sanesh-iyer profile

If you're asking me, my answer is entirely unscientific. I ended up using WT on my Banshee with an XX1 chain, Boeshield on my Chromag with an XT chain, and Dumond Tech on my road bike (10spd XT), and spending more time on skis than bikes. Ultimately I think the WT stuff is my favourite, if only because it seems to keep things cleaner. I ride that bike the most and in the worst conditions and the chain sparkles like new. Across the range I've seen less wear on my drivetrains than I'm used to. So, my conclusion is that giving a shit does infact make a difference, but I think cleaning is equally as important as lubing

One of the best things I ever did was move away from Vancouver and decouple myself from riding for a few years. I love bikes. I missed my bikes often. But it was an opportunity to discover myself outside of cycling. That might sound crazy, but it happened. I spend 10 years working in the industry and 20 riding. For many many years Sanesh = Cycling. I developed a fashion sense that wasn't cycling clothes. I hiked. And camped. And gymed. And xc skied. And windsurfed. And got really good at cooking. And travelled. And loved it all. Not as much as I loved bikes, but I did love it. It reminded me what I love about bikes - nature, tough climbs, great people, solitude, big rock faces - let me be ok with the things I was supposed to want but didn't - lift access, hucking, adrenaline. My break from bikes actually let me learn how to have fun outside of cycling. Bikes became a choice to me again, not just the only thing I knew.

There are some systems out there which "learn" PID control as well. I believe there's a ski suit that uses such a thing.

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/snow-sports/roam-robotics-elevate-exoskeleton-skiing-future/

Would be cool to see eBikes do the same.

Awesome, all my bikes are negative carbon! 

Im really glad Trek put out this report. I've been doing a little LCA recently and it's an immense amount of work. It really takes committment. 

The report is far from perfect, it would have been great if it was done to iso 14001 and the system boundaries discussed. This type of work is utterly meaningless without system boundaries (except for comparative effects). My only source of confidence here is that the numbers are largely similar to those released by Specialized and Duke university, so the methods must be similar.

I would have liked them to evaluate more parameters other than CO2. 

One other thing is durability. From my experience the number one killer of longevity is bearing bores. I bought an aluminum frame because I find I can put more bearings into an Alu frame. Besides that, is recyclability. I'd like to see companies create a more circular system. Imagine if you're 7000 series Alu MTb could be recycled into a cheaper casual bike. The dream.

But yeah. Bikes are small. We need to look at the driving involved in the sport too. Ride your bike from home. It's more possible than you think.

My worst purchase is currently on my bike. I should have known better. I do know better. But I didn't want to be jaded. I bought it expecting a Ferrari (precision, high performance Italian engineering) and it's turns out to be a Lamborghini (precision, high performance Italian engineering that also occasionally spontaneously combusts). Failures have happened too many times and I've been lucky to walk away sans injury. Ill be warrantying it once more and swapping it for a Toyota.

That's been my experience (personal and in shops), Deore and SLX durability is lower. Not enough that I'd care to prematurely upgrade, but when it broke I would.  Durability really is min/maxxed with XT. I can't stand bushings on my derailleur pulleys. 

My magic combo is XT everywhere, XTR or XX1 chain, Deore cassette. I also can't stand loosing a cassette to a few worn aluminum cogs and can't spring for Titanium. I have two 12spd bikes with that setup (and turbine cranks and blackspire rings... When it works it works)

I was very concerned that living in Montreal for two years would hurt my riding. I was in the gym 4 days a week, picked up XC skiing, running, climbing, inner tube water polo, and rode very little... Well 2018 I rode 10 times. Some epics (triple crown) and some gnar (Wink) and some adventure (Zermatt). But just 10.  2019 was a similar number. And it did hurt my riding for a little. It took me a few rides to get back the line selecting skills and thinking at speed. But I was able to break so many bad habits that I had. Changed how I view lines. Riding stronger than ever after that break.

Some tips:

Reset your suspension for your new weight distribution. 5-10LB overhanging your fork really changes things.

Find a good way to separate wet from dry gear (clothes, sleeping bags, rain jackets, tarps...). I keep wet gear outside bags.

Mudhugger fender has a nice amount of rigidity to prevent bag/tire contact in case of bag slip

There's such a thing as underfilling your bags (if they sag they bounce more)

My packed volume has since come down thanks to a new sleeping bag (3L packed size! WTF!)

Daal (lentils + spices) and oatmeal. Ultralight. 

Water is an interesting game. I have a 6L dromedary. Sometimes I strap it full to the outside of my pack. Other times I go lean and fill at a creek. Depends on the trip. 

Bikepacking MTB is a tricky game. You are going to be somewhat near to society so refueling is fair and part of the fun on certain trips. Sunshine coast has some great beer. Fanny Bay Oysters is a very rideable distance from some good MTB on the island. Nothing like a day of riding followed by oysters for dinner.

I have yet to ride a gravel road I'm BC that has.me thinking "wow I really wish my bike had skinnier tires."

All my bikepacking involves a Chromag and the most technical trails I can ride (I still don't understand gravel). As a result I prefer the backpack and barbag setup. I always ride with a framebag for tools and such. I've since got my packed volume down a little bit. I'm down to ~35L packed volume with my hammock tent, large tarp, whisperlite, and 3 days of food.

FYI, as of last night Fromme Snow was right just above Lower Oilcan.

Costco wool shirts is back!