What’s the weirdest thing you’ve worn on a bike ride?

There definitely needs to be protective gear designed for road cycling. Surprised that manufacturers haven't capitalised on this yet.

Can we ask the cycling clothing manufacturers why they can’t make rain/winter jackets in brighter colors and higher reflection? It’s always black, or fluorescent green. Would be nice to have more choices

Adding padding and reinforcement only in the contact points (hips, knees, etc) could mitigate a lot of these problems. We pretty much know the major areas that hit the ground when you crash.

I'm a cyclist and ride a motorcycle, I find it funny how folks talk about motorcycles being dangerous and they wouldn't ride one yet never consider riding a bike to be dangerous. I feel far more exposed in my cycling gear sharing the road with inattentive drivers than I do on my motorcycle wearing a full helmet and protective clothing where I can travel along with traffic rather than hoping I am seen. Stay safe, flashing lights on your bike are a must even on a nice day and stick to the shoulder even if you think there's no traffic! I get this video was an exercise for practicality but the also didn't make much effort to pick optimal hot weather motorcycle gear... Lose the shield off the helmet and get a mesh jacket that allows for more air flow. The cyclist would still be slower but at least he wouldn't suffer heat exhaustion. :-)

MTB gear offers more protection, maybe should have done a test with that vs a Roadie kit.

The questions as to why cyclists don't wear kit similar to motorcyclists are really valid especially from a crash protection standpoint. However there's a key difference: bicycles are human powered so the rider's body generates far more heat than the motorcyclist's. As for looks, that's not as important as safety (the same argument works in motorcycle safety).

Alex, would you consider doing a video about the psychology of getting back on the bike after a crash, perhaps speaking with coaches and mental health professionals? After the physical healing, the mental barrier can be tough to overcome.

I really think you guys should redo this video with MTB gear! You know... Gear that people actually wear while cycling (even though it's a different discipline). As much as these extremes make for good videos, obviously no one actually thinks that motorbike gear might be a good option. However something like thin trail mtb knee pads or elbow pads, and maybe a lightweight full face helmet alongside your regular cycling kit could be reasonable.

The protective pads are going to be used a lot in the future imo. 20 years ago helmets weren't used that much by road cyclists while now it's almost impossible to see one who doesn't wear it: I see protective pads in cycling kits making the same way

Did someone at GCN forget to ask GMBN about their vast range of protective cycling wear?

Seems like there's an opportunity in the market for more development of light, breathable clothing that is more robust than lycra but nowhere near as bulky & restrictive as motorbike gear (clearly designed to mitigate wind chill and not for anyone exercising). Maybe testing with MTB gear including padding would be better? I certainly wear mitts on every ride as palm scrapes would be the first thing for almost any spill. And a helmet, but nothing else protective-specific as there's nothing practical that would protect other 'edges'. Will be trying the shorts!

After I started riding a motorcycle and wearing all of the protective gear, I now feel incredibly vulnerable, especially at speed.

I wear MTB knee pads and then tactical elbow pads all the time when I'm riding my gravel bike either on roads or gravel. They not only help reduce road rash since the pads are on your extremities, they also help reduce or even avoid broken bones. But I won't go the lengths of motorcycle clothing due to high risk of over-heating. I also ride my gravel bike on 'slow' setup during training. Touring tires, racks and pannier bags installed, loose kit that flaps in the wind, heavy gear so I can ride more slowly and safer on training while still putting out the same wattage or at Zone 3 or even Zone 4.

its still only 6.3% faster, I expected at least 15%. I do like the idea of adding some small protection on knees, elbows and hands (assuming you already have a helmet), exactly where Alex has his bruises, as these seem to be more of an issue

