I've only now seen this vid, but it put me back to 1985 to 89 when my family was living in Exeter (from Australia) for three years. My wife and son and I would chuck the bikes in the car, drive to Bristol, and then ride the cycle path into Bath for lunch. Then in the afternoon we'd ride back to Bristol and drive home. Our son was 5 to 9 years old back then. He managed the ride both ways, pedaling like crazy on his little kid's bike and loving every minute of it, but was asleep in the car in three seconds when we finished. Thanks GCN for reviving the memory of great times.
That was a long time ago, on a planet far away, things were different then. There were a lot less tossers about, there was less selfishness, the music was better and nobody woud have watched Kardashians.
I don't remember where I saw it, but it was a little thing that Dinosaur probably was talking about. Once you get to work, you can go to the bathroom and use baby wipes to clean whatever you need to clean, may that be dirt or sweat. Then deoderant if you like. Of course not as good as being perfectly clean, but better than nothing right?
@@Degga911 Yep- me on my green single-speed cruiser classic with stuff piled all up in my basket, no helmet, my skirt and kerchief flapping in the breeze
***** I agree. Especially after Top Gear ended (for the moment), I use the GCN channel to scratch the itch. I hope we get to see more challenges like this in the future.
Supporter van de Europese Unie wish the UK would spend money on its infrastructure and improving cycling infrastructure instead of spending money on the stupid idea that is Brexit 🙁
Since you were supposed to be commuting to work, the test should have ended when you were in your cubicles doing work. In which case Dan won easily -- he didn't have to change clothes or have a shower like Si and Tom would.
But,he wouldn't have had a work out. Wouldn't have had that glorious feeling of doing something to enhance you're health. Instead he was on a empty? train, where he had a comfy seat? and didn't have sick people coughin on his precious magazines... let's be realistic, most commuters who are family men have limited time to ride and have limited time to travel. so no daylight, lot's of rain and limited budget. `the latter leaves old stuff o use in winter time. And just 10 minutes to change in dry clothes at work.... If you're lucky you have dry clothes for the return home. But, that's the charme of commuting.... i love being out every day , sometimes racing to get improvement on the strava segments, and always cursing at e-bikes. living a daily workout.... cheers
Whenever I see someone working away on the commute my first thought is 'He needs better time management skills'. 8hrs is plenty in the day to get things done.
1) do you have shower facility at work? (Yes) 2) what are road conditions on the commute? (Excellent) 3) how long is the ride? (14 or more km) 4) what are your training/effort goals? (Basic condition/endurance) 5) what are the alternative ways of commuting? (Car) 6) what are your prefered bikes/what do you own? (Roadbike) So roadbike all season 14-50 km single ride depending on various conditions.
Luke Lyons Please explain how 25s are "standard" tyres. I've only ever had one bike with anything that narrow, and that was over 30 years ago. My two MTBs, two 700c hybrids and two recumbents (bike and trike) have wider tyres. Neither the folding bike nor the BMX I recently sold were shod with 25s. The Dawes Super Galaxy tourer I had was 700c X 36? Two friends have Dutch style city bikes with wider tyres and a Pashley trike with 406-47. So your "standard" doesn't seem to be representative of anything other than a niche segment of the cycling world.
A Nother perhaps on road bikes/fixed gears they are.the fixed gear i recently bought came stock with 25c tires.road bike was fitted with 23c from the bike shop
i'm so happy Simon said that a CX bike is the one to go with when you'll only have one! that's exactly why i got one for myself, as commuting (mainly on roads, with some forest and gravel) is the most i ride but not want to limit myself to. i feel so validated :)
It's funny how so many people concerned about what type of bike to ride and what to wear would be better served by just getting on a friggin bike and go ride.
Ameer Haziq Osman Granny bikes are really shitty. They are getting rusty after just one year, they only have one gear and they will kill your knees. They're equipped with only a coaster brake. Due to the fact its design is so standardised, you'll never be able to find your bike back directly when it's parked in a big bike parking facility. Those bikes are only bought by sheeple that want their bike to be stolen while being sure that if they steal a bike back it will drive just as shitty as their own bike. City bikes are better, but to be honest Dutch city bikes are overhyped and overpriced heavy pieces of junk that are hard to do some maintenance on. A cheap Halfords tour bike with a few tweaks is giving you so much more bike for your money, but the Dutch haven't discovered that. Instead of that they buy ridiculously overpriced bikes, but then with electrical assistance.
Hey guys ! I'm a 21 years old guy from France and I would like to say that you are really the best cycling channel on youtube. You always tackle very interested topics with a real (british) sense of humor. Besides, three years ago I've been in Bristol for a month. Thus, I'm always glad to recognize this friendly city on your videos. I wish you well !
