Results of the GFNY Bike Count 2016
The GFNY Championship 2016 saw the first ever ‘bike count’ in a mass participation race ever. Right behind the security check, four experts checked over 4000 riders for the frame and components. Find the results below:
Demographics of the GFNY
In 2016, 40.5% of the riders came from the US. The next largest country was Brazil with 702 riders, which is 14.5% of the peloton. This makes GFNY the third largest Brazilian granfondo. The next biggest countries were Mexico (412 riders), Canada (289 riders), Colombia (255 riders) and the UK (125 riders). The median GFNY rider is 41 years old. The three largest age brackets are pretty equally 35-39, 40-44 and 45-49.
19% of the riders are women. This is a good number compared to European events where numbers are in the low single digits. But it’s not (yet) equality like it is in running.
The Bikes
The vast majority rides and races GFNY on their own road bikes. Many riders are on World Tour-worthy material. Almost all bikes would have been adequate to win the Tour de France 10 years ago.
1. Bike rental
An estimated number of 150 riders is renting a bike for GFNY because traveling with a bike can be burdensome. GFNY sponsor Spinlister facilitated close to 100 bikes this year by hooking up GFNY riders with locals who have a bike for rent. Additionally, various bike shops rent out bikes.
2. Sponsored riders
GFNY is open to professionals/elites so some riders are on sponsored bikes. De Rosa is the official bike and Campagnolo the official component of GFNY. Both equip the GFNY ambassadors with their material. Six of those bikes were at GFNY.
The Components
Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM and other divided the components. We determined the brake levers as the distinguishing factor. There are obviously component mixes but categorizing all of them is next to impossible.
Conclusion
Components
Unsurprisingly, Shimano dominated the component sector. SRAM follows as a distant second. Its popularity is no surprise in a race where 40% of the riders are American. Campagnolo ends up third but definitely a stronger third than many would expect. GFNY riders are very particular about their gear and few ride OEM bikes that are more likely equipped with Shimano and SRAM.
Frames
Also unsurprisingly, the “big 3″ take the frame category. Specialized, Trek and Cannondale dominate the US market and with 40% of the GFNY riders being American, they dominate GFNY as well and represent 37% of the frames chosen for GFNY. The interesting numbers, however, follow immediately after. High-end brands Cervelo and Pinarello take the next two spots, topping big companies like Giant, Scott and BMC, with the latter barely making the top 10.
German online retailer Canyon lands the 7th place despite not being available yet in the US (said to be available later this year). It doesn’t matter, however, because GFNY is a very international race. Just outside the top 10, already follow four classic Italian frame makers bunched together: Wilier, Colnago, Bianchi and De Rosa. GFNY riders clearly appreciate Italian frame building.
After that, things get a little more niche: Fuji and Jamis would likely do better at less intense events given their strength in the low and mid price range. Look, Orbea, Focus and Storck are decently represented thanks to the European riders, while Litespeed, Montecci and Parlee are very US-centric brands.
Join the conversation about the Data on the GFNY Facebook-Page
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Words & Photos: Uli Fluhme
