I actually did a 100 mile ride on a friends younger brothers’ bike that had the rear rim brake caliper partially actuated which meant a heavy rusty bike that normally was hard to ride became nigh impossible. There was no adjustment apparent so we used a friends toolkit to remove the rear rim brake altogether. It helped but 6 hours of riding with the brake actuated meant after the final two hours I could barely walk afterwards. Did I mention I hardly rode at all that year prior to that? Do not recommend. I was kind of like Hank at the end of this video afterwards. I went back to the bike though. Just not that bike.
Given how I feel after 50-60km on my 15kg hardtail mountain bike, and that the Eurobike is even heavier, I'd have collapsed. I dig the McDonald's color scheme on the Orbea, though.
@@tbp0701 Orbea has this MyO feature where you can literally customize the finish on your bike to whatever you like. That's both a positive and a negative - you can create really compelling schemes and ones that make other riders go "blecch!" - I think "Ronald" looks pretty nice actually. But then again, I own an Orbea with that crazy tree frog color scheme so I'm partial to things motorists might see moreso than something less loud that they might not see as easily on the road. The more I prevent myself from blending into the background the better to avoid dozy motorists potentially colliding with me.
When I cycled from Costa Rica to Argentina I met a guy in Patagonia Chile that had ridden from North America on a girls childrens bike he picked up on the side of the road. his panniers were made from plastic buckets, he ate out of restaurant bins and got by selling photographs to rich tourists. I could barely keep up with him. it's not about the bike. just get out there and ride. even better if you overtake people riding expensive bikes!
I stil wait for the clip when GCN use a decent but cheap bike, like a £500 and 10 kg bike with Claris or Sora but with for example STI and decent tiers like the Continental UltraSportIII - and a properly maintained bike!
That is unlikely to happen as the whole point of these videos is to show lower cost bikes in a bad light to please the brands that sponsor GCN. They couldn't have chosen a worse bike than the Eurobike. For similar money but a little bit more they could have got the Carrera Virtuoso at Halfords or a entry level bike at Decathlon. The Carrera Virtuoso is probably the highest selling road bike in the UK. Halfords have a huge chunk of the UK cycling market so you would think that is the best representation of a lower cost bike to buy at least from a UK perspective. From a overall European perspective probably a Decathlon bike would be a better choice. Sadly the Eurobike is a weird bike with some strange component choices and very low quality parts. That said there is no reason the Eurobike couldn't be adjusted so its brakes work well and its gears shift properly. Those sort of cheap bikes are thrown together at the factory and in the manual they often say it should be assembled and checked by a competent bike mechanic as do many bikes from Argos and other cheap outlets like ebay and Amazon. That really doesn't look like anyone has maintained it properly. The sad thing is some people may actually come away from watching this video thinking all cheap road bikes are like this and they need to spend a lot more money. The Carrera Virtuoso is £400 in the UK, you can often get a 10% off code to take it down to £360 and you can buy discounted gift cards and go through a cashback site to save more money. You might be able to get it down to £320 and for that you will get a disc based road bike with mainly Claris components. A very nice bike that probably weighs about 11.5-12kg. Very easy to maintain at home and decent components that will last longer than more lightweight components. I drove past a road cycling race/event years ago and the person at the front was a young cyclist on an entry level Carrera bike who I passed first as going the opposite direction and then much later came the more elderly cyclists riding high end bikes. A high end bike is no substitute for a younger fitter cyclist.
@@peterspencer4716 Yeah secondhand is a good option especially if a decent spec but the wrong brand and therefore cheaper than it should be. Not that I'm saying Boardman is the wrong brand but it just doesn't carry the same weight as many bigger brands that sponsor sporting events.
@@bonzobanana1 my 1984 Bianchi Limited has an exceptionally light steel frame, and is wicked fast. I might be faster on Hank's Superbike but I bet that it wouldn't be significant. I am a disabled veteran in my mid 50s and the bike isn't the most significant factor making me slow. At my age I like pedaling slow most of the time. I savor each ride now.
the first 2 and half years of my biking I did with a 200 EUR 17kg chinese budget bike with a tiagra with handlebar switches. I only replaced the useless rim brakes with 105 ones and replaced the 28 teeth with a 34 teeth gear in the cassette. With this very robust bike I rode summer and winter hill up and down (in Switzerland) and had lots of fun and great fitness. The best bike is the one you own in moment. Lets not look down arrogantly to ordinary bikes.
@@stuvademakaroner9607 the tiagra 2x7 with handlebar switch were on the original. The 105 rim brakes (just the 2 calipers) I installed as an upgrade for around 100 CHF, which are not included in the 200EUR, which was the price for the original bike. The replacement of the 28 tooth gear by a 34tooth gear costed another 50 CHF. Oh yes, I have put on puncture resistant 23mm tires on as well (60 CHF). This bike exists and even looks really cool.
Started riding 18 months ago aged 59. Bought a Decathlon road bike at 500 euros. 12.5kg. Spent a year making sure I liked the sport down here on Riviera. I did. I loved it. So sold that for 375 euros and got my gorgeous (red black) Emonda at 8kg. Totally love it and the sport. Training hard and after recent medical, resting bpm at 56 and pressure 119 over 69. Doctors amazed. A lot of this down to riding hard with Velo Club Antibes twice weekly plus some other social 'coffee runs' along coast.
@@eyedeuh Thank you kindly but a liking of local pain au chocolate and cafe creme keeps me going. Plus orange or lemon flavoured electrolite powder in one of the water bottles plus some gels!
I am doing the same, but have gone from a cheap amazon folding bike to a decathlon hybrid. My bigger trips are about 40km each, and I am saving up for a road bike in the future.
My bike was €350 and I love it everyday. The number of times I’ve overtaken an expensive superbike is countless. Just enjoy the ride, it’s not about the money.
@@boingboing1211maybe not. My inexpensive used bikes work well for me, and I feel OK parking them (with two locks) at the bus station. My $1,800 used (they pedaled it SIX MILES before selling it to my local bike shop owner) Salsa Marakesh touring bike will never be locked up at the bus station. A $3K bike would be stored at my home in a plexiglass locked case, only to be used in perfect weather on rare trips.
Cheap road bicycles have an incredible value per cost. The video gives a mixed message; it shows that the bike is perfectly fine for the task, but at the same time, it smells of marketing messaging like "cheap bike bad, buy expensive bike". A road cycling channel should, first and foremost, promote road cycling, because road cycling is amazing. As transport, and for fun. I have seen 500eur road bikes with modern geometry and mounts, carbon forks, integrated shifters, mechanical disc brakes, etc. They are around 11-12 kg, but sturdy. Some people do thousands of kilometres a year on them. I see no reason to mock. GCN did not choose the cheapest bicycle, they chose the shittiest bike, and even that is still great.
@@flashpeter625 I used to be more than happy with my £700 bike…until I got my £3500 bike. It’s like going from a Ford to a Mercedes. So I can only imagine what these super bikes are like to ride
I did a 100 mile ride on a $400 hardtail Mt Bike several years ago just before buying a road bike. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, but I enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment when I finished. I ended up selling that Mt Bike, and I'm frequently sorry that I did because I can no longer go shopping on my bike. I could never leave the two bikes that I have now locked up at the store for fear of them being stolen. It was a good bike for running around town and very reliable.
