Rain is a certainty, and snow and hail cant be ruled out. Crisscrossing the Continental Divide from alberta through the Canadian and American Rockies to its southern terminus at the mexican border, brian kesselman completed the 2784 mile route solo and self-supported with 161,563 feet of climbing, averaging 92.8 miles a day over 30 days. Saddle: Brooks B17 Short Carved. A mountain bike designed for off-road riding with adjustable components and a 1x drivetrain, and tires with good grip, puncture resistance, and durability will provide . If you spend more nights in town (we camped as often as possible) and arent too fussy about eating cold food, you can get by without a stove. Learn more or say hi. Learn more. Sunglasses: Im currently liking these affordableCastKing Hiwasseepolarized sunglasses. Last year, I had to ride with a slashed nano from Banff to Steamboat- its a sweet tyre but dont expect any shops to carry 29" tyres at all. I've found the Geax Saguaro can't be beat. The Michelin Wild AM2 and Force AM2 feature Gum-X rubber compounds and the Gravity Shield casing. For the Great Divide route, most will use nanoraptors, but I kept on getting pinch flats at 200lbs plus gear. That said, I do use the eTrex for racing and more rugged routes; see my eTrex review for more detail. It is available in numerous casings, including DH, EXO, and EXO+. This is why 29er wheels roll better than 26 wheels. In general, the GDMBR is perfect for a standard 3-season backcountry layering setup. 14 great midwest bike trails. While we were truly impressed by the performance of the Ground Control Grid T7, it is important to keep in mind that these tires do have limitations. Garmin eTrex22x: My backup navigation device while riding solo. Figuring out which tires will perform well and last long can be tricky, especially given all the options on the market. Review of my Salsa Fargo After 4500 Bikepacking Miles. This beefy model is one of the most popular tires of all time and is considered a benchmark against which all other tires are compared. In New Mexico in summer, nights can be hot. Spoon: Toaks Long titanium: Simple, lightweight, long enough to eat out of any container. One of the best pieces of advice Ive heard from couples who take long adventures together: use a 3 person tent! Read more: Continental Kryptotal Front 2.4. Related: How to Choose Mountain Bike Tires. I eventually grew annoyed by the feeling of wind pulling on my helmet and mailed the brim home from Jackson. This post covers my experience bikepacking the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route in Montana.. I can definitely see advantages especially for those of us with low tire clearance. While neither of these tires is light, they're both impressive when the going gets radical. I love reading at camp or on rest days. If the mission of the day is to climb up a ridiculously loose fire road with golf ball-sized rocks loosely embedded in the surface and soil that is so loose you're leaving a wake in the sand behind you, something knobby like the Minion DHR II will "get 'er done.". http://twentynineinches.com/2008/06/04/wtb-'08-29er-tiresprowler-sl-29er-update-ii/. When backpacking we dont find it worth the weight, but on this bikepacking trip we absolutely did. With a tread design that looks strikingly similar to the Minion DHF, the Vittoria Mazza also boasts impressive cornering traction. A closely packed row of taller shoulder lugs provides good cornering traction and a predictable feel until things get super loose. And of course, if youre unlucky, anything can happen My husband somehow snapped his inner chainring in Montana and finished the ride on a haphazard 110 conversion! Carry at least a small amount of soap and shampoo so you can properly enjoy these showers. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. What kind of bike maintenance is needed on the GDMBR? The tread consists of lots of moderate-height lugs in the center and intermediate zone, with a fairly substantial row of shoulder knobs. 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. To receive USPS packages at any post office, use General Delivery. Author: www.bikeforums.net. Bears on the Great Divide Trail. You will want the cusion of a larger tyre. Figuring out which tires will perform well. This native New Englander is particularly obsessed with tire choice and is constantly on the hunt for the elusive perfect tire. 