Lake Keowee house info
Guided tour/private lesson, hourly rate
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Ouch legs
Extra strength Tylenol for me tonight. Did the Mansfield Epic 8 hour today in the Tag Team under 70 (combined lol) age category. Got 3rd in our category, it was awesome. I am super proud of my partner in crime for cranking out some fast laps.
My times were nice and consistent, I was pleased.
29:56, 29:54, 30:31, 30:19, 30:03, 30:13, 30:46, 31:57
Darn last lap.Guess my old man legs just couldn't hold out any longer;-) Right now I am devouring a big bowl of chili since it is the only thing in my fridge that is ready to go and I resisted the McDonalds temptation. Gotta save that coin for the Skyline, oh and yeah it's bad for you too.
My times were nice and consistent, I was pleased.
29:56, 29:54, 30:31, 30:19, 30:03, 30:13, 30:46, 31:57
Darn last lap.Guess my old man legs just couldn't hold out any longer;-) Right now I am devouring a big bowl of chili since it is the only thing in my fridge that is ready to go and I resisted the McDonalds temptation. Gotta save that coin for the Skyline, oh and yeah it's bad for you too.
Friday, May 7, 2010
The X-Ben 2x9 Experiment
What I am running this year and why
*pictures and weights to come
I have been getting a fair amount of interest in my current 2x9 setup whether it be online or passers by. Seems I am not the only one that has been left wanting more in terms of shifting performance, gear ratios, and weight savings. So I am here to set the record straight about my setup and how it came to be.
*disclaimer - yes I know that I am in no way being original and I got most of my ideas from other peoples setups.
It's really much less scientific than you might think. Pretty much the story goes........ I am used to running 11-34 cassettes with long cage derailleurs and triple rings up front (22-32-44). In the past, lets say, 5 years of riding and racing I have not come upon a situation that required me to use my 22 tooth or granny ring........ever. Sure there are situations that may exist, like Trans Rockies or maybe a super steep climb in Pisgah NC but I have learned to get by on a near 1:1 ratio from front to back. So in a conventional setup the easiest gear I would use was a 32 on the front and a 34 on the back (pretty well a 1:1 ratio). I would keep the small ring on for safety purposes. I could never really get a top swing front derailleur to completely block out the small ring using the lower limit screw. I found it would always start to impede the entire movement of the derailleur a few screwdriver turns from where I needed it to be to not have the chain fall down to the BB with no small ring. This problem is easily rectified by running the lower limit with cable tension alone but it is not a fool proof option, hence the reason for me leaving the granny on.
I was looking for a solution to shed grams and have tighter intervals between shifts. If you look at a race car you will find a close ratio transmission. This is to keep the rpms at an efficient rate and not have such big jumps between gears that will bog down the motor. My legs are no different. I found 1x9 had too large of intervals between shifts and I really couldn't be efficient to such large changes in gear ratio. I am somewhat sensitive to having the right cadence, it's just the way I train.
The 2x9 setup fixes every single problem I was having with conventional gearing except for one, I will talk about that later.
The Cassette
I am using a 9 speed 7700 DuraAce 11-27 cassette. Actually Shimano never made an 11-27, only a 12-27. I took the 11 tooth cog and cassette lockring off of a mountain bike cassette I had laying around to give me a little bit harder of a big gear. It shifts beautifully, it is very light, and it has shorter intervals between gears.
The Derailleur
I am using a 10 speed 7900 DuraAce short cage rear derailleur. Now this was a leap of faith for me. I had heard that Shimano had changed the pull ratio of this derailleur so that is was not compatible with older shifters. I guess this was not true. What dictates how many speeds a derailleur is, is the shifter. A 9 speed shifter makes a 10 speed derailleur a 9 speed derailleur, make sense? I am using a DuraAce rear derailleur because it tucks in close the the smaller diameter road cassette and guides the chain better along the cassette during shifts. Also it is a short cage so it keeps better tension on the chain which results in less slop overall. I did not require the longer tension leverage of a long cage rear derailleur because the difference from my largest cog to my smallest cog has narrowed significantly. The 7900 rear derailleur bolted on no problem and has worked perfectly ever since.
