I'll never get into competitive cycling simply because it's 50% a pay-to-win sport. You have to have sufficient gear in running as well, but it's the difference between $200 per year and $5000 per year for a decent bike.
former dee three wrote: $5000 per year for a decent bike.
per year?
I like GCN, and I've seen that before, but the difference isn't as big as they say. Aerodynamics is 80% the rider, and the position they used on the cheap bike was clearly higher, less stretched out and less aero. That made most of the difference in the time trial. There's no way you get 10-15% time advantage solely on bike aero if the body position is the same (weight and brakes a non-factor in that test).
For recreational riding, which us what the OP is mainly about, it makes no difference. In racing, you really would not be noticeably disadvantaged with that cheap bike in road races without long climbs, assuming your position was dialed in well and assuming the tires are not terrible in rolling resistance. In a pack, I'd feel no disadvantage riding my race bike from 1987.
Wheels also make a bigger difference than the frame. With the exception of CAT 1/2 races with supported teams, most amateur and masters racers are riding mid-level frames/components (Ex. - Cannondale CAAD 13/Specialized Allez or Tarmac with Ultegra/ Force) with high zoot wheelsets. The mantra is "Don't race what you can't afford to replace.".
A fit rider on an alloy CAAD 13 with Zipp 404s will destroy a pudgy investment banker or dentist riding a Pinarello Dogma F12 every time.
Biking = see the world by traveling with your own leg power
Running = get in a workout and grind it hard
I prefer running over cycling just b/c I can’t sit on a bike for that long, however I love doing spin classes?
"You have to have sufficient gear in running as well"
What kind of "gear"? Shoes? Shorts, shirts? That's "gear"? I don't think so.
elephino wrote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXflmGqJakA
Watched that because I was bored. First, thought it was funny the guy doesn't know the difference between downtube shifters and stem shifters. I guess younger guys have never seen downtube shifters. The "$1000" Schwinn would close to match his $7000 Canyon if he bothered to duplicate the position (might require a smaller frame and a longer stem depending). He said he didn't try to duplicate positions. That would probably cut more than half the difference that he found for essentially no cost. The main complaint he had with the Schwinn isn't specific to $1000 bikes - the skinny tires.
I liked the comment under the video that the $7K bike would be a $1K bike in 5 years.
Someone who has cycling knowledge could put together a competitive road race bike for not that much money using a combination of buying used/ebay/craigslist frame or Chinese open mold carbon frame (which are actually better quality than Canyon, Specialized, Cannondale) getting a brand new groupset from a European shop like Chain Reaction for cheap, and maybe some Chinese carbon wheels.
elephino wrote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXflmGqJakA
Overal Loop (18.8 mi -)
Walmart 1:11:14
Schwinn 1:03:56 ( - 7:18 )
Canyon 57:58 ( - 5:58 / -13:16 )
Wow - what do you know - 5 to 7 minutes between each upgrade!
Wow - what do you know - 5 to 7 minutes between each upgrade!
Ah, yes. Vegan Cyclist is known for his highly intelligent, objective, and scientific takes.
Bruh.
I’d have to disagree with this sentiment. I made it to the professional peloton on a caad 10 ($2200 at the time) and less than $2000 in travel Expenses for that year chasing cat 1 status. Took 3.5 months from a 5 to a 1. Signed with a domestic elite team following year (free bikes, Mostly free travel) then first professional contract after that. If you have the legs, you can make it on a cheap bike. People think it has everything to do with the equipment when in reality it has everything to do with top level fitness, giant balls of steel (racing in Europe and USA can be scary), and extremely high level racing skills ie knowing how to read the race, and bike handling in all conditions.
macdaddy wrote:
elephino wrote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXflmGqJakAOveral Loop (18.8 mi -)
Walmart 1:11:14
Schwinn 1:03:56 ( - 7:18 )
Canyon 57:58 ( - 5:58 / -13:16 )
Wow - what do you know - 5 to 7 minutes between each position on the bike.
FIFY
zzzz wrote:
Someone who has cycling knowledge could put together a competitive road race bike for not that much money using a combination of buying used/ebay/craigslist frame or Chinese open mold carbon frame (which are actually better quality than Canyon, Specialized, Cannondale) getting a brand new groupset from a European shop like Chain Reaction for cheap, and maybe some Chinese carbon wheels.
I built up a Chinese Longteng frame (550), built up wheels with Chinese Nextie rims (700) and Shimano ultegra. Came in at just over 16 lbs.
I've raced it in PRTs. No problem at all. Some junior came up and asked me if it was a prototype before one big regional level race. I just laughed and told him Cat 1s don't get cool stuff like that.