And also, I think it's the best GCN video I've seen in a while. The simple pleasure of riding a bike. It doesn't matter how fast you go unless you're racing. If it's 20 minutes slower so what? If you're putting out the same power, the training effect will be similar, surely? Great video Dr Bridgewood.
I agree. Too much emphasis is put on the 'perfect bike' when most of us just have whatever we have. Enjoyment is the prime factor. As long as the bike works then I'm happy.
@@GCNuser123 Not sure I would have attempted that unless it had a 11-32 on it for when I tire out . BTW The Tourmalet is a great climb from miles before St Marie de Campan start . On my Strava ( 2014 Etape) it says I did 40 km of uphill starting at 3% ...... never mind what the "official" length of the climb says . I never even noticed the start of the climb cos it felt like we were doing 5% already!
The video makes an important point for anyone out there on a budget. The law of diminishing returns in cycling is everpresent and the coveting of the next tier of bike, beyond a point, is folly. I started back road riding at age 38, after a decade and a half of Strongman competition and training, I was powerful and had zero endurance and a bodyweight 100Kgs more than most cyclists on the road. I pimped for a £200 Claude Butler cheapo racer and it was not bad at all. Hills were a bit tough with it being a aluminium composite frame with limited gearing that never quite worked under load. But it worked and it got me back into cycling. But i always wanted a fancy bike. So after a year of riding and improving i started to look for a used higher end bike and eventually settled on a classic 10 yr old Canondale Supersix on a set of deep section carbon Planet X wheels which i picked up for a mere £900. What an upgrade, the gearing was significantly better and i added a long cage rear derailleur to the 105 setup and bumped the smallest gear to 32 which helps a lot on welsh hills. This for me was a sweet spot of a bike for the money, but i always wondered...what does £10k get you? Well rather than go big on a loan i hired a Pinarello F from a local bike shop for a week, and to keep this short and to the point...its not worth it, not for me. It was nice it was a better version of my already great canondale. But it wasnt £10k better not even close in fact versus the canondale id have been unlikely to spend double on it let alone 10x +. So in summary if you have a nice bike and you covet these crazy price superbikes....dont. Unless you are a pro cyclist or a real competitive amateur then theres no need at all you are missing nothing.
Yep, and reality here is Ollie has brought close to peak in value for money if the group set is in good condition. Really the only limitation here is tyre clearance, the 10 speed will be good, the R500's while 200-300g more than most road wheels are solid wheels that I have ridden 10,000 miles and are still going strong, the frame is good. All that you really need to do to make this slightly less practical and far more fun is change the tyres out, and fix the stem and steerer. Of course what would actually be a real world good option here is to take off the wheels and with the tyres and keep them as winter wheels, then get yourself some slightly nicer maybe £200-300 wheels, and some GP5000. Then you have something fun and fast for the nicer weather, and something cheaper and more practical for the winter weather.
I absolutely agree with your point on diminishing returns and small differences. However, whether it's worth it or not is highly subjective. For me, riding the absolute bleeding edge technology is part of the fun and enjoyment of our fantastic hobby. Thus my Dogma F was not a "brain decision", but rather a heart decision.. :)
I reached much the same conclusions if without the carbon bike rental but looking more about what what I really plan to do with a bike in my capacities than if I was a serious professional road racer. I'm happy with my Van Rysel with all its 105 glory and aluminum frame.
I absolutely love the pure joy and satisfaction Ollie has in this video. He makes a great point that you don’t need to have the latest and the greatest bike or tech to enjoy what cycling has to offer-being in the outdoors with incredible views. The best bike is for you is the one you’re on. Ollie, you have raised Stelio to the top of my riding bucket list.
This is great a real bike, not a piece of junk, the sort of thing someone starting out would buy, its perfect please more like this and less of the Superbike, well done
I know! I've ridden Montgomery Ward and Pacific bikes that these GCN guys would flat out refuse to ride out of embarrassment. A Pinarello, ANY Pinarello, is not a crap bike. Hell, any carbon bike in general is not a crap bike. Bianchi did have some budget metal bikes back in the 90s or something, or at least bikes that paid for licensing to use the Bianchi labeling, and then I could understand the point of this video, but with him on that Pinarello talking about it like its entry level, he just sounds like a goofy middle aged CEO or something. And his problem actually seems to be with the way the previous user set it up, not anything to do with the "bike" per say.
Most people on a budget have to buy older carbon frames and then slowly over time upgrade components. My example is a 1999 Trek 5200 oclv. I recently added 105 group set 50/34 11 speed. It is still an old bike but performs nicely for an old guy. I enjoyed this video and suspect your bike was owned by an older guy too!
Great video. I'm new to the world of cycling (even though I'm 42) and one thing I dislike about cycling is that people/websites/shows/magazines put too much emphasis on "super bikes", pb's, watts, the latest most expensive top of the range clothes and gadgets, but for me this video is what cycling is really all about one man (or woman) out riding on perfect roads in amazing scenery and ending the day with a smile from ear to ear and a buzz of enjoyment (only riding with loved ones or friends would make it better) and that is why I have fallen in love with cycling!!! Thank you Ollie Bridgewood for this amazing video!
As far as I can tell he just did something he loves for 21min more on that bike than he could have done on a £14,000 bike. Doesn’t that make the budget bike objectively better?
