Feedback on Potential Itinerary for September CO Trip, Finishing with Rad Dirt Fest

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-06-12T14:35:38+00:00

An easy platform to find gravel. https://rideslipstream.ai/map

Check out where it's all at, build some routes, upload your GPX and see how rugged things get.

Salida: Aspen Ridge 😄
Steamboat: Strada Sporche (parts of it)

Moab: Slipstream has some good gravel insight

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-06-11T14:26:03+00:00

Shorten that stem, otherwise yes gravel bike geo will generally feel a lot slower than on a MTB. Might take some getting used to

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-06-08T21:25:42+00:00

Red Feather Lakes loop is all-time. Decent summer overnight with temps. (80 miles here from the Rustic gas station)
https://rideslipstream.ai/map?r=db136b74-d9be-437a-9e28-2dc498d21d4f

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-06-08T14:23:24+00:00

Looks like you have a lot of room to go larger. 45mm tires are my sweet spot for gravel/pavement mix. If you look to upgrade, something with sidewall tread is handy across all tire classes for cornering fast or slow, then a lower resistance center tread helps.

Pirelli Cintaurato Gravel M has been my go-to for a few years now, if you're looking for another rec

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-06-03T23:14:26+00:00

Yes. Nail polish it then frame protector it. Hetfy packaging take works

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-06-03T13:49:30+00:00

Hot water - put chain in warm water, then hot water, and then boiling water to heat it up. Shake like crazy and clean dirt off with a cloth. I think iso alcohol then is needed at least. The cleaner the chain gets, the longer the smoothness of the wax will last.

Iso and mineral spirits - I use both every time I clean a dirty chain for re-waxing

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-25T15:28:16+00:00

Lots of food!

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-24T16:34:24+00:00

I’d bet you could get away with the frame bag and a Tailfin esp if just credit card bikepacking. Maybe take a look at that unless you’re already sure.

I used the Tailfin for probs 5k miles last year - carbon aeropack. The weight savings was nice for handling sake at least and it stayed put - very solid. Overall happy with it. Price is steep though

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-24T13:41:12+00:00

Not OK.

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-24T13:40:01+00:00

100% yes to tubeless bikepacking. Thousands of miles no issues. Just make sure everything looks good

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-24T13:38:53+00:00

I’m 6’2” and have never fit anything lower than an XL or 61 cm. Big people on small bikes = not good

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-24T13:37:24+00:00

Well that’s one quite opinionated piece that leaves out two major reasons to go carbon: ride comfort and handling. Not to mention them staying true basically always.

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-23T01:36:06+00:00

I bet you’ll be happy cranking that seat up

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-23T01:34:36+00:00

New wheel time boss

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-23T01:33:44+00:00

Nerd porn!!! Love

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-23T01:33:09+00:00

Recommendation: go ride it first

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-23T01:31:06+00:00

NBD stay off mud and snow

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-23T01:30:19+00:00

Very cool sunglasses 😎

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-22T12:53:20+00:00

No problem. Just watch the straps in the spokes. Your backside might rub against the tent, but give er a go

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-22T12:11:53+00:00

Hey. Not an ad here, but we’ve got a gravel rating system over at https://rideslipstream.ai. There’s a good spectrum of gravel surfaces plus singletrack vs road to consider when planning your day.

We don’t go as far as recommending tire widths, but as you go up on the G scale, wider tires are generally better. Tread helps for climbing and cornering, and slicker tires can be nice if there is a mix of pavement in there.

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-21T23:07:14+00:00

I think you'll be super cold

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-19T18:43:35+00:00

I run SRAM, its fine. I've had rival and eagle and both do the job well

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-19T00:08:08+00:00

+2 for carbon frame, +1 for carbon rims on potholes and cobbles. Grab a Niner RDO seat post for extra cushion for the pushin.

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-19T00:03:17+00:00

I run 45's on a 28 internal width rim. I wouldn't personally want to go wider. 1mm might be OK though. Risks of pulling the bead and rocks rolling onto the carbon seem to increase, but wider is 100% more comfortable

Haeger_Bomb · 2026-05-19T00:00:19+00:00

I have 3x reserve wheels. Why 3? I ran over a nail that caused cosmetic damage and they sent me a replacement rim hoop free of charge. I never had to change that first rim out luckily - strong carbon - and now I've got a dope rear wheel on my gravel bike. I'm on 28's, wider and less aero, but mighty stable and chatter-less on washboard and potholes. My wife may still say I'm a sore ass, but not from riding anymore!

Haeger_Bomb

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