nods approvingly
Nicely spec’d!
I did the dk200 last year (tried to get in this year but DENIED). Below is my 3t explore (post race shot) I think the 3t is the perfect gravel race bike) but part of that is fit . The big part is that it’s aero and when you are out there solo (which is the majority) ya need that. Really any bike will work as long as you get the right fit, big enough tires, and can carry enough h20(hydration packs are wrong in so many ways)
In terms of the Evil CH analysis yea it’s made for the gnarl but if Nate and others can get the right aerofit (which I think given his background it’ll never get that low for him) it should be great. The only thing that might be tricky is the ST angle and not being able to get the front wheel weighted for all of those slick 90 degree turns. I think the biggest thing to really over think and test is tires for DK(I botched this slightly with wtb resolutes 42’s) image|666x500
That image isn’t working for me. You might want to try again.
Nate, the biggest thing with flats…
Ride the ridge between ruts or go completely around.
Don’t just bomb through water.
See that grass down the middle of the “B” road… stay out of it. It turns the flint up on edge and gets ya.
Almost every person I saw with a flat got it crossing water or riding a rut.
This conversation was two months ago, but last night it popped into my head that I think I met you guys. You were sitting on the side of the road just before the big huge descent that had the ambulance at the bottom. My friend and I were the two big 6’3"+ guys that stopped and offered tire boots and your buddy said “I’ll try, but it’s already got 3 in it”
2019 Salsa Warbird
GRX Di2 2x11
SON28 Front Hub
SON Edelux Headlight
DT Swiss 350 rear hub
DT Swiss AeroLite spokes
HED Belgium+ Eroica rims
Maxxis Rambler 40C Tires
Bedrock Bags Frame, Top Tube, Seat Bag
Brooks C17 Carved Saddle
Specialized CGR seatpost
Salsa Carbon Cowbell bars(modified to use Di2 Bar End Junction)
Won’t be doing DK(now or ever, too mainstream for me) but this would be it if I did.
I like everything about this. Lots of smart choices there.
This reminds me that I need to rebuild my front wheel with a SON28 from Belguim+ to NOX carbon to match the rear.
For everyone discussing optimizing watts on tire choice. What’s your opinion on the dynamo hub vs carrying spare batteries for lights & GPS?
A dynamo hub looks to add ~400 grams.
My battery pack is ~130grams and adds no drag.
I just use a cheap USB tail light… No plans for a front.
I don’t need to concern myself with conserving battery or hoping I didn’t screw up my math on how long my battery will last.
If your not going to be doing significant dark riding, then a battery light is the way to go. If you will spend more than 2 or 3 hours in the dark, you can’t beat a dynamo.
You can’t run the light and charger at the same time FYI.
Tour Int just did a tire test on their flat rig
https://www.tour-magazin.de/magazin/aktuelles_heft.html
They stole my money once, so I was comfortable posting their articles for a while. Now I feel we’re even after continued solid content. So I won’t.
They tested:
Cont Terra Speed, Terra Trail
Kendra Alluvium Pro Boost Pro
Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H, M
Schwalbe AllAround, Bite
Vittoria Zero, Dry
WTB Byway Venture
38-40c tires 30kmh w/ 90kg pair on flat rig over stone and tarmac 2 bar (30psi) , 3bar, and 4bar (60psi)
Key takeaways:
g-One Allaround performed the same as the Cont Terra speed (best rolling). Terra Trail doesn’t roll as well as the Bite.
WTB still roll like ****.
30psi makes 4w difference on the road here.
60psi top level gravel tire takes 23.3w on this rig, a 7bar top level road tires does about 18.4w.
Conti did the best on punctures somehow. No tire here was particularly good or bad.
Mr. Hagar came with WTB Byway Venture 
. i wish they would have tested the Pathfinder Pro!
Are you saying a 30psi gravel tire vs a 60 psi tire on pavement adds 4w per tire? Just making sure I understand that correctly as it is something I have wondered about.
On pavement, with the same gravel tire, 30psi v 60psi showed 4w diff here. Note: they probably used super narrow 17c or 19c int rims, so the delta is probably a bit less with wider rims since you’re folding the tire less aggressively as you roll.
Their test gravel added like 8w 30psi v 30psi.
The Venture might be good if you’re riding with kids and want a workout. You’re just giving away 25w.
Those are called togs. You can get them for rod bike or MTB. They work well.
TOGS do exist for road and MTB use, but what is pictured in the post you replied to are NOT TOGS.
They are either old school MTB bar ends or something very similar. They are mounted inboard on the bars vs outside like we did back in the day. These are much longer than any TOGS product, so not the same.
Yep, you’re right. I see that now after zooming in closer on the picture. Good catch.