Concert - Milky Chance at the Ogden Theater

Everyone is probably tired of hearing ‘Stolen Dance’ and it appeared they are tired of playing it also. The concert was pretty good but they did not appear to be playing in unison and timing was off during some of the songs. I will say that they had more energy than I thought but I will not be seing them again.

Gear Comparison: Specialized Command Post vs. KS LEV Integra vs. RockShox Reverb

You have probably been thinking to yourself a dropper post?  Do I really need or want one? 

Yes!

But before plunking down some hard earned cash you really need to determine what type of rider you are and the type of terrain you ride.  There is no need for one if you are cruising beginner trails with rolling terrain or dirt paths where the tech section is maneuvering around soccer moms with strollers. 

Most mountain bikes use a bolt or a quick release on the seat post clamp. With a bolt you have to stop and use a tool to adjust the seat height and the quick release allows for tool free seat height adjustment.  But both require you stop before and after each technical section, slowing down the group or putting you further off the back.  Or you can compromise by riding tech sections with a high post or have inefficient peddling with a low seat between sections 

stopping at the top of every tech section is tedious

When I bought my Niner RIP 9 last year I ponied up some extra money and bought a RockShox Reverb dropper post. Just about everyone I ride with has a dropper post and after attending a bikepacking presentation the winner of the CDT race showed off his race bike with one on it.  Knowing that a 'weight weenie' endurance racer wouldn't ride without one and I was tired of stopping to adjust my post, catching my shorts on the seat, peddling long sections with a low seat and repeated trauma to my man parts from a hight seat I made the upgrade and never looked back.

The basic styles of dropper posts.

Lever Activated

Pro:

• No cables
• Light weight 
• Simple

Con:

• Remove hand from bar to activate

Remote Lever Activated (Internal)

Pro:

• Cables inside frame for clean look 
• Able to adjust with hands on bar

Con: 

• Can be difficult to install, cable routing

Remote Lever Activated (External)

Pro:

• Able to adjust on bar
• Easy installation

Con:

• Cable moves up and down with seat and can be snagged by wheel, pedal or trail debris (some models do hot have moving cable).
• Cable can stretch, break, and need servicing
• Remote lever can fail or break

I limited this review to Specialized, KS (Kind Shock), and RockShox because these are the ones I have used. I would not consider this a 'long term' review but just my experiences with the ones I used. I am also leaving prices out because they can fluctuate based on where you buy one from.  I did not get weights on the units so I will show those from the manufacturers websites.  Lets go..

Specialized Command Post

Pro:

• All black (pro for me anyway)
• Affordable, cheapest model in review

Con:

• Internal model only available on Specialized bike or via someone selling it.
• Full up, full down and 25mm drop adjustability
• Not very reliable, returned after less than 30 days of use.
• Adjustment of return in via air pressure requiring stops for adjustment.
• Single bolt seat binder can make adjustment difficult.

This post came on my Specialized Stumpjumper EVO and after just under 30 days of use it had to be replaced because of a air leak.  The leak was so bad that it would not last through a whole ride of ~3hrs. I would have to pinch the saddle between my legs and lift the seat to the fully extended position.  When I spoke to the bike shop about my issue the owner of the shop was in the process of having his replaced for the same issue. Searching the internet it became obvious that many others have had the same issue so when the replacement came I quickly sold it and replaced it with the next seat post, KS LEV Integra. 

I put the 3 position stops down as a con but after riding with the post I became used to the full up, full down and just under full up positions. There is some adjustability of the post via air pressure but it still works like a catapult and can offer you a surprise if you are not ready for it.  I was told the proper technique was to release the post while sitting on it and allow the seat to rise as you rise, controlling the return.  If you are buying a post based solely on price and are willing to sacrifice reliability then this may be the one for you.  But remember that you may be without a post for frequent repairs and having to deal with the learning curve of where the stops are and dealing with the catapult returns if you do not release it under load.

KS LEV Integra

Pro:

• No cable movement with external model
• Internal and external model readily available
• Return rate controlled via bar remote
• Two bolt seat adjustment
• Infinite height adjustability

Con:

• Not all black
• Plastic remote lever, suspect durability
• Cable actuation may require replacement or maintenance

Before buying this post I spoke to a mechanic at one of the top bike shops in town and this was the post he recommended over all the others.  He mentioned that he has seen several issues with the RockShox reverb and that he owned the KS. After reading some  so that is the one I went with.  I have only ridden my bike a few times with this post but it has operated smoothly and I like being able to control the return via the remote lever. The remote lever offers excellent feel and allows for modulation of the return speed of the post. The remote lever is plastic and I question the durability of it.  You can purchase a alloy one from KS but if I am spending close to $400 for a post a alloy lever should be included. On a positive note I prefer the fore and aft seat attachment bolts that allow for micro adjustment of the seat vs the single bolt on the RockShox and Specialized that requires you to really hold the seat from moving up and down or fore and aft when the single bolt is loosened. But you generally leave the seat alone once you find the place you want it so this could be a nitpicking area against the others.

