steel in its allure and beauty.

[@brianward7724]

MCS In '89, I had a beautiful steel roadie but it was much lighter than your Repco - 8.83kgs. Beaut bike to ride, too. Sometimes wish I still had it.

[@steveloyd2723]

Well done video! Thanks for putting that together and sharing your opinions. I too have both a steel bike ( an '83 Fuji) and 2015 Specialized Roubaix carbon (which may not be quite as fast as a pure race bike like a Tarmac). I enjoy the sensations of the steel Fuji when I'm riding alone and I can concentrate a bit easier. It's good to know that I'm not suffering significantly more on long climbs than I would on the carbon bike.

[@mybugmy64bug31]

ive got both steelie and a carbon fiber - objectives of the ride determine which i choose, but really enjoyed your video- love the Aussie humor. you got my sub for sure. Im in the US and a huge Brisbane Lions fan and never miss a footy match. i'll be glad when they start again. ride safe, stay healthy!

[@rxonmymind8362]

I have a Nishiki mountain bike. Lugged, 3120 Cromoly rides buttery smooth. Just bought it in mint condition for $80. Loving the ride.

[@twowheeler1662]

It really depends if your daily ride is a race. I spend my long hours enjoying the ride rather than marking a personal record. Steel and titanium make my rides very satisfying. Lately, single speed steel framed rigs are most challenging and satisfying. Maybe its the retro in me that values the journey, not the elapse time.

[@mauricioorantes9809]

Well said!

[@kennoon7177]

Great video and very funny-but true

[@fatboyfat2184]

Had an old mbk super record.purchased new, the bottom bracket fractured after 80000 KMs Loved that bike 😍

[@andrewbobro3374]

Good video! Your wattage is impressive.

[@jpoodle]

I have a friend with a steel Colnago bike from the 80s with modern shifting on the rear mech shifter included but has the old friction shifter for the front mech, super cool. Go with what works is what I say!

[@IvansBikesBmws]

Amazing! Love the video. New subscriber.

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

Thanks for the kind words, happy you enjoyed it

[@davidclark6167]

Thanks for a great video and great to see the Carerra kit on display. Surprised me how close the results were, only thing missing was perhaps a comment on the overall ride characteristics, where I find the steel frame gives a more supple ride which for me makes it more enjoyable than carbon, unless going up hills, ha, ha!! Apologies if I missed a comment along those lines in the video.

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

Thanks for the kind words, yes I agree with your comments that I should've included comments on ride feel. I can say one thing about feel, if I do my 200km weekly commute on the steel bike I feel like toast by Friday 🤣

[@sevenrats]

Just this week I dragged my 1989 Bianchi Campione d'Italia out of the corner of the basement and got all cleaned up with a new chain, full tune up and new bar tape. I've been mountain biking for 6 years or so and just thought about getting a road bike and then realized, I ALREADY HAVE ONE! It IS like a classic car. For solo rides for fitness or transportation or even casual group rides, it's just so cool. Sure if you're racing you'll get smoked but so would a 1969 Chevy Chevelle.

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

Sounds like an awesome bike, enjoy the riding mate!

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Interesting comparison

[@edwardweiszbeck1649]

Awesome video and humour 👍

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

I appreciate the kind words. Apologies for the audio though, sometimes environment and capability get I the way

[@johndean4912]

Have both also. Like both.

[@timdodd3897]

I like your down to earth style. No b.s. I had to check your video out as I love my vintage bikes. I can't ride big tubes as my knees rub the frame. My fav.? '74 Raleigh International. So smooth....

[@dennisdickey2267]

I still love my 1987 Dave Scott Centurian Ironman Expert. Not a scratch!

[@mauricioorantes9809]

Shimano 105 7-speed

[@darylloth3237]

Great test! Congratulations on your consistency! If you are even mildly competitive these differences are not subtle. 1.7 km/h on the flats and a minute difference in a 6.5 km 277m climb is huge. After an hour of riding on the flats you would be 1.7km ahead of someone riding the steel bike while exerting the same effort.

