i bought a classic 90s roadbike from giant, very used for 150 euros and i am not going to shave my legs before riding it. and i will not hide my man boobs either. :D
Thank you for the video! If I had lots and lots of money.. I would drive a Lamborghini all day long.. and fly on a private jet.. not ride a road bike 😁
That attitude is for broke people, if you can afford it, and you earned it or didn't steal it at least, then buy whatever you want. Those haterz just wish they had the superbike, go and flex to your hearts content.
I love carbon bikes and aero carbon wheels. I have a full campy record de Rosa merak bike & dura ace cervelo s3 bike (both 10 speed) and they are far too good for me. I’m so crap at cycling & really lazy but I just enjoy them 😂
I'm 20 years old and saved up for around 3 years from working in a bike shop and eventually bought my Colnago V3Rs in frozen blue, zipp 303s, dura ace mechanical. 100% the bike is too good for me (I am no Pogacar) and I don't ride it anywhere near as much as it deserves. But everyday I look at it and it makes me smile and reminds me that if I work hard it eventually pays off.
Nice! After finishing my PhD and signing my firat work contract, I didn't see much sens of saved money in a bank account. Got a Ribble ultra slr... Cause I can😁 Arrived in the middle of winter and is still hanging on the wall... Can't wait for some dry, sunny weather to get that machine going😅
At some point you hit a certain age and have lived well within your means you realize you can spend whatever you like on a bike. I'm nowhere near as fast as I was 30 years ago and I own a bike that is at least 4x more expensive than I did back then. I've worked hard and I love my bike, it's what I want to spend my money on so I don't care about what others think.
@@gcn If it's bad weather outside, I go out in my garage and just stare at my bike and smile. I know what you're thinking just ride inside, my new bike is Campy and my old turbo trainer won't work. I spent to much on my bike for my wife to let me buy a bike AND a new trainer at the same time.
I've reached that happy place in my life (62 and drawing two pensions). Even though I can still sort of do it, I don't care very much about going fast and ride comfortably at 17-ish mph for the most part. I'd like to think I don't judge others for their bikes at all, but I fear on some level I might have. I guess that's because, even though I could, I don't overspend on any single bike, and maybe I don't think others should either.
The thing is: when you're young and in good shape, you usually don't have the money to ride fast and expensive bikes. When you're old, it's the opposite. 😭
So true..., 😀..., im 56 now in the best shape of my life & currently riding a custom matt black Merida Reacto 4000 hydraulic disc 2020 with full Ultegra groupset from the stock 105.., hand built 40mm carbon rims made by Owen Wheels of Rat Race Cycles based in Nun head, South East London fitted with 160mm carbon roters...., been riding bike's since i was 4 yrs old on a trike then progressed to building my very first road bike at age 13/14 seems now like a lifetime away & yes i had to save up my paper round money week after week after week to buy parts "second hand" as i couldn't afford brand new at that time but let's fast forward to 50 "odd" years later that i find not second guessing myself spending £5k on a aero road bike but 🤫🤫🤫 don't tell the wife 😂🤣😂
3 weeks ago my heart condition finally caught up with me and until I have a defibrillator installed in my chest I’m not allowed to ride my bike (in fact all exercise is off limits). Moral of the story, cheap or expensive, just be thankful you’re able to ride it!
@@McLovin38FFs Wow, congratulations! I’ve seen first hand how full on heart issues can be with family members in the past, so it’s genuinely wonderful news to hear how far you’ve come!
As an overweight 50 year old with a Specialized Tarmac SL7 I can affirm that a bike can be too fast for you. 😂😂 And… I love it. It’s so beautiful that I want to ride it.
I’ve always loved to ride and put thousands and thousands of miles on my old bike, but, I love the tarmac so much that I do think I ride more than I would if I had my old bike. It feels faster - - even though I know I am not actually fast and I get passed frequently by individuals riding bikes that are much older and less expensive than mine. That’s one of the reasons I love biking, though - - I’m always competing against myself and not others.
I started cycling about 4 years ago and bought a Pinarello dogma f12 myway for $17,500 a little after cycling for 2 years. I love how it gives me additional motivation to get out there and ride to stay healthy. You don’t have to be a pro to ride a pros bike. Whatever you can afford that gets you out there riding.
That is the way I feel with mine too. I also feel the need to make sure the bike lasts because it felt quite eye watering to buy. I like the bike more than anything I rode before, even with a pretty poor year in terms of cardio last year and am already back to being nearly best speed aftere a couple of months. So Now I just want to be faster than ever despite being an OMIL and knowing I am not as fit as I was 30 plus years ago.
I think what we all need is a bike that is a bit better than us but not loads better. I used to feel, on my cheap hybrid bike, that I had more speed to give and the bike was holding me back. Nowadays even though I ride what might be considered an entry level road bike I always feel the bike has more speed in it that I don't have the legs to unlock. That last 12 tooth cassette is almost never used! However, what made me no longer envious of people with better bikes was when I started riding it in areas where people have much better bikes and I found I was just as fast as some of them and even faster than a few on super bikes. Really put into perspective the point about marginal gains and that ultimately the rider makes the biggest difference; not the bike. Besides, if I had a super bike I would just be terrified of it being either stolen if I left it anywhere or scratched if I crash.
Bike guilt and shame is a big thing. I agonized over choosing my new bike which in the end was an electric gravel bike. I wanted an alternative to my road bike I could ride that would reduce stress on my knees. I passed two Rapha clad enthusiasts on a climb and was scoffed at. It felt very much like "get in your place". I wish we could be kinder to each other
@@gcn So far so good. It's meant longer days in the saddle as my knee is less likely to flare up. I've seen new parts of my local area (Aberfoyle) that I didn't know existed. It's meant I can do zone 2 training which was previously difficult with all the hills. The big downside? It doesn't count to my riding total on Strava 🥺😅
I have recently retired and spent some of my lump sum on a Specialized Tarmac SL7. I thought it would be a huge upgrade from my old Canyon Ultimate circa 2017. Although the Tarmac is aero that doesn't really come into play until you are knocking on 40kmh . So I'm much faster going downhill now, but on the straight and level where i can manage about 34kmh for 10km on a good day, there's very little improvement and i'm slower uphill! So yes a bike can be to good for the rider.
The first real bike I've bought as an adult was a ~$8,000 Specialized gravel bike. I got big ass MTB pedals on it and I love it. I don't care what anyone else thinks, having a nice bike makes me want to ride more.
@@gcn Yeah, it is a joy, every ride is a fun adventure for me, even just on a local trail or even on a road loop. The only time it feels a bit much is on downhills with a crosswind, definitely gets a little jittery, due to the lightweight.
I currently ride a bike that is "too fast" for me. After 30 years of riding heavy steel touring bikes, I finally got a titanium Litespeed Cherohala with Ultegra Di2 components. Not only does it look fast, it looks "bling". I've overheard people talking that at my age I don't need a bike like this, but I finally have the cash to be able to afford a high speed bike, and it does make me noticably faster than on my heavy bike. And even more important, I get a smile on my face every time I ride it
I am relatively new to road bike cycling, having only been doing it for a year. However, for my 50th birthday, I treated myself to a 2019 Bianchi Infinito CV - a brand that I fell in love with 10 years ago during a cycling tour around Verona. I opted for this model over the Oltre as I didn't want to pretend to be seen as a serious racer; rather, I wanted something that was visually appealing and comfortable to ride once or twice a week. I'm grateful that I didn't choose a Merida or Giant, which are often the go-to choices for Australians starting out in cycling. While I wouldn't necessarily call myself a bike snob, there is something deeply satisfying about finally being able to ride the bike you've always wanted. In the past, I've owned sports cars, but this is the first "toy" that I genuinely look forward to using each week to try to improve my speed and distance. It's a difficult sensation to put into words.
Reminds me of a newbie at the club. Couldn't keep up with the 25 km an hour group. She showed up two weeks later on a brand new carbon bianchi aero bike. And still couldn't keep up. Buy the bike that makes you ride more and you'll get better :)
Time trial difference between trek madone 6.9 SSL 2013 and my 1984 mid level Trek road bike is 8 minutes faster over 20 miles bike does make a BIG difference
pablo clark 16 seconds ago Time trial difference between trek madone 6.9 SSL 2013 and my 1984 mid level Trek road bike is 8 minutes faster over 20 miles bike does make a BIG difference
@@pabloclark3332 "my 2013 Ferrari is faster than my 1984 VW golf" ... Duh. My 2022 Aeroad is noticeably faster than my 2016 ultimate. But if your power output is less than 200 watts you're still not fast by any measure.
