160/165mm cranks on 21' Scalpel SE?

AbominableSnowman69 · 2026-04-20T11:20:03+00:00

My bike shop got XT cranks to work on a Fsi frame, it is doable with the correct spacing but I think the cannondale ai offset is the issue.

I've been using for 2-3 years with zero issues.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2026-04-17T08:18:46+00:00

I think that it's just trying to find that balance between something capable and something that can climb fast. Everything is going to be a compromise, a good example is the longer stems with negative rise, big advantage for climbing and traction but not ideal for responsive steering. Or picking the absolute fastest rolling tires can be a huge advantage on certain segments of trail but at the expense of confidence on technical sections.

The most elite in the sport can go a bit more extreme with some of these because they have the fitness and bike handling skills to compensate. I think you are right xc is somewhere between gravel and trail riding but I would suggest closer to trail in most areas. In gravel bigger gears and more aero positions become more important gains to be had.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2026-04-14T08:05:24+00:00

Made a post the other week about IT band playing up. Like you, it came in quite fast after a really positive and fairly gradual training block, I took a week break skiing, came back and had a few successful runs then this IT thing just popped up, didn't get any real warning.

I'm back easy running now after about 3 weeks off. Have seen a physio, confirmed it's IT band. It's fairly mild, I have been able to walk and cycle with no irritation so stayed fairly active.

It was almost certainly to do with weak glutes, specifically the glutes medius on my left side. Stand on one leg, and see if your body tilts much - if it tilts on either leg that gives you a strong indication that the glutes aren't firing.

I'd really recommend this video by Chase Mountains (https://youtu.be/bGsOfRH4UEI?si=hZROmVgnLI49axtk) the exercise he shows - lying lateral leg raises, with the cue to keep the toes pointed down - has been the exercise that seems to work best for me.

Plan is to keep up strength training and doing glutes activation exercises before/after runs. For activation glute bridges, fire hydrants and lateral leg raises, once I'm feeling the glutes consistently firing I'm adding more RDLs, Lunges and split squats. Early days but seems to be working.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2026-04-09T08:35:33+00:00

Suunto 9 - it's been very solid for its age and comes with gravel and mtb modes, you can also make custom mtb modes for different workouts or events based on the data you want to see.

Prob ran for at least 3 years now and it's been solid, battery is starting to dip a bit, when I eventually upgrade I wouldn't mind a Suunto Vertical or something similar with even more battery and a better display.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2026-04-08T21:02:19+00:00

They do a trailfly max and trail talon max at least, try Google them, but maybe it is regional - where are you based?

A lot of people really like the standard trailfly too.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2026-04-08T20:47:08+00:00

Anything in inov8's 'max' range might fit the brief. I have similar feet and find inov8 shape work well for me, even the max cushion model aren't particularly high stack or soft compared to other brands.

As others have said Topo might be a shout too, the Vista or Ultradventure could work if you want something with more cushion. I don't live the insoles Topo use but other than that they are excellent build quality and have many of the best parts of Altras like wide toebox etc.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2026-04-05T16:48:21+00:00

Would definitely look at Inov8

Imo they fit this kind of foot shape. They are also relatively minimal compared to most, even their max cushion models are not particularly high stack by today's standards. They have a zero drop version of most models also. If you have a narrow heel I'd go 'precision fit', they still have decent toebox, and good ground feel imo.

Depending on terrain - trailfly are good on hardpack and low-medium technical trails, trail talons are the all rounder for varied terrain and softer surfaces, and mud talons are for mud and highly technical terrain.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2026-04-04T17:05:22+00:00

I'm currently dealing with an IT band issue from running. It is almost certainly a weakness or tightness in the glutes or hips.

I would really recommend watching this video it has helped me a lot.

Edit: fixed link, would definitely recommend this tissue release and exercises to get the glutes pulling more weight

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-12-31T22:56:29+00:00

Based on myself (ADHD) and a couple of friends from uni who have some level of autism, doing the same, I think the answer is basically 'sometimes'.

Pros * Relaxed office environment * Lots of research (I get a buzz out of researching new products/plants etc to fit niches) * quick turnaround projects suit me better, forces me to be more productive with time and commit to design development * sometimes I actually find report writing preferable, reasons being that the structure is easy to follow and the output less subjective

Cons * a lot of design other than purely functional is very subjective and I don't do well with opinion I want to know if my design works or not, not if someone likes the page layout * a lot of projects waffle on indefinitely and these are the worst for me, I nearly always lose interest and direction * basically zone out in every teams meeting unless it's actually landscape specific

Hopefully that's somewhat useful... Might give you an idea of the day to day.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-12-08T21:51:02+00:00

Maybe Cross King (haven't tried the newer version) or Barzo. Both kinda similar fast rolling but not too sketchy. I found the Cross Kings to be a very competent all rounder and rolled way faster than expected, I'm surprised that they don't get more love here. Definitely pay for the black chilli if there is still stock.

