Tried 40s now trying 28s. These feel faster for sure but not sure how they'll do on shittier roads and more challenging decents. Thinking the sweet spot for me might be 32s.

Edited June 7Jun 7 by TMoney

I'm a 30/32 guy on the road.  I think my Roubaix maxes out at 32 and that's what's on it now.  I have a pair of 30s in reserve for when those wear out and won't sweat the difference. 

Got the monster truck tires mounted on the Aspero today and went out for a spin.

Was happy to average 19 with 40s and the bike turning itself into a single speed for the last 13 miles. 

20 hours ago, n_maher said:

I'm a 30/32 guy on the road.  I think my Roubaix maxes out at 32 and that's what's on it now.  I have a pair of 30s in reserve for when those wear out and won't sweat the difference. 

Yeah, think I'll end up there as well.

The 28s feel amazing WHEN the pavement is smooth. As soon as the quality goes to shit, I miss the bigger tires. 32 should be the sweet spot and is as big as the Vittoria Corsa Pros go.

Did some good long rides this weekend so I feel ready to do the metric centuries I've signed up for. If I can survive the climbs, I'll finish no problem. It really is amazing how easy it is to pace with a power meter.

Finally made it to the top of the local climb without blowing up. Key change was grinding out the steepest pitches sub 60 rpm to keep my heart rate out of the red. I was worried I’d be going too slow to stay upright, but it was fine.

Also helps that I’m also slowly but surely getting more fit.

I feel a lot better about the climbing on the Marin metric century now that I’ve finally been able to get up and over this thing.

Nate is right, 32mm is the sweet spot. Put some on and they felt amazing.

 

Edited June 20Jun 20 by TMoney

Quite funny!

 

Nice article on Pogi and what he means for cycling to coincide with the start of TDF.

Guy is hard not to cheer for.

https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/49207337/tour-de-france-tadej-pogacar-greatest-all-lance-armstrong

Seeing Tadej annihilate on the Tourmalet is good motivation.

Edited July 9Jul 9 by TMoney

Damn that was nuts. I thought Jonas was going to hang in there with him but he clearly couldn't.

My French cousins who are avid cyclists and Tour fans are essentially boycotting the last couple of years because Tadej is ruining it for them. Either he's doping or otherwise cheating and/or he's making it boring because there is no suspense.

The fun part about cycling is his rivals could form an uneasy alliance when he goes on these long range assaults, but they are too busy squabbling over the remaining two podium spots to work together to bring him back. Unless he just has an off day he is nearly impossible for the other GC guys to beat one-on-one. The only guy to get him this year was Wout.

Found some motivation this morning. Weather was fantastic.

Calories were burned so beer will be drank.

I think it might be time for NBC to retire Phil Liggett after this tour.

Visma decision to race most of the "A" guys at the Giro looking catastrophic. Jonas gonna have to really battle for 2nd. His team is totally missing in action in these final GC bunches. I know Wout is missing, but the rest of the guys are not exactly helping their leader.

Red Bull and Decathalon should be smelling blood right now.

Edited July 14Jul 14 by TMoney

I actually think Phil has been more coherent than he was a couple weeks years ago. He's on some good brain supplements or something. It will be a sad day when he hangs it up.

Did a final big shakedown ride before the Marin Metric Century in two weeks. I didn’t want to see the hardest climb (Wilson Hill) for the first time on Fondo day. It was indeed a bear, but I am ready for this. The training has paid off. Should be a fun century.

West Marin is pretty damn good riding when you aren’t on the major through roads.

Great job Adam! You're definitely ready -- especially for a supported ride with breaks and refueling stops. Impressive progress!

This one is for @MexicanDragon - we’ll see if I made a good decision a week from now.

2 hours ago, n_maher said:

This one is for @MexicanDragon - we’ll see if I made a good decision a week from now.

1) damn, that's a tall headtube

2) 58?

3) I can't even tell which model that is, but you're the first Allied owner I know. Neat!

4) Where are the proper pix!?! And details!?!

1. Standard geo, and probably thrown off by the extreme closeup.

2. Yes, 58.

3. Echo, 1st generation.

4. I’ll take better pix when it gets here.

TLDR - I had a friend who was looking for a gravel bike and mentioned that I had been thinking about moving the Canyon that I bought last fall. I had really bought that bike for the wheelset that was on it and so that my friend Tom would have something to ride for the century we do every year. Those two needs met, it wasn’t a bike I loved or really cared about so out it went a couple weeks ago. I had just missed the chance to buy a first-gen Allroad and had been looking at Allied’s offerings when I came across this Echo. Frame is from 2022, color is BMW’s Java Green Metallic, and it allegedly only has 1,000mi on it. I think I’m going to have Allied make a color matching stem for it and the wheelset will be getting upgraded from the Boyd aluminum hoops that there are there now. Should be a fun whip and will likely take over commenting duty.

TdF

That was something special. What a pleasure to get to watch this guy. Absolute legend demolishes the most legendary climb in the sport.

As the tour comes to a close, nice NYT piece on the business side of things. Shame the ASO is so conservative. I would love to see them work to grow the sport.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/business/tour-de-france-amaury-aso.html?unlocked_article_code=1.0VA.bUGg.jEXh-T33IBhx&smid=url-share

On 7/21/2026 at 12:29 AM, MexicanDragon said:

4) Where are the proper pix!?! And details!?!

It's late and I'm tired, but here's a start.

1. Needs a new seat post and seat.

2. I'm going to update the cockpit properly.

3. Already have a different wheel set for it, which is why I didn't bother installing the rotors.

Properly slammed, and with fresh bar tape. She is ready for the Marin Century tomorrow… hopefully I am too!

Good Luck, TMoney!

Have a great ride, @TMoney !

Marin Metric Century done and dusted!

That was so much fun. Cool to ride with thousands of people. The stretch along Tomales Bay is A++ riding. Those of you who have been out to Marshall for Oysters know what I am talking about.

I am soooo glad I trained for the climbing and held some back for the final hill. Next year we do the 100 miler!

Edited August 1Aug 1 by TMoney