All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

I'll definitely go up Lemmon. Will likely try to make a Shootout as well. I have a couple friends that are pros that will likely be down there so I'll hopefully get some riding with them too. It's mainly a vacation with my wife and some non-riding friends so I'll just try to ride when and where I can.

No Maah Daah Hey for me. I'm not really one for mountain bike racing. But some friends of mine have been talking about returning to Maa Daah Hey to do the 100 and I likely wouldn't say no.

 

I'm going to treat it more like a ride than a race. Just not sure if I want to do the 50 or 75.

 

oOOooh. time to start looking for vans! hah!

 

Holy shit, I sent a link to my buddy.

 

I want to try the new Capra in MX.

 

Many years ago (before MTB suspension beyond a curved steel fork) we visited a buddy that moved to Tucson. We spent a few hours riding up the dirt road on the back side of Mt. Lemmon (not sure there is a back side, but it wasn't the paved way up). Great views. Took us about 20 minutes to get down, riding like those old clunker videos, foot out and flat out on primitive mtbs. Great time.

 

I really want to do the "Dirty Lemmon" but the full route will be too long for the time I have and I won't be bringing my gravel bike. Looks incredible though.

 

My bikes. 2021 Kona Process X and a 2022 Surly Straggler 650B commuter/wheelie machine/gravel bike.

 

Tucson is one of my favorite places to ride in winter. A bonus is that you're not that far away from Sedona.

 

Anyone have any good feedback from going to aluminum wheels to carbon?

Looking at carbon for my next build to save weight/be a little more efficient. Would save about ~200grams.

 

Worth

 

Yes. Just like going from an aluminum bike frame to carbon bike frame. You will notice the input and compliance differences immediately because carbon is much stiffer. It is stellar.

 

If it's within budget to go with a known carbon rim, do it.

 

Because I'm bored out of my mind, let's play a game. Name the bike part (macro mode),.

 

Couple Different Setups

 

Some sort of suspension internal?

 

No cigar.

 

I like carbon but i'm particular. quality aluminum rims will work really well in comparison to cheap carbon rims. if it's within budget to get quality carbon rims, go for it. you'll find it much stiffer and easier to accelerate. Weight savings these days are...all over the place...some argue that you don't save as much, others say you do.

If you're looking for a stiffer wheel, go carbon. A wheel that'll stay truer longer, go carbon. if it's within budget, go for it.

 

Yea these will be the DT Swiss 1501's with the 240 hubs.

Last bike had DT Swiss XM551's and I never had any issues keeping them true or bending them and I'm heavier....ranging from 200lbs in shape to 230lbs in cheeseburger mode.

Just spec'ing out the new build and seeing how I can get it lighter and more efficient with a little bump in travel to make it more of a one bike quiver.