Lighter-weight tires often have less protective and resilient sidewalls, while those that weigh more can usually withstand a bit more abuse. 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. Sunglasses: Im currently liking these affordableCastKing Hiwasseepolarized sunglasses. Fast-rolling and semi-slick tires get their speed from small, low-profile tread blocks. Nearly 70% of the route is on public lands - 18 National Forests, 6 National Parks and Monuments, and 4 areas with Bureau of Land . This burly and mean front tire can stand up to aggressive movements, committed riding, and all types of terrain. We researched nearly every tire on the market before buying 28 models for side-by-side testing. Theyre unisex but somehow fit my small face (and my husbands large face) just fine. Nano, Dry X 2.1, Small Block 8, in that order. Buying through them may provide me with a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps keep this site running and growing. When you consider all the towns, campgrounds, pit toilets, etc. We also found it to be a touch heavy when compared to similarly aggressive tires of the same size. Despite the reduced weight, we found the tire to provide adequate sidewall support, and the Slash Guard (SG2) insert stood up to all the abuse we could dish out. 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.". 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. 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. The Great Continental Divide Adventure Route is a motorized route that follows closely along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. I appreciate good quality gear but dont have money to burn, so most of my gear is carefully chosen and well-used. March 22 T editors of M com U, 2021. Vittoria may not have the same level of brand recognition as some other manufacturers, but we feel that it is liable to change if they keep making amazing tires like this. The Maxxis Minion DHR II has an aggressive tread pattern with wide paddle-shaped lugs that offer great braking traction on most surfaces, including soft and blown-out corners. For the Great Divide route, most will use nanoraptors, but I kept on getting pinch flats at 200lbs plus gear. Definitely touring, not racing. This rings true whether you are churning out miles on pavement, grinding gravel backroads, racing your local cyclocross course, or blasting dirt . 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. Gravity filter bag: CNOC Vecto 3L (28mm thread), used as dirty bag in a gravity filter system and for extra water capacity as needed. Horizontal knobs with edges that run perpendicular to the direction of travel are often employed to enhance braking traction. For more detail, seeHow to Use Your Garmin InReach Mini. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. It was tirelessly mapped over a 4 year span, and published in 1998 by Adventure Cycling Association, North America's premiere bicycle travel organization. That's why we put each tire through rigorous testing of heavy use before examining the wear on the tread and casing to assess durability. We preferred it in the front, paired with something a little faster rolling in the back. No rack, but bikepacking bags stuffed to the gills. We tested each tire as much as humanly possible and ranked them based on these metrics. Tent strapped to front of dry bag using Voile straps, Presta-Schrader valve adapter not used, but potentially essential in case of a broken pump, Chain lube and rag used often and replenished along the way, Spare tube (1 per rider) and patch kit not used, Tubeless plug kit, tiny tube of superglue not used, Extra sealant, between 2-4 oz per rider used and replenished along the way, Small section of chain and several quick links not used, but I did buy and install an entire new chain in Jackson, Blue threadlocker for loose bolts not used, Spare cleat and bolts (at least one set per rider) I used one of the bolts to replace a lost one, and replaced my cleats when I replaced my shoes halfway through, Spare brake and shift cable (one of each for two riders) not used. Sports bra:Patagonia Barely, very comfy (A cup) and stink-resistant. The Great Divide Route is the world's longest off-pavement cycling route. I hope this post has helped you fine-tune your GDMBR gear list. 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. Its sturdy EXO casing and mix of tread compounds provide ample sidewall support and exceptional grip, even at lower pressures. I wouldnt use this setup for prolonged technical riding, but it worked fine for gravel. It pairs nicely as a rear tire with the Specialized Butcher in the front. Held snacks, sunscreen, bear spray when carried. Additionally, it is safe to assume that they might sometimes take a cost-effective approach to stock specifications. The larger tire will absorb some of the rough stuff and give you some more traction. We put the best mountain bike tires from Maxxis, Specialized, Vittoria, Michelin, WTB, and others to the test. Custom, handbuilt 27.5", 29", Plus and Fat wheels. An avid racer, Benson competes in endurance gravel and XC races throughout northern California. Rain pants: Mine (White Sierra Trabagon) have been discontinued, but theyre a relatively lightweight 2-layer pant. (2) Schwalbe Johnny Watts 27.5 Tire. The front tire is primarily responsible for cornering and needs to respond appropriately to your input in order to remain on your intended line. The only time I stretched its capacity was a 4 day section in New Mexico, otherwise there was plenty of opportunity to recharge on the GDMBR. 