Gravel Bike Vs MTB | Iceland Bikepacking Epic - Which Is The Ultimate All-Rounder?
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- čas přidán 27. 10. 2018
- We challenged our friends over at GMBN to find out what the ultimate all-road bike is, a gravel bike or a mountain bike? But we weren't going to solve this question anywhere, so we went to the ultimate testing ground, Iceland!
In association with Moots, Reynolds, Cycliq, and Komoot.
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Simon was joined by Neil for his icelandic adventure, GMBN vs GCN, gravel vs MTB, Drop bars and pretty skinny tyres vs suspension forks and flat bars. Just who would have the best tool for the job?
Over two days, and 200 kilometres Si and Neil traversed the Icelandic Highlands by bike. The guys aimed for the Icelandic summertime, but it turns out summer means something different over there, as the temperature hovered around 0 degrees Celsius in the daytime!
This was an absolutely incredible adventure over some of the most stunning terrain you can ride a bike on, and we'd love to know what you think of it. So leave us a comment down below this video!
If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍
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📹 Si's Moots Routt 45 gcntech.co/simoots
Music: Epidemic Sound
Fall-Copse
Some Kind Of Magic 1 - Niclas Gustavsson
*Map tiles by Stamen Design, under CC BY 3.0. Data by OpenStreetMap, under CC BY SA
*Map tiles by Stamen Design, under CC BY 3.0. Data by OpenStreetMap, under CC BY SA
*Map tiles by Stamen Design, under CC BY 3.0. Data by OpenStreetMap, under CC BY SA
*© 2018 Microsoft Corporation, Earthstar Geographics SIO
*© 2018 Microsoft Corporation, Earthstar Geographics SIO
Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphoto.net/
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Leave us a comment below! - Sport
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I've just realised that GCN is Top Gear, but for bikes
It has the potential. Bring is some challenges on trips like this, and this will be a super hit i think. Always loved the challenge, but i'll admit it's way better than what it was before
used to be more like top gear back in the time when Matt was a presenter.
That's how I've always explained GCN.
No, GCN is better than Top Gear(after the holy trinity left to the Grand Tour).
No，GCN dosen't have an old lady and two cocks
As an Icelander it gives me great pride to see foreigners make such fantastically scenic videos about and from Iceland, thanks guys
I feel I could pray to some of the mountains in this video, to be honest with you.
Iceland is like heaven for every MTB rider 😍
I've never been more jealous of two dudes in my entire life.
*_So good- it was nauseating._*
you like cozying neked in a hot bath with another dude, I get it, nothing wrong with that :D
@@mannyechaluce3814 what 😂
Iceland, where the floor is actually Lava.
Its not the floor, its the ground 🙄
@@tomwilson7452 shut
Who watched this and didn't want to ride their bike in Iceland? Thought so, no one!!! awesome adventure!
Yep, just texted a buddy to see if he has an interest in doing a trip.
actually, I'd love to. Could be a proper eccentric honeymoon destination.
it's amazing!
Was in Iceland summer of 2018 and all I want to do is go back and do this. I wouldn’t live in Iceland but I didn’t want to leave it’s so cool.
no way visit Iceland it's an awesome place with greta folk....beer's a bit pricey though
Beautiful video but must have been difficult to travel with the orchestra and choir.
Travel sized, luckily.
Folks have done tours of Iceland for decades in 26ers with 2 inch tyres and road bikes with basic cross tyres. Nice bikes but almost an overkill on both parts. A 2x crankset surely on th3 mtb or at least a 36t 1x with 11-45. Neill looked like his chainwheel was tiny.
@@glennoc8585 700c touring bike with 1 inch tires and 3x groupset ftw.
@@KandiKlover tried and tested the 3x
Dramatic orchestral music is a natural soundscape in iceland... it just comes out of the rocks somehow... scientists are still trying to explain it...
I would absolutely prefer the mountain bike on this trail. On a trek like this, being able to clear my mind and just take in the environment beats going a tiny bit faster uphill (and then having my eyes fixed in the dirt on the downhills and constantly adjusting to keep balance).
