The Observationist

 Moots MootoX RSL slider

Weight: 16.93 lbs
17" frame
23" ETT
38.5" bar height
28.25" reach (c of saddle -c of bars)
29.25"  crank to saddle (c-t)
2" saddle to bar drop
Bontrager Evoke RXL saddle ti rails
Moots Ti Cinchpost 30.9  380mm
25x8 Moots Ti bar
110mm Race Face stem
Cane Creek 100 headset
Shimano SLX crankset
33t surly ss ring
19 - 20 t Chris King cogs
Chris King ss hubs
Stans arch rims
DT Swiss straight gauge spokes
xtr pedals
White Bros rock solid 465mm fork
Maxxis Aspen 2.1 tires

Some Observations for the curious:

1. When swapping between bikes the main thing I notice is looking down at the front wheel. I either think "dang that's a small wheel" or "dang that's a big wheel."

2. tire pressure matters more than wheel size.

3. Swapping to the 29'er you can definitely feel your momentum being maintained better over choppy, stutter bumps than on a 26.

4. Tire and wheel weights being nearly equal, the 26'er feels so quick off the start, whether it's from the trail head, up a technical rock climb, through the twisty turns, or when stalled out and needing to pedal kick to continue. Once the big wheel stalls out it is almost game over for me sometimes.

5. Both bikes are equipped with sliders. Depending where the slider is in the drop affects how each bike handles. Small changes are easily noticeable for both, however small changes have much larger effects on the 29" wheel. The bike feels fast and agile with the slider tucked all the way forwards. Moving it back to mid-dropout and the bike becomes a tractor trailer through turns. On the 26 mid-way back doesn't slow handling but does stabilize descending.

6. I'm still toying with slider position setups. Currently I'm having to run 2 different chains on the 29'er to accommodate the same gearing options that I run on the 26. Seeing as how longer chainstays negatively affect the ride qualities I'm looking for on the 29'er I'll be testing a half-link setup soon to try to bring some snap back when running a 20t cog. On the 26 I can run 15-20t cogs with a single chain length and not suffer from any negative handling feel from chainstay length changes.

7. Changing bikes doesn't take anything more than a few seconds to adapt too. The biggest positive trait of the 29'er for me is the sense of confidence and stability it gives me, especially on descents and drops. I am going to get hurt on this bike because it begs to be pushed to the limit.  The biggest positive trait of the 26'er for me is the feeling of it moving as part of me and it's ease of accelerating, whether out of a turn, up a hill, or from a stop. I am going to get hurt on this bike because it pushes my limits.

8. I'd be hard pressed to pick either one at this point if someone were to force me to choose a single bike. The 29'er is great because it easily adapts to myriad styles from dirt, to gravel, to road/commuting, to cross due to the availability of more tire options for a 700c wheel. But the diminished frame sizes to adapt to the larger hoops lifting the bike higher removes the ability to run bottles and a frame bag, so long haul self-sufficient bike packing trips will need to be re-engineered.

The 26" is great because it allows for ease of frame bags + bottles. Also handles dirt, road/commuting, cross, and gravel but has limited cross and slick tire tread options when compared to cross and road tire selections for 700c wheels. So for now I'm going to continue to enjoy both of them equally.

Moots Rigormootis Slider

Weight: 18.03lbs
18" frame
23" ETT
38.5" bar height
28.25" reach (c-c)
29.25"  crank to saddle (c-t)
2" saddle to bar drop
Bontrager Evoke RXL saddle ti rails
Moots Ti Cinchpost 27.2  380mm
25x8 Moots Ti bar
110mm Race Face stem
Cane Creek 100 headset
Truvativ stylo 1.1g crankset
35t surly ss ring
18 - 19 t Chris King cogs
DT Swiss 240s ss hubs
DT Swiss xr400 rims
DT Swiss competition spokes
xt pedals
White Bros rock solid 465mm fork
Maxxis Aspen 2.25

Weds Night Worlds

'Dorfer on his new RSL.

Stopped by the Weds Night Worlds crits at the stadium on my way home from work. Several friends were racing and I love watching and hanging out. The summer crit series is an awesome cycling event for the area. Even though I'm usually only catching the last of the races due to work, I'm grateful we have people willing to put it on, enjoy watching the races, and wish more people would take advantage of watching/experiencing some good local racing.

The Escape Artists

The 'Dorfer was out racing his brand new pimpin' MOOTS VaMoots RSL. Being born from the same bloodlines as my MootoX RSL it must be a fast handling, stiff and snappy accelerating rocket seeing how well the 'Dorf did in tonight's race vs his previous alubeercanium bike.

The Chase Group.

Tongue Tired.

The Road Rocket.