Great video Hank and team, showing us that you don't need a €20,000 Colnago to do an epic ride, it might help but it is still doable.👍👏 That climb out of Lynmouth is a killer, one of those Duracell climbs that seem just to keep on going.
☝️THIS is the whole point of doing that challenge and making this video! It has NOTHING to do with sponsorships or upselling anyone on anything. If a $60 USD bike is all that you can afford to buy, do it and go ride it. It won’t be suitable for such epic rides, but you can still do a lot with it. Great job, Hank and GCN!
All of my bikes are cheap units: the most I spent was $1100 on a Fuji Cross 3.0, back in 2011. And I’m in the top 25% or better in the local Strava climbs.
Thank you GCN! You convinced me to buy myself so one kind of the bike. With a bit of love and tuning, this is really capable machine, which can take me everywhere, and I'm not anymore afraid to let it wait for me outside 👍
4:14 that shot was lovely!! This goes to show basically the opposite of what a majority of comments say: if you're in the position to do anything called an "epic" with such a level of planning, fitness, safetymindedness, fueling (or not)-- you're in the position to be on a bike that can handle what you put out! The tool was alright for the job (not enjoyable when it's work), but this man clearly was on the bonk cusp, and he's an above average, cycle-trained athlete. It's akin to saying 'lovely day to take the car out', opening the garage, and push/rolling your Triumph-MG to the cinema...
First of all, I'd like to thank you for representing us bike riders from the opposite side of the price spectrum. This video has made me proud as a cheap (sub €150) bike rider. Somehow it has proven that cheap bike should not be underestimated and can still be fun to ride. Maybe the question should be "Can your physique survive riding the cheap amazon bike" 😆 Kudos to Hank for enduring such a great ride on Eurobike 👍👍👍👍 Maybe the next challenge will be LEJOG on Eurobike? 😆
Brilliant video and well done Hank 168Km on a cheap, heavy and 'flexi' non responsive framed bike with heavy wheels in the time he did it, is damn hard going! Well done!!! I think the EuroBike is OK for short local runs of upto maybe 25km, but was well out of its depth there. But it proves, cheap bikes CAN do the job if need be. There is a place for them in the market as maybe: commuters, raw beginners bikes, bikes for kids or if the budget is a tadd tight (then they are a brilliant option). A cheap bike WILL get you out there and in the saddle!
None of my bikes cost more than £200, upgraded over time, all ally frames, all with known Shimano Claris , tiagra and even Dura ace on one, all totally reliable and used regular GCN need to concentrate on everyday riders bikes Hank is a great guy and makes it look easy for sure
I think if I walked out to find the Eurobike waiting for my 200k epic it would have turned it into a 2k commute to the pub. Bravo Hank for taking on the challenge.
These cheap bikes work excellent when permanently anchored on a trainer for dedicated Zwift riding. Just add a comfy saddle and get the fit right. Have this configuration myself - over 10k miles of Zwifting yet bike hasn't seen an inch of any real road riding.
as a Singlespeed Rider i would actually like to see if its easier to climb this bike than an rather high end singlespeed/fixed gear Bike, just to see if the technology of "having gears" gives you much of an advantage even on a budget bike compared to no gears on an expensive one. i think this could probably make quite a cool video to be honest. (with lots of suffering involved i guess hehe)
Being the crazy one who races a cheap 250$ amazon bike up against even high end bikes with skilled riders I can say the weight of the bike is far more important than having gears on the back of bike. The issue is people say weight does not make a big difference well let’s see them race ( not a casual ride) on a 250$ bike with only 7 gears on the back 14-28 and a 47 tooth single ring up front with 20 km hr head winds : WEIGHT is everything, when I switch to my carbon bike with 10 gears on the bike there is just no comparison, it’s a joke really.
@@danfuerthgillis4483 But your carbon bike isn't just lighter than a cheap steel bike. It has better drivetrain efficiency, it's stiffer, it probably comes with better tyres and once you are racing up a climb aero matters too. Chris Opie, an ex-pro rider did a video about weight in general not being that important. Just look at those numbers, I hope you won't say that doing 818 Watts for almost one and a half minutes doen't qualify as racing up a climb.
@@danfuerthgillis4483 that sounds hardcore, not gonna lie. But now looking back at this time in your life, would you have rather done those races on a Light Singlespeed, probably as light as your carbon bike than on your budget Roadbike ? (it doesnt need to be a Fixie, just a singlespeed with the ability to coast if you want, but you still only have one Gear). Cause i mean, i Really love Singlespeeds, they are the only bikes i ride and i actually even do epic rides from time to time some of them even scratched on the 200km mark and if you believe it or not, one of my favourite aspects of singlespeed riding is Climbing thats why i also wanted to see a video like that... but full on Roadracing ? i dont know, if its either completely flat or an hill climb race, why not, if you choose a good gear ratio. But if you have both climbs and flats in you race your going to be to slow on one of them to keep up i think. either spinning out on the flats or exploding your knees on the climbs.
@@Vokunos I actually build my own bikes, order the carbon frame and build it up to suit my needs, environment. I live in Southern Ontario só there is no need for the small ring up front since it all flat land from Windsor to Niagara area. This is why it is weird seeing a 15 kg bike riding right next to a higher end carbon 7kg bike. It’s all due to the environment here and we only really ever use a few gears here ( no climbing gears needed) só the cheap bike is setup with a 14-28 freewheel ( yes 1970’s tech) and a 47 tooth ring up front ( single ring setup. This way I can use the 47 with the bigger gears on the back and get moving faster with a 47x 17 for example. With the heavy winds here in this area either you make it up through gearing or use a lighter bike. My carbon bikes are easier to ride in the winds no doubt about it at 7 kg it’s way easier to battle the heavy head winds here. For today for example I can’t ride my carbon with the deep wheels as the cross winds are dangerous today so the cheap bike comes out and I can use it in the trails unlike the carbon road bikes. The heavy 6061 alloy frame just handles more brute forces, I am hoping over gravel roads so won’t bring the road bikes with the carbon wheels there. This is why I started to use aluminum cheap wheels as the Carbons were getting pounded by rocks. Too bad I can only afford Carbons today wish I had access to them 20 years ago, now too old and just messing with the younger riders here lmao 🤣
+1 for fixed gear - hard up the hills - you can't drop into a lower gear and spin - and then there's the effort of spinning at 160 rpm on the downhills. I'd love to see Hank do an epic ride on fixed!
Dear GCN, Hanks comments about the Breaks gave me an idea, a GCN does science, Cheap Disc AND Rim Breaks, VS. Top End Rim and Disc Breaks, since Many people have cheap bikes, this would be a great test video,
This channel is now only doing ultra high end expensive bikes, or cheap meme-bikes. The entry\mid level marked that most people opt for is completely ignored.
If most people buy them, then they are less likely to pay for a sponsorship-essentially pay to have content made about them. I’d love to see more stuff with them too, but I realized a while back, this isn’t what GCN does.
