Almanzo 100

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allez

2013-02-14 8:26 AM

Veteran

124

Minneapolis

Subject: Almanzo 100

Has anyone done this before? I am signed up (can't believe there are 1300+ racers) and debating between a new Giant Talon 1 29er or an older Specialized Allez roadie. Seems like the frame of the Allez is much more similar to a cyclocross bike but on gravel the wider tires of the 29er seem like they could be an advantage. Any advice?

BikerGrrrl

2013-02-14 9:57 AM

in reply to: #4621899

Champion

9998

, Minnesota

Gold member

Subject: RE: Almanzo 100

Check out this thread:

http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=473084&posts=12#M4572214

There's a video partway down, might be worth watching for bike ideas.

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SoberTriGuy

2013-02-14 12:26 PM

in reply to: #4621899

Elite

3277

Minnetonka

Subject: RE: Almanzo 100

I have not done it, but I think most ride cyclocross bikes..

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allez

2013-02-14 7:50 PM

in reply to: #4621899

Veteran

124

Minneapolis

Subject: RE: Almanzo 100

That's how it looks from the video. Unfortunately though I don't have a cyclocross bike or the funds to go get one. So it's either 29er mountain bike or Allez roadie for me, just not sure which would be better

jaredfore

2013-02-14 10:29 PM

in reply to: #4623051

Veteran

191

Minnetonka, MN

Subject: RE: Almanzo 100

In my eyes those are perfect rides for a cyclecross "type" bike. I say "type" because you can get skinny rast rolling 29ner tires for an mtb or get some wider tires for the allez. I think I saw one flat bar bike in the video. Go with what your comfortable with. My background is mtb so I'd probably lean that route... give up some speed for comfort and better climbing over 100 miles and 8, 000 feet of elevation!

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BikerGrrrl

2013-02-15 9:16 AM

in reply to: #4623051

Champion

9998

, Minnesota

Gold member

Subject: RE: Almanzo 100

allez - 2013-02-14 7:50 PM That's how it looks from the video. Unfortunately though I don't have a cyclocross bike or the funds to go get one. So it's either 29er mountain bike or Allez roadie for me, just not sure which would be better

Is your 29er geared? That might be nice, considering the hills. Although are you up for riding it 100 miles?

I honestly can't see the difference between cyclocross and road bikes, when you're not going over obstacles. If I weren't such a pansy about gravel, I'd go with the roadie with the widest/grippiest tires you can fit.

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SoberTriGuy

2013-02-15 10:21 AM

in reply to: #4621899

Elite

3277

Minnetonka

Subject: RE: Almanzo 100

What ever you end up riding, Good on YOU! I can do a 100 mile road ride, but I can't bring myself to try a 100 mile gravel ride with all of that climbing.. Can't wait to read the race report...

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mmrocker13

2013-02-15 12:14 PM

in reply to: #4621899

Pro

5011

Twin Cities

Subject: RE: Almanzo 100

Most of the folks I know who do it either use a cross bike or a road bike with as big/grippy of tires as they can run. I can't imagine riding that on a MTB, esp. a 29er. Just too much bike to drag around.

cooutdoors

2013-02-15 3:16 PM

in reply to: #4621899

Expert

606

Lakeville, MN

Subject: RE: Almanzo 100

How big of tires can you squeeze in on the Allez? 27mm+ My only concern w/ the Allez is if you can't run 27-29mm+ sized tires, you may be in for a long day on the rocks. Many road frames won't run those larger cross-type tires, but perhaps an older Allez can. 25mm tires, even GP 4 Seasons or Gatorskins running low tire pressure, may still not be able to absorb the beating, and you may end up w/ a lot of flats. Almanzo is self-supported, meaning there are no sags. That means you may have a short race should those skinnier tires not be reliable enough. I'm not saying it can't be done. But based on that video, there does appear to be a lot of sections on loose gravel or roads that aren't really even roads.

Plus, IMO, anything less than 27mm will likely get sketchy on lose gravel stretches. I run 25mm down here in early/late season on the dirt roads of Scott/Dakota county, and there are times when I swear I spend more time going sideways than actually going forward.

If you can't wedge a fatter road tire on the Allez, I'd go w/ the 29'er w/ XC slicks. At least you're bike won't stop you from finishing the race (your fitness, the weather, the course, etc, is another matter!).

Edited by cooutdoors 2013-02-15 3:18 PM

allez

2013-02-17 4:22 PM

in reply to: #4621899

Veteran

124

Minneapolis

Subject: RE: Almanzo 100

Thanks for the responses and thoughts everyone.

I am probably most comfortable on my Allez simply by the fact that I have had it since I got it back in '98 - '99 (wasn't kidding when I said it was older) but I have always run 23mm tires on it and I don't have much clearance in the front fork to go much bigger. Those pure roadie tires just seem to be so narrow that I would just be asking for flats and loss of grip in the corners

I know the 29er is bigger and heavier but it is geared and is a hardtail with a lockout shock

Right now I am thinking that I am going to log some longer rides on my 29er as we finally thaw out here and see what I think then. Honestly no matter which bike I choose 100 miles on gravel is going to be tough, but nothing ventured nothing gained

jlruhnke

2013-05-17 8:39 AM

in reply to: #4621899