best tires for great divide mountain bike route

This post covers my experience bikepacking the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route in Montana.. This tire has super tall and aggressive shoulder lugs that bite into nearly any trail surface. The Route covers 5 states: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana and is a . We put in lots of time and miles while testing mountain bike tires. A relatively square profile, squared-off edges, side knobs, and sidewalls all contribute to the overall quality and performance of this tire. Saddle: Brooks B17 Short Carved. Youll want a system that keeps you cozy enough in a bad mountain storm. Note on sharing a filter: When my husband joined in Jackson we considered each carrying our own filter. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not. 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 Mazza mixes it up with the best of 'em. Water is often (not always) relatively clear, but should always be filtered. Wider tires have more air volume and provide more damping and traction. 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 Cloth face maskfor town, this being 2021 and all. We feel this tire provides a great combination of traction and rolling speed and has a huge bandwidth in terms of conditions. Softer rubber compounds tend to wear quicker, while thinner sidewalls and casings are easier to flat. Tires with decent-sized knobbies are recommended. Mountain Bike Tire Sizes Knobby 29 x 2.6 Teravail Kessel trail/enduro, Mountain bike Tire. I said this at the beginning but it bears repeating: theres no single right way to pack for the Great Divide. For anyone curious, it does actually work with the Da Brim. The Maxxis Minion DHR II is an aggressive rear tire with terrific cornering grip and excellent braking traction. As a general rule, the more aggressive the tread design, the better the tire will perform in loose conditions. This doesnt have to be fancy. Held electronics, toiletries, first aid, other miscellaneous items. We love the DHF up front, but it's also suitable for use as a rear tire. We were thoroughly impressed by the tread life of the Vittoria Mazza. Afternoon thunderstorms are common throughout the Rockies and temperatures can drop quite low, so a good rain setup and warm layers are critical. That said, selection is limited until you reach a larger town with a full grocery or drug store. Thanks for taking the time. We loved the Mazza as a front tire where it excels in the corners with a stout row of well-supported side knobs that grip well in a huge range of conditions. While neither of these tires is light, they're both impressive when the going gets radical. there's been a few Kahns on Ebay recently. Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances. Once the clock starts, the rider embarks on a solo, unsupported journey to get to the finish line. The WTB Vigilante also earns an honorable mention in the cornering metric. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is a journey from Banff, Canada, to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. This includes tires, and a resurgence in semi-slick tire designs has occurred in recent years. Completed in 1997, the GDMBR was developed by Adventure Cycling Association, who continue to maintain highly detailed route maps and a guidebook. 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. Learn more. This rings true whether you are churning out miles on pavement, grinding gravel backroads, racing your local cyclocross course, or blasting dirt . Each manufacturer has its own technology and name for how they choose to protect a tire with its casing. It has a wide temperature range without feeling clammy, and critically the half zip fits over a bike helmet for quicker layer changes on the go. Often, the more durable and supportive a casing is, the heavier the tire becomes. Every few days at most basically as often as youll find food youll find a convenience store with the basics like toothpaste or soap. Youll also want the ability to add another 3 4 liters occasionally, probably only a handful of times. The larger tire will absorb some of the rough stuff and give you some more traction. Down jacket:Arcteryx Cerium LT. The simple, no-nonsense tread design uses square, horizontally siped knobs that splay to increase friction and surface area. 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). Just 5% of the route is on more difficult terrain such as unpaved four-wheel drive tracks and single tracks. Never used, sent it home when my husband arrived (his phone would serve as our backup). 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. I layer this on for sleeping or riding in cold weather. I estimate my fully loaded Fargo weighed around 55 lbs without much food or water. Many tires come in more than one casing option, so you can make that decision for yourself based on how you ride, your trail conditions, and terrain. The Trail Boss works great as a rear tire with great cornering performance and fairly low rolling resistance. 