The Maxxis Aggressor, Dissector, and WTB Trail Boss offer more traction while still maintaining impressive rolling speed. The GDMBR is an epic journey, and I think youll be really glad you decided to take it on. I think the Fargo is a perfect bike for the GDMBR, at least unless you can afford a Cutthroat. 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 Sleeping bag: Enlightened Equipment 10 degree Convert: I am acold sleeper, and this quilt (combined with a Hoodlum hood) kept me plenty warm most nights on the Divide. While the medium-height tread is efficient and capable for most situations, there are better options for braking traction when the terrain gets super loose. I hope that will be especially helpful to my fellow northbound riders, since there are fewer resources out there written from our perspective. I / we carried a stove for the entire trip and enjoyed hot meals at camp, but its not mandatory. 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. The places I ride are very similar to the GDMBR. The Trail Boss works great as a rear tire with great cornering performance and fairly low rolling resistance. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. Find the balance. We put in lots of time and miles while testing mountain bike tires. Flint hills trail state park. Look for a model that has thick rubber on the sidewall and the tread. The T9 rubber is the grippiest that Specialized uses, and while it isn't exactly super soft, it's been designed to rebound slowly to reduce deflection and enhance grip. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is one of America's best big adventures, traversing thousands of miles of remote dirt roads and high-altitude trails through the Rocky Mountains. It varies with the conditions, but more often than not, a tire with a more aggressive tread design is going to brake better. Theres more where this came from! to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. 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. Softer rubber compounds tend to wear quicker, while thinner sidewalls and casings are easier to flat. Ascent to Tornado Pass. 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. 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. 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. Read more: Specialized Ground Control Grid T7 review. 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. The larger the circumference and the wider the tire, the less up-and-down. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Specialized Eliminator Grid Trail T7 review, Specialized Ground Control Grid T7 review, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, EXO sidewall protection, excellent cornering grip, good on front or rear, dual compound increases longevity, Great cornering and braking traction, fair price, long tread life, supportive sidewalls, work in a wide range of conditions, Fair price (for trail casing), offered in multiple casings for different uses, good braking traction, Great cornering grip, good braking traction, aggressive tread pattern, super damp ride quality, available in 2.6 and 2.3-inch widths, Reasonable price (for trail casing), excellent cornering traction, offered in multiple casings for different uses, Not the best for hardpack, high rolling resistance, requires good technique, Tread may be too aggressive for some riders/locations, a little heavy, Challenging set up process, heavy for "trail" casing, Difficult installation process, heavy-ish for a "trail" tire, One of the most popular tires ever, and for good reason, An aggressive tire with excellent cornering traction, braking bite, and above-average durability, A durable rear tire suited for aggressive trail riding in a range of conditions, Specialized's classic aggressive trail riding tire with a new rubber compound, enhanced grip, and same great value, A durable front tire for aggressive trail riding that carves corners with the best of 'em. Bluetooth mini-keyboard: As you can probably tell, I like to write! Off trail alternate routes can require significant navigation skills, especially in poor weather. That said, selection is limited until you reach a larger town with a full grocery or drug store. Despite its cornering and braking chops, the tread design still rolls fairly quickly and efficiently. It carries speed exceptionally well and performs precisely as intended. Toiletries are pretty easy to find throughout the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. For the majority of these tires, we were able to install and seat the bead on our rims without the use of a high-powered compressor. I replaced it halfway through with the womens version which is slightly warmer and shorter perfect for me. Lighter-weight tires often have less protective and resilient sidewalls, while those that weigh more can usually withstand a bit more abuse. You must be so excited for your trip. These tires put a fight to get seated, but once mounted we never had further issues. Summaries by section: New Mexico | Colorado | Wyoming & Idaho | Montana | Canada. It is North America's premier long-distance mountain bike route. 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. 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. The Butcher T9 offers impressive performance at a reasonable price. In our latest YouTube video, we talk about what factors to consider and reveal a few of our favorite tires for long, mixed-terrain routes. 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. https://w. The Maxxis Minion DHF is arguably the most popular tire ever thanks mostly to its cornering prowess. While the rubber doesn't have the tackiest feel, its dampening properties give it an especially smooth, glued-to-the-ground ride quality. Definitely touring, not racing. We usually rode together and often filled up with potable water from campgrounds or stores, so we werent stopping to filter as often as we do on backpacking trips. Paracord and carabinerfor hanging or otherwise securing the Ursack. We preferred it in the front, paired with something a little faster rolling in the back. I think youll like them, but you can unsubscribe at any time. Celebrating its 20th year, the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route stretches the length of the United States, and was researched and mapped by the Adventure Cycling Association to provide a non-paved cycle touring route for those who are so inclined. Sun Sleeves:Outdoor Researchhiking sleeves stay up on my small arms better than most. The Eliminator has a semi-aggressive center rolling for speed, but it still has good braking bite and cornering traction. The Colorado Trail Bikepacking Route is a 539-mile mountain bike route that crosses many major mountain ranges across the state. Lower profile tread designs like those of the Maxxis Ardent, Vittoria Agarro, and Michelin Force AM2 grip very well on hardpack and slabby rock, though they tend to falter when the surface conditions are super loose. Chamois shorts (2 pair): very personal choice, but Louis Garneau Carbon 2 shorts work well for me. Helmet mirror: Bike Peddler Take a Look visor mirror. We ended up sharing one and it worked fine. So youre about to get into the nitty gritty details of planning your dream trip on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Disposable ear plugsfor noisy campgrounds or motels. This native New Englander is particularly obsessed with tire choice and is constantly on the hunt for the elusive perfect tire. The rear tire is responsible for the brunt of pedaling and braking traction. 