Boy, I bet those ~20mi of paved roads on the XL are gonna be a breath of fresh air
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Iām in for both days down there this weekend. Wind and the first real day of heat for the season for eastern Kansas. It should blow & suck. Good luck!
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What makes you think they are actually paved?
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Shhhhhh let me have my 21 miles of smoooooth buttery brand new tarmac roads
Has anyone experienced huge discrepancies in elevation data when imported to the 840, or other Edge device?
Hereās what I get for this years Unbound course:
- Ride with GPS from Unbound website: 9100 ft
- When ride with GPS imported to Garmin Connect on iPhone: 8250
- Course imported directly from Unbound website into Garmin Connect on iPhone : 9100
- When ride with GPS route synched from Garmin Connect to my 840 device: 5160
- When native Garmin Connect route synched with Edge 840: 5050
The biggest difference happens when the route is synched with the Edge device.
Any ideas?
Ride with GPS
Ride with GPS imported to Garmin Connect
Route imported from Unbound website to Connect
Ride with GPS route on Edge 840
Native Garmin Connect route on Edge 840
I am having serious decision paralysis on tires for the 200. Trying to balance speed and durability. I think my bike handling is decent so sliiightly less concerned about grip. I run inserts on 700c/27 internal rims.
On hand I have:
Pirelli cinturato M 40s - these seem dependable, albeit not the fastest option
Tufo thundero 44s - well-reviewed on bicycle rolling resistant, though with the high TPI count I am a bit wary on puncture resistance. Similar puncture score to the cinturatos (better sidewall score).
Tufo swampero 40s - same concerns as thunderos but probably slightly slower due to knobs
Tires Iām thinking about:
Pirelli cinturato M 45s - for more cush
Specialized pathfinder pro 47s or s-works 42s - not sure I can get ahold of the s-works ones before the race, seems like they have been backordered forever
Continental terra speed 40s/45s - not sure if I will be able to get ahold of the 45s before the race.
I would not run the S-works 42ās for Unbound just for durability reasons.
Of the tires you listed, I would probably go with the Pathfinder 47ās.
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Unless you are trying to be in the top 20 (and maybe even then), durability over rolling resistance all day long at Unbound. Flats not only slow you down but they start to get in your head.
Just my $0.02 having done 3 inbounds and never flatted (man thatās tempting fate saying that).
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Arenāt they supposed to be similar to the non s-works version when it comes to durability? They score the same on BRR if I recall. Edit: they actually rate slightly better on sidewall puncture score for whatever that is worth.
I hope you survived, my day went pretty well. Man, there was a lot of carnage on the road today. Ton of DNFās. Thank goodness most of the headwind was for the first few hours. Made for some fun sections on the return. It was hot, but not crazy hot (Iām from TX). I ran out of water for about 45 minutes, but felt pretty decent once I loaded back up at the 75 mile aid station. Very good support and a nice laid back vibe, Iād recommend this race as an unbound warmup.
They have less rubber / tread on them than the non S-works. This will make for some difference in durability - although probably not a ton, as rubber is pretty soft. But everything helps.
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The S-Works version are thinner to save weight but have the same rolling resistance. Being thinner is the concern regarding the puncture resistance.
Last year Alex Wild used the S-Works version of the Pathfinder Proās and flatted and it took him out of his group and he ended up having to ride solo for a good part of the day after that. Sofia ran the standard ones and won. N=2 but point made. I asked Alex on his āask me anythingā Monday Instagram if he had any regrets running the S-Works version but didnāt respondā¦
Thatās my plan. Iāll also bring a set of 42s that I may put on if itās going to be wet and muddy.
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Solid plan, I think. Good luck!!
Another N=1 on s-works pathfinder 42ās - I am just returning from 5 days in emporia for a bunch of riding and a race. About 350 miles of mostly gravel and I did get one slow rear leak that sealed (I just needed to add a little air). It was on my solo 100 day and I was taking it very easy through the chunky stuff, so I assume some small sharp fragment pierced the main tread. No visible damage anywhere, I think some of this is just chance. In the La Grind race today, we were bombing some pretty chunky stuff and I saw several flats, but my tires were good. This is my first year racing on 42ās and Iām a fan.
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Iāve been deciding between pirelli Cinturato M 45s and pathfinder pro 42s. The 45 is the max I can fit on my bike. But I think I will ride those as Iād prefer bigger size. If itās muddy Iāll throw the pathfinder pro on the rear.
Slick center okay for the race?
Some would say preferable as it wonāt clog with mud. Only really need side knobs if youāre going to take corners at speed. IMHO there are pluses and minuses with every tire choice.
Even though I crashed on them yesterday (Lost the front on some mud over concrete) Iām still pretty sure I will be on Gravelking SS+ 43. Iām going to bring the Bokken Double cross on a 2nd set of wheels just to have them as an option though.
I have no concerns about the slick center. Iāve been riding pathfinder pros for the past 3 years and they have been great on all surfaces Iāve ridden on. I havenāt ridden in much mud, but mud, Iām more concerned about tire clearance than anything else.
ānormallyā the more tread pattern you have the more surface of the tire for mud to stick to and once you get back into gravel slicks shed it a bit faster. That said, You still want to do a scrape with a mud stick.