Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

Yeah, 33 would've cut through the mud and I'd definitely have got the KOM on that climb :D

It was a great route, just made evil with the week of rain and we bailed when it came to crossing the bridge to Krk because the missus couldn't even ride her bike. Windy said 95kph gusts, which was why they closed the bridge. We waited for an hour or so in a bus stop (after leaving the hotel late already knowing the bridge was shut) and then decided to fuck it off and rejoin the route later - this was meant to be a fun tour for us after all, it's not a race.

Route was great. Really enjoyed Ljub too - great little city.

I'd agree. I've thrown mine over a LOT of rocks and it's still only flatted once on the road in Scotland.

I flatted the front during 7S riding up hill! How the fuck? Dynaplug fixed it.

Really enjoyed Ljub too - great little city.

Agreed, cevapi all around! Supposed to have a good nightlife too, although we didn't experience that when touring the area.

We didn't go "out out" but did visit every bar in town (almost) and most of the craft beer joints a few times :)

It's got a nice vibe about it - lots of bikes. No cars in the centre is probably why it doesn't feel like a shithole like most places.

Dynaplug

Do you like these? They seem a really over-wrought solution with the metal tips hanging out in the tyre and then going in the bin, something for people afraid of threading a little strip into the fork thing. But if you like and use it I’d look again

the issue is you were not running 33mm tyres mate..

We so need #rep back... :)

I’ve wondered the exact same.
In what way are they so much better than the little bacon strips/jobby things pushed through the hole with the normal stabby thing?

If they are actually functionally better I’d be into it, but is there any real benefit other than they just look cooler?

Edit fwiw I’ve never struggled with bacon strips, have sealed every hole I’ve had on mtb and gravel bike, there’s a bit of a nack to pulling out the tool without unseating the bacon strip tbf

I thought they were a racer's thing? Stab & go in the least possible time

They come in anodised purple casing, what other reason do people need to throw money at them?!

Ah ok, hadn’t really thought about that. I suppose they might be quicker than bacon strips and direct co2 option in a race makes sense too. Racing is for losers anyway :)

I like them because they work. I've used the anchovies before and dynaplug is a lot easier/faster. Even if you're not racing, the faster you can plug the hole, the less sealant and air you lose so you're saving time and sealant.

If you're really concerned about waste, then recycle the plug tips when you send your tyre off to someone to make belts from.

They definitely are quicker. I've never used CO2 though, because I'm not a fucking monster!

Even if you're not racing, the faster you can plug the hole, the less sealant and air you lose so you're saving time and sealant.

Not riding your bike so much could save even more time and sealant

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In my experience, sometimes the bacon strips shoot out on big holes in road tyres, dynaplugs stay in there. But a big hole is usually the death of the tyre ime

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That's not Eddie Murphy

You're not Eddie Murphy

I'm not the one complaining about waste.

Our lifestyles are a huge fucking waste of resources. But I'm not about to stop, fuck the planet. It wasn't my fault, let the kids fix it, etc.

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Easier and faster works for me. The strips I’ve had mixed results with, mainly fine but sometimes not. Cheers Phil

WhoaWeGotABadass.gif

I'm burning plastic bags and kicking kittens as I speak.

Looking for some advice, decided to give up on my planned Bob Jackson functional build (for some light touring in Holland in August) to get a new new bike via cycle to work. the provider has the following available:
Topstone 1
Diverge E5 Elite
Croix De Fer 20
Fugio 10

Has anyone got any recommendations? also recs for racks, seatpacks etc. would be appreciated!

I've had a Croix de Fer since 2017 and it's my most used bike. Commuting, 'gravelling', multi surface rides, family rides, shopping etc. Each time I haven't used it for a while I'm amazed by its smooth ride and capabilities. It's not light but doesn't seem to matter for most of my riding.
It's now got a Restrap small rando bag on a front rack and rear rack, mudguards and dynamo lights. Properly functional but still a joy to ride.
My 2p.

Diverge.
Cannondale like to do occasional silly proprietary things and the wheels always seem shit, Genesis are alright but usually underspecced for the price, so fine if you really want one for the frame.

https://bikepacking.com/plog/racing-seven-serpents-2023/

This.

Plus Specialized warranty are pretty good (as long you register).

Guy brought AWOL, it cracked, don’t make it anymore, got given Sequoia instead, it cracked, don’t make it anymore and now given Diverge E5 under lifetime warranty.

The weather looked a lot better in your photos.