I agree, why not adopt the bike to your fit, seems madness, the fact he didnt could lead some of the more uniformed to buy a bike and ride it when the set up could be less than ideal, saddle height etc! Did the London to Brighton several times and you witness the poor set ups! Lol
@@aveedub7403 People are going to do that anyway, and also buy the wrong size bike, there is not much you can do about that, but this video is one solution actually, Ollie did explain why this isn't perfect for him and how it was causing him real world problems. Normally what GCN does is buy some ridiculous used bike, or buy some reasonable one and then strip it out and put £3K of stuff on it. What this video shows is reality, even to the point of getting the bag of other random parts, in the end change the stem and steer and add some performance oriented tyres and it will be fast comfortable and fun, anything on top of that is where your marginal non-value for money spending comes in.
Ollie is an inspiration to all of us that can't afford one of those super bikes. Nothing is impossible according to the World of Ollie!!! Thanks GCN. Great video.
Finally you've abandoned the eurobike and done something reasonable as far as low budget riding goes. Took you longer than i would have liked but thank you, very cool video.
Great memories of doing the Stelvio back in May 2018 “car free” as it had just been snowplough but yet to be opened to traffic. Best ride ever!!!! Thanks for the video.
My first carbon bike was a Pinarello FP6 with campy gruppo. Made my heart sing each time I rode it and I shed a tear when I sold it. Something special about an Italian bike.
I did it on my '94 Fondriest few months ago, when I went back to Italy for vacation. Had to take my teenager race bike back to Stelvio. This video captures exactly the feelings. One big continuous smile. Arriving at the top with Marco Pantani's Carrera Tassoni uniform. It can't get better than that. This is really the best sport.
Seems like there are a few quick modifications that would make it a great ride. Get the stem height back to something more recognisable (obviously), that’s probably going to mean new outer cables to get the length right, so probably new bar tape too. New tyres would make a massive difference and I’d fit my own choice of saddle, it already has new pedals. So that’s all the personal contact points and the road contact points, it would feel like a different bike. If there is budget to spare, add some new wheels. Maybe switch to 105 brake callipers and it would be an awesome bike.
Absolutely. I'd change the brakes to dual pivot. There's no way I'd ride down that road with the bike set up the way it is. Glad that the bike is way too big for me, otherwise I'd kick myself for missing it.
They should. Would be nice to see this bike set up correctly and then compare the times. Would be fairer for that poor old Uno. Or they could raise the stem on the F, put a weird saddle on it and some slow tires and then compare the times haha.
It does make me wonder why this was not simply done from the start - no doubt that would ruin the content of another video. It is a shame they did not do the video the other way around. 1)Buy a £500 bike off Facebook. 2) do a video on how to get it to fit to your spec's using second hand / parts bin parts 3) ride it up an iconic mountain pass in a direct comparison to a £14k superbike.
@@stuartm6710 Pinarello is a GCN sponsor though. It wouldn’t play well for them for a 10 year old lower tier bike to get close to their latest flagship.
Ollie I watched this as it was the early model of my first Pinarello “ Pinarello Paris” but I digress as there is a climb in Ethiopia that I used to train on four days a week. No snow but 7 to 10 % gradients, with many sharp hairpins and…… 40 c in the dry season . Dire Dawa to Harar. On return descent into Dire Dawa you risk being wiped out by an ascending Toyota mini bus or avoiding it and dropping down a 500m cliff of pure rock. Your choice!
I have TWO of those steer tube extenders that I pulled off bikes I have bought... It makes me want to put both of them on my Super Six Evo and go ride the River Loop next Sunday morning just for schitzengigels. It'd almost be worth the set of cables I'd need to replace to do it.
Hi Ollie & GCN team, def the best cycling road!! The visualization at 1:55 shows the climb from the Prato side, as opposed to the Bormio side as said and ridden ✌️
I thought about upgrading to a brand new Colnago -a cheaper model mind you!-after securing a new job & using my redundancy payout from previous job-but checked Ebay instead.So I bought 2 bikes for far less than half the outlay for the Colnago.The first bike was a 2009 Look 555 with SRAM Rival groupset & Thomson/FSA finishing kit-quoted for £750 then reduced to £600 cash-a bargain & very lightly used.The other was a 2013/14 Focus Izalco with SRAM Force groupset-again lightly used-quoted for £1250 then reduced to £900 - another bargain! Basically £1500 spent when I was going to spend 4/5k on one bike. Both of these bikes are decent spec alright not disk but who cares!
I don't have disc brakes either and I really want to keep it like that for as long as possible. Reason being, I pretty much know once you go disc you don't wanna go back but if you never go disc you don't know what you're missing out on ;) By the way, I googled your bike choices and they're both gorgeous bikes. I hope you have fun with them too.
So great to hear the gratitude underpinning the video. Sure expensive bikes are brilliant if you can afford them but at the end of the day it’s all about the ride…
I used nothing but gatorskins for like 5+ years and the first week I switched to something else I had like 3 flats. I think I had 1 flat in 5+ years with my gatorskins
I’d love to see Ollie put this bike back to it’s former glory in modern road bike trim and tackle that climb again. Maybe he’d get within 10min of the Dogma F, which for the investment would be wicked !
Great video Ollie. I was expecting that you’d have switched the stem back to something more similar to how it would have been on manufacture! Chapeau fie leaving it as tall as Conor!
