An 11-speed cassette may help. With 11-32, the benefit you get from 11-speed is a 13-tooth cog, so the small cogs have an 11-12-13-14 straight block rather than 11-12-14. If you're in the small ring most of the time, that'll give you an extra step somewhere roughly in the 20mph ballpark.
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Bicycle age
- Thread starter elrechazado
- Start date
jakonovski
Member
I'd try out a 11-28 cassette or even a 11-25 (both at 10 speed). They cost peanuts at Tiagra level and you don't even need to do anything to your chain.
Tiagra has a 12-28 option. If the granny gear is still adequate for Gray Matter, that could be an interesting thing to try; you get a 12-13-14-15 straight block.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
I rode a BMX bike in a bowl at a park tonight and it was awesome. I wish I got into this a long time ago. The feeling of whipping around bowl is like a drug
I have a 50/39 with a 11/32 11-speed and it's worked well for me in my terrain. Even on some stuff that averages 9-10% I've been ok. I have to grind a bit, but it works.
I have a 50/39 with a 11/32 11-speed and it's worked well for me in my terrain. Even on some stuff that averages 9-10% I've been ok. I have to grind a bit, but it works.
Congrats!
So I will probably only bring one bike on vacation so I'm thinking I'll bring my gravel bike but put some lower rolling resistance tires on it since I'll spend most of the time on the road. Does this look like a good tire for the job?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UG93DE/?tag=neogaf0e-20
That's a thick touring tire designed with e-bike commuting in mind. Fairly heavy and slow for a road slick.
If you're looking for a wide tire and your priority is low rolling resistance, start with Compass. Or at least a budget performance-style tire like Paselas or something.
A Compass Snoqualmie Pass (if you can fit 44s) would roll noticeably better and could shave almost 2 pounds of rotating weight off your wheels compared with the Top Contact II.
Soodanim
Member
http://www.ranelaghcycles.com/m8b0s347p1901/BERGAMONT-Revox-3-0-2015
Is there any standout reason I shouldn't be buying this bike? Not from that site, from a local specialist shop where the owner's son recommended it to me.
Story:
Went in yesterday with my friend and we said we were looking to get mountain bikes for casual mostly trail riding. My friend said he was looking to spend about £350 max and he was recommended a 27.5" one, but he said because I'm taller (6'4") I'd be a bit cramped on a bike that size and he recommended a 29" for the larger wheelbase. We both tried our bikes, and he made a couple of adjustments to my seat after observing me on a quick test ride. I trust the guy that helped us as he seemed genuinely interested in helping us. I'm not really bothered about paying £440 for the bike, as I can afford it and it was a smooth ride (on a smooth surface, but I can't do a mountain test run really can I?), plus I do value the help the guy gave us and like supporting a local business.
Really, depsite my usual buyer's worry and remorse that I'm often a victim of, I'm pretty comfortable about this purchase. I like the bike, but it's the only one I've tried and I'd be going against my nature if I didn't at least run it buy a community that's at my fingertips like this one.
Is there any standout reason I shouldn't be buying this bike? Not from that site, from a local specialist shop where the owner's son recommended it to me.
Story:
Went in yesterday with my friend and we said we were looking to get mountain bikes for casual mostly trail riding. My friend said he was looking to spend about £350 max and he was recommended a 27.5" one, but he said because I'm taller (6'4") I'd be a bit cramped on a bike that size and he recommended a 29" for the larger wheelbase. We both tried our bikes, and he made a couple of adjustments to my seat after observing me on a quick test ride. I trust the guy that helped us as he seemed genuinely interested in helping us. I'm not really bothered about paying £440 for the bike, as I can afford it and it was a smooth ride (on a smooth surface, but I can't do a mountain test run really can I?), plus I do value the help the guy gave us and like supporting a local business.
Really, depsite my usual buyer's worry and remorse that I'm often a victim of, I'm pretty comfortable about this purchase. I like the bike, but it's the only one I've tried and I'd be going against my nature if I didn't at least run it buy a community that's at my fingertips like this one.
jakonovski
Member
Bergamont is a real brand and that seems like a perfectly normal entry level hardtail, so I'd say go for it. If you have a helpful bike shop setting it up for you, that's a big bonus.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
My friends shop carries Yeti now. Every time he rides one he just has the biggest smile
Went out for the first time in a while after changing my worn out chainset. Fine for the most part but It wasn't so much the burn but my calves went on empty when I was pushing hard, like lead weights, such an odd feeling. If I was standing would have crumpled to the floor. It's been too long and an exercise bike doesn't cut it. My lungs are fine thankfully.
Heh, we have the same taste. Was actually interested in the overtake, mojito and octal.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'm liking these 2 suggestions as well.
Too bad all these helmet rarely go on sale.
I have a mountain bike with a rusted cassette and a chain.
