Touring - Choosing a Mountain Bike for a South America Tour

Thanks for all the help in this thread. When I started, I was misled by "experts" at my LBS into things like 29" wheels and carbon fiber frames. Since this thread has an uninformed first post, please visit my new thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/844952-Choosing-a-Bike-for-a-South-American-Tour-Part-Deux?p=14707177#post14707177) where my questions are up to date and in line with what I have learned from the real experts here. ;)

I created the new thread since things like Carbon Fiber were still being discussed long after I settled on steel. The first post was generating confusion.

Everything -positive or negative- that has been said so far has been carefully read and re-read.

Thanks again and I'll see you in the new thread!

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/844952-Choosing-a-Bike-for-a-South-American-Tour-Part-Deux?p=14707177#post14707177

My friends and acquaintances who have toured there all used 26" wheels.

My friends and acquaintances who have toured there all used 26" wheels.

My LBS put it this way... Yes, 26" wheels work, but if you want to move fast (like I do), the large rocks mixed in with the gravel make rolling on 26" a hassle. Add to that the mechanical advantage of 29" wheels for touring, and the difference is pretty vast. That was my understanding, and it seems to be sound. I mean, technically you could do it on a Bike Friday, but i'm looking to limit myself as little as possible as to what the bike can handle.

Fast and touring aren't exactly on the same end of the scale unless you're going very light and going hard. Taking it easy and riding an extra hour will get you the same miles with less effort. I'd look to 26" , front shock w lockout and as light a load possible while still being comfortable.

I'm a Surly fan, so I'd go Surly Troll. 26", you'll be able to resupply on the road, about $1300 too. If you buy the complete I'd upgrade the tires.

Edit: If you have to get a 29er--->Surly Ogre

You'll want to read this blog. http://whileoutriding.com/. And this. http://boundsouth.org/

If you can find a 90's or earlier pre suspension bike MTB,
that will be a good foundation to build upon.

29ers are hot stuff now, but 26" have had 20 years to spread, so spare tires
have a greater likely hood to be in bike repair shops..,
ask your LBS if they will airmail spare tires to you for cheap if you go for a 29er.

they will be rare as hen's teeth on the Pampas.

The assumption is that I WON'T find any 29ers in So. America at all, but the tradeoff in travel will make it worth it to air-drop spares. I'll carry one spare foldable tire all the time and I'll be prepared to ship one to myself if necessary.

I don't want to get an older bike this time, I want a brand-new MTB that I'm sure hasn't seen stresses beyond my control. Less variables, the better.

As for fast and light, my gear weight is like 10lbs. I'm already more than comfortable camping in all conditions with an ultralight hammock and I'm prepared to wear one pair of clothes for the majority of the tour. I'll be rolling with two Ortlieb Front-rollers mounted on the back for food and water and a single dry-sack for gear strapped to a rear rack, plus some frame bags.

Does anyone have some model suggestions? I have looked at Cannondale and Felt and didn't see anything perfect. Most of them seem to be aluminum- does anyone know of any sub-1300 carbon hardtails with the right componentry?

I want to add that I am not opposed to 26" wheels if someone can further clarify how much easier the tour will be with 29's. Other than that, though, I appreciate comments reccomending slower paces, etc. but please assume I'm more than capable of going very light, and very fast, and prioritize this in your recommendations.

This tour, for me, is about getting from one amazing experience to the next in a minimal amount of time. I want to hike the Andes, see the temples of central america, swim in oceans, visit rainforests, villages, cities, and more.

I like rigid sixers myself but I just popped in to note that you may go LONG stretches without seeing two trees to string a hammock between.

I like rigid sixers myself but I just popped in to note that you may go LONG stretches without seeing two trees to string a hammock between.


CHALLENGE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED!!! Hammock Camping is a significant part of my life... I'll tarp-tent using the hammock rainfly when necessary.

Hi everyone. First off, thanks in advance for advice, even if it's purely anecdotal. This forum is truly a gift for the unexperienced, as I only have about 5,000 miles under my wheels.

