Pt2: The Questioning. Maybe This isn't the Right Bike.

"benjrblant" (benjblant)
09/10/2019 at 15:33 • Filed to: yay! bikes!, mtb, bikelopnik, Bicycle

With the sale of my old !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and the thinning of the herd of bikes, I’m left thinking and planning how to re-sort the collection to provide the most use while keeping expenses reasonable. I bike a lot so it’s a bit complicated - bear with me. I swear I don’t have a problem. Shut up.

Road - Niner RLT9 Steel (acceptable fit)
Gravel - Niner RLT9 Steel (w/gravel tires) (ideal)
Cyclocross - Niner RLT9 Steel (w/cross tires) (acceptable, too heavy)
Commuting - Niner RLT9 Steel (acceptable)
MTB, Severe - Revel Rascal (ideal)
MTB, Mild - Revel Rascal (sub-optimal, too much bike)
Bikepacking - (blank, intended RLT9 Steel but sub-optimal due to terrain)
Errands/Groceries - Breezer Doppler Pro (ideal)
Winter Commuting - Breezer Doppler Pro (ideal)

As you can see, the RLT9 Steel sees a LOT of use. Of the 3500mi biked last year, it saw the vast majority, around 3000mi. The remaining 500 were biked on various bikes- the hardtail or a previous errand/grocery bike of which both have been sold. This isn’t bad as I purchased the RLT9 Steel because it’s useful and flexible, but it’s not filling the expected needs for bikepacking and it’s a sub-optimal cyclocross and road/race bike. However, it’ll do just fine for a while longer.

This post is focusing on the two bold line items: bikepacking and MTB Mild. These two categories can likely be filled with a single good hardtail MTB which is what I was hoping the Spot Rocker SS Ti could be, but it’s proving to be not the case. The Rocker would be great for mild MTB trails, but its lack of cable guides and bosses means it’s not really suitable for bikepacking which would almost necessitate a rear derailleur. Additionally, based on my build spreadsheet, building this to a spec I’d feel good about is borderline cost for a new bike I’d consider. And with that, it’s back to the drawing board. This time, focusing on a hardtail (possibly rigid) MTB frame that would also be a great fit for bikepacking.

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CurrentConsiderations: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , Chumba Stella !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! or !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and a few others. Looking for: 29" wheels, hardtail or rigid, bikepacking versatility, yet still good to pull the packs off and shred lightly!

What say you? Am I overlooking something? I know I’m overthinking it- that much is obvious.

Rattler on a trail for your time:

DISCUSSION (28)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 15:40

Maybe something like the new Fuse? They are great bikes, very good offroad and since they are built for sending, they can take the weight for bike packing. Get the Expert, replace the NX shit with GX and ride.

Mountain mild: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/fuse-expert-29/p/171068?color=263307-171068

benjrblant > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/10/2019 at 15:45

Hm, that’s a thought. Though for another $400 or so I could have the Santa Cruz Chameleon in carbon.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 15:47

https://eskercycles.com/products/hayduke

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 15:47

Check the build on the Chameleon, it might be really really cheap.

benjrblant > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/10/2019 at 15:53

NX, Guide T brakes, Fox Rhythm 34. It’s an alright build. Next step up is GX and a few other things.

benjrblant > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/10/2019 at 15:54

Ooh! Good call. I rode an Esker at a demo in Moab back in march. Forgot about their hardtails! I’ll look into it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 15:55

So s ame build as the Fuse. I do like a carbon frame. The thing is these types of carbon frames are so overbuilt there really is no ride compliance benefit . I can certainly feel the carbon frame benefit on my Epic but my older Fuse Carbon was a harsh and stiff bike. The epic is way to light and fragile for bike packing tho.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 15:56

One of my ridding buddies is part owner of esker, he has a heyduke and it is his primary bike. Burly build, Maxis DHF tires, 140 mm fork etc...

benjrblant > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/10/2019 at 15:58

whaa! that’s awesome. i wonder if he was at the moab thaw in march.

also, if they’re hiring designers/engineers, hit me up!

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 16:04

It doesn’t seem like SC does a carbon Chameleon build anymore, seems like you have to buy the frame and build it yourself.

Also, are you against 27.5+ on a hardtail?

benjrblant > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
09/10/2019 at 16:14

https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/chameleon

If you select the third color option, brown/blue, there are carbon build kits on the website. They range from $2600-4700. It’s not at all intuitive.

I’ve ridden some 27.5 bikes but not 27.5+. Presently all of my rides except for one are 700c/29, I’d rather keep it this way. I’d be more open to 29+ with boost spacing as I could swap wheels with the Revel Rascal and ride the hardtail with non-plus tires.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 16:18

Salsa. Is any bike company better known for bikepacking? But the timberjack crossed my mind before the Fargo.

atfsgeoff > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 16:21

I’ve ridden a Salsa Fargo, it was a fun bike. Built for bike-packing and gravel touring. Has all kinds of braze-ons and lugs for racks and accessories.

I’d also consider building up a Lynskey Backroad titanium frame:

https://lynskeyperformance.com/backroad-touring-frameset/

They don’t offer it as a fully built bike on their website, but they might be willing to build it up with components for you if you call them. Not cheap though, will probably cost a minimum of $3k for a complete bike.