@@tomrachellesfirstdance7843 True. I'm not saying I dislike the content. I just wish there were some more videos when they try like alu bikes with the newest 105 or something like that.
@@eirkro I don't disagree with you. Your right they only ever talk about mid range stuff is when it's a sponsored segment like when shimano 150 updated the groupset a few years ago. I don't think they can show much mid range as it's so good nowadays nobody would look at a true superbike.
Hank. You know when you said once you’d got to Barnstable you had no choice but to ride back. I hate to tell you, but if you check out the train timetables, there are return journeys!😅
Not very often! If you've ever taken the to Exeter line (that's the only place it goes) you'll know that cycling is often the best option. Beautiful train ride - but not the fastest or most regular!
I've read many comments on here about upgrading an older or less expensive bike with upgraded kit and then testing it against a superbike. It's what a good deal of us have been doing since, forever! Like many, I bought a bike with a good frame and more budget-friendly components. My old bike now has Vision wheels, full Ultegra mechanical, and basically better 'everything' apart from the frame. No, it does not compare to a superbike, but the video to show off the differences or to beast Hank into submission would be so dull by comparison, that nobody would pay it a second look. My old bike, in Hank's capable hands (legs), would fly up Countisbury hill and be surefooted on the descent into Porlock, without any fuss or need to bother an escape road. I love the ride I get out of my old bike and am so glad I bought a cheap bike with a decent frame. Far more fun to pit Hank against probably the worst example of an inexpensive bike that is easily available. Can't wait for Eurobike v the TdF route... it's what all those squats were for... right?
This video is proof that it's more about the bicycle MOTOR than what you pedal. The longest I've ridden is a 117-mile ride with over 11,000 feet of elevation gain on a Tommasso Monza. Paid $550 USD in 2016 for this aluminum frame, carbon fork entry-level bicycle that weighs in (with full water bottles, seat bag, lights, and pedals) at a bit over 24 lbs. The total cumulative distance is well over 20,000 miles.
You should do "cheap" upgrades on the bike. Replace the groupset with Sora or SRAM Apex, a set of better wheels that are inexpensive,...maybe a handlebar without that really weird shape. Then compare how the upgrades improve it if at all.
I bought a cheap ($85) steel road bike from the recycling shop. Every now and again I will upgrade bits on it as I find them at recycling shops. The bike is very smooth running and silent, stops quickly, is comfortable, and fast. It is perfect because I built it up myself. The advantage of old steel bikes is that they are very easy to maintain. I would rather have this than an expensive carbon bike with proprietary parts.
Every time you guys/gal ride out on the roads over there it scares the hell out of me. I actively avoid roads without a proper shoulder and I can’t remember seeing a road in your videos with a shoulder at all. All of you have nerves of steel !
Only major roads - usually fast dual carriage ways (I think they are called 2 lane highways in the US) have a shoulder, and then not always. They only exist for certain on motorways (freeways?) where bikes aren't allowed to go. It's OK because everyone knows what to expect and (most) drive reasonably
I really enjoy all these vids as “cycling-lite” entertainment. Though I’d imagine it’s against the GCN sponsorship biz-model, I’d like to see a “superbike vs well built but 100% used-parts frankenbuild bike” video. Not a beautiful vintage racing bike - but like an average 2015 TCR or whatever with a 105+tiagra grupo sourced from bins down at the local community bike shop. Frankenbike: 9+kg ridden by Hank. Superbike: 7kg ridden by Connor. At least when that vids complete, GCN will have a bike to either ride or donate rather than one for the landfill. Sure… sponsorships and all that… but there are green-messaging marketing angles that this could fall under.
I picked up on Ebay an almost new mint condition Carrera TDF for £130 (plus free new Shimano RO76 shoes and pedals, a new pump, and race blades!)- Tourney gears (2x7) but switched out the 50/34 for a MTB Tourney 46/30 chainset, removed the 14-28 freewheel for a Sunrace 13-15-18-21-24-28-34 freewheel (hard to get now) and an Acera rear mech...it's a hill climbing beast, and weighs 12.5kg...I tensioned the spokes and serviced the hubs when I got it and have had zero issues with it...considering how many bikes are sold with Claris (2x8) at a much higher price point the only thing missing is an 11T cog- but as I live in the hilly Highlands that's something I don't actually need!! I can't justify (despite wanting) a better (closer gear ratios would be nice)and lighter bike while I'm nowhere near my own ideal weight!!
I remember my first bike that i used when i was starting out with road biking for my local triathlon races. It was a Trinx steel bike with generic china gs lmao. but i still enjoyed using it and got it to 800kms before i upgraded to a decent mid level road bike. My only gripe was its a pain patching its wheels coz it has cheap tyres with steel wires lol
Next on GCN, Manon's gravel epic and oh look the only bike left to ride at GCN HQ is the Eurobike. I honestly felt sorry for hank on this one, looked like a really nice route too.
I would imaging Amazon is selling the hell out of these Eurobikes. While they may be complaining about the bike in comparison to a super bike, I continue to see them complete some pretty challenging rides on this thing over and over. Looks like a pretty good starter bike.
Maybe it's not ideal for this kind of ride but I'm sure this bike can do the job for a lot of people. I only spent 2k€ on my bike and I admit it's more than I needed for 90% of the time. A 500-900€ bike from Decathlon would've been fine for example. I fell for the marketing that says otherwise.
Same here. I just bought a bike yesterday, same price. Now I am afraid to let my bike anywhere. That was suppose to be a bike to going to work but that was the seller recommended to me :( I’ve never done any professional cycling or anything like that.
But a 500-900 bike from decathlon is in another world compared to this contraption. It will actually be quite a reasonable bike. This is a 150 dollar bike... and its worse than any bike you could pick up second hand for 150 euros...
I am a satisfied owner of a Triban RC 500. It has carbon fork, endurance geometry, Sora group set, costed me 510 gbp new from decathlon. I changed the saddle and the rims with some Chinese carbon aero wheels 50mm. It has 10 kg and is a very cool and fast commuter. Eurobike on the other hand is trash imo.
Hank, as well as every presenter on GCN is so fun to watch. Even with ultra cheesy opening like this, I can watch with a smile. Its like top gear of bike channel!
It all comes down to a person's skill and strength 😅 if you give a noobie a high end bike it's useless but for a skilled rider even a cheap bike with beginner groupset is good enough !
Gcn ever thought of bringing a batch of new riders to try the different levels of bikes? Would be interested to see their initial thoughts. A couple of laps on the racetrack on each bike.
Good example of how cheap disc brakes are worse than decent rim brakes. I have a steel framed road bike, so not the lightest, but my mid-range (long drop) rim brakes always inspire confidence on long downhill country roads. Just need decent brake pads.
Some things Hank alludes to which really do matter a lot for climbing, or just fast riding in general, IMO: -brake quality -posture, legroom -drivetrain reliability: shifting, chain performance Obviously "weight" is a thing, but I don't have any personal experience with super-light bikes. CAUTION: bike thieves seem to be getting really brazen in the US....to the point of armed robbery on the trails. Just be thoughtful of that on your "what to ride today" choices.