I need a new one of each, but I'm not really sure how I would go about getting and fitting each one. There's a local bike shop in town that does repairs, but I'd much rather do it myself and a learn a thing or three.
Any suggestions?
I need a new one of each, but I'm not really sure how I would go about getting and fitting each one. There's a local bike shop in town that does repairs, but I'd much rather do it myself and a learn a thing or three.
Any suggestions?
Psychotext
Member
First ever roadie event done. Was waaaaaay easier than I expected it to be, and I imagine it would have been easier still if I wasn't too scared to ride in a group.
Was interesting though. The whole closed roads thing was cool and it was great to have a bit of interaction with the supporters as we went around (could get bigger cheers by giving them a wave or a thumbs up).
Course was too short and flat for me. Had two tough hills, but other than that it was glassy flat.
Might keep my eye out for another closed road one in the future, though maybe hit up some of my roadie friends for lessons on how to cheat by pacelining.
Was interesting though. The whole closed roads thing was cool and it was great to have a bit of interaction with the supporters as we went around (could get bigger cheers by giving them a wave or a thumbs up).
Course was too short and flat for me. Had two tough hills, but other than that it was glassy flat.
Might keep my eye out for another closed road one in the future, though maybe hit up some of my roadie friends for lessons on how to cheat by pacelining.
Psychotext
Member
Oh, and people turn into fucking arseholes in the last 10k of a race. So many near misses with people obsessively trying to overtake in stupid places.
Took a spill yesterday, broke my radial head, not displaced so surgery is probably out of the question. Pretty new bike but the 105 shifters got scratched up pretty good, one is a bit crooked, rear derailleur has a small scratch, but everything else is fine. I'll take the bike and my bruised ego to the shop when I get better so they can look it over. Would you guys replace the shifters, they work fine on first inspection but they look like they've been through hell?
Was always a casual rider but got more into it this year. The roads around me are pretty torn up due to construction, I didn't take the path I normally do because it's partially closed and there's too much junk laying on what was once a pristine bike path. Still ended up taking a fall. Sucks, was making good progress, now I'm done for 6 weeks plus rehab.
Was always a casual rider but got more into it this year. The roads around me are pretty torn up due to construction, I didn't take the path I normally do because it's partially closed and there's too much junk laying on what was once a pristine bike path. Still ended up taking a fall. Sucks, was making good progress, now I'm done for 6 weeks plus rehab.
In summary, I should buy a cadence sensor?
Sorry to hear that. Sounds like a serious fall, but I'm glad to hear that you are okay.
Roads under construction indeed suck. I had a fall a few weeks ago too, and it was because I had to detour due to the road being under construction, and I saw a crack in the pavement too late. I'm lucky that I always manage to fall on my knees, though.
Psychotext
Member
Not a fan, but opinions are like arseholes. 
jakonovski
Member
You just gotta learn to ride it on feel, tbh. Personally I tend to ride myself ragged in two hours if I don't tell myself to take it easy.
Gray Matter
Member
That's an awesome color scheme on the bike, the wheels add the finishing touch.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
No not really. Think of it like this:
Ride A:
Every time you start pedaling again you're just slamming and try as hard as you can to mash it for a sustained speed. Over the time of that ride your ability to go from 0-18 will decrease because you been mashing it non stop and your legs are too tired to ramp right up. This als will impact any incline because you just don't have the legs to drive it
Ride B:
You're more relaxed from the get go and everything just feels nice and comfortable. Whenever you need to stop & start or go up a hill your legs are fresher from not mashing on pedals non stop.
Interval training can absolutely build up your body and stamina but there's a lot more to it than mashing your pedals as hard as possible.
jakonovski
Member
I just looked a bit at my Strava records. On 2h+ rides I often have up to 5km/h more average speed on the first half. So I have a lot of work to do on pacing!
This morning I went to pick up coffee for the fam.
Wait at a four way stop for a lady opposite to make a right. She took a long time, made me miss a couple of openings. But hey, I'm chill. It's Sunday morning. She makes her turn somewhat absent-mindedly and I pull into a turning lane, only to see this view of her accelerating down a city street:
(Not her vehicle but a google of the same rack, situation, but imagine four bikes....)
So because I was in a wide open turn lane. And because it was a quiet Sunday morning, I was able to gun it, get in front of her, and slow to a safe but hard stop in front of her, hazards flashing, about four feet before she destroyed all her bikes, her rack and an entire block of parked cars.
I think she thought I was a murderer but when I got out, pointed and mouthed "bike rack!" She instantly realized. About two minutes later she came into the Starbucks pale and ashen and told me that a month ago she gave herself a giant black eye walking into the same rack in the same position in her driveway.
Excuse wire frames. Green is her, blue is me. Yellow is parked cars.