One thing that's really useful and unfortunately didn't get mentioned is a rack and panniers. They take the weight off your back which on one side gets it more comfy without having an extremely sweaty spot where you backpack would've been, it's also better for your back. True, it's slightly harder to go out of the saddle, but it's not like you're sprinting on your way to work/school, and it's fine for short segments. Plus it builds your skills, so when you take off the panniers you become excellent at out of the saddle riding. IMO any serious everyday/all year commuter should have fenders/mudguards and a rack with panniers, either on a dedicated frame or not. Go on a racing bike if you're only commuting when it's nice and in daylight, but a dedicated commuter bike is the way to go for everyday commuting.
Absolutely. Plus it means you can carry stuff. I've taken home new wheels, AV amplifiers, skis, turbo trainer, bike frames, golf clubs etc.. You couldn't get that lot home in a rucksack.
If its even a little warm out, you gotta have racks just to show up to work without a massive pool of sweat on your back and its a lot more comfortable ride without a pack, just gotta add in those carbon rims to offset the weight, hee hee
***** The better shape I'm in the less I'll sweat? its a christmas miracle!!! Maybe you should ride a little faster and then you'll find out what sweat is )
Ride daily...no car for 13 years....cross bike for a commuter year round (on my 4th cross bike)....road bike for fun. Replacing cross bike with a frame up gravel grinder build for next season with a 1x drivetrain, and also building a midfat hardtail 1x for those deeper snow day commutes and just fun winter rides around the city (and a return to mountain biking after a few years hiatus being just a roadie). These videos are great with just enough fun, education, and information to keep you attentive all the way through. At 64 I hope to keep this up till I drop so the incentive to work on core strength and skills and keep improving are a great addition to my daily viewing. Keep up the great work guys!
Hey GCN, great video! Well performed, produced and edited. One of the best! Very much enjoyed. As an encore, may I suggest a future video concerning proper knee alignment/tracking for pedalling efficiency using Dan's green pants (ie: 40"). They show up better than lasers!
Electric assist has become such a great asset, if your after work plans change you don't necessarily have to go home to get the car, or take the train. You've got the ability to go where you need to go without killing yourself to get there on the way back.
Oh my God, brought a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat. After my accident 16 years ago I really took a huge step back from riding and thought my days of riding were over because of the knee pain I experienced after just a 20 mile ride. I have kids now and a wife to pay attention to beside the knee problem that has gone away since commuting. Was walking about 8 miles before my knees started hurting from running to catch next train one day so I decided to ride. My ride to the trains I take to work, yes two, is about 8 miles a day or 28 when it's nice and I ride home from the Metra. Riding is my passion and I just found the time to enjoy it again BECAUSE of work! I do the CCM ride monthly with my son who is as passionate about two wheels as I am. He learned at 3 how to ride both bikes and motorcycles and I know that thanks to the daily commute here to work that I will ride a lot this summer again. YOU GUYS are absolutely awesome. If I would compare to Top Gear or Grand Tour except much more exciting. Godspeed! Thanks so much for sharing your passion. It has fired me up even more. After just two months of commuting my body has regained much of what I lost and I feel like a million dollars every day. The best way to commute ever.
This is one of your best videos. I think you could have included a few more options, such as a commuter bike. Simon sort of trashes that idea early, but it is a great option for many people. Another option is using a pannier set. For many people commuting, carry a lunch and a change of clothes may be too much for a backpack. A pannier set really helps carry more load and critically take that weight off your back.
I can ride my 14 km´s to work, get all sweaty, wipe myself down and put on my work clothes, tatty manual labourer type. At break times i watch GCN videos to drown out the insane ramblings of my work colleagues. You GCN Guys are a great help in more ways than you know!! Keep it up, please!
The money is maybe 1 minute of difference on 20km, which would still mean Si would have beat the train. The serious difference is your fitness, not what you can afford.
@@bigring6424 *Looks at 50 euro bike in the corner with front wheel strongly bent and back wheel so bent the break is disengaged, while fixing light for the 20th time*
That was fun to watch! Best GCN video I've seen: the video was quality, the topic was interesting, and you threw in some humorous moments that kept me interested to the end. Great job on this one guys!
Dig the cyclocross conclusion. Perfect all rounder for the commuter. I Use a cyclocross bike for work, hasn't failed me in the rain, snow, or on new routes. This video illustrated to me that having various bikes to choose for a commute is a good goal. Everyday is different; everyday we feel differently about how we ride. Options are good when commuting to work.
Surprised you didn't use the Bristol - Bath bike path more. I know this video has been filmed before it happened, but since it has been re-surfaced it is very smooth and nice to ride on.
Yes, Dan may of sat there with his awesome hair and not having to out of his clothes. But he would of had to pay £7.10 (single) or £15.00 (return) for that train. If you add it up over the course of a year - £15 a day, say you work 250/365 day of the year... £3750 is the total cost. Now I know you could get yearly passes etc but your still talking a lot of money. So Dan may get there with his awesome hair but Matt, Si and Lastie all have an extra few grand in their pocket to spend on upgrades, kit, perhaps a new bike or (most importantly) coffee. Joe, 15 years old.
yes he could have saved his money and bought a pair of trousers, then he wouldn't have to wait for hand me downs ummm them trousers must have been handed down alot of times I wonder about the history on them, if them green jocks could tell a story
People already eat way too much these days anyway. In 20km, you likely burn around 500 calories. That’s like $2 worth of clif bars or even less if you cook.
