AZT 750/300 2017 Planning Thread

[LandSharkBrian]

Anyone got opinions on running a 27.5"/3" tire on this track? My main fear is low pressure + sharp things everywhere would be a bad combo bring to the start line. Tire recommendations also welcome - survivability tantamount.

Maxxis Minion DHR and DHF EVO II's.  Mounted tubeless on good wheels.  I had a couple good sidewall scrubs with no issues, in fact no issues at all.  I'm smitten.

[mikepro]

Tire recommendations also welcome - survivability tantamount.

Bontrager XR3 and XR4, set up tubeless, have rolled this track for me 3 yrs in a row, with (2) 750 finishes and a 300 finish.  Zero flats or sidewall tears.  Last year - full on goat heads in both tires at Babbitt Ranch, hundreds of them, and the tires/sealant held the rest of the way to Stateline.  A tire that I ride here in Central OR on the buff trails we have, and has been flawless for me down in AZ.

[woodsy]

Bontrager XR3 and XR4, set up tubeless, have rolled this track for me 3 yrs in a row, with (2) 750 finishes and a 300 finish.  Zero flats or sidewall tears.  Last year - full on goat heads in both tires at Babbitt Ranch, hundreds of them, and the tires/sealant held the rest of the way to Stateline.  A tire that I ride here in Central OR on the buff trails we have, and has been flawless for me down in AZ.

Just got an XR4 up front  What psi combo did you have on the AZT?

[AZTtripper]

Sigh. I do this every year it seems, but the AZTR happens to always fall over my birthday, I'm glutton for pain (I hate the desert!), and doing this single speed sounds suicidal. So, I'm thinking about doing his single speed   (and I haven't visited the Bid Ditch since was 8. 8! And! and I need to finish my lifetime Triple Crown!)

Anyone got opinions on running a 27.5"/3" tire on this track? My main fear is low pressure + sharp things everywhere would be a bad combo bring to the start line. Tire recommendations also welcome - survivability tantamount.

Found this just this morning http://forums.mtbr.com/fat-bikes/best-fat-tire-azt-891851.html

I would think that Mike C would be a good person to listen to "If you absolutely, positively cannot go down there with sensible (2.4ish tubeless ready) tires,"

I know Aaron W from Salida ran a 29+ front for his BCT/AZT combo, but he had a standard tire in the back. Seems like a good option if your running rigid and you can keep a closer eye on the front.

Not sure where the article was but another Aaron did a write up of his set up for a 9 day finish. An all mountain bike with lots of travel and a short stem allowed him to ride more of Oracle ridge.

Plus bikes look fun but not so much on the long distance stuff.

[Gimmearaise]

Maxxis Ikon 2.35 front, 2.2 rear. I have been running this combo for 3 trips on the AZT, including my 750 run last year. My first year I did get a slashed sidewall, but the tire had maybe 20 miles on it. My suggestion is to wear in your tires before you start on the 7th.

Speaking of AZT, I think I had a dream of doing the 300 backwards last night, It would be cool to make that dream a reality, would just need to miss the last weekend of work  at the ski resort. 

Hope everyone is having a great week.

Best,
Neil

[THE LONG RANGER]

I would think that Mike C would be a good person to listen to "If you absolutely, positively cannot go down there with sensible (2.4ish tubeless ready) tires,"

That's quite the BURN on Mike C (Who let the non fat bike rider in here?) - although I know he's very inventive and tinkers with things constantly - I wonder if his own advice would change given the range of tires, now? One of the things I admire about him is his ability to change opinion, esp. since his dream bike is now a 27.5:

http://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2016/10/climax.html

[AZTtripper]

No burning intended, I guess I just see alot of riders slicing regular tires on the AZT. It just seems like a risk.

Interesting read on the Climax, sounds like a fun bike. And there is this paragraph.

I *did* build myself a 29" wheelset for this bike and shod it with a set of light 2.6" tires.  Ostensibly these are for high-alpine days where the trail is smooth enough that I can tolerate the relatively high 20-ish psi's that are needed, and am after a lighter, faster, more efficient overall package for that day

I guess I would want that final piece, more efficient overall, if I wanted to do the Azt again.

Though I definitely agree with the being open to change concept. And it would be great to see you give it another go.

[mikepro]

Just got an XR4 up front  What psi combo did you have on the AZT?

I'm a 'set it and forget it' kind of guy ... 30psi both front and rear.  I might've aired-up prior to hitting Apache Trail - that's a long hard-surface stretch there if you are doing the 750.  You do you, though, after some trial and error (it's your saddle, bike, butt, yiddy-yadda).  Ditto Neil's comment re: breaking them in pre-start.  Easily 200+ miles on them pre-start for me, each year.