Now let's see GCN "upgrade" the Eurobike with some better bits and make it more rideable. To give people that cant afford a decent bike hope that their POS can be half decent (or not).
I have 105, Claris, Sora, and Tiagra components spread over 4 bikes, and the Tiagra is my favorite. But where I have Claris and Sora, I have no plans to change them. They work fine as-is.
I am a satisfied owner of a Triban RC 500. It has carbon fork, endurance geometry, Sora group set, costed me 510 gbp new from decathlon. I changed the saddle and the rims with some Chinese carbon aero wheels 50mm. It has 10 kg and is a very cool and fast commuter. Eurobike on the other hand is trash imo.
@@isaac-mihaiperianu6425 Yeah, that's my point: cheap bikes can be good value and it would be interesting to have GCN presenters try stuff on these instead of using a scammy/trashy bike.
The Eurobike is so unaesthetic, it kills me looking at it, and plus it paints the false view that cheap is always bloody awful. A low range Decathlon bike is decent.
I started out with a Eurobike, and it can make a rookie strong because this bike is a tank on two wheels. However, the chain becomes a problem popping off, besides other parts failing the more a person rides a Eurobike more than typical casual rides.
It cannot be destroyed by any means known to man. It may be supernaturally held together in some manner. Generally, bicycles at this price point are not that durable given the conditions it is subjected to.
8:24 It brought a chill to my heart. Nothing as scary as losing brakes on a descent. Cheap bike brakes uggggh. So glad you survived. I quite enjoyed this vid and I watch a lot of these from you guys thanks.
Manon taking your good bike and leaving you the Euro bikes reminds of my Dad taking my nice convertible and leaving me his sedan all the time. Wake up, look outside, and it's gone and so is he lol The sedan "hurts my elbow to drive" so he had to take mine. Meanwhile he's top down, windows up, shades on, peeling out, loving life. He and I are headed for separate rides today. I should take his brand new comfort bike, and leave him my MTB or road bike. (He'd take the MTB and grumble, but he'd never ride the road bike) Decent pay back lol
It's very possible. I did a triple century (300 miles) in 1986 using a Stumpjumper 2 mountain bike with knobbies. It was made of steel with steel handlebars. It took 22.5 hours. I was 30 years old.
Actually like the comments as much as the video, riding a claris bike for 4 years doing 10.000 a year and can easily keep up with the 12.000 trek superbike. So the answers on these video questions are clear to me before i watch it
"This is the first time I've taken a train to ride somewhere. The good thing is I have no choice but to ride home." Unless the British train system only operates in one direction, I think you also have the choice to take the train home.
As a British person I regret to have to inform you that you should never assume the train can take you back to where you started. It is always one leaf on a track or one signal failure away from being shut down for the rest of the day.
Would be nice to see how much the bike can improve if they use the same amount of money to upgrade it. So 350£ upgrade. New tires, maybe wheels, replace the brakes? This would show that you can start on a cheap bike and then down the line, you can still put a little money in to make it even better. No need to buy a new bike. Will it then be as good or better than a 700£ bike? I think that should be the goal now for a vid. Do 350£ worth of upgrade and beat bikes that starts at 1000£. Yes yes! 🥳🥳🥳 :) *edit typos
Do you think you could survive the 200km ride on the amazon bike?
You didn't do 200km
I actually did a 100 mile ride on a friends younger brothers’ bike that had the rear rim brake caliper partially actuated which meant a heavy rusty bike that normally was hard to ride became nigh impossible. There was no adjustment apparent so we used a friends toolkit to remove the rear rim brake altogether. It helped but 6 hours of riding with the brake actuated meant after the final two hours I could barely walk afterwards. Did I mention I hardly rode at all that year prior to that? Do not recommend. I was kind of like Hank at the end of this video afterwards. I went back to the bike though. Just not that bike.
Definetely not. But not due to the bike but due to my bad fitness!
Given how I feel after 50-60km on my 15kg hardtail mountain bike, and that the Eurobike is even heavier, I'd have collapsed. I dig the McDonald's color scheme on the Orbea, though.
@@tbp0701 Orbea has this MyO feature where you can literally customize the finish on your bike to whatever you like. That's both a positive and a negative - you can create really compelling schemes and ones that make other riders go "blecch!" - I think "Ronald" looks pretty nice actually. But then again, I own an Orbea with that crazy tree frog color scheme so I'm partial to things motorists might see moreso than something less loud that they might not see as easily on the road. The more I prevent myself from blending into the background the better to avoid dozy motorists potentially colliding with me.
When I cycled from Costa Rica to Argentina I met a guy in Patagonia Chile that had ridden from North America on a girls childrens bike he picked up on the side of the road. his panniers were made from plastic buckets, he ate out of restaurant bins and got by selling photographs to rich tourists. I could barely keep up with him. it's not about the bike. just get out there and ride. even better if you overtake people riding expensive bikes!
I've bike-packed on a BMX, its not about the kit its about the madman on the pedals 😂
I stil wait for the clip when GCN use a decent but cheap bike, like a £500 and 10 kg bike with Claris or Sora but with for example STI and decent tiers like the Continental UltraSportIII - and a properly maintained bike!
That is unlikely to happen as the whole point of these videos is to show lower cost bikes in a bad light to please the brands that sponsor GCN. They couldn't have chosen a worse bike than the Eurobike. For similar money but a little bit more they could have got the Carrera Virtuoso at Halfords or a entry level bike at Decathlon. The Carrera Virtuoso is probably the highest selling road bike in the UK. Halfords have a huge chunk of the UK cycling market so you would think that is the best representation of a lower cost bike to buy at least from a UK perspective. From a overall European perspective probably a Decathlon bike would be a better choice. Sadly the Eurobike is a weird bike with some strange component choices and very low quality parts. That said there is no reason the Eurobike couldn't be adjusted so its brakes work well and its gears shift properly. Those sort of cheap bikes are thrown together at the factory and in the manual they often say it should be assembled and checked by a competent bike mechanic as do many bikes from Argos and other cheap outlets like ebay and Amazon. That really doesn't look like anyone has maintained it properly.
The sad thing is some people may actually come away from watching this video thinking all cheap road bikes are like this and they need to spend a lot more money. The Carrera Virtuoso is £400 in the UK, you can often get a 10% off code to take it down to £360 and you can buy discounted gift cards and go through a cashback site to save more money. You might be able to get it down to £320 and for that you will get a disc based road bike with mainly Claris components. A very nice bike that probably weighs about 11.5-12kg. Very easy to maintain at home and decent components that will last longer than more lightweight components. I drove past a road cycling race/event years ago and the person at the front was a young cyclist on an entry level Carrera bike who I passed first as going the opposite direction and then much later came the more elderly cyclists riding high end bikes. A high end bike is no substitute for a younger fitter cyclist.
Or the 2nd hand carbon boardmans that you can pick up for nothing everywhere 🙄
@@peterspencer4716 Yeah secondhand is a good option especially if a decent spec but the wrong brand and therefore cheaper than it should be. Not that I'm saying Boardman is the wrong brand but it just doesn't carry the same weight as many bigger brands that sponsor sporting events.