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. For this reason, many front tires feature tread designs with large side knobs that aid in maintaining cornering grip. I recommend the REI Stormbolt GTX as a more affordable 3 layer GORE-TEX jacket, or even the affordable Marmot PreCip for smaller budgets. Im Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help you make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality. It has a distinctive locked-in feel, though it may take a little getting used to for some riders. March 22 T editors of M com U, 2021. High-viz windbreaker vest: extra warmth and/or peace of mind in traffic. The transition from the center tread to the side knobs is smooth, and once on edge, it bites and holds with confidence-inspiring and predictable manners. 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. Cattle are everywhere on the GDMBR, even where you might not expect them. Figuring out which tires will perform well. The Vigilante's aggressive tread design comes with a slight penalty in the rolling resistance department. This is an awesome resource! Tail light: Red blinky tail light for visibility on high-traffic roads. Location: Alberta, Canada to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Great Divide Bikepacking Route: Essential Q&A. The Maxxis Ardent is another fast and efficient tire that will appeal most to the XC crowd. We also particularly like the 2-knob, alternating paddle tread running down the center of the WTB Vigilante. If you're an aggressive trail rider looking for a tough and grippy tire, we think the Vigilante is an excellent option to consider. Power bank: 10,000 mAh Ainope, lightweight and quick-charging. This DH tire has more tread in the transitional zone, softer rubber, and an even more robust casing that makes it unflappable. Find the balance. If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing so more people can benefit from it: Great resource thanks! 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 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. The Colorado Trail Bikepacking Route is a 539-mile mountain bike route that crosses many major mountain ranges across the state. Then they went to work, laying out a fantastic touring route for mountain bikers. Make sure to backflush it regularly to keep flow rate high, and sleep with it in cold weather to protect it from freezing. As tires continue to trend wider, so too are the tires in our test. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for GREAT DIVIDE MOUNTAIN BIKE ROUTE #1: ROOSVILLE, MONTANA - By Adventure Cycling at the best online prices at eBay! The Assegai is the best cornering tire we've ever tested. Before the rubber hits the dirt, you'll be laying out some coin for said rubber make the most of it. Plus, pit toilets are often out of toilet paper so youll need that no matter what. The bike has a Sram Eagle X01 ASX drivetrain, Sram Force brake lever shifters with Sram guide dual piston brakes. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Continental's new tires can compete with the best in the business. Dont forget to check for a helmet-compatible hood. 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. Yup, I carried a Kindle! This beefy model is one of the most popular tires of all time and is considered a benchmark against which all other tires are compared. 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. RumbleRoller Beastie massage ball: I struggle with tight IT bands and this little guy was 100% worth the weight and space. Other rear tire options will roll noticeably faster than the DHR II, but that's a trade-off you'll need to consider for a tire with the cornering grip and braking traction it provides. The tread consists of lots of moderate-height lugs in the center and intermediate zone, with a fairly substantial row of shoulder knobs. At night I would remove it from the dry sack (allowing it to expand, making room for all the snacks Id been carrying in my other bags) and tie it to a tree far from camp. Wider than standard rims, ranging from 35-50mm, support these mid-fat tires even when used at the low riding pressures required to tackle soft sand and other loose terrain. Small knife: Kershaw Scallion, useful for cooking on trail and in town. That and the fact that the route comes back through Whitefish makes Glacier Cyclery the logical US staging headquarters for Great Divide riders. Flexible flask: Vapur 10oz, used to carry olive oil, or sometimes a bit of whiskey as a special treat. Never had to use it for anything else. 