Guys! Guys! You're doing it all wrong. Those bikes you use (except the foldable one) have a weird geometry, lack suspension and the tyres are way too narrow and without a profile. Also, most of them have no disc brakes. And you're driving on the wrong side of the road. Luckily, all the cars do it wrong, too. You should all get 29er hardtails, add some fancy-looking ineffective mudguards hand-painted with red racing stripes and elevate the stem by about 25 cm. I did all this and now I'm super cool! On a more serious note, I really enjoy your videos but a more general view including other types of bikes (other as in "mountainbikes, trekking bikes, city bikes, pedelecs") would be really awesome. Also, since I grew up in soviet-influenced eastern germany, a part of me feels strange watching muscular men in tight spandex. Wear jeans and a checkered shirt, or maybe a dress! ... Well, maybe not necessarily a dress. Just surpise me.
What's with mudguards? They are super useful for me. I commute on a mtb just because my city has some issues with the roads and sidewalks, it does not have bike lanes. When i do not have mudguards dirt come flying everywhere, but when i do, dirt comes flying on my legs. I chose the lesser evil
Me too! Fortunately it is not as muddy where I live as in England... :-D Cyclocross is a lot of fun and I am much faster than on my trekking bike which I used before.
+Louis Greenleaf if it has pedestrians it's a sidewalk and yes it's not suitable for traveling. it's for sunday cyclists who make a 2km circle once in a while on sunny sunday afternoons.
I think old 10 speed road bikes with 27" wheels make great commuter bikes. 1. Vintage 27" wheels, due to bigger diameter and tire volume, are more comfortable and roll over difficult terrain easier than modern 700c road-bike wheels with thin tires. 2. Due to more casual geometry, there is no toe strike problem, so you can use flat pedals without problems. What is great when you need to make multiple traffic stops. 3. Plenty of space for mudguards, and mounting points for pannier racks. 4. Due to old looks and lower value they are less appealing to thieves. 5. Cost a fraction of a modern CX bike.
Yeah, I agree and one thing to point out is sometimes other cyclists in some countries may require them to cross a footbridge, so they would have to carry their bike every time. Then consider also the weight of the bike. A fixed-gear setup could be an ideal commuter bike.
aquietmind77 That's something I have argued a lot about with other cyclists...I believe it all depends on the temperature and how much weight you are actually taking. I started using panniers only in spring because I started having to take not less than 7kilos and it was starting to get hot. If it's cool and you don't have too much to take you have more balance and control using a backpack. Many people have scolded me for using panniers, but those cyclists are not commuters, or don't have much to take so they don't realize.
Commuting is a great way to get your base miles in, with maybe a longer ride on weekends. I don't own a car and have a 50 km round commute through the Forest of Dean and even if I do no other riding I can get in 200 km a week. Full mudguards are the way to go, and I'd always recommend carrying any weight on the bike rather than in a rucksack, so an old school touring bike with a pannier rack makes a great commuter.
My personal favourite is the Dutch way. Upright, and comfortable, mud guards, and a chain guard to keep oil off your trousers, a kick stand to park anywhere and panniers to carry your gear. It won't go nearly as quick as a road bike, but I can cycle in the clothes I intend to work in, and won't get nicked if I lock it outside a pub
nice video, my choice is hybrid with 700x32, not as thick as a cyclocross bike because i go mainly on pavement, but in my country theres a lot of cracks and holes in the road so a road bike would be very inconvenient, and i can only have one bike and sometimes i go off road but never mountain, so its perfect for me, i would recommend that option because its very comfortable, and you can personalize it to fit you with thinner or thicker tires and has a little more options for urban needs, like the extra holes in the frame to put a rack for groceries
+Guy “in” Marquette I commute in lycra. I dont fancy 20 miles in chafing jeans. I also dont like saddle sores which is what i get when i wear casual clothing riding my bike.
Bummer. Seems like lots of folks where I live ride in normal clothes on a more sensible bike with no issues....and that one of the things keeping more people from commuting on a bike is this idea that they have to "gear up" for a ride.
Guy Marquette And how many "folks" ride 20 miles each way to work? Im not saying others have to. Im saying i do because i find it uncomfortable riding in casual cloths.
+Guy “in” Marquette For a 5-10km commute to work, I'd wear jeans. What I find ridiculous is riding 20+ km and then staying at work all day in the same clothes.
"I don't want to ride on the days I go to work, I've got 5 other days to go on decent rides"
I want to only work 2 days a week...
+Robin Jansen Got seven!
+Frederik Got unemployment
Sully90Si you only do
He said fine other day's not 5
It just means that he commutes to work 2 days a week. He probably works from home the other days.
