The Vittoria Mazza is an excellent, aggressive tire that rivals the performance of the most popular models on the market. Ive pushed myself hard on enough prior trips and wanted time for more relaxation and type 1 fun this time around. 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. Bikepacking.com: Best Tires for the Great Divide By Jan Heine Tires With the 2021 Tour Divide happening this year - on a shortened course, since the Canadian border is still closed - Neil Beltchenko from bikepacking.com looked at what he considers the best tire for this challenging 2,745-mile (4,418 km) course. We feel the Trail Boss is best suited to duties as a rear tire when paired with something a little more aggressive in the front, although it is also an effective front tire in the right conditions. Mountain bike tires are expensive. The 9 Best Mountain Bike Tires | Tested by GearLab If you're an aggressive trail rider looking for a tough and grippy tire, we think the Vigilante is an excellent option to consider. 9. Whether it be EXO (Maxxis), Tough (WTB), or ProTection (Continental), a robust casing helps to add abrasion and puncture resistance, as well as support to the sidewalls of a tire. Continental's new tires can compete with the best in the business. I was thinking about doing it on a Surly Long Haul Trucker - the frame can handle a 45C Tire. Cattle are everywhere on the GDMBR, even where you might not expect them. 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. You need to be logged in to use these features. I just find these more trouble than theyre worth. No issues and no punctures that didnt immediately seal. I usually kill a pair (scratched or lost) on every long trip and these are cheap enough that it doesnt matter. Water is often (not always) relatively clear, but should always be filtered. 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. With a tread design that looks strikingly similar to the Minion DHF, the Vittoria Mazza also boasts impressive cornering traction. But its always a good idea and offers an extra layer of safety if things ever go sideways. Toiletries are pretty easy to find throughout the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. How can we improve GearLab? Braking traction is a crucial element of any mountain bike tire and one that varies dramatically between the different models and tread designs. We're dealing with a product category here that is prone to specialization, so if you're looking for something other than an all-arounder, make sure to read up on our award winners for tires that do specific jobs well. 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. Saddle: Brooks B17 Short Carved. This aggressive tire has a row of well-supported side knobs and a predictable locked-in feel when on edge. Mine was threadbare by the time I finished, and I sometimes got sunburnt through it. And Im glad Im not the only one who brings whatever I want to bring regardless of what others think! If youre lucky, simply change your chain and brake pads halfway through, replenish your chain lube supply a few times, top up your sealant once or twice, and youll be all set. to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. 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 Maxxis Minion DHF is our favorite tire for all-conditions riding. Its important to note that my Great Divide gear list is based on a touring pace ride that took over two months. This wasnt my first rodeo, and I was pretty satisfied with my gear choices overall. There are many bike shops along the GDMBR, and theyre generally great at getting thru-riders rolling again as quickly as possible. Flexible flask: Vapur 10oz, used to carry olive oil, or sometimes a bit of whiskey as a special treat. Regarding 700x45..I recently trained on some of the panaracers that size, fully loaded for a couple of months. Headband and neck gaiter: Buff and/or bandana. New off-highway route north of Hartsel, CO 3. Average star voting: 4 ( 74471 reviews) Summary: At nearly 4,300 km long, The Great Divide Mountain Bike race route is the world's longest, most challenging off-road mountain biking trail. Does anyone have a recommendation on minimum tire width? Modern trends have dictated that all of the tires in our test are either 27.5 or 29-inch. Ive written about this little sanctuary many times before; it goes with me everywhere. 