Learning Gravel Episode 1: Meet “Dimples: The Gravel Buster”

In my 1st Learning Gravel Post, I’d like to introduce my Gravel Bike – “Dimples: The Gravel Buster”. (If you haven’t watched the Learning Gravel Intro Video yet, check it out for some context: Link to Video

As I mention in the video – while I have a pretty decent amount of bike racing experience (I’m a W Cat1 that has won National and World Championships in the TT and Ultra Racing Discipline, & raced several UCI Stage Races, Road Races, Crits, and TTs), Gravel is an entirely new discipline for me, and I’m not even going to pretend like I know what I’m doing! Sure, I have the fitness, bike handling skills, and race experience to (hopefully) hold my own at the Elite Level, but the learning curve when it comes to what gear to use, tire selection, bike selection, hydration options, aero bars, and a lot more is quite steep. . . And there are a lot of differing opinions out there regarding what is “best” for any given race. I’ve done a ton of research, and have learned a lot, but have also determined that I’m going to have to figure out what works for ME. . . And there is going to be a good bit of trial and error involved with that process!

So, without further ado, I’m going to briefly detail my current setup, which I’ll be racing the Iceman’s Challenge 86 mile Gravel Race on tomorrow. . . And after the race, I’ll report back on how it worked out for me.

 

Bike: 2017 Specialized Diverge Comp

  • Why? Because I got a REALLY good deal on a demo bike in my size. I was offered the opportunity to demo it early in 2018 and raced (& won!) The TX State Gravel Championships on it.. . I liked the feel of the Future Shock Stem and Seatpost (although I really don’t have anything to compare it to. . . .), it handled well for me, & I was offered a REALLY good deal on it (b/c it was a demo being retired in advance of the new model year). I’m a cheap bastard (racing is EXPENSIVE, and the less I spend on gear, the more races and travel I can fit into my budget), and so dirt cheap gently used bike in my size? SOLD!

 

Wheels: Atom Composites CCX-38mm Cross / Gravel Wheels Clincher (Disc)

  • Why? Atom Composites sponsored me in 2018 with my CR60 Carbon Aero Road Wheels, and I LOVE them. They’re light, snappy, and bombproof (they survived my hip breaking wreck unscathed!) . . . So why WOULDN’T I stick with a wheel builder that I trust to give me an unfair advantage on the road? 😉 Not to mention, their wheels have been tested in some of the most grueling events: Dirty Kanza, Land Run, Gravel World’s, regional CX events, the Cyclocross Nationals, World Cup Cyclocross races and Cyclocross Worlds just to name a few. Constantly put to the test in the harshest conditions and yet they continue to prove they are more than up to the task. There are some really great CX and Gravel Racers out there already on Atoms as well: Yuri Hauswald and Caroline Mani to name a few!

Tires: WTB Nano 40

  • Why? I was given quite a few tire recommendations, and did research on all of them. In my research, I found that the WTB Nanos were generally reviewed well as tires that were good for most conditions. Until I get a better handle on what types of tire treads and widths to use for what type of gravel course, I figured an “all-around” gravel tire was probably my best bet. The only concern I have so far is that the 40s don’t have a ton of clearance between my rear tire and frame, so if it’s super muddy, I may run into some problems. Since having them mounted, I’ve also been warned by a few knowledgeable folk that they may be a bit aggressive for what is needed in most Gravel Races. . . So we’ll see!
  • The guys at Austin Tri-Cyclist set these up tubeless, with Orange Seal, BTW.

Crankset / Power Meter: Praxis Zayante 48/32 (170 Cranks) + 4iii Power with M30-385 EVO Bottom Bracket

  • Why? I spent literally MONTHS and HOURS of research trying to find ANY (reasonably priced) Power Meter that was compatible with my Diverge, and the 48/32 Chainring Configuration (which came stock on it, and I really loved in the two Gravel Races I’ve done so far. . .I’m a spinner!). . . I struck out over and over and over again. Stages? Nope, not compatible. PowerTap? Nope. I finally stumbled across a chat forum where someone mentioned that Praxis made a Zayante Crankset with 4iii Power Meter that sold for around the $500 price point. I checked the Praxis Website, and they didn’t have the 48/32 Chainring combo, so I thought I’d struck out again, but I emailed Customer Service *just in case*, and guess what?!?!? They DO make a Zayante 48/32 Crankset with 4iii Power! Their Customer Service was FANTASTIC. I ordered the Crankset/Power Meter through Austin Tri-Cyclist, and Praxis expedited the shipping for us so that we’d have it in time for this weekend’s race 🙂
  • Shout out to the awesome mechanics (Andy Specifically!) at Austin Tri-Cyclist for installing this within hours of delivery so that I’d have it for this weekend’s race!

