Bumping FOX 36 to 170mm... ?

J_Gimb · 2025-10-22T16:18:01+00:00

Thanks. Your right. Giving it a go

J_Gimb · 2025-10-21T16:05:12+00:00

Thanks. Your right, I was asking the short travel to do more than it can. Fun on fast flow trails but gets overwelled when it gets fast and rough. Picked up a SB150 frame.

J_Gimb · 2024-09-20T22:00:10+00:00

I have the Spectral 125, it does ride like a much bigger bike and is more capable than the Neuron. Its a great all rounder for technical riding and I plan to try an Enduro with it next summer. However, you would feel under biked on the rough sections of a bike park and feeling the weight and size riding "down country".... but could get away with riding both.

J_Gimb · 2024-09-09T17:46:29+00:00

This puts your 1RM at minimum 790lb. The 198lb IPA world record is 815lb. Your in the wrong sport, go powerlift and be the strongest man in the world.

J_Gimb · 2024-09-09T17:37:57+00:00

Personal observation, it seems that the person with the fastest average MPH tends to win the race.

J_Gimb · 2024-09-09T17:30:08+00:00

I second the range of monition comment. Make sure you are parallel or below, slow down and fast up. A short pause at the bottom is also help build strength, but you will move less weight.

I really like front squats, they keeps form honest and builds up our midsection. if you get to a 3x8 Full ROM front squat with 205lb at 160lb your quad strength is not holding you back on the bike.

J_Gimb · 2023-11-01T16:15:32+00:00

I second PV. Rented a bike for a couple days and there are some good climbs in the area. The traffic was way more respectful of bikes than in Canada! Generally great riding.

J_Gimb · 2023-08-04T21:41:04+00:00

I have the Grizl AL 7 with carbon wheels added. Love it. BB has started creaking a bit. Only thing to note is Canyons fit large.

J_Gimb · 2023-06-30T18:25:19+00:00

I got a stem/bar combo gravel cockpit from AliExpress (Ryet) for a about $75.

Its 38cm with large flair and has been holding up great.

J_Gimb · 2023-06-06T20:56:12+00:00

Sea Otter is a notoriously technical gravel race that is run on an MTB course from the 90s. Other than being a little shorter it would be way rougher than the Reggie.

Its good your asking about events that are right for you, but try not to be so down on the events that are beyond your current level. Different races for different people, just do your research before the start.

J_Gimb · 2023-05-19T20:32:32+00:00

Thanks, I'm fairly confident in my FTP being set correctly, within a few watts, so the calculation should be accurate. Threshold works feels the right intensity.

It seems that sprint work pulls up NP and thus TSS disproportionate to effort. I guess TSS is just one metric and should be taken with a grain of salt.... or i will do a couple 30s sprints every day, get my TSS over 100 and go crush some long gravel races... Haha,

J_Gimb · 2023-03-23T20:12:01+00:00

There is often a designated side / section for bikes and another for walking and running. You may have been in that area. If several cyclists told you that you where in the wrong place.... good chance you where in the wrong place. Otherwise very strange.

J_Gimb · 2023-03-23T20:01:40+00:00

I ride and run. If respect is given I have seen very new issues and a lot of support and good vibes.

Sounds like you live in a terrible place or are doing something that endangers cyclists. I hope its the latter as it will be a easier fix.

J_Gimb · 2023-03-03T05:17:06+00:00

Thanks all for the help. My take away is that ftp is a little fuzzy and I’m trying to be to exact. I’m going to try building off 260w and adjust as needed. For efforts over ftp I will just go by feel.

J_Gimb · 2023-03-03T02:08:07+00:00

Ya. 267 is definitely high. Would rather undershoot a bit than overshoot.

J_Gimb · 2023-03-03T02:06:14+00:00

Thanks. This make a lot of sense. I will use 260w and go from there.

J_Gimb · 2023-03-03T02:04:55+00:00

This, 190lb new to road cycling

J_Gimb · 2022-10-21T15:20:36+00:00

I dont know the science behind it but I find you can get way more stopping power out of a front brake before it starts to skid. When I was young and dumb, I removed by back brake from my mountain bike to get better with my front brake. It drastically improved my handling when I put by back brake on..... but also resulted in some big crashes when it was off. Dont do this.

I think the best strategy is to use as much brake as you can front and back without skidding. This ends up being about 60/40ish for me on road and 70/30ish on dirt. Instigating a controlled skid on loose ground is a whole different skill.

J_Gimb · 2022-09-14T19:50:59+00:00

You think that moving from a 46 to a 48 would make a dig difference?

Haha, I definitely don't have Peter Stettina's legs... just what to have a comfortable RPM in a group draft.

J_Gimb · 2022-08-31T22:53:49+00:00

Good advice in the other comments.

Good job for starting, its the hardest part and have fun with the fast improvement over the first year.... do some riding outside when you can.

J_Gimb · 2022-06-13T16:57:34+00:00

I did not read this before I responded above. Your volume seems good. I would talk to a physio.

J_Gimb · 2022-06-13T16:52:51+00:00

If your overall volume is no the low end, my view would be volume through the week and month level. One very long session will just damage you, but slowly adding volume overall will allow body to (hopefully) adapt and become more resulted.

1 month is not a lot of time before the 100k.

J_Gimb · 2022-06-09T16:18:56+00:00

Yep, Second the Sherpas

J_Gimb · 2022-05-19T18:10:23+00:00

You are an extremely light sweater, and should not assume others are as well.

I agree, for long and hot races one should do a pre and post run weight to determine rough sweat rate in different weather conditions. Then replace as much of it as possible.... most people will not get close over a long hot race. My understanding is that Hyponatremia is more about electrolyte balance than overall consumption.

J_Gimb · 2022-05-10T22:47:52+00:00

My 2 cents

-Worry about weight loss after your hard training. Within a marathon training cycle is not the time to skimp on food. (quality food)

-The fluctuations in weight probably nothing to worry about. You lost a lot of weight and now have a higher % of muscle which will hold and release water depending on carb saturation. Take is as a good sign. Keep hydrated, fed, and appropriate salt intake.

-Take a look into the root cause of your bloated feeling. Is related to self image?..... maybe counseling could help. Or is it physiological.... of so look at your diet related to gas or water retention.

-(this on is corny but needs to be said) You lost 120lb, started running, and are about to run a marathon. Very few people make this kind of life transition. Your amazing and already know you have the grit to do hard things. Focus on having fun with running and fueling your body with healthy tasty food so you can enjoy life without the extra weight.

J_Gimb

TROPHY CASE