I am quite certain I will end up back on my Cross Check singleized
again. I made the mistake this year of not keeping the fenders on as
I was worried about mud packing whilst running my Bontrager XR 29X2.0
tyres. For my 3rd try at Trans Iowa, I plan on skinnying to 29X1.75
tyres and keeping the fenders. Probably stay with the 42X22 gearing
unless the weather looks perfect. I figure I will have a 21t and 20t
freewheel ready to switch in the hotel before I depart, just in case.
I have a Supernova E3 triple on order that I am going to compare to my
Edelux I ran this year. I figure you can't have too much light.
Hopefully my basket bag is ready in time to do some serious shakedown
rides. I would like to try to carry less stuff this year. Chronic
overpacker. That being said, I am tempted to get a small (Nitto?)
rear rack/bag to help balance the bike out. It seemed to make a
difference this year. Unfortunately, the gravel is going to be frozen
solid very soon and will not give me accurate race conditions. Some
things you just have to wing.