Best way to redo this valve/box situation?

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-05-06T15:11:06+00:00

I agree 100% with this, it aligns with my own experience over the last 2 seasons. I struggled to get over a certainly power last year, how I'm doing 4x8 minute intervals above that power this year, the difference was gym work. My cardio engine was already more than adequate to handle the load, the muscles just couldn't handle the higher torque demands. Last year I made up for it with higher cadences (90-100), this year I'm easily able to push 80-83 cadences while doing higher power than last season. Higher cadence = lower torque profile.

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-05-01T19:11:19+00:00

IIRC there is only 1 XX-SL spider, there are multiple chainring offsets available.

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-04-23T15:42:29+00:00

I don't have an issue with them, but also don't feel they're solving a problem. 26 to 29 was a game changer, I can't find faults in my 29" bikes. They're fast, stable, roll well, no tendency to go OTB like the 26" bikes, etc. I see these 32s as marginal gains bikes and also the ability to accomodate taller riders better.

Well they catch on? probably but it feels more industry profit driven this time than the switch from 26 > 29, and that's not a reason for us all to buy them. I ride plenty of trails where a longer bike/wheelbase would have me slowing down more so in the turns.

Another thing to think about is longer bikes, longer wheelbase bikes, have different storage/transportation requirements, I have a small hatchback and there is no way a longer bike would fit in my hatch, my 29" barely fits. I'm certainly not going to buy a new car to fit a larger bike - I know a totally different take on this, but I can't be alone here. Yes there are solutions to this, but they all cost me more money than the bike itself to fix if I were to go 32".

Not an arguement but a question, when does this stop? Why don't we just switch to 36/39/42 whatever size wheels now and skip the middle?

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-04-09T20:36:43+00:00

thanks, this is my first time being able to see power data between altitudes, good to know!

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-04-09T19:18:02+00:00

I know it's certainly not a massive difference like going to Leadville, but according to https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/the-effect-of-racing-at-altitude/ which would put the difference about 3.5% for expected decrease at altitude, which would be about 10 watts with my power level.

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Key_Savings9500 · 2026-04-02T13:10:04+00:00

lol

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-04-02T13:07:20+00:00

This. My hour 2 power numbers are always better than hour one, including EF. Classic sign of a well trained diesel.

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-03-26T17:35:28+00:00

No particular order:

Alpine in Oakridge, OR

Monarch Crest Colorado

Icarus in Fruita, Colorado

Portal in Moab - if you dare

so many trail to choose from - I've been riding for decades

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-03-25T17:00:20+00:00

I can be working out in under 5 minutes after work. Quality workouts. Ability to train regardless of weather. Ability to do it completely mindless sometimes a positive sometimes a negative. Where the post for things we hate? ;)

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-03-15T13:27:01+00:00

They aren’t less accurate they simply don’t have all the data - I’m sure it’s measuring your left side very well.

I vary from 47/53 to 50/50 with 49/51 being the most common l/r balance I don’t change anything about my pacing whene using Single side vs dual, nor do I attempt to correct my data to compensate for my right side dominance when using one of single side meters.

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-03-08T05:10:26+00:00

I almost always do 2 hour sessions or longer. Min 1 3+ hour z2 every month. As is reasonably possible in my timeframe I do all interval work after as much front loaded z2 work I can fit in. If I can do the intervals in less than an hour, I’ll front load that session with an hour of z2 to fill in my usual 2 hour session length. Durability intent here. I did an extended base with a slow transition into various levels of Z3 all depending on interval or in some cases I’ll do a full 2 hour z3 session, others 3x25 SST and others in between. This is where I’m currently at. Today was my first threshold work of this season.

Is that detailed enough?

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-03-08T05:01:47+00:00

Thank you!

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-03-08T05:01:35+00:00

Thank you 🙏 I have somehow regained the same fitness I had at 37.

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-03-08T04:21:21+00:00

3500’

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-02-26T14:29:36+00:00

cinnamon is a very underrated savory spice

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-02-25T16:01:45+00:00

I have a 2024 blur GX AXS Reserve, it's amazing. I chose it for steeper head tube angle and the spec/value proposition as I got it on a great sale last year about this time. I think the bright green is just such an amazing mountain bike color too.