@@bonzobanana1 my 1984 Bianchi Limited has an exceptionally light steel frame, and is wicked fast. I might be faster on Hank's Superbike but I bet that it wouldn't be significant. I am a disabled veteran in my mid 50s and the bike isn't the most significant factor making me slow. At my age I like pedaling slow most of the time. I savor each ride now.
@@bonzobanana1 ouch lol as someone (in their 40s) still picking up the odd KOM on an older boardman bike I'm incensed 🤣🤣
the first 2 and half years of my biking I did with a 200 EUR 17kg chinese budget bike with a tiagra with handlebar switches. I only replaced the useless rim brakes with 105 ones and replaced the 28 teeth with a 34 teeth gear in the cassette. With this very robust bike I rode summer and winter hill up and down (in Switzerland) and had lots of fun and great fitness. The best bike is the one you own in moment. Lets not look down arrogantly to ordinary bikes.
Tiagra? 105 brakes? 17kg? 200 EUR? Pick 1 and 2 or 3 and 4. They don't go together. Such bikes don't exist
@@stuvademakaroner9607 the tiagra 2x7 with handlebar switch were on the original. The 105 rim brakes (just the 2 calipers) I installed as an upgrade for around 100 CHF, which are not included in the 200EUR, which was the price for the original bike. The replacement of the 28 tooth gear by a 34tooth gear costed another 50 CHF. Oh yes, I have put on puncture resistant 23mm tires on as well (60 CHF). This bike exists and even looks really cool.
@@hurbit123 that's tourney, not tiagra. Tiagra was never 2x7
Started riding 18 months ago aged 59. Bought a Decathlon road bike at 500 euros. 12.5kg. Spent a year making sure I liked the sport down here on Riviera. I did. I loved it. So sold that for 375 euros and got my gorgeous (red black) Emonda at 8kg. Totally love it and the sport. Training hard and after recent medical, resting bpm at 56 and pressure 119 over 69. Doctors amazed. A lot of this down to riding hard with Velo Club Antibes twice weekly plus some other social 'coffee runs' along coast.
Just keep those calories up! You’ll fade away at that age and that much riding without nutrition! Awesome stats bro!
@@eyedeuh Thank you kindly but a liking of local pain au chocolate and cafe creme keeps me going. Plus orange or lemon flavoured electrolite powder in one of the water bottles plus some gels!
I am doing the same, but have gone from a cheap amazon folding bike to a decathlon hybrid. My bigger trips are about 40km each, and I am saving up for a road bike in the future.
If I knew you stir your tea with a fork I would have left you with no bike
BMX next time then 😂
lol
with missing cup handle as well, I think he deserved it
My bike was €350 and I love it everyday. The number of times I’ve overtaken an expensive superbike is countless. Just enjoy the ride, it’s not about the money.
You would love a £3000 bike more
@@boingboing1211maybe not. My inexpensive used bikes work well for me, and I feel OK parking them (with two locks) at the bus station. My $1,800 used (they pedaled it SIX MILES before selling it to my local bike shop owner) Salsa Marakesh touring bike will never be locked up at the bus station. A $3K bike would be stored at my home in a plexiglass locked case, only to be used in perfect weather on rare trips.
Cheap road bicycles have an incredible value per cost. The video gives a mixed message; it shows that the bike is perfectly fine for the task, but at the same time, it smells of marketing messaging like "cheap bike bad, buy expensive bike". A road cycling channel should, first and foremost, promote road cycling, because road cycling is amazing. As transport, and for fun. I have seen 500eur road bikes with modern geometry and mounts, carbon forks, integrated shifters, mechanical disc brakes, etc. They are around 11-12 kg, but sturdy. Some people do thousands of kilometres a year on them. I see no reason to mock. GCN did not choose the cheapest bicycle, they chose the shittiest bike, and even that is still great.
@@flashpeter625 I used to be more than happy with my £700 bike…until I got my £3500 bike. It’s like going from a Ford to a Mercedes. So I can only imagine what these super bikes are like to ride
I did a 100 mile ride on a $400 hardtail Mt Bike several years ago just before buying a road bike. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, but I enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment when I finished. I ended up selling that Mt Bike, and I'm frequently sorry that I did because I can no longer go shopping on my bike. I could never leave the two bikes that I have now locked up at the store for fear of them being stolen. It was a good bike for running around town and very reliable.
Great video Hank and team, showing us that you don't need a €20,000 Colnago to do an epic ride, it might help but it is still doable.👍👏 That climb out of Lynmouth is a killer, one of those Duracell climbs that seem just to keep on going.
☝️THIS is the whole point of doing that challenge and making this video! It has NOTHING to do with sponsorships or upselling anyone on anything. If a $60 USD bike is all that you can afford to buy, do it and go ride it. It won’t be suitable for such epic rides, but you can still do a lot with it. Great job, Hank and GCN!
All of my bikes are cheap units: the most I spent was $1100 on a Fuji Cross 3.0, back in 2011. And I’m in the top 25% or better in the local Strava climbs.
Thank you GCN! You convinced me to buy myself so one kind of the bike. With a bit of love and tuning, this is really capable machine, which can take me everywhere, and I'm not anymore afraid to let it wait for me outside 👍
Are we just going to ignore the fact that we all witnessed a cup of tea being made with a fork…?
with a view like 6:30, it's actually a good thing hank's riding the eurobike. lets him enjoy the view a lot longer!
4:14 that shot was lovely!!
This goes to show basically the opposite of what a majority of comments say: if you're in the position to do anything called an "epic" with such a level of planning, fitness, safetymindedness, fueling (or not)-- you're in the position to be on a bike that can handle what you put out!
The tool was alright for the job (not enjoyable when it's work), but this man clearly was on the bonk cusp, and he's an above average, cycle-trained athlete. It's akin to saying 'lovely day to take the car out', opening the garage, and push/rolling your Triumph-MG to the cinema...
TL:dr
lol they're still selling you an expensiver bike...
First of all, I'd like to thank you for representing us bike riders from the opposite side of the price spectrum. This video has made me proud as a cheap (sub €150) bike rider. Somehow it has proven that cheap bike should not be underestimated and can still be fun to ride. Maybe the question should be "Can your physique survive riding the cheap amazon bike" 😆
Kudos to Hank for enduring such a great ride on Eurobike 👍👍👍👍
Maybe the next challenge will be LEJOG on Eurobike? 😆
LEJOG on the euro bike sounds like it could be incredibly interesting 😆 .
Yooo let's fuckin goooo!
Brilliant video and well done Hank 168Km on a cheap, heavy and 'flexi' non responsive framed bike with heavy wheels in the time he did it, is damn hard going! Well done!!! I think the EuroBike is OK for short local runs of upto maybe 25km, but was well out of its depth there. But it proves, cheap bikes CAN do the job if need be. There is a place for them in the market as maybe: commuters, raw beginners bikes, bikes for kids or if the budget is a tadd tight (then they are a brilliant option). A cheap bike WILL get you out there and in the saddle!
