How much slower is a mid-range bike compared to a pro-level super bike? We’ve conducted a flat and hilly test to find out the difference to find out whether Tadej Pogacar could still win the 2024 Tour de France if he was using a mid-range road bike.

    In this video we pit a mid-range bike, the Van Rysel RCR Rival AXS (£4,500) against a pro level bike, the Canyon Ultimate CFR to see if spending more can buy you speed.

    Our mid-range Van Rysel RCR isn’t a cheap bike but it’s less than half the price of our Canyon Ultimate CFR super road bike. Is it worth spending bucket loads for the best road bikes in 2024 or is your money better spent on one lower down the range.

    Let us know your thoughts on these road bikes down below and how much you think it’s sensible to spend on a road bike…

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    ⚫️ In this video

    0:00 Introduction
    0:15 The Contenders
    1:18 Diminishing gains explained
    1:52 The Test
    2:24 Climbing Test
    4:00 Climb Test Results
    4:50 Flat Test
    5:50 Flat Test Results
    6:58 Would Pogacar win the Tour de France?
    7:34 Outro

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    27 Comments

    1. If you guys know anything about Pogacar's bike, it's one of most expensive bikes in the peloton with custom carbon-ti parts everywhere, ceramic bearings in the pulley wheel and bottom bracket by Bikone, his brake pads total $100 with absolute black cooling fin tech. Stop playin with the beach cruiser comments 😂

    2. In a sport where marginal gains is everything between winning and losing, there is absolutely no way pogacar could win on the Tour de France with a mid range bike.

    3. Well from the jump Decathlon AG2R made and the wins they got already this year, let's forget the strategy and decision made for the TDF, they where smoking some good shit, but, the improvement was huge, i'm sure the Goat, would win in any bike in the pro peloton

    4. EDIT – like you did on the flat run that came later 🙂 To do a proper test, wouldn't you need the same rider to ride at the same Watts on each run, so demonstrate the efficiency of the bike? The better bike should go faster at the same Watts as the less efficient one. Doing max out efforts don't work because it's not like for like, and like you say….fatigue sets in

    5. is there any truth of Shimano's claim the Pogacar is riding 165mm cranks? Shimano claim more cadence and a more aero riding position. Everyone else in the Pro Peloton is on a 170mm or 172mm crank

    6. Having ridden a road bike since 1961. 63 yrs. In Sydney AU. I just love watching these hot dog Ricky racers on their $5,000 plastic bikes
      On Saturday. Don’t forget their $250.00 sun glasses. Oh yes, knee high white socks. Then back into the house until next Saturday. My opinion is, the best riders are the daily commuters. Wind, rain, heat, Cold, working all day, dealing with the down right nasty drivers. These are the riders I respect. Speed isn’t everything.

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