Gear Up for a Great Ride
By Ryan Biddix
In the world of cycling, preparation is vital, especially when gearing up for multi-day events like Bicycle Across South Carolina (BASC). To gain a greater understanding of essential gear and bike setups for such a long trek, we’ve again turned to Michael Haldeman from SpokeWorks Bicycle Workshop. With his extensive experience repairing and riding bikes, Michael offers crucial advice tailored to the vast terrains that riders will encounter on their journey.
In his second interview with The Post and Courier, Haldeman offered pointers on selecting the right bike gear to match individual needs and preferences:
What types of bikes and bike setups do you recommend for a multi-day event like Bicycle Across SC?
For this event and the planned courses, a gravel-oriented bike would be best, or possibly a short-travel hardtail mountain bike. Both will be efficient and most comfortable on what sounds like a majority of gravel/dirt roads and a little pavement.
Can you recommend essential gear that participants should have for this event?
Flat tire repair kits! Flat tires are not fun, and having the appropriate items to fix a flat and get riding again is imperative.
In addition, methods to carry hydration and nutrition are important.
Are there specific tires or tire pressures you recommend for the terrain typically encountered in SC?
It depends if you are running tubeless tires/wheels or not, and what your rider weight is. I’m 180 lbs, and run 38 psi front and rear on my tubeless set-up gravel bike. If I’m riding a hard tail, then I’m running 18 psi in the front, and 20 psi in the rear.
Running a bike with tubes in it will require you to be more inside the psi range that is written on the side of your tires, otherwise, you run the risk of getting a pinch flat when the tube is pinched between the rim of your wheel and the terrain you are riding on. What tools or spare parts do you suggest riders carry to handle common issues on the road?
See above. Flat repair kit (spare tube, tire levers, co2 cartridge, co2 head, a tool for removing thru-axle.)
How does weather typically impact bike gear choices for this event, and what should riders prepare for?
Weather is going to affect mainly clothing, and possibly tire psi as well. If the gravel/dirt becomes slick or muddy, your speed will slow significantly, and your workload will increase exponentially.
Are there any emerging bike technologies or gear innovations that you think could benefit riders in this event?
Electronic shifting is amazing for any bike if it fits the budget. You alleviate cable and housing stretch being an issue, which can affect your bike shifting correctly.
In addition, the proper tire width for this BASC event is crucial to how hard or easy your ride will be.
All riders attending BASC are encouraged to come to the SpokeWorks Bicycle Workshop and have a conversation about what you need on your bike to be ready for a great weekend. We love helping customers maximize their efficiency, comfort, and fun on their bikes.
Hopefully, these tips from Haldeman will help each rider experience a more comfortable and enjoyable journey across the diverse terrains of the South Carolina countryside. Make sure to visit Michael Haldeman, this year’s resident mechanic, at the BASC base camp!
