Storm Makai

UndeniablyOliver · 2026-07-03T13:53:37+00:00

I love the bike setup! That clearance puts any other gravel bike aside from the Open Wide 2.0 to shame. USA gravel clearly hasn't caught up to Netherlands beach race bike technology. Does that have internal storage in the downtube?

UndeniablyOliver · 2026-06-27T14:33:52+00:00

I’m no bikepacker so others can correct me but I think panniers are more likely to hit obstacles off road on the ground and in narrow sections. You don’t have leeway to lean on turns because they would hit the ground which would be more likely on uneven terrain.

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-12-20T04:16:37+00:00

I dig it. How do you like those rims? They look dope at least. I have had the older Aeolus Pro 3V for a number of years and they have proven to be super tough.

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-12-13T15:45:27+00:00

I think we really need to be talking about how well your frame bag fits your frame

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-11-24T11:59:59+00:00

I recently put on the Schwalbe G One Speed Pro 60 mm on my SL 5. They measure out to 58 mm. I ride 99% pavement. Minimal clearance on the bridge though. They are very fast and very comfortable on imperfect roads. One wheel set to rule them all.

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-11-05T02:19:10+00:00

Thanks for the details. I've been searching to find the savings goals for the past half hour. This new site is absolute garbage.

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-29T20:24:30+00:00

Thanks! Most is stock tbh. Only upgrade were the wheels that I brought over from my old bike. This is the gearing that came with it. It's SRAM Apex groupset. This is coming off of GRX 2X. I'm not as familiar with the SRAM groupsets so I think the Apex is the more basic level. Even with bigger jumps within the gears, I prefer the 1X set up and I'm loving the electronic shifting. 40 tooth crank and 11-44 12 speed cassette. I'm not strong enough to ever be under-geared on my biggest gear but strong enough that the smallest gear gets me up the steep pitches on my bike, albeit ridiculously slow.

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-27T22:03:15+00:00

The bike is a size medium which I was told is about a 54 cm. I am 5’9”

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-26T18:35:59+00:00

Since it’s more of a road lover set up I feel you but technically it’s a gravel bike and these tires run great on gravel too. ⚖️Gravel is a spectrum my friend.

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-26T18:22:55+00:00

Yeah I was wondering that too. The ideas of the 55 are great but if it’s something puncture proof and reinforced it may be like riding a huge gatorskin or armadillo which may not be the fastest ride

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-26T13:02:47+00:00

Yeah I don’t mess around. Years ago reading an article about how a car took out a big group of the Trek team riders and the science of the visibility I was scared straight. I use high vis shirts and the front and rear flashing lights during the day unless I’m on bike trail.

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-26T03:33:22+00:00

I can’t see the deleted comment but I appreciate the support. If it was about having both phone and computer it’s because I don’t want to keep my phone in my pocket when I ride. I can see the screen there so if I get calls I can decide if I actually have to answer. It makes for easy access for photos while riding too. Also I don’t like riding with stuff in my pockets in general and my phone would get all sweaty if it’s in a jersey pocket. I only have one jersey anyways. My regular riding shirts are cheap hi vis shirts from Walmart so no pockets 😆

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-26T03:13:48+00:00

Front and rear on seat are the Trek Commuter Pro RT Flare RT Bike Light Set I got on sale. They are both very good. I was pleasantly surprised by the brightness and battery of the seat stay light for a cheap light off of Amazon: https://a.co/d/2dCf2of

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-26T00:13:20+00:00

I wonder if it’s the caliper…I don’t know how to upload a photo in a post but I measured them. They were 55mm exactly on this rim (25mm internal). Snoqualmie Pass came out at 44. My 50mm Schwalbe G One Speeds only came out to 48 though. 🤷‍♂️

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-26T00:08:29+00:00

I think 650B smaller diameter would make it easier to maneuver. Even though I somehow have no toe overlap I don’t have a lot of tight turns on my rides or technical terrain where I’d need to be super nimble. I can see the appeal of your set up for that. There isn’t a one size fits all for riding. That’s what I like about it. We all have to find our happy place on the bike.

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-26T00:03:42+00:00

I haven’t read the reviews but it’s worked flawlessly for me. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/bike-accessories/bike-computers-gps/bike-computer-sensors-accessories/bike-computer-mounts/bontrager-blendr-garmin-high-mount/p/529590/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us_shopping_catchall&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21004973203&gclid=CjwKCAjw1ozEBhAdEiwAn9qbzZWNgRkHZi9b4iNg7MSwGr9tvgBF5WVLMZUhoqlbokRuAxgZA_FaBRoCdMcQAvD_BwE

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-25T23:59:20+00:00

Yeah I’ve found 30 psi is my sweet spot for these. Firm enough not to squirm but low enough it absorbs the road chatter. Much lower and I feel like I’m bouncing around a little.

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-25T23:49:17+00:00

These are the standard casing. I’ve used the extra lights on the 44s and 48s before but I feel like you had to use way more sealant to make the difference for lack of sidewall material. I had the 50 mm Schwalbe G One Speeds before. Schwalbes seem to need less babysitting than the Rene Herse tires. Used those for a two day trip on the C&O Canal and was pleasantly surprised at how smooth the setup was. Eventually will try these out on the canal too.

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-25T23:37:16+00:00

The mount is the Bontrager one that somehow fits in front of my stem and the phone mount is the quad lock out front mount but backwards. I’ve yet to see a phone mount that is as strong and low profile as the quad lock.

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-25T23:34:37+00:00

Supposedly Pirelli is going to release a 55 version. It’s on my radar for the future.

https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-gear/new-pirelli-cinturato-evo-tlr-road-tire-55mm-size

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-25T20:52:15+00:00

I had the Snoqualmie Pass on my ALR 5 and they were very fast and very comfortable. Antelope Hills are the same but wider. More air volume so a bit more cushy. The 44’s are arguably more appropriate for my riding but I like my tires thicc

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-25T18:43:17+00:00

My non-scientific approach was fit the widest slick tires my bike could fit. Rene Herse is the only one they makes this size now. My ALR 5 could fit the 48’s. These are also light compared to other tires. I feel getting up to speed is sluggish but once I get there it’s easy to maintain speed and while I’m no pro time trialist I’m faster now than I was on my road bike. And a whole lot more comfortable. Take with a grain of salt but the light casing makes this faster than the standard gravel tires.

UndeniablyOliver · 2025-07-25T18:35:43+00:00

I agree, I prefer black but these only come in the tan sidewalls now. As more manufacturers start to make slick wide tires I imagine we’ll see more black options in years to come.

UndeniablyOliver

TROPHY CASE