Battle of the Beach 2016.
Comments
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meanredspider wrote:Well the Dutch beach racers seem to prefer an aggressive low geometry because of the wind. In a headwind, I'd rather be on a "road bike/CX" shaped bike to allow me to get my head down.
They'll win whatever. I was assuming the advice was about the "rest of us." Last year anyone on a CX absolutely ate up the MTB's. And then it all levelled out on the singletrack. Virtually no wind. If the jetstream doesn't bugger off soon we'll all be better of walking.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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My point was, if the Dutch choose that type of bike, it'll probably be better for the rest of us too. I know I much prefer to be on a road-shaped bike in the wind than an MTB. I used to do my winter commute on one and it was the windy days I dreaded.ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH0
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Their skills are huge mind. And there are quite a few sections where wider tyres will help, and ones where wider tyres won't hinder. The dunes section I've done a few times now, both Bob's and most recently in our CX league. For mortals having a wider tyre is nicer. That said a 40c Nano would be better than a 33c tyre anyway. The single track is doable whatever. But there are some nasty gravel bits. Not fine gravel either. Loads of chunky rocks which can really take your wheels away from you.
Gearing is really the thing that did for the fat bikes last year. They were spinning out. The non sus MTB boys did well. That's quite a nice middle way IMO.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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Koga beach racer is basically a "monstercross" bike
No chance of thoose tyres fitting on my cx frame0 -
meanredspider wrote:My point was, if the Dutch choose that type of bike, it'll probably be better for the rest of us too. I know I much prefer to be on a road-shaped bike in the wind than an MTB. I used to do my winter commute on one and it was the windy days I dreaded.
Beach racers and cross bikes only have an advantage on the beach really - which is only about 1/3 of the lap. The rest of the lap is mostly singletrack/doubletrack, classic MTB stuff. The Koga guys might might be winning, but there are plenty of MTBers who can hang with them most of the way on 29er HTs. Those guys had a fitness edge, not a technological one.0 -
I reckon with a sufficiently small gear, say 22t front and 36t rear, sufficient fitness (say Hoy like) and sufficient balls, you could manage 0.1 mph if you ventured out onto Pembrey tomorrow morning. That's backwards of course.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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I saw the wind forecast - there are days when I'm quite glad my bike is out of commission - tyres arrive Monday afternoon.ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH0
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My thinking is that a CX bike is going to be faster on the sand and hard wide roads. On the singletrack your speed is going to depend, as much as anything else, on how fast the bike in front is going...Pannier, 120rpm.0
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TGOTB wrote:My thinking is that a CX bike is going to be faster on the sand and hard wide roads. On the singletrack your speed is going to depend, as much as anything else, on how fast the bike in front is going...
It will. And, last year, there was a bottleneck on the first lap. That equalized everyone. That looks to be sorted this year.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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TGOTB wrote:My thinking is that a CX bike is going to be faster on the sand and hard wide roads. On the singletrack your speed is going to depend, as much as anything else, on how fast the bike in front is going...
In theory - but in practice, once you are in a group it doesn't really make much difference.0 -
I have to say as well, in relation to both the hard wide roads and the later dunes, I'd be far far happier on 2.4-2.8 tyres. I appreciate that's as much about my skill as anything else, but I'd have that bit more confidence. I'm still planning on doing this on a CX but, if the opportunity came my way to try it on a fat bike, I might well be tempted. Or something like the new Charge with 2.8 tyres.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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However, your ability to get into that front group on the first leg may well depend on what bike you're riding. At the end of the first beach leg in last year's race, almost everyone in the front two groups was on a CX bike.Imposter wrote:TGOTB wrote:My thinking is that a CX bike is going to be faster on the sand and hard wide roads. On the singletrack your speed is going to depend, as much as anything else, on how fast the bike in front is going...
