I think Si and Alex have way more MTB skills than they show, and Rich has more road ability too, these three could do a really good crossover rather than always dragging Manon, Connor, Hank and Ollie out of their comfort zone.
Another old guy here...just got on 29" in july 2023! Went from 2005 cannondale hard tail to 2022 canyon neuron and I love it! Breaking PR almost every ride on trails i been riding for 20 yrs (up and down). I recommend updating at least every 15 yrs or so!! LoL
I’ve been mtb riding since the late 80’s and also agree it is a good idea to keep abreast on mtb changes and upgrading from time to time. The bicycles from yesteryear seem downright dangerous compared to what we ride today!
I'm not going riding today, so this is the perfect substitute. Personally, I wanted to see more of Si's ti hardtail. And, as someone who rides on the road as well as XC, beating mtbers on the climbs - and actually enjoying them - sounds familiar!
For me, biggest game changer in MTB currently is the dropper. Opens up a lot of options with body positioning on technical sections. I still remember having to squat behind the saddle and the fear of having it at chest height. I still run a regular seat-post on my pure xc hardtail but I can't tackle the same kind of terrain as I do with my trail bike just because of that.
7:15 "Climbing. Yes! Another thing I look forward to." I adore the enthusiasm, Si! I will also say the same as I always do here at my end. It seems like it isn't proper mountainbiking if there's no climbing as part of the route. Lots of love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from my end--the Philippines! #RideOn #KeepBiking
I'm kind of stuck in the Dark Ages, with a hardtail, dodgy front suspension, and 26" wheelset. Love to have a Nukeproof Reactor. Great acting by Blake, puffing up the slope on the road. LOL! So cool to see Si sneaking away from GCN to the fun side of cycling!
you can have a hardtail dodgy suspension even with 26" but with modern low long slack geometry, dont even have to go for different wheels or fully suss to experience a different feel, geometry makes the difference
Genuinely astonished just how well Si can ride an MTB. Heels down, looking ahead, in control in ruts and tight turns. Kudos to both of you. Really enjoyed this. Great combo Blake and Si
I am a technology geek - constantly looking for the newest and greatest. I also have circa 2000’s mountain bikes; Giant NRS, Titus Racer-X, Yeti ASR and Gary Fisher Sugar that I still love to ride. Definitely feel much safer on today’s bikes, but it is amazing how well the old bikes still perform. Best technology development in my opinion is the dropper post (all the old bikes listed above have disc brakes). Great video guys. Loved it.
I'm totally all for riding modern mtbs and upgrading them whenever possible to make the riding easier and better. In fact only just recently I have moved from cantilever brakes to modern V brakes on my Fat chance and the difference is amazing!
Great vid. I consider myself „stuck in the dark ages“ as well, maybe even a bit more. (Even older than Dan!!) The holy seat position, that‘s 100% me. Can you do more on this topic, like what different riding technique you should try to adopt on new bikes. It would also be fun to place oldschool riders on longer travel bikes and see what happens. (Come on Lloydy!)
My first mtb was 1990 so I had to make the transition. Stay more centered, not a$$ way over back so much. Only do that for really steep chutes or to get front wheel up etc. With droppers and geo you have so much room to move, so stay centered with knees and elbows a slight bend ready to bend more or stretch out more depending on what the feature requires. This is called the attack position. Once you have moved your body into whatever position required for feature, return to the attack position if you are not seated. Turns you will rail more around rather than steer. So higher speed, lean the bike, about half your weight on the front bar. Pump. Just like on a pump track. On an undulating tracks pump into the compressions and raise up as you come out of them. Same in bermed corners- squat down low and push into them then release after the apex as you come out. Flat corners you actually lean your body the opposite of the lean of the bike and push down through your outside pedal which will be down while inside pedal is up. To get the most out of newer bikes you will be quite active on the bike.