RockShox Reverb  

Pro:

• All black
• Internal and external options
• Adjustable rate of return via adjuster and remote lever
• Infinite height adjustability
• Integrates into SRAM brakes/shifters

Cons:

• Hydraulic activation may require bleeding
• Broken hose not field serviceable
• Suspect dependability

This was the post I first purchased because the LEV had just come out and I was unavailable when I bought my bike.  I rode the bike for just over 1k miles and put this post through its paces without it failing.  Just before selling the bike I the hydraulic system did develop some play but was easily remedied by bleeding it (kit supplied when purchased and easy to do).  This post worked flawless for me and if not looking elsewhere and hearing about some suspect issues vs the rave review for the KS LEV I would have purchased another without hesitation. My questioning the plastic lever on the LEV or the use of a cable on the LEV and Specialized brings the hydraulic activation on the RockShox into question. During a trip of epic local ride I will carry a spare derailleur cable.  Allowing me to repair the broken derailleur cable or my dropper post cable. In order to repair a failed/broken Reverb hose I would have to carry the hose, fluid, and bleed kit.  Not something I am likely to do and the repair parts could be difficult to obtain if you are out in a remote small town. However, a nice feature of the hydraulic system is that the return rate can be controlled via a adjuster on the remote lever.  You can also control the return by how far you depress the lever in.  

Here is a quick video comparing the return rate of the KS and Specialized. The Reverb operates in a similar fashion to the KS. This is my first one so bear with my lack of skill and composition.

Summary:

The decision to buy one or not is your decision, along with which one. But if you are riding terrain with several technical sections the benefits outweigh the cost and weight.  Dropper posts help you maintain constant motion and can help you ride safer.  I know I have had the rear wheel catch something that I did not see and launch me over the bars or catch my shorts on seats as I try to get my butt over the back or as I return to the riding position.

I went with the LEV because it is now readily available and the recommendations of others. I did not have an issue with the Reverb but the hydraulic activation over cable did play into my decision related to field repairs.  This may seem like a one in a million failure but I have been on several trips where one in a million gear failures have happened.  The failure of my post and the owner of the bike shop within a close timeframe, along with what appears to be other on the interwebs made my replacement a easy decision. The Command post is relatively affordable but if I am spending that much money I would tell someone to wait a bit longer, save more money and get a different one. I did not get to weigh the posts myself and according to the respective websites there is not that much difference between the weights of the posts.

This is my limited review and not comprehensive by any stretch. I will update my experience with the LEV as I spend more time on it.  Take my views and those of others into consideration. Go out and ride your friends bikes with dropper posts and get you like and can afford. 

Above all... GET OUT AND RIDE!!!

Disclaimer: Products in this review were purchased by me and not provided by any suppliers or manufacturers.

Please feel free to email/comment with criticism, comments or questions.

Training Summary: 28.Apr.14 - 5.May.14

This was a bit of a jacked up week. I was busy at work so missed a strength endurance workout and had a day off before making up a mountain ride. Definitely feeling tired towards the end of this week of training and Alison told me 'good, you are supposed to be tired going into the rest week.' Had some issues with the mountain bike. Aside from the seatpost issue, the drive-side crank arm loosened repeatedly during rides after taking the bike in for a complimentary tune to Bicycle Experience. Both bikes needed some TLC and gave it to them today.

I took the drive arm off the Stumpy and found the threads were greased. Grrr. Cleaned them with brake cleaner and then greased the splines on the shaft. Shut your demented mouth. Reinstalled and peddled around the neighborhood without any loosening or sounding like a the deck of a wooden ship. Will see how it goes on a ride. Will bring 8mm hex to be sure. The cross bike was dirty from a past ride and the chain was making some squeaks while on the trainer. May need to change to road gearing because I am maxed out in the gears and barely staying in the appropriate heart rate zone. Getting stronger. Or I could just get a road bike. Hmmm.

