Improving a 2013 Mamba for the "Crusher in the Tushar"

Discussion in 'The Workshop' started by Runs with Scissors, Jan 17, 2014.

  1. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors Climbing > desending

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2012
    Messages:
    203
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    2015 Giant XTC
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Preface: I've signed up for a hellacious race in July. I have no delusions about winning; my objective is to make the cutoffs and cross the finish line not in last place. It's an almost perfect split between paved road and dirt fire road with washboard and ruts. 69.9 miles point-to-point, 10,500 feet elevation gain, starts at about 5,600 ft and goes to almost 11,000 ft elevation.

    A new bike, or vast amounts of cash spent on this one, is not in the cards. Tires are already dialed in. I've taken this bike on a couple of century rides, along with various solo 70-80 mile jaunts, and I've ridden it up to Modjeska Peak via Maple Springs, so I know the tires work very well for both media on the same ride.

    It's a straight stock 2013 Trek Mamba, other than the tires. It has Bontrager AT-850 wheels; Deore RD; Acera FD; Alivio crank; Hayes brakes; cassette is a 9-speed 11-34 and chainrings are 44/32/22; and RockShox XC32 fork. I am already considering a RockShox Reba Solo Air, as it's significantly lighter than the stock equipment and won't break the bank. Existing saddle is very comfortable, so I'm not about to change that out.

    The gearing on this bike is about perfect for what I'm doing - geared high enough that I can do 20+ mph on the flats and low enough to climb almost vertically - so the only thing I'm considering is lighter if that's even worth it. Given that, do the cassette and chainrings make a significant difference? At a reasonable price?

    Wheels are like a foreign language to me, but I understand $500 or so can make for a good and lighter set of wheels and I get the physics about rotational inertia. Feedback?

    Brakes - I don't plan on using them overmuch; However, for all components the budget is tight. I may end up just having to work harder.

    I welcome your suggestions. I will take or ignore your advice at my own risk. I have 6 months to prep. My main concern is the climbs at the elevation this race takes place. Whatever I can do to compensate for that is worth its weight in gold.
     
  2. zioncoming79

    zioncoming79 Old Man Dead

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2009
    Messages:
    1,018
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Occupation:
    a business bank SVP
    Location:
    Brea
    Buy a lighter wheelset (i.e. Stan's Crest ZTR), but train on your stock Bontys. Then when race day comes, slap on the new set.
     
  3. bvader

    bvader Long Live The Gorn!

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2008
    Messages:
    2,940
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Occupation:
    Tech Guy
    Location:
    Huntington Beach
    Which Race? (Edit Duh) Crushar....

    My order...kinda...

    Wheels are probably you best bang for your buck, and since you have a lot of time you can price watch and maybe pick up a set of very nice used wheels.

    Fork could be a nice upgrade...again you could price watch.

    Cranks ....maybe....tend to be are expensive...but and XT crank might be a nice lighter reliable upgrade

    Come out and ride Blackstar and Maple and Harding over the nexgt couple months as there will be plenty of Counting Coup / Vision question folks out riding those.

    Others will give you better specific... Good Luck!

    OP you got 2 threads going...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 17, 2014
  4. Bullseye

    Bullseye New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2010
    Messages:
    523
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Newbury Park, CA
    The answer...Wheels, wheels, wheels, Lighter wheels! You can get away with some light XC wheels on that course. I agree exactly with zioncoming79. Stans are great wheels and reasonably light. Good quality for the price. Everything else on your bike is just fine.
    As icing on the cake, you could probably trim a little more rotating weight by using narrowish (and lighter) tires. Hell, some people ride road bikes on that course.
     
  5. jasonmason

    jasonmason inebriate savant

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2007
    Messages:
    3,363
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Occupation:
    Geologist when I have to work, which is too often.
    Location:
    Sacramento
    I'll 4th the new wheels advice. Absolute best bang for the buck, and you will definitely feel the change.

    I understand where zioncoming is, er, coming from about training on the heavier wheels, but it's not my preference. I'd rather know precisely how my bike (and I) are going to perform race day. Just different styles of training.

    Tires will also make a huge difference in terms of rolling resistance. This I'd probably the only instance I would recommend a small block 8 for, but would likely work well. What tires are you running now?

    Edit- just read the site of this race. I want to do it!
     
  6. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors Climbing > desending

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2012
    Messages:
    203
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    2015 Giant XTC
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Currently using Bonty 29-1 Exp. They're great for this type of thing.
     