I've only now seen this vid, but it put me back to 1985 to 89 when my family was living in Exeter (from Australia) for three years. My wife and son and I would chuck the bikes in the car, drive to Bristol, and then ride the cycle path into Bath for lunch. Then in the afternoon we'd ride back to Bristol and drive home. Our son was 5 to 9 years old back then. He managed the ride both ways, pedaling like crazy on his little kid's bike and loving every minute of it, but was asleep in the car in three seconds when we finished. Thanks GCN for reviving the memory of great times.
That was a long time ago, on a planet far away, things were different then. There were a lot less tossers about, there was less selfishness, the music was better and nobody woud have watched Kardashians.
I think an important thing is the question : "Can I shower, before I start to work?"
If not, Dan's option is the best for me.
Fortunately, we can!
Global Cycling Network But doesn't mean anyone does right?
Muc Off Dry Shower? :D
I don't remember where I saw it, but it was a little thing that Dinosaur probably was talking about. Once you get to work, you can go to the bathroom and use baby wipes to clean whatever you need to clean, may that be dirt or sweat. Then deoderant if you like. Of course not as good as being perfectly clean, but better than nothing right?
I shower before I leave, smell clean enough when I get there, who gives a damn.
Come on guys it's obviously a BMX in a grey hoodie, grey trackies, no helmet and hood up
I ride like that to get to college lol
Stop copying me 😂😂
oh yeah I can get behind that look and run (was my commuter for years haha)
Black BMX with no lights ;-)
@@Degga911 Yep- me on my green single-speed cruiser classic with stuff piled all up in my basket, no helmet, my skirt and kerchief flapping in the breeze
This reminded me of a Top Gear episode. Great job guys
***** I agree. Especially after Top Gear ended (for the moment), I use the GCN channel to scratch the itch. I hope we get to see more challenges like this in the future.
***** same, this was fun to watch.
They always kinda had a top gear vibe to me and this was the toppist of gear
In Dan's defense, he's just being smart and efficient with his smol bike😂😂
That hilarious ad they made for the council about cycling be for children hehe
It's cool how in Europe people support cycling.
Well, nobody is supporting it, but the Dutch and Danes are lobbying severely for cycling across Europe.
Supporter van de Europese Unie wish the UK would spend money on its infrastructure and improving cycling infrastructure instead of spending money on the stupid idea that is Brexit 🙁
@@marcgardner868 you got a lot of cycling lanes
@@franciscofonseca7236 We have a few but they are poorly surfaced and full of debris.
Its the other way around in my country(malaysia)..
I love how Dan is reading about himself when he was with the Cervelo Test Team at 2:36. Very subtly done.
I think this is probably my overall favourite GCN video of all time. More like this please.
Since you were supposed to be commuting to work, the test should have ended when you were in your cubicles doing work. In which case Dan won easily -- he didn't have to change clothes or have a shower like Si and Tom would.
Si, Tom and Matt all just sit around stinking. It's most unpleasant for the rest of us. Dan however just sits around like a boss with awesome hair.
Global Cycling Network
:)
Global Cycling Network Did Dan write that comment?
Mike, you were hoping for a shower scene? ;)
But,he wouldn't have had a work out. Wouldn't have had that glorious feeling of doing something to enhance you're health.
Instead he was on a empty? train, where he had a comfy seat? and didn't have sick people coughin on his precious magazines...
let's be realistic, most commuters who are family men have limited time to ride and have limited time to travel.
so no daylight, lot's of rain and limited budget. `the latter leaves old stuff o use in winter time. And just 10 minutes to change in dry clothes at work.... If you're lucky you have dry clothes for the return home.
But, that's the charme of commuting.... i love being out every day , sometimes racing to get improvement on the strava segments, and always cursing at e-bikes.
living a daily workout....
cheers
"Relaxed road bike" has Dura-Ace
More reliable
+Joseph Parker
And... less durable.
Craig Knobovitch It's not the components, it's the geometry.
Yeah! Relaxed bike is a Trek Domane 6.9. Same as Fabian Cancellara.
haha yeah these guys kill me sometimes
I love how sincere Matt is about 25mm tires being "wide".
When he said he was a traditionalist, he really meant it.
I have 2 inch tires on my commuter bike.
I have 2.6 inch on my mtb lol
Mtb Life I got 3.0
i have 25mm
_I am offended_
"No-one quite knows what Dan's riding"
*Looks at my folding bike*
Mood
CA Campbell where did you get a folding bike😂?
@@trinitussancti6448 Bike shop
It’s a great bike.
@@trinitussancti6448 Brompton website probably. I like Dahon or Tern better though tbh.
Folding bikes are amazing for inner city rides, train commutes or even to take with you going camping
This might be the best video you've ever made, guys. Top Gear, eat your heart out.
I do agree with that. "Eat my shorts, Top Gear!" by GCN.
James Ashworth i was thinking the same thing lol
James Ashworth GCN should try to be more like Top Gear.
Well, Top Gear is good... and err, this wasn't... so umm
@@markjibbs- Subjective.
I commute on a penny farthing down the M1.
hahaha sounds fun
Outstanding!
