I have compared a tough fast-touring Schwalbe Marathon Greenguard 25mm tyre with a Michelin Pro 4 Endurance 28mm.
After some playing around with the calculators I worked out that I can get something very close to my original compact 2x11 set up with a single, 44-tooth ring on the front and a wider 11-42 tooth cassette.
None of what follows is scientific, but based on my experience. I think it's better to have a plan and some targets to keep you motivated.
I used a SRAM RED eTAP road groupset with rim-brakes for about eight months and about 4600km. Here are my thoughts.
For those with the stamina, see also my lengthy report of Paris Brest Paris 2019.
I’m hoping to enter PBP shortly and, having failed to complete it in 2015, I’m keen to do everything to ensure I get to Brest and back within the 90 hour "tourist" time limit.
This is the first time I’ve heard it put in such emotive terms, but I know others who are nervous of cycling, especially on the road, due to fear of serious injury.
It wasn't the first time I'd gone to Paris with the intention of riding the world's oldest and most famous randonee.
I've tried a number of different saddles some with cut outs, some without. I'm now pretty happy with my usual seat, a Charge Spoon.
Changing down the gears resulted only in a rumbling clicking sound and sometimes, eventually a shift. I got the bike up on the stand and had a closer look.
In order to be more organised and hopefully more successful in my upcoming PBP attempt, I’ve created a planning spreadsheet giving me a better idea of where I should be, when.
It's ten past one on Sunday morning as I take a turn signposted to Lake Vernwy via Hirnant Pass. I begin to climb and the drizzle returns. I'm tired and wet. I'm not sure I'm enjoying it, but I remind myself that food and bed is less than twenty-five kilometres away.
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