Author Topic: Great Divide Route - Type of Bike  (Read 12451 times)

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Offline jdmcpartland

Great Divide Route - Type of Bike
« on: November 27, 2008, 07:32:57 am »
What's the best style bike for the Great Divide?  Is a touring style bike practical? What do most riders choose for this type of terrain?  I am more interested in comfort than speed.

Jeff
Jeff

Offline CMajernik

Great Divide Route - Type of Bike
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2008, 12:24:33 pm »
On the ACA website there is information on several pages on what type of
bike to use for the Great Divide. Here are the links: http://adventurecycling.org/routes/greatdivide.cfm?pg=more
http://adventurecycling.org/features/bikeforthedivide.cfm


 
Carla Majernik
Routes and Mapping Program Director

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring people of all ages to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x218, 406/721-8754 fax
www.adventurecycling.org

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Offline IndyPat

Re: Great Divide Route - Type of Bike
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2009, 11:38:17 am »
I saw on the ACA article that Salsa Cycles has a bike marketed for the GDMBR.  The fargo Complete.

http://www.salsacycles.com/fargoComp09.html

Look good but I did not see front suspension on the bike.  Everything I have read suggest front suspension.  There are several post on the internet with problems with the full suspension bikes.

My experience is if you are riding self contained, it is all about weight.  Just like in backpacking.  Less is more.  Secondly, it is all about reducing risk of equipment failure.  Back to my Army days, you sometime wonder why equipment is the way it is but think about reliability.  Even the trailers seem to be problematical.

Offline RussSeaton

Re: Great Divide Route - Type of Bike
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2009, 01:32:17 pm »
I saw on the ACA article that Salsa Cycles has a bike marketed for the GDMBR.  The fargo Complete.

http://www.salsacycles.com/fargoComp09.html

Look good but I did not see front suspension on the bike.  Everything I have read suggest front suspension.

My experience is if you are riding self contained, it is all about weight.  Secondly, it is all about reducing risk of equipment failure.

As you state, its all about weight and reliability.  Non suspension fork is lighter and more reliable than suspension fork.  Now days with huge tires like the Schwalbe Fat Albert tire is available in 26"x2.4" you get plenty of suspension from the tire itself.  No need for extra weight and complexity in a suspension fork.

Offline Moondoggy

Re: Great Divide Route - Type of Bike
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2009, 10:21:22 pm »
Seriously consider a 29er mtb( which the Fargo is) over a 26, especially if you plan on not using front suspension. My experience has been they`re faster and roll over stuff much better

Offline John Nettles

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Re: Great Divide Route - Type of Bike
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2009, 11:02:40 am »
Get a Thudbuster or similar seat post also.  Lots of people have not used front suspension but since you emphasized comfort, I would suggest you got with it. 

Offline IndyPat

Re: Great Divide Route - Type of Bike
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2009, 10:10:35 pm »
Some great thoughts, esp the Thudbuster.  I had looked at it before.  I will stop by the LBS to try some 29er and see what I think about the size.  Thanks

Offline Moondoggy

Re: Great Divide Route - Type of Bike
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2009, 10:37:59 pm »
TB are pretty nifty. I used one for a couple of years, just keep the pivot points lubed