2012 Test of Metal Results

[stickboy]

First and probably last TOM. Satisfied with 4:03. What a well organized race!! Big thanks to the volunteers and locals cheering along the way. The dude in the rain gear with the warm hose at the end of the race was a miracle worker!! Plunge was surprisingly grippy as others have said. Had an Aspen on the back and it hooked up well.

[mattbc]

3:58 this year. Although almost a full 30mins slower then the last time I raced TOM, I am quite happy. Im not a solid climber, so the race really starts for me at the top of the Lava Dome. This years conditions definately made it more of a mountain bike race than a road race on gravel.

From the top of Lava Dome, I had a big grin ear to ear everytime I over took a group of 6 or 7 guys at a time, that follow each other single file. Just let the breaks go and you'll go faster. For the most part, guys were super curtious and did give way when you call out "track left" or "rider up". I was super stoked to have rode clean, without having to get off the bike, from Ring Creek all the way to the bottom of the Power House Plung. A few applications of Gatorade chain lube kept the chain suck at bay.

I too felt bad for some of the trails. Roller Coster and especially that 6' x 40' mud pit mid Ring Creek Rip.

[Tom]

You cleaned the uphill/flat sections of the plunge?

[metasport]

Neal Kindree was the fastest competitor of the day and Wendy Simms was the first woman to cross the finish line.

[mattbc]

Originally Posted by Tom

You cleaned the uphill/flat sections of the plunge?

Yep. My 4hr time wasn't what made me feel like a rock star. Powering through that section did. You'd be amazed at what you can actually climb in mid ring if you give it a go. (granny wasn't working, so I had no choice)

[brian]

At the part where you go left for 9 mile, I went right and a shower

[DaveBryson]

Here are some muddy photos from the Test:

http://www.davebrysonimages.com/test2012

[nick]

Final TOM parts casualty, all parts started almost brand new.
Tires front and rear sidewalls trashed.
Derailleur pulleys worn out in to ninja stars.
Chain
Derailleur cables
Brake pads
It's by far the most expensive ride I have ever had (besides crashing and breaking something)

[Tom]

Originally Posted by mattbc

Yep. My 4hr time wasn't what made me feel like a rock star. Powering through that section did. You'd be amazed at what you can actually climb in mid ring if you give it a go. (granny wasn't working, so I had no choice)

I forgot you used to be a trials guy

[Tom]

Originally Posted by nick

Final TOM parts casualty, all parts started almost brand new.
Tires front and rear sidewalls trashed.
Derailleur pulleys worn out in to ninja stars.
Chain
Derailleur cables
Brake pads
It's by far the most expensive ride I have ever had (besides crashing and breaking something)

I had brand new cables/housing/chain/cassette/chainrings before the race. I dropped my bike off at the shop Sunday...still haven't heard back if it's ready yet

[leggatt]

Originally Posted by nick

Final TOM parts casualty, all parts started almost brand new.
Tires front and rear sidewalls trashed.
Derailleur pulleys worn out in to ninja stars.
Chain
Derailleur cables
Brake pads
It's by far the most expensive ride I have ever had (besides crashing and breaking something)

I really doubt that you wrecked that much. It was abusive, but no way everything is wrecked.

I will only be changing cables as they weren't full length and are gummed up.



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[Onegear]

I broke my chain but after a good wash and lube the shifter mech's were good. maybe some people have more torque than others.

[nick]

Originally Posted by leggatt

I really doubt that you wrecked that much. It was abusive, but no way everything is wrecked.

I will only be changing cables as they weren't full length and are gummed up.



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You must of been in the front...I could show you some of my parts. I guess the chain was still OK but changing it anyway. The rest is toast, my brake pads worn out (last changed end of April) and tires well that's a huge disappointment, sidewalls way to thin on the Ikons next time exo or something else not sure yet.

[leggatt]

Originally Posted by nick

You must of been in the front...I could show you some of my parts. I guess the chain was still OK but changing it anyway. The rest is toast, my brake pads worn out (last changed end of April) and tires well that's a huge disappointment, sidewalls way to thin on the Ikons next time exo or something else not sure yet.

I was more towards the front. If you were running the non-exo ikon and are seeing some of the sidewall cords now, you are seeing pretty much normal wear. They have a pretty thin sidewall and that is somewhat normal. I would say to keep riding the tires and replace when the actual tread is done. I have ridden exception crossmarks and they get the same thing.

Good luck fixing up the bike! I was cringing in a few areas when the mud went over the front hub.

[stickboy]

Originally Posted by nick

You must of been in the front...I could show you some of my parts. I guess the chain was still OK but changing it anyway. The rest is toast, my brake pads worn out (last changed end of April) and tires well that's a huge disappointment, sidewalls way to thin on the Ikons next time exo or something else not sure yet.

My brother was nice enough to lend me his new Kona 9er for TOM. It literally had two rides on it. I remember bitching to myself about the brake fade on the Elixirs when I was going down the Plunge. I checked the pads after the race and they were down to metal. Repacked the rear XT hub yesterday as it was full of grit and water. I think that bike aged a year in one day!