Wait at a four way stop for a lady opposite to make a right. She took a long time, made me miss a couple of openings. But hey, I'm chill. It's Sunday morning. She makes her turn somewhat absent-mindedly and I pull into a turning lane, only to see this view of her accelerating down a city street:
(Not her vehicle but a google of the same rack, situation, but imagine four bikes....)
So because I was in a wide open turn lane. And because it was a quiet Sunday morning, I was able to gun it, get in front of her, and slow to a safe but hard stop in front of her, hazards flashing, about four feet before she destroyed all her bikes, her rack and an entire block of parked cars.
I think she thought I was a murderer but when I got out, pointed and mouthed "bike rack!" She instantly realized. About two minutes later she came into the Starbucks pale and ashen and told me that a month ago she gave herself a giant black eye walking into the same rack in the same position in her driveway.
Excuse wire frames. Green is her, blue is me. Yellow is parked cars.
Psychotext
Member
I've never seen one of those in the UK. They seem like they'd be all sorts of problems.
I have a Thule Helium but the worst you can do is lower your bikes too quickly. I guess the swing out arm is useful for... I can't think of any reason it would be more useful than just being behind the car and as we can see, lots of reasons why that could be bad.
Psychotext
Member
Also sort of begs the question why people are driving without checking their mirrors...
Gray Matter
Member
Quick question.
I've been wanting to upgrade wheels for a while now and I see that a lot of the rear wheels are designed for 11 speed cassettes. Do I need a new hub if I have a 10 speed cassette or not?
I've been wanting to upgrade wheels for a while now and I see that a lot of the rear wheels are designed for 11 speed cassettes. Do I need a new hub if I have a 10 speed cassette or not?
Psychotext
Member
Riding between lakes sounds awesome.
jakonovski
Member
For Shimano, you just put a spacer in a 11 speed freehub to make it 10 speed compatible. Should come with the wheelset, or you can buy one for a dollar.
What was your current bike again?
Gray Matter
Member
Madone 3.1 with a mixture of tiagra/105. 105 where it matters (shifters, front/rear derailleur) tiagra everything else.
jakonovski
Member
I'd say something like Ultegra wheels would be a great upgrade for it. Of course I'm biased because I have them but they truly are the best at their price point of under $400. Old fashioned adjustable bearings for a super smooth ride, steel freehub body that won't get notched and UST tubeless rims that don't need rim tape.
perfection.gif
perfection.gif
TarpitCarnivore
Member
Reading up on tubeless tires and apparently there are two bead standards on rims? Considering I've had such good luck with Panaracer branded tires on my rims I shouldn't stray too far away from them, if at all.
This sucks because I want to find a better road first tire but there's none from Panaracer in the size I want.
This sucks because I want to find a better road first tire but there's none from Panaracer in the size I want.
Gray Matter
Member
I'll look into those, although my dream wheelset would be a pair of zipps 303/404. A man can dream, right?
jakonovski
Member
I can't bear the thought of carbon rim brake wheels. Literally shaving off money every time you brake. For disc brakes, hell yeah.
Gray Matter
Member
Yeah, which is why I probably won't go that high. It is quite the investment.
Edit: in further thought, I'm a bit confused as to what you meant by "literally shaving off money". Brake pads have to be replace on all types of brakes.
Do you think the rack is designed to hold the bikes out to the side while driving? It's a swing arm design to make it easier to get into the back of an SUV without taking the bikes off. In the photo you can see the safety pin hanging down from the rack and there is also a latch. So the lady had to ignore 2 things and her mirror to end up like that.
What do you mean by bead standards? Some tubeless rims are designed with a deeper bead seat area to make up for the extra material around the bead of a tubeless tire.
Relive of our Afan trip on Saturday, PT. The timing is off because Strava was still running at the puncture repair and our two cafe stops.
Pain at Afan
What it doesn't show is you disappearing into the distance on the climbs or my gravelly berm wipeout (how the fuck my derailleur wasn't bent I'll never know - it's bashed and gouged to fuckery).
No photos from the day unfortunately but this one sums it up quite nicely.
Protip: lay off the Guinness the night before. I had nothing in my legs.
Pain at Afan
What it doesn't show is you disappearing into the distance on the climbs or my gravelly berm wipeout (how the fuck my derailleur wasn't bent I'll never know - it's bashed and gouged to fuckery).
No photos from the day unfortunately but this one sums it up quite nicely.
Protip: lay off the Guinness the night before. I had nothing in my legs.
jakonovski
Member
I think there's the UST standard and then all sorts of one off solutions. I wouldn't use road tubeless outside of UST rims because of the high presures, but on mtb whatever works seems to be good. I know that WTB and Stans don't get along.
I mentioned in May that I had something to do on the far side of a bridge across the Suiattle River. I decided to get around to it today.
