2011 Tour Divide

[DenisVTT]

So I know it's been done on singlespeeds and on fixies, but has anybody ever attempted this thing on a cross bike? Or at least on cross tires?

What would be the downsides?

[Nathan Jones]

So I know it's been done on singlespeeds and on fixies, but has anybody ever attempted this thing on a cross bike? Or at least on cross tires?

What would be the downsides?

Smaller wheels
Less tire = less rubber to wear down as the days go on
Worse handing (downhills, washboard)  And divide washboard is BAD.
Easier pinch flats
They aren't cushy like the MTB tires!

I sure as hell wouldn't do it, but I've always been and always will be a bruiser and cross tires just wouldn't make it for me.  It would be rad on the hills, and especially in the mud FUBAR sections.  I would say a 1.75 on the rear and 1.95 on the front would be my personal limits on width.  I ran 2.4 conti mountain kings to Steamboat, then ran 2.0 Stan's The Crow to Mexico.  I will most likely show up this year with a fresh set of Mountain Kings as I only flatted once with them and that was a pinch flat from what I swear was the most perfectly placed rock ever imagined.   I would like to reinforce that I was on a full rigid as well if the 2.4's seem a little large to you.

Nathan

[DenisVTT]

Smaller wheels
Less tire = less rubber to wear down as the days go on
Worse handing (downhills, washboard)  And divide washboard is BAD.
Easier pinch flats
They aren't cushy like the MTB tires!

I sure as hell wouldn't do it, but I've always been and always will be a bruiser and cross tires just wouldn't make it for me.  It would be rad on the hills, and especially in the mud FUBAR sections.  I would say a 1.75 on the rear and 1.95 on the front would be my personal limits on width.  I ran 2.4 conti mountain kings to Steamboat, then ran 2.0 Stan's The Crow to Mexico.  I will most likely show up this year with a fresh set of Mountain Kings as I only flatted once with them and that was a pinch flat from what I swear was the most perfectly placed rock ever imagined.   I would like to reinforce that I was on a full rigid as well if the 2.4's seem a little large to you.

Nathan

All valid concerns. Having often ridden local (Mid-Atlantic, rolling to steep) dirt roads on my 27lbs bike behind guys on much lighter and better rolling cross bikes, I was just thinking that you could probably easily shave 2 to 3 days for an average racer, maybe even a little more.

[Slowerthensnot]

So I know it's been done on singlespeeds and on fixies, but has anybody ever attempted this thing on a cross bike? Or at least on cross tires?

What would be the downsides?

2006, 2009 35c ish tires..... wont ever try that again.... or course also rigid but lighter tires and higher pressures dont agree with my wrists...  really think a 29x2.0-2.2 is the sweet spot

little tires just add that much more to the wear and tear on your body

[novrmyhed]

Hey all!

 I've been lurking around the forums now and finally thought it was time to ante up.  I'll be there in Banff and look forward to meeting everyone.  I start medical school in August and decided this summer is my first and last chance for a long time.  Anyways, thanks for all the great information!

Parker Smith

[Marshal]

All valid concerns. Having often ridden local (Mid-Atlantic, rolling to steep) dirt roads on my 27lbs bike behind guys on much lighter and better rolling cross bikes, I was just thinking that you could probably easily shave 2 to 3 days for an average racer, maybe even a little more.

Tempting but—

It has been attempted several times with narrow tires.  To my knowledge all those attempts have resulted in dnf’s for one reason or another.  

I am sure it could be done but the increased wear & tear on the body, degraded handling and risk of excessive flats balanced against the increase in speed have led most to go with a bigger tire.

As Slowerthensnot says (and the results seem to bear out) a 29x2.0-2.2 has become the accepted sweet spot

[DenisVTT]

Tempting but—

It has been attempted several times with narrow tires.  To my knowledge all those attempts have resulted in dnf’s for one reason or another.  

I am sure it could be done but the increased wear & tear on the body, degraded handling and risk of excessive flats balanced against the increase in speed have led most to go with a bigger tire.

As Slowerthensnot says (and the results seem to bear out) a 29x2.0-2.2 has become the accepted sweet spot

Good info, thanks. 29 X 2.0, then!

[Jeff Tomassetti]

Through the winter and Spring I enjoy watching the Titan Cam in Sparwood. For you weight weenies, each tire weighs four tons.

see and click on titan cam.

http://www.sparwoodchamber.bc.ca/Links.htm

[BobM]

Through the winter and Spring I enjoy watching the Titan Cam in Sparwood. For you weight weenies, each tire weighs four tons.

Now I don't feel so bad about the weight of my rig 

Bob

[Jeff Tomassetti]

Now I don't feel so bad about the weight of my rig 

Bob

And that is the wheel weight before Stans!