I've been in the motorcycle industry selling and buying motorcycle gear for six years. Looking at this video I started thinking that perhaps there WOULD be some possibilities for more protective cycling gear that isn't as bulky as full on motorcycle gear. 1: Existing cycling kit could have more materials that are abrasion and tear resistant in key areas. Gloves are fairly obvious, just add some aramids in key areas. Shoes might include a slightly longer ankle area which wouldn't need to be too bulky. Jerseys could have more robust materials in the shoulder and outer arm area and in the back. Some extra light back protectors could be used as well. This option would add almost nothing to the bulk of the gear - a lot of the bulk in motorcycle gear doesn't actually come from the crash protection, but instead from all the liners, waterproof membranes, and myriad features. Abrasion resistant fabric in itself doesn't need to be that much bulkier. 2: Adding well ventilated and breathable sleeves and leg warmers with abrasion resistant fabrics in slide zones could be made to work. These could be used on cooler days. They wouldn't be any hotter than current removable sleeves and leg warmers, really. Besides, if we could get over our love for black, black and more black, long sleeved jerseys and riding pants could be made cooler by colour choice as well. 3: Most helmets seem pretty underprotective currently. They are really quite scary to look at from a motorcyclist's perspective to be honest. I'm certain we could make helmets that give the head more coverage but needn't add much to bulk and heat.

As someone who both rides motorcycles and bicycles, I have long dismissed riding in full armor on a bicycle. However, the performance hit wasn't that bad, it's more of the overheating and discomfort. There is a category of ultra light weight motorcycle gear for hot climates. Icon has a lightweight, highly breathable armor vest that might work on a bike. That, the lowers you used, gloves and a full face mountain bike helmet might be a huge safety win, particularly when flying down mountain or canyon roads at highway speeds.

serious video would consider a full face mountain bike helmet (fox etc) instead of the heavy motorcycle helmet.

I do see lots of individuals in my city wearing full face mountain bike helmets in the urban setting. so i think some people are looking for a bit more protection in traffic.

Honestly if companies would design and make cycling targeted more protective gear I’d buy it. I’m willing to sacrifice some time and effort for the peace of mind knowing that if anything were to happen I’m safe from any type of injury short of getting hit by a car

I am a roadie and I do wear some armor. I don't wear full motorcycle gear like in this video which absolutely is restrictive but I do wear chest and shoulder protection in addition to a cycling helmet. I tend to ride solo and after a crash that broke my collar bone, scapula, and a bunch of ribs it is just more comforting to have. Its warmer than not having it, true. But not by much much as I like heat in general and tend to ride in long sleeve jerseys anyway. My armor is mountain bike/motocross stuff.

This just illustrates that all protection is a compromise. Helmet advocats present helmets as the ultimate protection, that should be mandatory but a cyclehelmet is a compromise between comfort/necessity and safety as is riding without a helmet.

The place Alex parked for the test was named after his incident. It's the place Alex tore a hole in his bottom...... And arms, hands and knees. But the full name was too long for the map.

A moment of silence for those who can't still yet hit the 50kph speed. Hats off to you brother

It was fun, but doing this test also in DH protective stuff also would have made it more sense. I mean that is protection, and made for cycling.

A lot of the 'gear police' in the motorcycling world could do with watching this video (they're the equivalent of the helmet police here in the cycling world). What to wear on a bicycle (and a motorcycle) is always a compromise between comfort, weather protection, performance and crash protection depending on the rider's priorities. Thanks GCN for a light-hearted, entertaining way of illustrating this, let the rider decide!

With the heat we had recently, I was happy to get out on the motorbike and let the wind blast through my vented summer riding gear. Even at motorway speed it felt like I was riding in front of a hair dryer though! It does surprise me that more of us cyclists don't wear protective gloves. As was pointed out by my instructor when taking my motor bike test, you only ever come off once riding bare handed, because you need a really understanding partner to wipe your bottom for you, until your hands heal! 🤣💩

I had a catastrophic crash in June coming down a hill. I crushed my ribs and have needed a bunch of titanium plates and screws to put my chest wall back together. I don't really think protective equipment like this would have helped. In retrospect I should not have ridden on a route with potholes. Until this accident, I never really considered that this kind of accident was even possible. I figured if I crashed I would get a bunch of skin damage, and maybe break a leg or arm. Needless to say I wish I could go back and ride a different route.

The filming sequence of the recent tech videos can be determined by Alex's bandages.

