Author Topic: Cyclocross/Gravel Grinding bike for the Divide.  (Read 7133 times)

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Offline samdj1210

Cyclocross/Gravel Grinding bike for the Divide.
« on: April 11, 2014, 03:06:10 pm »
Hi All,

I'm daydreaming at work (Don't tell my boss) about doing the Great Divide sometime on my Salsa Warbird. Gravel grinding bike. http://salsacycles.com/bikes/2014_warbird_2
I've heard there is a lot of gravel roads on this route which my Warbird loves to eat up.

I just wondered for people who have done this route, do you think it's possible to do this route on a gravel grinding bike/cyclocross bike?

I don't really have the space in my tiny NYC apartment for a mountain bike so I think that's out of the question.

I would be running Stan Iron Cross rims with 700x40 tires and a ultra light backpacking set up.

Any info would be a great help. I better switch my screen back to Excel now. Yawn!

Cheers,
Sam

www.therandomsam.com

Offline Cyclesafe

Re: Cyclocross/Gravel Grinding bike for the Divide.
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2014, 04:23:29 pm »
Yes possible, with hike-a-bike through the steeper sections.  But you'd be better off with mountain bike gearing....

Offline samdj1210

Re: Cyclocross/Gravel Grinding bike for the Divide.
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2014, 07:58:51 pm »
Thanks for the reply. I would love to buy a mountain bike but I believe my wife might divorce me if I buy yet another bike. Our tiny NYC apartment is looking more like a bike shop these days. Hehe.

I was wondering if anyone on here completed the GDMBR on a cyclocross bike or something like that?
Do you think 700c 40 would be wide enough?

Offline Cyclesafe

Re: Cyclocross/Gravel Grinding bike for the Divide.
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2014, 08:12:29 pm »
40mm is plenty wide for most of the route.  Your issue will be your 36 front and 30 back.  MTB gearing is 22 and 32/34/36, respectively.  Even if you are a gorilla, you'll have to get off and walk sometimes.  The fact that you are ultralight will help a lot.  Like I said, it would be doable for someone extremely fit, who didn't mind pushing from time to time.  You also might want to take the paved alternatives to single track, some of which are shown on the ACA maps.