Since I was a little kid I've always dreamt of having a beautiful road bike. And through very unfortunate circumstances I inherited a good amount of money. The number 1 thing I wanted to spend some of it on was a bike, and so I did. Throughout the winter it hangs on a wall inside the house like a decoration, and I enjoy looking at it everyday. No way I can justify the cost of it with my level of fitness, but I really don't care, cause I love it and it keeps me motivated to trains during the winter, because I want to ride it in the summer.
I did a lot of soul searching when confronted with the question of expensive bikes. When you realize that life is short, then you appreciate life and everything it has to offer. Getting a great bike is an achievement in life, and why not? I do happen to think that it is sad that we worry about what people think of others, so as to be accepted by the tribe. But psychologically, it is how we are programmed, Like it or not. Being a MAMIL (or MAWIL, as the case may be) is liberating as most of us over sixty don't give a S#1t. I just like to ride because I like it, and feel crap if I don't. A well equipped quality bike 😏 just pleases my soul.🙏 Amen
Having a Dogma F, I definitely have a 'too fast' bike too, my decision to buy it was based on the time I spend on it yearly (about 500 hours). It is more than any other activity (besides sleeping and working), so it really deserves the best.
Too funny! as a hobby with my wife, we became home chefs. we entertain a lot. Admittedly, It really bothers me how many friends we have that have these amazingly expensive and expansive kitchens and literally never cook! All my friends I ride with also race and they clearly know exactly what they're doing on the expensive bikes they ride.
I upgraded my road bike a couple of years ago. Most I've ever spent on a bike but it was relatively cheap - from the cheapest end of the range. Most important thing is the geometry fits me, so I can, and want to, ride it more. And she's beautiful!
The timing couldn't have been better for this question! I got a new bike on Friday (Trek Checkpoint SL frameset built with GRX Di2 2X groupset and my existing Roval terra wheels) and I do think it is too fast/good for me. But I also think I deserve it - for all those years on lesser bikes dreaming, and then last year completing my ambition riding Brussels-Sweden-Brussels. I am now old and slow, too slow for such a wonder bike. But damn! It is fun to ride it!
I have a very mid-range bike and I use strava on my phone. I could get a more expensive bike with more expensive parts with expensive bike sensors, but I like riding my bike for a great workout and enjoying the fresh air!
Hi guys, in reference to Si's comment re thankful for what he has, some of us should be thankful. I have worked in a bike shop for over 30 years as a hobby. I always tell customers the first owners treated me well and the current owners treat me like family. I get to ride bikes I could not otherwise afford, I go into work everyday thankful in the extreme. I've had bowel cancer and as you indicated get some strange looks because of my belly...unfortunately it's all hernia. But I love all my bikes and I'm constantly thankful to the team that put up with me. I've been watching you for years and refer all newbies to your channel. Keep up the good work. Regards Uncle Fester.
I live in NY and every time I go to the park I see people on bikes that cost 3/4x more than mine. Not worth getting annoyed, just hit the drops and pass them. If they don't react, you know they're experienced. If they throw a fit and chase you down then you give them a smile and say "oh are we racing?". Worth a good laugh
Met an old man who had just bought himself a 10k plus super bike, I was on my steel surly trucker. He told me he'd been riding steel for 25 years and was ready for something different. He earned it. I hope to do the same after caring for my steel bike for that long
I watched that video AFTER having bought a 12k EUR eMTB and yes, I am no pro, but heck, i f*g appreciate its strength. People on the street already look at me like a ***, but nobody of them knows of my physical health implications (hence the "e" in the eMTB), and I also did not want to ride a racing bike anymore, being a roady for decades, I intentionally chose something that will actively slow me down (fully) but still fits my style (looking like a sports bike). so yeah, THAT was the only bike that I actually felt fully comfortable and appreciating and happy with. -- I am just learning to ignore those jealous looks and shouting people at me for riding an over-expensive cheating bike -- Thanks for your video! :)
I grew up with absolutely nothing but I'm now in a position where i could afford my S Works Aethos so I got it and it makes me smile - life is short, buy the bike
Great discussion point at the start. I often feel envious of pretty much any road bike I see as am still riding my 15 year old Specialized Allez! However I also want to prove that I can go faster, work harder and endure longer using an older model. But if I happened to stumble across a bountiful sum and not turn it over to the police, I’d certainly be purchasing something carbon and aero with deep section wheels, because lets be honest… I’d love to have something like that!
@@gcn Oh great question! I’d love a Ribble Ultra SLR! I love the idea of the F1 front wing inspired cockpit! Got any of those to hand you’d like to throw my way?!? 🤪
Si, Love your presentations and the way you are at GCN, but just want to say people who are older are not dead. Nice cars are not wasted on them. I am a 64 year old woman and ride my Bianchi Oltre XR4 with joy. I cycled over 11,000 kms last year and 12,000 the year before, and intend to keep riding until I'm unable to.
I had a team mate, who wasn't really a fast rider at all, but was well off financially. He'd always show up to the group ride with carbon tubulars on, and one time I asked him "Why do you bring carbon tubular race wheels to the weekend group ride?" His answer was, well, I'm not a great racer and every race is a miserable experience so why would I only use the nicest things I have on the least fun days? After that conversation, I quit judging people. I got fatter as I got older but I also got better in my career and now I have the fancy bike that people will judge. Do not care at all :)
Always felt I needed a top end bike with at minimum Ultegra, usually Dura Ace. Now though I go top end Endurance bike vs race bike, ever since I came down with OLD. Currently Sworks Roubaix and a Cannondale Synapse RLE1.
Looking and discussing gravel bikes with a friend we spied an Ibis MX di2 for sale. My comment “ nice bike , pricey though”. His “ you’re 70yrs old, maybe riding for 10 more years do you want to do it on a cheap gravel bike?” I own an Ibis. I love it and couldn’t care less what people think.
Few years ago I listened to Faris Al-Sultan, former triathlon world champion, mock age group triathletes being slow on more expensive bikes than pros. That's not fair, specially on national TV, if you can afford it and want to, just do it. Cycling is all about enjoying the sport and that includes the equipment.
I'm early 20s just got into road cycling, ended up getting a 8yr old bordman cslr with ultegra groupset for a good deal i think, and yeah more than happy with the spec and it didn't cost a fortune, no hurry to upgrade at all, apart from some slightly narrower bars but yeah as a noob if I don't total it I can see myself keeping it for a while 😅
I started racing when I was 8. By the time I was 20 I had been through a string of second-hand frames and swapping the parts across each time. I had been saving for years by this stage and even though I was a student I bought a Daccordi frame made from Columbus Max tubing which was the state of the art at the time. To build it up I got a Dura-Ace 7400 groupset (first generation STI) acquired as a 21st birthday present, complete with a Flite Saddle and Wolber Profil 18 (285g) rims. I went to the final stage of the Sun Tour that year (1990) and walked around the pits looking at bikes. Whilst some of the pros had similar frames, and others had the same groupset no-one had a bike as good as mine. Whilst I did briefly get to A grade on my bike I was never as fast as the bike could have been. However I am still riding the same bike (upgraded groupset in 2006) at the age of 53. A modern bike might be lighter but I'll never change my race bike.
I saw a comment that changed my perspective on buying too nice of a bike. At 105kg myself, the weight savings from a carbon over an aluminum frame won’t matter too much. I have like 20kg to lose before I should think about shaving weight from my bike
I picked up a brand new Time Alpe d'Huez yesterday. DuraAce group and wheels. WAY more bike than I need talent-wise. and I won't give a tinch what people think when they see me on the road as I'll be too busy enjoying the ride on this thing. I bought a high quality bike with some of the best components I could because the last major bike I bought was 2013. once every ten years seems fine to me to go nuts, surely?
Must say, I quite enjoyed, this summer, overtaking a younger guy on his high end carbon bike, up the hill on the south coast road on the Isle of Wight, on my steel framed road bike ladened down with my camping gear on its panniers 😂
Echoing many folks here. I've ridden lower quality bikes for years and always dreamed of a sexy, lightweight bike. I'm over 50 now. I've worked hard and earned a better standard of living as I've gotten older. I just spent $3000 (still a lot of money for me) on a Rose Reveal and have no regrets. It's admittedly more bike than I need, but it's a real beauty and helps get my old achy body up some of the bigger hills. I have gotten a few looks, but I don't care. I've earned it, I love it, it looks beautiful and it keeps me turning over the pedals.