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). For anyone curious, it does actually work with the Da Brim. Held sunscreen, lights, snacks, other small items. Water is often (not always) relatively clear, but should always be filtered. Sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir X-Lite. We also found it to be a touch heavy when compared to similarly aggressive tires of the same size. JavaScript is disabled. I hope youre able to get out there eventually. tires fitted to 50mm wide rims. Spare batteries as needed for your devices. Try a plastic bag between two pairs of socks as a lightweight alternative. This saddle has worked well for me in the past, but it caused issues on this trip and Ive since retired it. History. TCS Light SG2 casing is much lighter than the Tough casing. Kindle E-Reader. The larger tire will absorb some of the rough stuff and give you some more traction. The result is a well-damped ride quality that feels very well connected to the trail surface. But when two of us together needed food for more than a day or two, it was too small. In Canada, or anywhere in the mountains really, nights can dip below freezing even in the summer. The handlebars are Salsa Cowchipper 50cm drop bars for best grip and handling. In terms of front tire braking traction, the more aggressive, the better, and tires like the Michelin Wild Enduro, Maxxis Assegai, WTB Convict, and the Schwalbe Magic Mary have got your back when you want to shut it down. Braking traction is hugely important in a tire. Sign up here for occasional emails full of inspiration and information about bikepacking and bicycle touring. If you want a light and fast rolling tire that still hooks up, the Ground Control is our recommendation. Plus, pit toilets are often out of toilet paper so youll need that no matter what. Youll want a system that keeps you cozy enough in a bad mountain storm. It was tirelessly mapped over a 4 year span, and published in 1998 by Adventure Cycling Association, North America's premiere bicycle travel organization. I've got some long term plans for the GDR, and want to check out these two tires beforehand: I use the Marathons for training. How fast a tire wears out can be subjective and a function of how much, how hard, where, and what conditions you ride in. When you consider all the towns, campgrounds, pit toilets, etc. The T7 rubber compound offers a nice blend of grip and longevity, and the Grid casing feels relatively robust and durable while remaining lightweight. Many tires can be used as either a front or rear tire, while some are designed with rear use in mind. I rarely have problems with tire rub if I pack properly. It was never cold enough on the Divide that I needed to ride in this (though I sometimes do in other places), but it was essential for camp and occasionally sleeping on cold nights. . Ive pushed myself hard on enough prior trips and wanted time for more relaxation and type 1 fun this time around. In hindsight I wish we had each carried our own Ursack. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is a long journey through varied terrain and you WILL be camping at least some of the time, so a solid 3-season shelter and sleep system is a must. I recommend around 3 liters of capacity for most of the route. Unfortunately, this has an adverse effect on braking traction on anything but firm conditions. The flip-up cover was essential for protecting the spout from mud, and it was one of few 1 liter bottles I found thats skinny enough to fit in a standard water bottle cage (with extra strap for support). The WTB Trail Boss provides excellent cornering traction in the rear of the bike. Sports bra:Patagonia Barely, very comfy (A cup) and stink-resistant. In the far north as temperatures dropped I also slept in my down jacket. But on the GDMBR we often showered at RV parks and campgrounds that didnt offer this. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. 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. For more options, see Water filters for Bikepacking and Touring. 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. 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. We'd highly recommend it as a front tire for aggressive trail riders who are looking to try something different. Power bank: 10,000 mAh Ainope, lightweight and quick-charging. Hello! Our mountain bike tire review is led by our Senior Mountain Bike Review Editor, Jeremy Benson. If I ever get nervous, having it nearby helps me sleep. So useful for so many things: sun coverage, hair band, neck gaiter, towel, face covering, pillow case, etc. The Mazza mixes it up with the best of 'em. The Butcher T9 offers impressive performance at a reasonable price. Congratulations! Many bike brands spec the DHR II as a front and rear tire on complete builds. Figuring out which tires will perform well and hold up for the duration can be tricky, especially given all the options on the market. