best tires for great divide mountain bike route

Location: Alberta, Canada to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Stuffable backpack: Not technically a bike bag, but this little backpack is a must-have for long bike trips. Stretching 2,745 miles from Banff, Alberta to Antelope Wells, New Mexico, it loosely follows the Continental Divide through the Rocky Mountains on a series of dirt and paved roads. Guys use them for long expeditions across Africa, for faster racing with better access to stores, a lighter/better rolling tyre would be better. The Michelin Wild AM2 and Force AM2 feature Gum-X rubber compounds and the Gravity Shield casing. As a general rule, the more aggressive the tread design, the better the tire will perform in loose conditions. Backflush syringe for Sawyer filter. Totally worth the weight. We are also thinking about going NOBO. You may prefer another option if you often find yourself riding in loose or wet conditions. The Avid BB7 brakes took a lot of fiddling to keep adjusted. Even though the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route runs from Banff Canada all the way down to Mexico, the Colorado section is one that every bikepacker should have on their to do list. Helmet mirror: Bike Peddler Take a Look visor mirror. T he Great Divide route, for the uninitiated, has been mapped by the Adventure Cycling Association, a bicycle group based in Missoula, Montana. Our test tire weighed in at a lighter-than-advertised 950 grams, and if you want even more peace of mind, it's available in Maxxis's heavier casing options as well. On the GDMBR food is available multiple times per day in some places, and once every 3-4 days in others, depending on the section and your pace. I would never claim my way is best for everyone, but I do think its a solid setup that wont steer anyone too far wrong. Ive gone through a few and find the Cerium to be a good balance of packability and warmth. Likewise, the Michelin Wild Enduro Front is a top performer in the corners. This scenic trail runs from the USA/Mexico border into Canada and covers 2,767 miles of spectacular remote wilderness. While neither of these tires is light, they're both impressive when the going gets radical. But its also a long time to be out there without whatever makes you feel comfortable and happy. We are in the pre planning phase of our Great Divide trip, your writing is very motivating. In many places I failed to find any trees that would work for a proper bear hang. Theyre unisex but somehow fit my small face (and my husbands large face) just fine. Taller knobs with wide spacing can penetrate deeper into loose surfaces, and braking edges that face perpendicular to the direction of travel will most help slow your roll when it's super loose. These days there is no bicycle shop, just full-time adventure whether it's living on my bicycle for a month in an exotic place, or doing weekend adventures in the Southwest . Bikepacking & TouringRides and RoutesTips and SkillsBikes and PartsGear and Reviews, Hiking & BackpackingTrails and TripsGear and ClothingTips and AdviceTrip Planning Workbook, Adventure TravelExplore by RegionCamping and OutdoorsMindful Travel. Read more: Specialized Ground Control Grid T7 review. You can likely buy these from bike shops along the way, though you might not get your first pick of brand or type. I think the Fargo is a perfect bike for the GDMBR, at least unless you can afford a Cutthroat. When you consider all the towns, campgrounds, pit toilets, etc. Seat tube length: 508mm (center to top) Seat tube angle: 73 Top tube: 615mm (effective) Chainstays: 435mm Bottom bracket drop: 60mm Fork Offset: 43mm Wheelbase: 1093mm Standover height: 812mm Specifications Frame: 4130 chromoly steel, three bottle mounts, rack and fender mounts Fork: 4130 chromoly steel, rack and fender mounts, triple mounts In general, the size, shape, and orientation of the center tread play the biggest role in how well a tire slows and stops your forward momentum. Despite its square profile, it rolls easily into corners and hooks up and grips in all conditions thanks to the tall row of burly side knobs. The Assegai hooks up in corners no matter the conditions. Date Submitted: 09/30/2019 08:43 PM. Bear spray: picked up at Brush Mountain Lodge for the northern section (theres a box where southbounders leave their bear spray and northbounders pick it up). The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. I'll be departing on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route this August and I'll be riding a Niner M.C.R. We pedal up the hill to ride back down it. It was originally only available in the DH casing which was super heavy, but now its versatility has been expanded to the rest of the market with the lighter options. Im Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help you make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality. The rigid fork would theoretically have some braze ons which would give you more places to bolt stuff, either more water or fork bags or something along those lines. A relatively squared-off profile and a stout row of shoulder knobs give it excellent cornering manners, while the moderately spaced center and intermediate tread do a fine job of providing traction when braking and climbing in most conditions. Water filters for Bikepacking and Touring, How to Keep Electronics Charged While Bikepacking, Bikepacking Bikes and Bags for Small and Short People. I estimate my fully loaded Fargo weighed around 55 lbs without much food or water. We rode the 2.4" Trail casing, endurance compound tire and it was truly an inspiration on the front wheel; holding like a rail through corners, and delivering superb braking performance in a range of conditions. Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. I was thinking about doing it on a Surly Long Haul Trucker - the frame can handle a 45C Tire. Figuring out which tires will perform well and last long can be tricky, especially given all the options on the market. Good, predictable performance as a rear tire, The casing may be too supple for some riders. Even the legendary Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which often crests above 10,000ft in its 2,700 miles, fits this category.Our selection of routes spans the whole spectrum, from short two-dayers in the desert, to properly long technical mountain routes, and woodsy adventures in . No issues and no punctures that didnt immediately seal. Braking bite is superb, thanks to the wide paddle-shaped knobs of the center tread. More info: Pedals and Shoes for Bikepacking: Is clipless worth it? The warmer months also bring bicyclists traversing the scenic Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which this year runs nearly 2,500 miles (4,023 kilometers) from northern Montana to southern New Mexico. Paracord and carabinerfor hanging or otherwise securing the Ursack. This tire has a large and stout row of side knobs, like those found on the Minion DHF, to dive into corners and hold a line on off-camber sections. Partial inclusion of GDMBR dirt route from Cuba to Grants 5. While other tires may handle specific conditions better, the Aggressor rarely leaves us wanting more. More here. I recommend this one from Blackburn which I discovered later. When it comes to big adventures, deciding to take the plunge is often half the battle. All trademarks property of their respective owners There are countless options to choose from, and we know that finding the right tires for the conditions, terrain, and your riding style can be a challenge. Only in a few places, where the 2-track became too sandy to ride, did we wonder if it was wise to be following the hiking route, not the wide dirt road route of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Spare derailleur hanger not used (but has been needed in the past), A few zip ties and extra electrical tape used the electrical tape to patch my handlebar tape. We found the T7 rubber to be long-lasting with even wear, and the Grid Trail casing stood up to our abuse during testing. It was originally called the Great Divide Race and followed a slightly shorter course along the original Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, starting in Roosville, Montana, at the Canadian border. Tires are currently trending wider, and a wider front tire can help maintain traction as they have a larger contact patch on the rolling surface, and you can run lower tire pressures to enhance this even further. Chamois shorts (2 pair): very personal choice, but Louis Garneau Carbon 2 shorts work well for me. The Eliminator is a well-rounded rear tire at a reasonable price. With a relatively squared-off profile, an aggressive open tread design, and the tacky High Grip rubber, the Vigilante eats up the corners and excels in loose conditions from dust to loam. The Maxxis Minion DHF features a pronounced transitional zone and scored among the highest for cornering. This is an awesome resource! Side knob designs vary, with slightly less emphasis typically placed on the rear tire's ability to corner. We also found it to be a touch heavy when compared to similarly aggressive tires of the same size. -Sandy tracks require 3.0" tires for flotation, while wide tires also provide natural suspension and necessary traction on . I've been writing and sharing stories of my bicycle travel adventures since 2011 through Swallow Bicycle Works which is where you will find a whole slew of fun things to read, look at, and be inspired by pre-2017. Some cities even have beer boats, if that . Pretty well. Likewise, braking is controlled and confidence-inspiring, and should you choose to run it on the rear, it hooks up very while climbing. The Butcher T9 offers impressive performance at a reasonable price. The sections are arranged in the direction I rode, which is northbound (also referred to as NOBO). These are made for hiking, not biking, but I use them for both. Ways to expand your water capacity: buy disposable bottles; carry collapsible bottles or bladders, fill up the dirty bag from your water filter, and carry a small stuffable backpack to hold it all. If youre particular about brands or types youll definitely want to bring them with you and/or mail them in resupply boxes. Read more: Specialized Butcher Grid Trail T9 review. I think youll like them, but you can unsubscribe at any time. Our mountain bike tire review is led by our Senior Mountain Bike Review Editor, Jeremy Benson. If you have questions, feel free to ask in the comments below. The most important thing you can do is get tires that suit your riding style, terrain, and conditions. High-viz windbreaker vest: extra warmth and/or peace of mind in traffic.

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