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. That said, it's no worse than most similar tires, and a trade-off for its otherwise excellent traction and super smooth feel. Great Divide Bikepacking Route: Essential Q&A. More here. Good cornering and braking traction compared to similar tires, Not ideal for super aggressive riders or terrain. T he Great Divide route, for the uninitiated, has been mapped by the Adventure Cycling Association, a bicycle group based in Missoula, Montana. This native New Englander is particularly obsessed with tire choice and is constantly on the hunt for the elusive perfect tire. Club Ride Savvy shorts are my absolute favorite. Great Divide Mountain Bike Route - Wikipedia In some areas you might rarely fill it all, carrying only 1-2 liters at a time. The T9 rubber is the grippiest that Specialized uses, and while it isn't exactly super soft, it's been designed to rebound slowly to reduce deflection and enhance grip. A couple of the toughest tires we've ever installed are the Continental Kryptotal models. Small knife: Kershaw Scallion, useful for cooking on trail and in town. Help sustain this resource by joining the Bikepacking Collective: https://bikepacking.com/join/?utm_source=youtube-------------Hosted by Neil BeltchenkoSpecial thanks to Mike Dion / RTD10.com for the photo of Matthew LeeMusic by Ben Weaver (https://benweaver.net)More at https://bikepacking.com 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? Through the years, they've mapped routes down the West Coast and several routes across the U.S. for road bicyclists. Bandanafor wiping out dishes and other miscellaneous needs. 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. You can see the deterioration of the shoulder knobs. Semi-slick tires have lower profile treads in the center to decrease rolling resistance with sturdy side knobs for confident cornering. I saw everything out there, from How on earth are you surviving with so little? to How on earth are you hefting all that gear up these climbs?. 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. Heres a quick list of what I carried on the GDMBR, which I would categorize as a standard type of trip in that post. 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. When conditions get really loose, it is easy to break this tire into a skid, drift through corners , spin out while climbing. 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. 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. RumbleRoller Beastie massage ball: I struggle with tight IT bands and this little guy was 100% worth the weight and space. We feel this tire provides a great combination of traction and rolling speed and has a huge bandwidth in terms of conditions. This post covers my experience bikepacking the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route in Montana.. Once I picked up the bear spray this was redundant. 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. I would suggest trying the smaller Sporty version if youre on the fence. Power bank: 10,000 mAh Ainope, lightweight and quick-charging. I suggest packing the same toilet kit you would for a wilderness backpacking trip. used because summer days were so long and pace was leisurely, so never needed to ride in the dark. 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. That and the fact that the route comes back through Whitefish makes Glacier Cyclery the logical US staging headquarters for Great Divide riders. Cloth face maskfor town, this being 2021 and all. One of these days Ill have to try that kind of setup. It is a 1X12 / 10-52 and the front chagrin is a 32T. One of the best pieces of advice Ive heard from couples who take long adventures together: use a 3 person tent! But it delivers excellent pedaling traction. Soloing the Great Divide Our Mother The Mountain 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. Some of the more burly casings are more difficult to work with. 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. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. (Update: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Womens Review). This tire has super tall and aggressive shoulder lugs that bite into nearly any trail surface. At the same time, the sharp edges of the tread knobs bite well into firm to moderately loose, dry conditions while pedaling and braking. 1 liter bottle: I carried this bottle in a cage under my down tube as extra capacity and to have a container for electrolyte drink separate from my pure water. More aggressive treads and softer rubber compounds have a tendency to roll more slowly. 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. Despite its do-it-all intentions, it has a relatively aggressive tread design with tall, stout side knobs and similarly tall and aggressive tread in the center and intermediate zones that inspire confidence in corners and on the brakes. Cup: Snow Peak titanium mug. Tires with decent-sized knobbies are recommended. Note about toiletries: In the US its common for hotels, and even most budget motels, to provide small amounts of basic soap and shampoo. The Local Overnighters Project is a unified effort to document and map one-night bikepacking routes all over the worldby locals, in their own backyards. Ways to expand your water capacity: buy disposable bottles; carry collapsible bottles or bladders, fill up the dirty bag from your water filter, and carry a small stuffable backpack to hold it all. We now have several models in the 2.5" and 2.6" widths that are becoming much more common in the current mountain bike tire market. The rigid fork would theoretically have some braze ons which would give you more places to bolt stuff, either more water or fork bags or something along those lines. I eventually grew annoyed by the feeling of wind pulling on my helmet and mailed the brim home from Jackson. Garmin eTrex22x: My backup navigation device while riding solo. The stock build alone is excellent for immediately hitting a trail such as The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Privacy | Cookies | Terms. How did this all work? When you consider all the towns, campgrounds, pit toilets, etc. These are made for hiking, not biking, but I use them for both. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! While neither of these tires is light, they're both impressive when the going gets radical. Front tires often feature directional tread patterns to improve rolling resistance, although a front tire does not support as much weight as a rear tire and consequently doesn't suffer as much drag. 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. Specialized's Butcher T9 is at the top of the heap in the corners as well. The DHR II has great braking traction, and it works very well for climbing in loose conditions. Youll be spending a lot of hours in this stuff, so choose carefully. We did our best to use consistent testing trails that offered a variety of features and soil types. But on this trip it finally developed a slow leak I couldnt find. The Eliminator has a semi-aggressive center rolling for speed, but it still has good braking bite and cornering traction. What are the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Tour Divide race, and other long, mixed-terrain bikepacking routes? They didn't hold up as well as I'd hoped and they made me real nervous on descents. Mountain Bike Tire Sizes Knobby 29 x 2.6 Teravail Kessel trail/enduro, Mountain bike Tire. Comfy and as stylish as baggy bike shorts can be. The rest we replaced as needed along the way. Choosing a Bike for the Great Divide | How To Department The T7 rubber compound offers a nice blend of grip and longevity, and the Grid casing feels relatively robust and durable while remaining lightweight. But if you want more cushion in the tire area, the bike can accommodate up to . (Offline caching requires a small monthly fee, totally worth it in my opinion.). I'll be departing on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route this August and I'll be riding a Niner M.C.R. It also allows . Cannondale Trail 5 for Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR)? - Reddit Read more: Specialized Ground Control Grid T7 review. Mountain bike tires are available in three diameter options - 26", 27.5"(also referred to as "650b" typically in the road and gravel bike context), and 29". Baton Rouge man says he's better equipped at 68 to tackle challenging We've tested this tire on both the front and rear of the bike, and it performs outrageously well in both locations. Some miscellaneous items that dont fit in other categories: First aid kit, lightweight and customized. No matter how much we like to escape the real world when we bikepack, electronics are essential parts of our navigation and safety systems these days. So much great information, I keep going back to your links. 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. To give context to the Great Divide gear list that follows, here are the basics of my experience on the GDMBR. The GDMBR route is not that remote and I dont think this is necessarily mandatory, especially for those riding in groups. Those wide paddle-shaped lugs in the center tread of the DHR II dig in effectively, especially in loose conditions. About | Riding the Great Divide on a Fat Bike In conclusion, when shopping for a bike for the Great Divide Trail, you should consider the type of bike, the size, the components and suspension, the drivetrain, and the tires. Chlorine dioxide: I carried a small number of Potable Aqua tablets as a temporary backup in case my filter failed. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. I replaced it halfway through with the womens version which is slightly warmer and shorter perfect for me. Tire Recommendations for GDMBR | Mountain Bike Reviews Forum 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. Yeah I'm thinking about doing it too. Matt RC has logged over 5000 miles of touring on a Pugsley. The Racers of the Longest Off-Road Cycling Race in the United States The Surly Krampus, released in 2012, established the plus bike genre with its massive 29 x 3.0in. Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish (406-862-6446) can handle any bike needs or outfit you with rental gear. Lets start with the most important part of a Great Divide bike route gear list: the bike, obviously! I absolutely recommend tubeless, especially in New Mexico. Next, we identified the main areas of concern when evaluating a mountain bike tire. Interesting, the new Racing Ralph's perform very well. Both of these tires really impressed us with their long-lasting tread and resilient sidewalls. The bikepacking route is mostly singletrack, except where it detours around wilderness areas. Held sunscreen, lights, snacks, other small items. Held clothes, food, and sleeping pad. Im glad youre finding it helpful! I had to replace mine halfway through the GDMBR. 