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. Best For Trail Riding: Cushcore Tire For Great Divide Mountain Bike Route Buy on Amazon Compared with other tires in this category, the Cushcore Tire For Great Divide Mountain Bike Route has a convenient design. It worked great for the GDMBR: super quick to set up, good in the rain, and freestanding so it can be pitched on pavement, rock, or anywhere else. RockBros front pouch: held snacks and other small items. The Maxxis Minion DHF is arguably the most popular tire ever thanks mostly to its cornering prowess. 60 DAY Free Returns & Shipping / Orders All Over The US Need Help? The Vigilante's aggressive tread design comes with a slight penalty in the rolling resistance department. I would suggest joining the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route Information Exchange Facebook group and following what people say there. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. It also provides heaps of braking traction, providing some of the best control you could ask for. Vittoria's 4C Graphene rubber provides a tacky feel, and longitudinal siping on all the tread knobs further enhance their grip and traction in all conditions we encountered while testing. Wall charger: Anker PowerPort, fast charging with two USB ports, and 3 USB cables of various lengths and types. These worked great! Light and very sturdy. If braking power is high on your list of priorities, running some of the tires we primarily tested as front tires on the rear wheel is a great option as well. I discuss my repair kit in more detail here: Tools and Spares List for Bikepacking. For the safety of your food and the bears, I recommend this bear-resistant bag that will help protect your food when a proper bear hang isnt possible. -Sandy tracks require 3.0" tires for flotation, while wide tires also provide natural suspension and necessary traction on . Many tires come in more than one casing option, so you can make that decision for yourself based on how you ride, your trail conditions, and terrain. Related: How We Tested Mountain Bike Tires. Related: Essential Bike Repair Skills You Can Learn at Home. Continental's new tires can compete with the best in the business. I had mixed feelings about this. My style tends toward moderately lightweight (I ran a bikepacking bag setup, no rack) but not too minimalist (I like hot meals, warm layers, and reading at camp). Run panniers if you want, or run a lightweight racing kit, but whatever you choose, do it intentionally. The rear tire is responsible for the brunt of pedaling and braking traction. Continental's latest tires deserve praise in the metric, and the Kryptotoal Fr represents a new era for the brand. How to Avoid Hand Numbness and Weakness While Cycling, My Bikepacking Gear List System, from Ultralight to Ultra Prepared, 7 Utah Bikepacking Routes for Every Style and Experience Level, Salsa EXP Anything Cradle + dry bag: held sleeping bag. Its burly enough to handle occasional rough stuff, efficient enough for pavement, and perfect for the large chunk of gravel and dirt road in between. The Specialized Eliminator T7 is a semi-aggressive rear tire that we feel is a great, affordable option for trail riders. My DIY tool pouch a pencil case did NOT work well once the zipper became covered in mud. Pedals and Shoes for Bikepacking Is clipless worth it? Down jacket:Arcteryx Cerium LT. So youre about to get into the nitty gritty details of planning your dream trip on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. If we were forced to pick one rear tire to ride for an entire year, knowing we'd be experiencing a huge range of conditions, trail types, and weather, we'd choose the Maxxis Aggressor. The Vigilante provides excellent traction and control is nearly all conditions. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Few tires are as popular as the Minion DHF, and for good reason. Extra bottles: I carried two 1L Platypus SoftBottles for extra capacity. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is a journey from Banff, Canada, to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. That said, the Maxxis Aggressor, Maxxis Dissector, WTB Trail Boss, and Specialized Eliminator T7 offer decent braking bite given their rolling speed. Outside of larger towns its often convenience store and diner food, in other words, not the healthiest. This doesnt have to be fancy. Both of these tires really impressed us with their long-lasting tread and resilient sidewalls. We found it provides excellent cornering traction across the spectrum of lean angles in all but the loosest of conditions. These tires put a fight to get seated, but once mounted we never had further issues. Like most cross-country tires, they are very fast rolling, but unlike a typical XC tire, they provide better cornering and braking traction than you might expect. 