A few weeks ago, Si dusted off his old Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3 from back when GCN started in 2013 to compare it to his 2023 Canyon Aeroad. Predictably, it was much slower, but we got lots of comments asking to test it again after fitting it with modern deep section wheels and fast tyres. So, that’s what we’ve done. Old bike with new wheels and tyres – how much faster is it?
00:00 Intro
02:12 Run 1 – 2013 Specialized
03:45 Riding positions
05:59 Run 2 – 2023 Canyon
07:49 Results
08:40 Analysis
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29 comments
What other upgrades would you make to Si’s 2013 Specialized? Let us know in the comments below! 👇
Some people cycle to get fit, not get fit to cycle, so the heavier your bike, the more resistance, the better.
My mate and I were discussing bike upgrades, and we concluded the only sensible upgrade that would improve his riding experience and fitness would be to buy me a better bike. I am still waiting.
If you install a jet engine on the back it will reduce your watts to nearly zero
Think I need a new bike!
Before, people got a bike made themselves strong and won races
Today, you need to have an engineer and then you lost the race cause u forgot to train and enjoy
It wouldn’t make a blind bit of difference to me I am still fat old and slow no matter what wheels I am using or what bike 😂
Great video.
Loved the camera work and the editing.
It blows my mind how much we’ve discovered in the last 10 years.
Can’t wait to see what happens in the next decade.
And I’m glad that it was mentioned at the end of video that all that matters is “just ride. Ride fast, ride slow, ride with mates or not. Just ride”
SI’s right, what is this test about? It’s literally just which frankenbike is is faster. Admittedly that’s probably the most common topic at club runs so I guess it’s the purest cycling test GCN’s done to date 😂
2:45 in…pretty sure that rear QR is open? 😅
This is total NONSENSE! There is no way that the aerodynamics of a frame alone will make 1.8 km/h difference. That's demonstrated in countless tests that are far better controlled than this one.The differences must have mostly been due to other factors, probably mostly position on the bike (there is so much infornation we don't have here). This is crap, and you know it.
Si you may be interested in Sam Pilgrim's recent experiments with unconventional disk wheels in relation to all this – https://youtu.be/LHAyQbp-2wc
Don't you need to control for power in these tests? If the power is not the same then these results are meaningless, no?
Hey I am updating my sl3 Astana. Video was just in time
I'm pretty sure that chain wax is at least as old as Ollie and my old wool shorts! When I feel the need for speed on a club ride, I just dust off my 2005 Zipp 404 triathlon wheels (58 mm section fitted with Veloflex tubs of course). At less than 1300 grams, they are still in the super light category and, to this day, nothing beats the road feel of a really nice tubular even though if they are a whole 1 watt slower than the latest tubeless beasts. Last year I swapped my 44 carbon bars for 38s. I wager this was worth at least 1 km an hour at 40 km/hr. The skin suit is also a big factor….cheers/
next time.. ride at the same 'watts' for a more accurate time posts.. also never liked riding on narrow bars.. make my bike feel nervous..at 6 foot..44's feel much better..130 mm stem..om smaller bars.. i feel pinched in sholders wider then hands on the bars
Average power for each run, the same???????????????
That’s why you buy a new bike every year. Let all the peasants buy your used bikes. It’s what I do.
Hey, given your busy schedule, do you need anyone to clean out your attic for you?!
I think it would be interesting to see just how much difference bar width makes. I hav a roughly ten year old bike, with zero prospect of ever changing it ( I’m a pensioner)
I am not complaining I love riding my bike. For the same reason I mentioned before I also could not run to deep section carbon aero wheels. I would however love to know if my 38cm bars are making a difference. Could we have a test on that please GCN!
I’m not surprised that the wheels made the old bike faster, however, 30’s over that distance for simply frame shape, drivetrain and hidden cables is a BIG difference.
PS. I need a new bike! 😊
I thought old Si's Specialized was red? If so, what difference does the blue paintjob make in combination with the aero wheels? Detailed breakdown please.
Love to see a video just on the 2013 Specialized stock wheels vs aero wheels…as allot of us are still riding older bikes and upgrading parts does appeal
Si how did it feel to be on your specialized with more aero wheels? does it feel and handle still beautifuly?
This is bs test it on the same power.
I have a Bianchi 928L with complete DA 7800 groupset with Ksyrium 100 anniversary wheels. . I swapped the shifter from 7800 to 6700 Ultegra ( so no cables in front) and add a pair of 50mm DA cabon wheels. Besides my fitness improvement, I have to say that I became quicker on the same course we as a club rides. 2 to 3 minutes quicker. It don't sound like much, but you know what that means when you are on a bike
Great video as usual. No need to take it any further, obviously if you do a few more modifications the bike will almost be as fast as the Canyon. But then again you can also make the Canyon even faster! 😁
Its definitely for worse. Too expensive.
Could do with putting the 2013 bike as a prize. It looks stunning, especially with the deep dish wheels.
Love Si's "science" videos. Always wanted to know if buying aero wheels that would cost 50% more then my entire bike was not worth while