Mountain Biking - Recommendation for group rides and bikepacking

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
MKIV987
02-02-12, 09:25 PM
Looking for a mountain bike that I can take on a weeklong bikepacking trip and still keep up with guys on my local team when they all hit the dirt trails. I'm 6'2" and I think I'd prefer a 29er. I've been thinking about either a Surly KM with Salsa Enabler fork or building up this frame from Nashbar http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_527351_-1___

Obviously I think the KM would be a better choice for backpacking while the Fuji would do better on a group mtb ride, but would one do both better than the other? I'd prefer spending less than $1k and would probably scour ebay and CL for parts once I decided on a frame.

Edit: I'd also be commuting on it so I don't want the ride to be too harsh. Anyone have experience with the ride quality on the Fuji Tahoe? Could I slap a rigid fork on it if I wanted to?

SlimRider
02-02-12, 10:01 PM
I'd say get the Surly Ogre frameset and build it up.

Just go to www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=47741&category=119 (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=47741&category=119)

Frameset ~ $535.00

- Slim :)

PS.

Of course, you can add your rack and fenders at your leisure. The fork can be switched out to a suspended fork, if you so desire.
MKIV987
02-03-12, 06:15 AM
I'd say get the Surly Ogre frameset and build it up.

Just go to www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=47741&category=119 (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=47741&category=119)

Frameset ~ $535.00

- Slim :)

PS.

Of course, you can add your rack and fenders at your leisure. The fork can be switched out to a suspended fork, if you so desire.

Thanks--I thought about the Ogre but I really don't plan on running an IGH or pulling a trailer so I don't need all that fancy stuff. I'd be running a frame bag and an Ogre or Salsa Enabler fork for a small rack and bottles (when in touring mode). Any other suggestions?

corvuscorvax
02-03-12, 11:09 AM
Thanks--I thought about the Ogre but I really don't plan on running an IGH or pulling a trailer so I don't need all that fancy stuff. I'd be running a frame bag and an Ogre or Salsa Enabler fork for a small rack and bottles (when in touring mode). Any other suggestions?

If you plan to use it for a self-contained bikepacking trip of a week or more, I would suggest working out exactly how much gear such a trip would require. Even traveling pretty light, I think you will conclude that you need either panniers or a trailer. And you won't want to carry the majority of the weight on the fork. This means rack mounts, clearance issues, etc.