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I'm feeling inspired to do some long rides, including overnighter this year. I still want to ride technical trails though and was originally planning to build the bike as a rigid . I'm having doubts now though about the rigid side of things.
I'd like to see what other people ride especially if you run a sus fork.
Depends on what you're riding, but you probably knew that. I've just done a 7 day trip on my rigid bike, mostly riding XC trails with occasional mildly technical bits.
It's a steel frame with a carbon fork, and I find that adding weight to the front (20l bar bag + fork cages + stem and top tube bags) balances it out nicely, though I also use a seat pack and frame bag.
For the trails I was on, this worked perfectly. Sticking a fully loaded bike into berms is surprisingly fun! And I did some road/gravel miles too so it was useful there where a sus fork would just have been excess weight. On more technical stuff it may have been limiting.
I have a Cotic Solaris with carbon fork. It originally had a suspension fork so it took a while to get used to it being fully rigid. Did the YD300, Peak200, YD200 and BB200 ITTs on it last year, have ridden it round Gisburn red route. Will be using it for the JennRide and the HT550 this year.
Advantages: lighter than a suspension fork by at least 1Kg; less to go wrong.
Disadvantages: takes a bit of getting used to; you need your bike fit to be spot on otherwise IMO you'll never get used to it; not ideal on very technical ground - for me Gisburn red is about the limit, whilst rideable it's not as pleasant as on a HT.
Plenty of folk go bike packing on their full-suss. Video from a Tour Du Mont Blanc trip from another STwer, you couldn't really ride that on a rigid. Also there is the huge backpacking thread. Ride what you've got (or build a hardtailwith a front fork) its only a 1 nighter.
I'm hoping to use the bike for a bit of commuting and pubbing as well hence not using my fs bike.
Part of me is thinking try the rigid and then if I want to do something harder I could put the pike from my fs on the front temporarily. Alot of my riding will be with my gf on nothing too technical anyway so the lightness could be an advantage there.
A rigid bike is a good versatile all rounder, but a HT isn't far off either. If you do need more technical capability then just stick the bags on your FS. More technical terrain will likely mean the distances won't be as long and you can't load yourself up too much.
Ive posted this before. The 2015 Colorado Trail Race wining bike, 550 miles in 4 days. That's a 160mm pike on the front and a Reverb. There is no right bike for bikepacking.
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[url= http://bikepacker.com/jesse-jakomait-new-colorado-trail-race-record-holder/ ]Article[/url]
HT:
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and a better picture of the same kit on the cx type thing:
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Both would have been fine on either ride, just fun in different places!
My personal feeling is if you still want to ride technical trails, i'd ride whatever you have as a mountain bike now, more air in forks to compensate for extra weight, maybe slight bigger volume tyres to help soak up trail with weight on board.
But, I tend to either ride fat bike or Fargo for bikepacking, as i don't tend to ride technical trails living in East Anglia!
[img] https://flic.kr/p/QUAWLf ][img] https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/369/32100400686_950058ed5c_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/p/QUAWLf ][img] https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/369/32100400686_950058ed5c_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/QUAWLf ]a[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/49281217@N02/ ]Scud75[/url], on Flickr[/img]
[img][url= https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/681/32100400666_ac95281334_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/681/32100400666_ac95281334_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/QUAWKU ]b[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/49281217@N02/ ]Scud75[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Running suspension can cause problems depending on rider height, suspension travel and luggage capacity. If you're 5'2" and want a seatpack then you're obviously going to run into trouble with large wheels and suspension travel.
I have two sets of forks for my Pact; Rebas and some rigid carbon. I'll fit whichever most suits the route I'm planning, accepting that each has its advantages and disadvantages. Plus tyres can offer some comfort on longer days too.
My Krampus if its offroad..
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Vaya if its onroad..
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Rigid or sussed - depends on how you ride, for me I really don't care and have done similar trips on both, each having their own merits and downfalls...
My Bike for doing the [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/gr5-geneva-to-nice-2016-picture-and-word-heavy ]GR5 last September[/url]
[url= http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w593/oliverracing/GR5%202016/DSC_0382_zpscz75zbrj.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w593/oliverracing/GR5%202016/DSC_0382_zpscz75zbrj.jp g"/> [/img]
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And June 2015 Geneva to Chamonix bike of choice...
