[Closed] Boring Megavalanche Bike Setup Questions

I'd just take both chainrings and use the 36 for having fun and 32 for raceday. The steepest climbs are quite short and you'll likely be that kacnkered you'll just push them (plus there will likely be traffic of people pushing anyway so running a 36 wouldn't be too bad. However, if you're happy to spin up teh climbs then 32t would be better.

TL,DR: take both, try both, choose best one.

Hayes brakes should be fine I reckon. It's not a a very 'brake-y' course except for the bottom in the woods.

Pressures wise, it will make a tiny difference put nothing that substantial.

It's not a a very 'brake-y' course except for the bottom in the woods.

quite possible to properly cook brakes racing mega. some serious brake stink as you ride out there. switchbacks in particular are brake tastic.

if you have better brakes, fit them.

chainrings; take both, see what you think.

brakes; if you've got a spare set, take them.

pressures; difference is about 2000 metres, which could in theory make a difference of about 3 psi (thereabouts).

(it's only 15psi if you take them into space after inflating them at sea level)

tip: set your brake levers to about 15 or 20 degrees below horizontal.

this means you don't need a clenched grip to hold on, it'll feel weird while you get used to it, but your forearms will thank you for it.

(it works for me anyway)

Thanks a lot chaps, I think I'll just take the lot and mess about while I'm there.

3psi! Crikey Bollocks! That'll throw me off completely 🙂

Is the general consensus to run higher pressures for the Mega, fast rolling, avoid pinch flats and the like?

ahwiles - I run my levers pretty flat anyway, for that very reason. I've not done anywhere near as much powerball training as I hoped I'd do, so lets hope the lever thing works.

The Hayes are pretty well bled and in good condition, I'll see how they fare. I'll just try not to drag the brakes too much.

Does anyone know if I can use the larger Hayes rotors with my SLX calipers?

Second the better brakes, my Avid Codes stop my dead on trails over here but after a day of riding over there I had the strange burning smell coming from my discs and even got a nice burn where I touched one of the discs while picking my bike out of a tree! As for tyre pressures I highly recommend a bit extra to avoid flats as I was unfortunate enough to puncture on the qualifier just before you get to the main pedally bit. After a hasty change of inner I then managed to get a second puncture as you come off the road into the last singletrack section. Missed out on a mass start place by only about 4 minutes in the end. Gutted!

Great week other than that though, the feeling of sitting in the mass start for the qualifier was nuts...you'll remember this tune forever!

Is the general consensus to run higher pressures for the Mega, fast rolling, avoid pinch flats and the like?

Find the trade between grip & rolling resistance. I just ran ever so slightly more PSI than I would on my DH bike for the qualifier (high 20's), but stupidly listened to supposed advice for the main race & lobbed about 40psi in. It rode like crap.

You have to be doing something really stupid to flat a dual ply DH tyre anyway.

+1 @ Crankbreaker and that bloody song.

Still brings me out in a sweat even now, playing it back in my head.

Other things I can add to the prep:

[b]Take a rear mech, chain and hanger in your bag.[/b] You will see many MANY of these broken and discarded at the side of the trail. Indeed, I've suffered myself, and had to run pretty much the entire race. Not fun.

[b]Take a first aid kit with you. [/b]You never know, indeed last year, we saved a kiddie from going into shock whom had gone white by shoving a gel into him, and strapping up his severely buggered hand. Fingers crossed it won't be you who needs it, or any of your mates.

[b]On Quali and Race day, make sure you take food and drink and a warm top for the looooooooong queues[/b] - and don't be tempted to get up there too early - it's very boring. And very very cold. They will squeeze you up through the queue if you end up late, everyone's very nice.

[b]Take at LEAST 2 sets of spare sintered brake pads or more.[/b] If it is your first Mega, you WILL drag your brakes - only the seasoned Mega guys know the course well enough to stay off the brakes - never mind the amount of people who get in your way.

[b]Slow your damping down[/b] - seriously, it makes a big difference.

[b]Don't try to go nuts at the start of the week[/b] - you've all week to enjoy riding, don't screw it up (like a good mate. Twice.) by getting over excited and ending up in Grenoble hospital - it's a long drive.

[b]For Gods sake, have insurance, and insurance that has off-piste heli cover[/b] - otherwise you'll have a big bill should you come off. Get the Multi Assur Sport Cover (I think it is) - that saves you the wnaky docs note palava, and covers you for everything.

[b]Food[/b] - buy it down at the town at the bottom of the mountain, it is a LOT cheaper. Same with booze. Go to the L'Etalon for your beers and see Merina and Nathan - they're legendary for a looooong day's drinking - they have a potent home made gin (IIRC, I was rather drunk by then - say the boys from last year with the crippled Chris sent you). Alpe D'Huez nightclubs are crap and always empty anwyay.

[b]If you want to go swimming, take your speedo's[/b] - it's the law (really). Don't buy them there like my mates did last year - they got fleeced. However being the adonises that you are, I'm sure the off season seasonaires won't laugh at you. Too much.

Can't think of anything else springing to mind, but I'm sure I will add them if I can.

Neil (4 time Mega entrant, 2 time finisher (one time in the pro race), 1 time with a working bike)

Oh, and it's the rules to shout, insanely loudly, at anyone in front of you, the following:

[b]ALLEZ, ALLEZ, ALLEZ![/b]