Coming up on rest week so I will review some of the gear I have purchased recently. Here is the summary for the week:

28.Apr.14

Planned:

• Endurance
  
• 1.5hr
  
• 95 - 105 rpm in zone 2
  

Actual:

• As planned
  
• 1:16:06
  
• 18.5 mi.
  

Notes:

 

The day seemed to get away from me and I had less time than required to get the workout in so it was 15 minutes short. Didn't want to be late for the Distillery 291 dinner at The Blue Star. Which was amazing!

 

29.Apr.14

 

Planned/Actual:

• Work day and rest/recovery day scheduled. Truck academy training day that involved lifting ladders all day and rescuing dummies from windows so it was pretty physical.
  

30.Apr.14

 

Planned:

• Strength Endurance 2.5hrs
  
• 30min warm up
  
• 5x8 with 8min off
  
• 60 - 70 rpm z3
  
• Finished in z2 for 48min
  

Actual:

• As planned
  
• 2:30:53
  
• 37.3mi
  

Notes:

This was a brutal one. Really felt it at the end and sucked riding on the trainer. Also did a weight workout at Vital Performance with Steve.

1.May14

Planned:

Endurance

1.5hr Z2

Actual:

• As planned
  
• 1:52:15
  
• 10min warm up and cool down also
  
• 25.9mi
  

Notes:

Legs are definitely feeling it.

2.May.14

Planned:

Strength Endurance, 2.5hrs total

30min warm up

5 x 8, 60 - 70rpm Z3 with 10 min rest

Actual:

• Work the next day and a 3hr mountain ride is planned so I decided to switch and do the ride today.
  
• 28.2mi
• 2:55:35
• Strava
  

Notes:

Damn drive side loosened up on the climb up Palmer so had to do less than planned and adjust course. Took bike in after ride to have post removed for warranty replacement, pos! Mounted a Garmin VIRB Elite to the helmet and went over the bars coming down Bear Creek trail. Little video of it. Broke the sticky mount off and scratched the lens cover.

3.May.14

Planned:

2.5hr Strength Endurance from 2.May.14

Actual:

1:01:12

11.1mi

Notes:

Made it through the warm up and after several calls interrupted the workout I was frustrated and stopped. Worked last night and was up most of the night and it had been a busy day. Pissed!

5.May.14

Planned:

• 3hr mountain ride
  

Actual:

• 2:53:35
• 24.2mi
• Strava
  

Notes:

Worked yesterday and planned on making up partial workout but the day did not cooperate. On way home from work friend called and invited me to come ride Buffalo Creek with some people. I had wanted to ride there for some time and decided to do this ride and then start the rest week. Legs felt tired at the start and on the climbs. Fun ride with everyone and went over the bars on a technical section.

Even burned it is a beautiful area to ride.

Not as bad as it looks

Mike getting the weight back.

Week total:

• 145.3mi
  
• 12:29:00
  

Not too bad and even with getting cut short at work it was higher than previous weeks. Going to do my brsT to rest this week. Would like to get a incline in but probably should follow the plan and rest.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Training update

Was out of town for a quick trip and was unable to get anything posted. I know you have missed reading about my training. Because of the trip my mileage was a bit down last week. Well here is the breakdown for 21.Apr.14 to 27.Apr.14

21.Apr.14

Planned:

• Strength and Endurance 1.5 hrs
• 5x6min on and 6min off 60-70 rpms Z3
• 20min warm up and finish in Z2
  

Actual:

• 1:30:07
• Indoor so was as planned
• 22.2mi
• Strava

Notes:

It was a beautiful day but I was at work so had to do this inside. Not fun getting harassed by the muscle heads at work.

22.Apr.14

Planned:

• 1hr Endurance on trainer
• 95-105rpms in Z2

Actual:

• 1:10:06
• Indoor so as planned with some warm up and cool down.
• Strava

Notes:

Another work day so indoors. Nothing exciting!

23.Apr.14

Planned:

• 2hr Strength and Endurance
• Same as earlier workout but 1/2hr longer endurance Z2 at end

Actual:

• 2:34:04 Mountain Bike ride
  
• Z2-4
• Worked on skills
• Strava

Notes:

Tired of being inside on the trainer and had to get outside. This workout was planned for the next day which would be impossible since I would be working. I planned on swapping the workouts but it was a busy day at work and did not get to the Strength Endurance workout. Really loving my bike and set more PR's on the ride. Worked on descending skill and letting the bike roll when I came down section 16 and through Red Rocks. Damn Specialized Command Post is leaking air and needs to be pumped up before every ride. Never had issue with my reverb.

