Always appreciate real world experience videos! Congrats on surviving Badlands, tough route, especially in hot temps! I'm curious what caused your issue with the breaks. I think I have the same breaks on my current bike, and the factory set of pads lasted about 2,000 miles. Swapped them with the standard organic pads before a long ride, and there was still maybe 25% pad left. Have about a 1,000 miles on the new pads. No issues with breaking on long decents on terrain I ride in California that is in parts similar to Badlands (based on your other video). My total system weight (me + bike + gear) is around 230 lbs. Bike is 2022 BMC URS LT Two (with similar 38T and 10-52 Eagle GX to your setup). Breaks are SRAM Rival eTap AXS HRD Centerline Rotors (180/160).
Thanks! Regarding breaks: (1) I must say, I already had problems with the organic pads wearing out too quickly in the winter/spring months before Badlands: I had to replace them after approximately 1,000km. At the time, I thought it was mostly due to the mud and rain I had been riding in during those months. I had done a couple of long races (100-150km) ridden in mud and heavy rain. (2) But Badlands (with new organic pads) was absolutely dry, though a lot of sand / dust must have contaminated the rotor and the pads. I rode long days with 16-18 hours riding, and it's possible that with the long steep descents, the rotors might have overheated, compounding the consumption rate. On the course there were for sure A LOT of technical steep descents which I did breaking a lot. = My main complaint with the Sram Rival breaks is that overall they wear out too quickly (I mean, I went through 2.5 pairs before I had to replace tires, for example!!) and also there is not enough breaking power when pulling the levers (I am not a daredevil descender, so I tend to break a lot when coming down). The last day at Badlands was the worst, I basically had no more break on the front and very little on the rear: with many descents, this has greatly limited my speed and slowed down my finish time. I have since replaced rotors and pads, but eventually I might have reached a point where a gravel bike (and a gravel bike system) is just outclassed by the terrain type - which is why I would probably recommend a MTB for Badlands.
The fork is surely great - and I tested both the rigid and this suspension version on this bike model before deciding. There is no real impact on speed; the only scenario I feel limited are sprints but who is really gonna sprint on a gravel bike? Having said that, for this one such event (a ultra gravel event), I'd still recommend an MTB. As for hydration, I had more than enough water with my 3,5L capacity: however, you need to pay attention to always refill when you have a chance. I'd recommend to also bring water purification tablets as some of the water sources, while stated as drinkable, are probably sub optimal (I came back with UTI, though that might have been caused by different factors, water quality is surely one).
Very good video and well done for completing it :) Would you go just with a full frame bag and top tube bag if you was doing it again & did you use the aero bars enough to justify them being on?
Very good questions. Let's see: - aerobars: really not needed: I probably used them 90 minutes over the 100+ hours it took me to complete it. I knew I would not use them so much, with so much climbing to do, but still, I thought they'd offer great real estate for accessories, which they did. But, unnecessary weight and would not have them again; - I am not sure a full frame bag and top tube one alone would be enough, considering at least half the space in a full frame bag would be needed for water storage. But I guess if you were fine with a super minimalistic gear list it'd be possible, particularly if you could complete it in 2-3 days (vs 5-6, like in my case). For sure, it would allow you to have a much smaller saddle bag, which would be better.
I am not doing Badlands again, though I know I'd be much faster if I did (knowing the course is a major plus). If everything goes well, I could be doing Gravel Birds (Portugal) and Basajaun (Spain), this last one very similar to Badlands.
Hi Felix. I was happy for sure, and surprised some friends were questioning my choice before departure. But this is an ultra with 16,000 meters elevation, over 80% off-road, including the climbs. I'd strongly recommend a 36, or even a 34 chaining. There's very little flat parts and even when descending, many will be technical descents where control and safety will be more important than spinning capacity.
Thks for your videos! Very hard to find proper content in the Lauf. Can i please hask you this, for this kind of events (ultras) do you think a 2.2 tire could replace the suspension, or you would go for both? suspension and larger tires. I'm talking in terms of performance and also being confortable?thks again for these videos!
If you plan to do an event that is mostly on rugged terrain (such as Badlands), I'd recommend front suspension + 2.2 tire (had I known, I'd have used that too). If you don't have a front suspension, I'd use a Redshift stem suspension AND a 2.2 tire. Over such a length/time on the saddle, comfort is way, way more important than any performance gain.
Thanks, new Lauf owner and enjoyed your concise video. How much did your rear bag weigh, what was in it? I have used an Ortlieb bag previously which has a stabilizing strap which may/may not help.
It had a weight of around 1.5- 2 kg, depending on the moment. Most volume and weight was air mat (550gr). Other items emergency blanket, a spare kit (jersey+bibs), first aid kit, extra gels/bars (all used by the end), couple of emergency food bags (
Always appreciate real world experience videos! Congrats on surviving Badlands, tough route, especially in hot temps!
I'm curious what caused your issue with the breaks. I think I have the same breaks on my current bike, and the factory set of pads lasted about 2,000 miles. Swapped them with the standard organic pads before a long ride, and there was still maybe 25% pad left. Have about a 1,000 miles on the new pads. No issues with breaking on long decents on terrain I ride in California that is in parts similar to Badlands (based on your other video).
