Canyon Grail

[EricG]

how does that double bar feel?

 

[Erik Timmerman]

The Schwalbe/DT-Swiss combo sure converts to tubeless easily. The rims were already taped, all I needed to do was drop in the valves and some sealant. It sealed up on the first try at a pretty low pressure, I pumped it up to 60 psi, gave it a spin and left it overnight. It still was rock hard this AM, dropped pressure to 45 psi, and will try it there.

 

[Erik Timmerman]

how does that double bar feel?

Feels normal, you can't, probably shouldn't use the lower level. It is forward of the top deck and your wrists wrest right against the top deck if you do try it, seems like a broken wrist waiting to happen, plus it's not that comfortable. All the normal positions are there, and in the drops you get a little bit of extra stability from the crossbar. The new Ultra hoods feel great, it's hard to believe there is a hydraulic brake hiding inside there.

 

[cantunamunch]

So. D2R2 this year?

 

[Erik Timmerman]

So. D2R2 this year?

I wouldn't rule it out.

 

[Erik Timmerman]

Wow, seriously, so 5 days after I get my new bike, Shimano announces this?

https://bikerumor.com/2019/05/07/sh...st-dedicated-to-gravel-w-10-11-speed-options/

I will tell you this, riding single track on it yesterday, I was thinking that it would be great if they could redesign the brake levers to work better from the hoods...

 

[T-Square]

As I’ve said when buying computers, you just pick the level of obsolescence you will be happy with. Same goes with bikes, skis, and boots.

Anyway, nice to see Shimano is making improvements all the time.

 

[CalG]

Wow, seriously, so 5 days after I get my new bike, Shimano announces this?

https://bikerumor.com/2019/05/07/sh...st-dedicated-to-gravel-w-10-11-speed-options/

I will tell you this, riding single track on it yesterday, I was thinking that it would be great if they could redesign the brake levers to work better from the hoods...

Ohh! OooH! Different bling! Want Want! Gimme, Gimme!

 

[EricG]

Erik - in all honesty the new hoods on the gravel group are much different (kinda more SRAM’y) than the hoods you have on your current Ultegra and if you are comfy on your current hoods you may not like the new ones.

 

[Erik Timmerman]

Stopped on this 20% hill for a photo with these critters.

 

[Erik Timmerman]

I haven't really been piling on the miles yet this year, so I decided I needed a shock to the system. Just did a loop up and over Smuggler's Notch riding as much gravel as I could. Maybe 60-70% gravel. I tell you what, it is a while different workout from the mountain bike. I mean there's not many places where you will climb for an hour non-stop on a mountain bike. Not in Vermont anyway (Thank God). Of course I remembered Greg Lemond, "it never gets easier, you just go faster", and even though I meant to go easy, I kept putting the hammer down. On the last climb, I thought I might need to back off as I was seeing stars... actually, it turned out to be a swarm of black flies orbiting my face. Still, if you 're not sure, maybe you are shocking the system.

Anyway, notes on the bike - Sooooo stable. GPS said I was doing 48mph down the Notch Road, no hint of speed wobble, could probably take your hands off the bars at that speed. Also, definitely gonna be looking at some different saddles. I was OK for 2 hrs, but the 2 after that were not that great! This one almost has a hump in the middle, I think I want longer, flatter, maybe a touch wider at the back.

 

[Erik Timmerman]

 

[Jersey Skier]

4 hour rides with one water bottle?

 

[scott43]

4 hour rides with one water bottle?

The river is right there...

 

[Mike Thomas]

4 hour rides with one water bottle?

There are 4 breweries and 2 distillers on that loop.

 

[Jersey Skier]

The river is right there...

Hey, I ride in NJ. I'd rather dehydrate and die.

 

[Jersey Skier]

There are 4 breweries and 2 distillers on that loop.

Works for me!

 

[Jersey Skier]

There are 4 breweries and 2 distillers on that loop.

Need some of these.

 

[Erik Timmerman]

BTW- the rear tire felt a little soft yesterday. Turns out I only had 35 psi rear and 38 front. I think I'm gonna try sticking to 45/40.

 

[Erik Timmerman]

The kid has wicked shin splints from track right now, so took her on her first gravel ride. She rode road once and hated everything about it. Rented a Specialized Diverge with 105 group and carbon frame. Knocked out a quick twenty miles on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail.