MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Aiming to do the SDW in a day later this year - when I'm feeling fit enough and the trail conditions stack up.
I'm lucky enough to have a choice of bikes - light(ish)weight steel hardtail and Yeti 575 built towards the XC end of things. Which is going to be best - hardtail for cycling efficiency or Yeti for greater comfort for a 12-14 hour day?
Also, I've got some Maxxis Crossmarks on the bike right now - are they going to be the right choice for the route?
hardtail and crossmarks would get my vote
If you've done a few big, long days in the saddle the hardtail might be quicker as there's lots of climbing and it will be more efficient and, presumably, lighter. If you're not or are at all worried about comfort, your legs or your back, or you're intending on sitting and gently spinning up all the climbs, the Yeti would be a safe option.
Maybe a couple of photos of the builds would help with giving advise as "steel hardtail" covers a VAST range of bikes and 575s can be build up in so many different ways. One man's "light-ish" is another man's downhill minster!
Oh, and good luck with the ride. This weekend would be good as did a big ride yesterday and the trails are baked tarmac hard already so a fast time would be on the cards with the current windyness 😉
I've been thinking about it for a while as well.
Is it easy to follow?
I've ridden a bit at the Winchester end to QEP, but I was just following so didn't pay much attention to signage etc!
Reckon the weather is just about spot on now so if it lasts till Tuesday I may go and have a whirl!?
Anybody fancy it? I'm easy will start at either end?
Could give it a shot on Wednesday perhaps... how much climbing is involved on the route?
about 10,000ft.
lots of good info here [url= http://www.bikedowns.co.uk/ ]http://www.bikedowns.co.uk/[/url]
[url= http://www.bikedowns.co.uk/Profile%20All.htm ]Profiles[/url]
Yeah there's some pretty hideous ones by the looks of it! But at least they'd be dry!
Can do any day at the minute but Wednesday or before is preferable.
I did half the SDW on my Kona Explosif, pulled up due to knee pain. If I were to attempt it again, I'd take the 575 for comfort...but it is built up relatively light.
You won't need the travel on the full suss. If it is heavier, you might notice the extra weight after a long day in the saddle and lots of hills though. Equally your back/arse might notice the HT. I would be tempted to go for HT myself, but I suppose it depends on your personal viewpoint. If it is dry, I would think crossmarks ideal?! If it is wet - don't bother!
I'd go on the Hardtail
I've done it a few times now, most of it's pretty easy to follow,
but there are a few bits if you're not paying attention you can just carry on for miles before you realise.
Get a GPS if you can or somebody that knows it come along or at least a map if you don't know it.
[url= http://www.harveymaps.co.uk/acatalog/South_Downs_Way.html ]SDW Maps in one[/url]
i'd go for the 575. when you're feeling tired you'll be grateful that you can just sit and spin in relative comfort. I would imagine a 575 built up pretty light isn't going to weigh too much anyhow.
crossmarks and whichever bike is lightest.
Well I'll be on a 456Ti with double up front, think the Five might be overkill although it's only 26.5lbs.
Having looked at train from Andover to Eastbourne I'd have to start Winchester end unless I can figure a way to get to Eastbourne.
Earliest train doesn't get in till 0815 and they are not bike friendly at that time of day, especially as I have to change at Clapham Junction
My back and shoulders were killing me on a hardtail. A light-ish xc suspension bike would be ideal for me and my ailments.
Soft-tail when I need it. Perfect bike. Crossmarks as long as it's dry and has been for a few days.
+1 light full susser
Yep did a few big all day rides on SDW last year and the pounding towards the end of the day made me grateful for the suspension.
Im going for it soon, Hardtail for me, Giant XTC Carbon Job but taking the Bivi so loads of gear!
Thanks for the feedback folks. I'm tending towards the Yeti (XT kit + TALAS + 355 wheels) as it's about 27lb and I've done long days on it before whereas the HT (a Kinesis Decade Virsa - very nice too and highly recommended) is a relatively new acquisition and we're still in the "getting to know each other" phase. Thing is, given the distance, it isn't going to be pain free but I reckon I'll be further into the ride before I feel it on the Yeti.
From riding on downland in the past, it isn't the ups that get me, or the downs, it's the bumps on the flat, which seem to go straight up the spine, especially when the onus is to keep pedalling rather than doing some cruisy freewheel stood on the pedals.
Poppa - if it's wet, I'm not starting, I've tried wet chalk and I'm not doing that again......
Me? Hardtail every time! I have a Yeti 575 27lb build and a 21lb Litespeed Pisgah, Pisgah wins every time due to lighter weight, much easier to climb, comfy with carbon s/post which is why the 575 is currently for sale!