Pedals: Shimano Deore XT PD-M8020

  • Why? I’m cheap. I had them on my CX bike, and liked them, so I moved them over to my Gravel bike. . .

 

Rotors: Shimano Ultegra RT800 Centerlock Disc Brake Rotors

  • Why? Jamie did some some research, and these are being mounted on high end Gravel Bikes (Canyon, etc), and supposedly they dissipate heat better than the standard MTB Disc Rotors, so we’re giving them a try. . .

Shoes: Lake Women’s MX331

  • Why? As a 2018 Lake Sponsored Athlete, I got a great deal on these, they fit my narrow feet really well, and hey – they match my kit, so Win/Win!

 

Saddle: BiSaddle ShapeShifter

  • Why? Since Fracturing my Pelvis in early August, I’ve had considerable Sit Bone Pain with my “go-to” Road Saddle. I also hadn’t loved the Specialized Saddle that had come on the bike, so when I was given the opportunity to Demo the Shape Shifter, I jumped at it! I worked with David Wenger of Durata Training to dial the width adjustments in for me, and so far I am LOVING it. We’ll see how 86 miles of Gravel feels on it tomorrow!
  • You can read more about the BiSaddle  in my post here (click link to go to Instagram Post) 

 

Aero Bars: Profile Design T1+

  • I know . . There seems to be a huge debate over whether Aero Bars have a place in Gravel Racing. . . But as a female who will be racing with guys most of the time, I’m just not capable of putting out the raw power #s that most men do. My Watt to Kg Ratio is pretty damn good, but I weigh 57K soooo. . . . I don’t throw down crazy high #s. Also, as a Time Trial Specialist, I am more comfortable in Aero than pretty much any other position on a bike. That is my happy place. No, I don’t plan to tuck into Aero in the middle of a huge pack. . But after making the selection, and working that 4-5 man break, or when I find myself in no-mans-land TTing on a Farm Road in 20+ mile winds, I am sure as hell going to benefit from the Watts I’ll be saving while tucked.

Top Tube Bag: Apidura Top Tube Pack

  • The one and only Colin Strickland graciously offered to let me borrow his Apidura Top Tube Pack for the weekend so that I can get a feel for whether I like having a bag on my top tube before purchasing one. I mounted it and did my openers with it today, and so far, I’m digging the fact that it’s narrow and that my knees don’t rub it. . It’s also super easy to access, and will easily hold my phone, charger, gels, and some Cliff Blocks, so we’ll see how it works tomorrow!

Hydration System: Osprey Viper 13

  • LOTS of research done on Hydration Packs. At the end of the day though, I liked a ton of the design elements of the Osprey, they have GREAT reviews, and they stand behind their lifetime guarantee. I found a killer deal on a GREEN one on Black Friday, and pulled the trigger. My only concern is that it might be a little hot for this heavy sweater. . . So we’ll see!

Fit: Retul Fit by the one and only David Wenger of Durata Training 

  • Last, but most certainly not least, I have to mention the bike fit. . . I am one of those people that has super wonky knees, where if my cleats aren’t positioned juuust right, or if my saddle is off by even the slightest margin. . . I’ll pay for it for weeks with knee problems. Since fracturing my hip, I’ve also got to be very careful to ensure that I’m not “lopsided” or using one side more than the other, so I made an appointment with the best bike fitter in town to get everything dialed in before this weekend’s race. We did a lot of work to get my cleats just right, ordered my Praxis Crankset with 170s (down from the 172.5 Cranks that came w/ the bike), adjusted my BiSaddle positioning, and I think I’m ready to take on tomorrow’s race pain-free!

Phew . .that is a LOT. . . It’s late, and I’ve got to get some sleep before tomorrow’s race, so cutting this one off here, and I’ll report back in a few days with how everything worked out! 💚 🚲

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