Cattle are everywhere on the GDMBR, even where you might not expect them. 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. Just 5% of the route is on more difficult terrain such as unpaved four-wheel drive tracks and single tracks. Your experienced riding buddy in digital form: 140 mobile-friendly pages packed with how to's, problem solving tips, and hard-earned wisdom from the trail and road. Pedals: Funn Mamba Single-Sided SPD. 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. In some areas you might rarely fill it all, carrying only 1-2 liters at a time. 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. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We love the DHF up front, but it's also suitable for use as a rear tire. This includes tires, and a resurgence in semi-slick tire designs has occurred in recent years. The Trail casing we tested offers a good blend of support and suppleness, and Vittoria's 4C Graphene rubber was surprisingly resilient with an above-average tread life. Chlorine dioxide: I carried a small number of Potable Aqua tablets as a temporary backup in case my filter failed. 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. New off-highway route north of Hartsel, CO 3. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Carry at least a small amount of soap and shampoo so you can properly enjoy these showers. We tested the TCS Light SG2 casing with High Grip rubber, and while it isn't the lightest tire in the world, it weighs a lot less than the Tough casing we've tried in the past. The Michelin Wild AM2 and Force AM2 feature Gum-X rubber compounds and the Gravity Shield casing. 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. I especially liked the flexibility of the big 5L dry bags on the front fork, which could expand or contract a lot to hold varying amounts of food or even, in one long dry stretch, water. 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. Here are all the electronics I carried on the GDMBR: Smartphone: Primary navigation device using the RideWithGPS app, with maps cached offline. However, this isn't the most aggressive tire on the market. When it comes to big adventures, deciding to take the plunge is often half the battle. Land between the lakes canal loop mountain bike trail, Calvert City, Kentucky. Baggy bike shorts: I wear these over my padded shorts, just personal preference. For more help with your Great Divide food strategy, see my bikepacking food guide. Held electronics, toiletries, first aid, other miscellaneous items. The cushcore tire for the great Divide mountain bikeroute is designed for tubeless tire systems. 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. If you want a light and fast rolling tire that still hooks up, the Ground Control is our recommendation. Examining a worn-out DHF nearing the end of its lifespan. Rain jacket: ArcteryxBeta AR. Welcome to part 4 in my series of GDMBR summaries by state. We pedal up the hill to ride back down it. Afternoon thunderstorms are common throughout the Rockies and temperatures can drop quite low, so a good rain setup and warm layers are critical. The tread consists of lots of moderate-height lugs in the center and intermediate zone, with a fairly substantial row of shoulder knobs. Gloves: Pearl Izumi lobster gloves. Essential Bike Repair Skills You Can Learn at Home. I cant remember if they had any 29" tyres, and I doubt if you can accurately scale the performance from 26 to 29 inches, but its worth a look. Outside of larger towns its often convenience store and diner food, in other words, not the healthiest. Toiletries are pretty easy to find throughout the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. You may prefer another option if you often find yourself riding in loose or wet conditions. Running a Maxxis Minion DHF or Asegai, Vittoria Mazza, or WTB Vigilante front and rear might not be the fastest rolling choice, but it would definitely stop you in a hurry. The alternative would be to use a sturdy rear rack and small panniers or dry sacks, which I saw pretty often on the Divide. Heres my GDMBR gear list related to water: Water filter: Sawyer Squeeze. Braking traction is hugely important in a tire. 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. I likethese from REIandthese from Woolly Clothing. Some options for elevating your bachelor party bar hopping experience: Look up beer bikes in your city, which are enormous multi-person bikes pedaled by everyone in the party and led by a tour guide who'll direct you guys to some of the best bars in the city while enjoying some brews along the way. Standard AA and AAA batteries are easy to find at convenience stores, so you only need to carry one spare set at a time. Garmin eTrex22x: My backup navigation device while riding solo. One of the fastest-rolling tires in the test was the Specialized Ground Control. Note on sharing a filter: When my husband joined in Jackson we considered each carrying our own filter. Beyond that, this affordable tire is an excellent front tire, or both, for trail and all-mountain riders. My hands get cold easily and when I need to ride in cold temps these are essential. Despite their Light designation, these tires proved to be tough with a Slash Guard (SG2) insert that stood up to our abuse. I said this at the beginning but it bears repeating: theres no single right way to pack for the Great Divide. As a rear tire, it has excellent pedal and braking traction but has a relatively high level of rolling resistance. Completed in 1997, the GDMBR was developed by Adventure Cycling Association, who continue to maintain highly detailed route maps and a guidebook. Author: www.bikeforums.net. For help with other aspects of your Great Divide prep, see these other posts: These general bikepacking posts might also be helpful: Or, visit the bikepacking resources center for many more bikepacking guides and stories. Similarly, we found the new Michelin