My total system weight (me + bike + gear) is around 230 lbs. Bike is 2022 BMC URS LT Two (with similar 38T and 10-52 Eagle GX to your setup). Breaks are SRAM Rival eTap AXS HRD Centerline Rotors (180/160).
Thanks!
Regarding breaks: (1) I must say, I already had problems with the organic pads wearing out too quickly in the winter/spring months before Badlands: I had to replace them after approximately 1,000km. At the time, I thought it was mostly due to the mud and rain I had been riding in during those months. I had done a couple of long races (100-150km) ridden in mud and heavy rain.
(2) But Badlands (with new organic pads) was absolutely dry, though a lot of sand / dust must have contaminated the rotor and the pads. I rode long days with 16-18 hours riding, and it's possible that with the long steep descents, the rotors might have overheated, compounding the consumption rate. On the course there were for sure A LOT of technical steep descents which I did breaking a lot.
= My main complaint with the Sram Rival breaks is that overall they wear out too quickly (I mean, I went through 2.5 pairs before I had to replace tires, for example!!) and also there is not enough breaking power when pulling the levers (I am not a daredevil descender, so I tend to break a lot when coming down). The last day at Badlands was the worst, I basically had no more break on the front and very little on the rear: with many descents, this has greatly limited my speed and slowed down my finish time.
I have since replaced rotors and pads, but eventually I might have reached a point where a gravel bike (and a gravel bike system) is just outclassed by the terrain type - which is why I would probably recommend a MTB for Badlands.
Nice set up. Love Redshift but curious about Lauf forks. Always worried about hydration on these events. Not done it yet but hoping to next year. 👍
The fork is surely great - and I tested both the rigid and this suspension version on this bike model before deciding. There is no real impact on speed; the only scenario I feel limited are sprints but who is really gonna sprint on a gravel bike? Having said that, for this one such event (a ultra gravel event), I'd still recommend an MTB.
As for hydration, I had more than enough water with my 3,5L capacity: however, you need to pay attention to always refill when you have a chance. I'd recommend to also bring water purification tablets as some of the water sources, while stated as drinkable, are probably sub optimal (I came back with UTI, though that might have been caused by different factors, water quality is surely one).
Very good video and well done for completing it :) Would you go just with a full frame bag and top tube bag if you was doing it again & did you use the aero bars enough to justify them being on?
Very good questions. Let's see:
- aerobars: really not needed: I probably used them 90 minutes over the 100+ hours it took me to complete it. I knew I would not use them so much, with so much climbing to do, but still, I thought they'd offer great real estate for accessories, which they did. But, unnecessary weight and would not have them again;
- I am not sure a full frame bag and top tube one alone would be enough, considering at least half the space in a full frame bag would be needed for water storage. But I guess if you were fine with a super minimalistic gear list it'd be possible, particularly if you could complete it in 2-3 days (vs 5-6, like in my case). For sure, it would allow you to have a much smaller saddle bag, which would be better.
@@dustypedals thanks very much, doing it or another like it again?
I am not doing Badlands again, though I know I'd be much faster if I did (knowing the course is a major plus). If everything goes well, I could be doing Gravel Birds (Portugal) and Basajaun (Spain), this last one very similar to Badlands.
I wanted to ask, were you happy with your choice of gearing? i was thinking about using a 40t chainring in the fronmt and 50 in the back.
Hi Felix. I was happy for sure, and surprised some friends were questioning my choice before departure. But this is an ultra with 16,000 meters elevation, over 80% off-road, including the climbs. I'd strongly recommend a 36, or even a 34 chaining. There's very little flat parts and even when descending, many will be technical descents where control and safety will be more important than spinning capacity.
Thks for your videos! Very hard to find proper content in the Lauf. Can i please hask you this, for this kind of events (ultras) do you think a 2.2 tire could replace the suspension, or you would go for both? suspension and larger tires. I'm talking in terms of performance and also being confortable?thks again for these videos!
If you plan to do an event that is mostly on rugged terrain (such as Badlands), I'd recommend front suspension + 2.2 tire (had I known, I'd have used that too). If you don't have a front suspension, I'd use a Redshift stem suspension AND a 2.2 tire. Over such a length/time on the saddle, comfort is way, way more important than any performance gain.
@@dustypedals got you!again thanks for your input ;) Saludos de Portugal ;)
@@davidmendes3337 happy to help! By the way, I'll be doing Gravel Birds in Portugal in May!
@@dustypedals awesome! PS: You will have a blast ;) I have some friends that will do it. Ps: at least bring some 45mm tires ;)
@@davidmendes3337 excellent! Definitely 45 tires!!
Thanks, new Lauf owner and enjoyed your concise video. How much did your rear bag weigh, what was in it? I have used an Ortlieb bag previously which has a stabilizing strap which may/may not help.
It had a weight of around 1.5- 2 kg, depending on the moment. Most volume and weight was air mat (550gr). Other items emergency blanket, a spare kit (jersey+bibs), first aid kit, extra gels/bars (all used by the end), couple of emergency food bags (
Why not run 2.2" MTB tires? Would probably be faster and greatly help comfort and control
It certainly would have helped, and that’s the direction I’ll go on any next event with a similar terrain!
@@dustypedals Look forward to seeing your feedback. Conti Race kings seem to be the go to 2.25” tire at the moment
Yes, I've seen them repeatedly on the internet. Much less where I live (on gravel bikes). But could be the solution (or part thereof) to my problem!