Second Ride Report:
Pre-ride set-up notes.
- Rapid recovery (rebound) adjustment, increased rebound rate to about 7 of 10 clicks (was at 2 or 3 clicks of max)
- Same fork pressure (100psi)
- Same tire pressures, Front: 20psi; Rear: 22psi.
- Rear caliper realigned, was rubbing
- Increased brake lever reach, firmer feel, more leverage (and power?)
http://app.strava.com/activities/224177048Different park today, Round Valley and Morgan Territory, foot hills of Mount Diablo. Main course is Miwok, a huge steep climb with rocky ramps maxing out at 35% grade.
Ride out to the big climb is single track carved into a hill side weaving between trees followed by flat fire road in Round Valley proper. Among the trees, rocks, roots, and ever present hillsides, the 256SL provides absolute confidence. Front-end pointy, rear-end light and responsive..
Climb was damp and therefore very grippy. Normally this climb requires nearly 100% effort just to complete. One of the most difficult climbs I know of in the Bay Area. Not possible to "take it easy". Despite a slight headwind and relentless head-cold, climb time was a PR! Again, I found myself climbing out of the saddle more. This helps because I can rest my quads while gaining some speed, even if it's just for a few seconds. Rocky ledges were easily negotiated, because I could easily hit them with momentum, nearly coating up and over them.
Decent is the same climb, but... Downhill... It loses 1400' in about 2mi. Much of that elevation is lost on the aforementioned steep (25+%) rocky slopes. It's an adrenaline rush lasting little more then 5min (depending on how brave you are). Speeds exceeding 40MPH are easily attained. Fork provides excellent traction braking on the down-sloping, off-chamber rock-laden bumps.
Towards the bottom the front lever went a little soft and the front rotor began audibly crying. This happens to my Formula R1 brakes on hot days (100degF). My usual remedy is to feed-in rear-brakes bias. I think I may have slightly glazed the front rotor because reduced stopping power persisted even after the rotor had cooled. The rotor also looked shinny. Pushed it too hard without a proper bed-in?
The descent was a PR, even while "holding back"! The fork probably deserves most of the credit for the increased traction and confidence. The fork dampener was probably set too aggressively because my arms and hands were dead at the bottom, over damped for the drops and bumps. This bike is fun to jump BTW! Cable slaps sounds like the bike is disintegrating though!
Final climb and descent is a gem! One mile long climb gaining about 800' followed by high-speed flowing single track among trees and rocks. Couldn't push it like I would have wanted because of groups of hikers and equestrians. In this terrain, "confidence" is the best single-word description.
Post-ride notes:
- Fix that brake hose slap!
- Fork only reached 70% of travel, will drop pressure
- Increase bar drop, move stem down one or two spacers
- Increase saddle height 3mm, nose down saddle 2deg, tighten bolts
- Increase RD cable tension, lost big cog up final climb (may not need it, up from 30t to 32t)
- Back-off damper to about 4 clicks
