How Pros Set Up Gravel and MTB for 2024 Lifetime Grand Prix - Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast 480

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// TOPICS COVERED
(0:00) Welcome!
(0:12) Alex’s upcoming races
(05:19) Equipment discussion
(05:45) How Flight Attendant has changed bike setup
(08:45) Suspension sag, pressure, and settings
(11:36) Are tire inserts needed if you run high pressure?
(13:06) Why some modern wheels are using stiffer spokes
(14:45) Why mountain bikers are no longer using dual piston brakes
(16:50) What tires Alex is running on his MTB
(17:50) Tire specs explained!
(19:25) Should we not use different sized rotors?
(20:00) Why thicker rotors can perform better
(21:22) Alex’s thoughts on the new SRAM Red
(23:30) MTB brake setup tips
(26:18) How integrated handlebars fit differently than you think
(31:07) Are hardtails and softails irrelevant now?
(32:48) How Alex sets up the Epic WC suspension
(35:05) Are suspension gravel bikes the future?
(37:20) Alex’s gravel tire setup choice on the Crux
(39:40) Why drop bars on hardtails is so complicated
(40:36) Waxing chains - how the pros do it
(44:40) Why SRAM Transmission is making chain lubrication more complicated
(49:23) Alex’s cycling kit changes
(51:10) What Alex does for carbohydrate mix
(55:57) How Alex has changed his recovery strategy
// RESOURCES MENTIONED
- Alex’s Instagram: alexwildmtb
- Truckee Tahoe Gravel: www.truckeegravel.com/
- Rockshox Flight Attendant: www.sram.com/en/rockshox/coll...
- Vittoria Air-Liner Insert: vittoria.com/products/air-lin...
- Roval Control SL Team: www.specialized.com/us/en/rov...
- 4 piston brakes: www.sram.com/en/sram/models/d...
- Renegade Tire: www.specialized.com/us/en/s-w...
- Fast Trak Tire: www.specialized.com/us/en/fas...
- Ground Control Tire: www.specialized.com/us/en/gro...
- Maxxis Aspen: shop.maxxis.com/collections/m...
- Maxxis Rekon Race: shop.maxxis.com/collections/m...
- Maxxis Rekon: shop.maxxis.com/collections/m...
- SRAM HS2 Rotors: www.sram.com/en/sram/models/r...
- New SRAM Red: www.sram.com/en/sram/road/ser...
- Tracer: www.specialized.com/us/en/s-w...
- Pathfinder: www.specialized.com/us/en/pat...
- Roval Control Cockpit: www.specialized.com/us/en/rov...
- Silca Chain Waxing System: silca.cc/products/chain-waxin...
- Wend Wax: bike.wendperformance.com/
- Rex Black Diamond Hot Wax: rex.fi/en/shop/bike/hot-waxes...
- DNA Cycling Kit: www.dnacycling.com/?gclid=Cjw...
- Prevail helmet: www.specialized.com/us/en/s-w...
- Evade helmet: www.specialized.com/us/en/s-w...
- Carbs Fuel: carbsfuel.com/
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[@chrisl6382]

Love when Alex is on the channel!

[@Kevin-wj4mb]

Two outstanding guys making our world a bit better.

[@brucehumphries6889]

Similar shock and fork setup. This is on the Epic Evo 7, with RockShox Sid SL and the 110 front fork.
The middle setting is the money spot, with the open only coming into play on descents.

[@cynthialee6147]

I love number nerds. They identify success and make it repeatable. Thanks for all the lessons learned. As they say in tennis- "advantage listeners."

[@robp3431]

So many good tips, 'gonna have to re-watch and take some notes, thanks !

[@thenoclue90]

48:06 You can’t call yourself detail oriented and also use Muc Off lube 😂

[@TrainerRoad]

Muc-Off's C3 Ceramic Dry and Ludicrous AF lube actually performs decently well in 3rd party tests in terms of drip-on lubes.

[@RondoB]

The roval road gps mount also works for the integrated mountain bar

[@brianrowbotham4010]

Maybe it was just my riding conditions but I find the Grid casings way less stiff than a standard Exo casing from Maxxis.

[@stuff416]

Jonathan using Muc off lube kills me. You focus so much on gains only to use such a terrible lube.

[@oliveoil2x]

Thanks!

[@TrainerRoad]

You bet!

[@nicholkid]

curious why Alex doesn't use the sworks tires

[@jasonvantassel8418]

Johnathan….did you make it up to tahoe truckee gravel? I didnt see you on course or after….and no result…?

[@gregmorrison7320]

I never understood running your suspension full open on descents (I'm on hardtail here) I don't want the fork diving on a descent. I used to run it full open for some small bump compliance but once I re-valved my fork I never run it on full open even there. I want some damping, or more than what full open provides. Why do you want your fork to blow through on a descent? Seems odd to me.

[@timtaylor9590]

i hope rob is ok, looks like he called out of work

[@Richz2]

Jonathan ‘marginal gains’ Lee is using muc-off. Never thought I would ever hear those words from him…

[@TrainerRoad]

The Ludicrous and C3 Ceramic Dry easy and performs well-enough in third party tests.
- Jonathan

[@Richz2]

@@TrainerRoad check out Zero friction review.

[@DDai-qd8uk]

Is Chad still on the podcast?

[@iTroyer]

Bro lol

[@DDai-qd8uk]

@@iTroyer suh duu

[@thomasjacques8400]

Sigh - Ask a MTB / Gravel coach Podcast again and again and again - Please can we have some road-specific content. Please don't make me listen to another 45 mins of gravel tyre choice.