@@dadventuretv2538 For a standing position, there is no question. Modern geometry is far superior here. But if you want to make the front of the bike longer, you have to move the saddle forward by steepening the seat angle in order to don‘t let the position more stretched out. Yes, you will sit more center but the saddle in relation to the BB will come forward and if you think about pedalling uphill for an hour, this will feel very different.
Before I got a 29er I was riding this 26", the difference was insane, I'm able to get into and out of a lot more trouble, in it's current form everything is beefed up to handle the wide range of trail that I ride over, I even had the front travel raised
Love that Si took his gloves off for each descent... that is old school. Great video... shame you didn't mention the super steep price tag of the Lux though.
My first ebike just 9ver a year ago was the pole vioma, high pivot .....wasnt sure at first as my nanuel rides were santa cruz tallboys /hightowers ....but ...absaloutey love it !!! Especially on an ebike , put some ethirteen 155 crankd in it, and i feel I am untouchable on any terrain , never worry about pedal strikes or hitting the motor !! High pivot all day.
I’ve been racing 1990 frames in pisgah for years.. Started riding in 94. I just put my 1997 diamondback zetec 2.1 in the basement.. as I am staring at my new RSD Middlechild, I have been riding stock deore vee brakes on local enduro trails- old fort, kitsuma… And i put good times, often the fastest of the day on strava. This middlechild has discs, geometry! , fat 275 tires, thru axles front/back and a tapered head tube… STOKED !!! And looking at my first FS bike for next year :)
The other day I was riding a trail and didn't have time to do the entire loop. I decided to bail ant take the road back to the trailhead. On a downhill section I only got up to about 40 mph, but it was a little but terrifying. Anyway, point is mountain bikers often think of roadies as weenies in lycra, but I can appreciate the balls it takes to hit the speeds they do on those tiny bikes.
When I first started watching GMBN the test rider's were Neil Donahue, Mark Beaumont, Simon Richardson and they were riding Santa Cruz Mountain Bikes, and Martyn Ashton and Rob Warner back in the studio 😂
I Love simon as presenter. knowlegable and may not be as great as Blake when it comes to downhill but no slouch. versatile both Uphill and can do alittle downhill aswell
You can get a decent old bike running pretty close to a new one by upgrading it. The only way you would be forced to upgrade would be a completely outdated geometry. No need to run a brand new nodel to get new performance, a bike 3-4 years old with a couple tweaks will be just fine
Ive only just made the leap from rigid to 100 mm travel and gone to riser bars and a slack head angle which feels mega for single track and I don`t even lock off for the road uphill on xc endurance events cos im scared ill forget to put the suspension back on for the bumpy bits lol
More Si! In fact I have a crazy idea - GMBN needs to trade staff with GCN. So the roadies can learn MTBing, and and MTBers could learn to ride road; we could all relive our own expenses learning road/mountain biking. That's a lot of contact. Let's be frank, GMBN videos have gotten kind'a stale, swapping staff will bring in new insight and adventures for more original videos.
Speaking of old school…I think Blake could have used a 2x granny on that uphill at the start. Si has a Ti hardtail? Thats an episode! I must have missed when the lads mentioned the price of the Lux?
@@KevinT3141 Yeah, I just checked too…starting around $4800 CDN gets me a Lux spec to the equivalent level as my Rocky Mountain hardtail ie. SLX/XT. This is why I buy used bikes.
Just picked up the new Canyon Spectral 125 CF8, at $1200 off during the biggest sale I've ever seen with them, and it's simply one step closer to the do-it-all MTB that I've always wanted. The Lux Trail is a close second for what I want to do on at MTB, I'm in my 50's so the "downhill" stuff is very tame for me now, and simply the 125 is a lot more versatile IMHO due to the geometry and tad longer travel suspension. Oh, and I got it for less than $3k so that's just the icing on the cake! What bike is Blake on? Is that the normal Spectral or Neuron?
