Messages

1

Gear Talk / a monkey on the great divide route

« on: February 19, 2007, 09:48:49 pm »

Mike, thanks for your reply.

Suspension fork selection for 29ers seems limited.  What fork did you use?  

Dave

2

Gear Talk / a monkey on the great divide route

« on: February 15, 2007, 06:14:48 pm »

Jeff, thanks for your advice.

I had suspected that an individual could use a heavy duty road touring bike with the proper set-up and be fine. I read that there very little single track on this route.  I have a vintage 1985 specialized expedition, but it is an old friend and I'd rather build-up a K Monkey for this route.

Interesting comments on the suspension seatpost. I am considering one or maybe a sprung saddle instead.

3

Gear Talk / a monkey on the great divide route

« on: February 13, 2007, 07:26:27 pm »

Thanks for your reply.

Well, what it really comes down to is this: if I was 23 years old I would ride the rigid fork 29er.  What I mean is the rigid will climb better and handle smooth dirt roads better.  So that only leaves rough sections and descending. I love the simplicity and durability of the rigid fork (on tour).  But what type of a pounding will I (my hands) be taking with a rigid on this route? :8o:

I have not ridden a rigid fork for many years, not since my stumpjumper.  Didn't mountain bike manufacturers make them illegal for a while?      

4

Gear Talk / a monkey on the great divide route

« on: February 13, 2007, 12:05:35 am »

Hello folks,

I hope to do the great divide trail in near the future.  I have read ACA's (*Bikecentennial's) article on choosing a bike (plenty of good advice).  I intend to use panniers not a trailer.  I am interested to hear opinions about the use of a karate monkey with a rigid fork and wide tires vs. a standard hardtail (Soma) with suspension fork.  I do like to keep things simple but I am not as young as I...

Thanks,
Dave

*They will always be Bikecentennial to me.