I changed the XT group to XTR too and the seat.  There isn't much left after these changes.  The stock parts are the forks, bars and seat post. 

At this point, I have close to 11,000 miles on her and she still rides great.  I rode a ton of 29'er hard tails and the Stumpy Expert 29'er was the last one I rode. 

I didn't ride the Giant.  After riding many others, a lot of 29'er hard tails are race bikes.  Meaning they are super stiff and lack compliance that we want on the the TD. 

The Trek / GF Superfly was my first choice, but after finding out that they had the highest frame failure rate in the market, I changed my mind.  It appears this has been resolved for the 2012 models, but I don't have any knowledge on it.

Curious if anyone has put a rigid fork (like niner carbon) on something like the 29er superfly or specialized and how it changes the geometry/height compared to the stock fox suspension 80 or 100mm fork.

Thanks. I was thinking the standard route assuming there is a standard route. I saw the maps at ACA but didn't see the cues--narratives! I had saw people talk about them in the forum and thought one of you maniacs had made some..... It says they have text files.... I wonder how you get those? 

OK so before I go bugging my friends in Gunnison that did the race last year, I thought I'd bug you. Does anyone have route cues etc or do they publish them somewhere. The route last year was so goofy. I guess we should see how this winter pans out. Could be some fire danger/reroutes later in the year if it doesn't start snowing more in Colorado.

Nice thanks

Wow. late response here. I didn't even know it was a problem/controversy. I rode it before the sign got put up....Most would have rode it in the afternoon/evening when no one was working so it wasn't really as safety issue.

Just a note with water.... I was a little worried about running out at the start but after a while I just carried about 70 oz or less using a steripen to sterilize. Fill up more but less weight. There are only a few spots where it is scarce. Some guys just figure that after they get giardia they are more resistant to it. So you could just go out and expose yourself before hand!

I didn't use a GPS. I knew most of the trail past BV pretty well. Still i did get mixed up at 2:30am coming into Durango for a bit..... There is almost always a CT marker down the trail after an intersection a few yards.  I did print maps of the detours. These are the places where there aren't markers. These are also the places that it can be good to check out if you get a chance. Notably the entrance after Leadville detour is hard to find the trail again.  Also you can look on google map street view for critical intersections like the old rail road grade coming into BV. There is a large white metal building...

I used a tarp and a mylar emergency bivy if it got really bad. Really you can find some pretty dry spots under trees or in abandoned shacks...

I mailed a spare pair of shorts to Silverton to change. If you get there in the daytime. By the way a guy was setting up a mini bike shop in a cafe there when I went through. I wonder if he is still doing it next summer?

Bike.... make sure it is easy to get on and off of. I was glad I took my full suspension.. Because it had a low top tube. You'll get off and on to hike more than you can imagine. 29er is the way to go for the rocky spots where Jerry almost got eaten by the mt lion! My Bontrager 29-2 tubless tires worked well.

Numbness... My toes are still a little numb. Shoes didn't have much padding.

Oh yeah carry more food than you think after Buena Vista. You body is really starting to suck in the calories after 2-3 days of hard riding. And carry spare brake pads....

good luck!

I like the new spot II. It worked well for me. It is smaller/lighter. I turned it off when not moving to save batteries. OH yeah you can rent them from trackleaders/scott morris I think.

I've seen the CL in a Gunnison bike shop, so probably in Steamboat or Salida.

Jarral

Best Christmas present from my wife, daughter, and dog ever, will also serve as Erik Lobeck's 2012 LOI. (see pic)

Sweet "ticket to ride". I'm gonna give it a go as well! My wife just finally gave in after I kept hinting at it. At least her face doesn't turn red and steam come out her ears anymore when I talk about it. I think she is worried about me. I'll miss her and the kids for sure! She did make sure to let me know that I'd better make it as it was a ONE time thing.....

I liked my 29er w/ tubeless tires. I was getting tired of the hiking by the end-so be ready for that--feet are still numb. I would take spare brake pads. I would preride as much as you can. Especially Bueny to Durango--there are some sections that can mess with you if you don't know how much farther you have to go or what you are up against. Notably after the Crest trail to Hwy 114, Slumgullion to Silverton, And silverton to Durango. I think having a goal that is attainable is a good idea and trying to hit it helps me focus. Take extra food at Bueny. Try not to get lost too much. The packs from Relevate were good. You could probably make something but the R&D put into these is worth quite a bit and it sucks to have problems. If you see a storm building try to beat it or wait a few in a dry spot and it will probably/maybe pass. I really thought it was a pretty easy race and not much training required  . Nordic skiing is great conditioning in the winter. Focus on the positive and just push the rest to the back of you mind. You will be riding through some killer country, wildflowers will be awesome. Great wildlife viewing opportunities. People along the way are great and supportive. Something to experience for sure.

We were passed on Cinnamon by Brian Smith and friends who did the same loop as a ~ 11 hour day ride.  Freaks!  I still can't breath over 10k' LOL.

I was one of the guys trying to hang with B-man.....I came up just after him on Cinnamon. What an awesome day! The trail is very well marked and pretty. Good water like you said on second half. One in our group was over optimistic that every pass was Stoney pass. We passed MANY false Stoney passes. Don't let it get to you after the 20th pass you go over after Coney and still another pass to go over.

And I was happy the sheep dogs were nice. Maybe we can ride it in the day and sun again??

I also am not sure if my form got sent in--bad internet connection lately. I thought that it said I would receive and email but didn't and I didn't get the link of the website for payment. So could you let me know if I should do it again and get the link for $ or pay at the start?

Thanks Jarral

Damn is there only a couple of weeks left until Aug 1!!!? I put a little of my gear list up here....and the spectacle!
http://livethinline.blogspot.com/2011/07/most-amazing-death-defying-extreme.html
JR

Jefe was looking in good spirits on the tail of Marshal Pass. Must be hard to turn down the road when your bed at home is only 20 miles away....

Go Jefe and Ethan!