Alex displays bandages near elbows and knees from a crash; so why did Hank's second outfit omit lightweight elbow and knee pads? Missed the obvious. There is padding for skateboarders and mountain bikers; perhaps the lightest of that would be enough for abrasion and impact protection on a road bike. The first half was to make Hank suffer, a sad, old joke. Would any actual road cyclist wear motorcycle kit for protection? Of course it is designed for a powered vehicle at higher speeds than most road bikes will ever reach, and for impacts as well as abrasion. Half the video to make the obvious point that motorcycle kit is not a starting point for road cyclists. This part would have been less of a throwaway if Hank were wearing mountain biker protective kit. From the lightweight comfort perspective, was Alex wearing a long sleeved jersey and long legged bibs during his crash? There are long fitness clothes that breathe well in hotter conditions. Are there already some decent, affordable "summer long" biking jerseys and bibs? Bonus for their sun protection; helpful if light colors instead of black. Toughen the elbow and knee areas for more abrasion resistance.

For the sake of 48 seconds I'll use my motorbike kit from now on. The fall off speeds are going to be so much lower, therefore I'll be injury free. Safety first.

I feel for Hank riding in that gear. I forgot the key for the security lock on my motorbike last weekend and had to walk back up to my third floor flat wearing all my gear… sweating conkers by the time I got back downstairs! I’d guess jacket, trousers, helmet, gloves and boots weighs more than my Brompton 😂

I remember a few years ago, while watching a race, that a kit manufacturer was experimenting with kevlar fibers being woven into a team's ket. Has anyone else seen anything of it? The idea was to better protect riders in a crash when they slide on pavement. Sounded like a great idea to me.

The motorbike helmet would be a lot safer if the strap were fastened.

As a biker, Hank has my sympathy. The converse torture is wearing all your bike gear in the summer, in 30+ degrees and getting stuck in stationary traffic. Like wearing a hot water bottle - that leaks boiling water! Great show. Very funny. Does beg the question: why has cycle clothing development fallen so far behind other cycling advancement? Safety first? Seems not ……

But what about hi viz clothing? Although they do not add additional protection in the event of an accident, they do reduce the risk of being in an accident as they make them more visible. They are also lightweight.

The year, 1977, I had just purchased my "steed for speed", a brand new Peugeot PX -10-LE! I was pumped to ride my new bike to school, I was in high school at the time, the distance was just under 14 miles one way. I purchased my steed near the end of January so it was at the beginning of February that I would get my first ride! Morning temps were expected to be between 10 and 18 degrees F. So, it was cold. My friend had a snowmobiling suit that he would sell to me cheap, approximately $45. We were about the same size so I jumped at the chance. So, the next Monday came, I suited up and jumped on the bike. It was 10 degrees F that's -12 degrees C, so pretty cold! I on the other hand was pumped, I even got a chance to pass the school bus on a downhill section on my way to school. Boy I was booking it, stomping on the pedals and spinning in the big ring. About 6 miles into the ride I was sweating like a mule pulling a plow on an August day. By the time I got to school I was about to pass out! It was like exercising in a sauna. To wrap it up I sold the suit back to my friend for $10 bucks, thankful to survive the experience! I still ride that bike on a regular basis!

Every time I've hit the road, I'm amazed at how lycra, particularly the heavier 9 oz lycra, pills up sliding along the pavement and doesn't run or rip apart. It also slightly lessens abrasions on the skin. So I'm satisfied with the trade offs, going with ease of movement, aerodynamics, and no heat retention lycra provides. Then again, I've never hit the tarmac much faster than 15 mph, so the slides aren't that intense. The foam helmet takes care of the head; the padded gloves take care of the hands; the shoes take care of the feet. I have no complaints. Now if we could figure out how to prevent broken collar bones, I'd be curious! Maybe some kind of carbon fiber structure across the shoulders? Never mind!

Like Alex, I went down yesterday (I'm in severe pain today). I'm re-thinking training on the Virginia Capital Trail and taking it inside on a dedicated trainer. No Birds, No Bee's, only air conditioning.

Alex: I'll count you in with the beeps Also Alex: Boop Boop Boop

i will say that riding with gloves that have carbon/reinforced knuckles is the business. especially in traffic. cars get too close and you can just tap the car with the knuckles and it makes A LOT of noise. drivers definitely think they just hit you, and give you more room after. [also, in the rare circumstance of an aggressive driver, you can punch their side mirrors off without damaging your hands.]

