2015 TD

[BobM]

And once you add all the graded, relatively smooth gravel roads you can see why even a fast rolling ‘touring’ tire might make more sense than a classic mtb tire.  Some have gone down that path but……On the other hand tire volume/cushion is right up there with speed as a key tire characteristic.  Many will be fully rigid and each year some will suffer from hand/nerve damage.  So even with the relatively ‘smooth’ route, the long daily hours make tire volume, fit/position and glove/grip padding all important considerations.  When I add it all up I always come back to the WTB Nano--center line for fast roll and good size for volume. Now if they only had a better sidewall durability reputation...........

I love my nanos.  The current version do have a very thin sidewall, but I'm 60 years old and have never cut/torn a sidewall so I file that under one of those things not to worry TOO much about.  It also depends to some extent on riding style; if you're the sort of rider who would actually ride the flowing creek/road on the backside of the Flathead Divide, not knowing what sort of rocks are concealed underneath, then you probably need a much tougher tire.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Has anyone completed the TD on a CX-style tire? Seems there's always a few people starting out with 32mm tires. The only person I know of is Deanna Adams.

[ElijahGOFAR]

Marshal,

Could you please elaborate about "volume". I am curious as to what you mean and how you address it as a variable. Do you run a lower PSI to absorb the bumps? Can nanos run lower PSI than other tires? How stable are tires at low PSI? Im a fathlete and have never tried low PSI for fear of instability and washouts. Thank you and all of you who are so generous with sharing information and tricks of the TD. I only made it to Elkford last year but this year will be way better.

Best 0f Luck to ALL
Elijah

[Flinch]

Could you please elaborate about "volume". I am curious as to what you mean and how you address it as a variable. Do you run a lower PSI to absorb the bumps? Can nanos run lower PSI than other tires? How stable are tires at low PSI? Im a fathlete and have never tried low PSI for fear of instability and washouts.

Elijah

The large volume tires mean just that - lots of air required. Most tires in widths 2.1", 2.2", 2.3" etc. are considered high volume. There are some fat tire bikes that run really big volumes of air. However, the key factor is the tire thickness (rim to tread). Thickness follows width. Hi volume tires have more thickness to absorb bumps better. Nanos are no different than other large volume tires re PSI, etc..

Yes, the larger the volume the lower in pressure you can run them - to a point. Personally I run my tires at a higher PSI than most. The upside for me is less flatting. Downside is that the tires can get 'springy' and rebound over bumps too much, rather than absorbing bumps. There is some research re running tires at lower pressure to reduce rolling resistance. This only works where the 'bumps, (or rocks, washboard, etc.) size is less than the thickness of the tire. In other words, lower pressure lets the tire deform around the bump, rather than cause the bike to rise and fall, taking energy from forward motion.

To a point, lower pressure does not cause tire instability. There is a point at which you can cause the tire to partially roll off the rim, and 'burp' air. I did this on Whitefish Divide in 2013 on a partially flat tire by side skidding to a stop - showoff- and had to install a tube (no asking why I did not have CO2 cartridges for the inflator! ).

Good to see you tackling the TS agin - see you in Banff and good luck

Glen

[ElijahGOFAR]

Can a tire be too light for someones weight?

What would be the max weight of a rider for a 620g tire?

[Marshal]

Can a tire be too light for someones weight?

What would be the max weight of a rider for a 620g tire?

A 620g tire is a fairly light (29er) tire and might not be the most durable choice for a large racer but I would have no idea of it's weight rating.

And I really don’t know, but I think bike manufactures do have some type of 'max weight ratings' for complete bikes--frame, rims, tires etc--of say 230lbs to 300lbs.
  
So a large person with a heavy load of gear could conceivable exceed a manufacture's recommended weight rating (be it frame, tire, rim or complete bike)  

If you fall into this range I would educate myself by talking to a couple of reputable local bike shops and solicit more than one opinion.  Then one could select a frame/tire/rim combination that aligns with their new knowledge.  

[whatirideby]

Hi everyone,

I believe this is how things go: Booked my room at the Y. My Letter of Intent: whatirideby.com

Been doing a lot of reading on here and a lot of riding out there. Looking forward to meeting you all in person in a month!

Lynne

[flyboy]

Hi everyone,

I believe this is how things go: Booked my room at the Y. My Letter of Intent: whatirideby.com

Been doing a lot of reading on here and a lot of riding out there. Looking forward to meeting you all in person in a month!

Lynne

Hi Lynn and welcome aboard this crazy ride! SoBo?

