Will an Americano/BOB Rig Handle the Great Divide?

[cyclesafe]

When I did the Southern Tier this Spring I hitched a BOB Yak to a carbon road bike, with general success other than a couple of slips of the front wheel in gravel, an occassional inability to control descents, and once or twice being flung into traffic or the shoulder by a surprise gust of wind.

I'm doing the North Star this summer so, based on my experience on "100%" pavement, I've bought a tandem-weight steel-framed Americano with disc brakes and 37mm tires.  I will pull my Yak and not have panniers.

My question is this.  Will this latter rig serve me adequately on the 100% dirt Great Divide?  The Americano has mountain gearing, 38mm knobby tires can be accommodated, and I don't plan to be anything other than sedate going down hills.  The frame geometry is more open than a road bike, but not as much as a mountain bike.  I'll have drop bars with STI shifters.  Plus I'll have no suspension other than my tires and my numerous body joints.

What do you think?  

[TheDaltonBoys]

Yup the Americano will certainly be robust enough. When you do the Divide I would recommend front panniers for some counter balance as you have found what some trailer dynamics can result in when it comes to handling. I would also recommend (if fiscally/practically possible) that you get forks for your bicycle before the divide and maybe a seat post with suspension. Yeah you could go the entire distance and get and Ibex BoB but as long as your not trash riding with the Yak then that trailer will do fine. I have owned and still own BoB trailers and am a fan of them. Enjoy the voyage...Mark of the Dalton Boys

[cyclesafe]

Super.

Would 36 spoke wheels (14ga, w/Dyad rims, Hugi hubs) be OK or should I opt for 40 or 48 spoke wheels?  I still have this option.  Again, I'll be pulling a BOB and would like the option of also using front panniers.  I am 6'2" and weigh 165 lbs.

Regarding panniers, would "low riders" be appropriate for the Great Divide or do I need to get standard panniers for clearance and thus suffer worse stability with a higher load?