14 great midwest bike trails. The places I ride are very similar to the GDMBR. A multitude of mountain bike tires can easily be mounted onto a rim with just your bare hands. Aggressive riders who frequent loose, chunky, and rowdy terrain are the best candidates for this beefy and durable tire. Headband and neck gaiter: Buff and/or bandana. The rigid fork would theoretically have some braze ons which would give you more places to bolt stuff, either more water or fork bags or something along those lines. i can't attest to their load handling stregnth,as i just got my 1st 29er last week.i'm kinda a big fat n beefy tire kinda guy,so when i saw the nanorapters,i. Its sturdy EXO casing and mix of tread compounds provide ample sidewall support and exceptional grip, even at lower pressures. Despite the reduced weight, we found the tire to provide adequate sidewall support, and the Slash Guard (SG2) insert stood up to all the abuse we could dish out. Read more: Specialized Butcher Grid Trail T9 review. T-shirt:Icebreaker Merino Tech-Lite Tee. Ive pushed myself hard on enough prior trips and wanted time for more relaxation and type 1 fun this time around. Tights:Columbia OmniHeat. Obligatory disclaimer: I dont use my earbud in areas with high risk of encountering bears, or on roads where traffic demands attention. These tires put a fight to get seated, but once mounted we never had further issues. Traillinks. In our latest video, Neil sheds some light on the essential considerations that will help you make an educated decision. This doesnt have to be fancy. The center knobs sort of link up to form a center ridge, particularly after some wear. . This is one of our favorites as a front tire for aggressive trail riding because of its incredible traction in corners and its durability. Unfortunately, this has an adverse effect on braking traction on anything but firm conditions. It pairs nicely as a rear tire with the Specialized Butcher in the front. Spare derailleur hanger not used (but has been needed in the past), A few zip ties and extra electrical tape used the electrical tape to patch my handlebar tape. Do you all think that would be too small? Tires are trending wider and so are our test models. So useful for so many things: sun coverage, hair band, neck gaiter, towel, face covering, pillow case, etc. All trademarks property of their respective owners Held sunscreen, lights, snacks, other small items. Definitely touring, not racing. Throughout our rigorous field testing, we rode each tire as much as possible while focusing on important performance metrics in an effort to help you find the tires that best meet your needs and budget. The Great Divide Route is the world's longest off-pavement cycling route. The tall center tread lugs with open spacing provide excellent braking traction, while the substantial row of shoulder knobs grip very well through corners. The Route covers 5 states: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana and is a . I just find these more trouble than theyre worth. Off trail alternate routes can require significant navigation skills, especially in poor weather. Download this free bikepacking resupply checklist to your phone, or even print it out like in the old days: Sign up to receive the free downloadable bikepacking town day checklist to help with your resupply stops: Youll also receive occasional emails with other bikepacking and touring resources. Tent strapped to front of dry bag using Voile straps, Presta-Schrader valve adapter not used, but potentially essential in case of a broken pump, Chain lube and rag used often and replenished along the way, Spare tube (1 per rider) and patch kit not used, Tubeless plug kit, tiny tube of superglue not used, Extra sealant, between 2-4 oz per rider used and replenished along the way, Small section of chain and several quick links not used, but I did buy and install an entire new chain in Jackson, Blue threadlocker for loose bolts not used, Spare cleat and bolts (at least one set per rider) I used one of the bolts to replace a lost one, and replaced my cleats when I replaced my shoes halfway through, Spare brake and shift cable (one of each for two riders) not used. The majority of our testing took place in dryer California conditions. Again, many tires are designed to be lightweight and compromise durability. High-viz windbreaker vest: extra warmth and/or peace of mind in traffic. The Vittoria Agarro and Michelin Force AM2 have a similar tread design to the Ardent and are great options for those looking to minimize rolling resistance. On my bike I feel free. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Those who want a relatively fast-rolling rear tire that maintains good cornering abilities might consider the Specialized Eliminator T7. Based on that experience, we feel that the performance of a tire between different wheel sizes will be roughly the same. For the Great Divide route, most will use nanoraptors, but I kept on getting pinch flats at 200lbs plus gear. That's why we put each tire through rigorous testing of heavy use before examining the wear on the tread and casing to assess durability. I think the Fargo is a perfect bike for the GDMBR, at least unless you can afford a Cutthroat. This versatile model performs well in all but the loosest of conditions. It worked great for the GDMBR: super quick to set up, good in the rain, and freestanding so it can be pitched on pavement, rock, or anywhere else. The stock build alone is excellent for immediately hitting a trail such as The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. We feel this tire provides a great combination of traction and rolling speed and has a huge bandwidth in terms of conditions. In conclusion, when shopping for a bike for the Great Divide Trail, you should consider the type of bike, the size, the components and suspension, the drivetrain, and the tires. Help sustain this resource by joining the Bikepacking Collective: https://bikepacking.com/join/?utm_source=youtube-------------Hosted by Neil BeltchenkoSpecial thanks to Mike Dion / RTD10.com for the photo of Matthew LeeMusic by Ben Weaver (https://benweaver.net)More at https://bikepacking.com The WTB Trail Boss provides excellent cornering traction in the rear of the bike. I / we carried a stove for the entire trip and enjoyed hot meals at camp, but its not mandatory. Despite costing less than most of the competition, the Specialized Butcher Grid Trail T9 and the Specialized Eliminator Grid Trail T7 are highly rated and are our picks for an affordable front and rear trail riding combo. He also touches on eight different tires that fit the bill, including his favorite one in this class. See my review of the Copper Spur for more detail. GearLab is reader-supported. I hope that will be especially helpful to my fellow northbound riders, since there are fewer resources out there written from our perspective. It varies with the conditions, but more often than not, a tire with a more aggressive tread design is going to brake better. Companions: Solo until Jackson, WY (about 1600 miles), then joined by my husband for the final 1100 miles. The bikepacking route is mostly singletrack, except where it detours around wilderness areas. Just 5% of the route is on more difficult terrain such as unpaved four-wheel drive tracks and single tracks. No rack, but bikepacking bags stuffed to the gills. If you have questions, feel free to ask in the comments below. Club Ride Savvy shorts are my absolute favorite. I wouldnt use this setup for prolonged technical riding, but it worked fine for gravel. It's hardly a coincidence that many of the best front tires look similar. T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon all cover slightly different areas, and all have large dead zones in rural parts of the US. Here are all the electronics I carried on the GDMBR: Smartphone: Primary navigation device using the RideWithGPS app, with maps cached offline. I've been writing and sharing stories of my bicycle travel adventures since 2011 through Swallow Bicycle Works which is where you will find a whole slew of fun things to read, look at, and be inspired by pre-2017. Wanted to see if anyone had recommendations on some good tires? Average star voting: 4 ( 74471 reviews) Summary: At nearly 4,300 km long, The Great Divide Mountain Bike race route is the world's longest, most challenging off-road mountain biking trail. These worked great! Make sure to backflush it regularly to keep flow rate high, and sleep with it in cold weather to protect it from freezing. Bigger than the Salsa pouch and similar in size to a Revelate pouch. 70 % of the of the GDMBR is on quiet gravel roads with very little traffic. If we were forced to pick one rear tire to ride for an entire year, knowing we'd be experiencing a huge range of conditions, trail types, and weather, we'd choose the Maxxis Aggressor. Hello! Pavement and panniers or singletrack and seat bag, I love it all. There are better choices than the Minion DHF if you ride firm ground almost exclusively due to the fact that the knobs are on the aggressive side with a fair amount of spacing between them. Regarding 700x45..I recently trained on some of the panaracers that size, fully loaded for a couple of months. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is a continuous long distance bicycle touring route from Banff, Alberta, Canada to Antelope Wells, New Mexico, USA (at the Mexico border). Great Divide Bikepacking Route: Essential Q&A. I was thinking about doing it on a Surly Long Haul Trucker - the frame can handle a 45C Tire. Fill it with food on your way from the grocery store to the motel, or fill it with water bottles to get you through a rare long dry stretch. Ive written about this little sanctuary many times before; it goes with me everywhere. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. Mountain Bike Tire Sizes Knobby 29 x 2.6 Teravail Kessel trail/enduro, Mountain bike Tire. If the mission of the day is to climb up a ridiculously loose fire road with golf ball-sized rocks loosely embedded in the surface and soil that is so loose you're leaving a wake in the sand behind you, something knobby like the Minion DHR II will "get 'er done.". Nano, Dry X 2.1, Small Block 8, in that order. Racers usually prioritize speed and a lightweight kit at the expense of some comfort, so keep this in mind if youre looking at other gear lists. Author: www.bikeforums.net. I think mid-May is typical but it varies year to year, especially these days. We've tested the WTB Trail Boss before, but were always a little turned off by its heavy weight. As with front tire braking traction, rear tire braking traction is also dependent on the size, shape, and orientation of the tread knobs. The race was conceived in 2004 by cyclist Mike Curiak. Reroute through Chama, NM skipping closed Carson and Santa Fe forests 4. Heres a quick list of what I carried on the GDMBR, which I would categorize as a standard type of trip in that post. Waterproof glove covers:MLD eVENT rain mittens, to cover gloves in case of both cold and wet weather. It is one of the best cornering tires our testers have ever used. I appreciate good quality gear but dont have money to burn, so most of my gear is carefully chosen and well-used. Buying through them may provide me with a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps keep this site running and growing. It should also be noted that this tire also delivers pretty solid cornering abilities given its impressive rolling speed. The even tread pattern of those tires also feels more predictable on firm ground as the transition across the tread is smooth the whole way through. I love riding solo but a month is enough, and Ive been wanting to share a long ride with him for years. Water is often (not always) relatively clear, but should always be filtered. This wasnt my first rodeo, and I was pretty satisfied with my gear choices overall. The Maxxis Dissector is another of our favorite rear tires. Im Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help you make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality. While we really loved most aspects of the performance of the Butcher Grid Trail T9, it isn't the fastest rolling tire. I eventually grew annoyed by the feeling of wind pulling on my helmet and mailed the brim home from Jackson. Heres the stuff that carried all the other stuff. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Squared-off edges and siping on tread knobs also help to grip and bite under pedaling forces. Mountain bike tires are expensive. If you want a light and fast rolling tire that still hooks up, the Ground Control is our recommendation. If you leave some necessity for your trip at home, don't worry, you will be able to replace it easily here. I had come for this, in part, after a year of isolation that left me craving the community of a well-traveled route. This is my full experience on the New Mexico portion of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.I rode the Priority 600x, a bike that I helped design. Ascent to Tornado Pass. NOBO start date depends on snowpack in the San Juans and how long it takes you to get there. This tire relies on its aggressive tread pattern to do most of the work, with well-supported shoulder lugs and a supportive yet supple Gravity Shield casing. Similarly, the Specialized Eliminator and WTB Trail Boss provide balanced traction across a wide range of surfaces and conditions. For the safety of your food and the bears, I recommend this bear-resistant bag that will help protect your food when a proper bear hang isnt possible. The Michelin Wild AM2 and Force AM2 feature Gum-X rubber compounds and the Gravity Shield casing. Headlight: NiteRider Lumina 900 Boost with helmet mount: Rarely (never?) I absolutely recommend tubeless, especially in New Mexico. Pat Donahue also contributed to this review. If youre on the fence about bringing something, leave it with a friend and ask them to mail it to you on the road if requested. We loved the Mazza as a front tire where it excels in the corners with a stout row of well-supported side knobs that grip well in a huge range of conditions. Comfy and as stylish as baggy bike shorts can be. When things get a little damp, the somewhat open tread design sheds mud quite well to ensure a clean braking surface. We tested the Butcher Grid Trail T9 in both 2.3" and 2.6" widths, and while the tread pattern hasn't really changed, this feels like an entirely new tire. I chatted with every cyclist I met and . The Salsa Fargo Apex 1 is a burly steel frame gravel bike. Finally, Ill underscore again how many ways there are to pack for a route like the GDMBR. The Maxxis Assegai is a gravity-oriented tire from Maxxis that was designed in collaboration with World Cup DH racing legend Greg Minaar. 