Can A Gravel Bike Keep Up Off Road? | GCN Vs GMBN

Oliver Bridgewood has taken on many road cycling challenges, but he’s yet to venture into the dirty world of mountain biking. In this video, armed with cutting edge mtb tech, Ollie takes on GMBN’s very own Blake Sampson, to find out if a pro mountain biker can get the better of him armed with a mere gravel bike.

In association with Shimano: www.shimano.com

Thanks to Windhill B1kepark for hosting us on the day!

https://app.globalcyclingnetwork.com/MLqt

Subscribe to GCN Race Pass now, 100% Racing, By Fans, For Fans.
https://gcn.eu/Racepass

Check out the GCN App:
https://gcn.eu/app

Introducing our brand new GCN Castelli Pro Training Kit – Shop Now: https://gcn.eu/49o
Subscribe to GCN: http://gcn.eu/SubscribeToGCN
Register your interest in the GCN Club: https://gcn.eu/49n
#Cycling #GCN #RoadBike

What did you think of OIlie’s attempt at mountain biking? Let us know in the comments 👇

Sign up to the GCN newsletter https://gcn.eu/3K7
Join our Facebook community: http://gcn.eu/FBCommunity

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

If you’d like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here’s the link -https://gcn.eu/49m

Watch more on GCN…
📹 https://gcn.eu/jumbo

Music – licensed by Epidemic Sound:
ES_What Happens in the Park – Claude Signet.wav
ES_Wanna Go Back – Squiid.wav
ES_Vibrations of the Universe – Psuche.wav
ES_Vibrations of the Universe (Instrumental Version) – Psuche (1).wav
ES_Vibrations of the Universe (Instrumental Version) – Psuche.wav
ES_Too Easy – oomiee.wav
ES_Vibrations of the Universe – Psuche (1).wav
ES_Stick Spin – SFX Producer.wav
ES_Sword Scrape Court Sword 1 – SFX Producer.wav
ES_The Director – Stationary Sign.wav
ES_LFE Pulse 6 – SFX Producer.wav
ES_Low Freq Bass Boom – SFX Producer.wav
ES_PE Crescendo 8 – SFX Producer.wav
ES_Human Breathe Slow – SFX Producer.wav
ES_Lever Squeak Slow 2 – SFX Producer.wav
ES_Hip Hop Pro – Pro Reese.wav
ES_Hotshot – oomiee.wav
ES_Getting Loose – Helmut Schenker.wav
ES_Harvested by Mistake – Jay Varton.wav
ES_Fat Pony Horseback Riding – Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen.wav
ES_Forget Your Name (Instrumental Version) – spring gang.wav
ES_Crunch Styrofoam 2 – SFX Producer.wav
ES_Drone Energy 10 – SFX Producer.wav
ES_Crescendo Ramp 2 – SFX Producer.wav
ES_Crescendo Ghostly – SFX Producer.wav
ES_Bailar Con Mi Corazon (Crystal Shards Remix) – Telmo Telmo.wav
ES_Almost Through – Baron Grand.wav
ES_Abandoned Building 2 – SFX Producer.wav
ES_A simple Kiss – Justnormal.wav
ES_9th Power – Henyao.wav

Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/

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:

Castelli Clothing https://gcn.eu/Castelli
Giro Helmets https://gcn.eu/Giro
Pinarello Bikes https://gcn.eu/Pinarello
fi’zi:k Shoes & Saddles: http://gcn.eu/fizikshoes and http://gcn.eu/fiziksaddles
Mavic Wheels: https://gcn.eu/Mavic
Enervit Nutrition: https://gcn.eu/Enervit
Topeak Tools: http://gcn.eu/Topeak
Canyon Bikes: http://gcn.eu/-Canyon
Pirelli Tyres: https://gcn.eu/Pirelli
Orbea Bikes: http://gcn.eu/Orbea
Vision Wheels: http://gcn.eu/Vision
Wahoo Fitness: http://gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness
Park Tool: http://gcn.eu/-parktool
Elite Bottles: https://gcn.eu/EliteBottles
Whoop Fitness: https://gcn.eu/Whoop
Komoot: https://gcn.eu/komoot

GCN Japan: https://gcn.eu/subscribe-gcn-japan
GCN Italia: https://gcn.eu/GCN-Italia
Suscribirse a GCN en Español: http://gcn.eu/Suscribirse
The GCN Club – http://gcn.eu/club
YouTube Channel – http://gcn.eu/gcnYT
Facebook – http://gcn.eu/gcnFb
Instagram – http://gcn.eu/GCNInsta
Twitter – http://gcn.eu/gcnTW
GMBN Tech – http://gmbn.tech/subscribe
GCN Tech – http://gcntech.co/subscribe
EMBN – http://embn.me/subscribe

Leave us a comment below!

