UNBOUND GRAVEL - 10 questions for Ann Christine!
UNBOUND (ANN_BOUND!) GRAVEL - 10 questions for Ann Christine!
First of all, congratulations! I'm familiar with the project and realise how difficult it must have been. I also know what your capacities are and that you were properly prepared. Perhaps - we understand that the human factor (thorough preparation, physical fitness) is the most important in such mega projects. So - super good luck to you on completing Unbound. I believe you inspired a lot of Estonians!
BUT!
Cycling is still a technical sport and we are a bike shop. Maybe the following talk is about technique and not physical fitness (although that would be interesting to hear too). But few people have the experience you have. We don't have that experience either. Therefore, we have some questions for you from a technical point of view and we ask you to share your experience.
Let's take the wheel in pieces and look at the so-called M-technique. So as not to miss anything. Maybe we start with the frame, move from the back to the front, maybe the tyres, the runners, the gears, the groupset, move up to the saddle, then down to the cranks, the pedals, then back up to the handlebars.
1. Your bike was a custom S-Works Crux. Tell us about the frame - was the Crux right for you? Plus the frame size aspect. You used to have a 51 frame, now 49. Talk about your feelings, thoughts, experiences with the Crux in general. Is the Crux (super sporty) suitable for Unbound? Or would the Diverge (a bit more forgiving, more comfortable) be more suitable?
To start with, I'll talk about the frame size - purely for sporting interest, I chose a smaller frame this year as I fit nicely between the two sizes. I've also ridden both sizes on the road for longer periods, so I decided to test the sizes on the gravel myself, and with real rides.
The Crux is an ultra-fast bike that even in a gravel setup can withstand fast group rides on the road ( if of course the transmissions support it!), so I think it's an ideal choice for gravel rallies.
On the Unbound track, with its speed and technicality, the Crux fully justifies itself. I have the new bike set up in a more aggressive stance than before, and it suits me very well for long rides. The Diverge could suit the recreational rider who aims to not only enjoy long distances, but also to enjoy refreshing lunges at the service station and generally make the most of the day in a different way. For a fast ride, I'd go for the Crux any time, as it has stood the test of time in my eyes on brutally technical tracks (like Girona, Spain).
Speaking of sizes, 51cm would definitely be a bit more comfortable on long gravel rallies on smooth terrain, but on technical fast descents I have more control on a smaller wheel.
2. We recommended new 50mm Tracer tyres. You must have driven tubeless. Was our recommendation justified? What pressures did you use?
I was 100% satisfied with the tyre choice. I did my first race test a week earlier in Kõrvemaa, where the conditions were quite muddy. For a while I was considering a narrower tyre, because it had been raining for several days in Kansas and I was a bit afraid of the mud that would clog the gap between the tyre and the frame. I also consulted with Kristjan Randma, and we still decided that the 50mm Tracer was a safe choice.
I've ridden on gravel with 45mm tyres before, and I can say that the contrast is great, and with a wider tyre you can enjoy the more technical descents more!
The tyre pressures that were chosen: 1.4bar front and 1.6bar rear. This number didn't come from some spreadsheet or by spying on other riders, but this time really every practice session was trying different pressures, driving, modifying, leaning in corners and on loose gravel etc.
Anyway - unpacking the bike at home we discovered that the milk in the tyres had completely dried up, ptui-ptui-ptui, but I guess I was lucky to finish without a single puncture.
3. Wheelset - You were under the top class Terra CLX wheels. How did they work?
I rode the same runners all last season, and chose them for the new bike based on previous experience. Light, stiff, and fast gravel top runners... there's a reason for those titles.
4. The cassette and transmissions in general. What were your transmissions like and did you miss anything? Speed, lightness? Was there a “chain in the middle” for most of the race?
I have a single sprocket in the front and the chainring keeps the chain stable on the sprocket. The front sprocket is 42 and the rear is 10-46.
Let's just say that when you were racing in a group, you could use the heaviest gears, but the climbs in the middle of the track were quite steep and you would have liked to roll more, not push yourself up... In general, you could still use the middle gears more than the others.
5. Groupset - which groupset did you have and how satisfied are you?
This year I'm riding a new Sram Red XPLR AXS 13-speed changer. Wasn't one of the biggest reasons for changing wheelsets that I wanted to change groupsets (and as a bonus, this year's Crux colour scheme talked me out of it).