9. The T7 rubber compound offers a nice blend of grip and longevity, and the Grid casing feels relatively robust and durable while remaining lightweight. Related: How to Keep Electronics Charged While Bikepacking. there are a lot of toilets along the route, but that doesnt guarantee youll find one when you need it. It also allows . Feed bags: Climbing chalk bags (these work great and are cheap!). The feel of this tire may take a little getting used to for some, but once you experience the sensation of it locking into a turn, you'll have a hard time going back to anything else. But you might be a few hundred miles from one when something goes wrong! Swan Valley logging detour removed -- route goes back to original GDMBR 2. A substantial row of side knobs handles well when tipped on edge through corners, with a supportive and durable EXO casing. Whether it be EXO (Maxxis), Tough (WTB), or ProTection (Continental), a robust casing helps to add abrasion and puncture resistance, as well as support to the sidewalls of a tire. I would never claim my way is best for everyone, but I do think its a solid setup that wont steer anyone too far wrong. Many tires come in more than one casing option, so you can make that decision for yourself based on how you ride, your trail conditions, and terrain. The Maxxis Minion DHF is arguably the most popular tire ever thanks mostly to its cornering prowess. Here we get to the meat of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route packing list: clothing! Seat tube length: 508mm (center to top) Seat tube angle: 73 Top tube: 615mm (effective) Chainstays: 435mm Bottom bracket drop: 60mm Fork Offset: 43mm Wheelbase: 1093mm Standover height: 812mm Specifications Frame: 4130 chromoly steel, three bottle mounts, rack and fender mounts Fork: 4130 chromoly steel, rack and fender mounts, triple mounts I replaced it halfway through with the womens version which is slightly warmer and shorter perfect for me. We put the best mountain bike tires from Maxxis, Specialized, Vittoria, Michelin, WTB, and others to the test. For more help with your Great Divide food strategy, see my bikepacking food guide. Braking traction is a crucial element of any mountain bike tire and one that varies dramatically between the different models and tread designs. Long sleeve midlayer:Icebreaker Merino 260 Half Zip. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. The front tire is primarily responsible for cornering and needs to respond appropriately to your input in order to remain on your intended line. The side knobs are stout enough to rail corners but not so burly that they resist flicking the bike's rear end into corners and breaking traction when the mood hits. The height, shape, and orientation of the knobs all play a role in how they bite into the trail surface as you apply the brakes. Youll also want the ability to add another 3 4 liters occasionally, probably only a handful of times. In much of Canada, Montana, and Colorado its easy to find surface water multiple times per day. Stove: Jetboil MicroMo. https://w. Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. It's moderately heavy at 1,123-grams in the 29" x 2.6" we tested, and the aggressive tread, open spacing, and grippy rubber put up a bit of rolling resistance. The Schwalbe Marathon XR's look good in terms of durability, protection and rolling resistance, but at only 2.00" wide them seem a little narrow. Benson's mountain bike roots trace back to New England in the early 1990s, and he has seen and experienced the evolution of mountain bike tires. Check out the reviews on Dirt Rage and Twenty Nine Inches. As a rear tire, it has excellent pedal and braking traction but has a relatively high level of rolling resistance. Lots of lengthwise siping on all of the knobs allow them to really conform to the trail surface, and it holds well on firm surfaces, off-camber terrain, and rock slabs. Alternate routes are indicated in orange on the GDT map, and include: Mount Rowe to Sage Pass - moderately difficult cross-country ridge walk, literally on the Great Divide without any water sources (other than residual snow). Despite its cornering and braking chops, the tread design still rolls fairly quickly and efficiently. There's no way around it; mountain bike tires are pricey. Bike: Salsa Fargo with steel fork. Resources and inspiration to support your wildest dreams. Rain is a certainty, and snow and hail cant be ruled out. I usually kill a pair (scratched or lost) on every long trip and these are cheap enough that it doesnt matter. I can definitely see advantages especially for those of us with low tire clearance. The Copper Spur is functional, roomy, pretty lightweight, and mostly freestanding (except the vestibules). Vittoria uses a 4C (4 compounds) rubber that is infused with Graphene. Disposable ear plugsfor noisy campgrounds or motels. The 10 Best Bike Saddles of 2023 (So Far) Through the years, they've mapped routes down the West Coast and several routes across the U.S. for road bicyclists. To receive USPS packages at any post office, use General Delivery. From laps on the steeps to sessions at the pump track, Ian knows a thing or two about riding mountain bikes and knows the importance of having the right tires for the job. used because summer days were so long and pace was leisurely, so never needed to ride in the dark. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. Never used, sent it home when my husband arrived (his phone would serve as our backup). They didn't hold up as well as I'd hoped and they made me real nervous on descents. I rarely have problems with tire rub if I pack properly. Now its your turn. One of the fastest-rolling tires in the test was the Specialized Ground Control. You can see the deterioration of the shoulder knobs. Guys use them for long expeditions across Africa, for faster racing with better access to stores, a lighter/better rolling tyre would be better. That said, this tire is meant to be pointed down the hill, and it rewards the rider with outrageous levels of grip. This lightweight model tips the scales at just 867 grams in a 29" x 2.35" size, contributing to their zippy feel. You'll need full camping gear, bike tools, and a water filter. Sign up here for occasional emails full of inspiration and information about bikepacking and bicycle touring. More often than not, the more aggressive a tread design is, the more rolling resistance it has, and vice-versa. In the market for the best new tires for your mountain bike? Aside from testing the top-ranked mountain bikes on the market, our testers have also reviewed components from dropper seatposts to pedals (both clipless mountain bike pedals and flat pedal styles) and accessories like mountain bike helmets and the best men's mountain bike shoes and best women's mountain bike shoes. We did our best to use consistent testing trails that offered a variety of features and soil types. Matt RC has logged over 5000 miles of touring on a Pugsley. Date Submitted: 09/30/2019 08:43 PM. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. I highly recommend these for the Great Divide and bikepacking in general. Let us know in the conversation below if you have a tire that youd recommend for a long mixed terrain route like the GDMBR. Our test tire weighed in at a lighter-than-advertised 950 grams, and if you want even more peace of mind, it's available in Maxxis's heavier casing options as well. Bike shoes: Pearl Izumi X-Alp Canyon are my favorite bikepacking shoes, and very comfy for walking and hike-a-bike. The trail isn't signposted . The Maxxis Ardent, Michelin Force AM2, Specialized Ground Control, and Vittoria Martello perform better in these cases with smaller knobs that don't give the rider a feeling of riding high off the ground. This DH tire has more tread in the transitional zone, softer rubber, and an even more robust casing that makes it unflappable. Your needs will vary based on where and how you ride. Thanks for taking the time. The medium profile center tread allows for exceptional pedaling efficiency and low rolling resistance, all while offering adequate bite for climbing and braking traction. Next, we identified the main areas of concern when evaluating a mountain bike tire. We usually rode together and often filled up with potable water from campgrounds or stores, so we werent stopping to filter as often as we do on backpacking trips. There are many different approaches to choosing gear for the GDMBR, and no one can give you the one perfect list. March 22 T editors of M com U, 2021. Bluetooth mini-keyboard: As you can probably tell, I like to write! I recommend this one from Blackburn which I discovered later. Going from the center tread onto the side knobs, the rider may notice a "dead" zone about halfway through the lean while passing over the channel between the tread knobs on the crown of the tire on the way to the big side knobs. Rarely used, but again, I had the luxury of mostly hunkering down in bad weather. For sure, were out there to enjoy ourselves and we all have our favorite ways of doing that. Rolling resistance is often more of a concern for a rear tire, and some tires feature low to medium height center tread knobs that roll faster than more aggressive designs. Has a good low-light mode and red night-vision setting for camp. A narrow tunnel of light from my handlebar illuminates the white snow. They give pretty good traction and so far have been very durable. I'll be departing on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route this August and I'll