Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Tube/Tubeless for skinny road tires & tubes 101

« on: June 04, 2015, 11:31:26 am »

Makes me want to switch to Orange Seal or Bontrager TLR sealant for my tubeless mountain bike!

In my current quest for all things related to tubeless tires on a road bike on and off pavement, I ran across this test of sealants used in tubes.

http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/Things_that_Roll/Tires/Sealant_Test_-_Part_1_4147.html

http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/Things_that_Roll/Tires/Sealant_Test_-_Part_2_4155.html

I hope this benefits someone.

Wayne

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Gear Talk / Re: Tubeless?

« on: May 07, 2015, 09:58:11 am »

One thing to consider  "touring" is your tire size and psi for ideal roll resistance
Where as MTB its nearly a given and skinny road tires , set tubeless can take some decent air the big fat typical common middle ground touring trekking tire size approx 38-47mm , if set up tubeless,one can't reliably air up over 45psi with out risk of burp hitting a pot hole
I had a good talk with Stans about this, there recs
I continue to air town dirt and up pavement with tubes and dont really have a problem
Currently using 47s and on smooth pavement about 55 rear rolls fastest.  Dirt - mid 30s - no pinch flats, 180 pounds

If interested touring tubeless on pavement and you use approx 35-45mm tires aired to 50 psi or higher at times I suggest you have a talk with Stans No Tubes - good people

Burping happens when the pressure is low, not high.

On fat tires you don't want very high pressures. This article explains why:
http://www.bccclub.org/documents/Tireinflation.pdf

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Gear Talk / Re: Tubeless?

« on: April 15, 2015, 10:54:50 am »

I rode the GDMBR with DT Swiss non-tubeless rims, the Stan's tubeless kit, and Continental Race King 2.2 ProTection tires. The weather was extremely hot in Montana, and perhaps I didn't have enough sealant, especially because I was losing some on the rim-tire connection, so I ran out of sealant on one wheel and had to pump up the tire several times a day. Eventually put in a tube until I got a bike shop to add sealant. I had mailed my small bottle of sealant home, which would have solved my problem.
No flats, and I really like the ride (and weight savings.)
Definitely bring a tube and some patches though. I also had the Park Tool TB-2 tubeless tire patch.

4

Gear Talk / Re: Tubus Lowrider Racks for GDMBR?

« on: April 15, 2015, 10:17:24 am »

Hi,

My partner and I are planning a trip for next year which includes the GDMBR northbound. We plan to ride from our hometown Vancouver BC down the pacific coast route into Mexico and possibly further south. Returning home we plan to tackle the GDMBR. We both have 26" traditional geometry touring bikes running 2" tires with rear racks and front lowriders. I'm wondering how you'd rate doing the GDMBR with lowrider racks and regular Ortlieb Frontrollers. I'm mostly concerned about clearance / pannier wear. Insane? Difficult but possible? or no real big problem? Should we switch to mid or high rider front racks before hitting the rougher roads? Let me know your thoughts.

Happy trails

Despite what the guidebook claims, lowriders aren't a problem at all.
Use the biggest fast-rolling knobby tires you can fit on your bikes. For NM I recommend tubeless or at least some "Slime"-type tubes.
Plenty of people have completed the GDMBR on such bikes. The lack of front suspension will increase your suffering though.
Your main worry should be timing. The window to start from the South is quite short.

5

Gear Talk / Re: Ultralight Panniers?

« on: April 15, 2015, 10:03:58 am »

I used the Arkel Dry-Lites on the GDMBR. They are NOT designed for off-road use, and mine were from the first production run which was missing some critical reinforcement. I had to repair them after only a short distance and add straps through the D-rings to take some weight off the main velcro straps. The bungees were too long, so I tied a knot into each one to shorten them. This way they survived for the rest of the ride with a few abrasion holes (from hard objects inside rubbing where the pannier touches the rack,) and one bungee cord breaking. The stitching issue was corrected, and Arkel's customer service has been excellent.
I recommend the panniers for road use with light loads. Off-road with straps through the D-rings, but keep in mind they're ultralight and may fail. My Ortliebs are so much heavier I don't see myself using them again (except around town.) Main drawback of the Dry-Lites is that they're harder to install / remove from the rack.
Update: just noticed the fabric is now stronger, but the weight is also up considerably (from around 445g / pair to 520 g / pair.)

6

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Great Divide, Section 3, Maps A&B – 2014

« on: September 10, 2014, 04:55:30 pm »

I confirm the road is open, and it seems it will remain that way. Construction continues though.

7

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Great Divide, Section 3, Maps A&B – 2014

« on: September 05, 2014, 07:02:39 pm »

Calling the number I got a message saying the road is now open to the public.

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Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Great Divide Canada Map B road closure June 2014

« on: July 26, 2014, 01:25:34 pm »

On July 25, we were able to get around the washout by walking the bikes along the edge of the river. This requires getting feet wet, and it's a major hassle to get back up to the road (southbound.) Risk of rockfall, so keep helmets on.

9

Routes / Re: Rainwear for the GDMBR

« on: May 27, 2014, 05:12:34 am »

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm now starting in the North in July (thought I still think South-to-North is better,) so have some extra time to test my gear.

10

Routes / Re: Rainwear for the GDMBR

« on: April 28, 2014, 07:13:00 pm »

OK, I'll see what Sheldon has to say. It's funny that you mention SnoSeal, because that's what I thought of first. I probably have some somewhere left over from the 90s...

I've ordered some light pants and socks. A bit of extra weight is probably better than being cold and miserable

11

Routes / Re: Rainwear for the GDMBR

« on: April 28, 2014, 11:10:00 am »

Thanks John. I have a vintage Selle Italia Flite. On a recent (rare) ride in the rain and dirt the leather got really abraded by the sand between it and my shorts. What could I apply to the leather to restore it a bit and help keep it happy (without making it slippery)?

12

Routes / Rainwear for the GDMBR

« on: April 28, 2014, 09:08:31 am »

I'm starting the GDMBR from the South in early June. Being mostly a fair-weather cyclist, I haven't done any touring in wet weather. I'll have my shell jacket, of course., I have a helmet rain cover, but it seems a bit redundant with the jacket's hood. I have Gore-Tex shell gloves I could bring. Because of my short pedal spindles my old (heavy and bulky) neoprene booties no longer fit without interfering with the cranks. I'll mostly be camping. I could buy waterproof socks and rain pants, but how necessary are these for the GDMBR?

13

General Discussion / Re: GDMBR ride partners

« on: April 22, 2014, 05:52:28 pm »

I've decided to do it South to North. Flying to El Paso, TX on June 3. Will bike to Columbus, NM (alternate start/end) from there.

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General Discussion / Re: GDMBR South to North June 2014, anyone else riding?

« on: March 27, 2014, 08:01:36 am »

Mathieu, your info on crazyguyonabike is what convinced me to ride in the "wrong" direction. Thanks!

I'd much rather arrive in beautiful Banff/Jasper/Grande Cache where I have friends, than in the desolate AW. It's unfortunate that the ACA doesn't publish the directions for S-to-N riding.

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General Discussion / Re: GDMBR South to North June 2014, anyone else riding?

« on: March 27, 2014, 05:59:55 am »

Thanks Cyclesafe,
  my dates are flexible, so I can start a bit later.