Unbound Gravel XL (350)
The gear that got us to the finish line.
"An adventure is accepting a challenge that's scope is just beyond your abilities. You are going to have to grow in order to be successful.” - Andy Laub
Unbound XL did not disappoint. It was an epic adventure that we will hold for the rest of our lives. One thing is true, there are no guarantees when it comes to races like this. Our chances of finishing were as good as our chances of leaving with a DNF. However, with wise choices on the gear we used, our hope was that our chances of making it to the finish line would stand a better chance.
This was our first race of this size, so we searched and tested just about everything we could to see what others had done and what they had learned. These were our collective best choices on gear, clothing components, and more.
If we were to ride this again, we would choose this gear set up again.
Unbound Gravel XL (350) Gear Set-Up
Bike & Key Components
Allied Able - Yes, it’s made here in our hometown, but this bike is true workhorse. It really seems to be the perfect bike for every gravel ride we do. The shorter wheelbase makes it super responsive, quick, a great climber, and incredibly dependable. I can’t believe the punishment these bikes go through, and they take it so well. If you are ever here in Bentonville, go visit their factory and you will see why this bike is one of the very best.
Cassette - SRAM Eagle Cassette 10/50T - Because of course. This gearing, along with the 40T in the front, tackled the almost 16,000 feet of climbing on the course very well. Perfect gearing choice to let the legs rest going up and push going down (and there is A LOT of up and down).
Chainring - SRAM Chain Ring X-Sync 40T - I did swap out the 42T I typically ride with for 40T for Unbound to take the pressure off the climbs a little. This was a good choice, and it served me well. Nick ran a 42T and also seemed to do well.
Chain - SRAM Chain Eagle X01 with Power Lock - Love these SRAM drivetrains.
Specialized Power Pro with Mirror Saddle (143mm) - We could write a book on the saddles we tried. Ultimately, I landed here and it was the right choice. This is a different saddle with a small sweet spot of comfort. It’s firm and needs to be fit right on the bike. However, once you find that right fit, you’re going to be happy. I don’t know that anyone’s rear is going to feel good after 353 miles, but I was still sitting as I crossed the finish line. I’ll keep riding this saddle and would ride it for the XL again.
Reynolds ATR 700C Carbon Wheels - The wheels did what the wheels should have done. No complaints as they took a massive beating on this course.
Brakes - SRAM Force HRD - Perfect.
SRAM Centerline 160mm Centerlock Rotors - True Champs.
Tires and Sealant
Maxxis Rambler 700x45C Black - Not one flat during the entire 353 mile extremely brutal course. Just amazed at these tires.
Note: Started race with tires at 32 PSI based on expectations of dry course (it was and it wasn’t). There’s a lot of volume in these tires, so that helped to smooth out the relentless pounding my arms took.
Orange Seal Endurance Formula - The Endurance formula is made with larger particulates to help with faster sealing.
Granite Juicy Nibble Valve Cap with Valve Core Removing Function - Excellent way to protect those delicate valve cores, but also have immediate access to remove valve core if needed. One for each tire.
Top Tube Bag
Apidura Racing Long Top Tube Pack (2L) - This pack provides a ton of storage capacity as well as two adjustable compartments that can hold things firmly in place. Easy access from front or back while riding, and mounting straps hold it secure to the frame.
Skratch Labs Hydration Packets - Truth be told, I only used one of these on the entire ride. Weather conditions were really good, so hydration levels were able to be managed well with water and food only (always my preference).
Ibuprofen Tablets 200mg - Something for the aches and pains.
Blue Lizard Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ Water Resistant - Easy to apply without taking gloves off.
Extra Contact Lens
Caffeine Tablets 100mg - 1 tablet = 1 cup of coffee. At 3am or late in the race, these really help keep you alert. I think I only used three of these during the race, but glad I did.
Extra Headlamp Batteries (AAA Batteries) -
Pepto Bismal Chewables - Someone once said a race like Unbound is an eating contest on a bike. That was true, but just in case that goes a little too far
Chamois Butt’r Anti-Chafe Cream - Of course.
Rx Bars Vanilla Almond Protein Bar - They just taste great and give some substance when needed.
Clif Bloks Energy Chews Orange (w/25mg Caffeine) - Easy to digest, easy to eat/hold while riding, and they have a little caffeine boost. Need some real food after a while, but these are great early in the riding or between resupply stops.
CO2 Refills Threaded 16g - I have a love/hate relationships with CO2 Refills. So convenient and such a terrible impact to environment.
PB Swiss Tools PB 470 Pocket Tool - This pocket tool set was made for technicians. I’m was so tired of traditional folding tools that collapse when you are using, so thanks to PB Swiss for solving that problem. Complete with all standard hex sizes (plus a T25) and some extra tire levers. Just the perfect tool.
Dynaplug Racer Pro Bicycle Tire Repair Tool - Quite simply the fastest way to plug a tire if you keep it handy. Holds 4 plugs for quick repair, refillable, and easy to carry in shirt pocket.