When I was 18-20, I was lucky enough to work at the best bike shop in the world -- Ottawa Bikeway, run by Ian Brown. I had a nice bike. But, loved the great bikes that the company sold. I was always envious of middle-aged guys coming in and buying the fancy stuff. Did they really need it? Well, years have passed, and I can answer the question now... ABSOLUTELY YES. :^) Be passionate about what you do, and do it on the best bikes you can. At the same time, don't let having "not the best bike" keep you from getting out there.
As a 21 year old, I had a very fast road bike for the time. 40 years later, I'm still riding the same bike, which is probably quite slow when compared to modern aero road bikes. But since I'm a lot slower myself these days, the "bike and rider" combination has probably matched over the years. The enjoyment factor however, remains exactly the same.
@@gcn I do have some other bikes (gravel, backpacking, touring, and one for going to the pub) but I like to get out on my 40 year old road bike as often as I can. It’s certainly the one I find most enjoyable to ride.
I really appreciate the main talking point. I recently financed a super bike and did a custom paint job (WWF theme - half Hulk Hogan/Half Ultimate Warrior). While I'm no pro, A few factors led to me purchasing. 1.) i've raced triathlon for over ten years on an entry level bike and have another ten years+ ahead of me. 2.) I originally told myself I'd purchase it as a gift for losing the excess weight but was convinced by a number of cycling friends that I oughta get one ASAP due to looming supply chain issues. 3.) It forces me to lose weight faster due to more aggressive position. 4.) While I'm not a pro, I have qualified for IM 70.3 world championships and age group Team USA world championships in the not-too-distant past. 5.) YOLO, don't be afraid to go big with your passion(s).
Get well soon Dan - He always looks fast. 14:36 we've all been there. If it makes you feel better I did an exhausted curb hop in front of about 30 club riders that had amassed.Chewed tarmac and then back to a tasty hillclimb. They had Gucci jerseys too.
I think the point about bike fit and handling is really the most salient way that a bike can be too fast / too much for some riders. Even despite pro-style bikes shifting towards slightly more upright positions of late, *most people* don't need race bikes and would be better served by an endurance-oriented road bike.
Re: hack/bodge Bike on Tractor I knew a truck driver who used his bike(he usually put in the trailer) to get around (out to dinner, to the store, the bar(pub)) after he stopped driving for the day. It was more convenient than trying to go somewhere with the tractor.
I bought a Pinarello Dogma F with duraace after becoming Super Radouneur within 6 months of starting Cycling.I love it and it is a breeze though descent sometimes are slippery..
I remember feeling guilty At getting my trek 5200 USPS team colors bike but I bought it used and it Rides great still to this Day. it's Not the latest n greatest but around my town it's still top notch carbon road bike and it gets alot of thumbs up!!
Since he came up: I once sold a Brompton to Adam Savage. Though it was online and surely through his assistant. Still, I took extra pride packaging that bike up to send down to him in California.
Nothing gives me more joy during races than passing old men riding their fancy, expensive tri bikes while I'm zooming along on my used 2012 Cervelo P3 with aluminum wheels, bought for just $500. I'm not jealous of their bikes, but I do judge them for not putting in more time training...how embarrassing to get beat by a girl ♀️🤦♀️
All my equipment it secondhand and upgraded. It's cosmetically showing its age, with paint chips, exposed cables etc but my bikes are my pride and joy. The smile on my face when I roll round the countryside says everything.
Basically it comes down to age, of course if you are pushing 45+ you will be opting for the lightest bike you can get. Especially if you live near large bodies of water with the massive winds associated with it. Also non integrated cables is always the better option as far as repairs and fixing your bike.
My 78yr old mum had a QOM on a short segment . She rode a 2005 Giant MTB wirh road/gravel touring tyres. The opposition from 2nd to 10th were on Gucci bikes and smart Lycra. FACT. It ain’t the bike in many cases as the normal level of riding.
As long as it's pleasurable to ride, the price just doesn't matter. Comfort, smoothness, efficiency. That's enough for me on my secondhand 2019 Cannondale!
8:34 I’m watching the episode from an hotel room on my way to pick up my dream bike that was custom built on my specs. Yes, people might look at me and say I’m not that pro-athlete to deserve it. But then again, who cares? I don’t want a fancy car or motorbike, I ride more km/year than I drive, I’ve saved up for the past two years for this and it will make me happier than blowing my money on fancy clothes.
Eghhhh, a dirty bike may be a very often ridden bike. I admire a little bit of road grime on an often ridden bike vs an immaculate garage queen or wall hanger. I do reserve the right to be judgy about a dry chain. It always feels good to pass a person with a nicer bike. For that reason alone please newbies, buy nice bikes!
I bought my bike from my local bike shop's owner who is a former pro. Each time I ride it a apologise for being so slow. It must be like a race horse that has been asked to provide beach rides for old people. It is way too good for my abilities, but I appreciate every single ride I have on it.
A few years back I helped form a.social riding group, the purpose being to explore dirt Jeep roads and backcountry areas at a social pace for riders of any means or abilities. It worked well, and folks who can only afford their old mountain bikes rode along with everyone else. Now frequently some people show up with very high end bikes built for racing. They obviously really enjoy riding these bikes but instead of a social group ride the ride dynamics change. Sometimes I feel pressured to buy a much “ better” bike (meaning lighter and faster and enormously more expensive than what I ride) just so I’m not struggling to keep up, but I actively try not to get into the “ I’ve got to go fast” mindset as it is true that the faster you go the less you see. End result is that last summer I rode mainly alone. I guess my point is that if you have a fast bike but are riding socially with those who don’t and aren’t interested in racing, be a little sensitive as to the purpose of the ride.
3 things come to my mind: 1. Geometry is too aero (aka stretched out) for it's rider 2. Brakes have too much grip (leading to slipping frontwheels) 3. Chainrings are too big and the rider can't get the needed pressure on the pedal Other than that, whatever's someone willing to pay is his own matter. "Live and let live"
During a coffee stop, I like to admire the various bikes of others. I don't tend to care if the owner deserves/earned it. As an industry, cycling can only benefit from customers who can afford the expensive models. And plenty of those bikes will appear on the used market after 2-3 years, benefitting someone who can't afford them new.
I can totally appreciate the sentiment here. I about to pull the trigger on a high quality triathlon bike (my apologies, did I swear?). I put out decent power numbers but nothing all that amazing. For me, it's a motivation to get stronger and make myself worthy of the quality of the bike. For what it's worth, I'm not particularly well off either. I've been planning this purchase for awhile and it's still not a "smart" financial decision but the excitement of having a great bike that is me telling myself I'm ready for the next level in gear and training is too much to pass up.
The bike on the back of the semi trailer cab was awesome. I'm for one, really pleased with assuming that the driver might actually own a pushbike and maybe usese it for riding errands around town. Even if itt's just to avoid attempting to park the monster at the local mall. Five stars to that truck driver from me.
I actually race on my bike, but I didn't want to spend a fortune on it. It's a nice and very light carbon bike, with Shimano 105, disc brakes, etc. I think it hits the perfect balance for me 😀. I race for fun and I don't have "unlimited" budget but I'm quite happy with it 😄 . It's crazy that I payed that much for a road bike when my full sus MTB bike was about the same price but it has so much more tech in it: 130mm travel front and back, 29" wheels, 1 x 12 (11-51), 150mm dropper post...
#captioncompetition Multitasking 101: Giving the birds a high five whilst simultaneously checking my socks are still UCI legal... Side note: How nice are my legs
I've learnt much over the years from GCN but most memorable are Si's idioms like "faffing around". I'll never look at my crappy pump again without thinking about faffing.
I felt envious of a cycling club mate who bought Trek's top of the range Madone. I bought a US$500 second hand bike dated 2013 with stock wheels and ten speed Tiagra. I couldn't keep up on a long hill, but I managed to destroy him on a flat section followed by a short hill sprint. :)
For me a months wages is the sweet spot for the price of a bike. Depending on what you do with it you go up, or down a bit. Also you can always get better wheels, tires etc afterwards. A bike is more of a work in progress to me. Unless you get a new frame. Then it's another bike 😂
I bought a sworks venge 7 years ago. I bought it because I loved the bike , the shape, the colour and because I could finally afford to… just. I still have the Venge and love it each and every time I see it. I really don’t care if I’m not a pro rider. This is my ride and that’s the end of it.