[@gregmuon]

Nicely done test. Thanks. The use of a power meter made it a valid comparison. As an encore, it might be interesting to repeat this test but carrying enough weight on the Giant to equalize that factor. IOW weight the Giant so that both bikes weigh the same. Sand in the water bottle or something would work. At that point performance differences would be due only to stiffness and aerodynamics. I suspect stiffness would be the main difference. I suppose there could be some minor difference in mechanical friction as well, though typically that is fairly trivial.

[@twowheels222]

Very interesting test and results. Thanks for doing this. Historical note on indexed shifting: what I have heard is that Shimano's first system was one called Positron and was put on department store bikes back in the 1970s. This was rear mech only; front was still friction.

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

Thanks for the feedback and information on Shimano's history of indexed gears 👍

[@neoveloretro9443]

Good and interesting comparison !!! ;)

[@mortenreippuertknudsen3576]

That 199x steel bike is a 199x boat anchor. Infinity wile ok steel was not exactly lightweight in the 1980’s - it was a seamed version of the Champion 3 and 5 and not close to the double butted Champion 1 or Ishiwata double butted tubing. Japanese state of the art tubing was Miyata’s FM1 tripple butted tubing with splined reinforcemnet (Columbus copied the splined reinforcements for their SLX/TSX tubing). Infinity was comparble to Columbus Cromor and Reynolds 501. Not exctly 531/753, SuperVitus 971/9 or SL/SLX quality. Back then there was also a significant difference in the lugs and how they where joined. Cinelli Microfusione and other cast bottombrakets was significantly stiffer that off the peg BB’s. I remember that Nishiki and it was absolutely not a cast BB. A Sub 9kg was normal for a steel 58-56cm bike with components similar in quality to dureace. In 199x the frameset would loose an additional 300-400g and 8kg was normal for a bike in a similar pricerange. In the 199x’s Infinity was an outdated tubeset and mainly used for town bikes. TIG welding was introduced, heat treatment was intoduced, newer alloyslike NIvacrom and 853 was introduced - this allowed allowing thinner walled tubes in oversized dimensions that was 500g lighter and still stiffer as the diamtere was increased. I bet that the wheels ares posibly also boatacnchors. Back then an nice and vertically very stiff 36 spoked tubular whelel on Mavic rims would weigh less than 1500g. Proberbly lighter thst the carbon clincer wheels on the Giant and almost 1kg ligther than the wheels on your steel frame. those 1-1.5kg paired with less rotating mass from the wheels and a signififcantly stiffer drivetrain from oversized tubing and stiffer BB are noticeable. A good 199x steel frame with stiff Campagnolo/Mavic chainrings and retrofriction shifters will NOT autoshift. (I ride a 1997 Koga-Miyata Full Pro sixe 58 with Simplex downtube shifters, Campagnolo tubular rims and Campagnolo chainrings - its imposible tp autoshift as everything is superstiff. Weight: sub 8.9kg with pedals incl toeclips- and i do cheat using year 2001 10speed chainrings, chain and cassette & rearhub.

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

Some great insight there, thanks mate for sharing all your knowledge 🙏👍👌

[@Handletaken4]

Morten Reippuert Knudsen on a velodrome the heavier wheels probably faster. Straight line always faster than a wiggle line. Carbon wheels are crazy unstable. Watch any tour stage. 4-24” sway with each pedal stroke.

[@mortenreippuertknudsen3576]

​@@Handletaken4 not sure why we are talking track ? My comment was reg the steelfreame used for the comparison. Carbon wheels are not unstable, similar profiled aluminum wheels has the same issues. I rode +1994 Shamals, Ventos and Zonda's for more than a decade - in terms of stability they did not defer from the Reynolds Fortysix/SixtySix areo wheels i have owned for tha past 5y. & heavier wheels are not faster, they will accelerate slower If all things incl areodynamics are they they will be slower. even if they are more areodynami they may in thory be fractions of a second faster but in a realworld and and unless youre a pro or elite rider i wouldnt count on it.