Frame Bag
Apidura Racing Frame Pack (4L) - Great volume capacity frame bag that holds in place so well. I used it to store my headlight battery, bike tools, portable charger, etc. Using spare inner tubes to line the bottom of the bag was great to keep things secure and protected.
Anker PowerCore 26800 Portable Charger - Huge battery capacity, inexpensive, and able to charge three devices at once made this a no brainer (pictured at far left bound to the headlight battery). You have to turn this battery on via a small button on the side (which is annoying), but if stored correctly not a big deal.
Mini Bike Pump - Just a back up in case we ran through all the CO2 Refills
Stan’s NoTubes Tire Sealant (2oz) - These are a great size and store easily. I don’t like mixing sealants, so I wish Orange Seal made a 2oz version of there bottles.
Squirt Lube (0.5oz) - Must have on a ride this long. As you can see from the cleaning brush, we had mud issues. Being able to clean the drive train and re-lube had us back to starting conditions.
Specialized Presta Valve Inner Tube - I just really like these tubes. They are a bit thicker, pack well, and are super reliable.
Park Tool GSC-1 Gear Cleaning Brush - When a race says to bring a paint stick, bring one of these. These are so much better than a stick and don’t break easily. This was a lifesaver on two heavy mud sections.
CamelBak Bike Tool Organizer Roll (See below) - Perfect way to keep tools together, secure, and protected.
Park Tool (VP-1) Vulcanizing Patch Kit (Single) - This is overkill, but what do you do if you have used all your plugs, all your tubes, and still get a flat?
Tool Bag
CamelBak Bike Tool Organizer Roll - I love this tool roll. It’s small enough to be very compact, but hold a lot of essentials.
Extra Valve Cores - Valve cores are easy to damage and easy to loose. I carried two extra; however, the extra tubes also have some. Could have left these at home.
Gorilla All Weather Outdoor Waterproof Tape - This tape can almost function as a tire. I have had to wrap or line tires with this before because of large gashes or sidewall tears, and this tape is a beast. So much better than a dollar bill.
Zip Ties - You just never know what is going to come loose or what you may need to attach to your bike.
Dynaplug Puncture Repair for Tubeless Tires: 10-Repair Plugs - We carried extra plugs just because of the distance and gravel. Didn’t end up needing them, but the are small and pack well.
Extra Derailleur Hanger (Bike/Frame Specific) - This is another potential ride ending mechanical that can be overcome if you just carry an extra one with you.
Granite Talon Tire Levers with Master Link Pliers (Orange) - You have to carry tire levers, but these also allow you to repair a broken chain. Don’t let a broken chain end your ride, so carry one of these, an extra Master Link, and chain breaking tool and you are set.
Leatherman Skeletool Lightweight Multitool - I carry this on every ride because it bail you out of so many issues. Just the pliers alone are worth their weight in gold (ever had a stuck valve stem?).
Extra SRAM eTap Battery - These claim to give you 600 miles of riding per charge. It gave me about 250 before it was dead. So glad I had an extra one; otherwise, would have been single speed for the last 100 miles. May not be a bad idea to buy two new ones a few weeks out from a big race like this.
Chain Break Tool - These are must have. The one I use is from a CrankBrothers Toolset that came apart; however, this is also a decent one. If you can find a small one, go for it. But, you may need that Leatherman to crank it.
Electrical Tape - Super helpful to keeping handlebar tape in place if torn, stowing gear, holding tubes together. You just never know.
Energizer 2032 Lithium Batteries - Because these are used in Shifting Levers, Power Meter, and Heart rate Monitor just didn’t want to risk not having a few replacement batteries. I did install new batteries in all of those components are few weeks before the race, but was just being overly cautious.
SRAM Eagle 12 Speed Power Lock Links - A ride saving accessory to put any chain back together.
Extra Pedal Cleats (I use SPD Cleats) - Cleats go through a lot out there and they do break. Don’t let something like a broken cleat end your ride.
Saddle Pack
Apidura Racing Saddle Pack (5L) - This was perfect for storing things that I probably wouldn’t need, but wanted to have with me. Fits super tight behind the seat, and is super stable. It carries a lot and compresses very well. Waterproof of course. Plus, it has a great way to mount your tail light on it for great visibility.
Ascher USB Rechargeable Bike Lights - These lights were amazing. On the lowest setting, they lasted from 9pm to 9am the first night and then from 9pm to 12:30 am the second night. They are inexpensive, mount to anything, and can even be recharged during the ride if needed. Great solution to making sure you are seen
Wool Socks - Feet will get wet, sweat, chaff, dirty, etc. A new pair of socks can literally save your ride sometimes.
Rapha Technical T-Shirt - Sometime changing your shirt can really help refresh you.
Dude Wipes - Because stomach issue are real.
Skratch Labs Sport Energy Chews - Easy on the stomach, taste great, and good source of sodium.