10. panchocampbell (Jul 15, 2019 at 8:29) after a zombie apocalypse these people would be the actual survivers !!! This will mean different things to different people. In our latest video, Neil sheds some light on the essential considerations that will help you make an educated decision. Bike computer: CatEye Velo 7, simple and cheap, handy for checking distance covered without using smartphone battery. Look for a model that has thick rubber on the sidewall and the tread. You will want the cusion of a larger tyre. Youll want a system that keeps you cozy enough in a bad mountain storm. There are several outdoor sports stores for camping supplies and clothing, and Glacier . We pedal up the hill to ride back down it. Stretching 2,745 miles from Banff, Alberta to Antelope Wells, New Mexico, it loosely follows the Continental Divide through the Rocky Mountains on a series of dirt and paved roads. The 2.3 width was a good balance for me, but you could certainly go narrower or wider depending on your priorities. Mood: Leisurely but efficient. This versatile model performs well in all but the loosest of conditions. I wouldnt have minded magically reducing my bike weight by about 5 pounds. In New Mexico in summer, nights can be hot. Riding northbound you could have someone at home mail it out to you (with proper insurance and certifications). Dates: June 22 August 26, 2021 (65 days, including 9 non-riding days for rest, visiting, and exploration). 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. Manufacturers use different rubber compounds and casing constructions, so some tires are more durable than others. Long sleeve midlayer:Icebreaker Merino 260 Half Zip. RIDING THE GREAT DIVIDE - Dirt Bike Magazine https://w. We can't speak for the science behind it, but we found the Mazza's cornering knobs to have above-average durability. Pat Donahue also contributed to this review. The Maxxis Aggressor provided us with excellent pedaling traction on a huge range of surfaces and conditions. 2.8" Mountain Bike Tires: 26 & 29 Inch MTB Tires for Sale Online If you have questions, feel free to ask in the comments below. Afternoon thunderstorms are common throughout the Rockies and temperatures can drop quite low, so a good rain setup and warm layers are critical. I carried my meals inside an Ursack inside a 5L dry sack on my front fork. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not. A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. I suspect this can even be used to patch bike tubes in a pinch, but Ive never tried it. Top tube bag: Moosetreks Gas Tank. The best of both worlds! We preferred it in the front, paired with something a little faster rolling in the back. 700 Miles of New Mexico-Bikepacking the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route Biking the Great Divide (A Woman's Point of View) We found the Aggressor works best on hardpack, rock, and loam. That said, I do use the eTrex for racing and more rugged routes; see my eTrex review for more detail. Much better than the squeeze pouch that comes with the Sawyer filter! That said, selection is limited until you reach a larger town with a full grocery or drug store. Due to the Mazza's tread design, it has a bit more rolling resistance than tires with a less aggressive tread. Baggy bike shorts: I wear these over my padded shorts, just personal preference. 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. We are also thinking about going NOBO. I highly recommend these for the Great Divide and bikepacking in general. 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. Spare batteries as needed for your devices. The GDMBR is an epic journey, and I think youll be really glad you decided to take it on. I used one set for the entire 2700 miles and they still had life left to spare at the end. The emergence of enduro racing has helped drive innovation in all aspects of bike manufacturing. Ian is able to ride year-round from his home in Santa Cruz, California with a wide range of trail options to keep him busy. I likethese from REIandthese from Woolly Clothing. 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. 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 . I expect this one to last at least another 7 years. Sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir X-Lite. Sports bra:Patagonia Barely, very comfy (A cup) and stink-resistant. Road Test: Surly Bridge Club | Adventure Cycling Association This tire isn't the fastest-rolling, but that's a tradeoff that we expect most aggressive trail riders are willing to accept. Horizontal knobs with edges that run perpendicular to the direction of travel are often employed to enhance braking traction. The Maxxis Assegai is a gravity-oriented tire from Maxxis that was designed in collaboration with World Cup DH racing legend Greg Minaar. That said, we feel it is an excellent option for aggressive cross-country and light trail riding for riders seeking a lightweight and fast-rolling tire for their down-country rig. And 68-year . Im Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help you make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality. 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.
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