traverse: race hardtail or light full suspension

[m210]

torn on this one. havent done that much of the main divide, so i'm wondering if its necessary to ride fs, or go ht and save some weight, gain some climbing efficiency. mostly fireroad.. ht seems to make sense.

discuss.....

[mtnbikej]

Ride the lightest bike possible. There is a ton of climbing. All the DH's are totally doable on the HT. The only area that is a bit tricky is going to be Trabucco Trail.....but most will be pretty tired by then.

[Pain Freak]

I agree, this is an xc ride all the way and Trabuco is easily done with little suspension, just end up going a little slower on the way down. I'd prefer a fork with 100mm. And considering the route, I'd go with no more then a 2.1 tire.

[m210]

excellent. thanks for the tips. should be "fun".

[genusmtbkr5]

I usually ride my Tomac F/S, but for this, my Rocky Mtn. H/T which is 5 lbs. lighter. I'll be wanting my Tomac on the road out though. Hey! nevermind.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

I usually ride my Tomac F/S, but for this, my Rocky Mtn. H/T which is 5 lbs. lighter. I'll be wanting my Tomac on the road out though. Hey! nevermind.

The faster you pedal.......the faster the shitty ass road ends.

[Pilas]

I rode the second half of the Traverse yesterday (went up Harding and across to Trabuco). Main divide is smooth right now, and Trabuco is same as always.
In any case, you are looking at a long race, so keep in mind that fatigue is greater on a hardtail.
If it were a shorter race (2 hours or so), I would definitely recomend a hardtail. Depending on how fast you are, you are looking at at around 5 hours of riding.
I think your body is going to take more of a beating on your hardtail, but if you are willing to take the punishment to save some weight, go for the hardtail.
I'm riding my scalpel.
GLTY

[mp3]

Most of the time in the saddle will be on the climbs. Hardtail is the way to go.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by Pilas

I rode the second half of the Traverse yesterday (went up Harding and across to Trabuco). Main divide is smooth right now, and Trabuco is same as always.
In any case, you are looking at a long race, so keep in mind that fatigue is greater on a hardtail.
If it were a shorter race (2 hours or so), I would definitely recomend a hardtail. Depending on how fast you are, you are looking at at around 5 hours of riding.
I think your body is going to take more of a beating on your hardtail, but if you are willing to take the punishment to save some weight, go for the hardtail.
I'm riding my scalpel.
GLTY

I'll be shedding 5 lbs if I ride my HT. 22.3 lbs vs 27.7 lbs. The Tomac is always my fallback, be ready anytime bike. I've got to ride the HT for this. I have a training ride scheduled for the 2nd of June. I'll try it then. It'll be a good opportunity to see how it handles Trabuco plus get the gears messed and dialed in.

[Edog]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

I agree, this is an xc ride all the way and Trabuco is easily done with little suspension, just end up going a little slower on the way down. I'd prefer a fork with 100mm. And considering the route, I'd go with no more then a 2.1 tire.

I would definatly be giving my tire selection a lot of consideration, I did the first half of the ride, blackstar to 4 corners on Saturday. The 2.1 I was running just didn't cut it all, that said I have to blame the tire rather than the size. There are some very loose fast corners, I was bummed having to scrub speed to make corners. I was running the pressure fairly low too, but than you're creating rolloing resistance!!
I will be loosing all the wieght I can for this, including from my belly!! The biggest concern for me is making it to 4 corners with enough water, thats a long ride without a top up, if it gets hot early on. VQ & CC you get a top up much eariler at the bottom of Maple

[ThinkFast]

My decision was solidified Saturday. I broke the frame on my FS while doing a pre-run of the course.

Luckily I have an old hardtail to ride.

[OMR]

Originally Posted by Edog

The 2.1 I was running just didn't cut it all, that said I have to blame the tire rather than the size.

What 2.1 tires were you running?

OMR

[m210]

there is a water station on the course, right? dont rember where but i thought i read that some where. warriors site doesnt mention it...

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by m210

there is a water station on the course, right? dont rember where but i thought i read that some where. warriors site doesnt mention it...