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. But if you want more cushion in the tire area, the bike can accommodate up to . The Kryptotal Fr impressed our testers and proved that Continental is back at the top of the game with their new generation of tires. It has a distinctive locked-in feel, though it may take a little getting used to for some riders. The Maxxis Aggressor, Dissector, and WTB Trail Boss offer more traction while still maintaining impressive rolling speed. Specialized's Grid Trail casing feels supportive enough while remaining supple and surprisingly resistant to punctures or tears. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! We can't speak for the science behind it, but we found the Mazza's cornering knobs to have above-average durability. Thanks for the detail. What kind of bike maintenance is needed on the GDMBR? The center knobs sort of link up to form a center ridge, particularly after some wear. Front tires often feature directional tread patterns to improve rolling resistance, although a front tire does not support as much weight as a rear tire and consequently doesn't suffer as much drag. Vince kept bringing up the fact that he wanted to ride the Divide. Date Submitted: 09/30/2019 08:43 PM. Location: Alberta, Canada to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Fill it with food on your way from the grocery store to the motel, or fill it with water bottles to get you through a rare long dry stretch. This tire has super tall and aggressive shoulder lugs that bite into nearly any trail surface. Club Ride Savvy shorts are my absolute favorite. Shoe covers: Not used, even though my feet did sometimes get cold in the rain. Held 3 liter water bladder, some tools, spare tube. Chamois shorts (2 pair): very personal choice, but Louis Garneau Carbon 2 shorts work well for me. Bike: Salsa Fargo with steel fork. 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 majority of our testing took place in dryer California conditions. BIKE: I'll be riding the Tour Divide on a 2020 Salsa Ti-Fargo frameset with a Firestarter carbon fork. For more options, see Water filters for Bikepacking and Touring. I was thinking about doing it on a Surly Long Haul Trucker - the frame can handle a 45C Tire. 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. Baggy bike shorts: I wear these over my padded shorts, just personal preference. I layer this on for sleeping or riding in cold weather. The Specialized Ground Control Grid T7 is a tire that bridges the gap between cross-country and trail riding, call it down-country if you like. The bike has a Sram Eagle X01 ASX drivetrain, Sram Force brake lever shifters with Sram guide dual piston brakes. I use Jabra Elite wireless earbuds (technically only one earbud; I always leave one ear open) to enjoy audiobooks, podcasts, and music on all my long adventures. Saddle choice is highly personal, so for help making your own decision see Brooks B17 Short vs Carved vs Standard and Comfortable Bike Seats for Women. The sections are arranged in the direction I rode, which is northbound (also referred to as NOBO). Hi there, Im Alissa. Panties: 2 pair for sleeping and town days. Pavement and panniers or singletrack and seat bag, I love it all. The Mazza mixes it up with the best of 'em. Those who want a relatively fast-rolling rear tire that maintains good cornering abilities might consider the Specialized Eliminator T7. there are a lot of toilets along the route, but that doesnt guarantee youll find one when you need it. The Michelin Wild Enduro Rear is right there with the DHR II when weight is less of a priority and cornering abilities and traction are emphasized. Going from the center tread onto the side knobs, the rider may notice a "dead" zone about halfway through the lean while passing over the channel between the tread knobs on the crown of the tire on the way to the big side knobs. Bigger than the Salsa pouch and similar in size to a Revelate pouch. As with front tire braking traction, rear tire braking traction is also dependent on the size, shape, and orientation of the tread knobs. Some are much more expensive than others, so we do our best to identify which models represent the best value. 