I'm in Sy's camp (although my MTB is full sus). I'm not sure about Sy, I'm in the vintage camp because I'm not a racer nor am I sponsored, and the modern equivalent to my bike is too pricey nor is it equipped the way I want it to be in terms of components regarding the group-set and suspension quality and adjustability - it's way more cost effective to ride what I got and keep on top of maintenance and keep it some what modern with an occasional rebuild. But I think GMBN should have done a Vintage rider on their vintage steed vs a modern rider on a modern bike. 😉
At 76yrs I reluctantly fall into the old school cadre....However, in June I purchased a new Atherton AM130, 140mm front 130mm rear suspension, modern geometry etc etc... my riding has been transformed; great fun, faster up and down hill, riding is smoother & less frantic. love my Atherton and what it brings to my life, I'd never go back 🙂🚵
He is good rider but he rides like a XC rider getting way behind the saddle on steeps. Not attack position. It takes time to build that confidence to stay in alignment with the suspension with respect to the slope. The natural reaction is to repel from danger... hence getting to far back.
The GMBN/GCN crossovers are always the best.
Always nice to see how versatile GCN/GMBN presenters are
I think Si and Alex have way more MTB skills than they show, and Rich has more road ability too, these three could do a really good crossover rather than always dragging Manon, Connor, Hank and Ollie out of their comfort zone.
consider myself 3/4 mtb and 1/4 roadie and I love these crossovers. Even though we give the roadies a hard time, we like you guys.
I am the opposite ratio. You guys are alright
These two are a quality pairing!
Bike check on Si’s secret titanium rocket ship if sponsorship contracts allow please.
I love xc hardtails
Yeah, chapeau for the Ti hardtail, not a bad steed at all for a roady or anyone else!!! +1 for bikecheck
@@Paganiproductions84 my ‘big bike’ is a Specialized chisel. An aluminium hardtail. The rest of my bikes are rigid or road.
@@Zzyyxx22 i am a 2times Orbea Alma Owner one with Aluminium frame and One with a Carbon frame and no dropperpost in sight also have flat pedals.
Yes Si's xc ti hardtail Mtb would be interesting
I love how Blake can always find something to jump off. Si had some stylish little whips going but he must be a climbing juggernaut.
Another old guy here...just got on 29" in july 2023! Went from 2005 cannondale hard tail to 2022 canyon neuron and I love it! Breaking PR almost every ride on trails i been riding for 20 yrs (up and down). I recommend updating at least every 15 yrs or so!! LoL
This is the way!
I’ve been mtb riding since the late 80’s and also agree it is a good idea to keep abreast on mtb changes and upgrading from time to time. The bicycles from yesteryear seem downright dangerous compared to what we ride today!
I quite forgot Si was a champion MTB rider before he switched to the Spandex life. Awesome video!
I'm not going riding today, so this is the perfect substitute. Personally, I wanted to see more of Si's ti hardtail. And, as someone who rides on the road as well as XC, beating mtbers on the climbs - and actually enjoying them - sounds familiar!
LOL, this is BMBN's best video yet. Had me cracking up, especially with Blake telling Si he's doing really well on that climb.... LOL.
For me, biggest game changer in MTB currently is the dropper. Opens up a lot of options with body positioning on technical sections. I still remember having to squat behind the saddle and the fear of having it at chest height. I still run a regular seat-post on my pure xc hardtail but I can't tackle the same kind of terrain as I do with my trail bike just because of that.
Please dont tell me than you never drop your saddle manualy Whit a quick realease
@@pepeanza6187 it's an inconvenience to do it over and over again.
@@pepeanza6187 not something you do while racing.
7:15 "Climbing. Yes! Another thing I look forward to."
I adore the enthusiasm, Si! I will also say the same as I always do here at my end. It seems like it isn't proper mountainbiking if there's no climbing as part of the route.
Lots of love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from my end--the Philippines! #RideOn #KeepBiking
Awesome job Si great to see you back on the channel.Great vid Blake looked like you had a lot of fun!!!