Hank needs to get an Oscar for his acting those last 30 seconds brought a tear to my eyes ;-)
I´honestly not sure if he was acting or not
None of my bikes cost more than £200, upgraded over time, all ally frames, all with known Shimano
Claris , tiagra and even Dura ace on one, all totally reliable and used regular
GCN need to concentrate on everyday riders bikes
Hank is a great guy and makes it look easy for sure
I think if I walked out to find the Eurobike waiting for my 200k epic it would have turned it into a 2k commute to the pub. Bravo Hank for taking on the challenge.
😂
These cheap bikes work excellent when permanently anchored on a trainer for dedicated Zwift riding. Just add a comfy saddle and get the fit right. Have this configuration myself - over 10k miles of Zwifting yet bike hasn't seen an inch of any real road riding.
nice work logging 10k miles on zwift!
That makes indoor cycling a little less lame in my book
damn.. I feel dumb for not thinking of that...
Even the computer is in the head down position 😂 8:00
Hank you legend! I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone! Having done 235km yesterday I certainly wouldn’t want to try and do this on a Euro Bike!
as a Singlespeed Rider i would actually like to see if its easier to climb this bike than an rather high end singlespeed/fixed gear Bike, just to see if the technology of "having gears" gives you much of an advantage even on a budget bike compared to no gears on an expensive one. i think this could probably make quite a cool video to be honest. (with lots of suffering involved i guess hehe)
Being the crazy one who races a cheap 250$ amazon bike up against even high end bikes with skilled riders I can say the weight of the bike is far more important than having gears on the back of bike. The issue is people say weight does not make a big difference well let’s see them race ( not a casual ride) on a 250$ bike with only 7 gears on the back 14-28 and a 47 tooth single ring up front with 20 km hr head winds : WEIGHT is everything, when I switch to my carbon bike with 10 gears on the bike there is just no comparison, it’s a joke really.
@@danfuerthgillis4483 But your carbon bike isn't just lighter than a cheap steel bike. It has better drivetrain efficiency, it's stiffer, it probably comes with better tyres and once you are racing up a climb aero matters too. Chris Opie, an ex-pro rider did a video about weight in general not being that important. Just look at those numbers, I hope you won't say that doing 818 Watts for almost one and a half minutes doen't qualify as racing up a climb.
@@danfuerthgillis4483 that sounds hardcore, not gonna lie. But now looking back at this time in your life, would you have rather done those races on a Light Singlespeed, probably as light as your carbon bike than on your budget Roadbike ? (it doesnt need to be a Fixie, just a singlespeed with the ability to coast if you want, but you still only have one Gear). Cause i mean, i Really love Singlespeeds, they are the only bikes i ride and i actually even do epic rides from time to time some of them even scratched on the 200km mark and if you believe it or not, one of my favourite aspects of singlespeed riding is Climbing thats why i also wanted to see a video like that... but full on Roadracing ? i dont know, if its either completely flat or an hill climb race, why not, if you choose a good gear ratio. But if you have both climbs and flats in you race your going to be to slow on one of them to keep up i think. either spinning out on the flats or exploding your knees on the climbs.
@@Vokunos I actually build my own bikes, order the carbon frame and build it up to suit my needs, environment. I live in Southern Ontario só there is no need for the small ring up front since it all flat land from Windsor to Niagara area. This is why it is weird seeing a 15 kg bike riding right next to a higher end carbon 7kg bike. It’s all due to the environment here and we only really ever use a few gears here ( no climbing gears needed) só the cheap bike is setup with a 14-28 freewheel ( yes 1970’s tech) and a 47 tooth ring up front ( single ring setup. This way I can use the 47 with the bigger gears on the back and get moving faster with a 47x 17 for example. With the heavy winds here in this area either you make it up through gearing or use a lighter bike. My carbon bikes are easier to ride in the winds no doubt about it at 7 kg it’s way easier to battle the heavy head winds here. For today for example I can’t ride my carbon with the deep wheels as the cross winds are dangerous today so the cheap bike comes out and I can use it in the trails unlike the carbon road bikes. The heavy 6061 alloy frame just handles more brute forces, I am hoping over gravel roads so won’t bring the road bikes with the carbon wheels there. This is why I started to use aluminum cheap wheels as the Carbons were getting pounded by rocks. Too bad I can only afford Carbons today wish I had access to them 20 years ago, now too old and just messing with the younger riders here lmao 🤣
+1 for fixed gear - hard up the hills - you can't drop into a lower gear and spin - and then there's the effort of spinning at 160 rpm on the downhills. I'd love to see Hank do an epic ride on fixed!
I bet with some decent tubes, tires and mechanical TLC to the hubs, wheel truing, brakes, etc. the Eurobike could be made much more enjoyable to ride.
Dear GCN, Hanks comments about the Breaks gave me an idea, a GCN does science, Cheap Disc AND Rim Breaks, VS. Top End Rim and Disc Breaks, since Many people have cheap bikes, this would be a great test video,
J. Powers did some great videos on stopping distances. Gcn should do one on the Eurobike then upgrade the brakes and show us the difference
Hank drinking his morning coffee out of a broken cup. Clearly spent all his money on bikes.
4:58 Serious question: Will Hank equip his "McDonalds" Orbea with kick-stand after this ride?
i watched this video 3 times already i love it Hank you are awesome
I'm always glad to see Mannon
Well, Hank’s healthy and someone really was saving the “best” Eurobike test for him.
Welp, I’ll enjoy this ride even if Hank don’t.
This channel is now only doing ultra high end expensive bikes, or cheap meme-bikes.
The entry\mid level marked that most people opt for is completely ignored.
If most people buy them, then they are less likely to pay for a sponsorship-essentially pay to have content made about them. I’d love to see more stuff with them too, but I realized a while back, this isn’t what GCN does.
Its a bit like top gear back in the day. Have "cheap car challenges" and only ever review supercars
@@tomrachellesfirstdance7843 True. I'm not saying I dislike the content. I just wish there were some more videos when they try like alu bikes with the newest 105 or something like that.
@@eirkro I don't disagree with you. Your right they only ever talk about mid range stuff is when it's a sponsored segment like when shimano 150 updated the groupset a few years ago. I don't think they can show much mid range as it's so good nowadays nobody would look at a true superbike.
Eurobike must love the segments with their product even though the overall impression is that they are crap.
hank's act is really good
"Penny Farthing vs Epic Climb!" That's what I think should be a nice challenge for Hank!
They don't have gears...
@@JasonDBike I know. That's part of what makes this such a nice challenge 😉
I saw that bike on Amazon and I said no way. Cheers buddy.
Hank. You know when you said once you’d got to Barnstable you had no choice but to ride back. I hate to tell you, but if you check out the train timetables, there are return journeys!😅
You're telling me these go both ways???
Not very often! If you've ever taken the to Exeter line (that's the only place it goes) you'll know that cycling is often the best option. Beautiful train ride - but not the fastest or most regular!
