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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45 Comments
на видео дурачок который в велоспорте полный ноль
Well done and beautiful classic machine!
비앙키 휠셋 탐난다..
welding was a bit like that late 90's early 2000's. my trek was the same of the same time period. Weight aside, I think the geometry on these older bikes was better – and in the day that campag was engineering excellence.
I would have been interested to see what your times were had you ridden the Bianchi first and then the Dogma.
Why choose the Shamal wheels? They weigh about two kilos… A pair of Neurons or Eurus would be a more logical choice…
You're riding a 101 team issue 55 or 56cm. Marco Road 50 cm size small width sloping top tube (mixty). They had to do on this frame was kind of highin the front. This made it easier for him to write down in the drops while he was claiming. His frames were handmade just for him. The team frames are just exactly like the white neuron. Note. All the most expensive motorcycles, go carts and bicycles are now employing this welding technique which is very ugly. I agree. It's very strong though not bad welding at all. It's the way they do it now if you're using chrome Molly.
what a gorgious bike and it brings us all back to the fabulous cycling era of Marco Pantani
Si, how can you say you are not a fan of Celest color on a Bianchi? It is the only Brand a Celest bike looks good in. When I see a Bianchi without any Celest in the paint scheme, It doesn't look right.
Amazing how Pantani ( the doping) cheat is still held out as some sort of hero and Armstrong (the doping) cheat is vilified.
Colnago going back to steel tubing.
2:10 …that aged well 🤣
16:16 perfectly sums up why I ride fixed gear. The bike almost nudges you on when you're tired.
16-spoke wheels front and rear, radially laced.
That just makes me smile.
I daren't go lower than 24 (three-cross) on my own wheels and even they feel a bit fragile.
I keep promising myself I'll make a 20 for the front and then I chicken out…
I realise that these wheels were built by professionals with the very best parts, but still…. 16 front and rear!
One day… One day I will build a 20.
I can’t remember if I already commented on this video, but I keep watching it over and over again.
And yes, I know it’s an old video lol, but I have to say, Bianchi has always been one of my dream bike brands, which I admired and wanted as a kid.
I grew up watching Claudio Chiappucci, Guido Bontempi, and Gianni Bugno — and later on, Marco Pantani and Mario Cipollini riding this bike.
When I grew up, started working, and had my own money, the first thing I bought after riding an Eddy Merckx was a Bianchi 928L.
It’s a tribute to Pantani and Coppi, who both won the Giro and the Tour in the same year:
9 for 194(9)
2 for 195(2)
8 for 198(9)
I still have it on the Tacx!
Sorry for the long comment, but I just had to share this — lol.🤭🤣
The hypocrisy of your sentiment for Pantani vs Armstrong are sinful. Glorifying the achievement of a cocaine user whilst condemning some one on other performance enhancing drugs shameful.
Please – its the rider, not the bloody bike. All other things equal, one will climb faster on a modern bike, with is lighter by a few pound, than a vintage bike. When going up hill, weight has big, big influence on one's speed.
Can you tell me why is the 7700 BB a disaster? I’m currently installing a bb-7700 bracket on my old caad 5 frame. Thx
M.f.. you talk too much something in your mouth
After this, I'm going to kiss and ride my 125th anniversary Bianchi edition bike. Great video!
Mmmmmm blizzard of cocaine
Per me non ci sono bici da corsa veloci, ma ma persone che la spingono.
It's not nearly as cool as the real deal, but I have a Bianchi Vigorelli from 2000 with the same colorway as the team bikes, with period correct silver wheels. It is still Reynolds 631 steel and looks and rides awesome.
They shouldn't even mention any of the cheaters, name the 2nd place guy who was the real winner
BEAUTIFUL bike! Pantani is a legend. How much difference would the latest tires have made? Drivetrain? Great video.
The fastest bike….or the best magic juice….
Doper's tool then, as noted in other comments, it's not what you are on, but what you are on.
I was racing at that time, and there were still a few steel bikes in the professional peloton. I was running a Compact Pro with the same components as the Mega Pro. It wasn't a great climber, but in those days I was fancied to be a sprinter, and the 54~11 combo did the job.
I love 90s bikes I’ve got a pinareelo SLX steel as used by Eros Poli in 1994 with record 8sp. I’m looking for a Gan eddy Mercks with sachs new success
EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD INCLUDING LIFE ITSELF WAS BEST UP UNTIL YR 2000
Burrington Combe in the big ring – Si, you're a better man than me….
He is driving on the wrong side of the Road 😂
I can only imagine the amount of illegal and illegal drugs Pantani was on at any given time. Despite all that a very gifted rider like all the other drugged ones. I could take every performance enhancing drug ever made at my peak and never win a stage of the TDF or any other classic race.
The fastest climbing bike ever – the one Pogi used in the 2024 Tour de France where he destroyed Pantani's Plateau de Beille by so much that he had time to catch his breath, celebrate, give and interview and neck a few drinks. 3 minutes and 41 seconds faster and with less than blood values of less than 50% HCT – even with disk brakes and deep section rims.
That Bianchi is such a good looking bike :O Love it. Even if it was slower I would get it anyway over a modern carbon fibre bike. I have become so old that I am not trying to be the fastest anymore. I just want bikes with a charm to it.
Would have been an outright easy win for the Bianchi if he’d have ridden it first unfatigued.
What is Si going on about? I mean he says he's not really into Celeste as a colour… really!! It's the only colour, well in my opinion anyway. Get real Si. Great video guys ❤
I have Marcos parts on a 49cm trek 2200 super light (200$ on marketplace) it's wild fast!!! with campagnolo 53-39 to 13 rear hub super Italia bars carbon fork Apollo fir rims 20mm tires etc I love it ❤
In Pantani's era it should have been the doping doctors standing on the podia.
Damn UK, you guys got so many fricken cars on even your country roads
Las viejas bicis son nobles simples eternas
Migue Maquina
Ciclista aficionado
Lo viejo funciona
Saludos 😊😊😊😊😊
Migue Maquina
Desde Argentina
Ciclista aficionado
…and in the end a little tear comes out… thanks for this emotions just looking a bike who made history!
The best about retro bikes is not the speed (they are fast!) it's the feeling! I'm glad Si mentioned it!
What an extraordinarily gorgeous work of art, that Bianchi. Moves both the body and the soul.
Pantani…my hero! Best pure climber ever.