I'm kind of stuck in the Dark Ages, with a hardtail, dodgy front suspension, and 26" wheelset. Love to have a Nukeproof Reactor. Great acting by Blake, puffing up the slope on the road. LOL! So cool to see Si sneaking away from GCN to the fun side of cycling!
you can have a hardtail dodgy suspension even with 26" but with modern low long slack geometry, dont even have to go for different wheels or fully suss to experience a different feel, geometry makes the difference
Genuinely astonished just how well Si can ride an MTB. Heels down, looking ahead, in control in ruts and tight turns. Kudos to both of you. Really enjoyed this. Great combo Blake and Si
That was one heavy overdose of an advert!
Well done,Si! Still got the skills. Now let's get Lloydie out there too.
I am a technology geek - constantly looking for the newest and greatest. I also have circa 2000’s mountain bikes; Giant NRS, Titus Racer-X, Yeti ASR and Gary Fisher Sugar that I still love to ride. Definitely feel much safer on today’s bikes, but it is amazing how well the old bikes still perform. Best technology development in my opinion is the dropper post (all the old bikes listed above have disc brakes). Great video guys. Loved it.
I'm with you Si, I love climbing.
I'm totally all for riding modern mtbs and upgrading them whenever possible to make the riding easier and better. In fact only just recently I have moved from cantilever brakes to modern V brakes on my Fat chance and the difference is amazing!
Si and Blake duo are amazing! Great video
I'm not into XC but that Canyon looks sick 👌
Great vid and newd more content like this with Si
Great vid. I consider myself „stuck in the dark ages“ as well, maybe even a bit more. (Even older than Dan!!) The holy seat position, that‘s 100% me. Can you do more on this topic, like what different riding technique you should try to adopt on new bikes. It would also be fun to place oldschool riders on longer travel bikes and see what happens. (Come on Lloydy!)
My first mtb was 1990 so I had to make the transition. Stay more centered, not a$$ way over back so much. Only do that for really steep chutes or to get front wheel up etc. With droppers and geo you have so much room to move, so stay centered with knees and elbows a slight bend ready to bend more or stretch out more depending on what the feature requires. This is called the attack position. Once you have moved your body into whatever position required for feature, return to the attack position if you are not seated. Turns you will rail more around rather than steer. So higher speed, lean the bike, about half your weight on the front bar. Pump. Just like on a pump track. On an undulating tracks pump into the compressions and raise up as you come out of them. Same in bermed corners- squat down low and push into them then release after the apex as you come out. Flat corners you actually lean your body the opposite of the lean of the bike and push down through your outside pedal which will be down while inside pedal is up. To get the most out of newer bikes you will be quite active on the bike.
@@dadventuretv2538 For a standing position, there is no question. Modern geometry is far superior here. But if you want to make the front of the bike longer, you have to move the saddle forward by steepening the seat angle in order to don‘t let the position more stretched out. Yes, you will sit more center but the saddle in relation to the BB will come forward and if you think about pedalling uphill for an hour, this will feel very different.
Before I got a 29er I was riding this 26", the difference was insane, I'm able to get into and out of a lot more trouble, in it's current form everything is beefed up to handle the wide range of trail that I ride over, I even had the front travel raised
the difference between 26 and 29 is insane. it feels like i finally got a bike that fits me (i am not that tall, only 174cm)
The difference between 26 & 27.5 is 12mm bigger radius.... A complete waste of time. 29s are king though
This was quite an enjoyable watch!
Nice to see Si on GMBN 👍🏼
My 2 favorite presenters! More please!
Si’s ti hardtail looks so sick!!
Love that Si took his gloves off for each descent... that is old school. Great video... shame you didn't mention the super steep price tag of the Lux though.
My 2 fav presenters. Sweet. Enjoyed that.
My first ebike just 9ver a year ago was the pole vioma, high pivot .....wasnt sure at first as my nanuel rides were santa cruz tallboys /hightowers ....but ...absaloutey love it !!! Especially on an ebike , put some ethirteen 155 crankd in it, and i feel I am untouchable on any terrain , never worry about pedal strikes or hitting the motor !! High pivot all day.