[@Daniel-yf9iy]

My first road bike was a 1987 Nishiki Olympic 12 in metallic aquamarine an white pearl fade. It was as enjoyable to ride as to look at. It was a very nice bike and it was reasonably priced too.

[@jrbos]

I have a 1989/90 Norco Eurosport Tri-A that I bought new in Winnipeg. Recently refreshed all its grease and fittings. Shimano 105 all-around. Rides like a dream, but I could sure do with more than that tiny six speed. Huge biopace chainrings make climbing a chore.

[@cheesesandwich1236]

Climbing in Winnipeg ?

[@jrbos]

No longer in Winnipeg. Very hilly here.

[@wazirtan6801]

was really surprised that giant bike weight is 7.2kg ,i was aspecting it to be lesser though btw thanks sir great video! 👍

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

It had c60 carbon wheels computer and two cages. Maybe power meter pedals too. I think it's closer to 7kg

[@sueneilson896]

Used to have a Repco made of Columbus SL. Very tight front end, the toe clips hit the front wheel if you were riding like an idiot. Really nice bike. Put Suntour Superbe Pro groupo on it, singles of course. Won a lot of races on that bike. Wish I still had it. Hate my carbon and aluminium bikes with a vengence. Also had a Columbus Hillman back then. Beautiful and stable workhorse.

[@kookamunga2458]

I feel when a steel bike cracks there is only five to ten seconds to react and slow down . I feel when a carbon bike cracks it is instantaneous and the bicycles collapses on the road during peak traffic time . Thieves are less likely to pinch my steel bicycle so they are the best choice if I want to leave my bike locked for a while . My steel bicycle has the most spring and it seems like there is some kind of energy return because of the steel flexing.

[@BaxterRoss]

Carbon doesn't really fail catastrophically in the way you're imagining (it's more a case of getting crushed than shattering) unless it's subjected to overwhelming loads that would completely obliterate the steel frame.

[@kookamunga2458]

@@BaxterRoss You are right . I have only seen the occasional broken carbon frame and never witnessed one collapsing in real time.

[@neemyn407]

For regular people who like the sport: Doesn't matter too much, git gud. Sometimes the best rider of the group has the cheapest bicycle of all.

[@pooneej]

exactly - you can spend a shit ton $$$ on best bike but nothing beats a good motor.

[@EReham]

Given that the Japanese were into 'vertically integrating', how far down the REPCO line did Nishiki bikes go? Nishiki being a parent company had a number of smaller manufacturers producing frames for them and those frames were very good for the day. My old REPCO came with a 42-52 on the front and 14-24 on the back, I recently changed the chain and rear group set to 14-28 and those four extra teeth make a huge difference on the hills. The next change will be a replacement saddle as the old Viscount saddle is starting to show its age. The bike came with an early set of aero-bars, unfortunately I don't know who made them but they work well for me. I totally agree with you that the old steel bikes are a lot of fun, especially when I pass younger riders on their fancy carbon frame bikes!

[@Cube_Ernator1077]

Personally, my preference is Steel over Carbon-Fibre. Aside from 'Cost', its ride quality, comfort and the no small fact of steel lasting longer in a crash than carbon frames likely would! I also prefer a fixed gear over a roadie. I'm NOT a so called "Hipster" either, I just don't like 'gears'.

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

There is something beautiful about the shear simplicity of a nice single speed track bike. I get it.

[@Cube_Ernator1077]

@@melbournecyclingsegments7510 Yes-I must point out, I'm not trying to get into arguments with folks-we are ALL entitled to ride whatever we wish to-on whatever we choose to ride! The Important thing is, we Ride our bikes!!