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. We want our tires to last, and we get the feeling you do too. Examining a worn-out DHF nearing the end of its lifespan. For sure, were out there to enjoy ourselves and we all have our favorite ways of doing that. Hi there, Im Alissa. This is the burliest of my rain jacket options and I chose it for the GDMBR a long trip in big mountains because its impenetrable and relatively breathable. It is one of the best cornering tires our testers have ever used. Read more: Review of my Salsa Fargo After 4500 Bikepacking Miles and Cutthroat vs. Fargo. The Schwalbe Marathon XR's look good in terms of durability, protection and rolling resistance, but at only 2.00" wide them seem a little narrow. Racers usually prioritize speed and a lightweight kit at the expense of some comfort, so keep this in mind if youre looking at other gear lists. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. 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. Likewise, the Michelin Force AM2 is a fast-rolling tire, but it has aggressive shoulder lugs that help it corner better than other fast-rollers. The WTB Trail Boss provides excellent cornering traction in the rear of the bike. A narrow tunnel of light from my handlebar illuminates the white snow. Club Ride Savvy shorts are my absolute favorite. We independently buy, test, and rate all the products we review. Panties: 2 pair for sleeping and town days. 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. 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. Specialized's Butcher T9 is at the top of the heap in the corners as well. Here are all the electronics I carried on the GDMBR: Smartphone: Primary navigation device using the RideWithGPS app, with maps cached offline. Down tube: Water bottle cage and tool pouch. Despite its somewhat aggressive appearance, the Specialized Ground Control is a very fast-rolling tire. We found performance to be right there with the Minion DHF and the Wild Enduro Front. No rack, but bikepacking bags stuffed to the gills. On the GDMBR and for long bikepacking trips in general, I always recommend a freestanding tent. What are the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Tour Divide race, and other long, mixed-terrain bikepacking routes? Mostly worn for sleeping. Ive written about this little sanctuary many times before; it goes with me everywhere. Sun Sleeves:Outdoor Researchhiking sleeves stay up on my small arms better than most. Resources and inspiration to support your wildest dreams: Affiliate Disclosure: This site participates in affiliate programs, including Amazon Associates. Vittoria's 4C Graphene rubber provides a tacky feel, and longitudinal siping on all the tread knobs further enhance their grip and traction in all conditions we encountered while testing. The Surly Krampus, released in 2012, established the plus bike genre with its massive 29 x 3.0in. 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. Monday November 14, 2022. George Rose / Contributor // Getty Images. What are the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Tour Divide race, and other long, mixed-terrain bikepacking routes? Read more: Specialized Butcher Grid Trail T9 review. This wasnt my first rodeo, and I was pretty satisfied with my gear choices overall. Alternate routes are indicated in orange on the GDT map, and include: Mount Rowe to Sage Pass - moderately difficult cross-country ridge walk, literally on the Great Divide without any water sources (other than residual snow). How can we improve GearLab? Specialized recently updated their ever-popular Butcher tire with an all-new T9 rubber compound. Has a good low-light mode and red night-vision setting for camp. MSRP $98.00. (Offline caching requires a small monthly fee, totally worth it in my opinion.). When things get a little damp, the somewhat open tread design sheds mud quite well to ensure a clean braking surface. While other tires may handle specific conditions better, the Aggressor rarely leaves us wanting more. If you have questions, feel free to ask in the comments below. Trails were often loose, blown out, and rocky. Satellite Messenger: Garmin InReach Mini, for communication and emergencies in areas without phone service. I had to replace mine halfway through the GDMBR. 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. See my review of the Copper Spur for more detail. There are many bike shops along the GDMBR, and theyre generally great at getting thru-riders rolling again as quickly as possible. Let me leave you with two final tips that I believe will be helpful to almost everyone: Pack light-ish. Im glad youre finding it helpful! 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. 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. This tire rewards good technique with predictable and confidence-inspiring cornering traction. 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. Read more: Specialized Eliminator Grid Trail T7 review. Carry at least a small amount of soap and shampoo so you can properly enjoy these showers. In general, the GDMBR is perfect for a standard 3-season backcountry layering setup. If we were forced to pick one rear tire to ride for an entire year, knowing we'd be experiencing a huge range of conditions, trail types, and weather, we'd choose the Maxxis Aggressor. 