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. Related: Essential Bike Repair Skills You Can Learn at Home. Again, many tires are designed to be lightweight and compromise durability. I replaced it halfway through with the womens version which is slightly warmer and shorter perfect for me. Find details on the three most recent issues below, join the Bikepacking Collective to get it in the mail (anywhere in the world), or click here to find a collection of selected stories in digital format. This may not always be the ideal tire for your riding style, your trails, or the conditions you encounter most frequently. 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). 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. Through the years, they've mapped routes down the West Coast and several routes across the U.S. for road bicyclists. Ive used these for years and think they have an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. The Butcher T9 offers impressive performance at a reasonable price. What kind of temperatures are we talking about? For anyone curious, it does actually work with the Da Brim. I wouldnt have minded magically reducing my bike weight by about 5 pounds. Braking traction is hugely important in a tire. But on this trip it finally developed a slow leak I couldnt find. It's also one of the least expensive tires we tested, and we feel it is an excellent value. 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 highly recommend these for the Great Divide and bikepacking in general. Pat owns a bike shop in South Lake Tahoe and is passionate about rough and rocky trails. Note on sharing a filter: When my husband joined in Jackson we considered each carrying our own filter. Semi-slick and inverted tread tires are not recommended. I / we carried a stove for the entire trip and enjoyed hot meals at camp, but its not mandatory. There are many different approaches to choosing gear for the GDMBR, and no one can give you the one perfect list. 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. Mine was threadbare by the time I finished, and I sometimes got sunburnt through it. This is one of our favorites as a front tire for aggressive trail riding because of its incredible traction in corners and its durability. 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. While we really loved most aspects of the performance of the Butcher Grid Trail T9, it isn't the fastest rolling tire. Youll be spending a lot of hours in this stuff, so choose carefully. But it delivers excellent pedaling traction. 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. Riding northbound you could have someone at home mail it out to you (with proper insurance and certifications). They give pretty good traction and so far have been very durable. We also found the Grid Trail casing to be a bit squirmy under hard cornering forces, and that we had to get the pressure exactly right to not burp it. You may prefer another option if you often find yourself riding in loose or wet conditions. Tires like the Schwalbe Magic Mary, Michelin Wild Enduro Rear, WTB Vigilante, and Maxxis Assegai slay corners, but they also roll much slower than most of the competition. But when two of us together needed food for more than a day or two, it was too small. Most of the trail is comprised of gravel and dirt roads that are best done with something that can accommodate a 2.25in wide tire or larger. One of the best pieces of advice Ive heard from couples who take long adventures together: use a 3 person tent! to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. Wet, loose, loam, this tire rips into the soil. What are the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Tour Divide race, and other long, mixed-terrain bikepacking routes? Find the balance. Tent(s): Because I rode solo for the first five weeks and then was joined by my husband for the last four weeks, we used two different tents. Despite its cornering and braking chops, the tread design still rolls fairly quickly and efficiently. I tried to rinse and dry one pair while wearing the other, switching each day. Heres what I suggest carrying in order to leave no trace: Spend your town time resting and eating instead of wondering what youre forgetting. Figuring out which tires will perform well and hold up for the duration can be tricky, especially given all the options on the market. 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. 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. The Assegai hooks up in corners no matter the conditions. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. In general, the GDMBR is perfect for a standard 3-season backcountry layering setup. One of the astonishing things is that routes can be utterly wild yet almost 100 percent rideable on a gravel bike. If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing so more people can benefit from it: Great resource thanks! Before the rubber hits the dirt, you'll be laying out some coin for said rubber make the most of it. The GDMBR is an epic journey, and I think youll be really glad you decided to take it on. Modern trends have dictated that all of the tires in our test are either 27.5 or 29-inch. 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.

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