This is a very enjoyable video and agreed that you certainly don't need a $14,000 bicycle to enjoy riding the iconic roads of the world. I have done the Stelvio three times, once with a custom steel Marinoni built in 1998 (with a Campagnolo Racing Triple, thankfully) and twice with a 2006 S-Works Tarmac, and I still use both of these bicycles regularly. No tubeless tires, disc brakes or electronic shifting and the memory of the pleasure those rides gave will never fail. On the other hand, that Pinarello definitely did not leave the factory thinking how it would love to go up the Stelvio looking like a circus clown's contraption.
I’ve done that ride twice now. Once on a 2003 Orbea Onix and later on a Dogma from 2014 (50th birthday gift to self). And I’m with you all they way on how awe inspiring that ride is. Nothing like it.
Excellent. Riding bikes is fun, and this video really shows it. Once that saddle is replaced and the steerer tube is cut down, it’s going to be a great looking bike. Fantastic value at £500.
Well, I'm a guy with spondyolisthesis and I approve of the handlebar-setup. What I did on both my drop-handlebar bikes is that I flipped the bars 180 degrees. Looks stupid, but it enables me to ride (this week I managed to clock 500kms) and stay - relatively - healthy.
This is actually an interesting video idea: I own a used Moser and I used it to climb many mountains, like the Col de Nivolet. You can own a very capable bike spending 500 euros, you can even use it to enter your first races if you want. Just find one without that weird steering tube extender hahaha
Whoo Olie, You have made this place so apealing. Added to my Wish List. There is nothing as beautiful as having such a smile at the end of such a wonderful experience. Thank you for sharing with us.
Ollie may not be a hammer like many of the GCNers, but he is a poet on the bike - love his passion and perspective. It's all about the ride for him - well done!
This wasn't a video about a cheap bike... this was a video about emotions on a bike. And when you see Olli, you can feel that there isn't something scripted.. Thank you!
After a weekend with 150 km on my carbon racer, today I took my other bike for a relaxed ride. It is a second-hand, eleven year old hybrid bike with 42 mm tires. It was a ~60km ride along the coast going up and down dunes at times, also some drizzle at times. Being a Monday outside of vacation season over here, it was very quiet. That was such a relaxing ride ! This 2011 bike (Giant Roam XR1) I bought in 2018 for 350 EUR and by now I've done >16000 km on it, including commutes. In fact it brought me (now 56) back to biking in 2018 after a pause of > 20 years, this bike means a lot to me ❤
Look at that smile! With all the perks of super bike and latest technology most of us really just want to enjoy the ride. One of the best videos this year from GCN for sure.
I think that Dr Bridgewood just had another go at #gcninspiration and I think he deserves winning it this week! Great to see him enjoy the spectacular Stelvio scenery on his Pinarello ‘Giraffe’
There is a lovely bike waiting to be released from all those wierd adaptions. What you say about halo bikes these days is true. Althoigh it would reduce your 'job perks' a little, it would be good to see some GCN presenters with long- term 'personal' bikes that were a bit more down to earth. Not Eurobike level but say a 105 equiped high quality ali bike or two. Something more 'normal' cyclists could afford.
I did the same side 5 years ago on an aluminium specialized which was £500 new. I have no idea what my time was, but probably slow- got passed alot. Main memory was just the peace and beauty of the ride. Bottom line to all the bike reviews for me is if u ain't racing, just enjoy any bike, also smile, wave and chat a bit for sure
Nice to see a video leaning towards the budget end of the sport. Maybe some budget mini adventures on the bike next and low cost improvements. Remember most of us can’t have super bikes and travel to stunning alpine locations. The best we can do is a weekend away with are well loved but lighter on the pocket steeds.
do i missread sarkasm? Comfort... maybe for weak shoulders and upper back... but ALL your weight is on your butt. for decending this setup looks really twitchy...
You challenged us to name a road of extreme beauty and rideability comparable to Stelvio Pass? Oh, so easy. It's in Canada, Ollie. The highway is called the Icefields Parkway. Jaw dropping gorgeous for the whole ride, not just portions. The most outstanding 10km is called the Cathedral. I won't ruin the gobsmacking visual that makes a chill go up my spine at the thought of it. Truly a world treasure.
I would agree with Oliver, that ride on any bike would be amazing! Many people cannot afford to drop $10k USD on a bicycle, unless you're racing, most riding is getting outdoors, riding with friends and family and exploring back roads.
I loved your ride and story. I've done Stelvio a few times. Each time for me it was snowing at the top! But, I still had a pizza sitting on deck enjoying the scenery. It's hard to believe that there were ZERO cars! But, you're not at the height of summer!
i concur with you ollie, its not the price tag that makes it. it the shear enjoyment of just getting out and riding for the joy of riding no matter the budget just get out there and enjoy the pleasure of cycling. you really summed towards the very last bit of the video, what a cracking video. 😊
What a brilliant video. I recently got into cycling with a second hand road bike, so this is partly my story as well. Pure joy of riding and having an adventure, that’s what matters for an amateur like me.
if you are still there, theres the Ceresole Reale climb (the one The Italian Job 1969 was filmed on), thats a beautiful climb... was partly used in the Giro Carapaz won.
The face you have at the ends perfectly describe what we are feeling atop of an Epic climb like this one, awesome. I would have not got the courage with this steerer extension and short stem to do the descent 😅. TBH this bike must be really not bad with a proper front-end.
