Tour Divide 2013

[Cosmo K]

Yea, I've been doing both but not much of a relief.  I may be in Banff not quite at the fitness I should be. 

[Mauro_N]

Ah, if that's the case maybe some sports therapy is needed. About two years ago I started to develop tendon problems in my hands from rock climbing. After about 4-5 weeks of 1-2 x 1/2 hr sessions a week the problem was solved. I believe it would of been quicker if i stopped climbing or took it a bit easier.

Here's that dreaded tire question again, I haven't ridden any section on the rout but I cant stop thinking that a 2.0 mountain tire is a bit overkill for the gravel. I base this on the pics that i have seen as well as riding a 44cc cross tire on some trails that I should have been running a mountain tire on.

I know there is a balance between a narrow (44cc) and a fat (2.0) tire, more comfortable  on the fat but slower and the opposite on the thinner, however the cross tire will cut through the mud easier and is lighter. After a bit of tire research Conti have a 44cc cross x king tire based of their x king mountain tire.

So I was wondering what the forums opinion is running a fat cross tire for the TD?

Many thanks

Mauro

[THE LONG RANGER]

Pinch flats and lack of tubless options are what's stopping < 2.0" tires from being useful on the TD. Speaking of your hands, having a little more plush will help, after week #2, believe you me. I've ridden portions of the TD on a 45 mm FireCross and that was fine, mostly, although that's a really aggressive and slow and heavy tire I wouldn't suggest and I've ridden portions of the TD on 28mm commuter tires. Those gave me a flat a day, or so. You'll see the spectrum of tires at the start, and on route (touring folks)

Honestly? I think any gains you get from the smaller tire, is gonna be lost, every time you gotta fix a flat.

[hikernks]

I'm running 700x40c Vee Rubber XCX's tubeless for my gravel riding tire, and was curious about the same.  I had no problem setting it up tubeless.  I've ridden part of the TD around Salida on cross tires with no problems, nor have I had any flats riding Dirty Kanza roads either (notorious for flats). You won't be able to get a cross tire to reseat tubeless without a compressor or CO2, but most 29x2.?? won't either.

Right now I'm planning to run Nanoraptors, but I'd be interested in getting other vet's opinions as to the feasibility of running tubeless cross-tires (700x40c) in this thing.  Those Vee Rubber tires have a very aggressive tread, but at 700x40, still roll great, plus they are lighter, and so are spare tubes.  Haha, in summary, would 700x40c tires work for this route, or is it a little too rough?

[marco_n]

I don't like narrow tires... Usually I ride my Fargo with 2.2 tires, and for the Divide I think to use geax saguaro 2.2, for the maximum confort when I ride for a lots of hours par day.
I think narrow tires are uncomfortable (I ride specy borough xc 700x45 on tarmac or gravel, but is too rigid even at low pressure and in tubeless configuration)

I've talk with Marco Costa and Michael Cleveland  and the suggestion is for a 2.2 tyre like a saguaro or conti race King...

[jryter]

Saw this the other night. Some reason it reminded me of the TD! Have fun!!


http://video.pbs.org/video/1386970191

[crazylarry]

Congrats your coming!
You've decided to do one of the Tougest Races in the World ~ Epic Epic Epic comes to mind here. You'll LOVE it !!
SheeeZaz....and I haven't even did it yet myself.LOL
Any riders may contact me regarding anything you might need to know in and about Banff. re: cycling shops/ gear they carry etc. Places to go / to ride / to stay.
***I would LOVE to interview you guys/gals as you contact me....with a before and after interview of the race.
     Thoughts / views / gear / etc. Would be FUN !!!
Contact www.crazylarry.ca

[NorthernMonkey]

I don't think it is an issue, being that all the riders are spread out after a few 100 miles.

Anyone else riding the TD in 2013 from England?

Aye! From Lancashire originally but currently live in Switzerland. See you in Banff!

[Yukon]

Appears that numerous riders will use the Garmin Etrex 30 and use the Topfusion data.  What thoughts do riders have on using the IPad mini and Topfusion or other sites as a gps?  The listed weight of the iPad mini is 0.68 pounds,
Recharging would be one consideration as a con.

[Mental-Miles]

Hi,

I was thinking about that system as well (Garmin e30) and all back ups (and back up GPS-system) on the Ipad Mini ... lots of weight. I will go fro ip 4 as back up (Data, Map, Kamera, GPS) driven/load by hub dynamo and "Luxos" front light!

