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| Fargo Gen 1 |
First I have the Fargo Gen I to choose from. Obviously, I am comfortable on it, as all of my longer rides this year have been done on it. The issue I have is that I don't like the tires I have on it all that much. Otherwise, everything about this bike is ready for a Gravel Worlds attempt. Well.......besides the fact that it is filthy dirty! I am still chipping Tama County clay from the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational off of it. That stuff is like cement when it dries!
The other Fargo is,of course, the Gen 2 version with the 27.5+ wheels on it. The "Fat Fargo", which I have done many long rides on as well. I had just refreshed the sealant on that one this weekend and I will ride it a few times this week to get a feel for how my shoulder reacts to the Cowchipper Bar.
The "Fat Fargo" could be a great choice for me due to the wider footprint of the tires and how that would help with the sandier gravel down around Lincoln. The bad part would be that those wheels and tires weigh a lot more than the Gen I Fargo's wheels and tires do. That's a concern, and the 2.1" tires on the Gen I should be just fine down there. The thing that will sway the decision will be the weather. Right now there is a 35% chance of thunderstorms down there that day, and if it seems like wet weather is a big possibility, I will opt for the Fat Fargo. Otherwise I will go with Gen I and live with the chance it might rain. Either way, right now the weatherman is saying a high of 75° and, of course.......a North Wind. That means we'll get that same long slog of headwind, just like last year, even though the course is going in the opposite direction from last year.
I say.....bring it on!
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| Chipping away the Tama County clay and getting rigged up for Gravel Worlds |
The Garage Bag by Bike Bag Dude on the top tube will house personal items, a camera, and cell phone. That should do it for stuff on the bike. Of course, lights will be mounted and will have to be used right away in the morning, but I also may need them to get this deal done in the evening as well.
I feel pretty good about my choice and if I have to bail out and use the Fat Fargo due to possible weather concerns, I can swap over to that rig easily. I just don't know if my left shoulder can deal with a Cowchipper for hours on end at this point. Maybe I could do it, but I know I can handle the Luxy Bar. Go with what ya know, right?
5 comments:
Good choice Brother... I'm looking forward to seeing you!
But...but.....the Fargo isn't a "proper" gravel bike, it's a 29er! Haha.....
: )
@Smithhammer: But it is the bike that I have the least pain on right now. With my still healing left rotator cuff and right hip, this is the rig for many hours in the saddle which I expect to do in Nebraska. I don't care if it was a fat bike. Less pain = better chances for me right now. It should be noted that I rode the Raleigh Tamland down there last year and it was perfectly fine, but I wasn't injured. Big difference.
@GT - my post was completely in jest. I think you know what a Fargo fan I am, and that I find it to be a great gravel rig for long miles, whether it conforms to the current conventional idea of a "proper" gravel bike or not. It was just a little poking fun at how narrow the description of a gravel bike can be among those who take it way too seriously. Have a great ride and keep enjoying that Gen 1. Cheers.
I'm going with the Cutthroat, but I'm still undecided on tires. It's been a while since I've ridden in Lincoln, but I do remember my first Good Life Gravel Adventure being fairly sandy. I'll likely bring a wheelset with 40c Nano and another with a 2.2 mounted on it and make a call once we get down there. The Fargo would be nice, but with 2.8" tires, it's probably a bit too much.
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