Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Full suspension randonneuring bike

This might sound sort of crazy, but I'm interested in finding a frame that would work well for long distance rides on mixed terrain (sort of a BMW R 1200GS Adventure motorcycle). Basically, something like a Salsa Fargo, but full suspension and slightly racier geometry. I've looked around at different 29er frames, but I can't find any frame with the geometry I'm after. Basically, I'm looking for:

21.5" Effective toptube
17-18" seattube
80mm rear travel
IS Disc mounts
Relatively long headtube

Thanks

moots (http://www.speedgoat.com/images/products/47497.jpg) made a cross /mtb bike with a shock absorbing rear end.

http://www.speedgoat.com/images/products/47497.jpg



we do plenty of mixed terrain here in vt - dirt roads, carriage roads, atv trails (not much gnarly single track), lots of rough gravel and washboard - no one that i ride with has any sort of suspension aside from wider tires and good bike handling skills. between us we ride a casseroll, if club racer, kogswell, a. homer hilson, gunnar cross bike, seven cross bike, etc.


of course, if you are talking bikepacking (http://www.bikepacking.net/) style long distance... then a hardtail or full sus. might make sense... but even on rugged terrain i've found full sus. a waste of weight and energy. (for mtb. i'm partial to hardtail and lately ss or fixed)

i'm intrigued by the fargo for sure. would love to set one up for my ld rides - seems like a versatile platform. if i had some disposable $$ i'd have one on order.

You can get the YBB -- pictured above -- rear suspension on any Moots bike....road or mtn. I have heard mixed reviews about it being used on a road bike.

i think BQ did a review of a trek with a 'tuneable' elastomer suspension that fit into the seatstays just before they attach to the seatube?

Thanks for the replies! I've got a Soma Doublecross which does really well on gravel and anything short of "real singletrack". I was just exploring something along the lines of bikepacking in gnarlier backcountry comditions, but with heavy chunks of road thrown in (hence the drops). The suspension might lose what I enjoy so much about the rigid road bike, but maybe a ti frame would soften things up a bit.

Thanks

Look into Old Man Mountain Boomerang. FS, Rohloff, mounts for racks, etc.

check out tout terrain frames over at peter white's. (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/tout-terrain.asp)

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/images/products/frames/tout-panamericana-1.jpg

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/tout-silkroad-mav.jpg

expedition bikes for sure... and i'd prefer soft bags for bikepacking type riding - but if you mix in all terrain including roads and dirt and gravel and are traveling round the world - these look pretty ideal. crazy engineering on that rear suspension. even down to the 2 piece fender.

DEAN makes a touring frame with rear suspension. You could choose your own front fork.

I own a (Dean) 'niner and a fleet of road bikes, but I'm going to jump on the 'cross bandwagon here. Unless you're talking about some serious off-roading (I'll ride a lot of trails on 23c race tires...), having drop bars and a slightly more horizontal position is going to do wonders for your lower back. Nothing quite like having mountain geometry for a really long, not-totally-smooth (even FS doesn't get you away from the movements that will cause your back to hate you) ride...

you can simply try a Thudbuster seatpost
they are awesome!

you can simply try a Thudbuster seatpost
they are awesome!

I think this is the way I will go. Thanks

+1 on Thudbuster.

Worth also considering 700c wheels (either 'niner or 'cross) as they'll save you some energy rolling over bumpy crap...