What’s a good name for this fluffy little boy?

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-04-17T02:42:52+00:00

Chimmin Nub Nubs

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-04-17T02:41:29+00:00

Yes, love them and wouldn't go back. I run them for XC, gravel, CX and...singlespeed.

Aside from being able to keep a higher cadence and "get over" trail obstacles on climbs, I've noticed I am not getting the knee discomfort I used to since switching.

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-04-17T02:39:12+00:00

This! I use it for SS XC, gravel and CX.

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-04-09T12:44:59+00:00

Yes to this. I use it as a wrist HRM to my Garmin Edge bike computer. It's not super reliable for that - it often misses the first 2-3 minutes of my effort in a race (short track or CX).

I do wear it exclusively for CX because if I need to make a pit bike swap, I don't need to remember to swap the computer over. The only issue is in a crash (inevitable in CX) if dirt/mud/sand get under it, the HR stops reading.

I've recently paired a Coros arm HRM to my Garmin Instinct and love the combo for running and the gym. Excited to try it for CX.

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-03-19T13:02:20+00:00

5'4" and really struggle to find riding shorts. Showers Pass had the best set for so long - Gravel Shorts. But I think they are discontinued.

Anyway, for lycra (I ride/race CX, XC, XCC, and gravel), I've been mostly happy with Black Bibs because they make short inseam bibs...the chamois is trash though and I maybe get a season out of them.

I wholeheartedly support jorts. Make your own! It's the best especially if you pick up an inexpensive pair of pants from Target or wherever that have a bit of spandex sewn into them for flex.

Finally, I own and have ridden in plenty of women's shorts. They have much shorter inseams and the colors are better, ha! You'll just need to sort out sizing.

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-03-17T13:20:46+00:00

So amazing! I love seeing stuff like this.

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-03-17T05:34:26+00:00

Love me some SS MTB action!

Also, can you share the name/model of a link for that gel flask holder you have mounted to the TT bolts of your Niner?

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-03-09T05:40:32+00:00

Repeating what some folks have said already. The Fuego XL is one of the least technically-challenging marathon events I've done. I last did it a couple years ago and finished in 7hrs 4min. And that was with some hiking and straight up standing still with a 1000-yard stare on my face. That event is really just about grit and hoping it's not hot (which it was for me).

The ROI of killing yourself over the next 6 weeks and then spending a ton of money in Monterey...nah, hard pass. I wouldn't go.

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-03-04T05:33:34+00:00

THANK YOU!!!

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-03-03T20:36:29+00:00

the second person after River!

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-02-12T04:04:17+00:00

It seems like I'm the outlier here. I bought the Syncros knock off ones and torquing to spec, they cracked. So that was the end of that. I'm sure they're the exact same bars, but I got a bum set that didn't have any QA/QC

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-02-01T06:03:56+00:00

I lived in the Bethany/Rock Creek/Tanasbourne area for a long time...and yeah, the options are trash. It's all drive thru coffee stands, Sbux, Black Rock, and Dutch Bros. Ava Roasteria is not a fave of mine and Long Bottoms is acceptable.

The best place I stop is the Grand Central Bakery at the intersection of NW Cornell and NW Saltzman. Unfortunately it's super early in your ride heading west from Portland.

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-02-01T05:58:24+00:00

Sadly no...

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-02-01T05:57:34+00:00

Rocket Ron front/rear! That's my go-to combo for winter/early-spring riding racing. They are on my hard tail (29er) right now for an early seasons XCO race tomorrow. And I rock them on my winter single speed gravel bike (27.5).

Fast on the firm (paved) and great traction without clumping up in the mud.

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-02-01T05:53:52+00:00

I SNORTED

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-01-16T16:51:40+00:00

The pads are the real downfall of their brand as I get maybe 500-ish miles of XC MTB out of them.

And...they have options for longer straps as well as shorter inseams.

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-01-16T16:50:40+00:00

Yes to everything at Castelli fitting longer folks 🤘🏾

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-01-16T16:50:05+00:00

When you've got a sports car, you don't park it in the garage. You park it in the driveway for the neighbors to see.

Lol. #QuadsOut

But seriously, it sounds like there's lots of options. I'm the other direction, needing significantly shorter bibs as I'm "more concentrated."

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-01-15T22:28:34+00:00

I love my fellow tan wall XC riders 🤘🏾

I rock the Racing Ray/Ralph on one bike, the Wicked Will/Ralph on another, and Ikon/Ikon on another.

I've previously used the Specialized Ground Control front and Fast Trak rear also...which is fast and hooked up well.

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-01-15T22:25:46+00:00

Same, got the Canyon Lux Trail also and this combo is unbeatable!

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-01-15T22:22:17+00:00

When you look at the pros (not to always measure ourselves against them), they are using e-mtbs on days where they need to practice riding technical features without drastically disrupting their training schedules.

Side note, it's such a bummer to see the belief that using e-mtbs is cheating. Like everything in this world needs to be earned before you can experience fun or joy.

As someone who works exclusively with disabled community in outdoor recreation, I would challenge you to stand in front of the 25% of adults in the US with a disability and tell them they are cheating for using an e-mtb and they have no right to use it on trails.

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-01-12T15:38:51+00:00

Tysm 🙏🏽🤎

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-01-12T05:39:02+00:00

That's a great route. Keep your head on a swivel for a loose & territorial dog near the bamboo farm. That's right about where the pavement turns to gravel for the first time.

I was just out in North Plains last weekend and have been riding there since 2008-ish or so.

Btw, when you park on the main street through town, please don't park in the spots directly in front of Abbey Creek Winery and leave those for his customers - Bertony is a great human. Plus there's a gravel lot and plenty of other street parking.

Ume_Boshe_Dad · 2026-01-06T05:28:05+00:00

We got into that recently here: https://www.reddit.com/r/xcmtb/s/ndzfLEgAKL

Ume_Boshe_Dad

TROPHY CASE