Who doesnt
Do you go around in a top hat
Me to but I walk the M1
Jk isn't the M1 in heartfordchire
0:49 priceless how Dan looks pedaling! & how he takes his foot off the pedal making the left turn to the station
Dan should have been typing away on a laptop and getting work done inside the train, not just reading a magazine. I'd like the see the others do that.
Not usually possible on the commuter routes. They are typically jammed pack.
"Work isn´t a rabbit that runs from you" - some old proverb
Whenever I see someone working away on the commute my first thought is 'He needs better time management skills'. 8hrs is plenty in the day to get things done.
1) do you have shower facility at work? (Yes)
2) what are road conditions on the commute? (Excellent)
3) how long is the ride? (14 or more km)
4) what are your training/effort goals? (Basic condition/endurance)
5) what are the alternative ways of commuting? (Car)
6) what are your prefered bikes/what do you own? (Roadbike)
So roadbike all season 14-50 km single ride depending on various conditions.
Dan is more than ready to start his day at work with a smile and energy
Haha, This feels like a Clarkson era "Top Gear" episode! I love it!
This one would be named "Bath Calling"
Can't beat the Top Gear format - great editing
Vitellius Vega comment I came to look for.
Great times
So funny to hear Matt describe 25c tires as "wide"... Those are skinny by today's standards.
TeslaOsiris not skinny, standard
I hate 25c tires 23c all the way!
Tfw 40
Luke Lyons Please explain how 25s are "standard" tyres. I've only ever had one bike with anything that narrow, and that was over 30 years ago. My two MTBs, two 700c hybrids and two recumbents (bike and trike) have wider tyres. Neither the folding bike nor the BMX I recently sold were shod with 25s. The Dawes Super Galaxy tourer I had was 700c X 36? Two friends have Dutch style city bikes with wider tyres and a Pashley trike with 406-47. So your "standard" doesn't seem to be representative of anything other than a niche segment of the cycling world.
A Nother perhaps on road bikes/fixed gears they are.the fixed gear i recently bought came stock with 25c tires.road bike was fitted with 23c from the bike shop
i'm so happy Simon said that a CX bike is the one to go with when you'll only have one! that's exactly why i got one for myself, as commuting (mainly on roads, with some forest and gravel) is the most i ride but not want to limit myself to.
i feel so validated :)
Same!
One guy could have walked straight into an office. The other three failed.
Polyushko Pole It's a Cateye I think but I can't remember which one. It fell off the other week and died sadly!
LOL!
It's funny how so many people concerned about what type of bike to ride and what to wear would be better served by just getting on a friggin bike and go ride.
some people are autistic like me
what does this debate have to do with autism?
Diesel415 I
Ameer Haziq Osman Granny bikes are really shitty. They are getting rusty after just one year, they only have one gear and they will kill your knees. They're equipped with only a coaster brake. Due to the fact its design is so standardised, you'll never be able to find your bike back directly when it's parked in a big bike parking facility. Those bikes are only bought by sheeple that want their bike to be stolen while being sure that if they steal a bike back it will drive just as shitty as their own bike. City bikes are better, but to be honest Dutch city bikes are overhyped and overpriced heavy pieces of junk that are hard to do some maintenance on. A cheap Halfords tour bike with a few tweaks is giving you so much more bike for your money, but the Dutch haven't discovered that. Instead of that they buy ridiculously overpriced bikes, but then with electrical assistance.
Or, get a cross/rain bike, a mountain/snow bike, a road bike, and a race bike. Oh, and a Friday bike!
n+1 :)
love ur vids man
Or you could get a hybrid
As the streets on my city look like gravel roads (full of holes, bumps, even dirt and stones), I prefer the MTB, but a hybrid would be perfect too.
@@u.g.3298 Nah touring bike ftw.
"I've got five other days to go on decent rides"
What.
it's because their definition of "work" is different than the average joe
Malcolm Hedges Yes, 25s will go comfortably.
Global Cycling Network n
On a unrelated topic can anyone suggest to me a good road bike that will be a good investment and very reliable for 20+miles aday
Love the riding scene at 5:01..wish my commute was like that. Thank you for the video
Reminds me of an old Top Gear episode. Great video!
yes!! I remember it!
The one with the motorcycle, steam train and classic car?
PASSwordUSERname nah, the one where they race across London with a car, bicycle, boat, and public transit.
Just bought my first ever road bike and have really enjoyed learning from all of you gentlemen. Cheers!
Probably my favorite GCN episode ever.
this is that kind of youtube channel where you havent watched video yet but you are pressing like already.
I think you forgot cutting through literally everything on a mountain bike
2:23 Best shot ever in a GCN video!
@@NetomaMusic don't worry. Not everything is the best. Your comment for example. Just as basic as one would expect it to be.
@@NetomaMusic Don't worry John, that isn't today
Hey guys ! I'm a 21 years old guy from France and I would like to say that you are really the best cycling channel on youtube. You always tackle very interested topics with a real (british) sense of humor. Besides, three years ago I've been in Bristol for a month. Thus, I'm always glad to recognize this friendly city on your videos. I wish you well !