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Don't have rigid (or full sus....)
[url= https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5793/30389346661_693a032d57_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5793/30389346661_693a032d57_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Nipm1M ]Packed up again, ready to go at 9.00 am sharp...[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/77564901@N06/ ]Metalheart-UK[/url], on Flickr
Thanks. Reading that article, I'm going to initially build it as a rigid bike, with the option of putting my pikes on or buying another fork later on. I like the idea of a rigid for playing around d on local stuff and rides with the gf anyway.
I can allways use my t129 as well. I think I had been fooled into thinking no one used full sus bikes as all the sites I've looked on seem to be mainly fat bikes and rigid!
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Learning: The stuff at the back on that rack rattles a lot.
Reverb not needed. Better having a rigid post and a tailpack.
Once the bike is that loaded up, you can make it over technical stuff but it's a bit of a pig so no fun.
Reverb not needed. Better having a rigid post and a tailpack.
Ive fitted a reverb to my bikepacking fatbike (it has a Bluto too!) and its appreciated. You cant get right off the back as the seatpack is obviously in the way but you can shift weight about easier and get lower on the bike which helps on steep stuff.
As noted there's no "one right bike". In my case the Solaris started off with a suspension fork but when that died I put the carbon fork on. The Solaris is my only MTB so it's not as if I'm choosing it over anything else. (Actually that's a lie now as I also have a fat bike and that was used for my last bikepacking trip and will be used for the next couple)
Use what you are happy with. Unless you have a custom frame bag made, bikepacking bags are easily transferrable from one bike to another.
Video from a Tour Du Mont Blanc trip from another STwer, you couldn't really ride that on a rigid.
You could. Better in places, worse in others, usual pros/cons. I like rigid bikes for this sort of thing, they're stable under braking or down steep stuff, feel like they manage the load more predictably. You don't ride flat-out in the same way when loaded up anyway.
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Bikepacked on my rigid bike and HT. Don't have a susser
Depends on the conditions as to which is the right bike. HT often has a dropper on it too
One thing to note is a rigid bike has more front bar bag capacity, as the wheel doesn't move so there's no chance of any rubbing. You need a bike more care on the HT
I've sometimes been glad on the HT, other times thought the rigid was better
There's no right or wrong answer. That's the beauty of bikepacking. Pick the right bike for the ride, then lob your bags on
On a rigid you might not, that's why some of us use suspension on occasion 😉You don't ride flat-out in the same way when loaded up anyway.
You could. Better in places, worse in others, usual pros/cons. I like rigid bikes for this sort of thing, they're stable under braking or down steep stuff, feel like they manage the load more predictably. You don't ride flat-out in the same way when loaded up anyway.
I think this pretty much nails it, I had 100mm of travel on my bike last year and yes it was more comfortable but often found that the bike got overwhelmed. On the other hand my mate had 150mm+ travel and a little less weight on the bike (more on his back) and was able to ride a hell of a lot faster, yes he is faster than me normally when both on unloaded bikes but this was a good 2x the speed at points. I reckon I wouldn't have been any slower on a rigid bike just a little less uncomfortable.
So what I think I'm trying to say is that sub ~120mm it doesn't really make a huge difference but more allows you to just hit stuff and the bike will cope with it.
Rigid is really nice when picking your way up and along things. I'd forgotten how great it feels to have a solid platform to work with. Standing up and properly mashing the pedals and bars is great fun. And the handling is brillant too since the geom never changes, no dive or anything.
However as soon as it gets rocky it can be pretty grim. Trail centres are rubbish, for example as they have long swoopy descents that are meant to be pinned, and you can't (at least I can't) because it's just too damn rough. So you end up clinging on for dear life with aching hands. Natural stuff can be more fun because it's not usually as fast, which means bumps aren't as much of an issue.
I'd imagine on one of those long ITTs suspension might be of use if it's rough enough terrain, because I do have to go pretty slowly at times on rigid.
@molgrips - pretty much spot on regarding trail centres - they've developed in line with developments in suspension, "black" runs from the 1980s are pretty mild compared to those of today. Expecting a rigid bike to cope is asking a bit much, well for me anyway.