I was thinking this every time he made the comment 😂
Hank - You are the BEST ! 😎👌
I've read many comments on here about upgrading an older or less expensive bike with upgraded kit and then testing it against a superbike. It's what a good deal of us have been doing since, forever! Like many, I bought a bike with a good frame and more budget-friendly components. My old bike now has Vision wheels, full Ultegra mechanical, and basically better 'everything' apart from the frame. No, it does not compare to a superbike, but the video to show off the differences or to beast Hank into submission would be so dull by comparison, that nobody would pay it a second look. My old bike, in Hank's capable hands (legs), would fly up Countisbury hill and be surefooted on the descent into Porlock, without any fuss or need to bother an escape road. I love the ride I get out of my old bike and am so glad I bought a cheap bike with a decent frame. Far more fun to pit Hank against probably the worst example of an inexpensive bike that is easily available. Can't wait for Eurobike v the TdF route... it's what all those squats were for... right?
Chapeau Hank. Lynmouth is a bastard of a climb in a car yet alone using pedal-power!
This video is proof that it's more about the bicycle MOTOR than what you pedal.
The longest I've ridden is a 117-mile ride with over 11,000 feet of elevation gain on a Tommasso Monza. Paid $550 USD in 2016 for this aluminum frame, carbon fork entry-level bicycle that weighs in (with full water bottles, seat bag, lights, and pedals) at a bit over 24 lbs. The total cumulative distance is well over 20,000 miles.
You should do "cheap" upgrades on the bike. Replace the groupset with Sora or SRAM Apex, a set of better wheels that are inexpensive,...maybe a handlebar without that really weird shape. Then compare how the upgrades improve it if at all.
@@davidgfisher I agree 100%. Plus, way more people can relate than just reviewing super bikes all the time.
Brutal!!! Hank is a Monument!!
I bought a cheap ($85) steel road bike from the recycling shop. Every now and again I will upgrade bits on it as I find them at recycling shops. The bike is very smooth running and silent, stops quickly, is comfortable, and fast. It is perfect because I built it up myself. The advantage of old steel bikes is that they are very easy to maintain. I would rather have this than an expensive carbon bike with proprietary parts.
I think that one pedal Hank put on is worth more than the whole bike. Chapeau to you for another torture ride with Hank.
It probably is
I love kickstands, cant live without them.
Every time you guys/gal ride out on the roads over there it scares the hell out of me. I actively avoid roads without a proper shoulder and I can’t remember seeing a road in your videos with a shoulder at all. All of you have nerves of steel !
Only major roads - usually fast dual carriage ways (I think they are called 2 lane highways in the US) have a shoulder, and then not always. They only exist for certain on motorways (freeways?) where bikes aren't allowed to go.
It's OK because everyone knows what to expect and (most) drive reasonably
They're the safest roads to ride on in the UK and great fun. If the road you're on has a shoulder over here you've probably made a mistake
This bike must be the best spent money by GCN! They bought the Eurobike and made tons of videos from it 😅
I really enjoy all these vids as “cycling-lite” entertainment. Though I’d imagine it’s against the GCN sponsorship biz-model, I’d like to see a “superbike vs well built but 100% used-parts frankenbuild bike” video. Not a beautiful vintage racing bike - but like an average 2015 TCR or whatever with a 105+tiagra grupo sourced from bins down at the local community bike shop. Frankenbike: 9+kg ridden by Hank. Superbike: 7kg ridden by Connor. At least when that vids complete, GCN will have a bike to either ride or donate rather than one for the landfill. Sure… sponsorships and all that… but there are green-messaging marketing angles that this could fall under.
I picked up on Ebay an almost new mint condition Carrera TDF for £130 (plus free new Shimano RO76 shoes and pedals, a new pump, and race blades!)- Tourney gears (2x7) but switched out the 50/34 for a MTB Tourney 46/30 chainset, removed the 14-28 freewheel for a Sunrace 13-15-18-21-24-28-34 freewheel (hard to get now) and an Acera rear mech...it's a hill climbing beast, and weighs 12.5kg...I tensioned the spokes and serviced the hubs when I got it and have had zero issues with it...considering how many bikes are sold with Claris (2x8) at a much higher price point the only thing missing is an 11T cog- but as I live in the hilly Highlands that's something I don't actually need!! I can't justify (despite wanting) a better (closer gear ratios would be nice)and lighter bike while I'm nowhere near my own ideal weight!!
I remember my first bike that i used when i was starting out with road biking for my local triathlon races. It was a Trinx steel bike with generic china gs lmao. but i still enjoyed using it and got it to 800kms before i upgraded to a decent mid level road bike. My only gripe was its a pain patching its wheels coz it has cheap tyres with steel wires lol
Next on GCN, Manon's gravel epic and oh look the only bike left to ride at GCN HQ is the Eurobike. I honestly felt sorry for hank on this one, looked like a really nice route too.
Hank, mate... We all love you but you have literally made your tea with a fork there. That's absolutely outrageous.
GCN really needs to do a garage mechanic build vs Superbike build. Mine has a Vitus 979 aluminum frame and fork $200, Mavic wheels with Ultegra 6600 hubs $250, GP5000 TIRES $100, Ultegra 8000 front, rear derailleur $150, NOS Ultegra 6600 caliper brakes $80. 105 700 shifters for flat bars $150. Plus incidentals, total: @ $1000+ peddles.
Fun video as always!! Also, thanks for introducing me to a cool song!! 🎵 9:01
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :)
The other day guys I saw a Eurobike in the wild, in Australia, the bike looked good but I knew from these videos, the truth. 🤣
They offer different models now, some less cheap ones with better components and an alloy frame.
Some models are much better than others. GCN has only been featuring their cheapest one
I have a version with Sora, it is not that bad actually as long as you're not speeding...
I would imaging Amazon is selling the hell out of these Eurobikes. While they may be complaining about the bike in comparison to a super bike, I continue to see them complete some pretty challenging rides on this thing over and over. Looks like a pretty good starter bike.
Absolutely awesome Manon. 👍🏻
Maybe it's not ideal for this kind of ride but I'm sure this bike can do the job for a lot of people. I only spent 2k€ on my bike and I admit it's more than I needed for 90% of the time. A 500-900€ bike from Decathlon would've been fine for example. I fell for the marketing that says otherwise.
Same here. I just bought a bike yesterday, same price.
Now I am afraid to let my bike anywhere. That was suppose to be a bike to going to work but that was the seller recommended to me :(
I’ve never done any professional cycling or anything like that.
some minor upgrades like the rear derailleur and tires, would greatly improve the ride, but usually these bikes come in one size fits all.
But a 500-900 bike from decathlon is in another world compared to this contraption. It will actually be quite a reasonable bike. This is a 150 dollar bike... and its worse than any bike you could pick up second hand for 150 euros...
I am a satisfied owner of a Triban RC 500. It has carbon fork, endurance geometry, Sora group set, costed me 510 gbp new from decathlon. I changed the saddle and the rims with some Chinese carbon aero wheels 50mm. It has 10 kg and is a very cool and fast commuter. Eurobike on the other hand is trash imo.
Man, the Euro bike costs 150 dollars, a 500 euros Decathlon bike is probably 10 times better. This Euro bike should simply not exist on the market.
