Cycling Thread 2

[Flabbibulin]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

Yah it was a ROYAL spanking for sure. And that’s between Pog and 3rd place, then an even gap between 1st and 2nd after what was a stalemate week. Honestly what else has V done the last few years (except the last 2 x TdF). Pog has been present and riding hard all season and doing well.

Just watched the TT replay on the USA network. One of the most dominant TT stage wins Ive ever seen.

How demoralizing to be some rider that identifies as a TT specialist and then see what these two all rounders were able to do. Pogacar by himself smoked the field, even with a 10 second bike change, but what Ving did was just insane.

Edit- that said, it was definitely a very hilly TT course.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

Just watched the TT replay on the USA network. One of the most dominant TT stage wins Ive ever seen.

How demoralizing to be some rider that identifies as a TT specialist and then see what these two all rounders were able to do. Pogacar by himself smoked the field, even with a 10 second bike change, but what Ving did was just insane.

Edit- that said, it was definitely a very hilly TT course.

TT course was always going to favour GC guys, plus they are both world class TT guys on top of being grand tour guys.

All that being said the swing in the last two days is smelling a little fishy, these guys look for every marginal gain and had 10 seconds separating them over 15 stages, Pogacar didn't crack yesterday, maybe he did today a bit but I feel like I've seen this story before.

[RichieRich]

Other than those physically in Paris on the Champs, is the last stage really worth watching? Except for the last 2 minutes perhaps. And with Cav gone…. Meh.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

Other than those physically in Paris on the Champs, is the last stage really worth watching? Except for the last 2 minutes perhaps. And with Cav gone…. Meh.

I love Tour de France but it's so difficult to really follow and feel like you are in the race. Spectating bicycle and motorsport races always made no sense to me. Like you stand in a spot in the grass for hours then have everybody whizz by you.

[KTrain]

I watched a stage of the Tour in 2007 and went to Italy this year to watch some of the Giro. You're definitely not there to watch races because that's over in seconds. It's more being involved in the atmosphere of the event.

Now something like the World's in Quebec would be more interesting because it's a circuit and you'll see the races a few times.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I love Tour de France but it's so difficult to really follow and feel like you are in the race. Spectating bicycle and motorsport races always made no sense to me. Like you stand in a spot in the grass for hours then have everybody whizz by you.

There is a 2 hour procession that goes before the stage, basically a Stampede parade to entertain people and throw out sponsor merch, keeps the kids entertained anyways. 15 million people on the side of the road see to enjoy it, personally I wouldn't go but maybe if I could sit on the opposite side of the valley and watch them climb switchbacks for 30 minutes while having a beer, then i'm interested

[Kybosh]

A buddy of mine is trying to convince me to get a gravel bike for some gravel rides/races in Alberta. I'm game to get another bike but I'm a bit unclear on how beefy a bike I might need or want. I've been looking at the Canyon Grail & Grizl but I'm not really sure what way I should go based on the terrain we might be on (gravel roads, maybe some single track etc.). I have a dedicated road bike, so I'm leaning towards a 1x beefier gravel bike like the Grizl but I'm curious to see what folks might recommend.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I love Tour de France but it's so difficult to really follow and feel like you are in the race. Spectating bicycle and motorsport races always made no sense to me. Like you stand in a spot in the grass for hours then have everybody whizz by you.

I'd totally agree for just "any old stage" in any of the big road races - yep they whip past sooner than you could pull your selfie back in. But I think the circuit style of mountain bike, perhaps some Belgian cyclocrosses (and classics of course) and the last stage of any grand tour would be a major party of experiences.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

A buddy of mine is trying to convince me to get a gravel bike for some gravel rides/races in Alberta. I'm game to get another bike but I'm a bit unclear on how beefy a bike I might need or want. I've been looking at the Canyon Grail & Grizl but I'm not really sure what way I should go based on the terrain we might be on (gravel roads, maybe some single track etc.). I have a dedicated road bike, so I'm leaning towards a 1x beefier gravel bike like the Grizl but I'm curious to see what folks might recommend.

Just keep in mind you're not wanting a road bike, and don't try to build a "light" mountain bike. That said, based on my own wants list, for something fun and go-anywhere you want relaxed/fun geometry (not too racy or stiff), able to take some bigger tires (like 45-50's) if you want, enough gears that you can tackle some big hills (like a 48/31 w/ up to 42 cassette, or 42/28 with 11/36, or a decent range 1x), and a nice flexy carbon seatpost and a Redshift stem to take the rattle away from your shoulders and head.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

I'd totally agree for just "any old stage" in any of the big road races - yep they whip past sooner than you could pull your selfie back in. But I think the circuit style of mountain bike, perhaps some Belgian cyclocrosses (and classics of course) and the last stage of any grand tour would be a major party of experiences.