And then the super premium option:

https://co-motion.com/collections/single-bikes/products/divide

I’m pinching my pennies so I can one day afford a Divide with a Pinion P18 gearbox/Gates Carbon belt drivetrain and Pathfinder dynamo/LED lighting package, which will only set me back the tidy sum of $7500. Or $8500 if I opt for the S&S (Co-Pilot) couplers which let you split the frame into two pieces, which lets you fit the entire bike into a standard checked luggage case for airline flights with no oversize item fee. One day...

benjrblant > atfsgeoff
09/10/2019 at 16:30

Hm, these are both intriguing bikes, but 700cx45mm is the same tire capacity as my Niner RLT9 Steel. I think the appeal of the Fargo is that it’s a 29+ and I could run 2.8" or 3" tires and this could function as bikepacking/MTB while the Lynskey would be better suited for bikepacking/gravel/road.

atfsgeoff > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 16:45

Yeah if you want wider than 45mm, the Lynskey is out.

When it comes to bike packing, I try to stay away from suspensions in general because they add weight, complexity and a big variable for tuning when loaded vs unloaded. If you’re in no hurry and don’t mind going slow, I’d say a rigid fatbike would fit the bill wonderfully.

Chariotoflove > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 17:07

Wish I could say something useful to you. When I look at what you’re missing, all I see is a dedicated Ti road bike.

benjrblant > Chariotoflove
09/10/2019 at 17:12

I wish I could! Maybe one day, but there are more pressing needs at the moment.

Chariotoflove > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 17:15

I’ve wanted a Litespeed for about 35 years, and I’m no closer to getting one than at the beginning. It’s a slow- simmering lust.

smobgirl > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 17:16

I loooooooooooooooooove my Fargo.

nermal > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 17:24

If your 29" 14o / 130 mm travel bike is considered “too much bike” then clearly your sensibilities need re-calibrated . The best course of action is therefore to get a 27.5" 180 / 160mm bike and start hurling yourself off of bigger shit. Upon doing so, your existing bike will feel much better suited for milder terrain.

I recommend this one: https://www.commencalusa.com/clash-race-c2x29149243

benjrblant > nermal
09/10/2019 at 17:37

No. But it always makes me feel good to clear obstacles and then watch people on bigger/more expensive bikes not make it.

benjrblant > smobgirl
09/10/2019 at 17:39

ORLY? What trails/roads do you like to ride with that? I’m kind of intrigued by the 29+ for a rigid bike or bikepacking. REI has Fargos for 20% off at the moment. Might go test one.

smobgirl > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 17:50

I’ve done some light bike packing with it, lots of fire roads/forest service roads, work commuting, and light mountain biking (lots of Buffalo Creek dirt roads, Rio Grande trail to Aspen, some rails to trails stuff out of state. Tried the Maah Daah Hey but it was in bad shape at the time and it’s a heavy bike to keep needing to carry) . I have the first generation and still have the old bar end shifters but I think the newer ones are better set up for mountain biking. Mine is a really stable bike even with too much crap packed on it.

benjrblant > smobgirl
09/10/2019 at 18:07

That’s all good info! If you were to buy another bike, would you get the Fargo again? Followup: pretend money is like the points on “Whose line is it anyway?” Which bike would you get?

smobgirl > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 20:45

I probably would, it’s definitely my most-chosen bike of the four that fit me here (Fargo, Niner EMD, old Motobecane road bike, Detroit Bikes New Belgium cruiser, and an old cruiser that’s too small) . I think I’d probably like the newer Fargo even better. However, a t the time I bought it I was debating between it and a Surly and I’d probably still be trying to choose if that Fargo hadn’t pretty much fallen into my lap.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > benjrblant
09/11/2019 at 06:05

Bike packing is definitely the new thing...many fools are being separated from their money because they think they don't have a bike that could suit. Down this way...bespoke BP bikes are rare and expensive so many take short cuts but buying really clever baggage...

My take on it is that you can bike pack with almost anything. Pink bike did a bike check on some of this year’s Tour Divide bikes that was informative. Lack of bosses can be overcome with innovation and some really nice bags.

As someone who has a Siren Twinzer....keep an eye out for a Siren John Henry on the used market. If you find a Twinzer your size...lucky you. Either way, Siren used PMW dropouts for their bikes so there's some adaptability there...just saying.

Captain Brotatohead > benjrblant
09/26/2019 at 09:53

I'm mainly a roadie, but man I wish I had a place to ride a gravel/mtb hybrid jack of all trades type of bike. I’ve been eyeballing the R odeo Labs Traild onkey (carbon) and Flaanimal for the last year. These are the only two bikes that R odeo Labs sells and they are specifically designed gravel/adventure/soft mtb. Drop ba r bi ke m ade for big tires and lots of mounts for packing. The only reason I don't have one yet is because I recently made the jump to disc/di2 for my crit/road racing bike and I already have bikes that are fine for mtb/gravel.

benjrblant > Captain Brotatohead
09/26/2019 at 10:02

Those are both great looking bikes. I’d be interested in the Flaanimal if I wasn’t searching for a hardtail at the moment.

The only reason [...] I already have bikes [...] .

BRUH! N+1!