2025 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[Stefan Mikes]

Stefan, I do not know. I never compared the mechanical to the wireless. I did update my Santa Cruz Tallboy MTB from cabled 11 speed X01 to 12 speed AXS, many years ago. I never considered the weight. I would think the AXS is slightly heavier. but I move slowly anyway...haha

And one might think you were a bike weight nerd

 

[edobici_forza]

And one might think you were a bike weight nerd

HAHA. This is true. But in the e-bike world I have learned less mass = longer battery range. you know the Creo is only 320Wh. Also more efficient wheels make a difference. I have also dropped 10lbs of my own weight.

 

[RunForTheHills]

And one might think you were a bike weight nerd

I think the correct term from back in the day is weight weenie. Maybe people still use it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

HAHA. This is true. But in the e-bike world I have learned less mass = longer battery range. you know the Creo is only 320. Also more efficient wheels make a difference. I have also dropped 10lbs of my own weight.

Now, you should weigh a mechanical derailleur with a cable and compare it to the weight of the AXS with the battery

I think the correct term from back in the day is weight weenie. Maybe people still use it.

Sounds legit! (I'm not a native English speaker).

 

[edobici_forza]

Now, you should weigh a mechanical derailleur with a cable and compare it to the weight of the AXS with the battery

It looks to be 60 grams more than mechanical.

First Ride Report: SRAM GX AXS Drivetrain

If you like the latest tech, a clean cockpit, or are looking to improve shifting performance, check out the SRAM GX Eagle AXS kit.

theloamwolf.com

 

[Dima]

Photo is not mine but Belorussian bicycle traveler ( Afganistan ) this year

 

[Chargeride]

Now, you should weigh a mechanical derailleur with a cable and compare it to the weight of the AXS with the battery


Sounds legit! (I'm not a native English speaker).

For road and light gravel weight is everything, for hardish off road weight adds momentum and stability, especially down hill.
I found the transition from dirt bike to bicycle very hard at first, it felt far too light and easily stoppable by the slightest obstacle

 

[Stefan Mikes]

For road and light gravel weight is everything, for hardish off road weight adds momentum and stability, especially down hill.
I found the transition from dirt bike to bicycle very hard at first, it felt far too light and easily stoppable by the slightest obstacle

Ed is a weight weenie and he rides a lightweight gravel e-bike

 

[Chargeride]

I was in my day and then some random cyclist at a cafe said, your own power to weight is far more important.

 

[stompandgo]

I'm a weight weenie in the sense that when I add or upgrade equipment, weight is a factor, even if it costs more. I'm not stripping off the rack and fenders, though. A true weenie would strip everything off that isn't needed for propulsion.

 

[Chargeride]

I see the world 10 mile time trial record is now 16.35, holy moly.

 

[stompandgo]

Road or track? World Road ITT events are usually 40km.

 

[Chargeride]

ooh, Id say road, I didnt check that.

 

[Chargeride]

I did it in 23.20 ish when I was 17 on the road.

That time must be track, the road bike record seems to be 18.35, but they use all these annoying non specific three letter descriptions, so I gave up looking.

 

[stompandgo]

You mean like:

ME - Men's Elite
WE - Women's Elite
JMU - Junior Men's Under 23

etc.

 

[Chargeride]

Well the descriptions of the race ctt time trial, Im like that just means cycle time trial cycle time trial.
All the websites are just full of adverts, lost interest.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A Christmas Event at Magda's

This is an annual family gathering at the Social Care Home where my daughter lives.

Magda was very happy with the "alpaca therapy" she's recently got!

My daughter was (as usually) singing in the choir. This photo was taken with the 10x zoom of my Samsung S24 Ultra phone indoors! (I admit the lighting was perfect!)

The polar bear was funny!

I could collect the shipment of new balaclavas. This one, a Polish made Rebelhorn Therm II is meant for the winter, the motorcycle stuff. Note: All courier companies in Poland work 7 days a week in December this year to be able to handle the Xmas workload! (It is a 5-day working week for them for the rest of the year).

I told you the story of Nescafe Gold before. The make was destroyed over 8 years ago with the introduction of Nescafe Gold Blend (instant coffee with finely ground coffee beans added). Nescafe could return to its perfect classic product in Europe in recent months. My issue was none of low cost supermarkets on my way had Nescafe Gold or a regular sweetener in their offer! Extremely irritated, I greaty extended my ride to reach the premium Carrefour supermarket in Pruszków. Interestingly, the price of a 200 g jar was only PLN36.99 (USD10.30 or GBP7.69), which was the lowest price in many years! Note: Similarly to courier companies, big stores operate on all December Sundays now (usually, big shops are closed on Sundays in Poland).

It would be 38 km if not all the shops I had to visit to buy the premium coffee and a regular sweetener!

A funny encounter
On my outbound way, I stopped for a cup of hot chocolade at Żabka (Little Frog) convenience store in Błonie. There were two roadies, warming up inside. As I bought the drink and was about to leave to finish the beverage outside, I heard an agitated voice of one of the riders: "Have you seen? He has Varmia Gravel on his backpack!" That was rude a little bit but I smiled and said Hi to the guys.

As I was standing by my big Vado, the guys emerged to continue their ride. Then they saw my "715 - Sudovia Gravel 2025" starting number on the fork. I wonder what they thought of it!