Hank, you're such a good sport. I'm sorry the other presenters bully you so much. They're just envious that you're better looking, faster, and more fun to make videos with. Keep strong buddy 'ol pal. ✊🏽

I've looked at wearing gravel/mtb hip and elbow pads along with full fingered gloves for crit racing. I think that would mitigate most of the impact and abrasion damage normally seen.

I've found lycra and spandex to be far superior in falls than cotton or nylon tbh. I was also glad to hear Alex mention gloves. If you have ever had to grow skin back upon one's palms or the back of one's hands you will understand. It was my biker friend that clued me into the safety of wearing gloves while cycing. Nice vid. Isn't there some sort of 'saftey backpack; that inflates like impact balloons in autos? Hank needs to test that next. Weyrdest thing is my flashing LED faux fur coat for Halloween on Critical Mass Ride.

In the winter when it’s below 20F I wear my dirt motorcycle helmet with googles to stay warm. One thing Hank didn’t mention is you can’t drink with a full face helmet.

One of the advantages of a velomobile is better protection in the case of a crash. I have a friend that was hit in the rear by truck doing 50+mph. His velomobile flipped, a sign post went through the side of the velomobile, and yet he walked away from the crash. Had he been on a road bike he’d be dead. I was hit in my velomobile at an intersection Friday May 13th. My velomobile get a couple minor dings. I didn’t even have any bruises. On my bike I would have bare minimum ended up in the hospital with broken bones. I’m not saying a velomobile is superior, but from a safety perspective it does have advantages. Having a 100db horn I can honk at distracted drivers helps too.

I love the nod to daft punk in the music choice for when Hank was in the cycle helmet.

Alex was feeling quite cheeky in this one! Funny video.

Crashed once. Gloves were ripped across the palm with the “rings” still around the fingers. Can’t imagine the damage and pain without gloves!!!

A comparative crash test had been a lot interesting of the new protective dynema cycling kit. I had a crash in the beginning of the summer. The Lycra was not much ripped and I think the scars would had been more severe if I had have worn like normal clothes. To protect shoulders from injuries like broken collarbone, dislocation of shoulder and so on would be appreciated on my behalf. Hope you are getting better Alex, looks like a nasty crash. #GCN

The irony of this video. First GCN video I couldn't finish watching. Alex: (laughing at the absurdity of wearing protective clothing). Also Alex: I can't ride a bike because I was in a bike accident.

I think that it would be great to get cycling jersey with a removable carbon plate protecting the spine, very flexible and light. I am not sure if any brand have done something like this with road cycling in mind...I will definitely try it

I am sure someone else asked, but what about some of the protective gear for mtn biking and show us what is reasonable? Comfort versus safety?

I've often thought that I would never ride my motorbike wearing what I wear when I'm cycling.

I'm just waiting for the story on how Alex crashed at the spot he parked his car at for this video, road looks fairly nice no hard turns etc.

After a couple of crashes and coming down hard on my hip I now ride with some mtb POC vpd shorts under my normal bib shorts. They incorporate thin rubber crash protection pads on the hip and tail bone. I don't know why there are more items like this for roadies.

The silhouette of Hank wearing all that gear, looks closer to me in my fat suit - although unfortunately my fat suit is permanent and no safer 🤣

I am from the netherlands and i have a very firm belief that protection creates a false sense of safety. I am not alone in this within my own group fo friends and relatives theres a few that feel somewhat similair.

Well I do commute by a small 20 inch e-mtb through traffic a lot this past month. And I'd say I use at least a summer motorcycle vest at night. Not that heavy and breathes nicely. Suits me well when I am on downhills doing 50kmh. I use a cycling helmet though , maybe a full face is better in the winter.

Why not look at using some mtb protection from the boys and girls at gmbn. Eg knee pads, elbow, back protector and full face lid. Still designed for cycling.

Note: The ability for something to float on water has to do with density and not weight

The next test should be simulating the crash and see the difference in injuries one gets with the different gear ;)

When crashing going 35-40 km/h not only skin will break but also bones will break with cycling “protection” gear

How would a 50 mile TT compare with cycle vs motorbike clobber? Or maybe DH MTB? Can Hank even ride 80 Km in that?