[davew]

I find webcams are helpful to check current snow levels.  Like this one www.webcams.travel/webcam/fullscreen/1469446767[

For the voyeurs out there, here is another site with some not so stock standard webcams to check out snow coverage. You may not get the exact area you are after but if you pan around enough you can check out some rather bland back yard furniture.

https://www.wunderground.com/webcams/index.html?qlat=39.26628426150451&qlon=-96.94335937&qzoom=4&region=us

[vikb]

Canadian here with some time off around the AZTR and thinking about a 300 run. Anyone coming from Phoenix that would be interested in carpooling if I flew down? I'd pay all the gas and snacks for getting a ride to/from the 300.

[davew]

I find webcams are helpful to check current snow levels.  Like this one www.webcams.travel/webcam/fullscreen/1469446767

There are some stunning images in this site. A lot of snow too. I wasted a good chunk of time looking through these. Thanks for the link.

[honkonbobo]

Canadian here with some time off around the AZTR and thinking about a 300 run. Anyone coming from Phoenix that would be interested in carpooling if I flew down? I'd pay all the gas and snacks for getting a ride to/from the 300.

i am likely going to be dropping a car at the end of the 750 and driving another car down to the start and will probably have room for 1 person (maybe 2) with gear.

it might make the most sense to see if any 750ers want to jump in first Vik but if no one does i could probably get you to the start.

[ECEGatorTuro]

Canadian here with some time off around the AZTR and thinking about a 300 run. Anyone coming from Phoenix that would be interested in carpooling if I flew down? I'd pay all the gas and snacks for getting a ride to/from the 300.

Hi Vik, I am considering doing the 300 this year and I'll be driving down from the Phoenix area. I can give you a lift if you want. 😊

[Snowbd2u]

Anyone have a good re supply-food-water list that has done this thing?

[Arunas Vysniauskas]

Hi everybody! Happy to meet you all.
I am just recently moved to Phoenix Arizona from Lithuania and getting ready for AZT750 (already got my bike and gears).
I would be very happy if anyone who lives near me would love to join me for some 2-3 days pre-rides (check gears, etc).
Can't wait for the April 7th!

[mvmorten]

I am just recently moved to Phoenix Arizona from Lithuania and getting ready for AZT750 (already got my bike and gears).
I would be very happy if anyone who lives near me would love to join me for some 2-3 days pre-rides (check gears, etc).

Hi Arunas, welcome to Arizona! You may want to join the Queen's Ransom Bikepack ride in March. It would be a good shakedown ride.

See the details here:
https://www.trailforks.com/event/203/

[Arunas Vysniauskas]

Hi Arunas, welcome to Arizona! You may want to join the Queen's Ransom Bikepack ride in March. It would be a good shakedown ride.

See the details here:
https://www.trailforks.com/event/203/

Sounds great. I am definitely in!

[schillingsworth]

Hi Arunas, welcome to Arizona! You may want to join the Queen's Ransom Bikepack ride in March. It would be a good shakedown ride.

See the details here:
https://www.trailforks.com/event/203/

See you there Arunas!! Welcome to the desert.

This is an open invite ride, now in it's 4th iteration. If you are in the area and looking for a shakedown ride for the 300 or 750, this is it. It's self-paced, but we regroup at camp each night. Granted, it's in reverse, but you'll get to ride the final 40 miles of the 300 and about 60 miles of the 750 route - most of the Gold Canyon routing.

Not to take anything away from this thread discussion, but if you're interested in the Queen's Ransom ride, shoot my a direct message either to confirm attendance or any questions you may have. GPX file is available via the Trailforks link.

[Truckon09]

Found this just this morning http://forums.mtbr.com/fat-bikes/best-fat-tire-azt-891851.html

I would think that Mike C would be a good person to listen to "If you absolutely, positively cannot go down there with sensible (2.4ish tubeless ready) tires,"

I know Aaron W from Salida ran a 29+ front for his BCT/AZT combo, but he had a standard tire in the back. Seems like a good option if your running rigid and you can keep a closer eye on the front.

Not sure where the article was but another Aaron did a write up of his set up for a 9 day finish. An all mountain bike with lots of travel and a short stem allowed him to ride more of Oracle ridge.

Plus bikes look fun but not so much on the long distance stuff.

My buddy rode his Beargrease with 29+ and he thought it worked out great. He was running Maxxis Chronicle tires, they hardly looked worn when he finished the 300.

[jaygee]

Hey I'm heading over from Scotland for the 750. I'm going to be in Tuscon from 6am onwards on the Thursday 6th. Anyone heading through that would be able to share a lift to the start?!