I love that ending! Very funny
GCN tech to the rescue!!!! make that eurobike ... less rubbish!!! ASAP!
I want to see Si ride on a budget gravel bike. Specifically the Poseidon X. It’s $749.
Love it guys great job with the bantz keep it coming
Hank, as well as every presenter on GCN is so fun to watch. Even with ultra cheesy opening like this, I can watch with a smile. Its like top gear of bike channel!
Luckily Hank didn’t do the trenching on this bike 😂😂 2 Vids Featuring Porlock in One Week 👏👏
McDonalds bike 😂😂, you got me manon 🤣
"This bike just makes it double as hard."
Or... expensive bikes make it double as easy?
Yeah but heading out on a 200km ride with one water bottle ....... Hank
Tut Tut ......... its not going to make it any easier is it ?
It all comes down to a person's skill and strength 😅 if you give a noobie a high end bike it's useless but for a skilled rider even a cheap bike with beginner groupset is good enough !
Gcn ever thought of bringing a batch of new riders to try the different levels of bikes? Would be interested to see their initial thoughts. A couple of laps on the racetrack on each bike.
Good example of how cheap disc brakes are worse than decent rim brakes. I have a steel framed road bike, so not the lightest, but my mid-range (long drop) rim brakes always inspire confidence on long downhill country roads. Just need decent brake pads.
Some things Hank alludes to which really do matter a lot for climbing, or just fast riding in general, IMO:
-brake quality
-posture, legroom
-drivetrain reliability: shifting, chain performance
Obviously "weight" is a thing, but I don't have any personal experience with super-light bikes.
CAUTION: bike thieves seem to be getting really brazen in the US....to the point of armed robbery on the trails. Just be thoughtful of that on your "what to ride today" choices.
Now let's see GCN "upgrade" the Eurobike with some better bits and make it more rideable. To give people that cant afford a decent bike hope that their POS can be half decent (or not).
I love the fact that the GCN crew has left the kickstand on the Euro Bike :)
It's the best part!
it's all about enjoying the ride. doing what you love which is cycling and not about how much your bike cost.
I did a 250km ride with 2600+ elevation gain in 11h 22min, average speed of 22km/hr using a roadie with tiagra groupset. It was a fun ride 😀
I have 105, Claris, Sora, and Tiagra components spread over 4 bikes, and the Tiagra is my favorite. But where I have Claris and Sora, I have no plans to change them. They work fine as-is.
👌🙌
Beautiful route. When not raining the UK is gorgeous.
It really is!
This Eurobike looks scammy. I think it would be more interested if you used a cheap but decent bike (Decathlon's Triban 100 comes to mind).
I am a satisfied owner of a Triban RC 500. It has carbon fork, endurance geometry, Sora group set, costed me 510 gbp new from decathlon. I changed the saddle and the rims with some Chinese carbon aero wheels 50mm. It has 10 kg and is a very cool and fast commuter. Eurobike on the other hand is trash imo.
@@isaac-mihaiperianu6425
Yeah, that's my point: cheap bikes can be good value and it would be interesting to have GCN presenters try stuff on these instead of using a scammy/trashy bike.
The Eurobike is so unaesthetic, it kills me looking at it, and plus it paints the false view that cheap is always bloody awful. A low range Decathlon bike is decent.
I started out with a Eurobike, and it can make a rookie strong because this bike is a tank on two wheels. However, the chain becomes a problem popping off, besides other parts failing the more a person rides a Eurobike more than typical casual rides.
After all these videos, this bike just won't fall apart
It cannot be destroyed by any means known to man. It may be supernaturally held together in some manner. Generally, bicycles at this price point are not that durable given the conditions it is subjected to.
8:24 It brought a chill to my heart. Nothing as scary as losing brakes on a descent. Cheap bike brakes uggggh. So glad you survived. I quite enjoyed this vid and I watch a lot of these from you guys thanks.
One of the reasons I'd rather buy a second hand decent bike for £300 than buy a new rubbish bike for £300.
Cheap disc brakes are a complete waste of money. Probably dangerous
Can we get Ollie to do a whole video breaking down the aero gains of having your bike computer facing forward? Hank, what on earth happened???
POOR Hank! I am quite sure there will be MANY more EPIC RIDES for you!!!
The nice thing about the Eurobike, it matches the GCN colors.
Doing what you love on a bike you can never fall in love with... what a hell of a dichotomy!
I love the little clip at the end when he gets in teh office
Just think how much fitter Hank would be riding that Eurobike all the time.
Except for the dropped chains and missed shifts.
Manon taking your good bike and leaving you the Euro bikes reminds of my Dad taking my nice convertible and leaving me his sedan all the time. Wake up, look outside, and it's gone and so is he lol The sedan "hurts my elbow to drive" so he had to take mine. Meanwhile he's top down, windows up, shades on, peeling out, loving life.
He and I are headed for separate rides today. I should take his brand new comfort bike, and leave him my MTB or road bike. (He'd take the MTB and grumble, but he'd never ride the road bike) Decent pay back lol
It's very possible. I did a triple century (300 miles) in 1986 using a Stumpjumper 2 mountain bike with knobbies. It was made of steel with steel handlebars. It took 22.5 hours. I was 30 years old.
Y’all need an upgrade video with 105 and new wheels just to see how bad the frame is
10:00
Calling a bike a “Eurobike” is becoming the ultimate insult 😅
That ride on that bike: brutal, well done sir!
Thanks Aaron!
Actually like the comments as much as the video, riding a claris bike for 4 years doing 10.000 a year and can easily keep up with the 12.000 trek superbike. So the answers on these video questions are clear to me before i watch it
Clever concept for an ad for eurobike
1:20 in and Hank is making a cup of tea with a fork… and in a broke cup!
Ow the breaks hurt my ears >:(
Yep you need to get that superbike back
I have a question when ur training why don’t u use a cheaper and heavyer bike so when u compete yull be stronger and faster
Hank's the man 👏👏👏
The Euro bike is the most tested bike on the channel..! Maybe it needs pimping up when you run out of things to do with it .. :).
I would love to know how you guys ride so many different bikes and not have fit related issues. For me even a few mm off and I am suffering...
You guys are putting out so much amazing content
Epic filming and scenery
"This is the first time I've taken a train to ride somewhere. The good thing is I have no choice but to ride home." Unless the British train system only operates in one direction, I think you also have the choice to take the train home.
As a British person I regret to have to inform you that you should never assume the train can take you back to where you started. It is always one leaf on a track or one signal failure away from being shut down for the rest of the day.
Would be nice to see how much the bike can improve if they use the same amount of money to upgrade it. So 350£ upgrade. New tires, maybe wheels, replace the brakes?
This would show that you can start on a cheap bike and then down the line, you can still put a little money in to make it even better. No need to buy a new bike. Will it then be as good or better than a 700£ bike? I think that should be the goal now for a vid. Do 350£ worth of upgrade and beat bikes that starts at 1000£. Yes yes! 🥳🥳🥳 :)
*edit typos
you should try doing this with the aussie ride - peaks challenge falls creek, which is 260km and 5000m elevation!
235km....saving 25km would certainly matter on a Eurobike!