Posted: 4/16/2026 3:28:44 PM EDT
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Turns out, I don't like the 2x setup. I was impatient and bought the GRX DI2 before the 1x version was out. Attached File Also, I may, just may, have gone too large on the tires.  So ordered an RD-RX827, 10-51 12s cassette, DT Swiss X 1900 wheels, and Snoqualmie Pass tires to hopefully lower the bike a hair and remove some weight. Wasn't planning on dropping $1300 but oh well. Yolo.  Now I just need to wait for Tuesday or so for all the goodies to arrive. |
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Username always checks out I am going to lose the triple on my cross/gravel bike at some point this year, I still am on the fence on going to 1x. I really like it on my MTB, but being able to dump a bunch of gear with the front chainring is kind of handy in some situations. I doubt I will ever willingly buy a MTB that is not 1x with a clutched derailleur, it is 10x better than 2x. I plan on keeping 2x on the road bike forever though... |
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Ive gone way overboard more since my original post. Here is what Im working with now. Front and rear racks, bottle cages on the fork, anything cages, Shockstop Pro sest post, power meter pedals, ended up going oval chainring, and still trying to get my damn tires to seal and still figuring out the water bladder piece. Its impossible to get a decent amount of flow, it's like sucking a golf ball through a garden hose. 
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Good grief man, you're riding RAGBRAI not through the Sonoran desert! (Not yet anyway...) I am seriously envious of the Cutthroat tho... I am not sold on bladders, they are a mega PITA to clean especially if you put anything but water in them, not to mention the flow rate issue. I do like the idea of having a bladder low in the triangle though, trying to keep weight low and centered seems to make bikes better. My bikepacking/long MTB ride setup is a 750 ml bidon in an Oveja Negra "Chuckbucket" on the bars, and a 1.5 liter Nalgene in a Widefoot cage on the downtube. I can stuff another 750 ml bidon in my waistpack, or two in a different waistpack, and one in the frame bag if there's room. I also carry a filter so I can just refill, at least in the spring and early summer that is an option in the foothills. There's usually running water year around in the high mountains. |
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Originally Posted By flynbenny: Good grief man, you're riding RAGBRAI not through the Sonoran desert! (Not yet anyway...) I am seriously envious of the Cutthroat tho... I am not sold on bladders, they are a mega PITA to clean especially if you put anything but water in them, not to mention the flow rate issue. I do like the idea of having a bladder low in the triangle though, trying to keep weight low and centered seems to make bikes better. My bikepacking/long MTB ride setup is a 750 ml bidon in an Oveja Negra "Chuckbucket" on the bars, and a 1.5 liter Nalgene in a Widefoot cage on the downtube. I can stuff another 750 ml bidon in my waistpack, or two in a different waistpack, and one in the frame bag if there's room. I also carry a filter so I can just refill, at least in the spring and early summer that is an option in the foothills. There's usually running water year around in the high mountains. For sure it's overkill. But might do more bikepacking, friend was talking about doing the Allegheny passage both directions on back to back days. That could be fun, 300 miles in two days. I'm finding though that I may need to find a way to pack lighter or at least more aero. I found a neat site that can calculate your CdA based on power and GPS data, it pulls in weather, wind, pressure data and does the math. My CdA is 0.65 which is ateociously bad. So I need to figure out a way to get more power towards movement and less towards drag. My 200w output on flat ground only nets 17mph. And that's with super low RR tires.  I did figure out the water bladder thing though. Mazama makes a water bladder hand pump. Squeeze water right into your mouth. Works well. If I didn't hate sweat all over my back though I'd just do a traditional camelbak. I'm planning on water in the bladder and Gatorade or Powerade in the cages, but cages just stick out so far. I've seen most bikepackers use a kettle I think it's called, where it's basically a bottle holder to the side of your stem. Keeps it out of the wind a bit so less drag. |
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That's a beautiful machine! The only thing missing are some knobs on the tires! On the subject of bladders, I bought a source hydration bladder, recommended by arf. It holds up much much better than camelbak and other bladders I have owned. The Source has no "bladder taste" even after a few years. |
"One day, your body will become your priority whether by choice or by consequence" - PK