I've bought myself a used in good condition 2012 Guru Flite Carbon bike that has 11 speed 105 groupset, Ultegra derailleur and crankset set; slapped on my budget (but so far nice) 60mm Carbon wheelset, budget computer that has everything but the visual map, 4iii left crank power meter, heartrate strap and SPD pedals (because I haven't been shamed into switching over yet). TOTAL cost is $1700 or around £1300, And it has felt incredible. Sometimes I just look at the bike from across the room and blow it kisses.
Really good video - I started back cycling at 44 and nearly 100kg - that was on a ebay Trek Madone 4.5 that was less than the bike in this video. Yes i changed a few bits to make it fit and operate better but i still use that bike today. Plus in 2020 i did my version of what this video shows you can - i took it to France and rode "The Ventoux" and "The Alp" along with other TDF giant climbs for a week and it was simply amazing.
very reminiscent of my £200 bianchi via nirone that i got a great deal on and spent another £500 doing up and it’s got the works. dura ace c50 wheels, ultegra 6700. you don’t need to spend a lot to get a great bike, don’t be afraid to take time to hunt around and buy parts that are used and scratched up, it’s still a serious ride
Great video, Ollie. Reminding us all of the simple pleasures of just 'riding a bike' in a beautiful place which, although the Stelvio Pass is awesome, could really be anywhere in the countryside! It's still a sport which is accessible to most of us ;-)
I recently added 3 inch extension to head tube/stem to relieve pressure on hands/wrist. I was diagnosed with moderate carpal tunnel after losing much of the feeling and strength in both hands. The reduced pressure has enabled me to start riding (and sleeping) again with minimal numbness or pain. Don't be afraid to try thigs that look a bit odd to keep riding.
Thank you Ollie you are so right 500 is enough to pay for any good secondhand bike that can give years of fun if maintained correctly loved the climb .
And also, I think it's the best GCN video I've seen in a while. The simple pleasure of riding a bike. It doesn't matter how fast you go unless you're racing. If it's 20 minutes slower so what? If you're putting out the same power, the training effect will be similar, surely? Great video Dr Bridgewood.
glad you enjoyed! 👌
I agree. Too much emphasis is put on the 'perfect bike' when most of us just have whatever we have. Enjoyment is the prime factor. As long as the bike works then I'm happy.
20 minutes longer to enjoy the scenery, I'll buy that.
Out of the 20minutes there are maybe 5 because of the bike and 15 because Olie pushed less watts
@@GCNuser123 Not sure I would have attempted that unless
it had a 11-32 on it for when I tire out . BTW The Tourmalet is a great
climb from miles before St Marie de Campan start . On my Strava ( 2014 Etape) it says I did 40 km of uphill starting at 3% ...... never mind what
the "official" length of the climb says . I never even noticed the start
of the climb cos it felt like we were doing 5% already!
The video makes an important point for anyone out there on a budget. The law of diminishing returns in cycling is everpresent and the coveting of the next tier of bike, beyond a point, is folly. I started back road riding at age 38, after a decade and a half of Strongman competition and training, I was powerful and had zero endurance and a bodyweight 100Kgs more than most cyclists on the road. I pimped for a £200 Claude Butler cheapo racer and it was not bad at all. Hills were a bit tough with it being a aluminium composite frame with limited gearing that never quite worked under load. But it worked and it got me back into cycling. But i always wanted a fancy bike. So after a year of riding and improving i started to look for a used higher end bike and eventually settled on a classic 10 yr old Canondale Supersix on a set of deep section carbon Planet X wheels which i picked up for a mere £900. What an upgrade, the gearing was significantly better and i added a long cage rear derailleur to the 105 setup and bumped the smallest gear to 32 which helps a lot on welsh hills. This for me was a sweet spot of a bike for the money, but i always wondered...what does £10k get you? Well rather than go big on a loan i hired a Pinarello F from a local bike shop for a week, and to keep this short and to the point...its not worth it, not for me. It was nice it was a better version of my already great canondale. But it wasnt £10k better not even close in fact versus the canondale id have been unlikely to spend double on it let alone 10x +. So in summary if you have a nice bike and you covet these crazy price superbikes....dont. Unless you are a pro cyclist or a real competitive amateur then theres no need at all you are missing nothing.
thanks mate! and great to hear
Yep, and reality here is Ollie has brought close to peak in value for money if the group set is in good condition. Really the only limitation here is tyre clearance, the 10 speed will be good, the R500's while 200-300g more than most road wheels are solid wheels that I have ridden 10,000 miles and are still going strong, the frame is good. All that you really need to do to make this slightly less practical and far more fun is change the tyres out, and fix the stem and steerer.
Of course what would actually be a real world good option here is to take off the wheels and with the tyres and keep them as winter wheels, then get yourself some slightly nicer maybe £200-300 wheels, and some GP5000. Then you have something fun and fast for the nicer weather, and something cheaper and more practical for the winter weather.
I absolutely agree with your point on diminishing returns and small differences. However, whether it's worth it or not is highly subjective. For me, riding the absolute bleeding edge technology is part of the fun and enjoyment of our fantastic hobby. Thus my Dogma F was not a "brain decision", but rather a heart decision.. :)
Well said 🙏
I reached much the same conclusions if without the carbon bike rental but looking more about what what I really plan to do with a bike in my capacities than if I was a serious professional road racer. I'm happy with my Van Rysel with all its 105 glory and aluminum frame.
