Ordered some Vittoria Barzos for my non-e XC/DC bike. Got them home and began mounting them and noticed they are actually e-Barzos. Vittoria lists the regular Barzo and e-version as the same weight (835g for 29x2.6). Can’t really see if they are any different beyond marketing jargon. Anyone have experience with these tires? Worth mounting them to my bike or just return them?

TLDR: I'm new to XC racing and have 4 consecutive days a week to ride. 75 mins in the morning and 30 mins afternoon. Race will be a Cat3 9-mile XC MTB course end of January.

I'm fortunate enough to be surrounded by miles of South West desert trails with the closest trail being 100' from my backyard. In March of this year i bought my first mountain bike because all my friends nearby did and i wanted to join them. I really enjoyed it and dove in and have been averaging 6-7 hours/week at 45-65 miles since September. There is a local XC MTB race(the course is 5 miles from my house) at the end of January I signed up for. I would be in the Cat 3 race that is 9 miles. I rode the course last month with no idea about race pace and finished with a time that would put me in the bottom 1/3 of last years times. I went back this month with a better idea of pacing and finished in the middle of the pack for last year's times. So, now armed with a moderate amount of optimism I would like to actually train for this race and was looking for some insight. I picked up the time crunched cyclist and have started to read it. One of my obstacles is I work 3 13-hour days in a row so I have to ride everyday for 4 days, but, I can ride for 75 mins in the morning and 30 in the afternoon. My thought has been:

Day 1: Morning ride- zone 2 for 75mins with intervals on a stationary bike. Afternoon ride- hill climb repeats x 6-8 There is a double track(but very loose, rocky and rutted out) hill behind me that sees a 100' rise over 1/4 mile that works well for hill Sprint stuff.

Day 2: Morning ride- 75 mins zone 2 stationary bike and every other week i could do 90 mins. Afternoons- 30 mins Zone2/3 trail ride

Day 3: Morning ride- 75 min zone 2 stationary ride with intervals. Afternoon ride- 30 min zone2/3 trail ride.

Day 4 Morning ride- tempo trail ride 12-17 miles. Once every two weeks this would be a race pace ride. No afternoon ride. Days 5/6/7 I work.

Am I in the ballpark with this plan or is something off? For the intervals on the stationary bike, is it an all out effort or something like tempo pace?

Hi all, I'm keen on getting the latest Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 2 but thought I'd see if anyone has any experience, thoughts or feelings on this bike first? It seems to tick all of the right boxes for me, without being ludicrously experience. I ride a mix of XC and gravel and prefer to ride to the trails and avoid the use of a car. Any input would be very much appreciated.

Here's a link to the bike to mitigate any confusion:

https://ccache.cc/products/cannondale-scalpel-carbon-2-jet-black?variant=44591862350040&country=AU&currency=AUD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAjKu6BhAMEiwAx4UsApSOX0Gq7xECCIM0rIjRmrPzXr1spfCFGp9wAt117pHgdZ8XX85X5RoCF5AQAvD_BwE

I’m planning to do some winter upgrades on my Scott scale, and the most major one will likely be a new fork. First. I have a rockshox Sid on the bike now, with a Scott 2 position twinloc. My questions are, will a new fox 32 work with the twinloc lever. Or will I need a different lockout lever. Second. I assume the push lock damper control is the option I want rather than the 3 position adjustment. Third. the clearance on the reverse fork arch. I don’t know if when the fork is fully compressed the arch has any chance of making contact with the downtube.

Hello friends. I would like to know if there is really a significant difference in stiffness between aluminum and carbon cranks and cranks with a spindle of 24mm and 30mm (and combinations)? Have any of you noticed a difference in how they feel or an increase in efficiency when using them? I will be glad to hear about it, thanks in advance

I am between sizes and I am tired of scouring over geometry notes trying to figure this out. For anyone that owns one, how tall are you and what size do you ride?

I am half an inch over 6 ft (184 cm) with a 33 inch inseam. This puts me right between L (5'7"-6'1") and XL (6'0"-6'5").

The jump in reach and effective top tube between the sizes is quite large.

I am XC racing with this, but just for fun if that matters at all.

Looking for a recommendation for a trail centre near London, and ideally close by to a train station if possible.

I have ridden at Hadleigh Park and the Olympic centre at Stratford, any other recommendations around London? Trying to take a few mates from work out for a ride.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

I got a BMC Fourstroke LT recently. XC Noob here for sure. Been looking at Forks, but I am unable to find a specs on the SID RL. Last thing I want to do is buy a SID SL Select+ and its similar to the RL. Only thing I could find on the SID RL are post from 2013, which does not seem right.

Does anyone have any insight to what the SID RL is comparable to? Is this just a OEM SID SL? or SID? or is it some really old stock that they put on to save on cost?

This one exactly via this link: https://www.bikeconnection.net/product/bmc-fourstroke-lt-two-16775.htm?srsltid=AfmBOorNDIbL_vbeOTBCpLaTfl-LBpCty6rm7nj62xzMmywuDcWJc6os

I’d love to hear your experience about them vs. the specialized Ground Control and Fast Trak

Is this a decent xc race option? Price seems great

Hey guys. Superior listed at $1999 and exceed at $1400 on sale. Superior listed weight 22.7 but heard it’s closer to 24 vs 25.7 for exceed. Which way would you lean? Also, I’m confused about the superior fork, is it 110 mm? Thanks!

https://www.bikesonline.com/superior-xp-969-lighweight-carbon-hardtail

Hey everyone, I've been wondering what you guys use as your headlamp while riding.

I currently have a Fenix BC26R on my handlebars which is great, but on singletrack you defnitely need a light on your head. I have thought of getting a second BC26R and mount it to my helmet. That way I could also swap batterys between them, if I need to.