Usually at the aid stations, but as far as I know, 4 corners is the only aid/cut off station and Lower HJ is just the other checkpoint. I've PM'd Jason who works with Sherry Panttaja at Switchback. Hopefully, we can get some questions cleared.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

Usually at the aid stations, but as far as I know, 4 corners is the only aid/cut off station and Lower HJ is just the other checkpoint. I've PM'd Jason who works with Sherry Panttaja at Switchback. Hopefully, we can get some questions cleared.

As far as I know.......there is only one aid station.....4 Corners. The goal of this race is to be unsupported. Expect only water at the aid station. This is not being supported like the VQ/CC. This is a more hardcore event.


Originally there was going to be no aid stations, but when we had to move the event to June, we figured it would be fair to have at least one, especially if it is gets toasty.

[mp3]

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

As far as I know.......there is only one aid station.....4 Corners. The goal of this race is to be unsupported. Expect only water at the aid station. This is not being supported like the VQ/CC. This is a more hardcore event.


Originally there was going to be no aid stations, but when we had to move the event to June, we figured it would be fair to have at least one, especially if it is gets toasty.

Thanks for the info. With the ride starting at 6am it probably won't start getting hot till about 10am so maybe 2 bottles (one large & one small) will probably do for the racers.

[Pilas]

Originally Posted by Edog

I would definatly be giving my tire selection a lot of consideration, I did the first half of the ride, blackstar to 4 corners on Saturday. The 2.1 I was running just didn't cut it all, that said I have to blame the tire rather than the size. There are some very loose fast corners, I was bummed having to scrub speed to make corners. I was running the pressure fairly low too, but than you're creating rolloing resistance!!
I will be loosing all the wieght I can for this, including from my belly!! The biggest concern for me is making it to 4 corners with enough water, thats a long ride without a top up, if it gets hot early on. VQ & CC you get a top up much eariler at the bottom of Maple

Just out of curiosity, how long did it take you to do Black Star to 4 corners?
I did that section once in 2003, but I don't remember how long it took me. I have done B.Star to top of Motorway in around 1:45, I'm not sure how long it is from there to 4 corners.
I did 4 corners to end of Trabuco in 2 hours and change last saturday. I'm guessing that B.Star to 4 corners will be around 2:45/ 3hrs. I guess I'm estimating 5 to 5:30 for the whole race?
I'm planning on doing the first section of the course (B.Star/4 corners) on June 2. I want to get an idea, so I can plan for hydration, food, etc.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by Pilas

Just out of curiosity, how long did it take you to do Black Star to 4 corners?
I did that section once in 2003, but I don't remember how long it took me. I have done B.Star to top of Motorway in around 1:45, I'm not sure how long it is from there to 4 corners.
I did 4 corners to end of Trabuco in 2 hours and change last saturday. I'm guessing that B.Star to 4 corners will be around 2:45/ 3hrs. I guess I'm estimating 5 to 5:30 for the whole race?
I'm planning on doing the first section of the course (B.Star/4 corners) on June 2. I want to get an idea, so I can plan for hydration, food, etc.

Hi Pilas, I've posted a training ride for Jun 2, Join us. I don't know who will do entire course that day, I'm sure we'll have riders bailing out at different points, some for fatigue, some for time, for whatever reason, it's all good. I just thought it would give lots of them an opportunity to ride the Main Divide who haven't. How far you go is up to you. Some will probably even go down The Motorway, Some will go to upper HJ, lower HJ, As long as we have the cars, we can plan different relief points. So if you need to shuttle, RSVP and state your plan for that day. Thanks

[Pilas]

I definitely don't want to do the whole route a week before the race.
I may join you from B.Star to 4 corners . I want to check out that section of the course to see how long it will take. I also want to use it as a rehersal for my hydration plans.
Thanks for the invite

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by Pilas

I definitely don't want to do the whole route a week before the race.

I don't blame you. When it gets a little closer to the 2nd, we will set up times. Depending on who's going and how many will determine how early to meet. Some may be driving in from other areas. If we work it right, we can have enough cars to shuttle riders to Black Star and leave certain cars at Maple Springs and some off Live Oak/Trabuco. We'll figure on who doing what route so the cars at MS and Live Oak can't shuttle riders who left their car at Blk. Star. and so forth.