I absolutely love the pure joy and satisfaction Ollie has in this video. He makes a great point that you don’t need to have the latest and the greatest bike or tech to enjoy what cycling has to offer-being in the outdoors with incredible views. The best bike is for you is the one you’re on. Ollie, you have raised Stelio to the top of my riding bucket list.
This is great a real bike, not a piece of junk, the sort of thing someone starting out would buy, its perfect please more like this and less of the Superbike, well done
I know! I've ridden Montgomery Ward and Pacific bikes that these GCN guys would flat out refuse to ride out of embarrassment. A Pinarello, ANY Pinarello, is not a crap bike. Hell, any carbon bike in general is not a crap bike. Bianchi did have some budget metal bikes back in the 90s or something, or at least bikes that paid for licensing to use the Bianchi labeling, and then I could understand the point of this video, but with him on that Pinarello talking about it like its entry level, he just sounds like a goofy middle aged CEO or something. And his problem actually seems to be with the way the previous user set it up, not anything to do with the "bike" per say.
Most people on a budget have to buy older carbon frames and then slowly over time upgrade components. My example is a 1999 Trek 5200 oclv. I recently added 105 group set 50/34 11 speed. It is still an old bike but performs nicely for an old guy. I enjoyed this video and suspect your bike was owned by an older guy too!
You dont put into concidration their business model
Great video. I'm new to the world of cycling (even though I'm 42) and one thing I dislike about cycling is that people/websites/shows/magazines put too much emphasis on "super bikes", pb's, watts, the latest most expensive top of the range clothes and gadgets, but for me this video is what cycling is really all about one man (or woman) out riding on perfect roads in amazing scenery and ending the day with a smile from ear to ear and a buzz of enjoyment (only riding with loved ones or friends would make it better) and that is why I have fallen in love with cycling!!! Thank you Ollie Bridgewood for this amazing video!
Ollie's my favorite representative of GCN. Humorous, knowledgeable and relatable, all at the same time.
As far as I can tell he just did something he loves for 21min more on that bike than he could have done on a £14,000 bike. Doesn’t that make the budget bike objectively better?
Haha, nice point 😂
And, if getting fitter is the aim.. he's had a longer workout!
he should just get a single speed then
From a certain perspective
Hahah. Amazing perspective
Ollie is a national treasure and needs to be protected at all cost. His enthusiasm is absolutely contagious.
Lower the bars, adjust the post & get it close to your fit & give it another shot.
I agree, why not adopt the bike to your fit, seems madness, the fact he didnt could lead some of the more uniformed to buy a bike and ride it when the set up could be less than ideal, saddle height etc! Did the London to Brighton several times and you witness the poor set ups! Lol
@@aveedub7403 People are going to do that anyway, and also buy the wrong size bike, there is not much you can do about that, but this video is one solution actually, Ollie did explain why this isn't perfect for him and how it was causing him real world problems. Normally what GCN does is buy some ridiculous used bike, or buy some reasonable one and then strip it out and put £3K of stuff on it.
What this video shows is reality, even to the point of getting the bag of other random parts, in the end change the stem and steer and add some performance oriented tyres and it will be fast comfortable and fun, anything on top of that is where your marginal non-value for money spending comes in.
Ollie is an inspiration to all of us that can't afford one of those super bikes. Nothing is impossible according to the World of Ollie!!! Thanks GCN. Great video.
Finally you've abandoned the eurobike and done something reasonable as far as low budget riding goes. Took you longer than i would have liked but thank you, very cool video.
They were obviously pushing this eurobike crap cause cheap, used bike can be really good performer and that fact alone wasn't good for the business.
Next video title be like
"We tested New Eurobike vs Used Eurobike performance"
That is an amazing ride on an amazing find with an amazing message. It's not the bike, it's the journey 🤘💪🖖
glad you appreciated it pal!
unfortenatly the snobery that surrounds café culture and road cycling would speak to the contrary
@@Ridg just ignore those people. let them be like that, you do you and enjoy the ride on what you have 👌
Perfect bike for be upgraded! Ollie always in his greatness!
yes, get a longer stem, slam the handlebar, and call it a day...
Really appreciate this video. Showing how much fun can be had on a decent bike, not needing a 12k superbike
Great memories of doing the Stelvio back in May 2018 “car free” as it had just been snowplough but yet to be opened to traffic. Best ride ever!!!! Thanks for the video.
My first carbon bike was a Pinarello FP6 with campy gruppo. Made my heart sing each time I rode it and I shed a tear when I sold it. Something special about an Italian bike.
What a wonderful film. Seriously, the pleasure of cycling was so well shown. What passion & joy. Great job Ollie
Loved the last few comments.
"That's what it is all about".
We can live without KOMs and still smile.
You can get KOM on that bike thought...
Speak for yourself, I still want my KOMs
@@galenkehler getting KOM on that bike would be even more satisfying 😊
I did it on my '94 Fondriest few months ago, when I went back to Italy for vacation. Had to take my teenager race bike back to Stelvio. This video captures exactly the feelings. One big continuous smile. Arriving at the top with Marco Pantani's Carrera Tassoni uniform. It can't get better than that. This is really the best sport.
