Leading up to the Land Run, I was advised by all to put 700c wheels and a fast rolling “dirt” tire on my bike of choice, that way, if it was muddy, there would be plenty of clearance. I knew I wanted to ride my Crema on the course, with its more upright riding off-road position, versus the Firefly which is more elongated as per a road fit. When carrying a camera pack, being more upright really helps out in terms of soreness and the Crema has been my go-to for such outings.

Duo on D30 Wheels

Now, these wheels came from the Ibis Hakka review, and are not available just yet, but Ibis has plans on selling them as a wheelset, just like their other MTB wheel offerings. Switching from a 27.5″ platform to the 700c on the Crema offered a completely new riding experience. Truthfully, I had never run 700c wheels on the bike before, so it took a bit to get used to, especially with such a small tire, by my own standards for this bike. The D30 wheels were plenty stiff, set up tubeless easily, and had exceptional engagement. Expect a full review with specs and pricing information to come.

It’s Got Baggage!

My trusty Porcelain Rocket half frame bag carried my essentials, while the Cedaero top tube bag held my phone, sunblock, chapstick and snacks. This streamlined setup kept the bike light, nimble and feeling great, even on the rutted and washboard roads. The one instance I did have to carry it, I grabbed the fork and crank arm, and lifted it onto my shoulders. Doing this, I could run through the mud with only one hand on the bike.

Stance

As it sits on 700c wheels, the overall look of the bike has changed drastically. While it’s not nearly as nimble, or as easy to flick around, it points and “goes” much easier. This is the speediest this bike has ever been and after 100+ miles of Oklahoma dirt roads, I can say my setup for this year’s Land Run was ideal.

____

Follow LandRun 100 on Instagram