But I've also been thinking that might be overkill and perhaps too heavy for a headlamp.

Whats your experience? What do you use?

Hi,

I think about getting one of the following combos:

• Racing Ray / Racing Ralph
• Kenda Karma 2 / Kenda Rush
• Goodyear peak front and rear

Currently I have specialized tires and they are heavy and the control casing is paper thin. So I use the GRID.

I prioritize durability, next is speed and lastly weight.

Mainly for a mixture of smoother single track and rocky fire roads. I have broken a lot of rims on my enduro bike over the years so ease of warranty is important.

Hi!
Some background first.
I used to race XC (XCO / XCM) about 7 years ago. Most of my time was on Kona Hei Hei Race DL - where I did anything on - racing, bikepacking, long rides and more.
I did a mistake of selling it for a Honzo Carbon; which is an awesome bike, but quite harsh. About that time I also moved to NL, where I don't have as many technical climbs or descends, and I don't ride that often. Most of my time is on the gravel bike, and I can ride it also on most of the local trails.
I do have a Chisel HT which I take from time to time and it's more then enough technically, but when pushing hard, the bike is quite harsh on the bumps.

I thought this is a good time to get back on a full suspension, taking advantage of one of the end-year sales.

It won't be a bike I'll ride a lot, but when I ride it, I want to have fun. To have a fast bike that is very rewarding to power inputs, but that is simply fun on our flat / rolling / super twisty singletracks.
I also want to keep it on a budget, simply because it's a bike I don't use very often (but I do want to go out more).

I looked at almost all available models (and close to my budget), and have a few finalists. your thoughts, recommendations and pointers would be much appreciated.

1. Supercaliber Gen1: I can get the 9.8 level at a great price thanks to end-of-yea sale. I like it that it has very short chain-stays (430) and a steeper HTA. I also like it that it's super efficient and has super short wheelbase. I don't like that it's has a low stack (I have long legs, short torso = saddle is way up there) and slacker STA (74) and I'm concerned that it's too 'pure' for a person who (most likely) won't race any longer.

2. Kona HeiHei CR/DL: That's my first choice currently, despite my bikefitter strong advice against. I have a soft spot fo that one, and I find it the prettiest. I am a bit concerned that 67,5 HTA is a huge overkill for what I ride, and matched with longer reach - have a long wheelbase. all of these are great for decending stability... but I don't do that....

it's more expansive than the supercaliber: suspension is better, wheels are much worse.

3. Scalplel carbon 2 (old geometry): I always wanted one, and I love the lefty. the geometry is pretty nice - short wheelbase, optimal HTA and STA (68, 74,5). but if I remember correctly it works best on my kind of trails when suspension is locked, and I truly dislike lockout remotes. I don't like the clutter and the 'yet another thing to press'. The fact that all is unique (Ai, lefty) makes it also complicated, as I love custumizing shit up. It will cost like the Supercaliber, with better suspension, but narower rims.

4. Lastly I have the santa cruz blur (TR). This one I'll buy as a frameset. I love the idea of building it (as I did with the Chiel). and my bikefitter confirms the geometry. I can't go with the XC version as it becomes too long and low for my proportions. in the TR version, I'm worried it'll be too mellow without a lockout. HTA is even slacker than the HeiHei and wheelbase is longest of the bunch.

So yeah... could you offer some guidance?

I've got my fuel sorted out but I need some advice on total water/liquid. There is one aid station. My frame holds one bottle. Could I get away with carrying two more bottles in my jersey back pockets or should I buy something like a USWE pack?

former BMXer who's been learning about DH and to a lesser extent enduro and finally glancing over at the XC side of things. DH has quite a few 'best runs of all time' due to the short track and explosive nature of the riding... but what are the most exciting moments in XC ever?

doesn't have to be world cup only of course, although good commentary always helps moments like these. close battles, once in a lifetime blow out wins, come from behind victories, lay it on me...

Hey folks -

I'm registered for the Old Tucson 10er, a new race by Zia Rides. I've heard such good things about their other races and decided to give this one a shot.

I'd love to get a better sense of the trails and terrain on the course, especially the trail called Propector which is the main descent of the course. From a YouTube video it looks like it's mostly smooth with a few roll-downs and some chunky sections.

Anyone else have footage from the course? Tire recommendations? I'm currently running FastTrak/Renegade combo, I might up to Ground Control.

I rode 24HOP last year and had a great time with the course, if that's a helpful basis for comparison.

Hi gang, solid prices on BMC twostroke Al frames and wanting to know if the frame is equally as smooth as the Al chisel or if it's a stiff/harsher ride.

Any inputs? Thanks.

Thoughts on this? With the sale of xo for only 1k I’m tempted to switch. It would be about $1150 once I get a new hub body and bb.

Hello, riders!
I want to change from an 11-42 or 46 cassette to a 2 crankset. I mostly ride xc and the big climbs make it difficult for me. I'm now at 9-36 to 2. I'm considering replacing the entire drivetrain, but I don't know what parts to go for. My budget is 250euro. Is it worth it? I welcome any advice.

Open to other bikes too. Looking to spend around $1k

Been thinking about building a DV9 this winter, I’m not going to be racing but my local trails are mostly XC and I really enjoy riding a hardtail at times. There are some good deals on OEM Sid Ultimates right now, however since I’m not racing should I just change the air shaft in fox 34 grip 2 to 120mm??? From what I’m reading on this sub the sid might not be most comfortable for everyday rides? Or maybe the 250-300 grams weight savings would be nice with the Sid Ultimate?

I’ve never rode an XC fork so I’m not sure what to expect.

Thanks for your input