Calgary should have an indoor (winter) velodrome with stadium seating. We'll call it NASBIKE.

[Brendone]

Anyone here do the Route of the Hiawatha? Trying to decide between the gravel or mountain bike for tomorrows ride. Seems like it’s all mountain or hybrid in the pictures, but seems fairly well packed, so the gravel bikes might do nicely?

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

A buddy of mine is trying to convince me to get a gravel bike for some gravel rides/races in Alberta. I'm game to get another bike but I'm a bit unclear on how beefy a bike I might need or want. I've been looking at the Canyon Grail & Grizl but I'm not really sure what way I should go based on the terrain we might be on (gravel roads, maybe some single track etc.). I have a dedicated road bike, so I'm leaning towards a 1x beefier gravel bike like the Grizl but I'm curious to see what folks might recommend.

I’d say try to be really honest about what you want to do with the bike. Especially with gravel that encompasses a wide range of use cases.

If you want to do races, and want something that can go fairly fast, then get something closer to a road bike with room for big tires. If you want to bike pack, or ride single track, then that’s a different type of bike.

Getting a heavy beefy bike with suspension, then realizing you enjoy racing but it is holding you back would kind of suck. Same thing the other way of course, if you get a fast bike that isn’t good for bike packing or riding single track.

My checkpoint I am happy with, and it is a fairly flexible on types of usage. Fairly fast, but still has the ability to add a bunch of mounts. If I bought again I’d probably move farther into the racier bike though, as I don’t have any desire to bike pack.

I would suggest to get a bike with room for at least 45mm tires, including for a fast racing bike.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Brendone

Anyone here do the Route of the Hiawatha? Trying to decide between the gravel or mountain bike for tomorrows ride. Seems like it’s all mountain or hybrid in the pictures, but seems fairly well packed, so the gravel bikes might do nicely?

Gravel bike is fine.

Similar to the Kelowna rails to trails like the kettle valley railway. It’s all 3% or less grade because it’s old railway.

[Brendone]

Originally Posted by GGG

Gravel bike is fine.

Similar to the Kelowna rails to trails like the kettle valley railway. It’s all 3% or less grade because it’s old railway.

Gravel bikes were the right call. A couple bumpier sections, but manageable. Gonna be cleaning them for a while. That first tunnel is pretty wet. Fun ride though.

[Texas]

I've got a Specialized Sirrus, not exactly sure what model, from ~6 years ago. Great bike for commuting downtown. BUT... the seat is hard as hell and my lower back isn't as young as it used to be.

Any suggestions on a comfier seat? Suspension for seat possible?

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by Texas

Any suggestions on a comfier seat? Suspension for seat possible?

Your seat is probably fine. You're better off investing in some good bib shorts.

[Deegee]

Originally Posted by Brendone

Anyone here do the Route of the Hiawatha? Trying to decide between the gravel or mountain bike for tomorrows ride. Seems like it’s all mountain or hybrid in the pictures, but seems fairly well packed, so the gravel bikes might do nicely?

Did you riding from Wallace or the trailhead?

We went last year to Idaho and rode the Trail of the Couer d'Alenes and had a blast. Stayed overnight in Wallace and rode back the next day. Going again this year with roadies, but hope to bring gravel bike next year with another buddy who loves gravel riding for the Hiawatha (and the Lake Elsie climb which you need a gravel bike for due to the road quality apparently).

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

Your seat is probably fine. You're better off investing in some good bib shorts.

I’m also gonna add you probably need to check your rising position/posture too. Also I found that a carbon seat post, which has more flex, made a massive improvement for me. And not running max pressure in a skinny rear tire.

[Brendone]

Originally Posted by Deegee

Did you riding from Wallace or the trailhead?

We went last year to Idaho and rode the Trail of the Couer d'Alenes and had a blast. Stayed overnight in Wallace and rode back the next day. Going again this year with roadies, but hope to bring gravel bike next year with another buddy who loves gravel riding for the Hiawatha (and the Lake Elsie climb which you need a gravel bike for due to the road quality apparently).

We started at the trailhead just outside of Taft. We drove to Wallace for a beer after. Neat little mining town. What ever bike you take, have a brush to clean it after. That stuff does not come off easily.

[Hack&Lube]

Aside from CP buy/sell, kijiji, FB marketplace, is there is a place in Calgary where people post classifieds for bike items/components to sell? About to get a new bike but I'm going to swap a bunch of the OEM components out (2 by crank to 1 by etc.) and have a bunch of brand new leftovers like a cassette too as well as things that have collected over the years.