Salsa Deadwood SUS

ACT3 will be my first bikepacking race/ride and the is what I will be racing/riding.

Bought this as a complete bike a couple of months ago. Since then I changed the groupset from GX to XTR Di2. Unfortunately Di2 died on me, so back came GX. Couldn't get used to manual shifting, so added GX AXS to the mix. The frame can run plus tires and I have wheels for that. But seeing as plus tires don't have much traction in mud I am riding different wheels right now. Still working on the cockpit. The clip ons are great on the road, but aren't so much offroad.

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What is act3?

500k mountainbike ride across Belgium, Germany and Luxemburg.

Sounds fun!

Any more info on the race? Always love a salsa

To be honoust I don't know very much about it, other than the distance and vertical meters: 500 km and 10.000 meters.

I chose it mainly because it was close to home (I live in The Netherlands). Also, I liked the fact that this is a proper mountainbike race and not the more common gravel'ish track. Other than that I am pretty much in the blind on what to expect. Which is part of the fun I guess.

Is the dropper not fully extended on the first picture? Looks like you can get one with a lot more travel in there with the amount of seatpost showing now.

The dropper came off a my previous bike. At the time I was really into the weight weenie vibe, hence the short dropper. So far I have yet to connect the cable and haven't missed it at all. Might just switch it for a regular post in the future.

Changed the aero clip on setup to a more 'conventional' Surly Moloko handlebar. It was on my commuter before I have really grown to love it. Obviously it doesn't have the aero advantage of the clip on bars, but there are two diffirent riding positions plus loads of space for bags, light, etc. I have handlebar tape incoming to wrap the top parts for added comfort.

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Managed to dig up some information on the track in an aftermovie: https://www.act5.be/act3-3-aftermovie-by-jefte-de-br).

On the website it says it is a 'pure MTB' race. Judging by the aftermovie it is mostly gravel though. May need to reconsider removing the aero bar setup.

Changed the setup ones again. Now running Syntace C3 clip ons. Also fitted a rear rack, so I can run panniers.

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That rack costs far more than it should

It isn't exactly cheap. Not many choices though for racks that works on a fully and take regular panniers.

That rear rack is cool. How come you opted for a full sus over a hardtail for the mileage your are doing?

Rear suspensions allows me to stay seated most off the time. This helps me to keep my power output much more stable, compared to a rigid rear end.

Made quite a few changes over the last couple of weeks.

Changed saddles (a couple of times actually)
Got a crankset width a wider axle so I can now run a 36T chainring
Fitted a 36T chainring
Reverted back to regular GX instead of AXS, because of batteries
Changed bars to Ritchey Kyote
Ditched the dropper
Added a frame bag and front bag
Fitted bottle cages to the fork
Added front mud guard to prevent tire spray when on the aero bars
Changed pedals to SPD

Still some work to be done, like fit ride wrap protection, but I feel like I am almost ready for the big race.

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Final setup, bar the ride wrap.

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Totally dig this, how did you choose tyres?

Tires are Teravail Coronado 29 x 2,8 Light and Supple. They were on the bike when I bought it. They are definitely not the fastest around, but they ride very nice otherwise. Loads of grip in most conditions, smooth sailing on pretty much every surface and so for they are proving to be very durable.

That rear rack is cool.

The rack attached with cable ties?

Seems to me the idea that offroad bikes can’t have rack eyes is silly. This rider needs them.

wait till you hear about Tailfin 😂

I think most guys just ride with a seat pack on a fully. I rode with one on a trip a while back, but I got really frustated by the constant swaying. Also, packing one sucks.

The puck and tierap solution works really well. Tieraps are supposedly industrial grade (not sure what that means though). I did a couple of test runs packed over some local mountainbike courses and it stayed in place nicely even with jumps and all.

Tailfin is a nicer solution, but even more pricey. Also, I use this bike for commuting and with this rack I can fit a normal pannier which isn't possible on the Tailfin.

I use a 7L Restrap bag (my big Viscacha didn't fit) with a dropper-post protector widget thing from Wolftooth (edit: Valais https://www.bike24.com/p2305156.html )

I didn't notice any issues with sway but it will depend what you've got in it. Getting the weight lower, like your setup, would help. I think that's why a lot of people are moving towards Tailfin and top bags. I've been using saddle bags for ages and never really had issues packing them or finding stuff in them. Maybe people pack them different?

Keen to hear how your ACT3 goes. I've had their events on my todo list for ages but never have time.