27.Apr.14

Planned:

• 2hr Mtn or Road Ride
• Variable cadence in Z2-4

Actual:

• 2:02:29 Mountain Ride
• Z2-4 and skills in Palmer Park
• Strava

Notes:

Need to learn the trails of Palmer Park better for flow. I didn't download the ride I did with a few friends from a few weeks back so I ended up repeating some areas. Definitely the place to work on technical climbing and descending skills. Lucky to have this place in town.

 

Week Total:

• 87.9mi
• 7:16:00

Notes:

Bit short on actual mileage but it was good to get down to Canyonlands for some hiking. Didn't get to hike as much as planned because of nasty weather but the hot springs in Glenwood were nice! Also found some great places to eat!

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Week ending 4/20/14... Puff Puff Pass

Well finished my first full week of structured training and here is the rest of the workouts and week totals.

17.Apr.14 Thursday

Planned:

• Strength Endurance 1.5hrs
• 3x8min w/ 8min off Z3
• 60-70rpm

Actual:

• 1:30:04 (easy to be punctual indoors)
• Followed workout as planned
• 21.3 mi on indoor trainer
• Strava

Notes:
Called into work so did the workout on trainer indoors.  Day was a bit busy so this was immediately after dinner on a full belly.. Burp.. Felt pretty good.

18.Apr.14 Friday

Planned:

• Rest or Recovery

Actual:

• Rest

Notes:
Was going to do a afternoon recovery ride but the morning got away from me and had to repay a favor to a friend getting a divorce and moved furniture. Is moving furniture considered a rest day?

19.Apr.14 Saturday

Planned:

• Variable Intensity, Z2-4
• 2hr mountain bike ride
• Practice skills

Actual:

• Variable intensity, how can it not be riding the hills around here.
• 2:59:46
• 32.3mi
• Practiced relaxing downhill and getting leaning the bike into turns
• Strava

Nutrition Consumed:

• 1 packet of Honey Stinger Chews
• 20oz bottle of Skratch Lemon Lime Hydration mix

Notes:
Installed a Wolftooth 28T front ring before the ride. Liked being able to spin on more of the the hill sections and not have to grind up. I think I will really appreciate it when I start doing some longer rides and the legs are tired. Erin was on my heels on the climbs so I was being pushed by here and I attempted to keep Jon in site on the climbs and descents. Both of these animals help me set some PR's on the ride. Combined with me really getting comfortable on the new bike and really loving the way it handles. Really liked the taste of the Skratch Labs hydration mix.  Put 2 scoops in 20oz bottle and it dissolved quickly and no residue in the bottle was found.  I also noticed that I didn't feel the need to chase it with water to remove any lingering sweetness or stickiness out of my mouth. Was pretty hungry at the end of the ride and if I was going to be out longer I should have consumed something with more substance. Didn't feel any bonking or cramps coming on either.  Effort and distance were pretty similar to the AFA Falcon ride from home a couple of weeks ago and I felt better after this ride. 

20.Apr.14 Sunday

Planned:

• Endurance
• 1hr on trainer
• Z2, 95-105rpm

Actual:

• Endurance
• 1:10:16, bit of warm-up and cool down
• 16mi
• Strava

Notes:
Rode the trainer at work. Feeling a bit sluggish after drinking beer at a Saison festival all day yesterday.  

Totals for the week:

• 122.9mi
• 10hr11min

Nothing super crazy and will increase as intervals increase and ride times also go up. Probably going to be lower next week because of a hiking trip to Moab over the weekend. 

Workouts as of 16.Apr.14

I have finished 3 days of workouts and they have been pretty good so far. I have followed workout plans in the past and the issue is always 'following the plan'.  Tough to go from just doing what I want to a structured plan.  Several days are ride for x in this zone so there is still some freedom but when friends call I am now 'that guy' who says "sorry, I have to do x workout and need to stay in my zone.."  You have seen the YouTube videos making fun of these people and now I am one.  Well if I want results I will have to just suffer and be that guy.

I am also experimenting with using workouts on the Garmin 510 and need to adjust a bit in using it. Garmin is supposedly trying to chase down Strava and changing the interface with the Connect site.  I don't think they have a chance but will wait before I put a nail in that coffin. It is improved for sure but segments are missing and a bunch of other stuff but you can get valuable information for free, after buying a Garmin device. Here is what mine looks like.

Would be nice if more of the widgets provided some snapshot information.