A late reply but reading a few pages back this reminded me of one of the most unpleasant and unforseen problems I had on the TDR, I've not seen it mentioned so thought it's worth highlighting. I'm from the UK so the dry, hot air from the Baisin onwards messed up my sinuses pretty badly, I felt pretty dried out but it wasn't a dehydrated lack of water feeling. I awoke in my bivi with a mouth like dry leather due to a blocked nose, rode on with a nosebleed too many times and it became painful to eat. I had prep for chapped lips but there wasn't much I could do about the dry air. I made something a bit like a surgeon's facemask from a bit of rag I had and some tarp cord and tried to keep it damp, or at least wet it when I drank. A bit of a PITA but preferable to blood loss, a few days in CO and NM using this helped me recover to a more normal state of discomfort

Good point James. I too am from a humid, subtropical area and noticed dry/cracked nasal passages after just 4 days in the high/cold air during a recent training ride in what we call "mountains" here in Oz. I will be taking some cream that can hopefully cope with saddle rash and double as a general moisturiser.

[kato]

The number of pages of this thread exceed the number of days till grand depart!

Based on our "unofficial" start list and then figuring in a few triple crown racers not on the list  (that I'm aware of) I think we will have a record group of grand departers this year.  Is this correct?  Having myself flunked last years test I hope we also have a record number of "official" finishers this year.  Best of luck to everyone in their final preparations.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Yeah, I bet it'll be quite the spectacle at the start. Keep it on the down low and professional as always Betcha those flying in will be greeted with a smile and a, "so, how many days are you going for?" questions at the Canadian passport check.

[Rorr]

Yup lots of folks. The funning thing is I bet there will be a bunch a guys going for the hole shot!

[BobM]

Yup lots of folks. The funning thing is I bet there will be a bunch a guys going for the hole shot!

What's the hole shot?

[SlowRide]

Hole Shot - The holeshot is a motorsport terminology to describe a driver who has the strongest start to get up to racing speed.

[BobM]

Hole Shot - The holeshot is a motorsport terminology to describe a driver who has the strongest start to get up to racing speed.

And is there a term for a guy who goes for the hole shot and blows the engine?  Don't want that to happen!  I like Kent Peterson's strategy - start slow and then back off.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Hole shot? The start of the trail, where the route begins in earnest. Before that, it's the steep climb up, the road widens to the parking lot, crazy larry is taking photos, then y'all gotta fit into the entrance of the trailhead. You don't wanna be behind the dude on the single speed

[Rorr]

I guess the joke is not that funny when you have to explain it. I think there will be plenty of time to jockey for position.

[tuhduhvuh]

Has anyone completed the TD on a CX-style tire? Seems there's always a few people starting out with 32mm tires. The only person I know of is Deanna Adams.

I just looked at the start list and someone is listed as doing the race on a cyclo-cross bike...   
Not sure if that is a brilliant idea or a suicidal idea...

Tom

[kato]

I just looked at the start list and someone is listed as doing the race on a cyclo-cross bike...   
Not sure if that is a brilliant idea or a suicidal idea...

Tom

Interesting, of course you know Tom that some of us consider you single speeders crazy/suicidal and yet you one speeders always seem to fly by us shifter equipped riders at one point or another.

[daveinbanff]

Hi Everyone,
In addition to the bike retail stores at the start line, I'll be avail again to help riders and racers with bike mechanical issues, etc in Banff.   I've been wrenching bikes for 20+ years in stores in the Banff area, and working independently for 5+.   Lots of work from the home, from kids bikes, to top XC and endurance racers, as well as working lots of races and events (Single track6, Transrockies,  MDH100, lots of grand fondos, etc)   I have also ridden the Banff to whitefish sections of the TD route (a few times) so have a good idea of what both the bike, and you will encounter on the first section.
http://www.fatskideals.com/race_support.html
I have basic parts in stock, and can order most things for you with a few days notice.
email or text is best way to contact me,
403-762-8566
dave_williams@shaw.ca   I might not be as fast with messages thru this site.

Let me know if I can help you guys out with the event at all.   Happy to do repairs, or just a consult over a beverage.   


(also, moderators of this site, I hope this post is OK, and not crossing some line of "advertising" vs "helping"    please contact me, and we can make this work for the riders, the moderators, and me)

thanks   

dave

[tuhduhvuh]

Interesting, of course you know Tom that some of us consider you single speeders crazy/suicidal and yet you one speeders always seem to fly by us shifter equipped riders at one point or another.

Well... I love my single speed,  (and still ride it almost every day to deliver my paper route)  but based on my experience from last year, and since my goal is to finish... my bike has gears this year!  I suppose some purists would say that ISN'T an upgrade,  but I'm thinking it will be.  I've upgraded my clothes, my bike,  I'm running out of excuses....   really really want to finish this year !!