Based on that experience, we feel that the performance of a tire between different wheel sizes will be roughly the same. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. But its always a good idea to have a headlight in case youre stuck riding in dusk or dark for some unforeseen reason. We ended up sharing one and it worked fine. Sometimes my posts contain affiliate links, and if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. On a long ride like the GDMBR there will be times you cannot clip in due to mud, snow, shoe issues, and all kinds of other fun surprises. We resupplied a few specific or hard-to-find items our favorite sunscreen, Dr. Bronners soap, chamois cream via several mail drops throughout the route. I would suggest trying the smaller Sporty version if youre on the fence. The Vittoria Martello delivers excellent cornering abilities along with killer rolling speed. In New Mexico in summer, nights can be hot. Download this free bikepacking resupply checklist to your phone, or even print it out like in the old days: Sign up to receive the free downloadable bikepacking town day checklist to help with your resupply stops: Youll also receive occasional emails with other bikepacking and touring resources. A closely packed row of taller shoulder lugs provides good cornering traction and a predictable feel until things get super loose. Wireless earbuds: Not everyone will agree, but when I spend months riding my bike I like to use some of that time for learning and exploring in other dimensions too. For anyone curious, it does actually work with the Da Brim. The Vittoria Agarro and Michelin Force AM2 have a similar tread design to the Ardent and are great options for those looking to minimize rolling resistance. Superb, extremely comprehensive, very useful. For sure, were out there to enjoy ourselves and we all have our favorite ways of doing that. The stock build features Salsa Woodchipper drop bars, a 1x11 drivetrain, and 29 x 2.2" tires. The alternative would be to use a sturdy rear rack and small panniers or dry sacks, which I saw pretty often on the Divide. The center knobs sort of link up to form a center ridge, particularly after some wear. We feel the Trail Boss is best suited to duties as a rear tire when paired with something a little more aggressive in the front, although it is also an effective front tire in the right conditions. I love it (see my review here) but its pricey. Youll probably have service in towns, but dont count on it out in the national forests. Im Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help you make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality. Haha yes, in many ways time (and motivation) are the most important things on the list! I was thinking about doing it on a Surly Long Haul Trucker - the frame can handle a 45C Tire. Water filters for Bikepacking and Touring, How to Keep Electronics Charged While Bikepacking, Bikepacking Bikes and Bags for Small and Short People. The tread design also contributes to controlled and predictable braking performance that outshines other models in its category. 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. Minor complaints: I could have used an even lower low gear for all those climbs (running the stock Fargo gearing of 38/24t in front and 10 speed 11-36t in back). Monday November 14, 2022. The truth of the matter is, trail riding is the most common style of riding that most people participate in. In hindsight I wish we had each carried our own Ursack. Bandanafor wiping out dishes and other miscellaneous needs. There are many different approaches to choosing gear for the GDMBR, and no one can give you the one perfect list. My solo tent: Big Sky Soul 1P. We are also thinking about going NOBO. Welcome to part 4 in my series of GDMBR summaries by state. We want our tires to last, and we get the feeling you do too. 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. Load: Fairly typical long-distance bikepacking setup. Mine was threadbare by the time I finished, and I sometimes got sunburnt through it. It is exciting but slightly frightening to look through it and realize I have just about everything needed to embark on an adventure like this, apart from time (for now)! The DHF's more aggressive sibling, the Assegai has even more grip in the corners. Related: Essential Bike Repair Skills You Can Learn at Home. Backflush syringe for Sawyer filter. The 2,700-mile Western Wildlands Route (WWR, formerly known as the Wild West Route) offers bikepackers a non-technical riding experience through the vast expanses of wild and public lands in the Intermountain West. Top tube bag: Moosetreks Gas Tank. The Great Continental Divide Adventure Route is a motorized route that follows closely along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. We pedal up the hill to ride back down it. Copyright 2023 Exploring Wild, All Rights Reserved. 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. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is a 3,083.8 mi (4,962.9 km), off-road bicycle touring route between Jasper, Alberta, Canada and Antelope Wells, New Mexico, USA. Reroute through Chama, NM skipping closed Carson and Santa Fe forests 4. How can we improve GearLab? Youll want a system that keeps you cozy enough in a bad mountain storm. It inspires high levels of confidence and is most at home when leaned into a turn aggressively with a substantial row of large side knobs that grip through corners. A multitude of mountain bike tires can easily be mounted onto a rim with just your bare hands. Heres what I suggest carrying in order to leave no trace: Spend your town time resting and eating instead of wondering what youre forgetting. Theyre unisex but somehow fit my small face (and my husbands large face) just fine. More here. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Any thoughts on what would be the earliest you could start? Rigs of the 2021 Tour Divide - BIKEPACKING.com Water availability varies along the Great Divide. I replaced it halfway through with the womens version which is slightly warmer and shorter perfect for me. 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. Our joint tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3. Pat Donahue also contributed to this review. This DH tire has more tread in the transitional zone, softer rubber, and an even more robust casing that makes it unflappable. Touring the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route vs. Racing the Tour Divide Due to the Mazza's tread design, it has a bit more rolling resistance than tires with a less aggressive tread. Custom, handbuilt 27.5", 29", Plus and Fat wheels. Figuring out which tires will perform well. Note on sharing a filter: When my husband joined in Jackson we considered each carrying our own filter. Front tires are responsible for more of the steering and cornering duties, and they do a fair amount of the braking work as well. Youll also want the ability to add another 3 4 liters occasionally, probably only a handful of times. The Assegai is the best cornering tire we've ever tested. Tail light: Red blinky tail light for visibility on high-traffic roads. 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. The Local Overnighters Project is a unified effort to document and map one-night bikepacking routes all over the worldby locals, in their own backyards. Running shorts: small and lightweight, for sleeping on warm nights or wearing on rest days. 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. These are mostly country roads that traverse Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management land. I had come for this, in part, after a year of isolation that left me craving the community of a well-traveled route. You can likely buy these from bike shops along the way, though you might not get your first pick of brand or type. My smartphone is easier to use and I wasnt usually short on battery during this trip, which is the primary reason I sometimes use the eTrex. Obligatory disclaimer: I dont use my earbud in areas with high risk of encountering bears, or on roads where traffic demands attention. Pillow: Sea to Summit 8 Liter Dry Sack stuffed with odds and ends and wrapped with a Buff. When things get loose and steep, the Aggressor can't match the DHR II's more aggressive tread. What are the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Tour Divide race, and other long, mixed-terrain bikepacking routes? stunning mountain lakes and great views of the divide, High Rock Range, and Beehive Mountain. If youve packed something youre not using, mail it home. History. Odor-Proof Bags from Opsack (12 x 20): Not sure how odor-proof these are in practice since theyre hard to zip, but theyll prevent spilled food from making your food bag into a rodent buffet. This lightweight model tips the scales at just 867 grams in a 29" x 2.35" size, contributing to their zippy feel. Bike Routes Near Me - Best Bike Routes to Ride 2021 - Bicycling Biking the Great Divide (A Woman's Point of View) The Great Divide Route is the world's longest off-pavement cycling route. This post covers my experience bikepacking the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route in Montana.. used because summer days were so long and pace was leisurely, so never needed to ride in the dark. The 26" size used to be the industry standard, over the last two decades, 27.5 . He brought our joint tent out with him to Jackson, and I mailed my solo tent home. Toiletries are pretty easy to find throughout the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. It varies with the conditions, but more often than not, a tire with a more aggressive tread design is going to brake better. This is the burliest of my rain jacket options and I chose it for the GDMBR a long trip in big mountains because its impenetrable and relatively breathable. It's possible your local shop might even curse getting these inflated. Examining a worn-out DHF nearing the end of its lifespan. I used these less than expected on the GDMBR, but it was a relatively warm summer and my leisurely pace meant I rarely rode in the chilliest hours of the day. 4. number44 (Jul 15, 2019 at 8:26) Shiny and chrome!