Here are the workouts so far:

Starting weight: 184.5lb

14.Apr.14, Monday

Planned:

• Strength Endurance
• 1.5hr total
• 20 min warm-up
• 4x6min on off repeats of Z3 with 60-70rpm
• Finish in z2

Actual:

• 94min
• 20 min warm-up
• 4x8 on off repeats of z3 with 60-70rpm
• 26.59 miles ridden on roads and cross bike
• Strava workout
• Strava finish

Notes:

Snowed the day before and it was a bit cool at the start but the sun was out and it warmed during the workout.  Did not pay attention to the details or which one was the correct one that I uploaded to the Garmin so when it finished after 3 repeats I was at a loss since I knew I had to do four and did not pay attention when they were 8 min long, Wed workout length with Monday repetitions.  So I did the correct amount but for longer. More is better, right? Also used some HEED in the bottle because of the effort. First real effort after 5 days of intestinal virus that drained me.

15.Apr.14, Tuesday

Planned:

• Recovery
• 1hr recovery day or day off
• 95-105rpm
• Z1

Actual:

• 1:04:32
• 9.2 miles on road and dirt jogging path on mountain bike
• Strava

Notes:

It is a work day and up to me to take the day off or do a easy spin.  Decided to use it as a easy commute to work. All day training planned so pack was loaded with food for the day and found it took a bit to get legs spinning in specified area and to stay in HR zone I was not moving very fast.  Just had some water.

16.Apr.14

Planned:

Endurance

1.5hr MTB ride

95-105rpms

Z2

Actual:

1:32:58

17.6 miles

Strava

Notes:

Not a bad night at work and warmer than I thought it would be. More roads than I wanted but had to run to FDC to pickup a item. Quick tour of Lower Bear Creek Park and then home. Feeling pretty good.

Came home today and found my Skratch Labs order had come in.  I have been HEED and Edurolytes in my bottles but there always seemed to be some residue that had to be scrubbed out of my bottle or all of it did not mix.  I have been wanting to try Skratch products for some time and with my bottle of HEED almost empty I made a order, along with "The Feed Zone Cookbook". 

Will let you know my opinions.. Hopefully there products perform better than my mountainbike shoes after a handful of rides.  Supposedly a replacement pair are on the way.  They are the Specialized Rime shoes that are otherwise really nice. More to come on them later also. Damn list is growing..

Getting at it.. Well. Sort of.

Oh lucky day when I received a phone call from a friend telling me he won the lottery into the Leadville 100 mountain bike race.  Which meant that because he was in so was I and the others we entered with as a 'team'.  Not exactly the type of lottery that I was hoping on winning but since it is on my bucket list I was pretty jazzed. Especially since this was the first time I have tried to enter and many of my other friends with much more cycling prowess than myself have been trying for years without success were excited for me but also squirted chainlube in my face from jealousy.

Well I needed to change a few things to get ready.

• Get my ass training
• Get a new bike

For the training bit I contacted the local badass Alison Dunlap to create a training plan for me. I have 'The Time-Crunched Cyclist', 'Endurance Training for Athletes', and other training books in my home library but didn't want to spend the time trying to figure out ride time, periodization calendar, HR zones for rides and the rest of it.  Since this is going to be my only 'race' that I have planned I opted for a monthly plan. I get a personalized plan based on an extensive questionnaire related to goals, strengths, weaknesses, etc.  

I was supposed to start training last week but a viral invasion into my GI tract caused me to cut a MTB trip to Fruita, CO short and miss a couple of days at work and delayed my training.  I spoke to Alison and changed the plan to start on Monday and also take into account a hiking trip to Canyonlands at the end of the month. So the workout will start tomorrow, Monday. Hopefully my plumbing will stay sealed long enough to complete a 1.5hr strength and endurance workout that is planned. I would much rather ride outside than indoors on a trainer.  I will just bring a wag bag and toilet paper as a security blanket.

Since my life is in a tailspin (getting a divorce) and I 'won' entry into a bucket list race what else should you do but get a new bike? Besides I hated the Fox fork and wanted to upgrade to 1x11. By the time I did all the upgrades I might as well get a new bike. So I sold my Niner R.I.P 9 and on the recommendations of several friends I went with the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Expert Carbon 29er, what a mouthful. The Niner is a great bike but in the few rides on it I have no regrets and the stumpy rocks! 

Here is the new bitch. All stealthy and blacked out!

Will get a review of the bike and few other things out soon.. Just a quick update and review to what is coming.