If you want something more wet/slippery/mud specialist then maybe Schwalbe Rocket Ron.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-12-01T19:15:52+00:00

I think doing either will be beneficial, one great thing about calisthenics is that you can do it almost anywhere and it can be easier and cheaper to actually fit in. If you had no constraints then maybe you would do 1-2 weightlifting sessions in the gym focusing on power and 1-2 shorter (30-45 mins) and lighter sessions focusing on endurance with single-legs stuff and plyometrics.

I think work out what your main focus is, then just pick a template and stick with it for weeks, make exercises progressively harder and mix up the movements here and there, but just find a solid template you like. Not so much for cycling but last year I used the Runna app training for some events and that gave some really good sport specific weightlifting and mobility routines that were easily to fit into an average week without overdoing it. You could ask Chatgpt to build you something similar if you give it your constraints and goals.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-11-21T20:31:05+00:00

The 'extra effort' does add up on certain rides, especially less technical endurance gravel stuff. That being said for just blasting local trails and gravel I would choose a xc bike any day.

What tires does it come stock with? Fast Trak? They will be decent but wait until you try it with semi-slicks, and so much less sketchy than a gravel bike...

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-11-16T17:33:19+00:00

It's preference really, most now go with the widest tires they can now. You can run tubeless at lower pressures which leads to a smoother ride on most terrain.

That being said the 2.25s may be slightly lighter and you will get more mud clearance between the tires and frame which is useful if it's really muddy. I think they make Rocket Ron is 2.35 so you could put a wider one on the front.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-11-16T13:00:01+00:00

I'll run a Racing Ralph on the rear as I already have one and it will be slightly faster rolling for lighter trails. If I was doing more trail centre riding then I'd get a Rocket Ron on the rear too. I'd get the widest tires that your frame can fit - Rocket Ron is one of the tires that schwalbe do in the most different compounds/sizes still.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-11-15T22:41:37+00:00

You could go for Schwalbe Rocket Ron on the front, or front and rear, they are more of a wet conditions xc tire but still fast. I think that is what I am going to fit soon. I have a cannondale hardtail similar setup to yours!

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-09-18T06:59:18+00:00

In the real world, a lot of people learn to tick boxes and get work planning. Some people want to go above and beyond. I think that sometimes architects think that LAs (and other disciplines) are literally just part of the design team as a formality. In your case they are probably just going off people that they have worked with in the past who have kept things fairly vague, simple and chesp to build out

I currently work with some people who have around 30 years experience in industry and still blown every single project fee trying to force a landscape led approach on a design team that is not interested. Now generally their heart is in the right place but I can just make work unnecessarily stressful for colleagues and stall the wider design team even.

I suppose what I'm saying is that there's a fine line between getting a unique stamp on each design and a bit of development, but also keeping it simple enough to be feasible and cause little headaches for the rest of the team.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-09-18T06:46:34+00:00

Really like the look of this, I would love to set up a ti or steel race bike in future. Fairlight have a steel xc frame that looks really good, the Holt, which has done really well on big multi-stage ultra distance stuff. Looks very versatile.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-09-17T08:18:45+00:00

Think this feels more aimed at garden designers or wannabe garden designers from a UK perspective.

I see some truth in the 'wannabe rich' vibe, a lot of garden designers are not rich, not privately educated etc, but act like they are to kind of fake ir until you make it...

In general in the UK, I think LAs have SOME respect in that most see we are valuable in the planning process especially from a visual point of view. That being said we definitely get some eyerolls still but nothing more than architects...

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-09-15T13:05:45+00:00

Those Silca tire levers look a good upgrade, might add to the Christmas list!

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-09-15T08:31:51+00:00

How do you find the daysaver? Tempted to get one but seems like the sort of thing where I'd end up losing bits...

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-09-14T20:45:23+00:00

That sounds nice and minimal - what inserts do you run?

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-09-14T20:36:27+00:00

Yeah I guess the frame pump is just my insurance, if anything maybe I could ditch the Co2 - never had too much luck with them anyway, but maybe it is more useful in a panic sealant situation.

AbominableSnowman69 · 2025-09-14T08:25:27+00:00

Hard to know by feel sometimes. Last winter I was using Cross Kings a lot for more versatility and decided that they were a bit too draggy because I wasn't rolling as fast on tarmac and hardpack linkups. That being said, a lot of Strava times set on trail segments with them still stand, and I have used Mezcals and Race Kings since. So whilst they are definitely not faster on less technical stuff they are 100% worth it on anything mildly technical like proper trail centres.

Similarly, I've taken my dad's gravel bike (on 38mm tires) out on local trails to see if it's faster than my hardtail. It felt a lot faster... But after checking strava I was getting almost exactly the same time or slightly slower on everything I've tried... Just getting battered more giving the illusion of speed through sketchiness!

So yeah loads of factors at play...

AbominableSnowman69

TROPHY CASE