ITTs, in this country at least, tend not to have long sections of very rough terrain. They are quite hard to find for one thing. Where you do have them, such as Glen Canisp on the HT550 (between Lochinver and Ledmore Junction) then they are rough enough that they are unrideable even on a FS so become hike-a-bike. Unrideable might be too strong a word - riding would be energy inefficient and possibly not as quick as walking.
I think the ideal fork for long ITTs would be the Lauf, little or no geometry changes yet the constant chatter from things like fire/dirt roads will get soaked up. Josh Kato replaced t[url= http://bikepacker.com/2016-tour-divide-preview/ ]he suspension fork on his FS bike[/url] with one for last year's Tour Divide race, unfortunately an incident with a truck forcing him off the road meant that he didn't finish. A pity they are so damn expensive!
@ metalheart
That pic is great. Even though I've seen it before I just won't bore of that. This coming from someone who is selling his solaris now though.
Kato wasn't on a FS he was riding a hard tail cutthroat with Laufs 😀
In the spirit of 'there is no perfect bike for bikepacking' and 'use whatever you feel like', here is my setup from 2016 Tour Divide.
I will be using it again for this years 5100 miler American Trail Race from North Carolina to Oregon. The only change will be that I will carry a telephone, so am modding the power system to let me charge an extra device.[img] 
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Full Suss
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7653/16646630063_40625b7202_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7653/16646630063_40625b7202_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/rn1kaa ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/nzrich/ ]Richard Munro[/url], on Flickr
Rigid Phat
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5626/30246485176_835aa5481c_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5626/30246485176_835aa5481c_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/N5M9gJ ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/nzrich/ ]Richard Munro[/url], on Flickr
There was someone riding a spearfish with laufs on the divide last year.
Indeed, Molgrips you've hit the nail on the head regarding trail centres on rigid bikes, as you say it's the natural stuff where they're really in their element. Right tool for the job and all that.
I use a rigid 29er or a Spearfish for bikepacking. Choice will depend on the length of the route and terrain.
Most of my riding year round is on the rigid.
as you say it's the natural stuff where they're really in their element
Well I'll qualify that slightly. I love mine for longer less technical rides with big climbs. I have "local woods" which are still full of rough techie bits and on those it's a toss-up.
You don't ride flat-out in the same way when loaded up anyway.
On a rigid you might not, that's why some of us use suspension on occasion
I know what you mean : ) but on either bike type you need good skills and strength to get a loaded bike floating over stuff like you can do an unloaded bike, particularly during a multi-day trip, so with sus it's usually more plow-through using the sus to soak it up, still braking differently, taking a few less risks of rim impacts etc.
Well I'll qualify that slightly. I love mine for longer less technical rides with big climbs. I have "local woods" which are still full of rough techie bits and on those it's a toss-up.
I'll agree with that, my locals trails have a few sections in that vein which can be fun on a rigid due to having to be very particular with your line choice and the speed at which you tackle obstacles, whereas on a full sus you can just go flat out for the fastest time. Depends on whether you're in the mood for a "can't believe I'm still alive" grin or a "I'm sure I broke the sound barrier" one 😀
Pics, just because
HT
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Rigid
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Here's mine, I'm off out in a minute....
[url= https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/272/31942386501_6608da09fc_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/272/31942386501_6608da09fc_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/QED5DK ]Customary truck photo at Sparwood[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/ ]Jim Barrow[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/533/32058114145_92b0385918_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/533/32058114145_92b0385918_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/QQSdrX ]Tobermory Cabin[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/ ]Jim Barrow[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/378/31247970093_04f052ec37_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/378/31247970093_04f052ec37_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/PBh1R4 ]Day 2 on the trail[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/ ]Jim Barrow[/url], on Flickr
All depends on how quickly you want to get wherever you intend to go, my CXer in "off-road touring mode"
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Im happy to ride a rigid but bikepacking is tiring and the last thing I want at the end of a tiring day(s) is having to finesse with line choice or having to stand constantly to deal with what should be minor trail bumps. That's why my favourite bikepacking bike was my old Spearfish, it would do warp speed descending as if it were unloaded but mostly its benefit was 80mm of rear travel to let you rest when you wanted to. I have a fatbike now and while a 29+ does wonders for a rough surface its not quite as good over a whole day(s).
