The side knobs are stout enough to rail corners but not so burly that they resist flicking the bike's rear end into corners and breaking traction when the mood hits. Despite its cornering and braking chops, the tread design still rolls fairly quickly and efficiently. The majority of our testing took place in dryer California conditions. Likewise, the Michelin Wild Enduro Front is a top performer in the corners. But it delivers excellent pedaling traction. You can see the deterioration of the shoulder knobs. Sports sandals: Not strictly essential since my bike shoes work for walking, but I like to bring these for camp shoes, town days, public showers, and a backup in case something happens to my bike shoes. My feet search for stability in the snow . The biggest issue: with the dry bags on the front fork, the load is very front-heavy. No ads. The platforms on these pedals are big and stable, and there were times where I rode them unclipped for days. Gravity filter bag: CNOC Vecto 3L (28mm thread), used as dirty bag in a gravity filter system and for extra water capacity as needed. More aggressive treads and softer rubber compounds have a tendency to roll more slowly. The recent proliferation of plus bikes, which feature 3.0" wide tires, are a boon to bicycle adventurers in Baja California. Theres more where this came from! A relatively square profile, squared-off edges, side knobs, and sidewalls all contribute to the overall quality and performance of this tire. Heres a list of my GDMBR gear related to food and cooking: Ursack Major bear-resistant food bag: You will be camping in bear territory on the GDMBR, and properly hanging food is a lot harder than it sounds. Benson is a competitive gravel and mountain bike racer, highly experienced tester/reviewer, and published author. This includes tires, and a resurgence in semi-slick tire designs has occurred in recent years. High-viz windbreaker vest: extra warmth and/or peace of mind in traffic. He also touches on eight different tires that fit the bill, including his favorite one in this class. Matt RC has logged over 5000 miles of touring on a Pugsley. More info: Pedals and Shoes for Bikepacking: Is clipless worth it? It should also be noted that this tire also delivers pretty solid cornering abilities given its impressive rolling speed. This is one of our favorites as a front tire for aggressive trail riding because of its incredible traction in corners and its durability. Spare batteries as needed for your devices. In conclusion, when shopping for a bike for the Great Divide Trail, you should consider the type of bike, the size, the components and suspension, the drivetrain, and the tires. This tire relies on its aggressive tread pattern to do most of the work, with well-supported shoulder lugs and a supportive yet supple Gravity Shield casing. For this reason, the tires with the lowest profile center treads and the semi-slicks garnered top honors in rolling resistance or lack thereof. Completed in 1997, the GDMBR was developed by Adventure Cycling Association, who continue to maintain highly detailed route maps and a guidebook. 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). Wall charger: Anker PowerPort, fast charging with two USB ports, and 3 USB cables of various lengths and types. If you have a bright headlamp and a way to mount it, you could consider using that as an emergency-only night riding option. I can definitely see advantages especially for those of us with low tire clearance. The Maxxis Minion DHF, Vittoria Mazza, and Continental Kryptotal Fr use deep, open tread designs with tall knobs that dig well into just about any soil type. The GDMBR is an epic journey, and I think youll be really glad you decided to take it on. Baggy bike shorts: I wear these over my padded shorts, just personal preference. This is my full experience on the New Mexico portion of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.I rode the Priority 600x, a bike that I helped design. The cushcore tire for the great Divide mountain bikeroute is designed for tubeless tire systems. 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. . The stock build alone is excellent for immediately hitting a trail such as The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. There are hundreds of post offices along the GDMBR. 70 % of the of the GDMBR is on quiet gravel roads with very little traffic. We put in lots of time and miles while testing mountain bike tires. Location: Alberta, Canada to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. That said, selection is limited until you reach a larger town with a full grocery or drug store. For anyone curious, it does actually work with the Da Brim. SAVE 7 %. I think mid-May is typical but it varies year to year, especially these days. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. 60 DAY Free Returns & Shipping / Orders All Over The US Need Help? (1) It can be argued that tires may be the most important (and most affordable) upgrades you can put on your bike. For these cases its best to call a business along the route (hotel, RV Park, store, bike shop) that you plan on patronizing and ask if theyll hold a package for you. Despite costing less than most of the competition, the Specialized Butcher Grid Trail T9 and the Specialized Eliminator Grid Trail T7 are highly rated and are our picks for an affordable front and rear trail riding combo. Water filters for Bikepacking and Touring, How to Keep Electronics Charged While Bikepacking, Bikepacking Bikes and Bags for Small and Short People. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. Heres what I suggest carrying in order to leave no trace: Spend your town time resting and eating instead of wondering what youre forgetting. Helmet mirror: Bike Peddler Take a Look visor mirror. We used our beloved Joe Blow Booster floor pump to successfully set the bead on many, while a standard floor pump proved to be powerful enough for several of them. Resources and inspiration to support your wildest dreams: Affiliate Disclosure: This site participates in affiliate programs, including Amazon Associates. While traveling across North America you bike 2,774 miles on a route that is 88% dirt and 12% paved roads. It also provides heaps of braking traction, providing some of the best control you could ask for. Hello! With rear tires, you'll find huge variances in traction, depending on the type of terrain and the surface conditions. All trademarks property of their respective owners Fuel canisters were easy enough to find at gear stores, hardware stores, hiker boxes, etc. From laps on the steeps to sessions at the pump track, Ian knows a thing or two about riding mountain bikes and knows the importance of having the right tires for the job. 4. number44 (Jul 15, 2019 at 8:26) Shiny and chrome! (2) Schwalbe Johnny Watts 27.5 Tire. 14 great midwest bike trails. I roll up the hand portion around my wrist when wearing bike gloves. Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish (406-862-6446) can handle any bike needs or outfit you with rental gear. Does anyone have a recommendation on minimum tire width? They give pretty good traction and so far have been very durable. When buying a complete bike, it comes with whatever tires the manufacturer chooses. Specialized's Butcher T9 is at the top of the heap in the corners as well. I wouldnt have minded magically reducing my bike weight by about 5 pounds. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. This versatile model performs well in all but the loosest of conditions. I said this at the beginning but it bears repeating: theres no single right way to pack for the Great Divide. There are many bike shops along the GDMBR, and theyre generally great at getting thru-riders rolling again as quickly as possible. The 2.3 width was a good balance for me, but you could certainly go narrower or wider depending on your priorities. I think a racing type tire with low profile knobs would be fine, but most of those have sort of scary thin sidewalls for loaded touring. To give context to the Great Divide gear list that follows, here are the basics of my experience on the GDMBR. I didn't want to give up on them, but simultaneus pinch flats were the final straw. Pedals: Funn Mamba Single-Sided SPD. You need to be logged in to use these features. I dont bother with meds like Advil, Tylenol, etc, as theyre probably not going to make a difference in a serious situation, and theyre easy to buy along the way. It is North America's premier long-distance mountain bike route. Got feedback? We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. I estimate my fully loaded Fargo weighed around 55 lbs without much food or water. Find the balance. Yup, I carried a Kindle! Lots of lengthwise siping on all of the knobs allow them to really conform to the trail surface, and it holds well on firm surfaces, off-camber terrain, and rock slabs. In general, the GDMBR is perfect for a standard 3-season backcountry layering setup. This DH tire has more tread in the transitional zone, softer rubber, and an even more robust casing that makes it unflappable. In hot and sunny New Mexico I loved it, but as I rode north I often found that the sunniest places were also the windiest. Figuring out which tires will perform well and hold up for the duration can be tricky, especially given all the options on the market. 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. Obligatory disclaimer: I dont use my earbud in areas with high risk of encountering bears, or on roads where traffic demands attention. Related: Essential Bike Repair Skills You Can Learn at Home. The sections are arranged in the direction I rode, which is northbound (also referred to as NOBO). This will mean different things to different people. In some areas you might rarely fill it all, carrying only 1-2 liters at a time. Cup: Snow Peak titanium mug. Guys use them for long expeditions across Africa, for faster racing with better access to stores, a lighter/better rolling tyre would be better. Alternate routes are indicated in orange on the GDT map, and include: Mount Rowe to Sage Pass - moderately difficult cross-country ridge walk, literally on the Great Divide without any water sources (other than residual snow). While riding, tires make the only intentional contact with the trail and play a major role in your bike's ride quality, handling, and overall performance. Two shallow tire tracks heading uphill into the darkness remind me that Josh and Ben had recently pushed their bikes through this same slush. Headlamp,Petzl Actik Core: I like that this headlamp is USB-rechargeable but can also take AAAs in a pinch. I absolutely recommend tubeless, especially in New Mexico. We loved the Mazza as a front tire where it excels in the corners with a stout row of well-supported side knobs that grip well in a huge range of conditions. We love the DHF up front, but it's also suitable for use as a rear tire. In our latest video, Neil sheds some light on the essential considerations that will help you make an educated decision. The 10 Best Bike Saddles of 2023 (So Far) Mylar space blanketfor emergencies and extra warmth on cold nights. Great Divide Bikepacking Route: Essential Q&A. Thanks in advance for spreading the word! 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. The Colorado Trail Bikepacking Route is a 539-mile mountain bike route that crosses many major mountain ranges across the state. Semi-slick tires have a pared-down center tread to reduce their rolling resistance, framed in by larger side knobs to maintain strong cornering performance. I recommend this one from Blackburn which I discovered later. Never had to use it for anything else. While other tires may handle specific conditions better, the Aggressor rarely leaves us wanting more. In Canada, or anywhere in the mountains really, nights can dip below freezing even in the summer. Resources and inspiration to support your wildest dreams. JavaScript is disabled. Bike shoes: Pearl Izumi X-Alp Canyon are my favorite bikepacking shoes, and very comfy for walking and hike-a-bike. I hope that will be especially helpful to my fellow northbound riders, since there are fewer resources out there written from our perspective. I would suggest trying the smaller Sporty version if youre on the fence. But its always a good idea to have a headlight in case youre stuck riding in dusk or dark for some unforeseen reason. While the rubber doesn't have the tackiest feel, its dampening properties give it an especially smooth, glued-to-the-ground ride quality. But its also a long time to be out there without whatever makes you feel comfortable and happy. 10. panchocampbell (Jul 15, 2019 at 8:29) after a zombie apocalypse these people would be the actual survivers !!! Additionally, it is safe to assume that they might sometimes take a cost-effective approach to stock specifications. The capacity of a regular Ursack was fine for my southern solo section and the more populated areas of the north. Whether it be EXO (Maxxis), Tough (WTB), or ProTection (Continental), a robust casing helps to add abrasion and puncture resistance, as well as support to the sidewalls of a tire. I wouldnt use this setup for prolonged technical riding, but it worked fine for gravel. This tire performs as well as the best cornering tires we've tested. In hindsight I wish we had each carried our own Ursack. Cloth face maskfor town, this being 2021 and all. MSRP $98.00. Try a plastic bag between two pairs of socks as a lightweight alternative. I'm looking for something with better than average rolling resistance (though it still needs some traction) and good wear. 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. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. 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.
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