Seems like there are a few quick modifications that would make it a great ride. Get the stem height back to something more recognisable (obviously), that’s probably going to mean new outer cables to get the length right, so probably new bar tape too. New tyres would make a massive difference and I’d fit my own choice of saddle, it already has new pedals. So that’s all the personal contact points and the road contact points, it would feel like a different bike. If there is budget to spare, add some new wheels. Maybe switch to 105 brake callipers and it would be an awesome bike.
Absolutely. I'd change the brakes to dual pivot. There's no way I'd ride down that road with the bike set up the way it is. Glad that the bike is way too big for me, otherwise I'd kick myself for missing it.
I was really wondering why he didn't even bother to just at least adjust the seat height.🥱
They should. Would be nice to see this bike set up correctly and then compare the times. Would be fairer for that poor old Uno. Or they could raise the stem on the F, put a weird saddle on it and some slow tires and then compare the times haha.
It does make me wonder why this was not simply done from the start - no doubt that would ruin the content of another video. It is a shame they did not do the video the other way around. 1)Buy a £500 bike off Facebook. 2) do a video on how to get it to fit to your spec's using second hand / parts bin parts 3) ride it up an iconic mountain pass in a direct comparison to a £14k superbike.
@@stuartm6710 Pinarello is a GCN sponsor though. It wouldn’t play well for them for a 10 year old lower tier bike to get close to their latest flagship.
Ollie I watched this as it was the early model of my first Pinarello “ Pinarello Paris” but I digress as there is a climb in Ethiopia that I used to train on four days a week. No snow but 7 to 10 % gradients, with many sharp hairpins and…… 40 c in the dry season . Dire Dawa to Harar. On return descent into Dire Dawa you risk being wiped out by an ascending Toyota mini bus or avoiding it and dropping down a 500m cliff of pure rock. Your choice!
Finally! A half decent second hand bike tested! More of these videos please! I could watch decent bargain bikes being tested all day!
Half decent? 😮
This bike is absolute killer, just make bike fit and put a pair of good tires.
I have TWO of those steer tube extenders that I pulled off bikes I have bought... It makes me want to put both of them on my Super Six Evo and go ride the River Loop next Sunday morning just for schitzengigels. It'd almost be worth the set of cables I'd need to replace to do it.
What an amazing film in an amazing setting.
Cheers 🍻 👏
Ollie: “Just being here is special on any bike…”
Eurobike: “Challenge accepted.”
*except the eurobike.
Honestly though, a good fixing up of the bearings and a megarange freewheel could make it tolerable.
🤣🤣🤣
Eurobike is a bike-shaped object, not a bike.
Slap that extended stem on the Eurobike for something extra special. And by special, I mean hideous.
Ollie, how have you convinced GCN once again to send you to Italy? This the question that needs to be asked. Your my hero.
Hat's off to you Ollie, you make it look like it's easy peasy even with this bike ! Ollie the GCN climbing champion.
I really appreciate how this video balances the thirst for new tech and the enjoyability of bikes at more accessible prices.
This what l call a cycling video.... thanks for making this Ollie 👍👍
Hi Ollie & GCN team, def the best cycling road!! The visualization at 1:55 shows the climb from the Prato side, as opposed to the Bormio side as said and ridden ✌️
I thought so. I stared at a split screen of Google Earth and the frozen video for 5 mintues wondering if i was crazy.
Yes, there is a significant difference when you ride there.
That the definition of inspiring. Smile ear to ear and not worrying about speed. Love life's gifts, they are not guaranteed. Bravo dr. Bridgewood
Perfect watch for a Sunday morning, gets me motivated to map out a beautiful ride in nature for today !
I thought about upgrading to a brand new Colnago -a cheaper model mind you!-after securing a new job & using my redundancy payout from previous job-but checked Ebay instead.So I bought 2 bikes for far less than half the outlay for the Colnago.The first bike was a 2009 Look 555 with SRAM Rival groupset & Thomson/FSA finishing kit-quoted for £750 then reduced to £600 cash-a bargain & very lightly used.The other was a 2013/14 Focus Izalco with SRAM Force groupset-again lightly used-quoted for £1250 then reduced to £900 - another bargain! Basically £1500 spent when I was going to spend 4/5k on one bike. Both of these bikes are decent spec alright not disk but who cares!
I don't have disc brakes either and I really want to keep it like that for as long as possible. Reason being, I pretty much know once you go disc you don't wanna go back but if you never go disc you don't know what you're missing out on ;)
By the way, I googled your bike choices and they're both gorgeous bikes. I hope you have fun with them too.
So great to hear the gratitude underpinning the video. Sure expensive bikes are brilliant if you can afford them but at the end of the day it’s all about the ride…
I use gatorskins in London all year round. Tried changing to lighter faster tyres and spent a ridiculous amount of time fixing punctures.
I ride 4 seasons and they get the job done. Don’t stop me from getting koms
I used nothing but gatorskins for like 5+ years and the first week I switched to something else I had like 3 flats. I think I had 1 flat in 5+ years with my gatorskins
@@GotDamBoi yeah that was my experience too.
Yes, I would rather have thick slower tires and no flats.
I’d love to see Ollie put this bike back to it’s former glory in modern road bike trim and tackle that climb again. Maybe he’d get within 10min of the Dogma F, which for the investment would be wicked !
Great video Ollie. I was expecting that you’d have switched the stem back to something more similar to how it would have been on manufacture! Chapeau fie leaving it as tall as Conor!
