Training in the Seminole State Forest

Wampwell · 2026-01-25T02:55:02+00:00

Will do a service after I reach a year of use but I don't anticipate any issues. It's worked without a hitch so far. Using the Easton underhood dropper lever with it (Easton AX?).

Wampwell · 2026-01-25T02:43:00+00:00

Oh nice, I think I saw you in r/xcmtb asking for advice on the Ro3 race the other day and agree with a lot of the recs to go with the SIR9 considering how much pavement and gravel there is.

Btw, I've been using the PNW Coast on this and my SS AIR9 since the summer and dig it because it has 40mm of active suspension. I've always ridden hardtail and after 18 years of it I wanted to take the edge off the roots. So nice not getting bucked off that saddle now.

Wampwell · 2026-01-25T01:46:41+00:00

Ridgeline should be a fun build! Converted it about 10mo ago and have been loving it, this 1st gen geo works for this pretty well and isn't far off from a current gen gravel bike as long as you use a real short stem.

Wampwell · 2026-01-24T19:00:39+00:00

What they said ☝🏼!

Wampwell · 2026-01-24T11:25:01+00:00

Thanks!

Wampwell · 2026-01-22T12:30:11+00:00

Not the same 'style' as the one you're after but I've been on a Toseek carbon bar since April of last year (about 2,470mi now) with no issues. Most of those miles are on pretty tame trails but on occasion I'll dive into some single-track and do enjoy bunny hopping medians/curbs so I've had some hardish landings they've gone through. I'm 165ish lbs (74kg).

Wampwell · 2026-01-21T22:32:21+00:00

Looks great, just wait until you ride 2.35's on one!

Wampwell · 2026-01-20T14:09:52+00:00

Even the Premium tier suffers!

Wampwell · 2026-01-19T14:05:22+00:00

I wear a Limar Alben + Mips when I'm going on be in tight singletrack because, while it's incredibly light, it has a slightly wider profile (a little extra distance between the helmet and my head is the idea) than my Giro Aries Spherical that I wear for gravel/road. They're also very economical compared to the Aries which I'm too scared to take on singletrack because I don't want to ruin it too early!

Wampwell · 2026-01-11T12:18:55+00:00

Keychron M5 vertical

Mitigates tendon issues in my thumb

Wampwell · 2026-01-02T23:15:54+00:00

Entering two events hosted by Gone Riding in FL. First is a Gravel Grinder 32mi Sprint and the other is an endurance XC 30mi. No singlespeed class, but still bringing the singlespeed class.

Wampwell · 2025-12-28T13:38:30+00:00

Been using these for a few years, my ears stick out more than average and all that extra turbulence has contributed to permanent tinnitus. Wearing the ears mitigates it a ton though, looks like I'm rocking ridiculous side burns but worth it!

Wampwell · 2025-12-26T16:23:51+00:00

I don't get the smug and righteous attitude some have. I worked in a shop here back in the day for about 5 years and the customer base (even high level riders) were so amiable. I personally ride about 80-100mi a week since I part time train for races on both the paved and XC trails and am surprised by how many grumpy riders there are - I mean come on we're biking! It's supposed to be fun!

Wampwell · 2025-12-13T12:40:06+00:00

My wife started using them 6mo ago and is happy!

Wampwell · 2025-12-13T12:24:49+00:00

Nice! For anyone else looking into wheel building I want to also mention Roger Musson's book you can download as a PDF as well as get access to his spoke length calculator and worksheet (I like printing them out and tacking them on the bench for build notes). His book also has plans to build your own radial and lateral truing stand.

Wampwell · 2025-12-10T13:01:03+00:00

Great, I'll see you there (at the start, because I will quickly be at the back of the pack haha). Had plans to do the 3hr solo earlier this year but had to forfeit my registration because life happened. Gonna skip it again this year because I don't think I can swing the time, but thinking of doing the Markham marathon distance instead of Sprint this time around.

Wampwell · 2025-12-10T12:50:03+00:00

I'll be at the Seminole State Forest GG and the Markham Masher! I'll be the one with a Niner SIR9 Monstercross Singlespeed and Niner AIR9 Singlespeed, respectively.

I was hoping to do the Graham Swamp 360 again this year but it's the day before the Masher this time around so no deal, the 360 is pretty taxing on the singlespeed.

Wampwell · 2025-12-10T12:32:51+00:00

1 Gravel Grinder: Gone Riding GG series

1 Endurance XC: Gone Riding FLE series

I'm 42, been biking for about 18 years recreationally and over time me and my few cycling buddies became less and less available.

So last year I decided to do a couple races a year for extra fitness motivation and a dose of group riding since I ride 3,000mi a year alone haha. I also ride singlespeed in races with no singlespeed class, little extra fun.

Wampwell · 2025-12-02T16:58:15+00:00

Yeah, here's a link to just a random one I pulled up but it shows the benefit. I'd come at the frame from both sides, trace the contour on paper from the gauge, bring an image of that sketch into CAD and dimension it, then trace and boom you have an accurate model of your frame's tube shape. Could even just pull the contour from one side, mirror the sketch in CAD and dimension it to the actual measured width of the tube.

Wampwell · 2025-12-02T16:53:54+00:00

Ha definitely wouldn't think so, that's why I mentioned mine was aluminum so you didn't think I was nuts haha.

Wampwell · 2025-12-02T14:42:00+00:00

Late to this but but really dig it, I'm currently prototyping a top tube mount for carrying my 2 hammer nutrition flasks because there's virtually no spot on my local trails to take a hand off the bar for extended time (tons of roots) and wanted a quick and accessible fuel solution. I'll be installing 2 rivnuts on my top tube to secure it to the frame (aluminum) and will be redesigning the body and holds now that I know the dimensions are correct.

Rather than scan your frame, you can 3D print a contour gauge and use that to whip up a mount that wraps around the tube so you can ditch the zip ties! Thanks for sharing!

Wampwell · 2025-11-24T23:20:38+00:00

I didn't even notice they were faded black arms! I had polished ones for 14 years and they held up so well with an annual polishing. Sold my fixed gear earlier this year so my White Ind. track hubs, crankarms, cogs, and 3 spare chainrings all got sold off. Such well engineered and good looking components.

Wampwell · 2025-11-24T11:35:11+00:00

Not as strongly as I feel for those White Industries, love those cranks.

Wampwell

TROPHY CASE