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 . What kind of bike maintenance is needed on the GDMBR? I absolutely recommend tubeless, especially in New Mexico. 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. I recommend the REI Stormbolt GTX as a more affordable 3 layer GORE-TEX jacket, or even the affordable Marmot PreCip for smaller budgets. Now its your turn. BIKE: I'll be riding the Tour Divide on a 2020 Salsa Ti-Fargo frameset with a Firestarter carbon fork. My husband carried the body and I carried the fly. Yup, I carried a Kindle! New off-highway route north of Hartsel, CO 3. For more detail, seeHow to Use Your Garmin InReach Mini. My solo tent: Big Sky Soul 1P. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. 10. panchocampbell (Jul 15, 2019 at 8:29) after a zombie apocalypse these people would be the actual survivers !!! Held sunscreen, lights, snacks, other small items. If youre on the fence about bringing something, leave it with a friend and ask them to mail it to you on the road if requested. Finally, this route goes in wild terrain, and a bear encounter is possible. Manufacturers use different rubber compounds and casing constructions, so some tires are more durable than others. A substantial row of side knobs handles well when tipped on edge through corners, with a supportive and durable EXO casing. But on the GDMBR we often showered at RV parks and campgrounds that didnt offer this. Given this tire's impressive rolling speed and moderate height/relatively tightly packed tread knobs, it can't compete with more aggressive tires in loose 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 even tread pattern of those tires also feels more predictable on firm ground as the transition across the tread is smooth the whole way through. Helmet brim: Da Brim Classic. When conditions are firm, some of our fastest rolling tires perform exceptionally well. Some rolling resistance data has been posted in the "Wheels" forum lately. A multitude of mountain bike tires can easily be mounted onto a rim with just your bare hands. 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. Pedaling forces are applied through the rear tire while the front tire is pushed along, guiding the bike along its journey. If you have a bright headlamp and a way to mount it, you could consider using that as an emergency-only night riding option. We love the DHF up front, but it's also suitable for use as a rear tire. I suspect this can even be used to patch bike tubes in a pinch, but Ive never tried it. 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. Bootlegger Bikes is a small, full service bike shop near Smugglers Notch in Jeffersonville, Vermont that serves the Jeffersonville, Cambridge, Fletcher, Fairfax, Johnson, Underhill, Jericho, and surrounding areas. This is a very popular filter and it works well. 27. overmyhead (Jul 15, 2019 . Good cornering and braking traction compared to similar tires, Not ideal for super aggressive riders or terrain. Never used, sent it home when my husband arrived (his phone would serve as our backup). Again, many tires are designed to be lightweight and compromise durability. With rear tires, you'll find huge variances in traction, depending on the type of terrain and the surface conditions. Benson is a competitive gravel and mountain bike racer, highly experienced tester/reviewer, and published author. what do you think? What are the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Tour Divide race, and other long, mixed-terrain bikepacking routes? You can also use certain water compatible water bottles, but the syringe is light and works well. The aggressive open tread is great in a range of conditions, but it's the new T9 rubber compound that's most impressive. Bike: Salsa Fargo with steel fork. Got feedback? I've found the Geax Saguaro can't be beat. The stiff carcass on the Michelin Wild Enduro Front and Wild Enduro Rear were both tough to pull onto the rim. Reroute through Chama, NM skipping closed Carson and Santa Fe forests 4. 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 sections are arranged in the direction I rode, which is northbound (also referred to as NOBO). We found the Aggressor works best on hardpack, rock, and loam. He brought our joint tent out with him to Jackson, and I mailed my solo tent home. Tires are a great way to improve the performance of your ride, but to have the best bike gear setup, you may need a few more items. Mountain bike tires are expensive. A closely packed row of taller shoulder lugs provides good cornering traction and a predictable feel until things get super loose. The Maxxis Minion DHR II is an aggressive rear tire with terrific cornering grip and excellent braking traction. 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. Aggressive riders who frequent loose, chunky, and rowdy terrain are the best candidates for this beefy and durable tire. Learn more or say hi. Im Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help you make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality. It's possible your local shop might even curse getting these inflated. Again, the tires you choose should complement how and where you ride and the terrain and conditions you typically encounter to enhance your riding experience. Thanks! 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. Seat bag: Revelate Viscacha 14L. (Update: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Womens Review). The Specialized Eliminator T7 is a semi-aggressive rear tire that we feel is a great, affordable option for trail riders. The Surly Krampus, released in 2012, established the plus bike genre with its massive 29 x 3.0in. 60 DAY Free Returns & Shipping / Orders All Over The US Need Help? Down tube: Water bottle cage and tool pouch. The Maxxis Assegai is a gravity-oriented tire from Maxxis that was designed in collaboration with World Cup DH racing legend Greg Minaar. Thanks for taking the time. When it comes to big adventures, deciding to take the plunge is often half the battle. Note about toiletries: In the US its common for hotels, and even most budget motels, to provide small amounts of basic soap and shampoo. It is available in numerous casings, including DH, EXO, and EXO+. Something with plenty of tire clearance and go with a plus sized tire on the front or something. There are some sections with sharp rocks. Those wide paddle-shaped lugs in the center tread of the DHR II dig in effectively, especially in loose conditions. What are the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Tour Divide race, and other long, mixed-terrain bikepacking routes?