When they set out I thought the music intro was their brakes squealing
It wasn't? o.O
Man I really need to clean mine but I don't wanna have to adjust the calipers again. I just rubbed the rotors off instead with a towel. Helped a little.
its sais brakes
@@KandiKlover All it takes is a little bit of water and they squeal even if your brakes are clean
One does not simply walk into Mordor... one cycles.
Ill drive the short bus....
This is exactly what I was thinking LOL. So who is carrying the ring, Simon or Neil? I'm thinking Simon kind of looks like Frodo ha.
Imagine how short the movie would've been if they all just shredded through on CycloCross bikes.
God bless you lol
Assuming you are refering to LOR filmed in New Zealand and Mordor was actually Nguarahoe volcano then these bikes would never have got close, there are no bike trails or roads, you would need a fat bike.
The landscape 😍 Absolutely stunning. Nothing compares to exploring a country by your own physical strength. Great drone shots 👌
More bikepacking please
very true, plus the bike can take you basically anywhere and fast
+1 for more bikepacking
I suspect it appears stunning when seen in a relatively short video as a third-person view. Whereas, being ridden in person, this landscape is quite monotonous. (compared to, say, Tuscany, or Garda Lake)
I found it very barren without any trees or vegetation, no wildlife either. I imagine cycling through this type of terrain is rather uninspiring, as you can see where you're going for miles ahead
I'm hearing this a lot about similar places. However, I really didn't like the scenery. To me it seems like a lifeless desolate land.
I hope people appreciate the amount of effort put into these videos. It's phenomenal.
I love the GCN/GMBN mashup's. Please do more of these.
That is the best cinematography of any of your videos. Was an absolute joy to watch
Switching bike would've been a good idea then you could seen the difference between them
Yeh l thought that's too
Good point!
they really should've traded half way...
They are specialists, wouldn't make sense
@@adamopinheiro Si is an ex pro in MTB as well
Thank you guys so much for this. You have finally got my husband interested in cycling again. I ride MTBs, but he fancies a Gravel Bike... THANK YOU!! I have been so lonely on my bike!!!! :D
That seems like the opposite of what normally happens. I like it lol.
I was in Iceland in 1970 on a university expedition. The lava flows from the '70 eruption of Hekla were still glowing red hot months after the eruption and the lava still soft just a few centimetres below the surface . Lovely to see it all again after 50 odd years. Not changed a bit.
GNC just tops their production level every fricking video. I think it would have been interesting to have a section where you 2 would have ridden with powermeters and hold i.e. 220 watts or smth and see how muc hthe speed difference overall is.
The friction is lower on ice, but how much difference with lubes.
@@CCenerelli easier to hold wattage than speed though.
gñç is one of my favorite channels
Don't forget about the weight / body composition penalty. The same person would have to ride both bikes at 220 watts to get close to the difference between the bikes. Their body shapes are also different.
@@peiffer83 yeh its not exactly the point of those videos as Si is obviously a rider with a much higher power treshold than neil. He even finished heaps before Neil in the mountainbike endurance race on his cyclocross bike even though he had like 4 punctures.
Apart from being an exceptionally amazing adventure, this is some very remarkable cinematography! 👍
I swear, when the pandemic has gone, Scandinavian countries are high on my bucketlist of places to visit. Such a beautiful place...
> Such a beautiful place...
Not everywhere. Last year I rode around Southern Sweden and through Denmark: Copenhagen -> Gothenburg -> Stockholm -> Copenhagen -> Hamburg (Germany). 3/4 of the Swedish loop was along the coasts and was 1/4 across the land. A large part of the Gothenburg -> Stockholm traverse was basically just woods around me. And that gets a bit boring after a day. But the coasts are really beautiful. And Denmark is a highly developed and rather dense populated western country with great cycling infrastructure. So yeah, Denmark is very nice, but not exotic.
Edit: So I guess a large part of that "great ride with a great scenery" is rather "a great camera work and great editor's cut". (See the drone footage and such)
@@rostislavsvoboda7013 Agreed, but you should give western Norway a shot.
