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    How Hard Did Cycling Use To Be? | Modern Cyclist, Retro Bike, Classic Climb



    So what was life like before the invention of the derailleur? How hard was it to ride a bike with only two gears over mountain passes? Thanks to Tullio Campagnolo we’ll never know…. but Ollie found out.

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    34 Comments

    3. @mvm9407 on

      I think it's time you corrected that thumbnail. "Did cycling used to be" would hardly be approved by my English teachers.

    4. @amyx231 on

      And here is me worrying about what gear to store my bike in to maintain derailleur springs and wear and tear from changing gears.

    6. @malcolmroach2348 on

      You obviously do not know how to use toe straps properly. Yours are too loose and represent a danger of pulling your foot. Also do not tuck the ends in to the buckle, impossible to release. I am 73 now and was using these in the 1960`s

    9. @muzkat101 on

      Silly question: professional cycling was never difficult due to the continual advancement made in cycling. Those in the past never had to deal with 'how hard cycling use to be', only because they never had to resort to using antiquated bicycles in professional cycling; to them, they had the advantages of the latest cycling equipment. Only advancement made cycling better. As professional cyclist got newer equipment each year, as all professional cyclists did, they never had to imagine how hard or difficult cycling was, not until decades of advancement occurred. Then by experiment with older bikes did they begin to see the advantages. However, before that time, they never gave it a thought. This is to say, it doesn't matter if it is cycling, motocross, auto sports, boating, or any sport that involves technological advancement, sports athletes never gave it a thought; not until they tried an antiquated and obsolete object for comparison. Even athletes that use sports shoes may find it incredible awkward to use old, outdated shoes to run track; track athletes just don't do it. However, track stars of the past never gave it a thought of how hard or difficult it was back then. That was because shoes evolved as athletes picked the best shoes of the time to run track… shoes evolved to perform better. So, to say that it was harder for an athlete to use an old, outdated sports equipment is irrelevant to the time it was used. It only makes sense when comparing it to newer, advanced technology. This is simply to say, at the time of any era that used the most advanced technology, they made the most of it regardless how it performed; they had no reference to anything more advanced at the time that would have given them a sense of 'how hard it was.'

    19. @1a2b3c4. on

      With an old bike this generation would find out they are not as good as they think they are. That's why the old cyclists deserve more respect from the young men of today. Period

    21. @randellgribben9772 on

      question.. you said the T.Campagnolo.. invented the group set.. then you show …Sram Red..on a bike???… would not a Campagnolo group set on a bike. make for a better photo…but still a great video,,remind me on a climb here in n. california..mix canyon , just west of vacaville ca..i was climbing it with some freinds,,i went for a lower gear.. and the cable snapped..all the sudden i was in my 39x 11..it got hard very fast…have time youtube mix canyon on a bike.. it gets steep

    24. @larryt.atcycleitalia5786 on

      I'm pretty sure they had handlebar tape back in those days!
      But I'm troubled by the idea that nobody involved with this video seems to have read Gianni Brera's "The Giant and the File" or maybe they have and just consider it all BS?
      My copy notes November 4, 1924 for the Gran Premio della Vittoria and claims a snowstorm came midday. Further, it claims Campagnolo crossed the finish line 4th on the day. The book notes a patent "produced" February 8, 1930 for a new hub with quick release – design by Campagnolo and manufactured by the Brivio brothers of Brescia. Some sort of derailleur was patented May 4, 1933 according to Brera. Even if you and the experts you quote think the book is nothing more than a tribute to Tullio from son Valentino, more efforts should have been made to note and reconcile the details, no? And I won't even go into showing up at the monument on a bike with anything on it OTHER than Campagnolo! Shame on you!

    26. @123avela on

      How good would be a better question. great bikes were made in the past, cyclists have a fetish with tech, spend a lot of money and dont get to really know and enjoy the bike.

    27. @michellelose2361 on

      I’m enjoying the bike so far https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA My only real complaints are the brakes and the pedals. I feel like a bike designed for bigger people should have much larger pedals and more heavy duty brakes. I’ve only gotten two really good rides out of it, minimal downhill action, and the brakes feel like they’re already going out. A larger person has more momentum, so I think this wasn’t thought through very well. Also, I wear size 13-14 wide shoes. My feet cramp up on these pedals that are clearly made for smaller feet. Since I’m not a pro rider (and I don’t think many are who purchase this bike) I don’t think that the straps on the pedal are necessary at all. None of this takes away from the enjoyment I get from riding, however. I’ll just head to a bike shop to improve on a few things.

    30. @bikinglikebecker on

      Sometimes I will get off and just walk up hills.. I don't like stretching my chain or stressing bottom bracket just to get up a hill on a fixed gear.. picking up speed first makes riding up easy(er)

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