Dream Bike For Mountain Touring

[cyclesafe]

I took my Americano dream bike for touring to the trails for the first time and after less than 50 feet on single track, was impaled by a branch and had my front wheel slip on loose dirt causing me to fall hard.  I think I also need a mountain bike.

What would you recommend for a dream mountain touring bike used with a BOB that could handle fireroads and simple single track?

[tofubicycle]

My 52cm Surly LHT takes 26" wheels and can acommodate tires as wide as 2.1 - even with fenders. While I might do a little reconfiguration of the stem and bars, ultimately I'd change very little to do more off-road touring.

But for the sake of argument, if I was out for a tour with conditions so severe that I really felt as though I needed a rig even more well suited for the rough stuff... well then I'd have to point to the Surly Pugsley fully equppied with 4" tires.

Jakub Postrzygacz recently rode a Pugsley across a very desolate stretch of Austrailian outback. His is siteabsolutely worth a look.

 

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i'd rather be biking.

[cyclesafe]

The Pugsley looks like more than I'll need for touring, but it is sure interesting seeing how it was set up.

I just bought a 1.85" (supposedly 44 mm (44-622)WTB Mutano Raptor Race 29'er tire from Cambriabike.com that ought to just fit under my 50mm SKS fenders that are touted to max out at 45mm.  I plan to use this as my front tire and still use a 35mm Marathon XR for the rear tire.  I'll use this combination for gravel roads.  Hopefully, Ive solved my problem for now.

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

I waver on my opinion of BoB trailers. Sometimes I like it, other times not so much. I have two MTBs I use for off-road touring, and two that I have "control" over, so I don't have to haul my bike to Russia every few years.

My principal mountain bike is a 2004 Trek 4600, (1 of only 1200) Sl aluminum hardtail frame, all SRAM X-7 drivetrain, (X-9 hadn't come out at the time) WTB Weirwolf 2.1 tires (Very agressive) WTB saddle/seatpost, Cygolite dual headlights, Jandd Expedition rear rack, RS Judy TT shock.

I've kept my 1999 Trek 930SHX "police" bike because of the chromoly frame. WTB All-terrainasaurus tires, WTB SST2 saddle, Kalloy Uno shocked seatpost, Trek rear rack (too small for Jandd panniers)RS Indy shock. I usually keep the BoB nuts/skewer on this bike

In Petrozavodsk we have a 1997 Trek 950, which is basically the same bike without the front shock, set up the same way, and 1998 Trek 830, also set up the same way. Our missionary friends use them between out visits.

I won't let go of any of our chromoly mountain bikes, because they are so hard to find at a price I can afford now.

Ride safe,
Hans

Hans Erdman, WEMT
Backcountry Trail Patrol-MN
www.trailpatrol.org

This message was edited by Trailpatrol on 4-30-06 @ 6:30 AM

[mtnroads]

I'm with Hans on the value of the older Trek hardtails with full cro-moly frames. I think the Stumpjumper or Rockhopper of similar vintage might work well, too. I recently picked up a used Trek 970 (1993) off Craigslist for $200 that has a full lugged frame, rigid fork, 7-spd XT/DX components, great wheels, etc.

I did a little maintenance work, changed the stem (higher), pedals, seat, tires, added Jandd F/R racks that are bomber, and Jandd mtn/lg mtn panniers. It is strong and reliable now, and I am hoping to do a section of the GDMBR with it. Total cost including full panniers was under $800 and half of that was for the racks/pans. This doesn't need to be expensive.

This message was edited by mtnroads on 5-2-06 @ 10:59 PM