Great video, the scenery is gorgeous etc., but I can't believe you didn't even talk about... the *fork*. When I switch b/w my hard tail MTB and my cyclocross bike (ok it's not a gravel bike but still) and go offroad, the first difference I feel when the going gets rough is actually the suspension fork ! By far. Whether it is here or not makes a huge difference that completely changes the way you approach say a rocky trail or dirt road with potholes and rocks. I know you guys talked about these overall feelings in length but it just feels weird that you never even mentioned the fork, which is to me the essential difference b/w these bikes. Even the presentation of the MTB did not mention the fork. I'm sure others will follow me on that point.
Gravel bikes do tempt me that's for sure. I'd like to get one for off-road adventures but I feel like they're fine or even great on soft dirt roads and trails with volcanic dust, but as soon as you enter quite bumpy terrains with rocks and roots - and it doesn't have to be technical -, you get shaken around like hell and your elbows and shoulders get soar pretty quick. In the end, I see gravel bikes as cool all-arounders for mini-adventures on an hourly / daily basis, but I'm afraid they're not the right mount for the long haul. After days of ride on trails and dirt roads with a gravel bike your arms must be wrecked, aren't they ? Any feedback on that would be great :)
Again, thanks for sharing your adventure / bike review. Cheers!
This is the comment I needed! Thank you!
It's right, You have reason. Excellent comment, dude.
Right on the money!
Another point is cost and how far that $ gets you on a gravel vs MTB. You can get a really nice gravel bike like an entry level salsa cutthroat with 29 x 2.2" MTB tires for half of what you would get on a MTB with similar quality groupset. And that comes with tons of space for bags for touring on pavement or soft gravel (front fork paniers and rear rack paniers + trunk bag, massive frame packs and massive handlebar bags due to wider dropbars like the Salsa cowchipper). Just a more versatile bike (and more economical, if you spend wisely), but no gravel bike will ever come close to the level of comfort and handling that you get out of a MTB in super rough dirt
WOW! Old TopGear level of filming and photography with bikes. Amazing!
Hammond would have loved this challenge. Clarkson would be absolutely miserable 😂
‘Old’ top gear. This is sad 😞
I can’t believe how far GCN has come. This is honestly Top Gear production quality. Amazing work
Still probably my favorite video of yours, fairly comprehensive comparisons/explanations but unparalleled scenery and shots. And 2 fantastic personalities too. Love this video
It felt like a movie.
Great job, very creative. The part starting at 15:08 is really something.
That bit of film at 23:34, superb.
This is one of the best cycle tour videos I have ever seen. 👍🏻 to the film crew.
Love this film. This is the best of cycling: passion, gentlemanly controversy, scenery and speed
I love the scenery - great job with the cinematography! I guess the answer to gravel v. MTB is to ride a MTB because it's more fun, but bring your gravel friend so they can tow you in the wind! :)
I rode the Glacier 360 ( a three day mtb stage race around the 2nd largest glacier in Iceland) a couple years back. The scenery is spectacular, and extremely remote. Much of it was what you see in this video. Iceland is an amazing place to visit, and ride
Looks like great fun, but I can't help thinking... Perhaps you each should have been riding the bike chosen by the other? As it is you have a vid where the MTBer wouldn't have chosen a different bike, and the roadie/CXer wouldn't have either. Not surprising.
Exactly this - in fact before even watching the video, I was hoping they would do this; or swap half way through. It's the only 'fair' way to get a better idea of which is better.
The power meter is a good suggestion.
@Brendon Noble It looks like they had a support truck at the midpoint stop though, so that could have had the swap bikes I think
personally, I think Si was using the wrong wheel size gravel and disagree (with respect) with his description of a gravel bike, would have been great to see the difference between a 650b gravel bike and the 650b MTB
This is a fine idea. In fact, some kind of gcn vs gmbn challenge ever they ride 'the other' type of bike would be great. You can just imagine then all being torn between not wanting to win on the wrong kind of bike and the fact they are all ridiculously competitive.
The starkness of the terrain is almost other wordly. Thanks for taking us along.
These episode always remind me of the gorgeous cinematography of Top Gear. You guys really nailed the formula, a few good mate, some gorgeous rides, and amazing locations.
Great cinema shots of a lovely country. Nice to see you Simon getting back to doing more of what you clearly enjoy so much!
Amazing job GCN! Great production! Scenery, cinematics, sound, commentary, editing. This needs to be submitted for an award winning piece!
