The man at 0:09 with the 2L of coke in one hand, fifth of Jack in his left, and the cigarette in his mouth is the MVP of that race.

 

Was hoping you were describing a rider...was disapoint.

 

They went over the edge this year, there will be barriers next year. It was too wild.

 

Tulsa Tough is now a junky hang-out for people who don't race bikes. There were a ton of complaints about smokers on Crybaby Hill, people not respecting the pack and jumping in front, many spectators his because they are retarded, etc.

 

Does anyone here have a Kickr? I'm probably not getting my Blackburn fluid trainer back from the XGF so I need to get something. I like the idea of a Kickr, aside from the price-tag and the redundant power meters. I am not interested in Zwift, but I might be interested in an automatic workout. Frankly, I'd probably pay $1200 to win at CX and hitting numbers spit out by the computer could be an opportunity.

Thoughts on the value in that thing if I already have two bikes with Stages meters?

 

I've never used the systems you're talking about... so my opinion barely matters. However, I really like the trainerroad workouts. The monthly is really cheap (15 bucks) and I think it's worth a look over dumping money into the setup if you live in a warm climate and can basically ride year round. If I lived in a snowy area, I'd definitely be sinking more money into the trainer setup.

 

IIRC one of my riding friends has a Kickr and loves it. I have thought about getting one myself.

 

I run zwift with a Kickr. Excellent money spent - I look forward to workouts now - including in the dead of winter, during monsoons, and when it's 95 degrees and 90% humidity out. All of this, and my favorite riding spot is only 0 minutes away from my home, warm up area, shower facility, and water refill point.

Best of all, I don't have to dodge cars, dogs, strollers, or kids smoking weed...

I give the product 5 stars, I give zwift 3.5.

Zwift looses a point and a half for the effort spent between "I want to ride" and "I'm riding", but once you're on, it's excellent.

 

I rode the MTB yesterday on two 6% beers and a 9%, was basically "fucked up drunk", got an 11-minute PR, lol.

 

I love Zwift for similar reasons (and would give it 4.5 stars), excellent enough to be working on two setups, one for both the wife and me. Zwifting together, awww how cute. The room's gonna be so warm and humid.

If you do not like riding against people, the workout modes in Zwift are pretty great. But often , during my cool-down I'll end up hanging with another rider and we'll go back and forth, and I'll end up being on there for another 45min. It's sorta addictive. The 'races' are kinda lame though. You'll have to go 110% for the first few min or else you'll be way back.

It's your money and I'm sure the direct drive trainers are fun, but I run a Tacx Vortex Smart. Inexpensive, small, light, simple spindown calibration that matches my powertap hub when I checked it once (Zwift now has the capability to use external powermeters to control your smart trainer). I even used it to run a warmup workout via my Edge 520 at one of my races. You (Trey) will want something with more power capability though. I got a Cycleops Magnus Smart from Nick recently.

I had a Tacx Bushido but it lasted a few minutes before dying.

 

how loud are your trainers? I have a shitty yard sale mag trainer and its loud AF. to the point I don't even use it now.



On another note... crotch numbness... if I get it on one of my bikes but not the others with the same fit and different saddles...it has to be the saddle?

Its the tandem bike and it has the softest saddle of all my bikes.

 

My vortex is quiet, can hear the zwift scenery with the TV on '15', kids asleep in room directly above me.

RE: numbness. If I ride my Tarmac, which has a gel Toupe saddle, my *** starts to hurt after 90 minutes. My other two bikes both have Toupe saddles in same width, but one is old/standard padding, the other is carbon and hard. My *** doesn't get numb on the hard seats.

Soft seats push on soft tissue which makes you numb.

 

I'll start a new thread when they're here.

We are making 200 each of the Specialized classic 21 oz water bottle and fancy new 26 oz Purist bottle with Mo-Flo spout. Smoked gray, orange lid with orange 949 Racing logos. The larger bottle also has "I ride flat out" on the upper section.
The old style small bottles will probably be $3.99 each, the fancy Purist bottles $5.99, depending on what they cost to get shipped down here.

 

In for 2 of each for sure.

 

Does anybody have any personal experience with chinese carbon handlebars and seat posts?

I've been wavering on some 740mm+ carbon bars for my Giant XTC29er. It currently just under 25lbs with a lot to lose in the cockpit/post and wheels.
I'd love some Pro Tharsis or Ritchey WCS Trail bars but $$$

 

Definitely in for a few.

IMO, just don't. For parts that can be critical to your safety (handlebar & stem), I wouldn't want to take that kind of risk on something with an unknown or questionable quality control process. That's why they're significantly cheaper than ones that are coming from a big brand name.

 

+1. I want American QC on my carbon bars, even if they are made overseas.

 

yes, and don't. I bought a pair of what seemed like genuine race face next xc bars on the ebay slot machine. They turned out to be chinese knock offs, it could ahve gone 50/50 from the price. The first time I slammed the bars down, they cracked at the riser portion.

If you want cheap carbon bars, I think the nashbar lineup is pretty solid. I'm actually running the 31.8 flat 780mm bar on my xc bike and they are better then they should be. It's stiffer then it needs to be, but it still has a some noticeable ride quality improvements over aluminum bars and they have taken a beating (including some decent crashes).

 

Maxxis Rambler or WTB Nano for single-track CX training?

 

Rambler = faster rolling, accelerating, grip
Nano 40c = better tread & sidewall puncture resistance.

Ramblers are a bit more predictable on loose surfaces than the Nano. When it is less loose and you actually have a decent surface the Nanos have more grip, predictability.

I ran Ramblers at Dirty Kanza and flatted 4x. Two were sidewall cuts just above the protection band. Trying out some 40c Kenda Flintridge Pro which have a gnarly circumferential protection belt. Stiffer not as Supple as the Ramblers but hopefully more puncture resistant. They're basically designed just for Dirty Kanza. I ran Nanos at Crusher in the Tushar last year and pretty much wore out the rear in one event, it is that abrasive. Grip was decent and I did not flat but I am paranoid of flats in the big Grinders now.

For a training tire I would steer you towards the 60tpi Nanos run tubeless.