After the races it was the usual chit chat catch up with friends and fellow cyclists, new and old. Then most made their separate ways towards dinner. Tonight I was lucky enough to catch some fireworks before heading out. Having to drive home on the 4th this month from Illinois, we missed getting to see fireworks, so it was nice to get a taste of the 4th tonight.

And just like that it was all over. Kind of like 'Dorfer's breakaway.

Roadtrip Racing

Late Saturday afternoon after work, I found myself rocketing down the 2 lane, twisting, back country road trying to meet up with friends at one of the only places to eat near Mousetail Landing State Park. Typical for a Saturday, we were getting out of work late so I was running behind for dinner but the country drive was very relaxing. There are some beautiful vistas and farms out 412 from Columbia.

Soon I found myself in the small town of Linden which was gearing up for Music On Main in it's historic downtown. I met up with the group just off the square at the Commodore Hotel for dinner only to find out they had a private dining room with the tour on the telly. Score. I regret not having time to hang out and explore more of Linden and the music festival, but I hope to get back there with H. one of these weekends before Labor Day and take in the festivities. There's a lot in the area worth revisiting, such as a winery I'm not sure 2L's even knows about.

Back at camp, I set the tent up as the sky faded from dusk to dark quietly chuckling to myself as the last time my small solo tent was used was at the infamous PMBAR/Nashville flood weekend. Bad omen? After setting up, I went to work swapping chains to allow a 20 tooth cog to be used. Pumptrack Jim went to work seating my tire beads better on the stan's rims. After hearing all the horror stories of the climbs, I started rethinking my 33x19 gearing. Unfortunately, the combination of gearing and chainstay length of the 29'er doesn't allow the full gear options on a single chain that the 26'er yields. Meh.

The morning of the race came early. I crawled out of my tent and immediately regretted using the rain fly as the air was cool and the dew non-present. PTJ and I ate breakfast, drank coffee, and packed up camp. I rode down to the start to register much to PTJ's amusement as there is a massive hill to climb back out of to get to camp. A perfect warm up to get all the systems going, other than the legs.

PTJ screaming through the finish. 

Thankfully the Cat 1's started at 9 rather than the typical 12pm start, allowing at least a cooler start to our 3 laps. SS went off at 10, but I liked the earlier start time and longer distance the Cat 1 race offered so I toed the Cat 1 line on the SS. Not having ever ridden the course I took the first lap pretty easy. Probably too cautiously actually as the tight twisty sections were causing me to work way to hard to get through, but after almost eating 3 trees in a tight left hand chicane at the end of a high speed doubletrack downhill, I was a little gun shy, at least until I had a look around.

PTJ and The Gristle Rigor

The second lap felt much better and the legs started to come around. I was starting to really enjoy the trail but hating my big wheel selection as I was still struggling a bit with the big wheels through the tight uphill twisty sections. I stopped and let a little air out of the tires (and tightened my tensioners as they were wiggling loose) as I was getting beat up pretty badly at 32lbs of pressure. The myth of 29'ers feeling like 3" of suspension when compared to 26'ers in the rough has less to do with angle of attack and a whole lot more to do with tire pressure.

Best race ever?? Definitely in the running. 

By the third lap the bike and I were jiving well. I was keeping more momentum through the tight stuff and loving the big wheels when screaming down the loose gravel sections. The Aspens were a good tire choice in the dry, dusty, and loose trail conditions. The RSL really is a race rocket, I just need to go back to flight school.

I may have gotten 2nd in the race, but I was first to the pizza. 

I somehow managed to snag 2nd despite slogging through lap 2 thinking "29'ers do NOT make you faster" as I tried to keep the legs ticking over in any sort of racing manner. The trail is a hidden gem but could really benefit from a little more traffic to burn in some of the lines. It has a great mix of everything - rocks, drops, fast descents, twisty descents, twisty climbs, twisty rocks, and good steady switchback climbs. Not a lot of flat/recover areas, you're either working your way up or down.

I've been wanting to do this race for the past few years but the timing with other events never seemed to work out. Due to the flooding and storms we had earlier in the year, this race was moved and opportunity knocked. I gladly opened the door and am so happy I finally made it out to Mousetail. Not only did they have a great trail, a cold creek to cool off in, but they also had pizza and homemade cookies at the finish. SCORE!

The entire event reminded me of the magic of the Cottonmill Preserve races (such as the Crude XC). Great times with great folks. I was on the fence about my decision to make the trek due to a sick dog at home and a minor money struggle, but it ended up being a perfect weekend of camping and biking. Just the recharging my batteries needed after the stresses of the past few weeks.

Oh, and the bike kicks ass. Just sayin'.

Sorry I was late, I couldn't find a parking spot

Oh I almost forgot about my promised update on how the first trail ride of the new 29'er went. It's just been a crazy week and H. has been playing the part of computer hog all week preparing for her big CCRN test (which she passed!) today. Late hours and a single computer make it difficult to produce timely updates.

