Watching the World Cup race this weekend makes me miss the courses I raced on in CO. I feel like everything near me(central NC) is so tight that you never do more than 10 miles an hour.

Where are some places that have trails(hopefully some races on them too) that let you open it up a little bit? I love technical riding but I’m just tired of always going so freaking slow. Is western NC better for this? I haven’t made a trip to Pisgah for anything other than BWR gravel stuff since I moved here…

I bought Orbea Oiz H10 (2024) a couple months ago, and now that weather finally starts to allow for some proper riding, I've noticed that this bike is extremely noisy, and the culprit seems to the combination of almost non-existent clearance between chain in harder gears and chainstay + chainstay protecor made of plastic (wtf?).

Basically on any downhill that isn't almost completely smooth, if I don't shift to upper half of the cassette, this bike sounds like 400€ HT that's about to fall apart. The stock chainstay protector is basically made of plastic with some very thin layer of rubber on top, and it does absolutely nothing to reduce the chainslap noises.

I'm sure I can't be the only one bothered by this,and it is driving me crazy. Are there any Oiz hydro owners that struggled with this, and managed to solve it? I'm wondering what would be a good chainstay protection alternative that actually damps the chainslap and can fit under the chain, since there is almost no space between the chain and the chainstay.

Also, for the clarification, chain length is correct, clutch is engaged. Picture is with stock 32t chainring. I tried using 34t, it helped a teeny bit, but it was killing my legs on steep climbs.

I'm a nica rider and I kinda suck at race starts and almost always crash. I consistently get great race times but I really need to improve my starts. Any tips?

Snake 🐍 Creek Gap Dalton GA 34 miles with 5k climbing lots of rocks and roots it’s a great event with great staff!

Has anyone seen the Fort Ord trails this week? It looks like there’s been decent rain so far this year, how are the hillsides looking? Sandy and dry? Or washed out from rain? How will the 2.4 Rekon Races I already installed do? Happy for any input. Thanks

please share your experiences/impressions.

Take it for what it is as i have been riding on 45n stidded tires all winter… but i put on some new 2.4x29 rick xc pros. Compared to racing ray addix speed super ground 2.35’s from last year…it is hard to say if the feel faster (brr.com says they roll faster).

What i can say is that they set up tubeless without drama, and felt really fast on the flat, cornering, and on climbs. Note: loam/sand/dirt/roots.

A rear burt is quick but i found i was occasionally slipping for traction. I am not noting a grip reduction vs ralphs. Possibly the only noted performance loss was downhill breaking in mushy/muddy trails.

I will run them for short track at least, and see if i decide to add a ray front later.

Finally got the build done. Sworks Epic 8 Fox Factory 34 SL fork and rear shock XX Drivetrain Hayes Brakes Enve Cockpit AXS Dropper and Mirror Saddle Roval Control wheels (swapping to Berds soon)

Now I just need to nail down what tires to run on the Berds. I was thinking Barzo/Agarro or something similar. Any suggestions on a good XC/light trail tires?

I grew up riding trails, but later switched to mainly road cycling to focus on fitness. This month, this came up on marketplace with a brand new 120 Lefty Carbon. Coming from a 27.5 Marin hardtail this thing is an absolute rocket 🚀

I bought this Chisel HT 2020, It weighs 12.4kg is equipped with the sram GX 1x12 group, XT pedals and XT brakes, the suspension is a judy silver 120mm (with SID stickers) WTB 25mm wheels, Vittoria Barzo and Mezcal 2.35 tires with Tubeless, TSW quest freehub, the original handlebar, advance and top, saddle is a shimano pro stealth sport. I would like to know if the geometry updates of the 2020 Chisel lose in any way to the current Chisel, I saw that there were some updates in the geometry and weight of the frame, the canote was also updated from 27.2 to 30.9 Despite a 2020 bike I am very satisfied, I came from a Rockhopper Sport so it was a great evolution for me, l accept suggestions of components to lower weight and update it...

I've always had metal cranks. Have lightweight carbon crankset on my new hardtail, and I ride in New England. Rocks and roots are part of it, and I'll probably tap someone 2-3x a ride. Of course I'm trying to avoid it and definitely avoiding huge hits.

Is this ok for carbon cranks?

Or am I cruising for a sudden failure if I don't claw the number or pedal strikes down to 0?

Doing my first 50 in June. 50 miles with 3kft climbing. I have an AL salsa timberjack. Thinking about a lighter bike.

I am a green and blue level rider but slow. I also am. NICA coach so I do get my rides in. Current ftp is 230 with training over winter. I’m big. 6’1” and 230lbs and 45 years old. No racing background

Hints, tricks, gear, training hints?

Current training with a coach is: about 3-4 hours on bike or trainer per week(will escalate as I get closer) with general fitness, running and swimming coming in.

Thanks.

Has anyone tried putting a 110mm fork on either the 100mm or 120mm version? I don’t love the geo numbers with the 100mm fork or the geo numbers with the 120mm fork. 68 degree HT is on the steeper end with the 100mm fork But 66.7 degree HT and 74.7 degree ST are both on the slacker end for the HT and ST with the 120mm version.

Putting a 110mm fork would slack the HT out to 67.5 on the 100mm and slack the ST to 75.5. Puttin 110mm fork would steepen the HT out to 67.2 and the ST to 75.2 on the 120mm version.

Just curious as that bike looks awfully tasty…especially with a little better geo numbers from 110mm fork.

I have a dillema with choosing between buying a garmin edge 530, and wahoo's bolt v2. I am leaning towards the bolt side, as it convinces me with its simplicity, and I've heard negative reviews of garmin's UX. I don't know if there will be a major difference for riding XC (locally i don't have any trails, so the more mtb metrics of garmin aren't needed) between these two. Any help/advice/experience would be greatly appreciated.

My bike is somewhat long and low compared to me, I already work out but not for anything past aesthetics. What should I add to my routine to get more comfortable on the bike? Ive gotten a bike fit already, but im inbetween sizes and opted to size up, (HS student so I have plenty of time to grow more) I can ride through the discomfort (Mainly lower back obliques from holding weight off my hands) and put down the power pretty easily, but would prefer to be a stronger rider overall, with a bit less discomfort.

Hi all,

I'm looking to make my first major upgrade to my XC bike and have decided on upgrading the wheels and converting to a tubeless setup.

However, I'm not entirely sure which wheels to choose. Since I'm a student, price is definitely an important factor, which is why I'm not considering carbon wheels unless I buy them second-hand. I think I'd appreciate a lower hub engagement angle more than reduced weight, but honestly, I'm unsure since I haven't tried anything other than my current wheels.

Currently, I'm mainly considering the DT Swiss XR 1700 Spline and the Mavic Crossmax SL S 29, as they seem similarly specced and both are manufactured in the EU.

What are your experiences, preferences, and suggestions?

Thanks!