Thank you so much for emphasizing the idea that you dont need an expensive bike to ride such a places. Cycling is the most important part.
thanks for that huge smile!!! that is what road cyclists are looking for. the joy of the ride.
really, thanks a lot
This is a very enjoyable video and agreed that you certainly don't need a $14,000 bicycle to enjoy riding the iconic roads of the world. I have done the Stelvio three times, once with a custom steel Marinoni built in 1998 (with a Campagnolo Racing Triple, thankfully) and twice with a 2006 S-Works Tarmac, and I still use both of these bicycles regularly. No tubeless tires, disc brakes or electronic shifting and the memory of the pleasure those rides gave will never fail. On the other hand, that Pinarello definitely did not leave the factory thinking how it would love to go up the Stelvio looking like a circus clown's contraption.
The best GCN video I have watched. If Ollie's enthusiasm doesn't make you want to ride, nothing will!
I’ve done that ride twice now. Once on a 2003 Orbea Onix and later on a Dogma from 2014 (50th birthday gift to self). And I’m with you all they way on how awe inspiring that ride is. Nothing like it.
Used bikes are an awesome inexpensive route to fun cycling.
Excellent. Riding bikes is fun, and this video really shows it. Once that saddle is replaced and the steerer tube is cut down, it’s going to be a great looking bike. Fantastic value at £500.
Well, I'm a guy with spondyolisthesis and I approve of the handlebar-setup. What I did on both my drop-handlebar bikes is that I flipped the bars 180 degrees. Looks stupid, but it enables me to ride (this week I managed to clock 500kms) and stay - relatively - healthy.
@Athi vignesh Correct.
This is actually an interesting video idea: I own a used Moser and I used it to climb many mountains, like the Col de Nivolet.
You can own a very capable bike spending 500 euros, you can even use it to enter your first races if you want. Just find one without that weird steering tube extender hahaha
Best video for ages, sensible priced bike, not too cheap or expensive. And the childlike joy of cycling from Oli. Keep them coming
Whoo Olie, You have made this place so apealing. Added to my Wish List.
There is nothing as beautiful as having such a smile at the end of such a wonderful experience.
Thank you for sharing with us.
Thanks for doing this video. The antidote to the eurobike escapades. Plenty of great bikes out there to be had for not much.
Ollie may not be a hammer like many of the GCNers, but he is a poet on the bike - love his passion and perspective. It's all about the ride for him - well done!
'This is my happy place' - Ollie May '22, Stelvio pass on the now infamous chimnarello ! 😆😅🏭 Great vid GCN
This wasn't a video about a cheap bike... this was a video about emotions on a bike. And when you see Olli, you can feel that there isn't something scripted.. Thank you!
High five, to the guy responsible for GCN Videos background soundtrack choice always sooo good 👍
Seconded - was thinking the same thing myself. Nice one sound n visual peeps.
Ollie is the best thing to happen to gcn for a while. He really knows how to share joy and be inspirational
been here 4 years! 😂🤷♂️
Ollie!! Great. Just great and inspiring. Always doing something that brings out the pure love of being out there riding!!
Brill vid Ollie!
After a weekend with 150 km on my carbon racer, today I took my other bike for a relaxed ride. It is a second-hand, eleven year old hybrid bike with 42 mm tires.
It was a ~60km ride along the coast going up and down dunes at times, also some drizzle at times. Being a Monday outside of vacation season over here, it was very quiet. That was such a relaxing ride ! This 2011 bike (Giant Roam XR1) I bought in 2018 for 350 EUR and by now I've done >16000 km on it, including commutes. In fact it brought me (now 56) back to biking in 2018 after a pause of > 20 years, this bike means a lot to me ❤
Look at that smile! With all the perks of super bike and latest technology most of us really just want to enjoy the ride. One of the best videos this year from GCN for sure.
Thanks! We're glad you loved it as much as we loved making it!
Bormio... my hometown! Thanks! Yesterday i've made the Stelvio climb.... painnnnn... hahaha but done! Folks... come to Bormio! Bike paradise!
Need to try and ride the Transfăgărășan highway in Romania!
great video Ollie 👍
Agree that it's a fantastic place to ride . I did both sides on my £20 Claud Butler just before covid. It was brilliant.
I think that Dr Bridgewood just had another go at #gcninspiration and I think he deserves winning it this week! Great to see him enjoy the spectacular Stelvio scenery on his Pinarello ‘Giraffe’
Breath taking scenery, Champ. Cycling Nirvana!! Pls critique more budget rides like yours here, great vid!!
Quality. Loving the 90s style electronic soundtrack dotted around in the video too.
There is a lovely bike waiting to be released from all those wierd adaptions.
What you say about halo bikes these days is true. Althoigh it would reduce your 'job perks' a little, it would be good to see some GCN presenters with long- term 'personal' bikes that were a bit more down to earth. Not Eurobike level but say a 105 equiped high quality ali bike or two. Something more 'normal' cyclists could afford.
I did the same side 5 years ago on an aluminium specialized which was £500 new.
I have no idea what my time was, but probably slow- got passed alot.
Main memory was just the peace and beauty of the ride.
Bottom line to all the bike reviews for me is if u ain't racing, just enjoy any bike, also smile, wave and chat a bit for sure
Nice to see a video leaning towards the budget end of the sport. Maybe some budget mini adventures on the bike next and low cost improvements. Remember most of us can’t have super bikes and travel to stunning alpine locations. The best we can do is a weekend away with are well loved but lighter on the pocket steeds.
