Keywords: crossfondue,gravel ride,u.p.

THE BORDERCROSS aka R(h)ein und Raus

Andy Kessler - 11-Mar-2018
I wanted to write this BLOG since and while but I really hesitated to do so. For the last 4 weeks I have been on and off my bike. I thought yes I can, then being on the bike I thought this is not gonna work... then again I thought hey it's only a day then I thought again yes but you will pay the price for a long time...

Long story short I have serious knee problems once again and just got another nice invitation for a knee operation. It sounded like the last one before I get my second prothesis in my body... Please don't comment I will fight back and the good thing about cycling is that you can do that until you fall off dead from your horse...



So yes, I hate to say it but this year's Crossfondue will not take place. I still have March 25th reserved for it but there is a minimal chance that I can ride that day. So if you are local, do not have to book flights or hotels, have nothing better to do, you still can put that date in your calendar but as I said the chance is small. But as a "glass half full guy" I believe in miracles... So if there is no other blog a week ahead of March 25th it will not happen...

But after my renovation there are two other events that you can put down in your calendar:

July 28-29: The Bordercross or as Gerard would name it the "R(h)ein und Raus":

This is a two-day event where we will cross at least 3 borders. Each day about 80 to 90km. In the evening a nice BBQ and yes if it's not a super rainy day we go swimming in the River Rhein...  Starting point is our office which is 10 minutes from Basel Airport.

September 7-9: OPEN Weekender in Annecy, France (closest airport is Geneva). This will be a three-day event in the mountains around Annecy.

Early May we will release more and detailed informations for both events but reserve the dates now!

Happy trails.

Prev

BOTM: CENTO U.P.P.E.R. - Part 1

Next

Meet-ups in March - MORE DATES

CrossFondue video & photos

The Crossfondue

Developing new models

Stuff your sorries in a sock!

After the show is before the show

What you should know about Cranks & Bottom Brackets

Comments & Questions

OPEN
Best of Luck Andy..... Question .... I’m doing the Lost and Found gravel grinder race along with the Grinduro California which has 8200 ft of climbing. My UP is set up as a 1x and seriously entertaining switching to a 2x ... What setup would you ( or others) recommend? and Why.
Also looking for recommendations for a small food/gear bag for my top tube.
Thank you in advance, and please all comments and suggestions are welcome, it’s a new discipline for me , being a MTB racer
Post #1 of 20. Posted by Doug on 11-Mar-2018 13:20:02 GMT in reply to blog [0<--10567]
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OPEN
I am just waiting for the parts for my new UP to arrive, but I have decided to go for a 1X setup, which I intent to cross the western alps with later this year. While on the road I do like the very tightly spaces gears on a 2x, I believe that offroad there are quite a few advantages to 1X: First of all, due to the chain tension kept by the SRAM derailleurs, you will have less chain slap, i.e. a quieter drive train, furthermore it is a little more reliable with less chances for dropping chain without shifting in the front.
BUT I would always recommend to go with a low low gear, maybe lower than you may think you need; If you can get that and the spacing is fine for you, then stay 1X; if you feel you are searching for "in-between" gears, then change for 2X.

In terms of the top tube bags, I am also very interested if anyone has any recommendations.
Post #2 of 20. Posted by JMM on 11-Mar-2018 14:56:33 GMT in reply to post #1 [10567<--10568]
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OPEN
Thx for your input... I’m a huge proponent for 1x setups , that’s all I run on my MTBs
I would never go to a 2x again.
It’s seems like there might be an advantage to 2x for 65 to 100 mile gravel bike/ Grinduro type races I tend to spin out early on my current 1x setup on the road
Post #4 of 20. Posted by Doug on 11-Mar-2018 15:46:03 GMT in reply to post #2 [10568<--10570]
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OPEN
Thx for your input... I’m a huge proponent for 1x setups , that’s all I run on my MTBs
I would never go to a 2x again.
It’s seems like there might be an advantage to 2x for 65 to 100 mile gravel bike/ Grinduro type races I tend to spin out early on my current 1x setup on the road
Post #5 of 20. Posted by Doug on 11-Mar-2018 15:46:04 GMT in reply to post #2 [10568<--10571]
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OPEN
Have you looked at the e*thirteen 9-46 cassette yet? A 42 - 9 gives you a large gear in between of 52-11 and 50-11. If it is only spinning out that is your concern…
Post #7 of 20. Posted by JMM on 11-Mar-2018 15:52:35 GMT in reply to post #5 [10571<--10573]
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OPEN
I have not, you are correct as I'm looking for a larger gear to avoid spinning out...thank you
Post #9 of 20. Posted by Doug on 11-Mar-2018 21:14:12 GMT in reply to post #7 [10573<--10575]
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OPEN
Hi, I’ll be doing Lost and Found on my UP with 1x SRAM Force. You should be fine!