Thanks Si , Dan and crew...all the gear , and no idea ? I think , if you've got it , flaunt it , baby ! Once I learned how much good bikes cost.....things changed for me . Older, newbie a few years back , I found the whole scene to be about money ..I learn a lot from shows like this..even so , Ive made some mistakes. Bikes in the beds..money side down ??
I just replaced one inner tube in my bike from 2017 for the first time and I ride every day this is why I love bontrager. My inner tube would have lasted longer but I skid a lot and have been using the same tire and didn't replace the tire until it was completely destroyed.
A good bike is only as effective as the person riding it! I realised this when I jumped on my newly bought race bike and realised the only thing holding it back was me. That inspired me to ride it as much as possible.
Before I even watched the segment, the answer was a resounding "Yes!" But, that hasn't stopped me from ordering an even more expensive bike than I currently own. As mid-life crises go, a Pinarello is a lot less expensive than a Porsche
Would love to see more videos with Bromptons. How about a challenge, regular bike v folding bike such as taking the bike on transport systems, in malls and shops as well as sports stadiums, ease of travelling with the bike and so on. Who would be the winner...
I don't think a bike can be "too good" for you in terms of initial cost, buy the best bike you can afford** that makes you smile the most. But I've known riders fall into the trap of getting a bike that's too sporty/Race orientated for them when they would be much happier and more comfortable (and likely as a result more efficient and faster) on a bike targeted towards endurance over speed. **as I keep trying to hammer into my kids being able to cover the initial cost and being able to AFFORD something are two different things. No point spending all that money and then having to downgrade parts later as they wear because you didn't think about maintenance costs. Ideally (maybe with the exception of the frame and wheelset) you should be financially able to replace any individual component that becomes unusable, like for like on the day it stops working.
Yeah as much as I love my 2021 Canyon Ultimate, I'm a 40 year old, 108kg fat man with an ftp of just over 200. I'm definitely not seeing the case for upgrading the bike to improve performance any time soon.
The dentists and doctors help fund the high end improvements that occur in the bike industry that trickle down to everyone else. And yes, when I was 17, riding up 200 miles a week on a pretty generic bike, I sneered at the fat old guys on much nicer bikes (that would be me now). Also, never driven a Lambo, let alone commuted in one, but a business near one of the local paths would often have a black Countach parked in the lot. Badass daily driver!
Please, Si, it is 'older' riders, not old riders. And everyone is older than someone. And I like the throwback charm of the Canyon and yeah, the '90s weren't all that long ago for those of us who remember them like yesterday. And some of my favorite sightings of the '90s here in the States were all the road and off-road bikes attached to the outsides of cars, roof racks or trunk racks or whatever. And it was a common sight, much more so than today. There was something special about the '90s and bikes.
Appreciating is key in my view. You have a superbike, fine, good luck to you but respect it for heaven's sake and value your good fortune. I was at a cafe a few weeks ago and a group rocked up with the guy in front on an S-Works Dura Ace Aethos. Near enough £14k list price. He literally chucks it against a stone wall and his buddies pile their, also-not-cheap, bikes on top. It's getting scratched to ****. What a total pillock that guy was.
Honestly I think the bike on a semi is a hack, odds are the truck driver owns said bike and uses it to get around without having to drive a massive semi. When you live on the road, it's shocking how nice it can be to get out of the truck. It also helps with the laws around driving a truck. Once you've hit time, for the day it's a lot easier to cycle 3 miles and pick up some shopping at a local grocery store rather than being limited what you can find at a truck stop. As someone who's worked closely with a lot of truckers, they too would have a bike with them, if they thought it was safe enough to get around on one. That was almost certianly a US truck, and there are no walkable cities in the US ... Period ... Even a bike is hard, but a bike is easier than trying to drive a truck after you put in all your hours for the day, dealing with electronic logs.
This ones for Olli as I know he likes a hill climbing challenge Heres a hillclimb I thought you would like riding up it from ca 200m up to 2600m, a distance of 72km (komoot). The only problem is, is that it's in Taiwan on Route 21 from Shuili up the Yushan mountain.
I'm 52 and slightly owerweight, I ride a carbon fibre Felt B12 TT-bike with a disc rear and 3-spoke front wheel, definitely too fast for me, even though it is quite old-school with rim brakes, 10-speed rear mech and tubular tires. I even sometimes ride it to work, in my flabby work clothes and a backpack.
I haven't been jealous of anyones bike since my teammate got a new Bianchi Superleggera in 1981. That bike really was cool but then again he was good enough racer to make use of it. Fast forward 45 years, That bike is now mine. BTW I don't drive a Lamborghini to work but do have a Ferrari Ive driven once or twice to the work lot. I have lots of bikes now and don't feel I need a carbon bike to go fast, I can ride anything at a good clip.
Defintely been envious, and if i had tons of cash i would 100% buy a "posh" bike. I got a hand me down Madone from my dad when he got a new bike, and it was 100% too fast. Super twitchy and all that. I never felt all that comfortable taking my hands off the bar, and ended up crashing head over the bars at 10kph, and face first into the asphalt as I was going through a stop sign. Took my hands off to thank someone for letting me go first, and the wheel snapped sideways and i just went straight over. STill have a racing bike I guess, but its a bit more relaxed than the Madone.
I'm 72 and ride a Felt AR1 with DI2. It is too good for me, but I love it. It's really nice to ride and I do keep it clean. I have put on compact front chainring and will be needing a long cage rear mech for the summer. Age is not kind to us cyclists !
I'm 67 and totally agee. My bikes look new due to loving and enjoyable maintenance but have thousands of miles on them. They are ridden but never abused.
What do you think? Share your thoughts with us 💬
i bought a classic 90s roadbike from giant, very used for 150 euros and i am not going to shave my legs before riding it. and i will not hide my man boobs either. :D
If I'm pedaling it, my bike is not fast. Sadly its potential is nowhere near being met, not even downhill.
Thank you for the video!
If I had lots and lots of money.. I would drive a Lamborghini all day long.. and fly on a private jet.. not ride a road bike 😁
That attitude is for broke people, if you can afford it, and you earned it or didn't steal it at least, then buy whatever you want. Those haterz just wish they had the superbike, go and flex to your hearts content.
I love carbon bikes and aero carbon wheels. I have a full campy record de Rosa merak bike & dura ace cervelo s3 bike (both 10 speed) and they are far too good for me. I’m so crap at cycling & really lazy but I just enjoy them 😂
I'm 20 years old and saved up for around 3 years from working in a bike shop and eventually bought my Colnago V3Rs in frozen blue, zipp 303s, dura ace mechanical. 100% the bike is too good for me (I am no Pogacar) and I don't ride it anywhere near as much as it deserves. But everyday I look at it and it makes me smile and reminds me that if I work hard it eventually pays off.
Great bike!!
Love this. I do the same thing!
Nice! After finishing my PhD and signing my firat work contract, I didn't see much sens of saved money in a bank account. Got a Ribble ultra slr... Cause I can😁
Arrived in the middle of winter and is still hanging on the wall... Can't wait for some dry, sunny weather to get that machine going😅
That's fine. Everyone has their own priorities! If it makes you happy.....
Ding ding ding you nailed it , I can’t afford a XKE Jag but I can have a great bike.
At some point you hit a certain age and have lived well within your means you realize you can spend whatever you like on a bike. I'm nowhere near as fast as I was 30 years ago and I own a bike that is at least 4x more expensive than I did back then. I've worked hard and I love my bike, it's what I want to spend my money on so I don't care about what others think.
Well put Sean! Treat yourself to the bike of your dreams 🙌
@@gcn If it's bad weather outside, I go out in my garage and just stare at my bike and smile. I know what you're thinking just ride inside, my new bike is Campy and my old turbo trainer won't work. I spent to much on my bike for my wife to let me buy a bike AND a new trainer at the same time.
What do you have? I'm trying to justify a C68
I've reached that happy place in my life (62 and drawing two pensions). Even though I can still sort of do it, I don't care very much about going fast and ride comfortably at 17-ish mph for the most part. I'd like to think I don't judge others for their bikes at all, but I fear on some level I might have. I guess that's because, even though I could, I don't overspend on any single bike, and maybe I don't think others should either.
