Gravel/Bikepack nerds enter...

I bought a used gravel bike that has the Enve Gravel bars on there. I’ve been surprised but it’s very noticeable, especially in the drops.

I mean thinking it through : Carbon bars on a MTB are noticeable and that’s with 2.4” tires and suspension.

My new theory, which I wouldn’t have believed before, is that it’s much noticeable and important on a gravel bike than other categories. Things like riding through washboard in the drops just feels a bit better.

Less noticeable the closer your hands are to the stem. My other soapbox is that gravel bikes should be fit so you can ride the drops 80-90% of the time. Much more control.

No experience with the Shimano bars. I bet there are big differences in tuning from one brand to the next.

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Originally Posted by climberevan

On a gravel bike with lower tire pressures, I doubt anyone can tell the difference between carbon and al bars. Plus you'll prob wreck it sooner or later, and then you'll have to worry about the integrity of the carbon bar.

A Redshift stem, OTOH, is a huge comfort helper.

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I went from stock aluminum bars to Easton carbon bars on my Warbird and the difference was very noticeable. Less road buzzy, high frequency vibrations. My hands are much happier now.


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agree on carbon curly bars being noticeably better than Al. Check out the Ritchey VentureMax. Shallow drop which I like and the little bumps on the drop work, for me.

I found the Shimano carbon bars on sale for $271 so I went for it. Thanks for the input, y’all. I’m a huge fan of the Super Sticky Kush bar tape from SuperCaz, what are you guys running for tape?

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Originally Posted by Tailwind

...My other soapbox is that gravel bikes should be fit so you can ride the drops 80-90% of the time. Much more control.

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Glad to know it's not just me! On my road bike I occasionally ride in the drops on descents or just to mix it up, but probably 90% on the hoods.

On the gravel bike, I started riding mostly on the hoods...but more and more I was in the drops; it felt a lot more stable and maneuverable. Now I'm probably riding in the drops 75% of the time.

I'm looking for a steel or Ti hardtail 29er with 120-130 fork, mostly for bikepacking. I also want it to be a good trail bike for unloaded riding. Thinking I want something with similar angles and reach as my Tallboy 4, so 65-66 hta, 76-77 sta, 490 reach. A good selection of mounts, including rear rack would be great. There seem to be frames that have the geo I'm after, but not the mounts like the Lynskey Live Wire, and vice versa like the Esker Japhy. There are some good choices with steeper hta, slacker sta and mounts, like the Hayduke and El Jefe. I'm pretty sure I want rack mounts, but there are some alternative mounting options that sound good. Maybe I'm over-thinking the geo? What else should I be looking at?

I have been using Stans for years. I have a little squeeze bottle of Stans that I have been filling from larger bottles and then using the little bottle to fill up my tires. It generally sucked (sealant would often spill out) but got the job done.

I finally got around to buying a syringe kit. Holy shit what a difference. It's like 20x easier. Can't believe I didn't do that earlier.

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Originally Posted by Kevo

I have been using Stans for years. I have a little squeeze bottle of Stans that I have been filling from larger bottles and then using the little bottle to fill up my tires. It generally sucked (sealant would often spill out) but got the job done.

I finally got around to buying a syringe kit. Holy shit what a difference. It's like 20x easier. Can't believe I didn't do that earlier.

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this. I was angry at myself for waiting so long. I used to never bother changing tire treads for different outings and just roll whatever I had on. Now I can easily suck the sealant out, leave in the syringe while I swap a tire, and squirt back in (assuming still relatively clean of course).

I'm not going to argue too hard about it, but if you think a tire at ~25psi can transfer "high frequency buzzing" etc enough that a $200 bar that can flex at most a few mm such that you can feel it, the bicycle industry thanks you for your spending.

But, what about the 2oz I’m saving!

Hey, I’m as skeptical as anyone about bicycle industry marketing hype. But carbon bars have pretty much eliminated my numb hands problems.


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I have an arthritic left wrist, I’m hoping this will help with the pain.

Did you guys try doing yoga? [emoji41]

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Originally Posted by Self Jupiter

Did you guys try doing yoga? [emoji41]

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well done

My Solstice commute yesterday....
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Originally Posted by natebob

I'm looking for a steel or Ti hardtail 29er with 120-130 fork, mostly for bikepacking. I also want it to be a good trail bike for unloaded riding. Thinking I want something with similar angles and reach as my Tallboy 4, so 65-66 hta, 76-77 sta, 490 reach. A good selection of mounts, including rear rack would be great. There seem to be frames that have the geo I'm after, but not the mounts like the Lynskey Live Wire, and vice versa like the Esker Japhy. There are some good choices with steeper hta, slacker sta and mounts, like the Hayduke and El Jefe. I'm pretty sure I want rack mounts, but there are some alternative mounting options that sound good. Maybe I'm over-thinking the geo? What else should I be looking at?

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I bought a lynskey GR 300 in February and they seem open to some customization. Might be worth checking with them if they're willing to add rack mounts to a frame for you.

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Originally Posted by natebob

I'm looking for a steel or Ti hardtail 29er with 120-130 fork, mostly for bikepacking. I also want it to be a good trail bike for unloaded riding. Thinking I want something with similar angles and reach as my Tallboy 4, so 65-66 hta, 76-77 sta, 490 reach. A good selection of mounts, including rear rack would be great. There seem to be frames that have the geo I'm after, but not the mounts like the Lynskey Live Wire, and vice versa like the Esker Japhy. There are some good choices with steeper hta, slacker sta and mounts, like the Hayduke and El Jefe. I'm pretty sure I want rack mounts, but there are some alternative mounting options that sound good. Maybe I'm over-thinking the geo? What else should I be looking at?

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Does it HAVE to be racks? lots of other ways to carry gear for bikepacking?

Or racks that dont need frame attachment?

Then you can get the frame anlges you want, and not be limited by angles or have them added later

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Originally Posted by natebob

I'm looking for a steel or Ti hardtail 29er with 120-130 fork, mostly for bikepacking. I also want it to be a good trail bike for unloaded riding. Thinking I want something with similar angles and reach as my Tallboy 4, so 65-66 hta, 76-77 sta, 490 reach. A good selection of mounts, including rear rack would be great. There seem to be frames that have the geo I'm after, but not the mounts like the Lynskey Live Wire, and vice versa like the Esker Japhy. There are some good choices with steeper hta, slacker sta and mounts, like the Hayduke and El Jefe. I'm pretty sure I want rack mounts, but there are some alternative mounting options that sound good. Maybe I'm over-thinking the geo? What else should I be looking at?

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I'm using an Aeroe Spider rear rack for panniers on a a frame without mounts (for my commuter) and it's been rock solid. For sure not a cheapy option, but you'd be able to put it on damn near any frame. No impact on dropper use either. Not sure I'd use panniers on it for more than commuting, but for a basket or non-pannier use seems like a pretty solid setup.

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Originally Posted by dan_pdx

I bought a lynskey GR 300 in February and they seem open to some customization. Might be worth checking with them if they're willing to add rack mounts to a frame for you.

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That's a good idea, will check with them. How do you like your GR 300? I got one 18 months ago, it's a pretty fun bike.

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Originally Posted by mntlion

Does it HAVE to be racks? lots of other ways to carry gear for bikepacking?

Or racks that dont need frame attachment?

Then you can get the frame anlges you want, and not be limited by angles or have them added later

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No, doesn't have to be racks. Just thinking I'll want that option at some point. But you're right, plenty of other ways to carry stuff.

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Originally Posted by scrublover

I'm using an Aeroe Spider rear rack for panniers on a a frame without mounts (for my commuter) and it's been rock solid. For sure not a cheapy option, but you'd be able to put it on damn near any frame. No impact on dropper use either. Not sure I'd use panniers on it for more than commuting, but for a basket or non-pannier use seems like a pretty solid setup.

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I have been leaning away from the racks that don't use traditional mounts because my impression is that they aren't as strong or reliable. Good to hear that Aeroe Spider has been working for you. I've heard from others recently that lots of the racks that attach in other ways are pretty good. Going with the frame geo I'm after and using a rack like the Aeroe is probably the way to go.

Old Man Mountains Axle mounted systems on bomber… likely stronger than any frame eyelets.

They work great on hard tails with a seat collar mount for the upper rack.

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Originally Posted by natebob

I have been leaning away from the racks that don't use traditional mounts because my impression is that they aren't as strong or reliable. Good to hear that Aeroe Spider has been working for you. I've heard from others recently that lots of the racks that attach in other ways are pretty good. Going with the frame geo I'm after and using a rack like the Aeroe is probably the way to go.

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Originally Posted by natebob

That's a good idea, will check with them. How do you like your GR 300? I got one 18 months ago, it's a pretty fun bike.

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I don't have much to compare it to, but I love it! It's been a blast on the farm roads near me, and has been confidence inspiring even on chunky gravel downhills.