Hey guys, what about the same test with road kit vs MTB kit?

This video was very silly lol. This cycling network has a mountain bike channel, where they literally wear padding that is often CE level 1 rated (meaning motorcyclists also wear them). There's really thin pads made of D30 and other similar stuff, that is soft and squishy, but really hard on impact. Rather than a motorbike jacket, they have "body armour" where it's just thin pads where they want them, and the rest is just really light thin stretchy material that cyclists like. There are much thinner and airier motorcycle jackets than the one in this video, too. Also the full face helmet is a bit ridiculous for this application lol. Could have been an interesting video, since a lot of road cyclists would really like to have some protection, especially if it's very slim and form-fitting. At least check out impact shorts, where it's like a bib but with really thin but very effective padding on the sides for the hip bones in case you come down on them. Doesn't get in the way of peddling or anything. Would be really cool if road cycling could go in that direction, with products really designed for it, because when people come off a fast-moving bike on road, it can be pretty damn bad. Especially since some riders are just out there on a casual relaxing Sunday morning ride for a bit of exercise, nothing crazy in their old age, and then they get absolutely obliterated on the road with no protection at all lol. It's terrible. I'd just recommend people check out mountain bike gear / motocross gear (same stuff on the lighter end of pads). Then look for stuff like D30 and similar thin, very protective materials.

Bit of a shame. Credit for picking a serious topic rarely touched upon but spoilt by dwelling on too much "fun" with the Blue Peter level of humour. Got a bit more interesting at 7.37 before returning to hilarious Hank in motor bike kit. Would be interested in more on safety protective cycling kit beyond just hi-viz stuff in future videos. Great quality of production as always. Thanks.

I'm only going to wear my 16th century, Gothic plate-armour with full face helm and a complete chain mail with gambesson undercoat from hence forth. One must protect the family jewels.

You could try some mtb gear like knee pads, gloves, and elbow pads. It really depends on the risk level of the route vs comfort. I don't wear a full face helmet for easy mtb trails. When I was young almost nobody even owned a helmet much less used one but now I always use at least a helmet and gloves. Really just about anything is risky. How many people fall in the shower or on stairs and should you add protection for that? Driving to your destination is probably the most dangerous part.

You need to do a comparison with some of the MTB protection.

I don't wear one, but a mountain bike full face helmet might be a good compromise. Especially for e-bike riders.

I was hit head on my motorcycle by a half asleep neighbor in her SUV. Both of us going about 15 miles an hour. I hit the ground hard -- my elbow, hip, head, and hands. Broke my wrist, bruises and bad bursitis, but overall very lucky. . It very easily could have been me on my bicycle (which travels the same route a block a way from my house). The damage would have been the same or maybe worse since I was in a full face helmet and full D30 gear and likely would have been wearing shorts and a bike helmet on bicycle. It eludes me why there isn't properly padded road bike gear.

I just keep picturing Hank's dad going to go for a spin on his motorcycle to find his kit missing.

I did want to know more about Alex's crash, only because I've been there done that and want to know what went wrong.

My motorbike gear being leather is even stiffer than the textile gear Hank was wearing. But there’s actually a lot of lightweight flexible motorbike clothes coming out designed to wear all day in casual situations, including highly flexible elbow and shoulder armour that stiffens on impact, as well as Kevlar fibre infused jeans with the same flexible armour, you also get quite light carbon fibre helmets, though most of this is designed for city riding and commuting, not highway travelling

After having a 130kmh accident in a motorcycle against tarmac and with shoulder pain and broken ankle with full first class clothing, I think that downhilling a road bicycle at 50-60 km/h with ONLY a helmet and having a fall could have me with similar injuries as long as I don’t hit something or get hit. Maybe some light d3o pads on key areas would help plus more of abrasion resistant clothes. Without this I do think road cycling can be as dangerous a motorcycle riding with gear.

Alex needs to practice crashing more. Landing on your palms, elbows, and knee are rookie signs. He could have broken both wrists and both elbows. Does a cat ever land on his head when you drop him?

When it's cold and raining, especially when it's below freezing, I wear a motorcycle helmet when I'm out on my ebike because it was more convenient than putting on a balaclava, bicycle helmet, ski goggles, and scarf.