In theory - but in practice, once you are in a group it doesn't really make much difference.Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
I suspect that had more to do with who they were, rather than what bike they were on. At least four of the top 10 in 2014 were on 29ers, including three in the top five...0
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Indeed, and in 2014 the 5th placed was the winner of the Fat bike comp. Sure, 5 minutes down on the leader, but he's just special.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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Two weeks to go. Is everyone else behind schedule with their training, or is it just me..?0
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You're not alone. If it stays dry I'm sticking with my g-onesMy blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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I'll be on a 29er this time, so will probably go with 2" race kings. Plenty of turbo work done over the last few months, but seriously lacking in road miles...trying to remedy that now....0
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Imposter wrote:I'll be on a 29er this time, so will probably go with 2" race kings. Plenty of turbo work done over the last few months, but seriously lacking in road miles...trying to remedy that now....
Had to laugh at their facebook page updated. They're advising us to taper now. Or, if we haven't trained, have a beer.
Tapering indeed.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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Saw that. I've got miles to do - I can't be tapering just now...!0
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I'm just back from London - Singapore - Malaysia - Singapore - HK - China - HK - Taipei - Singapore - London. I don't know which way is up let alone have done any training to taper from... I'll be lucky if I make round!ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH0
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VERY early indications are that it's going to be warm again. Oh, how I hope that's true. (Camping and doing battle in the dark).My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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Just as long as the giant puddle from 2014 doesn't make a return, I'll be happy...0
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There's a crowd of us going with CX bikes again this year. Last year down the beach very few MTB's could hold our wheels in the paceline, but things definitely levelled out on the singletrack. I'm going to try some 40C tyres this week to see if I can squeeze them in the frame.... my original plan was to build a monstercross but time and finances have run out!0
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40c Smart Sams are a good option - I used them in 2014.0
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I'm sticking with the G-Ones. Can't see where I'm going to lose out with them.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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Imposter wrote:40c Smart Sams are a good option - I used them in 2014.
I looked at them and my wife has them on her Hybrid they are remarkably heavy in CX guise ie the 35/40 versions which claimed weight are, same as the cheap Nobby Nics I have on my old 26in MTB.
Hence sticking with Racing Ralphs for my CX which have put up with some fairly rough off road riding.0 -
roger merriman wrote:Imposter wrote:40c Smart Sams are a good option - I used them in 2014.
I looked at them and my wife has them on her Hybrid they are remarkably heavy in CX guise ie the 35/40 versions which claimed weight are, same as the cheap Nobby Nics I have on my old 26in MTB.
Hence sticking with Racing Ralphs for my CX which have put up with some fairly rough off road riding.
A wire bead 40c knobbly is never going to be lightweight. I'm not necessarily recommending them for CX use generally, but they worked ok at Pembrey. Traction there isn't really an issue, tbh...0 -
Imposter wrote:roger merriman wrote:Imposter wrote:40c Smart Sams are a good option - I used them in 2014.
I looked at them and my wife has them on her Hybrid they are remarkably heavy in CX guise ie the 35/40 versions which claimed weight are, same as the cheap Nobby Nics I have on my old 26in MTB.
Hence sticking with Racing Ralphs for my CX which have put up with some fairly rough off road riding.
A wire bead 40c knobbly is never going to be lightweight. I'm not necessarily recommending them for CX use generally, but they worked ok at Pembrey. Traction there isn't really an issue, tbh...
True just surprised they are the same as wire bead knobbly 26in MTB tyre.0 -
Hmmm, here's a question I'm pondering.... which is quicker at Pembrey.... a 450g 700x40C file tread tyre or a 330g 700x34C general conditions CX tyre? I rode the CX tyre last year and it was a bit sketchy on the loose dunes and some of the single track. Although heavier, I'm thinking the bigger volume tyre might be better in the dunes and give a bit more comfort on the single track. It's probably all in my head, but the bike definitely feels heavier with the big ass tyres on.... going to burn it around the woods tomorrow to see if I can feel a difference.0