[wookieone]

Ok Got to ask the veterans out there, What shoes? I have been depating this endlessly. It would seem that a stiff shoe would be good for the amount of riding everyday, but then again living in one pair of shoes makes for a very familiar relationship, possibly a painful one. I realize it is a personal preference, but curious who wore what and who had issues? Thanks Jefe

[Mathewsen]

Ok Got to ask the veterans out there, What shoes? I have been depating this endlessly. It would seem that a stiff shoe would be good for the amount of riding everyday, but then again living in one pair of shoes makes for a very familiar relationship, possibly a painful one. I realize it is a personal preference, but curious who wore what and who had issues? Thanks Jefe

i've done Lakes every year, but they were always my sobe/cannondale sponsor. they are very comfy though. when i eventually began to care about speed, i went to their lightweight carbon-soled version. they were awkward to walk in on linoleum grocery store floors, but there's very little of that going on in the GDMBR. just make sure you don't have too much toe box play / tightness or a toe box shape that's ill-conforming to your own unique 'toe-geometry' (some folks have some wonky toe lengths, etc.). get your shoes about half a size big to accommodate achille's swelling. also make sure the cleat mounts accommodate a far-back position to eliminate too much plantar flexion. another hot tip: keep your feet clean at all costs and the dust and dirt out from between your toes. this particulate will wear down your tender parts between toes over the long hours. sock choice is key too. too much friction is bad. seams in the wrong place are bad. i've had great luck with an orange peel-branded wool sock made by a company called 'save our soles' (i think they're co.-based).

[krefs]

Ok Got to ask the veterans out there, What shoes? I have been depating this endlessly. It would seem that a stiff shoe would be good for the amount of riding everyday, but then again living in one pair of shoes makes for a very familiar relationship, possibly a painful one. I realize it is a personal preference, but curious who wore what and who had issues? Thanks Jefe

I used my Pearl Izumi X-Alp PROs in 2009. They have treated me amazingly well in other ultras, including the rather wretched haul across the Big Ditch, but you don't need the 'hikeability' of them for the Divide, and they dried out so slowly that my feet were wet for the entire first week. This time around my feet will be wrapped in the next iteration (2012?) of the Pearl Octane SL MTB shoe...stiff carbon sole, well ventilated, quick-drying, and with a good-quality insole (don't underestimate the importance of this!), they're as comfortable as I've found for dirt road riding.

[Marshal]

Ok Got to ask the veterans out there, What shoes? I have been depating this endlessly. It would seem that a stiff shoe would be good for the amount of riding everyday, but then again living in one pair of shoes makes for a very familiar relationship, possibly a painful one. I realize it is a personal preference, but curious who wore what and who had issues? Thanks Jefe

Mavic Pulse

Well it really is a big variable from rider to rider--but if this one fits its probably one of the lightest, least expensive with a nice tacky grip/tread/dries fast shoes on the market.  The sole is bike riding stiff but not quite carbon stiff—so it walks and hikes quite well

 I also use I use a Specialized footbed

http://www.mavic.com/en/product/footwear/mountain-bike/footwear/Pulse

[krefs]

get your shoes about half a size big to accommodate achille's swelling. also make sure the cleat mounts accommodate a far-back position to eliminate too much plantar flexion.

Do your Achilles tendons swell that much!? I had some major problems with mine last year on the AZT that almost forced me to bag it, but the swelling was minimal. I ended up riding with my cleats pushed as far back as possible to minimize strain on the Achilles...I would have pushed them even farther back had I remembered to pack my Dremel.

[Roland Sturm]

I'm neither a TD veteran nor have any of the speed that Kurt has, but I do know about ankle problems! For rides over 4 or 5 hours, off go the XTs and on with platform pedals. For TD this year, I'll definitely use platforms for exactly the reasons discussed so far. That allows using the arch occasionally and, although rarely, I may even lower the saddle during a ride and use the heel for a climb. Apparently, this provides enough of a recovery to avoid swelling and stiffness during long rides.

I've had repeated surgeries from sports injuries on both ankles (including both achilles), so that is a more fragile area for me. Probably doesn't apply to you, but for those prone to achilles swelling or stiffness, give platforms a consideration, despite losing some efficiency (there are undeniable advantages of clip-ins).

[6thElement]

I'm normally a fan of Shimano, but I was looking at those Mavic Pulse the other day thinking they looked suitable for this jaunt.

[Jeff Tomassetti]

I just did a full pack and I am at 47 lbs skin out, soup to nuts, spares, everything but food and water.  Curious where you folks are.  (typical ti 29er hardtail with fox fork, no backpack) These 40 lb reports have me wondering if I am off target. I do have a very light tent istead of a bivy, but that costs me 1lb tops.  and I do have a SB instead of a quilt (marmot atom)  And I am going to carry all maps and cue sheets.....say 10 oz. So where is the weight? Is it the kitchen sink in my camping kit?

[BobM]

I just did a full pack and I am at 47 lbs skin out, soup to nuts, spares, everything but food and water.  Curious where you folks are.  (typical ti 29er hardtail with fox fork, no backpack) These 40 lb reports have me wondering if I am off target. I do have a very light tent istead of a bivy, but that costs me 1lb tops.  and I do have a SB instead of a quilt (marmot atom)  And I am going to carry all maps and cue sheets.....say 10 oz. So where is the weight? Is it the kitchen sink in my camping kit?

I think the "skin out" weight is the key.  The guys with the sub-30 pound setups are probably not counting the clothes they are wearing, etc.

[6thElement]

I'm itching for my bags to be made by Revelate so I can load up and see what I've got to lose from the load.