[@jstar1000]

All that new stuff on the new bike can be put on an old frame, then what? I ride nothing but steel with modern components from the mid 2000s at least. 10 speed dura ace, ultegra etc. No plastic bikes for this guy!

[@blissbouwerij4033]

Enjoyed the video mate. I am a Queenslander living in Europe for the last 10 years. Starting riding 4 years ago, but I always had a "10 speed" in high school. Be nice to see the steel frame kitted out with the new shifters and run the test again. Do you reckon that would bring the competition closer? For longevity a steel frame with some second hand shifters and chainset doesnt seem a bad intro into the sport to me.

[@michaelkennedy4444]

I have a 1991 MTB made of Tange steel . It’s still in very good shape . It’s got the Shimano Bio Speed oval chain rings.

[@stefanosprokopis6974]

A really great video. I have a 25 year old steel frame repco. Ive had it since new but i use to leave it in the rain and scratch it by having the bike lock continually hit the frame. As much as i use to abuse it i can tell you it always performed never failing me. The bike is tough and the shimano sora gears never failed. I've had a couple of 1500 dollar alloy bikes and I still prefer the old repco in terms of stiffness and overall durability. I actually ride faster than the more lighter modern bikes. If you find an old repco steel frame in good condition do yourself a favour and buy it as a run around bike, you will certainly love it.

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

The old Repcos are getting a bit of a following with a few forums and Facebook groups popping up. I'd love one of those blue and yellow Vertexs but they seem hard to find. You do get the odd repco bargain on ebay as well

[@stefanosprokopis6974]

@@melbournecyclingsegments7510 I had mine re sprayed with a bit of restoration done to make it new. I paid 800 bucks but the prick did a shit job and the gears constantly slipped. He made it worse. Originally it was yellow with black handle bars, shimano sora. Paid around 700 bucks in 1996 from a bike shop in Albert park. The sticker was placed wrongly so it was a bit cheaper. About 3 years ago it fell out of a moving truck and it sustained some damage it's been sitting in the garage ever since but I'll get it fixed. Maybe you can recommend a decent bike mechanic in Melbourne. In November I bought a new Alloy Merida scultura 400 shimano 105, for 1500 bucks a gorgeous bike but man I tell you that damn repco before the restoration still rode better that's why I'm gonna get it fixed. Now due to the corona virus I lost my job and I'm riding the Merida bike everyday but I really miss the repco more than ever. All the best.

[@dgillies5420]

I did a 10 mile time trial on my 1974 Schwinn Paramount P-15. I learned a great deal, mainly, that I suck at time trials, and should not do them any more...

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

Haha. I'm learning the same, my old 'equipment' is showing its age too. Main thing is to just enjoy it all

[@julmeissonnier]

My 1981 Vitus 971 Follis bike has seen three modern upgrades (what I see as the only breakthrough innovations over the past 40 years) 1. 1986 Look Clip-on pedals (instead of the original toe clips) 2. Brifters (originally 1994 8 speed Campagnolo Record, now 10-speed Chorus) my front triple will not work with an 11-speed chain, and 3) some lighter low spoke count wheels 2012 Fulcrum 3 with 16 and 21 spokes almost half the spoke count of the original 36 spoke Maxi Car wheels that lasted 35 years... With these three changes, it is fun and safe to ride and quite fast. Yes, it is a bit slower than a 7Kg carbon bike or my 7.5Kg Lightspeed Vortex Titanium. But all of them are a lot slower than back in the 80's anyways...

[@igniaulfsborg8946]

Well done m8

[@tomasvarga6501]

Haha, I appreciated / enjoined much :)

[@eraybll]

love the vid man. i agree with all you said on the "greater" advantages about the modern one. if the bearings on the steel would be serviced regularly (assuming it is a bit old in the grease too) it would be even a smaller gap in them.

[@Plasmo20]

Swap the threaded BB out and insert a modern BB and modern crank, you wont recognise the bike. I run DA7900 on mine = fabulous and cheap.