@@rangersmith4652 "maybe I don't think others should either"
And there lies the issue. You do you. Let others do them
The thing is: when you're young and in good shape, you usually don't have the money to ride fast and expensive bikes. When you're old, it's the opposite. 😭
Hahahah the cruel cycling paradox... 😂
Bikes aren't fast, legs are fast.
Same with sports cars!!! Middle age crazy!!!
So true..., 😀..., im 56 now in the best shape of my life & currently riding a custom matt black Merida Reacto 4000 hydraulic disc 2020 with full Ultegra groupset from the stock 105.., hand built 40mm carbon rims made by Owen Wheels of Rat Race Cycles based in Nun head, South East London fitted with 160mm carbon roters...., been riding bike's since i was 4 yrs old on a trike then progressed to building my very first road bike at age 13/14 seems now like a lifetime away & yes i had to save up my paper round money week after week after week to buy parts "second hand" as i couldn't afford brand new at that time but let's fast forward to 50 "odd" years later that i find not second guessing myself spending £5k on a aero road bike but 🤫🤫🤫 don't tell the wife 😂🤣😂
👍
3 weeks ago my heart condition finally caught up with me and until I have a defibrillator installed in my chest I’m not allowed to ride my bike (in fact all exercise is off limits).
Moral of the story, cheap or expensive, just be thankful you’re able to ride it!
Get well soon!
Hope you’re doing well and back on the bike now or soon mate!
@@CommissionerManu I’m doing well enough that I can start riding again next week. Thanx!
@@McLovin38FFs Wow, congratulations! I’ve seen first hand how full on heart issues can be with family members in the past, so it’s genuinely wonderful news to hear how far you’ve come!
As an overweight 50 year old with a Specialized Tarmac SL7 I can affirm that a bike can be too fast for you. 😂😂 And… I love it. It’s so beautiful that I want to ride it.
That's what it all comes down to! Do you think you would ride as much if your bike wasn't as nice? 💭
I’ve always loved to ride and put thousands and thousands of miles on my old bike, but, I love the tarmac so much that I do think I ride more than I would if I had my old bike.
It feels faster - - even though I know I am not actually fast and I get passed frequently by individuals riding bikes that are much older and less expensive than mine.
That’s one of the reasons I love biking, though - - I’m always competing against myself and not others.
Conversely, after I wash one of my bikes, I find it looks so good all shined up that I hesitate to take it out again and get it all dirty.
I started cycling about 4 years ago and bought a Pinarello dogma f12 myway for $17,500 a little after cycling for 2 years. I love how it gives me additional motivation to get out there and ride to stay healthy. You don’t have to be a pro to ride a pros bike. Whatever you can afford that gets you out there riding.
My bike may be too good for me, but it gives me an incentive to try and work that much harder to meet its level.
This is all that matters! Nice bikes make you want to ride 🙌
That is the way I feel with mine too. I also feel the need to make sure the bike lasts because it felt quite eye watering to buy.
I like the bike more than anything I rode before, even with a pretty poor year in terms of cardio last year and am already back to being nearly best speed aftere a couple of months. So Now I just want to be faster than ever despite being an OMIL and knowing I am not as fit as I was 30 plus years ago.
@@gcn I dissagree, the love of cycling makes you want to ride. And nice bikes are nice and faster and so on. But i want to ride whichever bike i have.
I think what we all need is a bike that is a bit better than us but not loads better. I used to feel, on my cheap hybrid bike, that I had more speed to give and the bike was holding me back. Nowadays even though I ride what might be considered an entry level road bike I always feel the bike has more speed in it that I don't have the legs to unlock. That last 12 tooth cassette is almost never used! However, what made me no longer envious of people with better bikes was when I started riding it in areas where people have much better bikes and I found I was just as fast as some of them and even faster than a few on super bikes. Really put into perspective the point about marginal gains and that ultimately the rider makes the biggest difference; not the bike. Besides, if I had a super bike I would just be terrified of it being either stolen if I left it anywhere or scratched if I crash.
Bike guilt and shame is a big thing. I agonized over choosing my new bike which in the end was an electric gravel bike. I wanted an alternative to my road bike I could ride that would reduce stress on my knees. I passed two Rapha clad enthusiasts on a climb and was scoffed at. It felt very much like "get in your place". I wish we could be kinder to each other
Great to hear that you have made the jump to an Ebike! How are you finding it? ⚡
@@gcn So far so good. It's meant longer days in the saddle as my knee is less likely to flare up. I've seen new parts of my local area (Aberfoyle) that I didn't know existed. It's meant I can do zone 2 training which was previously difficult with all the hills. The big downside? It doesn't count to my riding total on Strava 🥺😅
I have recently retired and spent some of my lump sum on a Specialized Tarmac SL7. I thought it would be a huge upgrade from my old Canyon Ultimate circa 2017. Although the Tarmac is aero that doesn't really come into play until you are knocking on 40kmh . So I'm much faster going downhill now, but on the straight and level where i can manage about 34kmh for 10km on a good day, there's very little improvement and i'm slower uphill! So yes a bike can be to good for the rider.
The first real bike I've bought as an adult was a ~$8,000 Specialized gravel bike. I got big ass MTB pedals on it and I love it. I don't care what anyone else thinks, having a nice bike makes me want to ride more.
Sounds like a great bike! Has it taken you on lots of fun adventures? 👀
@@gcn Yeah, it is a joy, every ride is a fun adventure for me, even just on a local trail or even on a road loop.
The only time it feels a bit much is on downhills with a crosswind, definitely gets a little jittery, due to the lightweight.
I currently ride a bike that is "too fast" for me. After 30 years of riding heavy steel touring bikes, I finally got a titanium Litespeed Cherohala with Ultegra Di2 components. Not only does it look fast, it looks "bling". I've overheard people talking that at my age I don't need a bike like this, but I finally have the cash to be able to afford a high speed bike, and it does make me noticably faster than on my heavy bike. And even more important, I get a smile on my face every time I ride it
"And even more important, I get a smile on my face every time I ride it"- Thats really what it comes down to!
That smile on your face is the only reason you need 🙌 Have you submitted this bike to the bike vault? We would love to see it 👉 gcn.eu/app
I am relatively new to road bike cycling, having only been doing it for a year. However, for my 50th birthday, I treated myself to a 2019 Bianchi Infinito CV - a brand that I fell in love with 10 years ago during a cycling tour around Verona. I opted for this model over the Oltre as I didn't want to pretend to be seen as a serious racer; rather, I wanted something that was visually appealing and comfortable to ride once or twice a week. I'm grateful that I didn't choose a Merida or Giant, which are often the go-to choices for Australians starting out in cycling. While I wouldn't necessarily call myself a bike snob, there is something deeply satisfying about finally being able to ride the bike you've always wanted. In the past, I've owned sports cars, but this is the first "toy" that I genuinely look forward to using each week to try to improve my speed and distance. It's a difficult sensation to put into words.
Reminds me of a newbie at the club. Couldn't keep up with the 25 km an hour group. She showed up two weeks later on a brand new carbon bianchi aero bike. And still couldn't keep up. Buy the bike that makes you ride more and you'll get better :)
Very true! Bikes that you love will keep excited to ride 🔥
Time trial difference between trek madone 6.9 SSL 2013 and my 1984 mid level Trek road bike is 8 minutes faster over 20 miles bike does make a BIG difference
pablo clark
16 seconds ago
Time trial difference between trek madone 6.9 SSL 2013 and my 1984 mid level Trek road bike is 8 minutes faster over 20 miles bike does make a BIG difference
@@pabloclark3332 "my 2013 Ferrari is faster than my 1984 VW golf" ... Duh. My 2022 Aeroad is noticeably faster than my 2016 ultimate. But if your power output is less than 200 watts you're still not fast by any measure.
Since I was a little kid I've always dreamt of having a beautiful road bike. And through very unfortunate circumstances I inherited a good amount of money.
The number 1 thing I wanted to spend some of it on was a bike, and so I did. Throughout the winter it hangs on a wall inside the house like a decoration, and I enjoy looking at it everyday. No way I can justify the cost of it with my level of fitness, but I really don't care, cause I love it and it keeps me motivated to trains during the winter, because I want to ride it in the summer.