The Chain
I am using a KMC x10SL Gold 10 speed road chain. I heard from some folks that the narrower 10 speed allowed for better cross chaining and it also runs better through the 10 speed DA rear derailleur. It is extremely light as well.
Chainrings
I am using Specialites TA Chinook chainrings in 26/38 tooth counts. I have used these rings before in 26/40 combo and found I wanted to go a bit smaller on the big ring so that I could stay in the larger ring for slower singletrack. It also narrows the interval between shifting which increases smoothness up front which is a big factor for front chainrings. I am running these chainrings on the two inner mounting points, so where the middle and granny rings would be. This allows for much better cross chaining.
Front Derailleur and Cranks
I am now using the XTR 980 front derailleur designed for their 2 ring setup. It is specifically profiled for 26/38 chainrings and it shifts my TA rings unbelievably well. I am also using stock XT cranks.
Out on the trail
This system performs amazingly well. The rear shifting is right on par, if not better, than any high end mountain bike system on the market. My easiest gear is now a 26 on the front and 27 on the back. That is very close to the ratio of a 32 on the front and 34 on the back which is the ration I have been using as my easiest gear for the past 5 years. There was zero adaptation curve with the new system for easiest gear and climbing. They are virtually identical gear ratios.
I have to shift 2 gears at a time sometimes where there are larger pitch changes. I think the 970 XTR triggers would work better because you can shift down 2 gears at a time with the release lever. Minor factor.
The front chainrings are decent. They are not spectacular but really do perform much better than their price. I have no major complaints about these. The only problem with the 2x9 system is you find yourself shifting a bit more with the front derailleur. Sometimes for the same section of singletrack the big ring is too much at times and the small ring is too small at other times. That would be my one and only complaint of the 2x9 system.
I have about 1500kms' on these components with almost no sight of wear. The chain is still well within its stretch limit, the cassette looks great, the chainrings are also in great shape.
Weight Specs of a conventional 3x9 setup vs my X-Ben 2x9
Rear Derailleur
XTR 970 11-34 - To come
DuraAce 7700 11-27 - To come
Chainrings
XT 870 22/32/44 - To come
Specialites TA 26/38 - To come
Chain
XTR/DuraAce 7700 - To come
KMC x10SL Gold - To come
Total Weight
Conventional 3x9 - To come
X-Ben 2x9 - To come
*pictures and weights to come
I have been getting a fair amount of interest in my current 2x9 setup whether it be online or passers by. Seems I am not the only one that has been left wanting more in terms of shifting performance, gear ratios, and weight savings. So I am here to set the record straight about my setup and how it came to be.
*disclaimer - yes I know that I am in no way being original and I got most of my ideas from other peoples setups.
It's really much less scientific than you might think. Pretty much the story goes........ I am used to running 11-34 cassettes with long cage derailleurs and triple rings up front (22-32-44). In the past, lets say, 5 years of riding and racing I have not come upon a situation that required me to use my 22 tooth or granny ring........ever. Sure there are situations that may exist, like Trans Rockies or maybe a super steep climb in Pisgah NC but I have learned to get by on a near 1:1 ratio from front to back. So in a conventional setup the easiest gear I would use was a 32 on the front and a 34 on the back (pretty well a 1:1 ratio). I would keep the small ring on for safety purposes. I could never really get a top swing front derailleur to completely block out the small ring using the lower limit screw. I found it would always start to impede the entire movement of the derailleur a few screwdriver turns from where I needed it to be to not have the chain fall down to the BB with no small ring. This problem is easily rectified by running the lower limit with cable tension alone but it is not a fool proof option, hence the reason for me leaving the granny on.
I was looking for a solution to shed grams and have tighter intervals between shifts. If you look at a race car you will find a close ratio transmission. This is to keep the rpms at an efficient rate and not have such big jumps between gears that will bog down the motor. My legs are no different. I found 1x9 had too large of intervals between shifts and I really couldn't be efficient to such large changes in gear ratio. I am somewhat sensitive to having the right cadence, it's just the way I train.
The 2x9 setup fixes every single problem I was having with conventional gearing except for one, I will talk about that later.