Some very excellent cinematography! GCN post production really is peaking. I can say without reservation that you two gentlemen are certainly lucky for the experience.
Gorgeous scenery, absolutely gorgeous.
This is easily one of the most enjoyable videos i have ever sat through, keep up the great work guys.
Lush video! I'd be interested in seeing a making of video or the crew behind you guys how an epsisode/show goes from storyboard to live along with what equipment you use etc?
Good call.
I put the video on my very top3 GCN video, absolutely brilliant, cinematography is awesome
Love both GCN and GMBN,put them both together makes it even better.
More please.
OMG - BEST GCN video ever ! ! The ultra-professional video and audio made this an absolute treat to watch.The drone aerial shots were simply amazing. That was some stout cycling across Iceland - - even for pro level riders on pro quality bikes :-)
Dudes great job with this. Had no real opinion on Iceland prior to this. And now I really want to go on a bike tour there. EPIC.
Chapeau!!! Amazing quality work in every respect. Loved it, and makes me want to go back to Iceland again.
This was probably one of my all-time favorite videos by GCN/GMBN. I ride both MTB and CX (Gravel Bike) and I am constantly asked which I prefer and why.
And what answer do you give?
@@loc9588 gravel probably
@@roald577 Probably depends on the terrain, otherwise he wouldn't need both bikes, would he?
@@loc9588 it depends how hard the terrain is, MTB is the clear winner in rough or technical sections
The scenery...OMG...places like this really exist on this planet?? Great video GCN! The best by far!
I'm a little amused how the gravel bike is basically a 90s mtb/early 00s XC bike.
BEAUTIFUL! Thank you so much GCN for letting us see the gorgeous places you have been. Hard to beat this one.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Simply the best bike channel worldwide! Congrats, GCN, wonderful videos!
The scenery and cinematography is actually mindblowing, thanks for this experience
Upped your music game for this video. Me likes!
Again amazing editing!! You guys do such an amazing job making the videos interesting and fun to watch keep it up please!
so glad to see you together... two of my favorite guys of gcn and gmbn channel
Thank you very much for the beautiful content! I'm even more hyped for my own tour now, although that'll be (almost) only on roads :D
As many have said, the cinematography and production value of this is absolutely breathtaking. Probably not what Si or Neil thought they'd be doing for work at this point, but holy shit what an experience
Agree that's some amazing cinematography and editing. Reminds be of the great work done by Top Gear during their heyday. That team really deserves their own video - or at least a mention.
Truly amazing content. Always impressed with GCN videos.
Really like the editing to the music and the vibes in this video. Something that has got lost in all the recent travel stories that I've watched, and I watched all of at least last year.
What an epic! please do more Top gear style adventures. Loved the scenery, Great bikes, great banter, great viewing
I love the drone footage. Great addition!
What a beautiful video, thoughtful words as ever from Si , and Neil's downhill riding, just a truly great job GCN ............
This was great guys. Thanks for making this video. Breathtaking scenery taken in by spectacular bike riding. One of the best videos on CZcams. Wow. Both Moots you guys were on rock too. Thanks again.
Wow. Excellent production values. What a great ride clip.
OMG I just gave to go to Iceland. STUNNING❤️
Amazing. Beautiful music and stunning scenery! Nice job
Incredible cinematography: beautifully filmed and some great audio/music to match. Brilliant short film!
They seem pretty lucky, having travelled across Iceland myself for a few weeks, I must say that although I did occasionally enjoy some beautiful (still blustery, lol) weather (Aug/Sep) often it was rather pretty miserable, the good thing is that even during those ghastly days they might still be an hour or two of relatively good sunny periods, it's crazy:) Well done👍
Such a delight having Neil and Si on a ride together. We need another one.
Maybe the most relaxing video that i have watched on GCN!
This video is just STUNNING. Love the channel, love your work
This is an absolutely amazing video. Back in the 80s, I lived in Iceland for a year -- time to head back w/ my gravel bike. (okay, it's a CX bike, but it'll work.) :) Again, breathtaking footage.
I lived there in the 90’s and can’t wait to take my bike there. Why it did it occur to me then, I’ll never know.
Excellent production value
Wow!!! The best GCN/GMBN vid ever........a massive shout out to the production team too as some of those shots were just incredible 👍
Love this video, the location was stunning and full credit to all the crew involved!
Fantastic video guys. I would love your job! Iceland looks so amazing to ride around. You have inspired me to go there now: Mountain bike, gravel bike, unicycle! It wouldn't matter. Thanks
The best cycling video on youtube!! Iceland is definetly on my bucket list!!
Thank you for this video. It is beautifully done and a joy to watch.
Really nice video with stunning video production at a stunning location. It just doesn't get better than that! Well done guys.
Great comparisons guys but I can't help but think it would have been better (more helpful) if you both did all the different terrains on day 1 then swapped bikes and did the exact same loop again. Then you can both know how and where each bike was better and worse.
Such a great video! The scenery is amazing! I have watched this video multiple times, gives me goosebumps watching amazing biking along with such beautiful country. I would absolutely love to do this ride. Great job GCN!
It was really fun to watch, nice cinematography! Landscape, editing etc.
EPIC... great film. Love it. Have been saving this one to watch, as I loved the bikepacking Morocco film so much. Amazing camera work and music. Awesome bikes and never bored watching the banter and commentary. Top f#$king job! Living out the cyclists dream!
Stunning view! I felt like im part of the ride. Thanks GCN 💖
Amazing job, thanks guys!
One of the best bike comparos I have ever seen. Epic - thanks so much !!
It would take a one big cry to get aquainted to such a beautiful place.
Great compilation GCN. 🙏🙏
Would have love to have heard discussion on the difference suspension makes to energy expenditure and to recovery from fatigue. Otherwise, a visually spectacular and well presented video. Well done!
Exactly. I have been riding a gravel bike recently after many years on a mtb and still can't decide whether I like it better for these types of conditions. The lack of suspension is significantly important - but of course this goes both ways since you don't need it on roads/hard-pack
Now GCN has been to some pretty cool places and done some really cool things but I do have to say that for something different this
really has to be the best that you guys have gone out and done. Just such an amazing landscape and what a fantastic way to see something which you would never see if you were to stick to the tarmac. I think that it was a really good course to take the Gravel/Adventure bike on (though slightly surprised that you didn't go for your beloved 650b!) and see what you really can put these bikes through. All that rough terrain on a fully rigid bike and it seemed to handle it all without to much complaints. Both bikes are amazing and what fantastic video! Really spot on. I think that this has to be why we all love GCN/GMBN!
This video was especially great not just for the amazing cinematography, but the candid banter between the two was endearing and genuine, this is a great video.
Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback!
These scenes are so powerful and overwhelming, I want this.
Cycling adventures - road, gravel, mountain bike, ebikes of both type more please this is so cool and we get tech specials as well! 👍🏼🚴🏾♂️📸🎥🔥
Respect for first disc brake symphony at 3:41 :D
Incredible video......stunning sceanary and amazing photography....simply brilliant!!!
This is awesome. Thank you for taking us along with you.
the music and scenery felt like it came straight out of national geographic
timtimzi ni your profile pic is driving me nuts lol
I thought i had a hair on my screen.. is this the desired effect?
best profile pic. fooled me for like 10 sec
This is not your mama's Nat Geo.
I cycled around Iceland in 2002 - it's windy as **** but like cycling on the moon. Amazing to see it again:-)
brindlebot wit which bike?
People will really underestimate the wind Iceland offers until they get there. Been blown over many a time
@@dwahnsinn Im super slow replying. A crappy old raleigh MTB. Probably and definitely not the best bike. Didn't break though which was good of it.
I've lost count of how many times I've watched this video. Such an epic ride that is high on the priority list
I've now watched this video 3 separate occasions, today in 2020 while doing an interval session on my trainer... thanks GCN!!!
What an awesome video! Congrats for the great work!
Great video! Thx!
Guys, can you make video about adventure bikes, like salsa fargo: gravel geometry, offroad drop bar + 27.5x3.0" tires
Absolutely jaw dropping scenery and a brilliant short film.
Once in a lifetime adventure. I'm doing a gravel build right now and will be dreaming of Iceland while I'm putting it together. Great video!