  7. jasonmason

    jasonmason inebriate savant

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2007
    Messages:
    3,363
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Occupation:
    Geologist when I have to work, which is too often.
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Agreed, I'd definitely stick with those.

    As an aside, been very impressed with the recent Bontrager tires. Running the 29-3 on my ss, best tire I've had in a awhile.
     
  8. lmnop

    lmnop New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2007
    Messages:
    240
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Occupation:
    Engineering Geologist
    Location:
    Valencia
    I'm heading to this race, and I've given equipment some thought as well. I don't own a cyclo-cross bike, as I don't race much and aside from that they don't seem to make much sense here in SoCal. Hardtail 29er is what I got and what I'm bringing, albeit with some carbon wheels and the skinniest tires I can get my hands on.
     
  9. Rivet

    Rivet Active Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2006
    Messages:
    1,146
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    I'd look at different tires. Something like a Clement MSO 40mm.
     
  10. jasonmason

    jasonmason inebriate savant

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2007
    Messages:
    3,363
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Occupation:
    Geologist when I have to work, which is too often.
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Just looked that up, nice looking tire.

    I won't pretend to know my cx tires as well as others. I use speshy captain cx's and have been very happy with them, but my scope of experience with those is much less broad than mtb tires.
     
  11. jeffj

    jeffj Bloated Mountain B'hiker

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2007
    Messages:
    2,617
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Occupation:
    Bloated Mountain Biker
    Location:
    Castaic, CA
    A good quality carbon seatpost and/or carbon handlebar would help to take some more of the edge off of a washboard fire road too.

    My order of priorities for that bike would be:

    1) Fork - your bike has G2 geometry, and I would try to get another G2 fork, or maybe something that has offset close to it such as a Manitou Tower Pro or Expert.

    2) Wheels - Crest if you're somewhat lightweight, or Arch EX is you're on the more 'substantial' side.

    3) Tires - However, if you're happy with the Bontragers, then rock on.

    4) Carbon handlebar and/or stem - Some have better dampening than others. I have tried and really like the Niner RDO carbon seatpost and RDO Flat Top carbon handlebar. They really do make a noticeable difference, but they are not cheap. Probably other carbon handlebars and seatposts that help noticeably too. . . . and others not so much. If the budget is too tight for this, I'd look for some comfy grips and call it a day.
     
  12. jimmymats

    jimmymats Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2008
    Messages:
    182
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    18
    I agree with others. Wheels (Stans Crests) first priority, maybe fork next. Sounds like you can run a rigid fork for that race. LOL. If your cassette needs replacing, you can find an XT or SLX on sale which would also save some weight.

    Id split the difference with Zion and Jasonmason and say train on your current wheels for awhile, then switch em out ~2 months before the race.

    Good luck!
     
  13. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors Climbing > desending

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2012
    Messages:
    203
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    2015 Giant XTC
    Location:
    Anaheim
    I appreciate the feedback from everyone. Very helpful.

    QUOTE=jeffj;1011964 2) Wheels - Crest if you're somewhat lightweight, or Arch EX is you're on the more 'substantial' side.

    I'll probably be checking out the Crest then - I weigh in at 167 and hope to be down to 160 by race day.
     
  14. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors Climbing > desending

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2012
    Messages:
    203
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    2015 Giant XTC
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Keep an eye on the site this spring, then. There will probably be spots available from people dropping out.
     
  15. Rivet

    Rivet Active Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2006
    Messages:
    1,146
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Yeah, I like Clement tires. I'm actually racing the event. I'll be on my cyclocross bike with 32mm Clement LAS tires.
     
  16. jasonmason

    jasonmason inebriate savant

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2007
    Messages:
    3,363
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Occupation:
    Geologist when I have to work, which is too often.
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Thanks for the heads up, I'll keep an eye on it. :beer:
     
  17. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors Climbing > desending

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2012
    Messages:
    203
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    2015 Giant XTC
    Location:
    Anaheim
    So, six months later, here's what I've managed to upgrade...

    Yeah, all of that. I did move up to Specialized 1.95" Renegade tires. I am so gonna get crushed.

    On the plus side, though, In the month of June I rode 798 miles, climbed 41,000+ ft, and made two rides up GMR-East Fork-39-Crystal Lake. On top of 516 miles and 11K feet in May. So maybe I won't die.
     

Share This Page

Help keep STR alive, please click the donation button below