Touring - Off-Road Touring Bike

I'm trying to get some opinions on a good off-road touring bike. Next year I'm doing a 1150 km trip on mostly gravel roads and some dirt trails with plenty of hills. Anyways, I know a guy who did it and he recommended a Novaro Safari (REI bike) with 2.2 inch tires. That looks good, only problem is I don't know if I can afford it.

So does anyone know of some other makes and models? Also, I was investigating the possibility of taking an older mountain bike (without suspension and with a longer wheelbase and chainstays than modern mt bikes) and investing in a decent saddle. I've already got an early Trek (early to mid 90s) mountain bike.

The following webpage, MTBtour.org, has some links of some people who rode the Great Divide. If you follow those links, it'll show you what bikes and setup tourers used for off-road touring.

I've ridden my loaded full rigid mountain bike (rear rack and panniers only) on gravel road and it's not a big deal, but you get a bunch of dirt on your drivetrain. If you have an older bike and feel you need some type of suspension, you might consider a seatpost suspension or softride stem suspension, both of which should not change the geometry of your older Trek.

Touring doesn't need to involve a new bike, but a new bike can be a psychological factor. If you want to tour enough, you can do it on just about any bike.

-Lance

You got the right idea - older steel mtn bike, no suspension, plenty of eyelets for racks. I bought a 1989 Trek 970 off Craigslist for $150, put another $200 into it (tune-up, tires, HD Jandd racks) and had a great town/commute bike. Bulletproof with all the high-end components and great frame. Then I found a great deal on a set of Jandd panniers front/rear for another $250 and had a great all-road touring bike, fully set up for around $600 including racks and panniers. And it is unbreakable. It has only seen limited forest roads to date, but I would not hesitate to take it on the Divide Trail.

I'm trying to get some opinions on a good off-road touring bike. Next year I'm doing a 1150 km trip on mostly gravel roads and some dirt trails with plenty of hills. Anyways, I know a guy who did it and he recommended a Novaro Safari (REI bike) with 2.2 inch tires. That looks good, only problem is I don't know if I can afford it.

So does anyone know of some other makes and models? Also, I was investigating the possibility of taking an older mountain bike (without suspension and with a longer wheelbase and chainstays than modern mt bikes) and investing in a decent saddle. I've already got an early Trek (early to mid 90s) mountain bike.

The Trek sounds like a good idea, make sure the racks work on it. I know this isn't really what you were asking as thgis is a pretty expensive off road touring machine, but it is really nice

http://www.ahearnecycles.com/galleries/JosephTour/index.htm

You got the right idea - older steel mtn bike, no suspension, plenty of eyelets for racks. I bought a 1989 Trek 970 off Craigslist for $150, put another $200 into it (tune-up, tires, HD Jandd racks) and had a great town/commute bike. Bulletproof with all the high-end components and great frame. Then I found a great deal on a set of Jandd panniers front/rear for another $250 and had a great all-road touring bike, fully set up for around $600 including racks and panniers. And it is unbreakable. It has only seen limited forest roads to date, but I would not hesitate to take it on the Divide Trail.


I have a 1986 trek 830 Antelope (awesome steel frame, canti's, triple chainring) that I got for $25. I have some better wheels I want to put on it someday, and am hoping to over time outfit it as you have above; to turn it into a full on, bulletproof, foul weather, mud, snow tourer/commuter. I would have to stretch the rear triangle as it only has an old school 5 speed freewheel, and I think it's about 125mm spread, but really, I bought it for the frame which I really enjoy. I would love to see some pics of your ride. PM me if you have any pics of the upgraded Trek.

I'm trying to get some opinions on a good off-road touring bike. Next year I'm doing a 1150 km trip on mostly gravel roads and some dirt trails with plenty of hills. Anyways, I know a guy who did it and he recommended a Novaro Safari (REI bike) with 2.2 inch tires. That looks good, only problem is I don't know if I can afford it.

So does anyone know of some other makes and models? Also, I was investigating the possibility of taking an older mountain bike (without suspension and with a longer wheelbase and chainstays than modern mt bikes) and investing in a decent saddle. I've already got an early Trek (early to mid 90s) mountain bike.

Don't go too old with an old mountain bike to avoid some problems. Old bikes use narrower hubs. Most of them are 130mm but you might find some a little narrower. If you have to fit a new wheel in them, you'll have to spread the stays to get the wheel in. Most of the time you can do it by hand but it does make removing the wheel harder. If you are trying to hold up a loaded bike and remove or replace the wheel, you'll need third hand;)

Try and find an older bike with 1 1/8" fork. Replacement forks for 1" are as hard to find as hen's teeth.

You'd probably be better off going with a modern mountain bike and a trailer...and I don't like trailers;) A very good hardtail will cost you as much as the Safari and a pretty good hardtail will cost you less. Do not buy a full suspension bike! If you can find a hardtail with a suspension lock out, it's nice for riding on smooth stuff and then gives you a bit of comfort and control on rougher terrain. The cost of a trailer really isn't that much more then a good set of racks (which you should buy for rough touring) and panniers.