So how did the ride with fat tires go on the new bike? Pretty good. The geometry of the bike finally enables a stock 29'er to handle and feel as sharp as a 26'er. I was amazed at the smoothness of the ride over rocks and roots until - 2 flats later - I realized a valuable lesson. What feels like the correct tire pressure in a 26" tire does not necessarily mean the same feel of a 29'er tire is at adequate tire pressure. Once the tires were up to spec, the roots and rocks felt just like riding my 26'er. However, the big unexpected feature of the new bike is the amount of confidence the bike's handling gives me. I pretty much jumped everything out on the trail. Jumps I'd not ever taken before. It felt that sturdy. Yup, I'm going to get hurt on this bike.

The biggest change was finally swapping from my beloved Envy Green Awesome straps to a more 29'er tube friendly hypalon version. I didn't quite get the need when Backcountry Research first sent them to me months ago, but after attempting to stuff a 29'er tube into the old style strap it became readily apparent why the need for change. Moral of the story: it's better to be fashionably late to the party than not invited at all.

Competently Supervised

Bestest fitness hybrid ever. 

Ever have one of those days that just seems to start off rough only to quickly turn into something unexpectedly amazing? Today was just such a day for me. The morning came waaaay to early for my first real day off in 2 weeks and my grumpyass was showing. Racing out the door I was a few minutes late to the auto shop only to find they had no knowledge of my scheduled appointment. A few phone calls later and everything was cleared up and good to go. Good news was only about 2 hours of my day were to be lost to waiting, rather than the expected all day waiting.

What to do? Well first I found the reset button and got myself into a better mood. Second was to find food and coffee. I've yet to find a better breakfast place in Springfield other than Larry's (though I did notice the Depot was open and serving as I rode through town after Larry's). $5 got me 2 eggs, hashbrowns, 5 pieces of bacon, toast, and coffee plus all the fun people watching one could ever need. Eating in a small industri-rural town diner is quite the experience.

Post breakfast I rolled out through town. Through the small quaint neighborhoods of old Victorian era homes, passed the feed mills, and out towards the Sulfur Fork Greenway. Riding not for fitness, not for a race, not for work, not even for adventure, just out riding to be riding. Cruising at an "around the neighborhood with the kids" pace just taking in the sites, sounds, and smells of a city I don't often get enough time to hang out in.

I rode out passed the goose pond and out into the country. Just strolling along on the bike. No better recentering tools exist in my opinion. I wound my way back to the auto place and found my car completed and ready for pickup. Sweet! It was only 9am and there was plenty of time to head home for the planned for day-off activities.

I think my RSL should have come with a similar warning.

After nearly passing out from hyperventilation, I finally got both inner tubes blown up and ready for lake duty. I rewarded myself with these $16 deals last week and have been dying for a day off to put them to good use.

And today unexpectedly became that day. Next time a lunch basket, bottle of wine, some cold beer, marshmallows, a bon fire, and several good friends should add to an already good time.

Tuesdays with Adam

Nothing really special about Tuesdays with Adam other than it's one of the three days I get to commute into work via bike. So although I look forward to riding, it's nothing special. Unless we get to stop at the hardware store on our way in.

I got out on the RSL in true mountain bike mode Sunday. How was it?  There's so much to say you'll have to wait for the report. Let's just leave the teaser out there as "interesting."

Have a good Tuesday.

Mountain Man

 Full Moon atop Devil's Elbow. 

I'm a great packer, a competent map reader, and pretty good navigator, but I'll not say I'm too good at planning for the weather.  Summer in TN pretty much means hot and muggy with high probabilities of an afternoon popup thunderstorm or two. The last week has pretty much held a 20-30% chance of afternoon showers that seemed to threaten me on several rides, but never delivered. Making my way home from South of Nashville last night, it was clear and perfectly set for an awesome full moon night ride.

 We've got clearance, Clarence. 

However, by the time I got to Nashville it was torrential rain everywhere. Inching my way home the rain slowed, then wasn't present at all at the house. Sweet. Then a half hour before the planned departure time it started but slowed to a slow sprinkle when Ivan and I rolled out. A mile and a half later we were in the heart of the downpour. It was one of those slow moving, 1"+ per hour rain storms. By the time we reached the top of the ridge we were pretty much pedaling under water on the down stroke. The road had become a river. But still we persevered and had a great full moon ride despite not seeing the moon nor the road half the time. Sometimes a shitty ride is the great ride you were needing. I enjoyed it immensely and so far the PF30 BB has been holding up well despite the large amount of water taken on by the frame. 

 I spy a Dishy in my Ti.