Ollie: Shimano got in contact with us and
asked if we could make a video showing how capable and versatile their gravel-specific
groupset, Shimano GRX, really is. So with that in mind, I’ve come down to Wind Hill
Bike Park to have a race with X-pro mountain biker, Blake, from GMBN.
[music] Ollie: Now I am a thoroughbred road cyclist.
I love my road bike, riding on the road, wearing the tightest-fitting lycra possible, chatting
to all my skinny mates about power numbers and how many kilometers I’ve ridden, and then,
drinking pretentious coffees and getting excited about how stiff and aero my bike is. Road
cycling is the best. [music]
Ollie: In case you’re unfamiliar, this is Blake.
Blake: Hello. Ollie: Blake’s a mountain biker which means
he loves riding downhill, doing jumps- Blake: More so
Ollie: -getting dirty, saying words like “rad,” “gnarly,” “sick,” “dope,” “berm.” He also
generally just wears clothes that are too big for him.
Blake: Yes, I do. Ollie: But to be fair, he’s pretty good.
Blake: Oh, thanks, Ollie. Hello out there, you beautiful people.
Ollie: Now I was intrigued, could I beat Blake in a race if I had all of the gear but still
none of the idea? Blake: Hell no, not with them cool arms, you’ve
got no chance. [chuckles] Ollie: Obviously, that’s why I’m not going
to let you use that bike, Blake. Instead, you’re going to be using this gravel bike-
Blake: What? Ollie: -with no suspension. [laughs]
Blake: No. Ollie: Yes.
Blake: All right, race on. [music]
Ollie: This is the gravel bike you’re going to be using. It’s an Orbea Terra, and fitted
with GRX, Blake, which I think you will be quite familiar with because a lot of the technology
from it has come from Shimano XT and XTR which you ride normally.
Blake: It looks similar. Ollie: It does look very similar, and it’s
got a clutch on the rear mech as well, which helps keep the chain tension tight when you’re
going over the rough stuff. Blake: I’m going to need that.
Ollie: Yes. It’s also designed for a wide-ratio cassette as well, so you’ve got easier gears
at the back. That also means you’ve got a double chainset on the front.
Blake: Which I don’t really run 2x on a mountain bike, it’s mainly 1x.
Ollie: Yes, but that’s part of the versatility of this. You’re probably only going to use
the inner ring today, but if you were then taking the bike on road, you’d want that bigger
gear. Blake: Yes.
Ollie: Something important to point out is, you can run a 1x setup on this if you did
really want to. The rear mech is compatible for that. And this is the mechanical version,
but there’s also a Di2version as well. Blake: Fancy pants one.
Ollie: The lever as well, they’ve got hydraulic disk brakes, but the levers themselves are
specially designed. They have a higher pivot point than a standard brake lever, which means
that it’s easier to get a big lever pull when you’re in the hoods and fully engage the brakes.
You don’t have to be in the drops like you would on a normal hydraulic road lever. This
is advantageous because gravel riders often find they want to be in the hoods when they’re
going down steep descents rather than being in the drops because that can make them too
low, and they feel like they’re going to go over the front of the bike.
Blake: Last question, Ollie. Ollie: Yes?
Blake: Does that cap keep the sun out of your eyes? Didn’t think so. This does.
Ollie: In all seriousness, Blake, I feel quite nervous. Have you’ve got any tips for me?
Blake: Yes, you need some clothes that fit you, for a start.
[popping sound] Blake: Yes, that’s it. Now you’re set.
Ollie: Wow, I’m ready. Blake: Are you ready though?
Ollie: No. Blake: [laughs] Where’s my bike?
Ollie: The course we’re going to be riding is 1.1 miles long, with 220 feet of elevation.
Now Blake might think I’m going to get slaughtered, but that’s because he hasn’t looked at the
course. Yes, we have a technical downhill section, but then, we have to ride back to
the start, uphill. Blake: Do you know what, before we go and
shred our rigs down this mountain bike track, we should do a poll on the GCN app. Who’s
going to win? No? Ollie: We don’t need to do that. We don’t
have to do all those. Blake: Yes, we do. Who’s going to win, myself
or Ollie? Ollie is on a mountain bike, I’m on a gravel bike. Vote now.
Ollie: All right. Blake: I’ve got goosebumps.
Ollie: Now, what Blake hasn’t factored in is that, although, our course features a technical