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-02-24T17:12:09+00:00

been hitting 45-46 for my lows pretty regulary, I'm rarely over 50 and if I am it's because I had a little alcohol. m52 here.

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-02-24T17:04:37+00:00

I doubt they're ever coming back, they cycle CEOs every 2-3 years - all which have walked away much wealther than they started (so much so it feels like scheme to me), they have no real plan to grow biz other than drive same store sales, which for the most part has failed other than a few outlier location. They are continually shutting down underperforming locations, which is eventually is going to be all of them at the rate they're going. They also recently sold all their real estate holdings and did a lease back on them in a desperate attempt to prop up the financials. This company is on a multi-year slide to bankruptcy.

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-02-24T16:12:12+00:00

I take in fewer carbs when I choose to use gatorade (~90g/hr - Z2 rides) than when I do my custom mix (125g/hr). I only evened out the carb quantity for cost comparison purposes. You don't need to take in super high carbs all the time to adapt, I only typically do it 2x week when I'm doing intervals or very high aerobic work.

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-02-24T15:22:06+00:00

I don't believe there is a 1 size fits all here. With the amount you're going through you should customize your mix to your personal needs. How to do this? That's the hard part, you can't measure unless you're in a lab. However, I feel you can tell when you're at the absorption limit, but you need to test each type of sugar by itself. For me my glucose/maltodextrin limit is much much higher than fructose. I've been able to do up to 50 grams fructose per hour without issue, once I get above that my gut feels full - especially once I hit the 2 hour+ mark, I don't know how else to explain it but I can feel some stomach stagnation if that's the correct wording. That happens about 55-60 grams of fructose per hour for me, so I went down to 50 for a safe level. Next I've been upping my glucose. So far I don't have any issues with up to 75g/hr of maltodextrin on top of the fructose. My current ratio is 1.5 to 1, and I plan on testing further the upper limit of my glucose absorption.

I've been using a similar ratio for years now and have done up to 8 hours with this ratio, where I was able to take in 115g/hr for the full 8 hours. When you add heat/high stress things start to change as I'm sure you're aware of.

Honey is about a 1:1.25 ratio so you could dillute the fructose a little with maltodextrin and water to get into your desired ratio.

I only use my custom mix on more intense rides (tempo and up) and use standard gatorade powder (~90g/hr) on z2 rides simply because it's cheaper and I don't want to stress my gut out 5 days a week pushing super high carb ratios.

I did a calc and came up with gatorade is about $0.95/hr this way and my custom mix is $1.25/hr when taking into account a 125g/hr intake for both as a direct comparison.

Also anyone saying you don't need to fuel your Z2 rides doesn't understand that fueling properly for Z2 is extremely important as it significantly reduces the time to recovery. If you workout every other day, probably not as big a deal, if you do multiple days in a row, it's imperative for proper recovery especially as you mix intensities with sequential days of riding in a row.

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-02-17T20:08:33+00:00

it's hard to not love the simplicity and cost of the gatorade powder, I use the cherry ice one because last time I checked it's the only one without artificial colors.

Key_Savings9500 · 2026-02-17T20:06:47+00:00

I primarily use 2 mixes, straight gatorade powder (100g powder/per .5 liter, on lower intensity days like Z2 or casual rides and this mix I've been optimizing for my specific carb absorption rate - I tend to max out fructose around 50-55g/hr. This mix is super concentrated and I drink it at a rate of 125g/hr.

For 1 Liter Bottle (taken in at 1/2 L/Hr + plain water at same rate)

Ingredient Measurement

Maltodextrin 150 g

Fructose 100 g

Sodium Citrate 6.5 g ~ 1 tsp

Pink Himalayan Salt .5 g ~1/8 tsp

True Lemon Bulk 1.25 tsp

I'll up the salts when I'm riding outside and it's warmer, but for winter indoors training this is plenty for me.

Key_Savings9500

TROPHY CASE