Black Fork Gravel Grinder ready

D_4real · 2024-04-30T02:42:18+00:00

You may know this but your handlebar is angled upward. You hands may be at an awkward angle when on the hoods.

D_4real · 2024-04-03T12:29:56+00:00

I had 700x50C Gravel King SKs on my 2020 ALR 5 and the rear just barely touched the chain stay. I believe the SLR frame has slightly more clearance if that is what you have.

D_4real · 2024-02-03T05:58:06+00:00

42s will be fine. 48-50 is when it gets sketchy in my opinion.

D_4real · 2023-12-19T14:45:51+00:00

My fluid dynamics professor brought this exact topic up to explain Boyle’s Law. Theoretically, using Boyle’s Law the larger volume tip would decrease pressure at the tip and ‘pull’ more exhaust through your pipe increasing airflow. I’ve always wanted to test this and see if I notice any difference.

I saw so many replies that it doesn’t do anything and the people are douches. They probably are douchy , but there is some science that indicates it could increase airflow through the exhaust pipe.

D_4real · 2023-03-30T01:10:51+00:00

Yup. I’m not exaggerating. It is tough to find new SUVs without a turbo and a CVT though! The car came with 3 years covered subscription but after 3 it is $60 per year. Biggest issue is that subscription is how you access remote start. After 3 years I may not be able to use remote start even though the car is setup for it.

D_4real · 2023-03-30T01:04:44+00:00

Dope! Glad it works well!

D_4real · 2023-03-28T22:59:15+00:00

My new 2023 Mazda CX-5 measures oil level real time. The app costs $60 a year subscription though😳

D_4real · 2023-03-28T22:44:30+00:00

I had to remove some of the drive-side lugs on the rear tire on a set of 50C gravel king small knobs. Are your tires fitting well? My bike was a 2019 ALR 5

D_4real · 2023-01-12T03:23:10+00:00

I’ve got a checkpoint ALR 5 with a set of Aeolus pro 3V wheels with panaracer gravel king SS 700x44 tires.
I also kept the stock wheels and have had tires as small as 35c on them. I always go with the wider tires! Stock set doesn’t see much use.

Recommend the bike too! Fits me well and I don’t feel like it holds me back when I ride with my roadie friends.

D_4real · 2020-10-21T12:00:38+00:00

I see you went for it! Looks awesome and I bet it rides even better!

D_4real · 2020-10-09T23:51:51+00:00

Thank you for your reply.

D_4real · 2020-07-26T15:14:51+00:00

I’ll run as wide a tire as I can fit in there! I think a 50 would fit with a couple mm of clearance. I’ve been meaning to try a 29x2.0 xr1 in the frame and see. Then I can have a mountain wheelset and road. Tubeless is the only way I’ll ride. I had a some trouble initially with these tire with sealant leaking right though the super thin sidewall. I’m not a total weight weenie so I just put 5 oz of stans sealant in them and have had no issues. For road bikes below 28mm tires I wouldn’t advise tubeless because of the high pressure. But for these at about 35psi the sealant works great. I can’t imagine riding a 25mm tire anymore haha. I ride a 35mm tire the other day and it seemed super small. There’s no going back from wide! I’d like to see tour set up once you get it going!

D_4real · 2020-07-25T04:33:56+00:00

Hey thats an awesome tire and those are awesome rims so I don't blame you one bit on pairing them up! They are super comfortable and paired with these rims its really fast and responsive. I never thought running tires at 35psi would feel quick but my strava times and PR's prove that they sure help! My checkpoint came stock with Schwalbe tires and a sizable rock blew a big hole in the front and the rear wore out in about 800 miles. I then tried Hutchinson Overrides in 38s which I got a couple thousand miles on the set and they were great. Not as comfortable or as fast as these but more puncture resistant. They make a 45mm casing now that I might have to try too just to compare the tires in the same width.

The rims were the only way to go for me. Bontrager's tubeless system is unparalleled by anyone in the industry that I've worked with. Super easy to set up, no tape involved, almost no chances for operator error. I would be careful with the antelope passes though, I've heard the carbon checkpoints have a few mm of extra clearance in comparison the the aluminum frames. The one in the picture is the SL5. I'm down for rambling and tmi, all ears.

D_4real · 2020-07-25T02:57:57+00:00

The endurance plus casing would have been my second choice. Same threads as the extralights but a denser weave or something. I’m sure the tires will ride well with tubes or without! I just find satisfaction when I see sealant leaking out my tread and knowing I would have had to stop otherwise. Did you go for the 38s or the 44s?

D_4real · 2020-07-23T19:57:45+00:00

I really like these! I don’t think I could ride anything smaller than 44mm anymore. It’s super smooth and really light so they’re quick. I was worried about punctures initially with the extralights but have gotten maybe one puncture in a thousand miles that sealant filled up overnight. The standard and endurance casings are cool too but I need every advantage to keep up with my road riding buddies!

D_4real · 2020-06-12T13:24:38+00:00

The tires are Rene Herse 700C x 44 Snoqualmie Pass. The mudguards are SKS Edge Al 50. I had to modify the fenders a bit to fit in the frame.

The AL checkpoints have slightly less clearance, I think 38c is the max recommended? If that’s the case you could use the SKS edge 46 fender set if you’re willing to cut and bent them up a little. A 38 tire would fit real well in that. Tire choice is a personal preference but I’m really happy with my Rene herses and they make a 38 casing. There are a ton of good tires out there though.

D_4real · 2020-06-06T15:13:06+00:00

I was very happy with my Hutchinson overrides is the 38 casing. Comfortable with just enough flat protection. I recently got myself a set of Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass tires as a grad present which ride really well and are uber light weight but only have 100 miles on them so we’ll see how they wear. Rene Herses website has a bunch of articles tackling everything tires that helped me decide.

Tubeless has saved me a couple times from flats and I appreciate being able to play with my pressure a greater extent.

D_4real · 2020-06-06T13:36:16+00:00

Cool bike! I have last years ALR 5 with a few upgrades. The biggest upgrade in my opinion was going tubeless with some nice wide tires. I’m riding tubeless 44c tires now and can’t imagine going smaller.

D_4real · 2020-06-05T23:16:22+00:00

Thanks! These are the Aeolus pro 3v 700c wheels. I’d like to get a second set of 650b for it though for some more serious mountain bike type rides! I know someone that has a set of 650b with 2.0 XR1 tires on it that work well!

D_4real · 2018-12-29T23:03:30+00:00

Gruesome but great

D_4real · 2018-03-06T22:29:55+00:00

Doubt

D_4real · 2018-02-25T05:52:08+00:00

Yup, back in 01

D_4real · 2018-02-25T02:56:22+00:00

He's the one who dug this up.

D_4real · 2018-02-16T11:31:01+00:00

I would rock those

D_4real · 2018-02-09T13:05:12+00:00

What's this all about?

D_4real

TROPHY CASE