[@dioright]

Once agressive marketing convince me that road disc are the best. However I was fortunate enough to test different bikes, and come to conclusion that ultimate bike is carbon, rim brake, 10 sp mechanical (12x34 cassette, 50x34 for riding solo), sub 7 kg, 28mm tires. As Durianrider sayd: You want to ride it all day with smile on your face. Bicycle manufacturers produce nothing better yet.

[@chrisadams2728]

I COULDN'T QUITE HEAR WHAT YOU WERE TRYING TO SAY, EVEN WITH MY SPEAKERS TURNED UP TO FULL VOLUME. COULD YOU PLEASE SHOUT A LITTLE LOUDER AND A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE?

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

@Rick Denney yeah I'll have to have a word with my road crew, audio department and the like. Maybe I'll fire them all

[@brianward7724]

Chris Adams Try using headphones.

[@brianward7724]

@Rick Denney Yes, I am. I'm 75 and have hearing issues but, with my headphones on, I had no trouble hearing what he was saying.

[@stevenmulder2115]

Gday just found you on you tube very interesting test I’ve just bought a Scapin race bike and comparing it to my Giant Contend I much prefer to ride the steel frame on the flat undulating road like beach Rd and leave the aluminium bike for the hills. I also have a Apolo steel frame bike with similar gearing to your Repco and I don’t mind riding that on the flat from time to time.

[@petergiourelas3753]

Can't beat steel for comfort and ling life, be keeping my 86 motioncraft

[@smedleybutler1969]

I am 66 years old and have a 1974 Nishiki and can keep up will all the younger guys on their carbon, I also changed my brakes to dual pivot,the original brakes only slowed me down!I I make up for weight by training harder! The harder you pedal the faster you go its all physics! funny thing though a few years later the Nishiki company was renamed Giant!

[@Mosely2007]

I liked this. I started in the 60s with steel.in the 70s got a Follis, a real bike. Still have it. 80s more steel bikes, still have them. Around 90 got a carbon.bad experience for 30 yrs. I broke 8 frames, wheels, seats etc. None I n a crash. 170 lbs 6 foot tall. Carbon broke for me. Last 3 bikes were steel. I like the ride and classic look. My newer Madone is ugly. It stays on a trainer in the basement. Dealers tell me most font ride 13, 000 miles a year on gravel and bad roads. Huh? Thought it was normal . Done it for decades. Good medicine. Just ride. Anything with pedals. Saw a new Linarello Gravel bike. Keep it, but ugly. I'm sticking to steel.

[@streetfighteryzf750]

It would be interesting to see how much of a potential mechanical disadvantage there is just looking at the BB of the steel bike versus the carbon bike BB

[@jenerictablet5156]

It's a shame you had the old bike hampered with the Gatorskin, that will have cost you at least 8 Watts on the track test. Don't get me wrong, Gatorskins are not a bad commuting or training tyre. Very good puncture resistance and tyre life, but you do pay for that with extra rolling resistance.

[@Plasmo20]

Steel is lovely to ride on but does lack a bit in out of the saddle efforts, mostly at the BB. Having said that, come down a long twisty mountain descent and I cut a significantly faster time on my 80s steely (DA 10sp and vision 30 wheels) than my 2018 Canyon Endurace with disc brakes. The steel bike removes the harsh jitters and 'flows' over the rough surfaces and broken bitumen. I cant hold the same level of intensity in this scenario on the Canyon, whereas the steely on Gatorskins I can keep pushing and pushing to go faster through the 40kmh bends. Time for the same decent more than 1:30 faster on the steely over a 7.2km descent avg 6% on the steely. Having said that, I am way closer to the steely time on my Pinarello F8 clone and not as fast on my real F8. All in all carbon is not so well suited to chipseal and broken surfaces and steel is. Also at the bottom I am WooHoo on the steely whereas on the carbon bikes I am fatigued from the stress of banging over the bumps and hoping not to break traction. I've raced and placed in XC MTB and Masters crits so not quite a novice.