One thing that's really useful and unfortunately didn't get mentioned is a rack and panniers. They take the weight off your back which on one side gets it more comfy without having an extremely sweaty spot where you backpack would've been, it's also better for your back.
True, it's slightly harder to go out of the saddle, but it's not like you're sprinting on your way to work/school, and it's fine for short segments. Plus it builds your skills, so when you take off the panniers you become excellent at out of the saddle riding.
IMO any serious everyday/all year commuter should have fenders/mudguards and a rack with panniers, either on a dedicated frame or not. Go on a racing bike if you're only commuting when it's nice and in daylight, but a dedicated commuter bike is the way to go for everyday commuting.
Absolutely. Plus it means you can carry stuff. I've taken home new wheels, AV amplifiers, skis, turbo trainer, bike frames, golf clubs etc.. You couldn't get that lot home in a rucksack.
If its even a little warm out, you gotta have racks just to show up to work without a massive pool of sweat on your back and its a lot more comfortable ride without a pack, just gotta add in those carbon rims to offset the weight, hee hee
***** The better shape I'm in the less I'll sweat? its a christmas miracle!!! Maybe you should ride a little faster and then you'll find out what sweat is )
Ride daily...no car for 13 years....cross bike for a commuter year round (on my 4th cross bike)....road bike for fun. Replacing cross bike with a frame up gravel grinder build for next season with a 1x drivetrain, and also building a midfat hardtail 1x for those deeper snow day commutes and just fun winter rides around the city (and a return to mountain biking after a few years hiatus being just a roadie). These videos are great with just enough fun, education, and information to keep you attentive all the way through. At 64 I hope to keep this up till I drop so the incentive to work on core strength and skills and keep improving are a great addition to my daily viewing. Keep up the great work guys!
This gives a Top Gear vibe, and I like it! love watching the Top Gear challenges they do
I was thinking the same thing! It's not bad at all, this was a really good watch.
Living between Bristol and Bath and knowing all the locations the editing plays with my brain with jumping back and forward along the routes😂
Hey GCN, great video! Well performed, produced and edited. One of the best! Very much enjoyed. As an encore, may I suggest a future video concerning proper knee alignment/tracking for pedalling efficiency using Dan's green pants (ie: 40"). They show up better than lasers!
electric assisted to work and without back.
Electric assist has become such a great asset, if your after work plans change you don't necessarily have to go home to get the car, or take the train. You've got the ability to go where you need to go without killing yourself to get there on the way back.
@@otm646 You have to carry all those heavy batteries and the motor with you.
GCN is getting more and more like Top Gear and I'm liking it.
Oh my God, brought a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat. After my accident 16 years ago I really took a huge step back from riding and thought my days of riding were over because of the knee pain I experienced after just a 20 mile ride. I have kids now and a wife to pay attention to beside the knee problem that has gone away since commuting. Was walking about 8 miles before my knees started hurting from running to catch next train one day so I decided to ride. My ride to the trains I take to work, yes two, is about 8 miles a day or 28 when it's nice and I ride home from the Metra. Riding is my passion and I just found the time to enjoy it again BECAUSE of work! I do the CCM ride monthly with my son who is as passionate about two wheels as I am. He learned at 3 how to ride both bikes and motorcycles and I know that thanks to the daily commute here to work that I will ride a lot this summer again. YOU GUYS are absolutely awesome. If I would compare to Top Gear or Grand Tour except much more exciting. Godspeed! Thanks so much for sharing your passion. It has fired me up even more. After just two months of commuting my body has regained much of what I lost and I feel like a million dollars every day. The best way to commute ever.
This is one of your best videos. I think you could have included a few more options, such as a commuter bike. Simon sort of trashes that idea early, but it is a great option for many people. Another option is using a pannier set. For many people commuting, carry a lunch and a change of clothes may be too much for a backpack. A pannier set really helps carry more load and critically take that weight off your back.
I can ride my 14 km´s to work, get all sweaty, wipe myself down and put on my work clothes, tatty manual labourer type. At break times i watch GCN videos to drown out the insane ramblings of my work colleagues. You GCN Guys are a great help in more ways than you know!! Keep it up, please!
This reminded me of the top gear episode. Train (Stig) vs Car (James) vs Boat (Jeremy) vs Specialized Bicycle (Hammond).
Anyone else?
Ye but I skipped the bike part sadly
Pannier bags are game changers for commuting. Not having to carry a bag on your shoulders makes a world of difference.
Now do one with people who average priced bikes and can't afford to show off
The money is maybe 1 minute of difference on 20km, which would still mean Si would have beat the train. The serious difference is your fitness, not what you can afford.
@@bigring6424 *Looks at 50 euro bike in the corner with front wheel strongly bent and back wheel so bent the break is disengaged, while fixing light for the 20th time*
Money leads to quality, not speed.
@@noonehere4332 wrong mate, you can buy speed. Maybe you mean skills.
markus martin how do you buy speed? Do you buy a faster bike?