Specialized Presta Valve Inner Tube - Again, I just really like these tubes. They are a bit thicker, pack well, and are super reliable. Note: I carried 3 Inner Tubes in total, and held two secure with electrical tape.
Stem Bag
Road Runner Bags Auto-Pilot Stem Bag - This company just makes great bags. This bag has huge capacity for anything, mounts securely to the bike, and the outside pockets are so convenient to stow all the random stuff that gets packed and unpacked during the race.
Orange Mud 600ml Soft Flask - With unpredictable, but notorious Kansas heat the year before, the ability to carry enough water was a big concern. This extra soft flask was a great addition that could be used or packed away if not needed. It fits easily in the Stem bag or can even fit in the front pockets of the hydration pack.
Cockpit, Helmet, Electronics, etc.
Garmin Edge 830 GPS - Just worked great. Battery lasted so well and all the features helped keep us on course and manage our energy well.
Garmin External Battery Pack, Edge - This claims to give an extra 24 hours of charging; however, I have found it gives closer to 20 hours. Regardless, I went through this reserve on the course but still had approx. 20 hours of battery life left in the Garmin 830. So, this worked really well. Must have.
Garmin inReach Mini Satellite Communicator - Someday Garmin will make a headset that combines the inReach capabilities, but until then. I know many pack this away, but I wanted to make sure it was working :-) and had a clear view to the sky. Worked great; hate paying a subscription for it. I could have rented one, but wanted to train with it to make sure I understood how it worked. No last minute tech issues to deal with.
Tusita Mount Clip Adapter for Garmin inReach - Mounts the inReach to a standard Garmin mount.
QuadLock Out Front Bike Mount - Being able to mount your phone securely during a ride like this is so helpful. These mounts and cases are rock solid. Still amazed at how sturdy they are.
TOGS Thumb Grips - Game changer as far as control and stability in the drop position. Not sure how you ride a bike without these.
Lizard Skins Handlebar Tape - Really impressed with this tape. Your hands are going to take a huge beating, so anything you can do to add comfort to contact points is going to help. I went with the 3.2mm for max comfort and they performed well. Still had a few blisters but that was probably from the gloves.
Magicshine Monteer 65002 Zeus Bike Headlight (see below)
Garmin HRM-Pro Premium Heart Rate Monitor Chest Strap (not pictured)
Smith Trace MIPS Helmet - Lightweight, exceptional breathability, comfort, and sunglass integration made this an easy choice.
Black Diamond Cosmo 350 Headlamp - This was a last minute addition, but came in handy for any off bike chores or giving a little extra light on steep descents or corners.
Smith Attack MAG MTB Sunglasses - Love these glasses. They come with two sets of lenses that are easy to swap (even while riding), and even mount securely to Smith Trace helmet.
Lighting and Battery Systems
Magicshine Monteer 65002 Zeus Bike Headlight - Very impressed with this lighting system. Plenty of capacity to carry us through one full night and a few hours on the second day. Even the lowest setting is more than enough light to ride with, and if you use the highest beam you’ll blind yourself. The battery straps also make it super convenient for mounting in all types of scenarios.
Garmin Edge Mountain Bike Mount (mounted up-side down) - The factory mount that comes with the Magicshine light just isn’t strong enough for tough gravel conditions.
Anker PowerCore 26800 Portable Charger - Huge battery capacity, inexpensive, and able to charge three devices at once made this a no brainer (pictured at far left bound to the headlight battery). You have to turn this battery on via a small button on the side (which is annoying), but if stored correctly not a big deal.
iPhone Charging Cord
Hydration
Orange Mud Endurance Pack 3.0 Hydration Pack - I made a change to this pack within the last two weeks simply because it held 2L of water and was small in design. I had planned on using the CamelBak Chase Bike Hydration Vest (1.5L), but decided I need more carrying capacity because of the distance between resupply points. The CamelBak Vest was more comfortable and pockets were more secure; however, the next size bigger CamelBak was just too big of a vest.
Note: One nice add on to the Orange Mud Pack was the Orange Mud 600ml Soft Flask as two of those could be stored in the front pockets then stored away if needed.
CamelBak Podium Bike Water Bottle - I use the non-insulated version because they take up so much less room, and because these races last forever they are not going to be cold at some point.
Mud Caps for CamelBak Bottles - Not sure how you ride gravel without these. It’s the only thing that keeps the bottles usable and preventing the mixture of mud, clay, cow shit, and water out of your bottles.
Comments
I keep water only in the Hydration pack, but used Skratch in at least one water bottle. It was just easier to manage portions, refills, etc. that way.
The hydration pack has a lot of pockets and I used those mainly to hold my extra sunglasses lens so they were easy to swap and not easily scratched or crushed. Plus, some food.
Thank You!
Unbound was truly epic. So thankful to finish and so thankful to do it as a team. Hope our experience was helpful, and we’d love to hear about your journey to the finish line.
And, if you’re ever in Bentonville, come join one of our weekly rides!