Cheers M-M

[jryter]

Appears that numerous riders will use the Garmin Etrex 30 and use the Topfusion data.  What thoughts do riders have on using the IPad mini and Topfusion or other sites as a gps?  The listed weight of the iPad mini is 0.68 pounds,
Recharging would be one consideration as a con.

You will destroy the Ipad I would think.... I got really wet, muddy, dusty.... And it doesn't mount on handlebars? So you would have to stop all the time. The e20 or 30 works great.

[mcmurv]

You will destroy the Ipad I would think.... I got really wet, muddy, dusty.... And it doesn't mount on handlebars? So you would have to stop all the time. The e20 or 30 works great.

You would need the strongest otter box case for your ipad to make it through.  IMHO, recharging is the biggest issue.  I went with the Delorme PN-60w over the etrex.  I had a PN-20 for about 5 years and in 2010 got the PN-60w with the SPOT build into it. I still use it today.

I was getting about 3 days of use out of 2 AA Energizer lithium batteries. 

Whatever you use, you better get it now.  I had 8 months with mine before the 2011 TD and I remember on day 1 of the TD, learning new things about it.  Most of these lessons were how it dealt with the track file for the route. 

[mcmurv]

Saw this the other night. Some reason it reminded me of the TD! Have fun!!


http://video.pbs.org/video/1386970191

Yea, it is funny how TD riders look like the natural prey of wolves.  I was chased off Fleecer by a pack of 4 wolves in 2011. 

[hikernks]

If you're debating between an eTrex 20 and 30, spend the money and go with the 30, if for nothing else other than the built in compass and here's why. 

On your track settings, you have two options.  Track up and north up.  With the north up setting, north is always at the top of the screen.  If you're SB, that means every turn is going to be backwards.  IE- if the GPS is showing a turn to the right, it's actually a left turn, because it's backward.  I get it confused when I'm well rested, so I know it'd be a nightmare when you're tired, cold, wet, hungry and pissed off.

The track up setting means the arrow allows follows the track.  A right turn on screen is actually a right turn on the route.  HOWEVER, on the eTrex 20, because it doesn't have a built in compass, it automatically reverts to north up when you stop.  It might seem minor, but mine almost graduated airborne school off the side of a mountain on the Vapor Trail last year because of it.  I've called Garmin, and they said they would look at the problem, but no updates have fixed it yet.  the best way I found to deal with it was if I needed to stop and check bearings, I'd just push the bike a little to keep the track orientation right. 

Spend the extra and get the 30.  I'm not looking forward to dealing with this on the Dvide, but I think Ill manage.

[JRA]

 "I get it confused when I'm well rested, so I know it'd be a nightmare when you're tired, cold, wet, hungry and pissed off."

Good advice on the 20 vs. 30.
And I particularly like and can relate to the quote above - LOL!

-JRA
(aka: hbfa @ bp.com)

[Pdk123]

I would like some feedback from the vets that may have info on using small block eights. How do they stack up to the nano raptors?

Thanks guys!

[THE LONG RANGER]

I would like some feedback from the vets that may have info on using small block eights. How do they stack up to the nano raptors?

SB8: Worked for me, lasted quite a bit longer, don't run them tubeless.

[ETURK]

I would like some feedback from the vets that may have info on using small block eights. How do they stack up to the nano raptors?

I have always been a fan of SB8 - they are fast tires! The lose traction sometimes but then hook back up, if your ok with that riding style they are great. Used SB8 on my first Colorado Trail Race without any issue. However those sidewalls are not the best, they have failed several times on me, so bring sidewall protection just in case. Because they are thin I have since moved to MAXIS Icons and love them - they have small tread like the SB8 but are tough and will easily last the whole season.

[Rob Colliver]

Just to confuse the SB8 v Nano issue..... I ran SB8's (up to 80 psi version) and tubeless too. Perfect tyre for the TD for me, but there was no tread left by Absolute Bikes and the mechanic said not to bother changing them as the surface was mainly good for the rest of the ride. He was right, and all I had was about 20 thorns sticking through the casing when I stripped the bike for flying home, but NO PUNCTURES!

I did run Nano's for a few weeks as so many vets say they are the tyre to use, but as I am fairly light, I went back to the SB8's.

[ETURK]

Hi all,

Just an FYI  I am providing a presentation tonight at Tin Shed Sports, in Nederland, CO., all about bikepacking and talking about my TD setup for this years race - going to talk gear, strategies, race history, etc. We will watch a few short videos too. Should be fun. MountainBikeRadio will be there recording it!   https://www.facebook.com/TinShedSports/events

Really looking forward to seeing everyone in Banff and along the trail! Been riding fully loaded with no suspension and feeling strong !