The Cassette
I am using a 9 speed 7700 DuraAce 11-27 cassette. Actually Shimano never made an 11-27, only a 12-27. I took the 11 tooth cog and cassette lockring off of a mountain bike cassette I had laying around to give me a little bit harder of a big gear. It shifts beautifully, it is very light, and it has shorter intervals between gears.
The Derailleur
I am using a 10 speed 7900 DuraAce short cage rear derailleur. Now this was a leap of faith for me. I had heard that Shimano had changed the pull ratio of this derailleur so that is was not compatible with older shifters. I guess this was not true. What dictates how many speeds a derailleur is, is the shifter. A 9 speed shifter makes a 10 speed derailleur a 9 speed derailleur, make sense? I am using a DuraAce rear derailleur because it tucks in close the the smaller diameter road cassette and guides the chain better along the cassette during shifts. Also it is a short cage so it keeps better tension on the chain which results in less slop overall. I did not require the longer tension leverage of a long cage rear derailleur because the difference from my largest cog to my smallest cog has narrowed significantly. The 7900 rear derailleur bolted on no problem and has worked perfectly ever since.
The Chain
I am using a KMC x10SL Gold 10 speed road chain. I heard from some folks that the narrower 10 speed allowed for better cross chaining and it also runs better through the 10 speed DA rear derailleur. It is extremely light as well.
Chainrings
I am using Specialites TA Chinook chainrings in 26/38 tooth counts. I have used these rings before in 26/40 combo and found I wanted to go a bit smaller on the big ring so that I could stay in the larger ring for slower singletrack. It also narrows the interval between shifting which increases smoothness up front which is a big factor for front chainrings. I am running these chainrings on the two inner mounting points, so where the middle and granny rings would be. This allows for much better cross chaining.
Front Derailleur and Cranks
I am now using the XTR 980 front derailleur designed for their 2 ring setup. It is specifically profiled for 26/38 chainrings and it shifts my TA rings unbelievably well. I am also using stock XT cranks.
Out on the trail
This system performs amazingly well. The rear shifting is right on par, if not better, than any high end mountain bike system on the market. My easiest gear is now a 26 on the front and 27 on the back. That is very close to the ratio of a 32 on the front and 34 on the back which is the ration I have been using as my easiest gear for the past 5 years. There was zero adaptation curve with the new system for easiest gear and climbing. They are virtually identical gear ratios.
I have to shift 2 gears at a time sometimes where there are larger pitch changes. I think the 970 XTR triggers would work better because you can shift down 2 gears at a time with the release lever. Minor factor.
The front chainrings are decent. They are not spectacular but really do perform much better than their price. I have no major complaints about these. The only problem with the 2x9 system is you find yourself shifting a bit more with the front derailleur. Sometimes for the same section of singletrack the big ring is too much at times and the small ring is too small at other times. That would be my one and only complaint of the 2x9 system.
I have about 1500kms' on these components with almost no sight of wear. The chain is still well within its stretch limit, the cassette looks great, the chainrings are also in great shape.
Weight Specs of a conventional 3x9 setup vs my X-Ben 2x9
Rear Derailleur
XTR 970 11-34 - To come
DuraAce 7700 11-27 - To come
Chainrings
XT 870 22/32/44 - To come
Specialites TA 26/38 - To come
Chain
XTR/DuraAce 7700 - To come
KMC x10SL Gold - To come
Total Weight
Conventional 3x9 - To come
X-Ben 2x9 - To come
Monday, May 3, 2010
Ok I'm back in Canada
Yes it has been a while since I wrote to you my friends. The deal is, to be honest, I really don't have anything that interesting to add. Kind of the point of this site was more to be a hub for various practical bike info and less of a Bens day to day because keeping a record of such activity (or lack thereof) really doesn't do anybody any good. And I am here to improve your lives.Speaking of life improvement, Shirley surprised us with an amazing 65" 1080p TV and Blu Ray player for the last couple weeks that I was at the house. I was very sad to leave it and come back to my lowly 42" but it is better to have loved and lost. The Silver Bullet made it home with zero hiccups. Only 2.5 tanks of gas and shaved a full hour off my personal best from SC to Hardwood by making the trip in only 14.5 hours. It was still light out when I got home! Car was getting about 600km per fillup which is great for a 40 litre tank. Cars blow my mind. Don't worry about the CEL on the dash. Just need a new cat or something along the lines.