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I set a bike related goal at the start of the year, to pick a grab fondo to train for and go ride. I selected the Ruby Roubaix 121mile ride out in Lamoille NV. The loop was a 121 circumnavigation of the Ruby mountain range.
I made it. Shout out to xtr pickles and the fast talk labs crew, I've been listening to their podcast, and some of the mental toughness stuff stuck. I thought I was gonna die at like mile 106-110 when the temps reached upper 90s, and the shitty ass road stretched on into the distance just uphill enough to make it a slog. But fkna I made it. Beautiful mountains and made a couple friends.
This is my longest ride ever and my first century.

100 mile point selfie.
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Congrats! Looks like a cool route. Was it a mix of road and gravel?

Yeah, like 60 pavement and 60 gravel. A lot of the gravel especially on the east side on the range was super smooth like riding road. The dirt from mile 105 to 110 or so was brutal hot energy sucking worst possible thing after 100+ miles. I thought I was done. I powered on slowly and eventually was able to bring it all the way to the finish.

Both of the major climbs up to passes were paved. Some hairball double track with people wrecking and getting flats in the first 25 miles. I thought that stuff was pretty fun.

Looking for rack advice.
Basic rear rack, that is light weight and only needs to support 15pounds in a dry bag and no side panniers. Bonus points for the water bottle cage mounts on the vertical. Its going on a large moots YBB, tires ususully 29*2.6 semi slick.
Ideal is something that Mica rack, https://micacycles.com/products/rack-pre-order but longer vertical supports and can attach thru my rear quick release (yes. older frame that uses a QR)

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Originally Posted by mntlion

Looking for rack advice.
Basic rear rack, that is light weight and only needs to support 15pounds in a dry bag and no side panniers. Bonus points for the water bottle cage mounts on the vertical. Its going on a large moots YBB, tires ususully 29*2.6 semi slick.
Ideal is something that Mica rack, https://micacycles.com/products/rack-pre-order but longer vertical supports and can attach thru my rear quick release (yes. older frame that uses a QR)

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Old Man Mountain Elkhorn works with QR.

Tumbleweek T-Rack is more minimal but you will need P clips on your seat stays if you don't have bosses.

congrats Basinbeater, sounds like a good type 2 fun event.

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Originally Posted by chaka

congrats Basinbeater, sounds like a good type 2 fun event.

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Sorry, I missed this. Way to go bb.

[emoji3] still feeling the glow despite the legs feeling slow.

Question is, would I do it again?

I don't know. That last slog of 10 miles of shit road was brutal. Maybe I'll try another one.

Interestingly, if I had not met these other 2 dudes from Truckee and ridden with them most of the way, I never would have made it. I can't believe how important it is to know other riders are suffering in a similar manner and they are going to make it. If they can, and they feel like I do, then I can too. The drafting and taking turns along the flats helped immensely too. All in all a good experience and an achieved stretch goal.

What's next?!

Edit, chaka, now I know the fun scale. [emoji106]

Nice work bb! One thing if you go back, knowing the route is a huge advantage. Things that seemed horrible while you're in it may not seem as bad the next time when you know what to expect.

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Originally Posted by climberevan

On a gravel bike with lower tire pressures, I doubt anyone can tell the difference between carbon and al bars. Plus you'll prob wreck it sooner or later, and then you'll have to worry about the integrity of the carbon bar.

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Is the integrity of carbon after a crash an issue? I’ve always heard it was, but I feel like that’s info that I read/heard decades ago. Has there been change in design to improve integrity of carbon frames or components.

Seems like it’s being talked about as an issue more in the last couple years, but in my extensive crash testing program, my carbon bars on my old Blur have taking extreme beat downs and no sign of failure to them. I’ve broken a couple of seat posts in crashes but not the carbon, the glue connecting the seat stay came loose. No signs of any failures on my carbon bike either and it’s seen it’s share of Ah Fuk too. YMMV

Jinx anti Jinx

Last tour divide thread I found was pretty old but I didn't use Dannos search tutorial...

I was dirt road driving/camping/fishing and looped back to dillon MT from Alder and ran into 3 bikers on blacktail rd near Lima turnoff that looked liked like TD racers. One dude was def in the pain cave. They have a live tracker right? Hope they didn't get caught in the nasty hail storm I went through, those roads turn to fucking gumbo.

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https://trackleaders.com/tourdivide24f.php

Winner was this morning, besting the old record by approx 23hrs. Lots of people still out there.

Ok boys and girls...old man hitting the trail and pretending to be young. Initials are TA from Missoula.

First goal is to finish, 2nd goal is to beat my buddies time by 1min.

https://trackleaders.com/bcepic24f.php

Dayyyyyyum. Get some!

Contender for nicest day of the year yesterday, after work ride in SoVT.
National Forest roads are prime gravel
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