Can't argue with that! 🙌 What bike did you buy? 👀
@@gcn a Canyon Ultimate CFR 🙌
I did a lot of soul searching when confronted with the question of expensive bikes. When you realize that life is short, then you appreciate life and everything it has to offer. Getting a great bike is an achievement in life, and why not? I do happen to think that it is sad that we worry about what people think of others, so as to be accepted by the tribe. But psychologically, it is how we are programmed, Like it or not.
Being a MAMIL (or MAWIL, as the case may be) is liberating as most of us over sixty don't give a S#1t. I just like to ride because I like it, and feel crap if I don't. A well equipped quality bike 😏 just pleases my soul.🙏 Amen
Completely agree!
Having a Dogma F, I definitely have a 'too fast' bike too, my decision to buy it was based on the time I spend on it yearly (about 500 hours). It is more than any other activity (besides sleeping and working), so it really deserves the best.
#captioncompetition: Tadej Pogacar celebrates his win over some prick in a Skoda.
Too funny! as a hobby with my wife, we became home chefs. we entertain a lot. Admittedly, It really bothers me how many friends we have that have these amazingly expensive and expansive kitchens and literally never cook! All my friends I ride with also race and they clearly know exactly what they're doing on the expensive bikes they ride.
I upgraded my road bike a couple of years ago. Most I've ever spent on a bike but it was relatively cheap - from the cheapest end of the range. Most important thing is the geometry fits me, so I can, and want to, ride it more. And she's beautiful!
The timing couldn't have been better for this question! I got a new bike on Friday (Trek Checkpoint SL frameset built with GRX Di2 2X groupset and my existing Roval terra wheels) and I do think it is too fast/good for me. But I also think I deserve it - for all those years on lesser bikes dreaming, and then last year completing my ambition riding Brussels-Sweden-Brussels. I am now old and slow, too slow for such a wonder bike. But damn! It is fun to ride it!
"If you've got the legs, you don't need to shave them." Brilliant.
I have a very mid-range bike and I use strava on my phone. I could get a more expensive bike with more expensive parts with expensive bike sensors, but I like riding my bike for a great workout and enjoying the fresh air!
if i had the money, i'd totally buy a Pinarello Dogma F to drive 5 miles to get some ice cream.
Who couldn't! It's the perfect ice-cream bike 🍦
Hi guys, in reference to Si's comment re thankful for what he has, some of us should be thankful. I have worked in a bike shop for over 30 years as a hobby. I always tell customers the first owners treated me well and the current owners treat me like family. I get to ride bikes I could not otherwise afford, I go into work everyday thankful in the extreme. I've had bowel cancer and as you indicated get some strange looks because of my belly...unfortunately it's all hernia. But I love all my bikes and I'm constantly thankful to the team that put up with me. I've been watching you for years and refer all newbies to your channel. Keep up the good work. Regards Uncle Fester.
I live in NY and every time I go to the park I see people on bikes that cost 3/4x more than mine. Not worth getting annoyed, just hit the drops and pass them. If they don't react, you know they're experienced. If they throw a fit and chase you down then you give them a smile and say "oh are we racing?". Worth a good laugh
Met an old man who had just bought himself a 10k plus super bike, I was on my steel surly trucker. He told me he'd been riding steel for 25 years and was ready for something different. He earned it. I hope to do the same after caring for my steel bike for that long
I watched that video AFTER having bought a 12k EUR eMTB and yes, I am no pro, but heck, i f*g appreciate its strength. People on the street already look at me like a ***, but nobody of them knows of my physical health implications (hence the "e" in the eMTB), and I also did not want to ride a racing bike anymore, being a roady for decades, I intentionally chose something that will actively slow me down (fully) but still fits my style (looking like a sports bike). so yeah, THAT was the only bike that I actually felt fully comfortable and appreciating and happy with. -- I am just learning to ignore those jealous looks and shouting people at me for riding an over-expensive cheating bike -- Thanks for your video! :)
I grew up with absolutely nothing but I'm now in a position where i could afford my S Works Aethos so I got it and it makes me smile - life is short, buy the bike
Great discussion point at the start. I often feel envious of pretty much any road bike I see as am still riding my 15 year old Specialized Allez! However I also want to prove that I can go faster, work harder and endure longer using an older model. But if I happened to stumble across a bountiful sum and not turn it over to the police, I’d certainly be purchasing something carbon and aero with deep section wheels, because lets be honest… I’d love to have something like that!
Great to hear that your older bike isn't keeping you from riding! Sounds like it's doing the opposite! What would your dream bike be? 🚲
@@gcn Oh great question! I’d love a Ribble Ultra SLR! I love the idea of the F1 front wing inspired cockpit! Got any of those to hand you’d like to throw my way?!? 🤪
Si, Love your presentations and the way you are at GCN, but just want to say people who are older are not dead. Nice cars are not wasted on them. I am a 64 year old woman and ride my Bianchi Oltre XR4 with joy. I cycled over 11,000 kms last year and 12,000 the year before, and intend to keep riding until I'm unable to.
Yes, very good point! Sorry, I feel like now I’m nearly 40 I can get away with saying things like that but perhaps not just yet.
I had a team mate, who wasn't really a fast rider at all, but was well off financially. He'd always show up to the group ride with carbon tubulars on, and one time I asked him "Why do you bring carbon tubular race wheels to the weekend group ride?" His answer was, well, I'm not a great racer and every race is a miserable experience so why would I only use the nicest things I have on the least fun days?
After that conversation, I quit judging people. I got fatter as I got older but I also got better in my career and now I have the fancy bike that people will judge. Do not care at all :)
Always felt I needed a top end bike with at minimum Ultegra, usually Dura Ace. Now though I go top end Endurance bike vs race bike, ever since I came down with OLD. Currently Sworks Roubaix and a Cannondale Synapse RLE1.
Looking and discussing gravel bikes with a friend we spied an Ibis MX di2 for sale. My comment “ nice bike , pricey though”. His “ you’re 70yrs old, maybe riding for 10 more years do you want to do it on a cheap gravel bike?” I own an Ibis. I love it and couldn’t care less what people think.
Few years ago I listened to Faris Al-Sultan, former triathlon world champion, mock age group triathletes being slow on more expensive bikes than pros. That's not fair, specially on national TV, if you can afford it and want to, just do it. Cycling is all about enjoying the sport and that includes the equipment.
#captioncompetition Pogacar taking a bow during the neutral roll out as the rest of the race is just a formality at this point.
I'm early 20s just got into road cycling, ended up getting a 8yr old bordman cslr with ultegra groupset for a good deal i think, and yeah more than happy with the spec and it didn't cost a fortune, no hurry to upgrade at all, apart from some slightly narrower bars but yeah as a noob if I don't total it I can see myself keeping it for a while 😅
I started racing when I was 8. By the time I was 20 I had been through a string of second-hand frames and swapping the parts across each time. I had been saving for years by this stage and even though I was a student I bought a Daccordi frame made from Columbus Max tubing which was the state of the art at the time. To build it up I got a Dura-Ace 7400 groupset (first generation STI) acquired as a 21st birthday present, complete with a Flite Saddle and Wolber Profil 18 (285g) rims. I went to the final stage of the Sun Tour that year (1990) and walked around the pits looking at bikes. Whilst some of the pros had similar frames, and others had the same groupset no-one had a bike as good as mine. Whilst I did briefly get to A grade on my bike I was never as fast as the bike could have been. However I am still riding the same bike (upgraded groupset in 2006) at the age of 53. A modern bike might be lighter but I'll never change my race bike.
I saw a comment that changed my perspective on buying too nice of a bike. At 105kg myself, the weight savings from a carbon over an aluminum frame won’t matter too much. I have like 20kg to lose before I should think about shaving weight from my bike
I picked up a brand new Time Alpe d'Huez yesterday. DuraAce group and wheels. WAY more bike than I need talent-wise. and I won't give a tinch what people think when they see me on the road as I'll be too busy enjoying the ride on this thing. I bought a high quality bike with some of the best components I could because the last major bike I bought was 2013. once every ten years seems fine to me to go nuts, surely?
Si and Dan - best duo ever. Age jokes vs ankle jokes etc
I appreciate these two so much
Must say, I quite enjoyed, this summer, overtaking a younger guy on his high end carbon bike, up the hill on the south coast road on the Isle of Wight, on my steel framed road bike ladened down with my camping gear on its panniers 😂
Very impressive work! 💪
Echoing many folks here. I've ridden lower quality bikes for years and always dreamed of a sexy, lightweight bike. I'm over 50 now. I've worked hard and earned a better standard of living as I've gotten older. I just spent $3000 (still a lot of money for me) on a Rose Reveal and have no regrets. It's admittedly more bike than I need, but it's a real beauty and helps get my old achy body up some of the bigger hills. I have gotten a few looks, but I don't care. I've earned it, I love it, it looks beautiful and it keeps me turning over the pedals.
When I was 18-20, I was lucky enough to work at the best bike shop in the world -- Ottawa Bikeway, run by Ian Brown. I had a nice bike. But, loved the great bikes that the company sold. I was always envious of middle-aged guys coming in and buying the fancy stuff. Did they really need it? Well, years have passed, and I can answer the question now... ABSOLUTELY YES. :^) Be passionate about what you do, and do it on the best bikes you can. At the same time, don't let having "not the best bike" keep you from getting out there.
As a 21 year old, I had a very fast road bike for the time. 40 years later, I'm still riding the same bike, which is probably quite slow when compared to modern aero road bikes. But since I'm a lot slower myself these days, the "bike and rider" combination has probably matched over the years. The enjoyment factor however, remains exactly the same.
Super cool to hear that you are keeping the same bike going! Is it still your only bike? 🤔
@@gcn I do have some other bikes (gravel, backpacking, touring, and one for going to the pub) but I like to get out on my 40 year old road bike as often as I can. It’s certainly the one I find most enjoyable to ride.
Joules, my 1977 PX-10 is still going strong! I have upgraded the components, but the frame still rides great!
@@ronbell7920 I have a Peugeot 080 model (a hybrid frame that can fit 38mm tyres and mudguards). I rate old Peugeot steel frames very highly.
I really appreciate the main talking point. I recently financed a super bike and did a custom paint job (WWF theme - half Hulk Hogan/Half Ultimate Warrior). While I'm no pro, A few factors led to me purchasing. 1.) i've raced triathlon for over ten years on an entry level bike and have another ten years+ ahead of me. 2.) I originally told myself I'd purchase it as a gift for losing the excess weight but was convinced by a number of cycling friends that I oughta get one ASAP due to looming supply chain issues. 3.) It forces me to lose weight faster due to more aggressive position. 4.) While I'm not a pro, I have qualified for IM 70.3 world championships and age group Team USA world championships in the not-too-distant past. 5.) YOLO, don't be afraid to go big with your passion(s).
Get well soon Dan - He always looks fast.
14:36 we've all been there.
If it makes you feel better I did an exhausted curb hop in front of about 30 club riders that had amassed.Chewed tarmac and then back to a tasty hillclimb.
They had Gucci jerseys too.
I think the point about bike fit and handling is really the most salient way that a bike can be too fast / too much for some riders.
Even despite pro-style bikes shifting towards slightly more upright positions of late, *most people* don't need race bikes and would be better served by an endurance-oriented road bike.
Re: hack/bodge Bike on Tractor I knew a truck driver who used his bike(he usually put in the trailer) to get around (out to dinner, to the store, the bar(pub)) after he stopped driving for the day. It was more convenient than trying to go somewhere with the tractor.
IRON BOARD is the best way to store things between two bike setup!
I bought a Pinarello Dogma F with duraace after becoming Super Radouneur within 6 months of starting Cycling.I love it and it is a breeze though descent sometimes are slippery..
I remember feeling guilty At getting my trek 5200 USPS team colors bike but I bought it used and it Rides great still to this Day. it's Not the latest n greatest but around my town it's still top notch carbon road bike and it gets alot of thumbs up!!
Since he came up: I once sold a Brompton to Adam Savage. Though it was online and surely through his assistant. Still, I took extra pride packaging that bike up to send down to him in California.
Nothing gives me more joy during races than passing old men riding their fancy, expensive tri bikes while I'm zooming along on my used 2012 Cervelo P3 with aluminum wheels, bought for just $500.
I'm not jealous of their bikes, but I do judge them for not putting in more time training...how embarrassing to get beat by a girl ♀️🤦♀️
All my equipment it secondhand and upgraded. It's cosmetically showing its age, with paint chips, exposed cables etc but my bikes are my pride and joy. The smile on my face when I roll round the countryside says everything.
Basically it comes down to age, of course if you are pushing 45+ you will be opting for the lightest bike you can get. Especially if you live near large bodies of water with the massive winds associated with it. Also non integrated cables is always the better option as far as repairs and fixing your bike.
My 78yr old mum had a QOM on a short segment . She rode a 2005 Giant MTB wirh road/gravel touring tyres.
The opposition from 2nd to 10th were on Gucci bikes and smart Lycra. FACT. It ain’t the bike in many cases as the normal level of riding.
As long as it's pleasurable to ride, the price just doesn't matter. Comfort, smoothness, efficiency. That's enough for me on my secondhand 2019 Cannondale!
Well said 🙌
8:34 I’m watching the episode from an hotel room on my way to pick up my dream bike that was custom built on my specs.
Yes, people might look at me and say I’m not that pro-athlete to deserve it.
But then again, who cares?
I don’t want a fancy car or motorbike, I ride more km/year than I drive, I’ve saved up for the past two years for this and it will make me happier than blowing my money on fancy clothes.
Eghhhh, a dirty bike may be a very often ridden bike. I admire a little bit of road grime on an often ridden bike vs an immaculate garage queen or wall hanger. I do reserve the right to be judgy about a dry chain. It always feels good to pass a person with a nicer bike. For that reason alone please newbies, buy nice bikes!
I bought my bike from my local bike shop's owner who is a former pro. Each time I ride it a apologise for being so slow. It must be like a race horse that has been asked to provide beach rides for old people. It is way too good for my abilities, but I appreciate every single ride I have on it.
A few years back I helped form a.social riding group, the purpose being to explore dirt Jeep roads and backcountry areas at a social pace for riders of any means or abilities. It worked well, and folks who can only afford their old mountain bikes rode along with everyone else. Now frequently some people show up with very high end bikes built for racing. They obviously really enjoy riding these bikes but instead of a social group ride the ride dynamics change. Sometimes I feel pressured to buy a much “ better” bike (meaning lighter and faster and enormously more expensive than what I ride) just so I’m not struggling to keep up, but I actively try not to get into the “ I’ve got to go fast” mindset as it is true that the faster you go the less you see. End result is that last summer I rode mainly alone. I guess my point is that if you have a fast bike but are riding socially with those who don’t and aren’t interested in racing, be a little sensitive as to the purpose of the ride.
3 things come to my mind:
1. Geometry is too aero (aka stretched out) for it's rider
2. Brakes have too much grip (leading to slipping frontwheels)
3. Chainrings are too big and the rider can't get the needed pressure on the pedal
Other than that, whatever's someone willing to pay is his own matter. "Live and let live"
During a coffee stop, I like to admire the various bikes of others. I don't tend to care if the owner deserves/earned it. As an industry, cycling can only benefit from customers who can afford the expensive models. And plenty of those bikes will appear on the used market after 2-3 years, benefitting someone who can't afford them new.
I can totally appreciate the sentiment here. I about to pull the trigger on a high quality triathlon bike (my apologies, did I swear?). I put out decent power numbers but nothing all that amazing. For me, it's a motivation to get stronger and make myself worthy of the quality of the bike. For what it's worth, I'm not particularly well off either. I've been planning this purchase for awhile and it's still not a "smart" financial decision but the excitement of having a great bike that is me telling myself I'm ready for the next level in gear and training is too much to pass up.
The bike on the back of the semi trailer cab was awesome. I'm for one, really pleased with assuming that the driver might actually own a pushbike and maybe usese it for riding errands around town. Even if itt's just to avoid attempting to park the monster at the local mall. Five stars to that truck driver from me.
I actually race on my bike, but I didn't want to spend a fortune on it. It's a nice and very light carbon bike, with Shimano 105, disc brakes, etc. I think it hits the perfect balance for me 😀. I race for fun and I don't have "unlimited" budget but I'm quite happy with it 😄 . It's crazy that I payed that much for a road bike when my full sus MTB bike was about the same price but it has so much more tech in it: 130mm travel front and back, 29" wheels, 1 x 12 (11-51), 150mm dropper post...