Boy did I miss my apartment. Everything is strategically placed and eerily untouched. Except my poor plant, it is going to need some nursing back to health.
Anyways that's about it. I have soooo much that I wanted to add but I made cookies instead which is a really good excuse and now it is time for bed.
Nom nom.
Big Ass TV
Cookies
Oh yes and I made little styrofoam airplanes the other day that Santa left in my stocking at Christmas. Maybe I was wrong about the uninteresting part. Good thing you tuned in.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Race Prep Pro and Lite
Whether getting your bike ready to be sold, a newly acquired used bike, or just some much needed TLC, my knowledge and attention to detail will ensure you receive a thoroughly and properly tuned machine.
I charge a flat rate of $30/hour for my services. This includes travel so I am willing to come to you or pick up a bike. My shop can be made mobile for most services and I am available for events. Race Prep Pro and Race Prep Lite are examples of full services that can be performed.
Race Prep Pro
The original full service. Intense attention to detail to return your bike to as close to showroom condition as possible. Nothing overlooked.
---->Click Here<-----
Race Prep Lite
Perfect for maintaining your bikes numerous components. Ensures proper operation and maximises the life of your parts. Focus on the riding not the ride with a well oiled machine.
---->Click Here<-----
I charge a flat rate of $30/hour for my services. This includes travel so I am willing to come to you or pick up a bike. My shop can be made mobile for most services and I am available for events. Race Prep Pro and Race Prep Lite are examples of full services that can be performed.
Race Prep Pro
The original full service. Intense attention to detail to return your bike to as close to showroom condition as possible. Nothing overlooked.
---->Click Here<-----
Race Prep Lite
Perfect for maintaining your bikes numerous components. Ensures proper operation and maximises the life of your parts. Focus on the riding not the ride with a well oiled machine.
---->Click Here<-----
Race Prep Lite
In addition to the Pro service I am now offering Race Prep Lite. Taking a lot of the major services that make up Race Prep Pro, Race Prep Lite is a more affordable option that still covers all of the areas of a bike that need frequent tuning and checking. Having properly adjusted, cleaned, and lubricated components greatly increases their life and helps them to function the way they were designed. Covers mountain, road, cyclocross, if it has 2 wheels and pedals then chances are it can benefit from a service.
Race Prep Lite is $50 and includes
-Lite bike cleaning
-Full drivetrain cleaning (cassette, chain, chainrings, pulleys)
-Full drivetrain lubing
-Derailleur adjustment (front and back)
-Derailleur hanger alignment
-Brake adjust
-Headset adjust
-Hub adjust
-Installation of new small parts provided by you (chain, brake pads, grips).
Other services available for additional charge. Just ask, it can be done.
Right now I am located in the Barrie area with frequent trips to Peterborough. Services can be arranged any time by contacting me at:
705 229-6923 call or text
benmtbdawson@yahoo.ca
Starting to wrap up down here
Went for an easyish spin with Andy yesterday. Did the Table Rock to Ceasar's Head and back down 178 route, never get bored of that one. Nice combination of quiet twisty roads with a good climb up 276 (Ceasar's Head) and fun descending back down the 178.
Everything is really green down here now, feels like summer back home (hopefully we get one this year). I am racing on Sunday in Georgia about 2 hours from the house and have an easier week on the bike. Hopefully I will do better than last year when I had my bad stomach cramps. I am looking to redeem myself and feel sort of fit but being that it is the first race you never really know what's going on for sure with your fitness. Next week is my last week down here so I'll have to get in some good miles while I still can and then it is back to Ontario which I am looking forward to.
Some nice back roads
Twisty roads after Ceasar's Head
The ride
Everything is really green down here now, feels like summer back home (hopefully we get one this year). I am racing on Sunday in Georgia about 2 hours from the house and have an easier week on the bike. Hopefully I will do better than last year when I had my bad stomach cramps. I am looking to redeem myself and feel sort of fit but being that it is the first race you never really know what's going on for sure with your fitness. Next week is my last week down here so I'll have to get in some good miles while I still can and then it is back to Ontario which I am looking forward to.
Andy geared up to go
Some nice back roads
Twisty roads after Ceasar's Head
The ride
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