Gravel/Bikepack nerds enter...

[rideit]

I mean, I am regularly in 28/51 on a mountain bike with the same wheel size… so yeah, no ego crap here.

[climberevan]

Ms CE runs 11-40 in the rear and 30/46 front with GRX Di2. It can def handle a 42.

I run the same gearing with Ultegra Di2, and suspect it could as well.

Worst case you'll have some chain slack if you go small-small.

[Peruvian]

While we are discussing cassettes, is anyone running the wide range 11/46 Sunrace 11 speed with Sram Rival 1?

[NuMexJoe]

Yep, I've eyed those. I've also have considered the Salsa Cowchipper. There are so many options these days!

I waited all winter for Surly to finally have stock of their Corner Bar so I could convert my Ti SS to a gravel bike, but now trail riding season is here. Maybe they'll get the supply issues sorted by next winter....

[rideit]

Ms CE runs 11-40 in the rear and 30/46 front with GRX Di2. It can def handle a 42.

I run the same gearing with Ultegra Di2, and suspect it could as well.

Worst case you'll have some chain slack if you go small-small.

The slight difference is that I plan on running 32/48, I guess I’ll find out!
Thanks, guys.

[joetron]

I’d run the chain a little long and just be conscious of riding in the smallest 3 cogs from the 32t


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[rideit]

That’s definitely the plan.

[rideit]

Thinking of picking up one of these for wifey…
Looks like a good balance of price vs weight and components for her needs.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...=grey_greydark

[Peruvian]

I don’t like wearing a chamois for bikepacking trips as they get gross and take forever to dry. I usually wear Nike DryFit shorts but even they are not doing it for me these days. I tried some from BN3Th with the ball sack pouch but they rubbed in all the wrong places. I’m now considering some merino wool boxers from Minus 33 and wonder if anyone has tried them and can give some feedback.

Comfort while riding isn’t a sure thing or I wouldn’t be airing my dirty laundry like this. [emoji16]

[evdog]

Each time I've bikepacked the Arizona trail I've had issues with chafing the first day or two caused by sweaty chamois over many hours riding. I found the only way to stop the chafing was to bring a second pair and change out every hour or two when the pair I have on gets sweaty, then hang it off my pack to dry. Seems like my skin toughens up after the first couple days, or maybe by then we're just into enough hike a bike that it doesn't matter anymore : ) I've mostly been rocking boxxer briefs the last couple years which stay dryer so this hasn't been as much of an issue. The issue I've had with those is the elastic waist band bunching up rather than staying flat, which causes chafing on of its own.

[alfajores]

bring a second pair and change out every hour or two when the pair I have on gets sweaty, then hang it off my pack to dry.

This is the way. Ride til damp, change/hang dry, repeat.

[Peruvian]

This is the way. Ride til damp, change/hang dry, repeat.

So every 12-15 minutes?

[alfajores]

So every 12-15 minutes?

Might want to see a doctor about that

[Skistack]

You guys with the raw sweaty taints using chamois butter?

[climberevan]

Chamois for me for any ride longer than 20 minutes. I don't have any chafing, even after a couple of weeks of 6-10 hour days. Chamois butter makes it even more comfy but it's not necessary. I will note that I make a huge effort to avoid riding in hot temps, but I don't notice bigger issues on the rare 90+ degree day. Maybe I'm just lucky.

[Tailwind]

I think for multi day trips cleaning shorts becomes a big deal. Otherwise you risk some serious bacterial issues. Chamois cream with a topical steroid mixed in is a good call for long trips.

I’m a huge fan of wool boxers. The now discontinued kitsbow’s are incredible. I did 70 miles of Moab riding in a pair last weekend with no issues.

For bike packing a nice pair of road shorts and a pair of wool boxers is a killer combo. Wear the boxers for hike a bike days. Wash the shorts daily.

I’m also in the camp that says baggies on top of shorts is mistake. You make them 1000x less breathable and add another layer that can cause chafing.

[evdog]

You guys with the raw sweaty taints using chamois butter?

Haha. The times I had issues with chafing I was using this butter. But I've done similar mileage wearing chamois without butter and had no issues, and done similar miles wearing boxer briefs with no butter, and had no issues. The issue on Arizona trail seemed to be sweat, and long days. Wearing shorts over chamois doesn't seem to make a difference except when it comes to temperature. I stay noticeably cooler without shorts. So I tend to not wear them when it's hot out but will put them on at night when it's cool/cold. Re: hygiene I wear the same liners for up to 5-6 days without washing (usually rotate two pairs). But I bring wet wipes for personal cleaning each day which helps a lot. Haven't had any issues.