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. I / we carried a stove for the entire trip and enjoyed hot meals at camp, but its not mandatory. Bigger than the Salsa pouch and similar in size to a Revelate pouch. The front tire is primarily responsible for cornering and needs to respond appropriately to your input in order to remain on your intended line. One of these days Ill have to try that kind of setup. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. BIKE: I'll be riding the Tour Divide on a 2020 Salsa Ti-Fargo frameset with a Firestarter carbon fork. In many places I failed to find any trees that would work for a proper bear hang. For other models, you may find it necessary to use a tire lever or two. You can see the deterioration of the shoulder knobs. I tried to rinse and dry one pair while wearing the other, switching each day. These worked great! Companions: Solo until Jackson, WY (about 1600 miles), then joined by my husband for the final 1100 miles. 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. Check out the reviews on Dirt Rage and Twenty Nine Inches. Headband and neck gaiter: Buff and/or bandana. Run panniers if you want, or run a lightweight racing kit, but whatever you choose, do it intentionally. I was thinking about doing it on a Surly Long Haul Trucker - the frame can handle a 45C Tire. The Maxxis Minion DHF is our favorite tire for all-conditions riding. 9. To give context to the Great Divide gear list that follows, here are the basics of my experience on the GDMBR. Gaia GPS is a popular alternative to RideWithGPS. The T7 rubber compound offers a nice blend of grip and longevity, and the Grid casing feels relatively robust and durable while remaining lightweight. In much of Canada, Montana, and Colorado its easy to find surface water multiple times per day. Bluetooth mini-keyboard: As you can probably tell, I like to write! I absolutely recommend tubeless, especially in New Mexico. I eventually grew annoyed by the feeling of wind pulling on my helmet and mailed the brim home from Jackson. Chamois shorts (2 pair): very personal choice, but Louis Garneau Carbon 2 shorts work well for me. 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. If you leave some necessity for your trip at home, don't worry, you will be able to replace it easily here. My DIY tool pouch a pencil case did NOT work well once the zipper became covered in mud. Spoon: Toaks Long titanium: Simple, lightweight, long enough to eat out of any container. The Kryptotal Fr impressed our testers and proved that Continental is back at the top of the game with their new generation of tires. Excited to try bikepacking but need help getting started? Stuffable backpack: Not technically a bike bag, but this little backpack is a must-have for long bike trips. That said, it works well and stays attached nicely, and really does help with sun exposure (which youll get a lot of on the Great Divide). A substantial row of side knobs handles well when tipped on edge through corners, with a supportive and durable EXO casing. Braking traction is a crucial element of any mountain bike tire and one that varies dramatically between the different models and tread designs. The GDMBR route is not that remote and I dont think this is necessarily mandatory, especially for those riding in groups. Light and very sturdy. We tested each tire as much as humanly possible and ranked them based on these metrics. When buying a complete bike, it comes with whatever tires the manufacturer chooses. Practical Advice for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. 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. Haha yes, in many ways time (and motivation) are the most important things on the list! Heaven and Hell on Wheels. Rarely used, but again, I had the luxury of mostly hunkering down in bad weather. Despite their Light designation, these tires proved to be tough with a Slash Guard (SG2) insert that stood up to our abuse. We resupplied a few specific or hard-to-find items our favorite sunscreen, Dr. Bronners soap, chamois cream via several mail drops throughout the route. And 68-year . Mylar space blanketfor emergencies and extra warmth on cold nights. 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. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. 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. The warmer months also bring bicyclists traversing the scenic Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which this year runs nearly 2,500 miles (4,023 kilometers) from northern Montana to southern New Mexico. Buying through them may provide me with a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps keep this site running and growing. My solo tent: Big Sky Soul 1P. My style tends toward moderately lightweight (I ran a bikepacking bag setup, no rack) but not too minimalist (I like hot meals, warm layers, and reading at camp). things to do at the new york state fair,

Who Can Witness A Will In Illinois, No Credit Check Apartments In Montgomery County, Md, Black Doctors In Greenville, Sc, Articles B