"It felt slow, and it was slow..." You just described my daily commute... ;-)
Great show lads! Just one thing Dan, Geoffrey from Rainbow wants his trousers back.
Haha, brilliant!
That was fun to watch! Best GCN video I've seen: the video was quality, the topic was interesting, and you threw in some humorous moments that kept me interested to the end. Great job on this one guys!
1:02 guy waving at the camera
Thats just matts bald twin
Dig the cyclocross conclusion. Perfect all rounder for the commuter. I Use a cyclocross bike for work, hasn't failed me in the rain, snow, or on new routes.
This video illustrated to me that having various bikes to choose for a commute is a good goal. Everyday is different; everyday we feel differently about how we ride.
Options are good when commuting to work.
I love your channel I love riding and all of you are major inspirations also this is my favourite video keep up the amazing work
Thanks very much Jack, we'll try our best.
Global Cycling Network were is your workshop
Definitely a flare of Top Gear here, well done guys!
What?!?
No Brompton?!?
That's Blasphemy!!!
This is my favorite GCN video of all time. Just bought a $600 cyclocross bike. Thanks guys.
Wide 25mm tyres :3
50mm is too narrow (I'm a mountain biker)
@@billg3969 anything less than 3cm is luxurious ( I'm a third world country citizen)
The production quality of these videos is consistently amazing. Keep them coming, this is fantastic.
Surprised you didn't use the Bristol - Bath bike path more. I know this video has been filmed before it happened, but since it has been re-surfaced it is very smooth and nice to ride on.
"Nice wide 25mm tyres for comfort" oh how times have changed :D
Yes, Dan may of sat there with his awesome hair and not having to out of his clothes. But he would of had to pay £7.10 (single) or £15.00 (return) for that train.
If you add it up over the course of a year -
£15 a day, say you work 250/365 day of the year...
£3750 is the total cost. Now I know you could get yearly passes etc but your still talking a lot of money.
So Dan may get there with his awesome hair but Matt, Si and Lastie all have an extra few grand in their pocket to spend on upgrades, kit, perhaps a new bike or (most importantly) coffee.
Joe, 15 years old.
(using Dads UA-cam account)
why not make your own account, Joe? XD
yes he could have saved his money and bought a pair of trousers, then he wouldn't have to wait for hand me downs ummm them trousers must have been handed down alot of times I wonder about the history on them, if them green jocks could tell a story
Colin Reilly plus he had to buy the fold-able bike to take on the train.
People already eat way too much these days anyway. In 20km, you likely burn around 500 calories. That’s like $2 worth of clif bars or even less if you cook.
One of my favourite GCN videos, absolutely love it, watched it at least ten times 😂😂
Please tell me there's going to be a review of the Canyon Aeroad - it looks absolutely sick
Consistently the best cycling vids on the net. keep up the good work!
Guys! Guys! You're doing it all wrong. Those bikes you use (except the foldable one) have a weird geometry, lack suspension and the tyres are way too narrow and without a profile. Also, most of them have no disc brakes. And you're driving on the wrong side of the road. Luckily, all the cars do it wrong, too.
You should all get 29er hardtails, add some fancy-looking ineffective mudguards hand-painted with red racing stripes and elevate the stem by about 25 cm. I did all this and now I'm super cool!
On a more serious note, I really enjoy your videos but a more general view including other types of bikes (other as in "mountainbikes, trekking bikes, city bikes, pedelecs") would be really awesome.
Also, since I grew up in soviet-influenced eastern germany, a part of me feels strange watching muscular men in tight spandex. Wear jeans and a checkered shirt, or maybe a dress!
...
Well, maybe not necessarily a dress. Just surpise me.
What's with mudguards? They are super useful for me. I commute on a mtb just because my city has some issues with the roads and sidewalks, it does not have bike lanes. When i do not have mudguards dirt come flying everywhere, but when i do, dirt comes flying on my legs. I chose the lesser evil
If you want to, Watch GTN, GMBN or others
They include different types of bikes
But the best one is GCN
@@almatsailaukhan9181 When I ride through puddles the mud goes on my back.
“ well , I’m on me own now .. might as well enjoy it “ lol that cracked me up 🤣
This video reminds me of the top gear show. You guys should do a top gear style show with a live audience! I would definitely come.
I’ve watched a lot of GCN, but this has to be MY favorite video. Well done you guys 👌🏼
Came for bike suggestion, discovered Top Gear cycling edition 😂
This is awesome, it's like a Top Gear race/challenge, except with bikes. Thank you for combining my favorite TV show with my favorite sport!
Last came last because his last name is Last....
Quote of the week right there.
damn I watched this when this was uploaded.. 7yrs already? time flies too fast.. weew..
I thought the best bike to commute with is the one that you're comfortable with I ride a single speed bike
No matter how many times I watch, this one's always interesting.
Hi, Greetigns from France where we appreciate a lot what you do :-)
Hi Francois, we're very glad to hear that.
This channel is like the "top gear of cycling". I'm loving it!
Reminds me of the Top Gear challenges lol!
That shot and transition @2:26. And then Dan with the magazine... This is why GCN is the best.