[alfajores]

Haha. The times I had issues with chafing I was using this butter. But I've done similar mileage wearing chamois without butter and had no issues, and done similar miles wearing boxer briefs with no butter, and had no issues. The issue on Arizona trail seemed to be sweat, and long days. Wearing shorts over chamois doesn't seem to make a difference except when it comes to temperature. I stay noticeably cooler without shorts. So I tend to not wear them when it's hot out but will put them on at night when it's cool/cold. Re: hygiene I wear the same liners for up to 5-6 days without washing (usually rotate two pairs). But I bring wet wipes for personal cleaning each day which helps a lot. Haven't had any issues.

I think someone should try to use some prescription antiperspirant on a long summer ride in Arizona and report back. I will pop the popcorn.

[singlesline]

Thinking of picking up one of these for wifey…
Looks like a good balance of price vs weight and components for her needs.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...=grey_greydark

You see the new Intense gravel bike sold at a discount via Costco? https://www.costco.com/intense-951-g...000136191.html $2500 (shipped, online only) gets you a very similar build kit on a carbon frameset if you can make the sizing/geometry work. Costco return policy applies.

Weight comes in a little higher, but I haven't looked close enough to tell what is causing it. IIRC they report weight with tubes so going tubeless would drop it a bit. Tires are also heavier than the Trek--but the pricing leaves you a lot of room to upgrade to a lighter wheel/tire combo.

[alfajores]

You see the new Intense gravel bike sold at a discount via Costco? https://www.costco.com/intense-951-g...000136191.html $2500 (shipped, online only) gets you a very similar build kit on a carbon frameset if you can make the sizing/geometry work. Costco return policy applies.

Weight comes in a little higher, but I haven't looked close enough to tell what is causing it. IIRC they report weight with tubes so going tubeless would drop it a bit. Tires are also heavier than the Trek--but the pricing leaves you a lot of room to upgrade to a lighter wheel/tire combo.

https://www.costco.com/intense-951-g...000136191.html

This bike is 2x11 and that will keep it a little heavier on the weight versus a 1x conversion.

Costco says 25 lbs, but that seems weird. Weight must include the included water bottles, cages, and lights (~2.5 lbs?). I would imagine that swapping wheels to something lighter and swapping the seat and seat post could get you closer to race weight on this bike.

This site states the bike weight per size (23-23.5lbs):
https://intense951.com/collections/f...es-gravel-bike

$500 less than direct purchase when ordering with Costco, plus you get lights.

https://bikerumor.com/intense-951-ca...o-gravel-bike/

[grskier]

I don’t like wearing a chamois for bikepacking trips as they get gross and take forever to dry. I usually wear Nike DryFit shorts but even they are not doing it for me these days. I tried some from BN3Th with the ball sack pouch but they rubbed in all the wrong places. I’m now considering some merino wool boxers from Minus 33 and wonder if anyone has tried them and can give some feedback.

Comfort while riding isn’t a sure thing or I wouldn’t be airing my dirty laundry like this. [emoji16]

Sent you a PM. I can give anyone who wants to try point6 merino stuff 25%
Myusernamehere25 is the code


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[alfajores]

Sent you a PM. I can give anyone who wants to try point6 merino stuff 25%
Myusernamehere25 is the code


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You part of the posse with Aaron Rose and TJ? I ride with those gapers a bit.

[alfajores]

Just impulse bought a 2017 Reeb Sam's Pants frame/fork to build another bike. Lord help me.

[chaka]

chafing: I've been using Body Glide for years on all rides over about 3 hours with good results. Make sure you don't get Astro Glide by mistake

[XtrPickels]

I think for multi day trips cleaning shorts becomes a big deal. Otherwise you risk some serious bacterial issues. Chamois cream with a topical steroid mixed in is a good call for long trips.

I’m a huge fan of wool boxers. The now discontinued kitsbow’s are incredible. I did 70 miles of Moab riding in a pair last weekend with no issues.

For bike packing a nice pair of road shorts and a pair of wool boxers is a killer combo. Wear the boxers for hike a bike days. Wash the shorts daily.

I’m also in the camp that says baggies on top of shorts is mistake. You make them 1000x less breathable and add another layer that can cause chafing.

Taking this a step further and you can make a pretty effective cream for saddle sores. I'd leave out the lidocaine if someone is just looking for some chafing relief / sore prevention.
For treatment, I'd leave out the chamois cream and use it full strength.
1. Topical Steroid
2. Lidocaine - for pain relief
3. Triple Antiobiotic.

I use Mad Alchemy chamois cream for anything over 3 hours anywhere there's skin to skin contact which is worse for me than skin to chamois contact.