Roadie Vs Fixie | GCN's Bicycle Courier Challenge

Bicycle couriers typically use reliable, sturdy bikes to get around cities as quickly as possible. A lot of them choose to use fixies thanks to their simplicity and robustness. But why wouldn't they use a road bike? Surely it's faster? In this video, Hank challenges fixed gear legend Alec Briggs to a race across Bristol to find out whether roadies or fixies are the best choice for bike couriers.

Check out the GCN App:

#Cycling #GCN #RoadBike

Which do you think will be faster? Alec on his fixie, or Hank on his Superbike?

If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍

Watch more on GCN...

Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
ES_A Wasteland Fairytale - Matt Large
ES_Add It Up (Blah Blah) - Bonkers Beat Club
ES_As Real As It Gets - Matt Large
ES_Blue Nights and Yellow Days - Matt Large
ES_Clean Cut - Bonkers Beat Club
ES_Dollar Needles - Splasher!
ES_My beat, my rules - Ava Low
ES_Next Move - Silver Flaw
ES_Seagull Squawks 2 - SFX Producer
ES_Swoosh - Bonkers Beat Club
ES_Vaporize - Squiid
ES_Violent Wavebusting - Crystal Shards
ES_Wasted Education - Blue Topaz
ES_With the Waves - Moon Craters
ES_Would if I Could - The New Fools

The Global Cycling Network (GCN) is the largest and fastest-growing online cycling channel in the world, bringing together a global community of road cyclists to celebrate everything that’s great about the world of cycling.

Our videos bring fans compelling daily content including expert tutorials, techniques, training, racing, cutting-edge bike tech, unparalleled behind the scenes event coverage, humour, entertainment, and more.

Presented by ex-pro riders, GCN offers a uniquely qualified insight into the world of cycling, and most importantly it’s fuelled by our passionate and enthusiastic fans – everyone who makes up the GCN community. We also bring you the latest and greatest tech to your attention, showcase the best places in the world to ride and get exclusive access to events and races.

Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside #cycling

Thanks to our sponsors:

Leave us a comment below!

[gcn]

Which do you think will be faster? Alec on his fixie, or Hank on his Superbike?

[animikhchakrabarty]

Allec's fixie looks like a piece of art

[finnatwood]

mom: we have Terry B. hotline videos at home.

the hotline videos at home:

[valensi]

Let’s just agree he added the brake cause he was told to...

[Callumcantfly]

Alec was like: “catch frisbees, not feelings”

[jordanjtbraun]

I find the appeal of the fixie is the simplicity. Less moving parts, less things to mess with, the more enjoyable the ride. Also, I find the "road feel" to be something amazing. Riding the same route with my fixed versus a free wheel, it is a totally different experience. Kind of like running with minimalist/barefoot shoes. A different experience. I like my fixie... and I don't think I will ever go back to gears unless I decide to do some epic long trips... even then....

[ModifiedNmax]

When you ride a fixed gear you don't optimize for those marginal gains, instead you optimize for the fun and enjoyment of your bike.

[TomasWatchReviews]

super impressive camera work and editing!! Right there with the level of the old Top Gear.

[Icorosify]

I like colour scheme on the Allez. Doubt a courier in London would want such a nickable bike though!

[jamessharp]

You rode past me filming this - I love that a lot of GCN is filmed in my home city! Keep up the good work guys, thoroughly enjoy the content!

[bikepackingadventure]

Why don’t couriers not use a super bike?

Two words ➡️ Minimum wage 🤨

[clintonhalunajan]

Next Challenge: THE RECUMBENTS..
Manon on her RECUMBENT "TRIKE"
VS...
Hank on his RECUMBENT "BIKE"

[drewmoorhouse]

I commute with a fixie, and my weekend ride is a carbon.
The fixie is a fun ride with a very different style.
Keep up the good work GCN

[krugz_]

I'm loving the fixed gear contents! Keep 'em coming!
Will we ever have an FCN channel?

[boyceydeginge]

Lot of respect for Alec. He's a champ.
But I'd like to see this done in a metropolitan city against a REAL bike messenger.
No smoke and mirrors

[gorundonna]

THE VIDEO EDITING IS SICK! Hands down!!! I thought I am watching a commercial haha

[joeldavid]

Hands down the best editing and camera angles from all the GNC vids I’ve seen. Keep you the awesome job.

[knarf_on_a_bike]

As a messenger in Toronto for almost 20 years (retired about 10 years ago), who still rides brakeless fixed, I LOVED THIS. I will say, however, the racing on empty streets is completely different than downtown during rush hour and gridlock. I think the advantage of a carbon road bike diminishes greatly as motor traffic increases, especially if the fixed rider knows what they're doing.

[GeekonaBike]

On the track, trail or street the Fixie just feel like a bionic extension of you body.

[BjerkeRobin]

Alec made fixies seem so goddamn cool! The frisbee bit was mint