I've had the opportunity to ride a lot of different wheels and groupets in my five years on the bike. Ever since I got my first Srami swap bike, I've been sold, and choose a Srami every chance I get.
Speaking of the new Sram, my first big wow effect is the new links, they are so comfortable in the hand, set up for me to be super responsive, and really fun to ride fast technical descents on. The shifter is quick, haven't had any problems. And since I do a lot of long rides leaning on the handlebars, for me the gearshift buttons on the hoods(what's that in English?!) are an ultimate convenience (didn't have it on Sram before, Shimano has it in a bit of a different place, but same thing. FYI to all).
But if you want to know if I'd do anything differently, yes! I'd still put a terrain shifter and a bigger cassette to enjoy those steep climbs better. Never stop exploring!
6. Saddle - one of the most important parts of a bike. So long ride too. What are the comments?
I'm probably the wrong person to comment on saddles because I've been blessed with a body that has never had saddle soreness or heel pain or any of that stuff. My current bikes in use are probably(?) all with the same saddles, it seems they can be ridden fast and far enough. So I have a Power Pro Mimic saddle, 155mm.
7. Cranks. The trend is to use shorter and shorter cranks. What length cranks do you ride with?
Since this season 165mm. First I changed to a mountain bike, now I have a new gravel with 165mm cranks. I think my own length plays the biggest role here, the smaller the travel, the more economically I pedal. But you have to keep up with the trends and try things out for yourself!
8. Pedals - what do you use and can you comment?
Shimano XTR, my choice, as they have stood the test of time in the most challenging conditions where it seems unrealistic to get your foot back on the pedal.
9. Cockpit - what do you use? Any comments?
38cm wide Roval Rapide lens. I currently have four bikes in my fleet with this lens, so you could say we're probably made. For me the perfect width, not too stiff for gravel riding, easy on the eye to look at etc. This year for the first time I'm riding with a ‘gravel’ lens, but don't feel the need to chase it extra.
10. Allow me to digress a little - do you have any comments on the bike shoes and helmet you rode with?
I rode with black Specialized Recon mountain shoes, which are a size bigger than my foot. As it was a super hot day and black shoes are always hard on the feet (even on the road) on a hot day, I dreamed of light coloured shoes for several hours. Definitely my next purchase will be a white gravel shoe (I'm a firm believer in keeping beautiful things clean, and I haven't worried about a white shoe for gravel just for the sake of taking care of it, but now I'm ready).
Out of my helmet collection (yes, some collect pens, some collect helmets), I chose the white Evade 3 for the ride because it's my absolute favourite helmet. And on gravel, I always ride with Oakley goggles with Photochrome lenses - so if there's a dark singlet or a downpour on a sunny day, I can see everything.
I would also be very grateful for general comments in a free form. From a technical point of view and in the context of Unbound, what would you do differently next time?
This time, as I discovered a dried tyre but only after the trip, I think I'll never leave a tyre unchecked before the start again. It's a total stroke of luck that on such a long track with sharp rocks, and a technical track at that, nothing happened to me... because there was no milk to mop it up with! You always have to check, even if the wheel is in the oven!
It's definitely a good idea to use small frame bags - I had a very small bag under the saddle, and I could fit the electronic pump, inner tube and levers exactly in it. A second, slightly larger, bag went on top of the frame top tube. That's where I put the gels and the gummy worms. Drink bottles 2x750ml on the frame and a 2l backpack on the back.
At the two points (112km and 238km) there are then teams of riders to change bottles, bags, equipment if needed etc. I changed two bottles and added gels at 112km and at 238km I changed the backpack, bottles, put oil on the chain, lots of ice packs on the neck and filled the frame bag with gels.
Next time I'll be wiser. I'll put more effort into making the service points even quicker, and it would also be good to train in warm weather (I spent 16 out of 18 days in the camp training in torrential rain, you know the weather in Estonia).
Thank you very much! It's really super-good that someone is taking cycling so thoroughly and in a good sense “over-the-top”. People like you get people moving and making them love cycling, even those who otherwise would never do it. In that sense, it's “work” with a mission! We hope to continue to support you and help you as much as we can. Thanks again, and until the next projects!
All rights reserved.