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

Thank you for your great input. Funny you say that, I find my steel bike lovely on the descents too.

[@Massproduce201]

Not to mention for long days in the saddle 80km> , steel is so much forgiving. It has to do a lot with weight I suppose, it’s pure physics, the more you have under you the more plush a ride it’ll be. It’s all about balance and building a bike you are happy with at the end.

[@az149keyjoecoil3]

Make a video with the vintage steel frame with the whole modern carbon stuff on it.Guess the result may be different.

[@mortlow6688]

I have build up a Reynolds 853 steel / carbon fork frame set + carbon wheelset and carbon parts only... best bike ever rides so smooth....

[@richardggeorge]

Excellent video. I think I am roughly the same age as you and owned a Repco steel 12 speed bike I purchased in 1993. I used to ride it around Canberra and then Beach Rd Melbourne until 2005 when I bought a Giant OCR1 which blew my mind how much nicer it was to ride. I put the Repco in the metal recycling last year as I have 4 new-ish road bikes and it was getting fairly rusty and the braking was terrible!

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

That's great Richard. Back in 1989 I would've dreamed of a bike like that Repco, I was riding a bike made of gas pipes.

[@treygray2817]

High-quality steel is nicer to ride than carbon 😏

[@johnfitzgerald1192]

9:05 You definitely get a better workout with the vintage. And it's more suitable for adults and outdoors. If manufacturers could build carbon fiber bikes with the vintage look with a 57T chainring. They would definitely be making collectors. 7:58

[@danfuerthgillis4483]

My cheap road bike ( 6061) alloy is a 15kg total weight with a simple 3X7 gearing. For fun factor and even overall drive train quietness I prefer it over my 8.5 kg Carbon, for speed there is just no comparison as I have timed it at 3.5 Minutes difference. That is not that much but riding along with someone on a 8.5 kg bike ( same training) you can not keep up. Thanks for this video and that Steel Bike is very nice!!

[@Yonok2009]

I have 11 sp Campagnolo Potenza on my Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra 52/36t and 13-32t not a real climbing bike but she is fast - Faster than my Trek Emonda :)

[@melbman43]

Where the Emonda is supposed to be a top climbing bike.

[@Unwavering137]

Your bike has plenty adequate gearing for most climbing. I prefer steel bikes for durability and esthetics, but carbon is significantly lighter, thus easier to climb on.

[@KeithHeinrich]

Neo retro. Best of both worlds.

[@recyclespinning9839]

Haven't tried a titanium bike ,i would like to try that! I had a Rossin SL tubing, in the 80s, . Now a days Casati EL-OS TUBING, with Centaur gruppo. Awesome bike fast comfortable. Test drive a trek carbon. Let's say not impressed. Actually I had a 1970s Raleigh super course with updated components, that handled awesome..

[@gattmolson]

awesome video, just goes to show that it comes down to physics.

[@MathieuTechMoto]

Ride with friends that have modern carbon bikes, everytimes we start from a stop, i take over them like a rocket with my 1978 steel retro bike, for only 5% speed improvement , id rather keep my money and improve my muscles by 5% :D Most of the time, old bikes only need a good tune up !

[@lokerola]

I know this vid is two years old, but I'd love to see the steel bike upgraded with modern components and modern wheels & tires and re-run the test. Might be closer than you'd expect.

[@MrMrdlegend]

I just updated a 1989 Merckx with 10 SPD Ultegra SPD and decent newer wheels. It's still about 22lbs but rides like a Caddy

[@Alan_Hans__]

I'd dearly love to see an old school steel frame but with deeper section wheels and some bar end road shifters. I reckon even changing to deep section wheels would drop the margin down to next to nothing.

