Last Christmas, Santa brought me a full-sus XC bike, a 110/120mm travel Epic Evo. Then, the Elves installed a set 700x47 Pathfinder tires and cut the flat bar to 25in wide. I rode this XC/Gravel bike on pavement, gravel, and even on green and blue single track. And, I decided that this bike was so versatile that I didn't need a Gravel bike. Instead, I'm asking Santa for a set of 29x2.2 Conti Race King tires just cause I'm curious to see if the Race Kings roll faster than the Pathfinders. Merry Christmas!
Man...I had a 2010 Epic FS that hung in the rafters from days of yore. Thought about making it a drop bar bike but the Brain shock and the long TT had me wondering. Finally sold it to a friend who coveted the 11 speed XX parts it had all over it. :) gg
Redwood fence, green leaves, sunglasses and no snow. I guess he won't be needing any bar mitts. I do think he has the right attitude about this "aero" stuff for bicycles. I liked the hat.
I have a box of gloves, including some big, puffy, ones that I have never used....just not cold enough. But that may change here at some point. Not getting rid of the gloves just yet. gg
As an old MTB'r I can understand your desire for what is essentially a drop-bar MTB, even though you deny the idea. Ex-roadies (like me) prefer a road bike with room for fat tires since I spend most of my time on ROADS. The makers seem to be dividing into two separate camps...something for you and something for me. Win-win! Happy Holidays!
Man! You just pissed off a bunch of the "racer type" marketing folks! What's this about aero and weight NOT being the MOST important things??? Heresy! Although at 60, I couldn't agree more! Who am I kidding about being fast and racing? I ride solo, so give a rat's F*&K about how fast I am. It's all about staying active and fit, and having fun. If I'm a little slower, who cares? If I'm more comfortable and can ride longer without pain, the extra resistance just makes my workout more effective, AND fun! It all depends on one's goals and desires. I'm all in on electronic shifting, but still not so sure about the 1X drivetrains as I do sorta like the flexibility and tighter spacing of a good 2X with reasonable ratios, for a multi use bike.
I think that falls into the dropbar mountain bike category he was saying he’s not interested in. 🤷♂ interested what the effective difference is between a monster gravel bike with tons of clearance and compliance and a dropbar mountain bike.
Yeah...I almost put up a pic of the Fargo but the Tumbleweed won out. Yeah, monster gravel vs. DB MTB. I have thoughts on that. Might have to do another video. gg
At 55 I’m realizing my goal is to have a healthy life rather than chasing race results. Spending a lot of money to have a 300 gram lighter frame doesn’t make sense. At 220lbs I need good reliable equipment, not lightweight
Exactly why I'm pedaling gravel bikes that weigh around 30 lbs. But they have MAHLE e-assist for when the road tilts up! The rest of the time I don't even notice the extra weight, but that motor's nice to have if the hill is too steep or I bit off a longer ride than I can chew.
I hear the Race King will have a 2.4 version next year. I really want to get the Stinner to replace my gravel bike as my bike maxes out at 29x2.2 and the Stinner can take up to 29x2.3 and is lighter. Perhaps something like that may find it's way to your tree or the Sklar stuff.
Ooooo...lots of reasons to say no. Tire clearance is small, the stack on Surly bikes is comically low (holy spacers, Batman), and while I am not THAT concerned about weight...there is a limit to my tolerance. gg
But he would get a tire just as faster, but grippier tire and more durable tire with the Conti Race Kings. The UD Mars are based off an old tread from the 90s and there is a reason why brands moved away from that one. Conti Race King is supple enough that it's still one of the top gravel tires people ride. I just got the Mezcal 2.25 xc this week(most popular tire on the Tour Divide) and one ride in has been very good. Not as fast as the RKs but better grip when going downhill.
Best video yet! Sensibly funny
Last Christmas, Santa brought me a full-sus XC bike, a 110/120mm travel Epic Evo. Then, the Elves installed a set 700x47 Pathfinder tires and cut the flat bar to 25in wide. I rode this XC/Gravel bike on pavement, gravel, and even on green and blue single track. And, I decided that this bike was so versatile that I didn't need a Gravel bike. Instead, I'm asking Santa for a set of 29x2.2 Conti Race King tires just cause I'm curious to see if the Race Kings roll faster than the Pathfinders. Merry Christmas!