Tonight I swapped the RSL over from "Hybrid" mode to "Mountain" mode. I'm heading out in the morning with a friend to test the beast out on some "for real gnar gnar" singletrack. Gearing is set at 33x19 with the sliders tucked up as far forward as possible. Chainstay length measures 17.25".  Aspen 2.1 eXCeption tires are mounted up the the Arch rims and the bike weighs in at a svelte 16.93 lbs.
 

Should be a rocket ship and, if all myths, marketing, and hype are to believed, I should be much faster, better skilled, able to leap small gap jumps in a single bound, and a whole lot more handsome and vastly popular on big meaty 29'er wheels. So Run and tell that, homeboy.

Defined Roles

Commute training with my Pasty White Apollo Creed. He's helping to turn me from fat slow Rocky to Clubber Lang butt kicking Rocky. 

Once again I find myself inconsistently consistent with my riding schedule. Actually it's more consistently inconsistent this year. I've had 3 great false starts beginning with several great rides in a row only to be followed by a week to 10 days completely off the bike. Yesterday sparked my fourth attempt to restart getting back into race shape. As such, for those few of you playing along at home, the roles for the bikes have been clearly defined and as such, shall remain so for the foreseeable future, despite what the armchair quarterbacks are saying.

Fitness Hybrid

Since time is limited the RSL has been deemed main "commuter" ride. I've been catching crap about not letting it be a mountain bike, but whatever. I don't have time to be out riding trail near as much as I'd like nor am able to. Commuting and road rides are what time and schedule allow. Since the RSL is the new ride and one I'm looking forward to riding it only makes sense to have it in a mode that allows me to ride it daily. Even if it only gets to see gravel, pavement, and skinny 32's for the time being.

Mountain Bike

This allows my Rigormootis to return to what it is best, a mountain bike. No more wheel and gearing swaps or brake and chain adjustments just to ride to work or with the pup. I just swap bikes. Much less time involved and more riding options. Win win.

Fear not the RSL will hit dirt sometime soon. There are 2 upcoming races that I am targeting. Targeting meaning - trying to get back in race shape in order to be able to compete. Compete meaning - able to complete the requisite amount of laps/distance for Cat1.  One of the races I am planning on racing the faithful and beloved Rigormootis. The other I am dying to try out the RSL on. But who knows maybe the Rigor will get both or perhaps the RSL might step up to play. We'll see what happens when the time comes. Until then feel free to mutter under your breaths about the perceived mistreatment of the RSL.

Speaking of old and beloved. Check out the history that came in for a little attention. 

Damn. 

Also special shout out to the H. for being who she is and getting the Matrix fixed up while I got some riding in before and after work yesterday. She is the Yin to my Girls just wanna have fun.

Dirt Road Ahead

H., the pups, and I made a 1000 mile whirlwind trip up to the Midwest to spend 2 days with the family over the fouth. The goddaughter was going to be in town and we didn't want to miss out. It's been since New Years since we've been up to see anyone too. A mid-year visit was in order. Plus I wanted to get the RSL out on an exploratory gravel adventure, especially since 19 of the 48 hour visit were spent in a car.

Gravel eating machine. 

The RSL is currently setup for gravel and commuting. That means non-mtb friendly tires, a heftier gear, the ability to carry 3 water bottles, light, and fast. The bike felt effortlessly fast right off the bat. Not so much due to a magical wheel size, but more from finally being able to run a skinny yet gravel friendly tire setup.

Two sentinels standing watch. 

Several of the roads I explored had a coating of deep fresh gravel, something my normal tires of choice (26x2.25 Aspens) wouldn't have bat an eye at. My current wheel setup, however, are much narrower Bontrager 700x32c hybrid tires (for the ti-brid). They were screaming fast on the hardpack and pavement but had me doing some rock surfing on several of the short, steep, deep rock downhills. Pucker-factor of 6. Fun Factor of 8.9.

 Transitions: Dirt road to fresh loose gravel.

No flats and the bike was operating well. Score one for the pieced together BB/Crank setup. I figured it'd creak horrendously especially after reading all the horror stories of PF30/BB30 and water. Although it didn't rain while I was riding, the bike did get pummeled by torrential 2" in 30 minutes worth of rain on the drive home. But the cranks were quiet and spun effortlessly smooth. Much smoother out of the box than any of my external bb systems.

Perfect conditions.

First Scratch.

Lot's of firsts happened over the Fourth for the new bike: First torrential rain soaking, first taste of a real gravel adventure ride, first successful long shakedown ride, first time on Illinois gravel, and it's first scratch. All in all a pretty damn good time.

This shot is for Stanley.

This one is for PTJ.

It wouldn't be a true gravel grinder if it didn't include a creek crossing and a closed road. Two staples of any good American kid's dirt road diet.

JD even got out for a couple of short Illinois road rides.

Midwest Gold.

So the sun has set on another quick trip to the golden prairie. One of these times several of you need to come up with me and experience some of the unique wonders Illini Gravel has to offer.