Riding Every Era of Bikes for 150 Miles

Summary

Over three days, the Speeed team set out from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to ride roughly 150 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage to Cumberland, Maryland. Along the way, they switched to newer eras of bicycles and compared how each generation handled the trail.

Video timestamps are approximate.

The ride through the eras

• 00:50 — 1880s penny-farthing: Zach tried the high-wheeler for the first time and gradually got the hang of it. Its large front wheel could make it fast, but also made it dangerous. The group then lined up at mile zero to begin the trip.
• 01:58 — 1902 safety bicycle: Its familiar frame shape felt like a major step toward the modern bike, but the fixed gear, wooden wheels, sharp pedals, and lack of pneumatic tires made hills hard work.
• 03:23 — 1910s–’20s roadsters: These bikes had coaster brakes and could coast without the pedals turning, but they were heavy and uncomfortable. One weighed around 80 pounds; the other had a front spoon brake that was poor at stopping. After only a few miles, the riders were already sore and frustrated.
• 05:30 — 1930s cruisers: The group felt bicycle design had gone backward. The heavy, toy-like bikes were slow and awkward, despite features such as a horn and mechanical speedometer. By this point, the day was nearly half over, but they were still far from their first destination. They rated the bikes poorly for speed and comfort, though they liked their style.
• 08:04 — 1940s–’50s three-speeds: English-style bikes brought a welcome improvement. The Raleigh’s three-speed hub and rim brakes made the ride feel much more practical, while the American Schwinn kept a single speed and coaster brake. The riders called these their first “real bikes” and ended day one with noticeably better comfort and pace.
• 10:43 — 1970s Bianchi: The bike boom brought drop handlebars, narrow tires, caliper brakes, and rear derailleurs, making bikes faster and more useful. But the aging Bianchi caused trouble: its shifting cable began to fray and bunch up, and a flat tire also needed patching. After fixing the puncture, the riders got back on the trail.
• 16:09 — 1980s touring bike and mountain bike: The Fuji touring bike and early Mongoose mountain bike reflected the growing specialization of bicycles. The Mongoose’s knobby tires, upright bars, and wider brakes were built for rougher ground. Both riders found the bikes more capable, and the trail’s cycling community became a highlight of the journey.
• 19:53 — 1990s Kleins: Aluminum frames, indexed shifting, brake-and-shifter levers, and clipless pedals made these bikes a major leap in speed and ease. The riders said they were moving much faster than on earlier bikes. A dark tunnel was a brief unnerving moment, but the Kleins were the clear favorites so far.
• 23:29 — 2000s bikes: One rider took a carbon Cervélo road bike, while the other rode an aluminum Cannondale hybrid with suspension and a distinctive Lefty fork. The Cervélo felt exceptionally fast; the hybrid was more comfortable on the trail but less exciting. The group reached Meyersdale, joking that it had taken them “30 years” of bike eras to get there.
• 27:15 — Modern Specialized Diverge gravel bikes: Wireless shifting, wide gravel tires, and light wheels made the final bikes feel effortless compared with the older models. The riders passed the Eastern Continental Divide and continued through the Narrows toward Cumberland, praising the bikes’ speed and capability.
• 31:58 — Finish: With one mile left, the team reached the final stretch to Cumberland. They concluded that the modern bikes were the best by a wide margin, while still appreciating the history and character of the older machines. Their takeaway: old technology can be fascinating, but today’s bikes are exceptionally good.

Presenters and source

• Presenters: Speeed cycling team; Zach and James are named in the subtitles, and Jesse is also addressed.
• Source: Speeed, Riding Every Era of Bikes for 150 Miles.