With your motor and CX skills, You’ll do great! The races and bike packing will definitely help you dial in pacing. Once we have our motor’s tuned (with TrainerRoad) the hard part of going cross discipline is wrapping your head around the differences in pacing demands.
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@Jonathan its time to make an Unbound 2024 post. I will let you do the honors
I was not able to race last year. I just need to pay my entry fee again since I deferred at 75 days last year. I just ordered tires and sealant
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Since this is the Unbound thread, does anyone have strong thoughts on what makes a “good” bike for Unbound 200, if I’m looking for a gravel bike? Is something like an Aspero too aggressive? How about a Kaius/Factor?
I did unbound on my Kanzo fast and will be doing it on my Ostro gravel
I think the aspero is a great option
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I would (and will? 
) have zero reservations about doing Unbound on my Aspero. Will likely run 45’s w/ inserts (yes, 45’s fit, but it is tight).
If it ends up looking wet / muddy, just be prepared to run narrower tires like a 38 or something (which you should do regardless of frame).
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Any regrets on how harsh the ride is on the Ostro gravel?
I did a 200 mile gravel ride this summer and never really noticed an issue. It was more hero gravel
2024 & 2025 will go north. there could be mud, but it won’t be the epic derailleur snapper of last year.
40+ with cut protection is a good choice for North routes.
38 with cut protection probably better for more mud prone southern routes.
That’s just my 2 cents.
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I’ll be running a 45mm Terra speed
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Matej Mohoric confirmed he will ride Unbound in 2024. 
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Wow…that is a great development. Since he has the jersey, hopefully he comes to race and not use it as a vacation. 
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Alright, I instantiated my 2023 deferral:
Hope I don’t have someone attempt to turn my brain to soup-like homogenate two weeks before the race on the first ride of my taper.
I’ll be on my OPEN UPPER 2x 50/34 11/34 running either 42f/38r Pathfinder Pros or Tufo Gravel Thunderos in 40. Pathfinders are tried and true. I need to use the Thunderos more. Would be open to other options within the clearance limitations of the UPPER.
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I am in.
I only have tires left to buy, 45mm terra speeds not available till feb.
time to train
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In as well for 24. Plan to run pathfinder 42’s again, but may consider 47’s pending some pre-riding of the north course to make final call. I’ve ridden a bit to the north of emporia, but never actually ridden/raced the entire north course. It’s definitely chunkier than the south route, but takes rain a bit better from what I understand (more flats, less potential for peanut butter mud).
For anyone looking for a good warmup race combined with some pre-riding of the gravel around Emporia, I’d recommend checking out the La Grind stage race 4 weeks prior to Unbound. I stumbled across it last year when I was in Emporia pre-riding and it was really well run and a lot of fun. Much lower key than unbound, reasonably priced, and fully supported. And the race proceeds go to a cool charity. 100 miles on Saturday and 65 on Sunday (and they have shorter and single day options as well). https://www.ridelagrind.com/
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Based on the podcast the other week, I’d say you can remove Jonathan from the title…doesn’t sound like Unbound is on his agenda next year.
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Are you planning on the 42 S-Work Pathfinders or the regular Pathfinder Pros? I believe someone won the race a couple years ago on the S-Work Pathfinders.
Definitely pros. I’ve ridden both and my experience (and others agree) is that the s-works have less durable side walls. They do roll great, I just wouldn’t use them for a race like unbound where there is enough sharp chunk to slice sidewalls. I actually tried running the s-work 42’s in emporia last year during some pre-riding and a warm up race (I couldn’t find any 42 pros at the time) and ended up with multiple flats over the course of a week. All sidewall cuts. Switched to 42 pros for unbound and zero issues despite riding much more aggressive and in groups. Small sample size and all, but I personally wouldn’t run the s-works at unbound. I don’t recall anyone winning unbound on the s-works version, but not positive.
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$105 with shipping and tax for a pair… You’ll have them in your hand in a week… I don’t get why more people don’t buy tires from EU.
https://r2-bike.com/CONTINENTAL-Tire-Gravel-Terra-Speed-black-transparent-28-x-170-45-622-ProTection-TLR
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My problem is I look at these sites and have no idea if their legit. Never heard of them.
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