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7213/7159082559_31c6e05b32_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7213/7159082559_31c6e05b32_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/bUCaPV ]Looking down on Gladhouse Reservoir[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/dickyelsdon/ ]Richard Elsdon[/url], on Flickr
My second favourite bikepacking bike is my Crosscheck, yes its a crossbike but damn its such as nice bike to be on. Did my biggest ride on it in September bank holiday, Berwick to Glasgow via C2C and Forth and Clyde canal, so not the smoothest route. 140mile day as part of a ~400mile (fixed gear) long weekend, with handlebar and saddle bags with bivy gear in. That's still bikepacking right? 😉
[url= https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8718/29365527940_bcbb321c00_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8718/29365527940_bcbb321c00_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/LJW1nS ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/dickyelsdon/ ]Richard Elsdon[/url], on Flickr
This,
This is a great thread.
Stories, packing finesse, bikes, smiles.
Ah. I'm so confused! I keep changing my mind whether to go rigid or a sus fork. It will mainly be getting used in the Welsh mountains so mixed terrain really!
I just really want to get out and camp. Since I stopped climbing g a couple of years ago I've nor really slept out under the stars and I miss it.
I'm a stones throw away from you in Talybont and have a rigid 27.5+ Charge Cooker that I can put bikepacking bags on (I got some from Ian and Beth of Wildcat in Brecon to keep it local), the same bags will fit on my Marin Four Corners for gravel/road purposes (not done an overnight ride on this setup yet but it'll work). Then I could chuck them on my Orange 5 if I really need to (though haven't tried the frame bag on there, doubt it'll fit very well).
The last couple of overnighters I've done are on the Black Mountains on the Charge Cooker. Lots of fun, even on descents like the Dragon's Back/Y Grub. It's not as all out as when riding it on a day ride, but really good fun. I think the + tyres are fantastic for picking lines and sneaking down steep rocky sections slower, but with more grip than on the full susser.
I find that some trail centres are fantastic on the rigid. Did a couple of laps at Cwn Carn recently and loved it, it handled the drops on the so-called black run very comfortably, again I think the added grip of the +sized tyres work wonders. Probably wouldn't enjoy Glyncorrwg as much but I haven't ridden there in a few years, from memory it is a bit more rattly.
Like you, bivvies under the stars bring back great memories of climbing trips. Although I seem to carry more firewood, cider and proper coffee on bike packing trips - must be an age thing.
Off Road 650 B+ ... crackin bike
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Less Off Road
[URL= http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy195/stumpym4/bearstock/IMG_20160702_093432_zpsj2n5g116.jp g" target="_blank">
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It was wet out last night!
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/368/32109772416_d5ff8d78cc_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/368/32109772416_d5ff8d78cc_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/QVqYDN ]Home for the night ? ? ? #biketramps #Bikepacking #bicycling #bearbones #bicycletouringpro #bicycletouring #biketravel #adventurecycling #biketour #touring #outdoors #ridewithpurpose #adventure #ride #neverstopexploring #tourdivide #sussexmtb #GetOutside[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/ ]Jim Barrow[/url], on Flickr
I generally ride my rigid Swift when bikepacking. You can still ride pretty technical stuff, you just approach it differently, and it eats up the miles in between.
It definitely wouldn't have been the nicest night yesterday but that looks like a good setup.
I want to do a bivvy by the end of next month so I've got a time frame to get the kit for.
Who still uses a backpack on longer rides? I like going pack less on most rides but was thinking a small rucksack wold be ok?
I still think I'll use a backpack next time I go out (whenever that ends up being).
Bike was really leaden over the bumps the other day and I only had water and tubes lashed to it.
@blackmountainsrider - generally I try and avoid using one but if I'm trying things out (especially in winter with kit being so bulky) then I'll take one but that would usually be for short local rides. I used a small Camelbak (Lobo) on the BB200 that was primarily for water but did have multitool and pump in there as well. Having looked at the route beforehand there weren't that many watering points so the Camelbak made sense, with more becks, etc. available then a water bottle would have been better.
No one right way really, use what's best for you and/or the intended route.