I’ve been racing 1990 frames in pisgah for years.. Started riding in 94. I just put my 1997 diamondback zetec 2.1 in the basement.. as I am staring at my new RSD Middlechild, I have been riding stock deore vee brakes on local enduro trails- old fort, kitsuma… And i put good times, often the fastest of the day on strava. This middlechild has discs, geometry! , fat 275 tires, thru axles front/back and a tapered head tube… STOKED !!! And looking at my first FS bike for next year :)
This smile on Simon face 👍🏿😀. Sorry for the roadies but only Mtb can get you this type of fun!
The other day I was riding a trail and didn't have time to do the entire loop. I decided to bail ant take the road back to the trailhead. On a downhill section I only got up to about 40 mph, but it was a little but terrifying. Anyway, point is mountain bikers often think of roadies as weenies in lycra, but I can appreciate the balls it takes to hit the speeds they do on those tiny bikes.
What a beast...these colors
@blake , needs to take the whole GCN team and get them all to do a mini enduro !!
I recognise them trails 😉 gonna have to go up and fix it after you blake
Thank you, I have enjoyed this video lots.
Blake give Si's MTBrompton a try!!
When I first started watching GMBN the test rider's were Neil Donahue, Mark Beaumont, Simon Richardson and they were riding Santa Cruz Mountain Bikes, and Martyn Ashton and Rob Warner back in the studio 😂
Note to myself, if I'm ever on a ride with Blake and he describes a trail as being a treat ride the other direction... ;-)
That’s class you got Si in a video!!!!
The exact video my dinosaur-style-former-NORBA-racing self needed! Thanks for all the great and creative content.
Loved this cross from gcn.
Super fun video today guys!
I Love simon as presenter.
knowlegable and may not be as great as Blake when it comes to downhill but
no slouch.
versatile both Uphill and can do alittle downhill aswell
You can get a decent old bike running pretty close to a new one by upgrading it. The only way you would be forced to upgrade would be a completely outdated geometry.
No need to run a brand new nodel to get new performance, a bike 3-4 years old with a couple tweaks will be just fine
Si breathing through his nose doing piece to camera. Blake shattered shell of his former self gasping out two or three words.
Cool ass video. Also want to see the titanium steed.
Ive only just made the leap from rigid to 100 mm travel and gone to riser bars and a slack head angle which feels mega for single track and I don`t even lock off for the road uphill on xc endurance events cos im scared ill forget to put the suspension back on for the bumpy bits lol
More Si! In fact I have a crazy idea - GMBN needs to trade staff with GCN. So the roadies can learn MTBing, and and MTBers could learn to ride road; we could all relive our own expenses learning road/mountain biking. That's a lot of contact.
Let's be frank, GMBN videos have gotten kind'a stale, swapping staff will bring in new insight and adventures for more original videos.
Wow! Not sure if I'm more frightened or impressed. That was really cool to watch (and looked like a lot of fun. For S and B; not for me :-)
Is that the legend, that is, Nick Craig in Si's wheel in the throwback pics?
Si was talking to me when he said..."stop laughing". Can't help it, roadies are hilarious.
Go on Si!
Must buy a canyon!
Must obey!
Must obey!
Must buy a lux trail
Must buy the top model
Obey
Ha! It's like John Carpenter's 'They Live' but with mountain bikes...
So Lycra buddy decided to have some real fun.
I love climbing on my lux trail
It's the perfect bike for it 🤙
This VID IS AWESOME!! 😎💯👍
Speaking of old school…I think Blake could have used a 2x granny on that uphill at the start. Si has a Ti hardtail? Thats an episode! I must have missed when the lads mentioned the price of the Lux?
I went to their website and quickly realized that I will never own one. :-(
@@KevinT3141 Yeah, I just checked too…starting around $4800 CDN gets me a Lux spec to the equivalent level as my Rocky Mountain hardtail ie. SLX/XT. This is why I buy used bikes.
