best tires for great divide mountain bike route

Some rolling resistance data has been posted in the "Wheels" forum lately. No ads. 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). Squared-off edges and siping on tread knobs also help to grip and bite under pedaling forces. The GDMBR route is not that remote and I dont think this is necessarily mandatory, especially for those riding in groups. Bears on the Great Divide Trail. What are the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Tour Divide race, and other long, mixed-terrain bikepacking routes? These worked great! Run panniers if you want, or run a lightweight racing kit, but whatever you choose, do it intentionally. More often than not, the emphasis of trail riding is on the downhill, and the uphill is a necessary, and often just as enjoyable, part of the total experience. We feel this tire provides a great combination of traction and rolling speed and has a huge bandwidth in terms of conditions. 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. On my bike I feel free. Having said all that, we still feel the Aggressor is the most versatile rear tire. Mood: Leisurely but efficient. Some miscellaneous items that dont fit in other categories: First aid kit, lightweight and customized. Paracord and carabinerfor hanging or otherwise securing the Ursack. Montana Town of Grizzly Attack a Popular Stop for Cyclists 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. A tire's performance is the corners is one of its most important attributes. It carries speed exceptionally well and performs precisely as intended. Again, the tires you choose should complement how and where you ride and the terrain and conditions you typically encounter to enhance your riding experience. Incredibly fuel-efficient and decently lightweight as a stove/pot combo, especially shared between two people (though I carried it solo too). While the Eliminator T7 is a well-rounded and versatile tire, it sacrifices a bit in the braking traction department in exchange for rolling speed. 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. Heavier tires with thicker sidewalls can be a little tougher with less pliable casings, while lighter and more flexible tires are slightly easier to handle. Starting from the south early in the summer is the best bet to avoid flies as much as possible. While testing, we always felt confident that they would hook and grab hold when it came time to slow things down. Look for tires that are as durable as possible. The Minion DHR II was originally designed for use as a rear tire, and paired with a Minion DHF up front, we think it's the ultimate combo in loose conditions for aggressive trail riders. I'll be departing on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route this August and I'll be riding a Niner M.C.R. Pat owns a bike shop in South Lake Tahoe and is passionate about rough and rocky trails. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. If I ever get nervous, having it nearby helps me sleep. Water filters for Bikepacking and Touring, How to Keep Electronics Charged While Bikepacking, Bikepacking Bikes and Bags for Small and Short People. I layer this on for sleeping or riding in cold weather. Gravity filter bag: CNOC Vecto 3L (28mm thread), used as dirty bag in a gravity filter system and for extra water capacity as needed. Comfy and as stylish as baggy bike shorts can be. One of the best pieces of advice Ive heard from couples who take long adventures together: use a 3 person tent! Despite its cornering and braking chops, the tread design still rolls fairly quickly and efficiently. Top 10 best bike for great divide trail in 2022 It's possible your local shop might even curse getting these inflated. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Obligatory disclaimer: I dont use my earbud in areas with high risk of encountering bears, or on roads where traffic demands attention. I wouldnt have minded magically reducing my bike weight by about 5 pounds. This may not always be the ideal tire for your riding style, your trails, or the conditions you encounter most frequently. tires fitted to 50mm wide rims. 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. I expect this one to last at least another 7 years. The Salsa Fargo Apex 1 is a burly steel frame gravel bike. Resources and inspiration to support your wildest dreams. And Im glad Im not the only one who brings whatever I want to bring regardless of what others think! See my review of the Copper Spur for more detail. The JetBoil is so efficient that I / we only needed three canisters total for the whole GDMBR. I'm looking for something with better than average rolling resistance (though it still needs some traction) and good wear. Never had to use it for anything else. If you want a light and fast rolling tire that still hooks up, the Ground Control is our recommendation. Benson's mountain bike roots trace back to New England in the early 1990s, and he has seen and experienced the evolution of mountain bike tires. Learn more or say hi. Sports bra:Patagonia Barely, very comfy (A cup) and stink-resistant. Only in a few places, where the 2-track became too sandy to ride, did we wonder if it was wise to be following the hiking route, not the wide dirt road route of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. RumbleRoller Beastie massage ball: I struggle with tight IT bands and this little guy was 100% worth the weight and space. It's moderately heavy at 1,123-grams in the 29" x 2.6" we tested, and the aggressive tread, open spacing, and grippy rubber put up a bit of rolling resistance. If you're 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!). I recommend the REI Stormbolt GTX as a more affordable 3 layer GORE-TEX jacket, or even the affordable Marmot PreCip for smaller budgets. 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. While traveling across North America you bike 2,774 miles on a route that is 88% dirt and 12% paved roads. You'll need full camping gear, bike tools, and a water filter. This tire performs as well as the best cornering tires we've tested. The Maxxis Aggressor, Dissector, and WTB Trail Boss offer more traction while still maintaining impressive rolling speed. It is a 1X12 / 10-52 and the front chagrin is a 32T. 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. Spare brake pads used and replaced several times! The Michelin Wild AM2 and Force AM2 feature Gum-X rubber compounds and the Gravity Shield casing. Great Divide Mountain Bike Route - Wikipedia Down tube: Water bottle cage and tool pouch. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. If braking power is high on your list of priorities, running some of the tires we primarily tested as front tires on the rear wheel is a great option as well. If you have questions, feel free to ask in the comments below. 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. For the more aggressive rider, the Maxxis Minion DHR II is our favorite option. We selected tires in the 2.3 to 2.6-inch width range. Ive lost count of how many times Ive needed to pitch my tent on a hard surface: in the parking lot, on someones patio, inside an abandoned building, the list goes on Stakes are fine for short predictable trips in the backcountry, but sooner or later youll be stuck with unstake-able ground. That said, this tire is meant to be pointed down the hill, and it rewards the rider with outrageous levels of grip. I highly recommend these for the Great Divide and bikepacking in general. I heard the trails aren't that technical but I'm sure theres plenty of nasty stuff along the way. 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. Yeah I'm thinking about doing it too. 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! Despite its somewhat aggressive appearance, the Specialized Ground Control is a very fast-rolling tire. All trademarks property of their respective owners Those wide paddle-shaped lugs in the center tread of the DHR II dig in effectively, especially in loose conditions. In our latest YouTube video, we talk about what factors to consider and reveal a few of our favorite tires for long, mixed-terrain routes. The Route covers 5 states: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana and is a . 27. overmyhead (Jul 15, 2019 . Likewise, the Michelin Wild Enduro Front is a top performer in the corners. However, this isn't the most aggressive tire on the market. While it provides good braking traction in most situations, the knob spacing also doesn't bite quite as well as more open tread designs in super loose conditions. Your needs will vary based on where and how you ride. Running shorts: small and lightweight, for sleeping on warm nights or wearing on rest days.

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