How Much Faster Are Modern Bikes? | Retro Vs Modern

How much faster is a brand new Orbea Orca M Limited than Pedro Delgado's 1985 Vuelta winning Orbea?

Bike tech, frame materials, training techniques, cycling shoes, and the kit that we wear have all moved on significantly in the last 30 years. But, the fact is that, despite this, the legends of cycling were – and in many cases still are all these years later – really, really fast.

So, we were wondering: How much faster would our very own, thoroughly modern, Simon Richardson be on the new Orbea compared to Delgado's..?

We set off for a top secret 5.7km test track in the stunning Basque Country to find out. Why the Basque Country? Well, where else would you test Pedro Delgado's Orbea?!

Check out the video to find out and don't forget to share this one!

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Leave us a comment below!

[OliverPickard]

tireds bike, old rubber, wrong trame size, no clips, and plus rider has never used friction shifters before given that you guys did everything in your power to handycap the old schooler im calling it a win for the old nail

[obriaind]

Should've put Matt on the old bike. Knows how to use friction shifters, and doesn't need to clip in.

[D.Eldon_]

Si, the fact that this was the first time you had ever used friction shifters also disqualified you from drawing any conclusions. You can't expect to shift as fast with them until you have some experience with the bike. I rode a 1985 Fuji with an outstanding Suntour drivetrain. It took me a couple of months before I felt that I could shift clean and fast. You get a "feel" for the way they work and it's different from one bike to the next, depending on the setup. You need to practice with the actual bike you will race in order to achieve the best proficiency.

[mihpop]

The hell is up with the music on the new bike?

[EivindRomcke]

"I'm in! That was easier than I all been there Si

[wesw]

Would have been much more interesting if a powermeter was used, and of course clipless pedals. The difference in time by constantly putting out the same wattages would show exactly the additional efficiency of modern bikes (additional aero beneftis and additional power transfer of stiff carbon). Nonetheless, amusing vid!

[horatioholloway]

This is my favourite GCN video, and I think I might have watched them all! The landscape is stunning, the bikes are stunning and Si's presenting is also stunning. Viva GCN!

[TheWaxChainFanClub]

"I'm in! That was easier than I thought!" should be the GCN slogan. On tshirts and everything.

[SurpriseMeJT]

Most bike nuts don't have to answer "which is faster" because they already own both modern and retro bikes and recognize what to enjoy from either.

[ulascakir]

The way you produce your videos started to become like how Top Gear do theirs and its great! Perfect music choice and editing. Well done :)

[wartupper]

man, I love 70's, 80's bikes, so much fun

[Maxmaxz]

4:37 Do you spend a lot of time "faffing around on your downtube", Si?

[experiment]

You should have also used clipless peddles on the old bike

[greg_loper]

I would love to see a comparison between a retro frame and a modern frame with identical components. You are welcome to fit DI2 to one of my old bikes for the test :)

[TheRadDadShow]

The Retro Vs. Modern debate would be over if Simon used a handmade, made to measure retro Masi or Marionni instead of borrowing someone else's bike. He admits in the video that the newer bike fit him like a glove. Fit is everything aside from having the right gearing for the terrain as well.

[MrCaiofern]

should have practiced with the Orbea at least for one week to be able to get used to it and test if all the components were in order.
Should have had a longer rest between the both rides to be sure you were in perfect physical conditions for each ride.
and OK, modern is faster, but is it proportional to the huge difference of price?

[chrissanchez]

I'm pretty sure I fell in love with that amazingly beautiful piece of modern art you called an Orbea.... It's such a perfect machine

[chesterfinecat]

The lack of toe clips is a fatal flaw. I have an early '80s Merckx and put in very similar times on rides compared to my much newer carbon fiber or Scandium frames. If you find a lugged steel Columbus or Reynolds frame in your size from one of the classic builders, stick a modern group into it and you'll be pleasantly surprised. The steel frames can take a cold set to wider spacings (as this video demonstrates by shoving in a modern wheel.

[emilram]

Simon, a 30 year old Michelin in the front and no toe clips and straps?
Slap some Campagnolo on that baby and test again : l

[EmpyreanLightASMR]

My dad fixed up his 1972 steel Peugot, huge cockpit, toe clips and straps, skinny tires, downtube shifters, 10 speeds with racing gears. He would bike mountain passes on this thing when he was younger than I am. So I hopped on it one day when he was out of town (evil), and was so nervous—I'd only ever mountain bikes. That was summer 2012. Instant love, bought a modern (and much more comfortable) road bike, and haven't looked back since. If he hadn't fixed it up, I probably wouldn't be road cycling today. Thanks dad!