Tubus Lowrider Racks for GDMBR?

[LlamaBikes]

Hi,

My partner and I are planning a trip for next year which includes the GDMBR northbound. We plan to ride from our hometown Vancouver BC down the pacific coast route into Mexico and possibly further south. Returning home we plan to tackle the GDMBR. We both have 26" traditional geometry touring bikes running 2" tires with rear racks and front lowriders. I'm wondering how you'd rate doing the GDMBR with lowrider racks and regular Ortlieb Frontrollers. I'm mostly concerned about clearance / pannier wear. Insane? Difficult but possible? or no real big problem? Should we switch to mid or high rider front racks before hitting the rougher roads? Let me know your thoughts.

Happy trails

[Mark Manley]

I tour both on and off road with a mid height front rack and no problem at all, I don't think you will have a problem with low rider racks.
I have just Googled images for the GDMBR and there is a tandem with low front panniers fitted, you will be fine.

[mathieu]

You will have no real problem. In 2010 I did the GD route south-to-north using a Bob trailer. Two companions used low front panniers. Look at the attached slide show to see the clearance of the bottom of the Bob and the panniers of my companion. The show will probably raise your appetite further to embark on this beautiful route. Several pictures have been published in an issue of the Adventure Cyclist one year ago.
www.flickr.com/photos/33663461@N05/sets/72157625204115114/show/

[Nicolai Michel]

Hi,

My partner and I are planning a trip for next year which includes the GDMBR northbound. We plan to ride from our hometown Vancouver BC down the pacific coast route into Mexico and possibly further south. Returning home we plan to tackle the GDMBR. We both have 26" traditional geometry touring bikes running 2" tires with rear racks and front lowriders. I'm wondering how you'd rate doing the GDMBR with lowrider racks and regular Ortlieb Frontrollers. I'm mostly concerned about clearance / pannier wear. Insane? Difficult but possible? or no real big problem? Should we switch to mid or high rider front racks before hitting the rougher roads? Let me know your thoughts.

Happy trails

Despite what the guidebook claims, lowriders aren't a problem at all.
Use the biggest fast-rolling knobby tires you can fit on your bikes. For NM I recommend tubeless or at least some "Slime"-type tubes.
Plenty of people have completed the GDMBR on such bikes. The lack of front suspension will increase your suffering though.
Your main worry should be timing. The window to start from the South is quite short.

[Venchka]

Thanks everyone! You have saved me some money for a high front rack better spent on a lighter tent from TarpTent or Lightheart Gear.
As for "the biggest fast-rolling knobby tires you can fit on your bikes", I reckon the Clement X'plor MSO 700x40 tires (38mm actual width) that I recently installed will have to do. They are the biggest tires that will fit on my Americano. Should I decide to ride my rigid mountain bike, the Specialized combination of Renegade Control front and Fast Trak Control rear is GDMBR proven, with or without tubes.
Cheers!