Apidura is a bag company to look into. https://www.api....com/
Post #3 of 20. Posted by Brian Scott on 11-Mar-2018 15:40:29 GMT in reply to post #1 [10567<--10569]
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OPEN
Thx Brian, that is currently how I have my up 1x configured SRAM Force
Appreciate the bag gouge and your reply
Sorry Andy I may have hijacked your post by accident.
I just thought you and fellow OPEN enthusiasts would be a great resource.
Post #6 of 20. Posted by Doug on 11-Mar-2018 15:52:28 GMT in reply to post #3 [10569<--10572]
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OPEN
Drivetrain choice is so personal. Best to test out what you think works for you, knowing what alternatives there are and if need be change or optimise. I think with a SRAM 1x11 with 38t front is very versatile if you do off-road and steep climbs, but you might spin out in the high gear. Maybe wait until E-tap 1x12 Eagle drivetrain is released? This could be very interesting.

As to the top tube bag, Dark Speed Works make a great bag, I had their 384D and found it a bit small, but their new 915D is perfect, fits a hand pump, spare tube, multi tool, sealant and pressure gauge perfectly.
Post #11 of 20. Posted by Krischan on 12-Mar-2018 08:24:12 GMT in reply to post #1 [10567<--10577]
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OPEN
thank you
Post #17 of 20. Posted by Doug on 14-Mar-2018 11:29:26 GMT in reply to post #11 [10577<--10586]
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OPEN
thank you
Post #18 of 20. Posted by Doug on 14-Mar-2018 11:29:27 GMT in reply to post #11 [10577<--10587]
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OPEN
Hi Doug, so the question would be why do you want to change to 2x. Is its because of the range ? Then I would not change as with a E-thirteen cassette with 9-46 you get all the range you need. if not I would go for a compact in the front with a 46 max ring and a 11-32 in the back as a minimum. Bags you can find from Apidura/X-lab/or darkspeedworks. have fun
Post #12 of 20. Posted by Andy Kessler on 12-Mar-2018 12:07:38 GMT in reply to post #1 [10567<--10581]
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OPEN
Hi Doug, so the question would be why do you want to change to 2x. Is its because of the range ? Then I would not change as with a E-thirteen cassette with 9-46 you get all the range you need. if not I would go for a compact in the front with a 46 max ring and a 11-32 in the back as a minimum. Bags you can find from Apidura/X-lab/or darkspeedworks. have fun
Post #15 of 20. Posted by Andy Kessler on 12-Mar-2018 12:12:51 GMT in reply to post #1 [10567<--10584]
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OPEN
Thank you Andy....and everyone else that chimed in with their knowledge, much appreciated.
I'm going to stick with my 1x setup, and experiment with my ring selection.
Again Andy, I apologize for hijacking your post.
Love the knowledge and enthusiasm of the OPEN enthusiast .
Cheers,
Doug
Post #19 of 20. Posted by Doug on 14-Mar-2018 11:40:03 GMT in reply to post #15 [10584<--10588]
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OPEN
It may be a stupid question, but are the events such as the Boardercross, only for Open bike lucky owners. Or are they open to people with other bikes who just love what Open does. Cheers. Pierre
Post #8 of 20. Posted by Pierre on 11-Mar-2018 17:34:32 GMT in reply to blog [0<--10574]
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OPEN
Hi Pierre, lets say it this way. We would love to have you there but we always have a max of people that we can handle. And hope you understand that OPEN owners would have the first right. But once we launch the details just contact me and will see that we can have you with us...
Post #14 of 20. Posted by Andy Kessler on 12-Mar-2018 12:11:52 GMT in reply to post #8 [10574<--10583]
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OPEN
Hi Andy, thanks for your reply. I totally understand that OPEN owners get first pick. Just thought it would be a great opportunity to ride great trails with like minded people. I will contact you closer to the day to see if it is possible to work something out. I am near Colmar in France so it is pretty easy for me to get toward Basel. Wishing you a speedy recovery in the meantime. Cheers.
Post #16 of 20. Posted by Pierre Rehlinger on 13-Mar-2018 17:07:14 GMT in reply to post #14 [10583<--10585]
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OPEN
That is a realistic approach Andy. Nothing worse than being told everything will be fine when at best it is a long road ahead. My broken femur from 2 Dec 2017 (hey, who's counting..?) was spoken of as a 6 week job, but it is realistically a year. One day, then the next.
Post #10 of 20. Posted by Pete Chesworth on 12-Mar-2018 04:38:45 GMT in reply to blog [0<--10576]
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OPEN
Hi Pete, good luck and lots of patience (not my core competence...)
Post #13 of 20. Posted by Andy Kessler on 12-Mar-2018 12:10:24 GMT in reply to post #10 [10576<--10582]
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OPEN
What's the recommended method to protect hoses/wires entering the headtube? I just bought a U.P frame, wanting to know how to protect the hoses from rubbing on the steering tube. Is there some way to sheath the hoses? What material should I use? Other suggestions?
Post #20 of 20. Posted by Ouwe Wielrenner on 23-Mar-2018 13:13:11 GMT in reply to blog [0<--10614]
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