If you've X amount of kit then there's four choices really: put it on the bike; put it on your back; a mixture of bike and back; take less stuff. For the occasional foray I wouldn't worry too much, strap some dry bags to your bike and shove what's left in a rucksack and enjoy the trip. If you get into it then you'll start to figure what works for you and change accordingly. I've had 10Kg loads and 3Kg loads for the same ride - had learnt a bit for the second time.
Thanks. When I've bivvied on foot I've allways tried to go as minimally as possible. Im guessing 30 litres of storage will be plenty for my 1st one night trips. I have rucksacks that are big enough but I'm thinking if I can put the sleeping bag and bivi bag on the bars and a couple of small frame bags plus a 10 litre rucksack that should be a good starting point.
Rigid for me, Although it gets used as a commuter more than anything.
[img][url= https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/299/31371501653_d2ed91a22a_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/299/31371501653_d2ed91a22a_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/PNc9tx ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/67021056@N03/ ]singlespeed_shep[/url], on Flickr[/img]
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Specialised Pizza Rack,
Great rack, nice large flat top and still takes pannier bags
Cheers, looks good 😀
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Posted before... Diverge used for Wales off-road coast to coast.
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Photo taken this morning after 2017 BAM #1
Alternate configurations using Rebas and/or 29er wheels.
@flap_jack - nice set up, what tyres were you running?
Do people just use their main bike and buy kit to suit? Or do some of you start out with bikepacking in mind and buy a bike for that purpose?
I'm thinking of using my old Tricross but canti brakes + fat bloke + kit = high potential crash.
It's a good job I'm slow
Here's mine from last year's YD300
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All the bivy kit was in the seat pack, trail food in the yellow Alpkit bag, other food & spare clothing and emergency stuff in the frame bag. Waterproof was in my jersey pocket. Two water bottles: one in the cage on the down tube and one in another cage in front of the seat post that you can just make out. The Alpkit bag didn't work out - it's too floppy and the cage in front of the seat post broke so I need to figure out a better way of attaching one there.
For the BB200 I kept the seat pack but replaced the Alpkit bag and the frame bag with two stem cells. I wasn't sure if I was going to do the route in one or not. Since I had the Camelbak for water and the repair stuff, I did some rationalisation and got things even more compact. In the end I did ride through but I could have bivvied without problem.
@ElShalimo - the Solaris was until recently my only MTB so I simply pressed it into service. If I was getting a bike specifically for bikepacking I'd probably look at a Stooge (or a Salsa Spearfish) - different ends of the spectrum but sort of shows that just about any bike will do.
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Arctic bikepacking before rolling out at last year's Rovaniemi - will be back there is just over a month for another 5 days of fun! This year I'll be adding a couple of panniers (mainly food) and a light backpack with down jacket, pants and mitts.
@ElShalimo they're Clement X'PLOR MSOs. 36mm (tight fit in the frame), tubeless setup. I got up and down everything, including stuff my mates using 40mm WTB tyres failed on. I couldn't recommend them highly enough (except on mud). Even did some CyB on it in that configuration 🙂
@whitestone: How did you attached the bottle on the downtube? I'm suffereing from the nowhere to put a bottle syndrome.
Seen as Scroteouts is doing it, heres my BAM#1 loaded bike (reloaded rather easily than expected for once...)
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/362/31378020583_75ee8c4fbb_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/362/31378020583_75ee8c4fbb_c.jp g"/> [/img]
[/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/PNLyjT ]Packed and ready to roll[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/77564901@N06/ ]Metalheart-UK[/url], on Flickr
@metalheart - the cage is attached by [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/dmr-hinged-clamp/rp-prod745 ]DMR hinged clamps[/url] you need to get the size to match the tube - can't remember the size now.
@whitestone: How did you attached the bottle on the downtube? I'm suffereing from the nowhere to put a bottle syndrome.
Another option, i'm just about to order one for my stooge.
[url= http://www.wildcatgear.co.uk/shop/accessories/mount-skidmore-bottle-cage-adapter/ ]mount skidmore bottle cage adaptor[/url]
GT Grade with everything for a night out, small tent in the seat bag, sleeping bag and air mat on the front and a cooker and some food in the frame bag.
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Thanks for the links guys 😀
Do people just use their main bike and buy kit to suit? Or do some of you start out with bikepacking in mind and buy a bike for that purpose?
You are over-thinking it.