@@brianrainey2739 Good point, maybe I will get a used one in a few years, so I should never say never.
"vintage rider" seems a very polite way to describe Si there 😂
Just picked up the new Canyon Spectral 125 CF8, at $1200 off during the biggest sale I've ever seen with them, and it's simply one step closer to the do-it-all MTB that I've always wanted. The Lux Trail is a close second for what I want to do on at MTB, I'm in my 50's so the "downhill" stuff is very tame for me now, and simply the 125 is a lot more versatile IMHO due to the geometry and tad longer travel suspension. Oh, and I got it for less than $3k so that's just the icing on the cake!
What bike is Blake on? Is that the normal Spectral or Neuron?
So cool
Where is this place? It looks awesome. I also would like to see Si's retro bike. 😊
Where are you riding?
Where is this please? Trails look great
Yeah, can you post locations along with all the sponsors, etc? THX!
Shouldn`t this be marked as "Advertising" with all the Canyon stuff in it?
Si climbing like he’s on an e-bike 😂
Simon, what frame is your titanium hardtail?
I'm really interested in Simon's titanium bike he should bring it on the show .
Where was this filmed please?
It is 4:11am here in Utah right now and after that I want to go mountain biking. Great job Boys! - M
Where are these trails?
I'm in Sy's camp (although my MTB is full sus).
I'm not sure about Sy, I'm in the vintage camp because I'm not a racer nor am I sponsored, and the modern equivalent to my bike is too pricey nor is it equipped the way I want it to be in terms of components regarding the group-set and suspension quality and adjustability - it's way more cost effective to ride what I got and keep on top of maintenance and keep it some what modern with an occasional rebuild.
But I think GMBN should have done a Vintage rider on their vintage steed vs a modern rider on a modern bike. 😉
Simon? ... Is that you, my roadie friend? Fancy meeting you on the other side of the fence!
At 76yrs I reluctantly fall into the old school cadre....However, in June I purchased a new Atherton AM130, 140mm front 130mm rear suspension, modern geometry etc etc... my riding has been transformed; great fun, faster up and down hill, riding is smoother & less frantic.
love my Atherton and what it brings to my life, I'd never go back 🙂🚵
Total respect dude!
Si did a great job very impressed 👍 i wonder how he would do on a round trip with us and downs mmmm maybe beat Blake mmm what you reckon???
Si is GMBN's best presenter. Yes, I said GMBN...
This is so. Cool
Does somebody know what goggles Blake is wearing? Thanks!
They are the Smith Shift MAG glasses with a clear lense I believe!
@@gmbn Many thanks! Great video, and what great bikes #envy
Wich app do they use to measure?
"what I've been missing out?"
I've been in this sport for almost 30 yrs and...
Geez man, not that much the fun part just started 😂
Simon the tractor! HAHAHAHA
He is good rider but he rides like a XC rider getting way behind the saddle on steeps. Not attack position. It takes time to build that confidence to stay in alignment with the suspension with respect to the slope. The natural reaction is to repel from danger... hence getting to far back.
OMG that's Simon
GMBN is poaching GCN presenters😂😂😂😂
Where are they riding
those are their customs and you have to respect them!
How cold is it that they can climb in all those clothes
I'm not allowed on mountain bikes due to many crashes and hospitals vists
This guy sounds like Avid Merrion. Tell me I'm wrong.
This is titanium hardtail slander. A modern hardtail rules.
Blake is looking like he needs an E bike lol.
mountain bikers logic
"what's vertical ? "
blake
First
Uplift 🤣
The difference between a cyclists and a bike rider !
Oh once again here we are on the “what’s trendy” on UA-cam, UA-cam channel.
I do not like steep knarly tech. Old school MTB will be alive long after “modern” bikes have been replaced will electric Mx 😂
Calm down you old duffer! 😉
This is just an ad. Meh