Advice for Transalp

[Frank_Denmark]

This summer I am trying to conquer the alps
Starting in Germany (Garmish) and ending up at the Riva del Garda.
I am traveling on my Turbo Levo with guys at analog bikes.

The route is mostly on easy singletracks, gravel, fire roads and tarmac.
No hard core downhilling this time.

I don't want to be left behind with out of amps - and therefore I am planning to get the rolling resistance as low as possible.
I plan to change my 27.5+ (2.8") to my 29'er (2.4") and tires with "low profile".

Have any of You experience with this chance in setup?
Do think I can get any significant extra mileage from the new setup ?

 

[Akiwi]

Hey Frank,
I am doing the same trim in a couple of weeks, but starting from Munich.
Have you done the trip already, or is it still coming up. I have a similar question to the tyre. Currently I have an Eddy Current 27.5 2.8" which apparently has qite a rollong resistance, but is comfortable and a lot of fun to ride.
I was considering perhaps the Smart Sam in 2.6 width or something

 

[Frank_Denmark]

Hey Akiwi
I did the TransAlp in july.
Epic experience - I will do it again next summer

I ended up using 29 x 2.25 from Onza.
They are rolling very well and on the flats I was only using 3-4 watts pr km.
Uphill I was mostly in Eco - at 20-30% - Sometimes in trail at 40%.
The distance pr day was between 60-134 km.

Downhill the tyres were good and I often rolled faster than the other riders.
But on gravel pads with a lot of turns the tires did not feel as secures as my normal 2.8 Butchers.

Did 424 km and 11K of climbing

 

[Akiwi]

That sounds like the Albrecht route.
How was it finding accomodation in the evenings? Did you pre book, or phone ahead on the day before etc. I haven't booked as you never know if you need to add a rest day due to bad weather etc. We will be maximum 4 people, me, my 2 sons and a friend.
Any tips that might help. I do a lot of long and high bikerides where battery economy is important so that isn't worrying me too much.

 

[Frank_Denmark]

I did the trip with 30 analog riders.
All included concept and the hotels were booked in advance.
There are so many small family hotels in the Alps, so I You should be able to find accommodation on the go.
I will do this again i 2020
Have a nice journey

 

[Akiwi]

I did the trip with 30 analog riders.
All included concept and the hotels were booked in advance.
There are so many small family hotels in the Alps, so I You should be able to find accommodation on the go.
I will do this again i 2020
Have a nice journey

Wow 30 people, that is a big group!!

 

[Frank_Denmark]

Riding in this big group made the experience epic - when riding on the flats it made me feel like take part in th Tour de France.
Also did Stelvio up and down - 48 hairpins and 68 kmh downhill - some even did almost 80 kmh

Best part was that cars and bikes always were giving way, when they saw the group