descent, which I’m pretty sure he’ll still have the edge on, it also features a climb
back up to the start. I’m hoping that it’s on this climb that my skinny road bike arms
and superior power to weight will give me an advantage, and I can make up the deficit.
Blake: Hey, Ollie? Ollie: Yes.
Blake: Go on, you first. I’ll give you a head start.
[music] Blake: Ready, Ollie?
Ollie: Yes. Blake: Three, two, one, go.
[music] Blake: Oh, look at that. Smooth as butter.
His wheel came off the ground a little bit on the first jump, [chuckles] nice.
[music] Blake: [laughs] He’s so slow. All right, it’s
time for me to catch him. Three, two, go. [music]
Ollie: Oh man, this is so much fun. Even though I’m rubbish, I don’t care. [chuckles] Oh,
God. Blake has got over a minute on me, so I better get going.
[music] Blake: [grunts] All right, I think I’ve got
enough time to put my saddle up, get my saddle up and get a power down. I think I’ve given
myself enough time to do this. Or shall I drop it? Go.
[music] Ollie: This uphill part is tough, but this
is where my roadie skills come in. God, I wish I had my power meter on now. [chuckles]
[music] Blake: Oh, my legs are burning. [breaths heavily]
[music] Ollie: [pants] It’s steep, coming back. Good
fun though. I was so slow on that descent, but it is really good fun.
Blake: [pants] That was hard work. Ollie: [laughs]
Blake: How did you go? Ollie: I was so slow on the descent, but I’m
a total beginner. This is the whole point, I am a total noob. All the gear, and I no
idea. I wasn’t lying, but it’s ridiculous how much quicker guys like you are, down there,
compared to me. Blake: Of course.
Ollie: Oh man. Blake: I can’t talk.
Ollie: [background noise] Oh, look at that. I’ve got a little golf ball coming out.
Blake: Oh hey, you have as well. It’s going to be so easy to clean now because of the
shaved legs. Ollie: Yes.
Blake: That’s why they shaved your legs, right? Ollie: Yes. We’ve done our runs, yes?
Blake: We did, yes. Ollie: The results are that you put over a
minute into me- Blake: [laughs]
Ollie: -on the descent. Blake: Yes.
Ollie: Which meant that I had quite a lot to do on the climb.
Blake: I had my work cut out on that thing. Ollie: All right. Anyway, then on the climb,
I did claw a load of time back, but I just had too much to do. I only managed to get
about 20 seconds back on you. Overall, you’ve smashed me by like 40 seconds.
Blake: Oh, yes. Sorry but– Ollie: Which, I guess, shows to prove that
all of the gear and no idea doesn’t beat- Blake: The gear. [laughs]
Ollie: -some of the gear and all the idea. Blake: It was a good idea though.
Ollie: Thanks. [laughs] Blake: Really good idea. I thoroughly enjoyed
it. On my mountain bike, I run 1x, so I’ve got a wide narrow chainring on the front which
eliminates that chain and stops it from bouncing off. Whereas, that has a 2x on the front.
I had thoughts and images of that chain just bouncing off and rattling off when I was coming
down them rough bits, but having that GRX clutch on the rear, it actually stopped it
doing it. You could hear chain slap but it didn’t come off, and I had it on the big ring
and on the small ring. I was chaffed, and I had hydraulics, which is great.
Ollie: It’s probably capable, but my excuse is that that’s basically a mountain bike,
anyway, from the early ’90s. Blake: Just with weird handlebars.
Ollie: Yes. Anyway, Blake, I’m under good authority that when two mountain bikers come
into the woods, like us, and film a video, it’s called a sick edit.
[music] Blake: That is correct. You know what the
good thing is? We don’t actually have to shoot much slow-mo with yourself running.
Ollie: [laughs] [laughter]
Blake: That is so slow. Ollie: Okay. I’ve had a good time.
Blake: Likewise. Ollie: It’s been fun. I’d like to have another
go at mountain biking sometime. Blake: Please come over to GMBN. We’ll show
you an absolute good time, man. Ollie: [chuckles] If you’d like to see that,
if you’d like to see more content like this and you’ve enjoyed this video, please give
it a thumbs up, comment down below on how you think I did and–
Blake: If you want to see more blood. Ollie: [laughs] Some more scars.
Blake: [laughs] Ollie: We’ll see you next time.
Blake: See you. Ollie: All right.
Blake: Can I have my mountain bike back? Ollie: [laughs] Yes.
[00:13:07] [END OF AUDIO]