It's just like biking, but with more stuff. It's not a niche application. Ride what you have, bring what you have. Just find something that works. If a rigid fatbike suits the ride you want to do, then ride one. If an enduro bike suits it, then ride that.
I 'bikepacked' in 1993 on my Kona Fire Mountain with my stuff in a rucksack, I did however many Polaris challenges on a variety of bikes too with a variety of kit. just carry it however you can.
My Solaris is going to be my bikepacking transport this year, had a spin over to the parents yesterday, took spare clothes, tools and stuff in the seatpack (Wildcatgear Tiger/Alpkit Airlok tapered 13l) so I didn't have to take a rucksack. Have got an alpkit Joey and an Airlok dual for the bars, and a very cheap (but so far so good) frame bag the LBS wanted me to try also. Need to get the helitape out before I fit them though, my old raw frame was ideal, this one not so much.
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I use my 853 Inbred 69er. Much prefer rigid loaded although in fairness I just seem to prefer rigid all the time as I never really use the suspension forks and 26" front wheel I have for it. Always wear a small Wingnut Splitback pack too just with bladder and waterproof in (same as every normal ride)
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Unpacked though.
This blog entry might help ex0lain some of the reasoning behind my current bike.
http://www.blog.scotroutes.com/2016/06/act-3-bike-caution-nerdsville-ahead.html
A couple of pics from the Idaho Hot Springs Loop. Boblo and I toured for a month with this set up. He was on an 80's rigid Marin, I was on a rigid El Mariachi. Even with endless miles of washboarded roads I wouldn't have traded my rigid forks for suspension forks.
I seldom ride my full suss bikes now.
After riding in Idaho we fitted road tyres and rode down the Pacific coast through the Redwoods to Marin County just north of San Francisco
@stumpym4, was that a Trans Cambrian Way trip?
@mcmoonter how long did you take for the idaho hot springs? I really like the look of that one. What time of year did you do it?
Nice pics and nice bikes! Here's my rigid bike from a ride on Sunday, carrying some gear to make coffee/stop for a picnic. Just a basic 29er built up cheaply, enjoyable to ride on all surfaces.
[url= https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/737/32187057686_a90b6668c9_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/737/32187057686_a90b6668c9_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/R3g5Ss ]Black mountains riding[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/turkey_plucker/ ]Matthew Walker[/url], on Flickr
It depends what bike you own thats the right. But I guess in an ideal the best bike is one with the least parts to go wrong so that would be a single speed fully rigid for me I find the extra gears a benefit on the long climbs as you can keep climbing comfortable for longer. I run a fully rigid with carbon forks and it certainly hasn't slowed me down on descents as several strava segments show me. The best thing for rigids is plus wheels imho massive improvement on the ride quality. Pic of mine rigged up.
https://goo.gl/photos/gcZXk4WfSK8qQHaYA
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I finally got the bike I intend to use for bikepacking built up. It's a parts bin special, other than the forks which I bought from the classifieds, and a new lower headset.
I rode a loop of the Verderers trail at fod last night. It was the first time I've ridden a rigid mtb, and I'm now used to full sus.
I thoroughly enjoyed it though, it felt light, responsive and very engaging. It was like riding one of my old xc race hardtail again. The only bits that felt horrible as such were the braking bumps in some of the berms.
Sadly on the final part of the descent, my rear mech gave up, hence no chain etc in the photo.
To conclude though, it was great fun, and I expect I'll use it alot when I go for solo rides and local evening rides.
Oh, and I know I should have eaten the pizza crusts, or taken a better photo!
faustus that looks just right, to my mind.
What's the setup on the forks, may I ask? I envisage something like that on my Vagabond. I only have single mid-fork fixing-points though.
Malvern - It's just an aftermarket pair of Surly Krampus forks with eyelets everywhere, so i'm using the rear facing anything cage bolts with blackburn cages. The fork isn't light but rides really nicely.
Not sure what your options are on forks with a smaller a-c and with the correct offset for the vagabond though, and it's not so easy to cobble together mounts with jubilee clips on skinny steel that bends or narrows like the vagabond fork.
Don't know the a-c on the vagabond, but the V1 salsa fargo fork has a 442 a-c and bottle cage bosses (x2 not x3) if you can find one. Otherwise, there might be a surly fork that would do the job..?