be riding a Niner M.C.R. Minor complaints: I could have used an even lower low gear for all those climbs (running the stock Fargo gearing of 38/24t in front and 10 speed 11-36t in back). Riding northbound you could have someone at home mail it out to you (with proper insurance and certifications). Dates: June 22 August 26, 2021 (65 days, including 9 non-riding days for rest, visiting, and exploration). Pedals: Funn Mamba Single-Sided SPD. Wider than standard rims, ranging from 35-50mm, support these mid-fat tires even when used at the low riding pressures required to tackle soft sand and other loose terrain. Thanks for reading! Once the clock starts, the rider embarks on a solo, unsupported journey to get to the finish line. The transition from the center tread to the side knobs is smooth, and once on edge, it bites and holds with confidence-inspiring and predictable manners. Wireless earbuds: Not everyone will agree, but when I spend months riding my bike I like to use some of that time for learning and exploring in other dimensions too. there's been a few Kahns on Ebay recently. Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances. May be too aggressive for some riders/locations. We can't speak for the science behind it, but we found the Mazza's cornering knobs to have above-average durability. While we were truly impressed by the performance of the Ground Control Grid T7, it is important to keep in mind that these tires do have limitations. Haha yes, in many ways time (and motivation) are the most important things on the list! Got feedback? Before the rubber hits the dirt, you'll be laying out some coin for said rubber make the most of it. Note that ordering items from Amazon or other online retailers can be harder since they often use UPS. Odor-Proof Bags from Opsack (12 x 20): Not sure how odor-proof these are in practice since theyre hard to zip, but theyll prevent spilled food from making your food bag into a rodent buffet. We rode the 2.4" Trail casing, endurance compound tire and it was truly an inspiration on the front wheel; holding like a rail through corners, and delivering superb braking performance in a range of conditions. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is a 3,083.8 mi (4,962.9 km), off-road bicycle touring route between Jasper, Alberta, Canada and Antelope Wells, New Mexico, USA. Run panniers if you want, or run a lightweight racing kit, but whatever you choose, do it intentionally. The handlebars are Salsa Cowchipper 50cm drop bars for best grip and handling. My husband carried the body and I carried the fly. You will want the cusion of a larger tyre. I carried my meals inside an Ursack inside a 5L dry sack on my front fork. Bike computer: CatEye Velo 7, simple and cheap, handy for checking distance covered without using smartphone battery. Look for tires that are as durable as possible. Few tires are as popular as the Minion DHF, and for good reason. This is an awesome resource! Solo riders especially (and their loved ones) will likely appreciate the peace of mind. Semi-slick and inverted tread tires are not recommended. The Specialized Ground Control Grid T7 is a tire that bridges the gap between cross-country and trail riding, call it down-country if you like. Mosquitos are also a consideration on the Divide; youll want fully zippable bug netting. Good, predictable performance as a rear tire, The casing may be too supple for some riders. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. We independently buy, test, and rate all the products we review. I love it (see my review here) but its pricey. It's also still moderately heavy, but that's the price you pay for the performance it offers. This post describes the GDMBR gear list that worked for me, but if you know your preferences are different, you do you! Some are much more expensive than others, so we do our best to identify which models represent the best value. An avid racer, Benson competes in endurance gravel and XC races throughout northern California. Only downsides: they wear out quickly and are not especially sun-protective. Power bank: 10,000 mAh Ainope, lightweight and quick-charging. Ive been using this pad for 7 years and love its combination of light weight and relative comfort for side sleeping. Pedals and Shoes for Bikepacking: Is clipless worth it? The Assegai hooks up in corners no matter the conditions. My smartphone is easier to use and I wasnt usually short on battery during this trip, which is the primary reason I sometimes use the eTrex. TCS Light SG2 casing is much lighter than the Tough casing. Spoon: Toaks Long titanium: Simple, lightweight, long enough to eat out of any container. If braking power is high on your list of priorities, running some of the tires we primarily tested as front tires on the rear wheel is a great option as well.
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