motorthings

in this example, it could have to do with angle needed to get comfy on the aerobars (instead of acquiring required flexibility)...not that it makes it right, though.

Danny01

Finally was able to find a crank based power meter solution that fit my criteria: sub compact gearing, dual sided, byo pedals, under $800 total cost brand new. Ended up with R9100 crank, absolute black 46/30 rings, and Watteam Powerbeat dual.

BluesDawg

I just got a Redshift Sports Shock Stem, Salsa Cowchipper handlebars and a Garmin 520 plus GPS unit for my Black Mtn Cycles MCD.


Bmc mcd by Benny Watson, on Flickr

Secret Squirrel

Another vote for the Redshift stem. Mine came in on Friday and did some mixed surface riding. Very happy with product. Flipped into the -6 degree position and tried some road and off road climbing. No play when pulling up on the bars and no sway when climbing out of the saddle. I was worried that the stem would move when bunny hopping, but the stem only actuates with a down force.

BluesDawg

My stem is in the +6 position, and likewise, no unwanted sense of motion. In fact, after initially setting the stem up with the combination of elastomers recommended for my weight, I later changed them to the next lower weight range combination because I felt like I could use more shock absorption. While I still do not notice any movement during smooth riding or out of saddle climbing, it does now absorb more shock on irregular pavement and dirt/gravel. My preferred handlebar position is a bit higher than average, so I think I'm putting less weight on the bars than what they assumed when making the suggested setup combinations. I am very happy with the stem.

BTW, did you intentionally mount your front tire backwards?

Secret Squirrel

You got me. I already complained to Lynskey. The tubeless fluid was installed before they shipped. I am in the process of correcting other assembly issues. They also didn't cut the steerer tube square. (already fixed that). Funny enough, the tread mis-direction didn't seem to make much of a difference when I was climbing a sandy incline this past weekend or the 40+ mph road downhill. Its on my "to do list".

BluesDawg

I saw that a lot when I was working at the bike shop. Sometimes people had been running tires backwards for years without knowing it. I've done it myself when I was in too big a hurry and/or distracted when mounting a tire. I'm not surprised that it didn't make a noticeable difference in performance. Mostly an aesthetic thing, but it could possibly accelerate tread wear.

FlashBazbo

For my gravel bike . . . I bought a new gravel bike. Like others on this page, I spec'd a Redshift stem. I pick up stem (and bike) in 45 minutes. The rest of the bike is a Trek Checkpoint with Di2 and the obligatory Salsa Cowchipper bar.

I was huge into gravel several years back -- a very early adopter. (I was into Dirty Kanza early enough that I once entered the 200 by email/phone less than 4 weeks before the race.) A couple years ago, my knee surgeon told me I couldn't ride "serious" gravel anymore, so I sold everything. And now, unexpectedly, a couple years later, he says I can give gravel a try again. I can't wait!

JMosey

I ordered a 2019 Salsa Warbird last week, Apex 1 build. Unfortunately I have to wait until November for the bike to come in... and I am not a patient person! I've ordered a Quarq D-Zero power meter to go with it and picked up a set of purple anodized Velocity Blunt SS wheels already setup tubeless with a pair of Teravail Rampert (650x47). I'll transfer over my Red Shift stem (and seat post when it comes in!). I'm upgrading from a 2011 Trek X01 CX bike so it should be a huge upgrade for me. My Trek got me through MI Coast 2 Coast this year, but it wasn't the most comfortable ride in the world.

68venable

H+Son Hydra wheelset.

Jakedatc

New gravel tires for next year. wanted to go up to 40s from my normal CX 33/35s

TimothyH

Kitsbow Origin Jersey

68venable

Two Gravel King SK's in 43mm.

Marcus_Ti

Got these 10 days ago. Kids. Winter Is Coming.

43 Shimano XC7 MTB shoe for scale to 44 Lake winter MTB boot.








Already had the chance to try them in anger in a snow/sleet storm during my commute that dumped inches of snow in one morning

TimothyH

^ that's serious stuff right there.

Marcus_Ti

Even with thin normal summer-weight riding socks...my tootsies were very warm and dry for an hour commute...riding into a 20MPH surface wind with snow/sleet and mercury that bottomed out around 30F. Sure as heck beat neoprene booties. Amazon came through and had a sale-- they were 25% off, thank goodness.

Snagged some 40mm studded Schwalbe Marathon Winter tires for $100 for the pair. Need to see about a second wheelset and another set of disc rotors, sadly the pay processor is slow giving me discretionary income ATM. Almost went this far last year, but figured I'd never use the gear--ended up having a wicked cold and icey winter. Now that I'm prepared, winter is probably cancelled.

shoota 

Interesting combo all around.

shoota 

Funny, I have the same shoes. Luckily it doesn't get cold enough here for those particular Lakes though

TimothyH

Isadore Thermerino 2.0



$40 off winter gear at Wiggle.


-Tim-

shoota 

Nice! I could really use a jersey like that.

chas58

Yeah, I always check my chevrons are pointing forward on the front tire.

Doesn't really make a difference though. In theory it will squirt water to the side and back and help prevent hydroplaning. But you can't hydroplane on a bike anyway. Conversly many tires will have you rotate the oposite direction in the rear so you can :"grab" dirt rather than pushing it out.

Secret Squirrel

SKS Front Fender

EdwinHeadwind

Just took off my Woodchipper bars and replaced then with Cowchippers. BIG improvement!

taz777

I'm trying out these Challenge latex inner tubes on my Blue Prosecco. I got two regular Specialized butyl ones, just in case the latex tubes don't work out.



I haven't fitted them yet, but an immediate observation is the different in softness and a lighter weight. They also appear to have talc already applied to them (although I do have some cornstarch powder talc that I use when fitting new inners.

shoota 

The only latex that should be in a gravel tire is Orange Seal.
Kidding aside, if these are your first latex tubes you will notice they don't hold air for as long as butyl tubes. But they do ride better. And flat easier.