2y You run 2.2s on a 35 mm wide rim? And 68-year . The aggressive open tread is great in a range of conditions, but it's the new T9 rubber compound that's most impressive. We put the best mountain bike tires from Maxxis, Specialized, Vittoria, Michelin, WTB, and others to the test. Ive used these for years and think they have an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. For this reason, many front tires feature tread designs with large side knobs that aid in maintaining cornering grip. The race was conceived in 2004 by cyclist Mike Curiak. Semi-slick tires have lower profile treads in the center to decrease rolling resistance with sturdy side knobs for confident cornering. May be too aggressive for some riders/locations. We like to be in control and we assume you do too. The Great Divide Route is the world's longest off-pavement cycling route. It also allows . Racers usually prioritize speed and a lightweight kit at the expense of some comfort, so keep this in mind if youre looking at other gear lists. The 2.3 width was a good balance for me, but you could certainly go narrower or wider depending on your priorities. Held snacks, sunscreen, bear spray when carried. While the rubber doesn't have the tackiest feel, its dampening properties give it an especially smooth, glued-to-the-ground ride quality. Never used, sent it home when my husband arrived (his phone would serve as our backup). New off-highway route north of Hartsel, CO 3. That said, it's no worse than most similar tires, and a trade-off for its otherwise excellent traction and super smooth feel. Stuffable backpack: Not technically a bike bag, but this little backpack is a must-have for long bike trips. The trail isn't signposted . That said, we feel it is an excellent option for aggressive cross-country and light trail riding for riders seeking a lightweight and fast-rolling tire for their down-country rig. The Colorado Trail Bikepacking Route is a 539-mile mountain bike route that crosses many major mountain ranges across the state. The DHF is offered in all-wheel sizes and a huge variety of widths, casings, and rubber compounds to meet a broad range of user preferences. In much of Canada, Montana, and Colorado its easy to find surface water multiple times per day. We preferred it in the front, paired with something a little faster rolling in the back. The larger the circumference and the wider the tire, the less up-and-down. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. If you have questions, feel free to ask in the comments below. Excited to try bikepacking but need help getting started? Held 3 liter water bladder, some tools, spare tube. I estimate my fully loaded Fargo weighed around 55 lbs without much food or water. Aside from testing the top-ranked mountain bikes on the market, our testers have also reviewed components from dropper seatposts to pedals (both clipless mountain bike pedals and flat pedal styles) and accessories like mountain bike helmets and the best men's mountain bike shoes and best women's mountain bike shoes. Thanks in advance for spreading the word! We feel this rim size to be very representative of current wheel selection without falling into the narrow or overly wide end of the spectrum. That said, selection is limited until you reach a larger town with a full grocery or drug store. Throughout our rigorous field testing, we rode each tire as much as possible while focusing on important performance metrics in an effort to help you find the tires that best meet your needs and budget. Gear Aid Tenacious gear repair tape, handy for patching tent, sleeping pad, bike bags, water bladder, etc. This wasnt my first rodeo, and I was pretty satisfied with my gear choices overall. We mounted tires to 30mm internal diameter wheels. Despite its do-it-all intentions, it has a relatively aggressive tread design with tall, stout side knobs and similarly tall and aggressive tread in the center and intermediate zones that inspire confidence in corners and on the brakes. It's moderately heavy at 1,123-grams in the 29" x 2.6" we tested, and the aggressive tread, open spacing, and grippy rubber put up a bit of rolling resistance. I said this at the beginning but it bears repeating: theres no single right way to pack for the Great Divide. I would check out the WTB Prowlers 2.1 SL 29er tires. A multitude of mountain bike tires can easily be mounted onto a rim with just your bare hands. They give pretty good traction