How Much Faster Have Bikes Got In Just 10 Years?

This year, GCN turned 10 years old, which got us wondering: how much have bikes changed in the last 10 years? To find out, Si dug out his old Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3 with 11-speed Campagnolo Chorus that he rode when GCN first started back in 2013, to compare it to his current Canyon Aeroad CFR. What really is the difference? Have bikes got that much faster? Let’s find out!

00:00 Intro
00:52 Rewind 10 years
02:00 Finding Si’s old bike
03:20 2013 bike
04:10 What’s different?
05:26 Flat test - 2013 bike
08:55 Flat test - 2023 bike
11:02 Hill climb - 2023 bike
12:03 Hill climb - 2013 bike
12:54 Results & conclusions

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Were you watching 10 years ago at the start of GCN? 👀 And what do you make of the progression of bikes over the last decade? 👇 Let us know in the comments below! 💬

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[gcn]

Were you watching 10 years ago at the start of GCN? 👀 And what do you make of the progression of bikes over the last decade? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

[andrewblakesley]

I've never ridden a bike costing more than £1000 and I still love cycling. I'm sure that Canyon feels amazing. My reality is that home servicing and available economic parts are more important than marginal gains. I hope that the cycle industry will continue to make 9 speed mechanical, mechanical disc, threaded bottom brackets and external cable frames for many years to come.

[awhite]

My bike is 10 years old now. External routing, rim brakes, aluminium rims, 10 speed mechanical, 25mm tyres. Slim steel frame as well. Still love it 😊

[whatwelearned]

I have to say, I bloody love Si. Always enjoy vids when it's just him doing a thing

[h.p.]

I absolutely loved this video. It feels like the old GCN. Thank god Si has stayed here all this time. In a world of constant change, it's honestly relieving to have someone or thing that just stays the way it is.

[edlarmore]

I am 72 and riding an all campy DeRosa primato (steel) from 2001 and I still love it. Very quick and responsive. Still like a rocket descending. A true joy to ride!

[IRunDaily]

This was a great trip down memory lane - especially the wd40. I've been subscribed since the start, but don't cycle as much anymore. Pulling out my dad's old titanium frame bike built by Argos Cycles in Bristol still puts the biggest smile on my face, especially when you fly past the modern bikes 😉 Ride what makes you feel happiest 🙏

[lckmstr]

I just went through TWO foot surgeries to correct some issues. Full right knee replacement is next in three months. I only race once a year at this point, and it's to 14, 110'. Missing this year, obvi. Your video, the first one I've seen, is driving my broken, robot ass to excel to new levels. Your exuberant spirit and realistic banter warms my soul for a new season of training in 2024. Ill be 62 at racing age and wanna drop 30mins off my previous best climb. My passion will never wane, and your carefree joi de vie? Just brightened my current recovery! Thanks for being you! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[wdx]

I started riding on a steel road bike with 5 speed friction shifters. Moved up through 7, 8 and finally 9 speed rear mechs. My Serotta CSI (lugged steel baby!) from the mid 1990s saw a lot of use before a series of life events in 2015 took me off the bike. I stopped paying attention to changes in bike technology at the time, but did watch GCN a bit now and then. As I turned 61 last year I decided to get back on the bike and started looking at the changes. It's amazing what has changed in just the last 5-10 years. Some of the changes are good (lower gears and gravel bikes) but others I don't see the need for.

[IanLGagnon]

My current road bike is a Tarmac Pro SL3 from the same era. Might not be as fancy as a new aero bike, but updated 11 speed Ultegra and weighing in at 7.5kg makes it a killer bike for me at a great price.

[jimmeli]

I'm riding a 1972 Peugeot 10 spd, 27 X 1 1/8" and a 1984 Fuji Sagres 12 spd. 27 X 1 1/4". I love both bikes. Both are in fabulous shape, and I get a lot of compliments on them from other riders when I'm out. One of the best things is I bought the Peugeot about 20 years ago from the original owner for $10.00. It still had the factory pump and leather saddle. Just needed new tires. I bought the Fuji about 15 years ago at a garage sale with new tires for $15.00. They've both been great to ride, and easy to service. I'm not competing, so I like that I'm riding something unique.

[yarlon]

Like you said: lower position on the Aeroad. That alone makes a huge difference and overplays the advancements.

[jeremynorth]

Great video. Love it that Si just loves riding his bikes. Mine is a Scott CR1SL which I built up in 2006 with 10 speed campy Record. Weighs 6.2 kg and still feels great. I don't feel the need for electronics, discs, tubeless or aero. My other bikes are metal and love riding them too

[pbandjosh]

Like many others, I suspect that a LOT of it is down to more drop on the Canyon and aero wheels. I would LOVE to see you setup the front end of the Specialized to mimic the drop / stack of the Canyon, and put some comparable aero wheels on it. Personally I guess that would be 80-85% of the difference...

[eloyanzola]

ksyrium wheels were definitely at the top a decade+ agp, but as others commented, would love to have seen the 2013 with carbon aero wheels (even possibly tubulars) - which were used then, specially when racing. Still, loved this video!

[EthansTerrarium]

Been watching for a while Si, even met you once, and loved the montage peeling back the years of cycling history and advances. It’s beautiful to watch and nostalgic to remember. Thanks

[matt_acton-varian]

Interesting information. And as an ex-chef I agree with the knife analogy. I still have my professional knife set I built up over time and the more expensive ones (Victorinox, Wusthof, Global) etc have a premium feel when using them and makes the job so much easier. My original unbranded knives from college are functionally great as they are very much fit for purpose, but lack the finesse of the nicer ones, in terms of blade weight balance, ergonomics and how sharp they stay.

[derekhartloper]

Great video Si and GCN. Very astute commentary, loved the knife analogy. And great empathy for us common folk riding the sub-$3k bikes, much appreciated! Modern bike design is now about accumulating numerous marginal gains, until the next paradigm shift!

[Theerik]

Give the SL3 the same depth wheels, you'll see the gap shrink down to margin of f error.

[lesflynn]

That S-Works SL3 with Chorus is really something. I'd love such a bike.