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

That would be interesting, unfortunately my carbon wheels won't fit my steel bike, but I do have a similar video comparing carbon vs aluminium wheels

[@jamesmedina2062]

@@melbournecyclingsegments7510 he is talking aero aluminum, mate, and updating shifters

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

@@jamesmedina2062 Oh I thought he meant steel frame with modern components and deep section wheels

[@DaleNewnham]

Great video, really enjoyed it! I would like to see a similar test with newer components on the steel bike. I ride steel but with 9 speed dura ace and down tube shifters and feel the disadvantage is small. That 1 min on the climb is quite a disadvantage.....perhaps I can turn pro if I go carbon??

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

Go carbon.... And conquer the world!

[@solitaryrefinement6787]

Steel is a GT and carbon is a go kart. It's hard for me to ride my carbon bike slow while it's super easy to just get up to cruising speed on my steel bike and relax and enjoy the ride. If I'm riding my carbon bike, I just feel this incessant need to push, push & push it. But, when I ride the steel bike, I just roll with whatever the terrain is.

[@paulschmidtke425]

As a fan of steel and not opposed to upgrading with modern wheels groupset etc , would love to see the same test yes and as someone else pointed out ,nice as the repco is , it's a boat anchor compared to high-end modern steel frames , the 1600gram ones are big Vickie's but I've picked up second hand motobeccane 1950gm frame for 50bucks and a Scott tange prestige frame 2050gm for 50 also , that's a lot of dosh to be spent on upgrades for a bike that you can pass on to your children compared to carbon which will be in landfill in 20yrs time or less

[@saturupiah5940]

Really enjoyed this clip and your humour. I like the Repco. It's a terrific looking bike. However even in 1989 it wasn't as high end as what the TCR was in 2014. It would be great to see the modern bike pitted against an early 90's Steel De Rosa or Colnago with 9 speed Campy Record ergo shifting.

[@cinellixa]

Antony Stride You got that right, I have a 98 eddy merckx strada os with 9 speed campagnolo. These steel bikes will still be road worthy when most carbon frames are junked.

[@saturupiah5940]

@@cinellixaYou have fine tastes.

[@MikeStarr1000]

52x14 top gear? I'd imagine this was your junior gearing? Not that pros ran anything bigger than 52x12, or 52x13 back then anyway. Amazing a 5% gradient brought the modern bike 1' faster in

[@grantmeadows1854]

The Tri A is a great bike for knocking around on. Got a Repco Nishiki Medalist for comuting and with the watts I put out why get anything else. But do they look good? Cannot beat an Japanese 80's roadie for looks.

[@dennisspors7530]

i restore or build up Alum. bikes from 2000 (Bianchi xl pro, ev2, ev4). no problem keeping up with a club ride. unique and cool too.

[@sheldonharvey8306]

Thank you for the video. It seems that the steel frame with the modern components would probably perform similar to the carbon bike.

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

Also include a top shelf steel frame and I think you've got a point. Then again the same can equally apply to the carbon bike... They've build those as low as 4kg!!

[@ginomaulucci1618]

What makes steel fun to ride is when you're riding faster than a guy who blew $$$-thousands on a carbon fibre bike. And the fun 10 years later when you're passing him again on his new carbon fibre bike while you're still riding the same vintage steel.

[@andredegraaf1643]

Just an update to my previous comment, I watched the 1999 Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Giant TCR against Aluminum and Steel bikes with downtube shifters. Guess what, the TCRs did not obliterate the competition even though very respectable and strong riders like Laurant Jalabert were on them. I wonder how a fully compact frame steel bike with modern components would fare against the latest CF wonder? Yes, it would still be heavier but would one be able to stay competitive? I think the answer is yes.

[@wearebombersband]

Very cool video, thank you. I’m a steel is real guy, but of course we all wonder how much better we could be with a modern style bike. This certainly gives me a general idea of what I suspected. Cheers

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

Happy to hear that you enjoyed the video. 👍

[@rjhayward1]

I have a 2004 De Rosa steel bike. With Campy CT and modern shifters on the brakes, easy shifting. So mine is just as good, if that really matters at all.