Wild AM2 to rip through the bends. Kindle E-Reader. Note about reception: Dont expect to have connectivity on all (or even most) of the GDMBR. The Great Divide Route is the world's longest off-pavement cycling route. Paracord and carabinerfor hanging or otherwise securing the Ursack. We feel this tire provides a great combination of traction and rolling speed and has a huge bandwidth in terms of conditions. The Michelin Wild Enduro Rear sure ain't light. We are in the pre planning phase of our Great Divide trip, your writing is very motivating. Continental's new tires can compete with the best in the business. I think mid-May is typical but it varies year to year, especially these days. Despite its square profile, it rolls easily into corners and hooks up and grips in all conditions thanks to the tall row of burly side knobs. Rarely used given the high fire danger lately, but occasionally useful for campgrounds and in case of emergency. The result is a well-damped ride quality that feels very well connected to the trail surface. Let us know in the conversation below if you have a tire that youd recommend for a long mixed terrain route like the GDMBR. Extra bottles: I carried two 1L Platypus SoftBottles for extra capacity. Best For Trail Riding: Cushcore Tire For Great Divide Mountain Bike Route Buy on Amazon Compared with other tires in this category, the Cushcore Tire For Great Divide Mountain Bike Route has a convenient design. I heard the trails aren't that technical but I'm sure theres plenty of nasty stuff along the way. For the Great Divide route, most will use nanoraptors, but I kept on getting pinch flats at 200lbs plus gear. Our joint tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3. JavaScript is disabled. 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. My husband carried the body and I carried the fly. A substantial row of side knobs handles well when tipped on edge through corners, with a supportive and durable EXO casing. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. The Eliminator is a well-rounded rear tire at a reasonable price. Summaries by section: New Mexico | Colorado | Wyoming & Idaho | Montana | Canada. 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. If youre not yet aware, the famous Tour Divide bikepacking race covers almost the same route as the GDMBR, but most racers aim to finish in under a month (or for the fastest folks, half that time!). 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.". Make sure to backflush it regularly to keep flow rate high, and sleep with it in cold weather to protect it from freezing. The 2.3 width was a good balance for me, but you could certainly go narrower or wider depending on your priorities. 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. 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. Club Ride Savvy shorts are my absolute favorite. You can also use certain water compatible water bottles, but the syringe is light and works well. Cloth face maskfor town, this being 2021 and all. I recommend this one from Blackburn which I discovered later. Chamois shorts (2 pair): very personal choice, but Louis Garneau Carbon 2 shorts work well for me. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. There are affiliate links in this post. 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 . 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. These worked great! Before the rubber hits the dirt, you'll be laying out some coin for said rubber make the most of it. If youre particular about brands or types youll definitely want to bring them with you and/or mail them in resupply boxes. 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. The Maxxis Ardent is another fast and efficient tire that will appeal most to the XC crowd. Sandals and sometimes stove strapped to the outside. He also touches on eight different tires that fit the bill, including his favorite one in this class.Do you enjoy our videos, routes, and articles? Rarely used, but again, I had the luxury of mostly hunkering down in bad weather. That said, we feel this is a great rear tire option paired with something a little more aggressive in the front, and an affordable one at that. $61.38. Thanks for taking the time. The DHF is offered in all-wheel sizes and a huge variety of widths, casings, and rubber compounds to meet a broad range of user preferences. With that in mind, we set out to review the best tires for all-mountain and trail riding; you can even call it enduro if you like. Read more: Specialized Ground Control Grid T7 review. 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. What are the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Tour Divide race, and other long, mixed-terrain bikepacking routes? TCS Light SG2 casing reduces weight and still feels tough, Tighter fit in the rim during installation. Copyright 2023 Exploring Wild, All Rights Reserved. The platforms on these pedals are big and stable, and there were times where I rode them unclipped for days. Power bank: 10,000 mAh Ainope, lightweight and quick-charging. Ive been using this pad for 7 years and love its combination of light weight and relative comfort for side sleeping. Hi there, Im Alissa. I estimate my fully loaded Fargo weighed around 55 lbs without much food or water. How to Avoid Hand Numbness and Weakness While Cycling, My Bikepacking Gear List System, from Ultralight to Ultra Prepared, 7 Utah Bikepacking Routes for Every Style and Experience Level, Salsa EXP Anything Cradle + dry bag: held sleeping bag. Mine was threadbare by the time I finished, and I sometimes got sunburnt through it. Related: How to Keep Electronics Charged While Bikepacking. I appreciate good quality gear but dont have money to burn, so most of my gear is carefully chosen and well-used. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. This tire uses Specialized's T7 rubber compound that prioritizes rolling speed and longevity over all-out grip, and the medium height center tread with moderate spacing helps further reduce rolling resistance. Fire starter: Cotton balls rubbed in Vaseline, andwaterproof matches or lighter. I love riding solo but a month is enough, and Ive been wanting to share a long ride with him for years. Sunglasses: Im currently liking these affordableCastKing Hiwasseepolarized sunglasses. A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Good, predictable performance as a rear tire, The casing may be too supple for some riders. No sponsored content. He brought our joint tent out with him to Jackson, and I mailed my solo tent home. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Much better than the squeeze pouch that comes with the Sawyer filter! I suspect this can even be used to patch bike tubes in a pinch, but Ive never tried it. Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish (406-862-6446) can handle any bike needs or outfit you with rental gear. Plus, pit toilets are often out of toilet paper so youll need that no matter what. 9. Passport: My husband brought mine with him when we met in Jackson, and we both carried ours (carefully) for the rest of the trip. 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. The Vittoria Mazza is an excellent, aggressive tire that rivals the performance of the most popular models on the market. Bowl: Sea to Summit collapsible mug. Spare batteries as needed for your devices. I hope this post has helped you fine-tune your GDMBR gear list. The simple, no-nonsense tread design uses square, horizontally siped knobs that splay to increase friction and surface area. For anyone curious, it does actually work with the Da Brim. The tread design also contributes to controlled and predictable braking performance that outshines other models in its category. As a general rule, the more aggressive the tread design, the better the tire will perform in loose conditions. The GDMBR is an epic journey, and I think youll be really glad you decided to take it on. So much great information, I keep going back to your links. More often than not, the more aggressive a tread design is, the more rolling resistance it has, and vice-versa. But it delivers excellent pedaling traction. Trails were often loose, blown out, and rocky. We feel this rim size to be very representative of current wheel selection without falling into the narrow or overly wide end of the spectrum. 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. 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. (2) Schwalbe Johnny Watts 27.5 Tire. Pat Donahue also contributed to this review. It was originally only available in the DH casing which was super heavy, but now its versatility has been expanded to the rest of the market with the lighter options. I replaced it halfway through with the womens version which is slightly warmer and shorter perfect for me. Solo riders especially (and their loved ones) will likely appreciate the peace of mind. Hello! Braking bite is superb, thanks to the wide paddle-shaped knobs of the center tread. They inflated and seated easily, but it required two tire levers just to pull the tire into position. T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon all cover slightly different areas, and all have large dead zones in rural parts of the US. The Maxx Terra compound on the Minion DHF is an excellent balance of grip, rolling resistance, and longevity. Traillinks. We put in lots of time and miles while testing mountain bike tires. While we were truly impressed by the performance of the Ground Control Grid T7, it is important to keep in mind that these tires do have limitations. Some miscellaneous items that dont fit in other categories: First aid kit, lightweight and customized. Now its your turn. 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)! NOBO start date depends on snowpack in the San Juans and how long it takes you to get there. The tread design of the Trail Boss seems optimized to work in dry conditions, and the tighter spacing of the knobs seems a bit more prone to packing up with sticky mud. 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. Never needed, but good to have. We rode the 2.4" Trail casing, endurance compound tire and it was truly an inspiration on the front wheel; holding like a rail through corners, and delivering superb braking performance in a range of conditions. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! 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. Our selection of test tires is split between the two wheel sizes, and in many cases, our testers have experience riding them in both sizes. On the GDMBR and for long bikepacking trips in general, I always recommend a freestanding tent. Bikepacking Pace Guide: How many miles per day? We researched nearly every tire on the market before buying 28 models for side-by-side testing. Spare derailleur hanger not used (but has been needed in the past), A few zip ties and extra electrical tape used the electrical tape to patch my handlebar tape. I have limited tire-to-bag clearance on my small 29er frame but this system is pretty dialed. 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. 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). We put the best mountain bike tires from Maxxis, Specialized, Vittoria, Michelin, WTB, and others to the test. Haha yes, in many ways time (and motivation) are the most important things on the list! Load: Fairly typical long-distance bikepacking setup. Like most cross-country tires, they are very fast rolling, but unlike a typical XC tire, they provide better cornering and braking traction than you might expect. We struggled to get the trail casing of the Kryptotal Fr and its counterpart (the Kryptotal Re) to seat, as a result, we might not recommend it to those who have more of a convenience-reigns, Laissez-faire approach to bike maintenance. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. While traveling across North America you bike 2,774 miles on a route that is 88% dirt and 12% paved roads. I've got some long term plans for the GDR, and want to check out these two tires beforehand: I use the Marathons for training. One of these days Ill have to try that kind of setup. The biggest issue: with the dry bags on the front fork, the load is very front-heavy. It was tirelessly mapped over a 4 year span, and published in 1998 by Adventure Cycling Association, North America's premiere bicycle travel organization. The height, shape, and orientation of the knobs all play a role in how they bite into the trail surface as you apply the brakes. 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. The handlebars are Salsa Cowchipper 50cm drop bars for best grip and handling. We want our tires to last, and we get the feeling you do too. We can't speak for the science behind it, but we found the Mazza's cornering knobs to have above-average durability. The Maxxis Aggressor is a great rear tire with a versatile tread pattern that gives it broad appeal and functionality across a wide range of conditions. The sections are arranged in the direction I rode, which is northbound (also referred to as NOBO). 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. The Great Continental Divide Adventure Route is a motorized route that follows closely along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Stuffable backpack: Not technically a bike bag, but this little backpack is a must-have for long bike trips. To receive USPS packages at any post office, use General Delivery. 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. For more detail, seeHow to Use Your Garmin InReach Mini. Hydration bladder with hose: Platypus 3 Liter Hoser, carried in my frame bag as my primary water container. I hope that will be especially helpful to my fellow northbound riders, since there are fewer resources out there written from our perspective. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. This doesnt have to be fancy. TCS Light SG2 casing is much lighter than the Tough casing. Learn more. So useful for so many things: sun coverage, hair band, neck gaiter, towel, face covering, pillow case, etc. A relatively squared-off profile and a stout row of shoulder knobs give it excellent cornering manners, while the moderately spaced center and intermediate tread do a fine job of providing traction when braking and climbing in most conditions. We ended up sharing one and it worked fine. This post will give you my gear list, including what worked well and what I would change in hindsight. 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. The WTB Trail Boss provides excellent cornering traction in the rear of the bike. Tires are currently trending wider, and a wider front tire can help maintain traction as they have a larger contact patch on the rolling surface, and you can run lower tire pressures to enhance this even further. Dont forget to check for a helmet-compatible hood. Sign up here for occasional emails full of inspiration and information about bikepacking and bicycle touring. What are the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Tour Divide race, and other long, mixed-terrain bikepacking routes? (Update: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Womens Review). The Maxxis Aggressor, Dissector, and WTB Trail Boss offer more traction while still maintaining impressive rolling speed. 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. https://w. We mounted tires to 30mm internal diameter wheels. Depending on your setup, some people will need multiple sets of new brake pads and maybe new tires. Beyond those concerns, we feel the Mazza is an outstanding tire that rivals the best of the best. 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. We researched nearly every tire on the market before purchasing the 28 models in this review. Rolling resistance is often more of a concern for a rear tire, and some tires feature low to medium height center tread knobs that roll faster than more aggressive designs. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Thus its important to carry a fairly comprehensive repair kit. This is one of our favorites as a front tire for aggressive trail riding because of its incredible traction in corners and its durability. Both of these tires really impressed us with their long-lasting tread and resilient sidewalls. In the far north as temperatures dropped I also slept in my down jacket. I used mostly the same clothing system that I use for backpacking, with a few cycling-specific modifications. This wasnt my first rodeo, and I was pretty satisfied with my gear choices overall. Braking traction is another highlight, and the large knobs with open spacing grab well on most surfaces when it comes time to slow things down. One of the best pieces of advice Ive heard from couples who take long adventures together: use a 3 person tent! Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not. 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. In Canada, or anywhere in the mountains really, nights can dip below freezing even in the summer. Other than what might be chalked up to a singular incident of difficult installation, we have little to complain about with this burly front tread. I've found the Geax Saguaro can't be beat. 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. I only recommend and link to products I know and love. Got feedback? A multitude of mountain bike tires can easily be mounted onto a rim with just your bare hands. Something with plenty of tire clearance and go with a plus sized tire on the front or something. If you spend more nights in town (we camped as often as possible) and arent too fussy about eating cold food, you can get by without a stove.

Countries That Have Never Invaded Another Country, Obituaries Fort Smith, Ar, Angus Council Food Waste Bin, Toca Madera Lounge Vs Dining Room, Articles B