and so far have been very durable. Heres what I suggest carrying in order to leave no trace: Spend your town time resting and eating instead of wondering what youre forgetting. Matt RC has logged over 5000 miles of touring on a Pugsley. I hope this post has helped you fine-tune your GDMBR gear list. When it comes to big adventures, deciding to take the plunge is often half the battle. Some options for elevating your bachelor party bar hopping experience: Look up beer bikes in your city, which are enormous multi-person bikes pedaled by everyone in the party and led by a tour guide who'll direct you guys to some of the best bars in the city while enjoying some brews along the way. Heaven and Hell on Wheels. Continental has several new models in their lineup, with the Kryptotal intended as the all-arounder for aggressive riding in mixed terrain and conditions. Now its your turn. I wouldnt have minded magically reducing my bike weight by about 5 pounds. Our selection of test tires is split between the two wheel sizes, and in many cases, our testers have experience riding them in both sizes. Partial inclusion of GDMBR dirt route from Cuba to Grants 5. $61.38. There are affiliate links in this post. Summaries by section: New Mexico | Colorado | Wyoming & Idaho | Montana | Canada. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. Totally worth the weight. He brought our joint tent out with him to Jackson, and I mailed my solo tent home. Check out the reviews on Dirt Rage and Twenty Nine Inches. The Schwalbe Marathon XR's look good in terms of durability, protection and rolling resistance, but at only 2.00" wide them seem a little narrow. I have limited tire-to-bag clearance on my small 29er frame but this system is pretty dialed. As a general rule, the more aggressive the tread design, the better the tire will perform in loose conditions. Despite its cornering and braking chops, the tread design still rolls fairly quickly and efficiently. The Tour Divide is a 2,750 mile (4,425 km) self-supported mountain bike race based on Adventure Cycling Association's Great Divide Mountain Bike Route that travels through the Rockies from Banff, Alberta, Canada to Antelope Wells, New Mexico on the Mexican border. Solo riders especially (and their loved ones) will likely appreciate the peace of mind. From a casing standpoint, we were impressed by the TCS Light SG2 casings on the WTB Vigilante and Trail Boss. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Youll also want the ability to add another 3 4 liters occasionally, probably only a handful of times. If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing so more people can benefit from it: Great resource thanks! Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. I used one set for the entire 2700 miles and they still had life left to spare at the end. While the Eliminator T7 is a well-rounded and versatile tire, it sacrifices a bit in the braking traction department in exchange for rolling speed. RumbleRoller Beastie massage ball: I struggle with tight IT bands and this little guy was 100% worth the weight and space. If you have a bright headlamp and a way to mount it, you could consider using that as an emergency-only night riding option. But on this trip it finally developed a slow leak I couldnt find. This aggressive tire has a row of well-supported side knobs and a predictable locked-in feel when on edge. Benson's mountain bike roots trace back to New England in the early 1990s, and he has seen and experienced the evolution of mountain bike tires. Starting from the south early in the summer is the best bet to avoid flies as much as possible. The side knobs molded to rock faces just as well as they clawed for traction in the rubble. Often, the more durable and supportive a casing is, the heavier the tire becomes. Aggressive riders who frequent loose, chunky, and rowdy terrain are the best candidates for this beefy and durable tire. [1] [2] [3] 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. . Off trail alternate routes can require significant navigation skills, especially in poor weather. All trademarks property of their respective owners Helmet brim: Da Brim Classic. there's been a few Kahns on Ebay recently. Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances. A select few of the tires, mostly the Schwalbes and the Continentals, required the use of a powerful compressor to finally seat the bead on the rim's flanges. There are several outdoor sports stores for camping supplies and clothing, and Glacier . Chlorine dioxide: I carried a small number of Potable Aqua tablets as a temporary backup in case my filter failed. Based on that experience, we feel that the performance of a tire between different wheel sizes will be roughly the same. Pavement and panniers or singletrack and seat bag, I love it all. It sacrifices some rolling speed in exchange for boatloads of braking traction and cornering prowess. Note about reception: Dont expect to have connectivity on all (or even most) of the GDMBR. Specialized's Butcher T9 is at the top of the heap in the corners as well. Ian Stowe recently joined our tire test team and brings a wealth of experience from working in the cycling industry and as a lifelong rider. Running shorts: small and lightweight, for sleeping on warm nights or wearing on rest days. A few areas, in particular parts of New Mexico and Wyomings Great Basin, are much drier. We found performance to be right there with the Minion DHF and the Wild Enduro Front. The route is approximately 2,700 miles long and follows the Continental Divide as closely as . Ascent to Tornado Pass. A narrow tunnel of light from my handlebar illuminates the white snow. Rain jacket: ArcteryxBeta AR. The center tread has a well-designed pattern of medium-height knobs with sharp, unramped front edges that provide ample bite and traction with surprisingly low rolling resistance. Club Ride Savvy shorts are my absolute favorite. The JetBoil is so efficient that I / we only needed three canisters total for the whole GDMBR. We struggled to get the trail casing of the Kryptotal Fr and its counterpart (the Kryptotal Re) to seat, as a result, we might not recommend it to those who have more of a convenience-reigns, Laissez-faire approach to bike maintenance. Sawyer Fast Fill adapter kit, allows you to gravity filter directly from the Sawyer into a hydration bladder. They didn't hold up as well as I'd hoped and they made me real nervous on descents. Pedaling forces are applied through the rear tire while the front tire is pushed along, guiding the bike along its journey. More aggressive treads and softer rubber compounds have a tendency to roll more slowly. We found the Aggressor works best on hardpack, rock, and loam. I'm looking for something with better than average rolling resistance (though it still needs some traction) and good wear. Some of the more burly casings are more difficult to work with. Mostly worn for sleeping. Look for tires that are as durable as possible. I think youll like them, but you can unsubscribe at any time. Beyond those concerns, we feel the Mazza is an outstanding tire that rivals the best of the best. Headlight: NiteRider Lumina 900 Boost with helmet mount: Rarely (never?) We were thoroughly impressed by the tread life of the Vittoria Mazza. Braking bite is superb, thanks to the wide paddle-shaped knobs of the center tread. Got feedback? The stock build features Salsa Woodchipper drop bars, a 1x11 drivetrain, and 29 x 2.2" tires. Privacy | Cookies | Terms. We feel this tire provides a great combination of traction and rolling speed and has a huge bandwidth in terms of conditions. A 27.5+ hardtail with tubeless wheels and durable tires is recommended for the Baja Divide. Once the clock starts, the rider embarks on a solo, unsupported journey to get to the finish line. Rarely used given the high fire danger lately, but occasionally useful for campgrounds and in case of emergency. When things get loose and steep, the Aggressor can't match the DHR II's more aggressive tread. We tested each tire as much as humanly possible and ranked them based on these metrics. That said, this tire is meant to be pointed down the hill, and it rewards the rider with outrageous levels of grip. High-viz windbreaker vest: extra warmth and/or peace of mind in traffic. You may prefer another option if you often find yourself riding in loose or wet conditions. Lighter-weight tires often have less protective and resilient sidewalls, while those that weigh more can usually withstand a bit more abuse. Thus its important to carry a fairly comprehensive repair kit. For this reason, the tires with the lowest profile center treads and the semi-slicks garnered top honors in rolling resistance or lack thereof. Similarly, the Specialized Eliminator and WTB Trail Boss provide balanced traction across a wide range of surfaces and conditions. The Maxxis Aggressor, Dissector, and WTB Trail Boss offer more traction while still maintaining impressive rolling speed. This DH tire has more tread in the transitional zone, softer rubber, and an even more robust casing that makes it unflappable. It is one of the best cornering tires our testers have ever used. Resources and inspiration to support your wildest dreams: Affiliate Disclosure: This site participates in affiliate programs, including Amazon Associates.