The Fastest Climbing Bike Ever - But How Good Is It Now?

Marco Pantani’s 1998 Bianchi Mega Pro XL is one of the most legendary climbing bikes in the history of cycling. It won the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France, setting numerous climbing records including the fastest time ever up Alpe d’Huez. But how fast is it now? Si puts it up against a modern Pinarello F9 to find out. This is vintage vs modern: climbing bike edition!

Thanks to Dan at @vintagevelos9517 for lending us this bike and be sure to check out their channel for more great content!

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If you could ride any bike from history up any climb, which would you pick? 🚲🏔 Let us know in the comments below! 💬

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🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
Acai Bowl - Timothy Infinite
Don't Forsake Me - Sven Karlsson
Inbound - Brendon Moeller
Never Let You Go - Ecovillage
New Terrain - Aiyo
Rough Patch - Larry Poppinz
Sun Fade - Of Water
Through the Prism - Ava Low
Touch Touch Touch - Ava Low

#gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife #bianchi #vintagebike

📸 Photos - © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sprint Cycling Agency

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[nickthewine]

As Pantani proved, it’s not what you’re on, but what you’re on. Bless him.

[thomasvilladsen]

Pantani did not ride Bianchi bikes. He had his frames made specially by a frame builder by the name of Pesenti. Pesenti used aluminium with berylium added which enabled him to make a frame of 980 grams or there about. I believe he got the tubing from the US, but that I am not certain about. You will notice that Pantani only had one bottleholder on his climbing bike. That is because the walls of the downtube was so thin that it was imposible to weld the studs in. You will also notice that the welding on Pantanis frames looks much better than on the Bianchi you are riding. Finally Pantani also used a cabon seatpost also made by Pesenti and he did not use the Time fork, instead he used a fork from the japanese company Misuno. Of course the whole thing was painted in original Bianchi colors.

[DolleHengst]

Me and my dad watched Pantani during his legendary 1997 Alpe d'Huez climb. A moment i'll never forget. By the noise and excitement of the crowds below us, we could instinctively hear something special was taking place. Then around the hairpin emerged this tiny little bald man, a childlike head with huge ears. The sheer speed and effortless motion were utterly breathtaking.

[CJONE]

First i want to say what a great film Si. Smashed this.

This is perfect content for me. As a 10-year-old watching il pirata monster up the alp, in the rain, solidified my love of cycling. As it wasn't a team sport, it came down to me vs someone else. You couldn't rely on others to pull you through.

As much as we all know about Marco and his troubles, there's still something about watching him dance on the pedals, hands in the drops, that has that je-nais-sais-qoi that modern cycling has only just refound with pog, rog, pidcock etc all smashing it against each other uphill.

[TheFinav]

320m? I honestly find it hard to believe the human body can survive for long at this altitude.

[paullinnitt]

I was on the Galibier in 98. It was a breathtaking stage. Pantani was behind when he passed us. We got back to St Jean-du-Maurienne to see him cross the finish line. Unforgettable (although I’ve never been so cold)

[PercyTP]

Great comparison. Just goes to show....for all the wind tunnel testing on the modern bikes, the difference between an old pro/mid-level 105 bike and a top-end machine can be how you feel on the day.

[colindewolfe]

I was on Les Deux Alpes that day, standing in the freezing pouring rain on the side of the road after having ridden up on my Vitius 979 from Grenoble where I saw the start and had taken a picture of Pantani leaning over his bike. He came around the switchback just stomping on the pedals, and then waited, and waited and waited for Ullrich. And waited. Mind blown. I can see myself standing by the side of the road in the very blurry Italian tv footage. Something I'll never forget.

[davidmurray]

Pure. 100%. Emotion. I truly love what you guys at GCN are doing lately, from your epic riding adventures, to your quirky challenges. But this video Si, goes straight to the heart. I loved your passion in this clip, the history lesson, and your joy on this classic, it's beautiful. Brilliant work buddy ❤

[hayes]

How about test the last winning rim brake vs the new bikes and see what climbs faster

[hernanhernandez]

I was in Venice when Pantani won stage 15 in 1998. The city came to a standstill to watch the victory. He was amazing.

[terbennett]

This has to be my favorite GCN episode for 2023. Great job Simon!

[jonathanrobinson]

A really enjoyable love letter to the Bianchi. I got into cycling as a 13 year old and remember Pantani well. Rushing home from school at lunch to catch up with Eurosport and the Tour. For all of the controversies of the period, it was still a great time to be a cycling fan.

Kudos on the video. More like this please :)

[simonhodgetts]

It was watching Pantani ride these beautiful Bianchi bikes back in his heyday that got me into the brand. On my 2nd Bianchi now, and I just love it!

[alexanderakins]

Brilliant production. I’ve always loved Si’s videos but the emotion and love for cycling really just hit me in the chest. Please keep making videos like this one because my god it was one of your best. Find the money to give a raise to the whole team who contributed to this one. 🙏🙏

For us normal humans, how our bikes make us feel is so much more than how much they are worth, loved the video, would love a Bianchi bike of any age x

[JSC]

That Bianchi is truly beautiful!!! Great episode Si.

[ktube]

I think some of the GCN sponsors are going to be cranky pants at the total joy expressed riding that "old" bike, you guys never get that amped up riding the new, fancy stuff! Totally awesome video, and bike (the "old" one).

[DavidMartin-tkfs]

Thank you for this video, clearly made for me. Right era, right bike, right rider, great music and hit the nail on the head about the emotional connection to the bikes you love - IMHO you should not judge the person by the bike they ride any more than the people they might find they love, if it gets you out there that’s all that matters...

...and if somebody does manage to be among the quickest on their local routes with... e'hem, classic gear then that shows the quality of the old stuff too.
If someone on the latest carbon aero monster was to swap bikes with them they might be in for a bit of an shock. 😉

👍👍👍

[brianrainey]

OMG. Thats my bike. In the garage. Riding it today. Full Record with Campy Nucleon wheelset. Still butter smooth after all these years! 😁