Do you think a more "affordable" road bike makes a great race bike. You're a little less scared to crash and a little less precious when racing.
@@gcn It's also easier to maintain. Still I was so upset last year when I crashed and badly scratched the levers...
Caption competition: Have I set the gears in biggie-smalls? I want it to look supernice on the finish photo.
#captioncompetition Multitasking 101: Giving the birds a high five whilst simultaneously checking my socks are still UCI legal... Side note: How nice are my legs
I've learnt much over the years from GCN but most memorable are Si's idioms like "faffing around". I'll never look at my crappy pump again without thinking about faffing.
I felt envious of a cycling club mate who bought Trek's top of the range Madone. I bought a US$500 second hand bike dated 2013 with stock wheels and ten speed Tiagra. I couldn't keep up on a long hill, but I managed to destroy him on a flat section followed by a short hill sprint. :)
For me a months wages is the sweet spot for the price of a bike. Depending on what you do with it you go up, or down a bit. Also you can always get better wheels, tires etc afterwards. A bike is more of a work in progress to me. Unless you get a new frame. Then it's another bike 😂
The best thing is that truck comes with an optional trailer for when you need to transport your friends’ bikes.
I bought a sworks venge 7 years ago. I bought it because I loved the bike , the shape, the colour and because I could finally afford to… just. I still have the Venge and love it each and every time I see it. I really don’t care if I’m not a pro rider. This is my ride and that’s the end of it.
#captionconpetition Pogacâr: ‘Vingegaard you sherbert, it just takes a DIP here and a DAB on the breaks there like this’
Thanks Si , Dan and crew...all the gear , and no idea ? I think , if you've got it , flaunt it , baby ! Once I learned how much good bikes cost.....things changed for me . Older, newbie a few years back , I found the whole scene to be about money ..I learn a lot from shows like this..even so , Ive made some mistakes. Bikes in the beds..money side down ??
Gravel bikes are the cure to all of society's ailments. GCN should recommend them more often.
Sure thing 🧘♂
Not sure if a bike can be too good for its owner but, I do enjoy dropping those high dollar rides with my more affordable setup.
It can be a very smug feeling 👀
I just replaced one inner tube in my bike from 2017 for the first time and I ride every day this is why I love bontrager. My inner tube would have lasted longer but I skid a lot and have been using the same tire and didn't replace the tire until it was completely destroyed.
A good bike is only as effective as the person riding it! I realised this when I jumped on my newly bought race bike and realised the only thing holding it back was me. That inspired me to ride it as much as possible.
If it got you riding then it's done it's job 🙌 Is it now your go to bike?
@@gcn Yup! Two or three times a day 😂🙏
Great to see Dan doing a "Schwarzkopf" with the watches! I do the same thing! Cheers to you Dan!
Before I even watched the segment, the answer was a resounding "Yes!" But, that hasn't stopped me from ordering an even more expensive bike than I currently own. As mid-life crises go, a Pinarello is a lot less expensive than a Porsche
Would love to see more videos with Bromptons. How about a challenge, regular bike v folding bike such as taking the bike on transport systems, in malls and shops as well as sports stadiums, ease of travelling with the bike and so on. Who would be the winner...
Great idea! How about this old school commuter challenge? 👉 ua-cam.com/video/gNzTeEzciec/v-deo.html
Yes, I remember this one@@gcn😍😍😍. May need an update 😅😅😅
I don't think a bike can be "too good" for you in terms of initial cost, buy the best bike you can afford** that makes you smile the most. But I've known riders fall into the trap of getting a bike that's too sporty/Race orientated for them when they would be much happier and more comfortable (and likely as a result more efficient and faster) on a bike targeted towards endurance over speed.
**as I keep trying to hammer into my kids being able to cover the initial cost and being able to AFFORD something are two different things. No point spending all that money and then having to downgrade parts later as they wear because you didn't think about maintenance costs. Ideally (maybe with the exception of the frame and wheelset) you should be financially able to replace any individual component that becomes unusable, like for like on the day it stops working.
Yeah as much as I love my 2021 Canyon Ultimate, I'm a 40 year old, 108kg fat man with an ftp of just over 200. I'm definitely not seeing the case for upgrading the bike to improve performance any time soon.
The dentists and doctors help fund the high end improvements that occur in the bike industry that trickle down to everyone else. And yes, when I was 17, riding up 200 miles a week on a pretty generic bike, I sneered at the fat old guys on much nicer bikes (that would be me now).
Also, never driven a Lambo, let alone commuted in one, but a business near one of the local paths would often have a black Countach parked in the lot. Badass daily driver!
Please, Si, it is 'older' riders, not old riders. And everyone is older than someone. And I like the throwback charm of the Canyon and yeah, the '90s weren't all that long ago for those of us who remember them like yesterday. And some of my favorite sightings of the '90s here in the States were all the road and off-road bikes attached to the outsides of cars, roof racks or trunk racks or whatever. And it was a common sight, much more so than today. There was something special about the '90s and bikes.
'I dont know what to make of that. Its just a bike on a truck. I say bodge.' Comment plus expression. LOL. Dan is so funny sometimes.
Appreciating is key in my view. You have a superbike, fine, good luck to you but respect it for heaven's sake and value your good fortune. I was at a cafe a few weeks ago and a group rocked up with the guy in front on an S-Works Dura Ace Aethos. Near enough £14k list price. He literally chucks it against a stone wall and his buddies pile their, also-not-cheap, bikes on top. It's getting scratched to ****. What a total pillock that guy was.
Honestly I think the bike on a semi is a hack, odds are the truck driver owns said bike and uses it to get around without having to drive a massive semi. When you live on the road, it's shocking how nice it can be to get out of the truck. It also helps with the laws around driving a truck. Once you've hit time, for the day it's a lot easier to cycle 3 miles and pick up some shopping at a local grocery store rather than being limited what you can find at a truck stop. As someone who's worked closely with a lot of truckers, they too would have a bike with them, if they thought it was safe enough to get around on one. That was almost certianly a US truck, and there are no walkable cities in the US ... Period ... Even a bike is hard, but a bike is easier than trying to drive a truck after you put in all your hours for the day, dealing with electronic logs.
that bike is definitely in the lorry driver's blind spot!
This ones for Olli as I know he likes a hill climbing challenge
Heres a hillclimb I thought you would like riding up it from ca 200m up to 2600m, a distance of 72km (komoot). The only problem is, is that it's in Taiwan on Route 21 from Shuili up the Yushan mountain.
I'm 52 and slightly owerweight, I ride a carbon fibre Felt B12 TT-bike with a disc rear and 3-spoke front wheel, definitely too fast for me, even though it is quite old-school with rim brakes, 10-speed rear mech and tubular tires. I even sometimes ride it to work, in my flabby work clothes and a backpack.
I have many things that are too good for me: my wife and my bike chief amongst them.
I haven't been jealous of anyones bike since my teammate got a new Bianchi Superleggera in 1981. That bike really was cool but then again he was good enough racer to make use of it. Fast forward 45 years, That bike is now mine. BTW I don't drive a Lamborghini to work but do have a Ferrari Ive driven once or twice to the work lot. I have lots of bikes now and don't feel I need a carbon bike to go fast, I can ride anything at a good clip.
I bought it, it's mine, end of story! I like my bike and therefore it has the perfect speed every time I ride it!
Right!
Defintely been envious, and if i had tons of cash i would 100% buy a "posh" bike. I got a hand me down Madone from my dad when he got a new bike, and it was 100% too fast. Super twitchy and all that. I never felt all that comfortable taking my hands off the bar, and ended up crashing head over the bars at 10kph, and face first into the asphalt as I was going through a stop sign. Took my hands off to thank someone for letting me go first, and the wheel snapped sideways and i just went straight over. STill have a racing bike I guess, but its a bit more relaxed than the Madone.
#captioncompetition “Winning Paris-Nice… literally no sweat with this antiperspirant!”
#captioncompetition When you realize dabbing and bowing are 1st cousins... or half siblings!
I'm 72 and ride a Felt AR1 with DI2. It is too good for me, but I love it. It's really nice to ride and I do keep it clean. I have put on compact front chainring and will be needing a long cage rear mech for the summer. Age is not kind to us cyclists !
I'm 67 and totally agee. My bikes look new due to loving and enjoyable maintenance but have thousands of miles on them. They are ridden but never abused.