The fundamental idea behind this episode is really interesting and worth exploring more. However I challenge the execution here - why not try some downhill mountain bike gear in the first instance? That would make a fairer comparison. The motorbike gear used here made for a particularly unfair comparison (eg could've used a summer jacket with vents, weird helmet choice too). It got raised towards the end but personally I've always cringed seeing GCN presenters riding without gloves, which is super often!

You just open the lid by 1 click and it stops the misting and allows the air flow too keep you cooler and breath easier.

In regards to the “black cycling clothing is dangerous” comments, contrast is more important than high-vis. Also, use lights

What about mountain bike armor? Obviously slower, but where is the sweet spot between protection and lightweight/breathabliity? (i.e. do we take just a helmet and gloves for granted? Are we just going with tradition and not thought through what makes sense today given today's technologies?)

Hank growing a mustache and beard tells me he's getting ready to join a specific race and a specific crowd. Like rad race or something

Tegaderm! Just FYI, when you crash, that's the stuff you want for your road rash. It's an absolute miracle!

My motorbike clothing has D3O soft armour that I think could work well in cycling clothing but people wouldn’t buy it. Many people don’t even wear mits that I’d say are lightweight, cheap, comfortable and will save the skin on your hands if you do crash (and if you do crash it’s likely you’ll put your hands down)

The riders that go after the cycling land speed records like Denise Mueller-Korenek wear what appears to be fairly well armoured kit that still allows for a full range of movement. It’s obviously way beyond what the average rider needs but she almost made it to 300 km/h. The folks over at GMBN seem to be well protected as falling off a bike looks like a daily occurrence over there 😁.

I wear a full face bicycle helmet for commuting. I have to ride without a protected bike lane beside car drive 55-70 mph, because the USA is very car centric. It's a Bell Super 2R so I don't even notice it's there. Provides face protection and much better back of head protection. Looks super dorkey, and unfortunately does not reinforce my efforts to encourage others to cycle for transportation. It is convertible, so I can remove chin bar when I ride class one separated bike paths, but I'm usually right back into dangerous traffic again, so it usually stays on.

7:55 - POC also has bibs with small ceramic dots on the outside, adding a little bit of protection. I don't know how good those are though, I don't have them

crashing on bicycle or injury in any sport make me question why i do this in the first place. its not for criplling myself or life-long pain

I would love a more serious video on the topic of protective cycling gear. Why isn’t it happening? Not to the ridiculous level of a Alpinestars touring motorcycle suit but the innovative stuff of which the anti-rip is only the first example.

After a 7 mile ride to work on a frosty day in T-shirt and shorts I get sweaty, I’ve been wringing in the recent heat, the thought of doing that in motorbike kit….. ugh.

The biggest danger for a cyclist is an inattentive driver. Simple as that. And no protective kit, no matter how thick, will withstand two tons of steel passing over you.

Almost like it is performance gear for two different types of performances. As a motorcyclist who wears lots of protective gear, and a triathelte who wears bike kit, the reasons are obvious why to pick one or the other. I think there is room for discussion when it comes to commuting e-bikes that people use in traffic, that can hit similar speeds as a motorcycle but with little to no effort, as to whether they should be required (in applicable jurisdictions) to wear protective gear more appropriate for the performance or even get licensed.

Alex showed up in bandages. CORRECT choice for this video.

I live in Australia. The heat here is bonkers HOT. I wear a poc ventral helmet in winter. My brain would melt wearing a moto helmet

I use to wear forarm guards as they're what put themselves between the ground and my head. Don't usually bother, better to ride defensively.

Hank is just really the best! I almost fall from the chair :D

Without watching the video, the reason is quite simple: people wear what they are "told" to wear. The industry is driven by the professional cyclists, be it road or mountain. Everyone in the TdF is wearing lycra, so that is what the industry makes and what people buy. If pros started riding in leathers(!) or whatever, guess what the industry would start selling?

Shouldn't we include a crash test? Seems a bit unfair to only pit the weakness of motorbike kit vs strengths of cycling kit :D

We know all that already, what we do not know is how Cillian went on l’etape du tour !!! Long edit please 🙏