I didn't start by heading for the bridge, though. It's not the important thing, and coming at it from the opposite direction is fine. I started my ride in Darrington, and headed south along the Mountain Loop Highway.
Eventually, I got to the "Pavement Ends" road sign on the Mountain Loop. And the gravel section of that road is quite pretty. But, I did not ride on that gravel. At the same spot, another road splits off eastbound from the Mountain Loop: NF-23, also known as White Chuck Road. Which I took...
...because White Chuck Mountain was the object of my circumnavigation today:
Another view of White Chuck Mountain, with White Chuck River below, farther east along NF-23:
NF-23 has lots of potholes, and a few steep spots, but for the most part it's a pretty relaxed gravel road.
However.
Eventually, NF-23 suddenly swerves north, begins climbing, and becomes NF-27. NF-27 travels over the hills behind White Chuck Mountain, connecting the White Chuck River valley to the Suiattle River valley.
It's only about 3 miles to the top, but the surface is rocky and loose, and the grade averages nearly 9%. My 24T ring came in handy.
Road gone:
You get a neat view at the top: a level, high-quality road surface!
Now, for the REALLY IMPORTANT bit.
Nobody refers to NF-27 as "NF-27", because the top of NF-27 has a name. That name is Rat Trap Pass.
And, the point of this ride... my tires are named after Rat Trap Pass.
So, here's Rat Trap Pass on Rat Trap Pass.
Anyway, moving on to the challenging part of the ride: descending the far side into the Suiattle River valley.
The opposite side of White Chuck:
Here's something that isn't a bridge. Good thing I brought fenders!
The road on the descent was pretty similar to the ascent:
Eventually I made my way north to the bridge over the Suiattle River, which dumped me onto Suiattle River Road (NF-26).
And from there, it was west and then south back to Darrington.
I didn't start by heading for the bridge, though. It's not the important thing, and coming at it from the opposite direction is fine. I started my ride in Darrington, and headed south along the Mountain Loop Highway.
Eventually, I got to the "Pavement Ends" road sign on the Mountain Loop. And the gravel section of that road is quite pretty. But, I did not ride on that gravel. At the same spot, another road splits off eastbound from the Mountain Loop: NF-23, also known as White Chuck Road. Which I took...
...because White Chuck Mountain was the object of my circumnavigation today:
Another view of White Chuck Mountain, with White Chuck River below, farther east along NF-23:
NF-23 has lots of potholes, and a few steep spots, but for the most part it's a pretty relaxed gravel road.
However.
Eventually, NF-23 suddenly swerves north, begins climbing, and becomes NF-27. NF-27 travels over the hills behind White Chuck Mountain, connecting the White Chuck River valley to the Suiattle River valley.
It's only about 3 miles to the top, but the surface is rocky and loose, and the grade averages nearly 9%. My 24T ring came in handy.
Road gone:
You get a neat view at the top: a level, high-quality road surface!
Now, for the REALLY IMPORTANT bit.
Nobody refers to NF-27 as "NF-27", because the top of NF-27 has a name. That name is Rat Trap Pass.
And, the point of this ride... my tires are named after Rat Trap Pass.
So, here's Rat Trap Pass on Rat Trap Pass.
Anyway, moving on to the challenging part of the ride: descending the far side into the Suiattle River valley.
The opposite side of White Chuck:
Here's something that isn't a bridge. Good thing I brought fenders!
The road on the descent was pretty similar to the ascent:
Eventually I made my way north to the bridge over the Suiattle River, which dumped me onto Suiattle River Road (NF-26).
And from there, it was west and then south back to Darrington.
Psychotext
Member
TarpitCarnivore
Member
What Jakonovski said. There is the UST standard, but then some manufacturers like Stans (which I have) use a slightly different bead. The reason being so that they can work better with non-tubeless tires. The problem, however, is that if you take a WTB or Schwalbe and try to mount them they'll either A. be incredibly tight to get on or B. blow off/leak because the bead is off by a mm.
I'm riding 32-35mm minimum tires so high pressure isn't an issue, but yeah I sitll need to be mindful since I do 85/15 road to dirt riding. Don't need a tire folding on me when turning.
Surprised those compass tires held up
Psychotext
Member
Tiny pic is tiny... but lol, getting my chest on.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
I'm pretty disappointed Psycho looks so....normal. I was fully expecting some genetic freak mixed with Gandalf
Psychotext
Member
lol. I've been off the weights for two months thanks to injury so I'm looking really scrawny right now.
But yeah, I look like your standard Italian climber.
But yeah, I look like your standard Italian climber.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
I watched Tour de Pharmacy last night and it was pretty solid. Some of the stuff felt reaching a bit and some were a little off, but overall it was fun. John Cena riding a bike is hilarious and I seriously had to wonder if they put him on a kids bike.