I think Simon should serve another ban for those arm warmer gaps!
Yes, apologies for that. I was genuinely racing and kept forgetting to hoik them up. Must remember to do some press ups...
The best way to ride to work has to be the most fun... that's why i commute like with Tom! Cyclocross ROCKS!!
Me too! Fortunately it is not as muddy where I live as in England... :-D
Cyclocross is a lot of fun and I am much faster than on my trekking bike which I used before.
The thing about commuting on a road bike is what if I use bike paths I have to ride slower because of pedestrians and it's much more uncomfortable.
+Louis Greenleaf if it has pedestrians it's a sidewalk and yes it's not suitable for traveling. it's for sunday cyclists who make a 2km circle once in a while on sunny sunday afternoons.
I think old 10 speed road bikes with 27" wheels make great commuter bikes.
1. Vintage 27" wheels, due to bigger diameter and tire volume, are more comfortable and roll over difficult terrain easier than modern 700c road-bike wheels with thin tires.
2. Due to more casual geometry, there is no toe strike problem, so you can use flat pedals without problems. What is great when you need to make multiple traffic stops.
3. Plenty of space for mudguards, and mounting points for pannier racks.
4. Due to old looks and lower value they are less appealing to thieves.
5. Cost a fraction of a modern CX bike.
How very Top Gear!!!
My favorite is the one guy calls the bike a steed. Also really like this video.
GCN is fast becoming Top Gear for Cyclists. Only better...
For commuting it's all about a fixed gear / track bike, especially in Bristol.
They force you to flow more, meaning a more satisfying ride.
Yeah, I agree and one thing to point out is sometimes other cyclists in some countries may require them to cross a footbridge, so they would have to carry their bike every time. Then consider also the weight of the bike. A fixed-gear setup could be an ideal commuter bike.
5tr4nGe Talking bullshit means a more satisfying ride too? Why invent gearing and the freewheel when we could all get by without either?
Why not ride with panniers and take the weight off of your back?
aquietmind77 That's something I have argued a lot about with other cyclists...I believe it all depends on the temperature and how much weight you are actually taking. I started using panniers only in spring because I started having to take not less than 7kilos and it was starting to get hot. If it's cool and you don't have too much to take you have more balance and control using a backpack. Many people have scolded me for using panniers, but those cyclists are not commuters, or don't have much to take so they don't realize.
Funny how so much has changed in 7 years 😳
The only Englishman to say ass as opposed to arse
Depends which part of england
Commuting is a great way to get your base miles in, with maybe a longer ride on weekends. I don't own a car and have a 50 km round commute through the Forest of Dean and even if I do no other riding I can get in 200 km a week. Full mudguards are the way to go, and I'd always recommend carrying any weight on the bike rather than in a rucksack, so an old school touring bike with a pannier rack makes a great commuter.
Y'all are sleeping on the foldy. Great commuter bike especially in the city
This is the very first video of GCN I've watched.
Now I'm subscribed to 2 their channels and riding bike almost every day.
Oh thanks you GCN
My commute is triple theirs (60km)--i'll stick with Dan's choice, thanks :-)
My personal favourite is the Dutch way. Upright, and comfortable, mud guards, and a chain guard to keep oil off your trousers, a kick stand to park anywhere and panniers to carry your gear. It won't go nearly as quick as a road bike, but I can cycle in the clothes I intend to work in, and won't get nicked if I lock it outside a pub
dan = stig, but what about the rest ????
Nuffinkatall
Dan = stig
Matt = James
Tom = Richard
Simon = Jeremy
nice video, my choice is hybrid with 700x32, not as thick as a cyclocross bike because i go mainly on pavement, but in my country theres a lot of cracks and holes in the road so a road bike would be very inconvenient, and i can only have one bike and sometimes i go off road but never mountain, so its perfect for me, i would recommend that option because its very comfortable, and you can personalize it to fit you with thinner or thicker tires and has a little more options for urban needs, like the extra holes in the frame to put a rack for groceries
This is ridiculous....commuting on a race bike in spandex? I can't even begin.
+Guy “in” Marquette I commute in lycra. I dont fancy 20 miles in chafing jeans. I also dont like saddle sores which is what i get when i wear casual clothing riding my bike.
Bummer. Seems like lots of folks where I live ride in normal clothes on a more sensible bike with no issues....and that one of the things keeping more people from commuting on a bike is this idea that they have to "gear up" for a ride.
Guy Marquette And how many "folks" ride 20 miles each way to work? Im not saying others have to. Im saying i do because i find it uncomfortable riding in casual cloths.
numerous "folks".
+Guy “in” Marquette
For a 5-10km commute to work, I'd wear jeans. What I find ridiculous is riding 20+ km and then staying at work all day in the same clothes.
strange how this video was in my recommended list but it certainly brought back some memories. I had forgotten how old GCN actually was
Thumbnail is why motorists absolutely despise cyclists on the road aahhhahahahahaha
I love your "TopGear" episode!!! This is seriously great production value.