I got a buddy that done this minis cutting the bars down
Man...I had a 2010 Epic FS that hung in the rafters from days of yore. Thought about making it a drop bar bike but the Brain shock and the long TT had me wondering. Finally sold it to a friend who coveted the 11 speed XX parts it had all over it. :)
gg
Redwood fence, green leaves, sunglasses and no snow. I guess he won't be needing any bar mitts. I do think he has the right attitude about this "aero" stuff for bicycles. I liked the hat.
I have a box of gloves, including some big, puffy, ones that I have never used....just not cold enough. But that may change here at some point. Not getting rid of the gloves just yet.
gg
As an old MTB'r I can understand your desire for what is essentially a drop-bar MTB, even though you deny the idea.
Ex-roadies (like me) prefer a road bike with room for fat tires since I spend most of my time on ROADS.
The makers seem to be dividing into two separate camps...something for you and something for me. Win-win!
Happy Holidays!
Yeah...I have thoughts about DB MTBs. Have to clarify that a bit I guess. Even that term is not quite what it was.
gg
Man! You just pissed off a bunch of the "racer type" marketing folks! What's this about aero and weight NOT being the MOST important things??? Heresy! Although at 60, I couldn't agree more! Who am I kidding about being fast and racing? I ride solo, so give a rat's F*&K about how fast I am. It's all about staying active and fit, and having fun. If I'm a little slower, who cares? If I'm more comfortable and can ride longer without pain, the extra resistance just makes my workout more effective, AND fun! It all depends on one's goals and desires. I'm all in on electronic shifting, but still not so sure about the 1X drivetrains as I do sorta like the flexibility and tighter spacing of a good 2X with reasonable ratios, for a multi use bike.
Dear Santa, just want a gravel bike that is beautiful to look at😂 Joke aside, great video!
Hey...there is something to be said about a bike you think looks great. That keeps me off of a Lauf fork!
gg
My man, you're describing a salsa Fargo and they've been around for years and years
I think that falls into the dropbar mountain bike category he was saying he’s not interested in. 🤷♂ interested what the effective difference is between a monster gravel bike with tons of clearance and compliance and a dropbar mountain bike.
Yeah...I almost put up a pic of the Fargo but the Tumbleweed won out. Yeah, monster gravel vs. DB MTB. I have thoughts on that. Might have to do another video.
gg
Yes please do that video as the lines are blurred and I'm confused.
Some great points in this video. Thanks.
@@inthebush3 Will do.
gg
At 55 I’m realizing my goal is to have a healthy life rather than chasing race results. Spending a lot of money to have a 300 gram lighter frame doesn’t make sense. At 220lbs I need good reliable equipment, not lightweight
With age came wisdom.
Exactly why I'm pedaling gravel bikes that weigh around 30 lbs. But they have MAHLE e-assist for when the road tilts up! The rest of the time I don't even notice the extra weight, but that motor's nice to have if the hill is too steep or I bit off a longer ride than I can chew.
I hear the Race King will have a 2.4 version next year. I really want to get the Stinner to replace my gravel bike as my bike maxes out at 29x2.2 and the Stinner can take up to 29x2.3 and is lighter. Perhaps something like that may find it's way to your tree or the Sklar stuff.
Which Stinner is this?
gg
Oh wait, looked it up wasn't stinner was Merrieweather.
@@mellissanash7517 Ah.
gg
It looks real cool.
What about the Surly midnight special? Maybe last years model with 1x or custom build on the fool's gold
Ooooo...lots of reasons to say no. Tire clearance is small, the stack on Surly bikes is comically low (holy spacers, Batman), and while I am not THAT concerned about weight...there is a limit to my tolerance.
gg
Perhaps Santa should get you a 3T Extrema. It takes 2.25" tires.
Sounds like you're getting a $100 gift certificate to REI
Sunglasses off. Now we're getting serious.
You know it.
gg
Santa, bring him an Ultradynamico, Rene Hurst, or Terravale. Won’t get supple with a Conti.
But he would get a tire just as faster, but grippier tire and more durable tire with the Conti Race Kings. The UD Mars are based off an old tread from the 90s and there is a reason why brands moved away from that one. Conti Race King is supple enough that it's still one of the top gravel tires people ride. I just got the Mezcal 2.25 xc this week(most popular tire on the Tour Divide) and one ride in has been very good. Not as fast as the RKs but better grip when going downhill.
Black Chili for the win.
gg