New to cross.... have a few questions...
Submitted by dylan on 10/6/2008 - 12:13pm
This weekend I put my cross bike together and took it on its maiden voyage (trails around the velodrome)
I have some questions before the race this weekend:
Tires:
my bike came with Kenda Kwick 700x30's, are these ok tires?
what is the best flat protection (slime, liners, tubes) or are there tires similar to armadillos?
what kind of pressure should I run, yesterday I did ~70psi
Gearing:
My bike is singlespeed, 36x16, It was ok on the trails yesterday unless it was semi-steep.. then it got really hard... should I get a 19t or so and have it handy?
Training:
When/Where are the weekly training rides.
Comments
Questions
Leave it for a fat, out of shape, slow, old 45+ to offer an opinion. I'm sure someone like Bill Reed, Russell T. or any of the 'A' racers know better.
>Kenda tires are fine. You might want an extra set of wheels handy in case you flat in a race.
>70 psi seems way too high. I run tubeless Hutchinsons at 43 psi. That is what they recommend for that tire. Lot's of guys run even lower.
>Slime lite tubes are fine. Better yet, you can run Kevlar strips that do a great job on thorn protection. Probably lighter than slime tubes, too.
I'm sure the 'big guns' will add some valuable insight for you too.
Training sessions on Tuesday night at Camelsback at 6:00pm. That's a great place to train and get advice from the serious racers.
welcome
Hey buddy... glad to see you come join the ranks! I think that tire will be fine in our area and the psi you run really boil down to personal preference and how "light" you can ride over potential snake bites. Once you have some experience you will start to get a better idea about what you prefer. I usually run as low as possible without bottoming out and also inject the tubes with Stan's sealant. No idea on the gearing but guessing you'll find out quick after a race or two which works best. Like Brad said, Tues at CB is awesome for anybody learning as there will be people there willing to help and offer suggestions, etc. Be sure to ask people questions as everybody is always very willing to help.
Might need a SS category
We have a guy running a fixed gear bike in the B group and he flies. Do not know his gearing, but none of the local course have terrain that you would need to worry about. If you can not ride it, you run it :)
If my SS mtn was not so heavy I would race it!
Mike K.
Which Group
Adam Toothacher rode a single speed at Tamarack last weekend and NOBODY was going to keep up with that dude!
Hey CXer, which group(s) A, B, C, Masters, you gonna put that SS class in?
That's humor my man!
Man in Kilt
Whatever Category you are in!!
Just to give you some more competition or someone else to chase Brad!
Right on Mike O.
I told all the new folks tonight to race in your group and to ask you what wear under that kilt......
That is disturbing
That is a very disturbing thought. The kilt part I mean. If Brad could wear that thing and manage to remount his bike in good form I would be impressed.