Nothing like happiness riding a bike. Love that feeling. Great video and a great bike find. Take care, Al
That steerer tube extender is great. Comfort _and_ style
do i missread sarkasm?
Comfort... maybe for weak shoulders and upper back... but ALL your weight is on your butt.
for decending this setup looks really twitchy...
You challenged us to name a road of extreme beauty and rideability comparable to Stelvio Pass? Oh, so easy. It's in Canada, Ollie. The highway is called the Icefields Parkway. Jaw dropping gorgeous for the whole ride, not just portions. The most outstanding 10km is called the Cathedral. I won't ruin the gobsmacking visual that makes a chill go up my spine at the thought of it. Truly a world treasure.
Wow!! What scenery. Good luck getting down.
I would agree with Oliver, that ride on any bike would be amazing! Many people cannot afford to drop $10k USD on a bicycle, unless you're racing, most riding is getting outdoors, riding with friends and family and exploring back roads.
What an amazing motivational video! Trully inspiring, thank you Ollie! 👍
I loved your ride and story. I've done Stelvio a few times. Each time for me it was snowing at the top! But, I still had a pizza sitting on deck enjoying the scenery. It's hard to believe that there were ZERO cars! But, you're not at the height of summer!
Brilliant 👍 Well done Doc Ollie 😎
That's a massive shaft.
🤭
i’m dissapointed i didn’t say “you’re probably wondering what’s going on with my massive shaft” 😂😂😂
Was it the white bib shorts that gave it away ?
I would have paid to see Ollie descend on that setup :D
i concur with you ollie, its not the price tag that makes it. it the shear enjoyment of just getting out and riding for the joy of riding no matter the budget just get out there and enjoy the pleasure of cycling. you really summed towards the very last bit of the video, what a cracking video. 😊
Ollie's just looking chuffed! I'm happy for him, too!
What a brilliant video. I recently got into cycling with a second hand road bike, so this is partly my story as well. Pure joy of riding and having an adventure, that’s what matters for an amateur like me.
Another beautiful ride full of scenic beauty and reasonable climbs is the Ronda Sella in the Dolomites.
if you are still there, theres the Ceresole Reale climb (the one The Italian Job 1969 was filmed on), thats a beautiful climb... was partly used in the Giro Carapaz won.
That view is amazing, a ride like that is definitely what it's all about .
I climbed the Stellvio on a cheap mountain bike from a hypermarket, I think a professional road biker has no problem with it 😅
Very inspirational video Ollie & GCN crew. Thank you!
20 minutes of additional quality exercise, bonus.
Those handle bars/extender/stem... are hilarious 🤣... makes Ollie look almost like Conner on his bike!
The face you have at the ends perfectly describe what we are feeling atop of an Epic climb like this one, awesome.
I would have not got the courage with this steerer extension and short stem to do the descent 😅. TBH this bike must be really not bad with a proper front-end.
Absolutely agreed that old top bikes are still top bikes. My Giant TCR Advanced SL 2012 for me is more than enough.
I've bought myself a used in good condition 2012 Guru Flite Carbon bike that has 11 speed 105 groupset, Ultegra derailleur and crankset set; slapped on my budget (but so far nice) 60mm Carbon wheelset, budget computer that has everything but the visual map, 4iii left crank power meter, heartrate strap and SPD pedals (because I haven't been shamed into switching over yet). TOTAL cost is $1700 or around £1300, And it has felt incredible. Sometimes I just look at the bike from across the room and blow it kisses.
outstanding video! the joy of just riding! more please!
Really good video - I started back cycling at 44 and nearly 100kg - that was on a ebay Trek Madone 4.5 that was less than the bike in this video. Yes i changed a few bits to make it fit and operate better but i still use that bike today. Plus in 2020 i did my version of what this video shows you can - i took it to France and rode "The Ventoux" and "The Alp" along with other TDF giant climbs for a week and it was simply amazing.
very reminiscent of my £200 bianchi via nirone that i got a great deal on and spent another £500 doing up and it’s got the works. dura ace c50 wheels, ultegra 6700. you don’t need to spend a lot to get a great bike, don’t be afraid to take time to hunt around and buy parts that are used and scratched up, it’s still a serious ride
Great video, Ollie. Reminding us all of the simple pleasures of just 'riding a bike' in a beautiful place which, although the Stelvio Pass is awesome, could really be anywhere in the countryside! It's still a sport which is accessible to most of us ;-)
This just makes me want to go out on my bike! Would love to ride up that!
Do it!
I recently added 3 inch extension to head tube/stem to relieve pressure on hands/wrist. I was diagnosed with moderate carpal tunnel after losing much of the feeling and strength in both hands. The reduced pressure has enabled me to start riding (and sleeping) again with minimal numbness or pain. Don't be afraid to try thigs that look a bit odd to keep riding.
Stelvio is my favourite climb ever! I’m lucky enough to have it 4h drive from home so I ride at least a couple of climbs every year
Brilliant video, keeping it real for the majority of cyclists. You guys are spoilt at GCN with the your bike sponsors.
Thank you Ollie you are so right 500 is enough to pay for any good secondhand bike that can give years of fun if maintained correctly loved the climb .