I am planning a trip from Central America, southbound, to the tip of Argentina and Chile. I have already started learning spanish and I am slowly becoming a master of camping and self-sufficiency outdoors.

I do, however, need help choosing a bike!

Here's what I learned so far from my LBS:

1. The only tire common in South America is a 26", but the majority of great touring experiences come from roads that demand a 29" tire. My best bet is to get the burliest possible 29" rims and tires, and carry a spare folding tire and lots of tubes.

2. Because of the quality of roads and the wheel size, I need a mountain bike frame with a front fork.

3. Because of the length of the journey and the demands I'm putting on the bike, I need at least the Deore component group, with an XT rear derailleur. Because of the touring environment, I need to replace the MTB handlebars with Trekking bars and keep the same brakes/shifters.


I don't know anything about mountain bikes! I need a lot of help choosing one that meets the following requirements!

-29" wheels
-Front Fork
-Steel or Carbon Fiber Frame (or Alum if you can convince me)
-Rack mounts in the rear
-Deore or Deore XT Groupset

My budget is $1300. This can be moved a little, but not much. I can rebuild the handlebars myself, with help from my friends.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

LBSs are often not the best sources of information. Recommend best online sources you can find. Get a better, more precise handle on 26 vs 29. The advantages of the latter may not be as significant as some would have it.

Carbon does not take impacts as well as some other materials. See durianrider's carbon fail compilation on youtube, as well as some of his other bike or cycling videos (including best bike vid). I don't agree on every point, but there is good information there. See his bio for his experience level and mileages.

Lifetime warranties are a good thing.

Stout aluminum is perfectly acceptable. See the top of the line Koga Miyatas.

You might also check out the engineering specs for the best of the exotic steels.

You can find a ton of owner reviews over at mtbr.com.

For the sort of riding you'll be doing, carbon has drawbacks. You mention large rocks. Do you really want a material that can't take the spills and impacts well?

LBSs are often not the best sources of information. Recommend best online sources you can find. Get a better, more precise handle on 26 vs 29. The advantages of the latter may not be as significant as some would have it.

Carbon does not take impacts as well as some other materials. See durianrider's carbon fail compilation on youtube, as well as some of his other bike or cycling videos (including best bike vid). I don't agree on every point, but there is good information there. See his bio for his experience level and mileages.

Lifetime warranties are a good thing.

Stout aluminum is perfectly acceptable. See the top of the line Koga Miyatas.

You might also check out the engineering specs for the best of the exotic steels.

You can find a ton of owner reviews over at mtbr.com.

For the sort of riding you'll be doing, carbon has drawbacks. You mention large rocks. Do you really want a material that can't take the spills and impacts well?

This is kind of the crux of my dilemma, though. My mind says "Steel is bendable, get steel" but there's another logic that says "If it's a bad enough fall to break a carbon MTB, your steel frame would be broken too."

I feel like at the $1300 level, material compromise seems unlikely. It's really hard separating fact from anecdote on material strength, because the aluminum and carbon frames in 2012 are not the same frames that were around in 1990, and the common logic may be wrong.

It may also be right! I don't know. I will check out mtbr.com, but I think I need opinions from people of experience.

I think a 26 rigid is what you want to do on roads... Yes there are pot holes, but it isn't like you're going to be touring singletrack or technical rock gardens. The availability of spare parts is key. You could be stuck for 2 weeks or more waiting for your spare to come in... Also, you should get a steel frame-- if you have major malfunction, it can be welded almost anywhere. For what it's worth, I have ridden in Costa Rica-- on a 26 on roads and on trails. Never felt the bike was inadequate. (and Costa Rica is high on the list for worst roads around).

Whatever you decide, enjoy--

train safe-

Whoever told you that the roads demand 29" wheels is mistaken.

Steels like 853 won't have a bending or breaking problem.

More when at a computer. On a Kindle in the forest right now.

Well, I am not the most confident rider ever. I second-guess myself a lot, especially on intense hills, and I proceed carefully and slowly. My understanding is that this is where 29's excel, since they offer an easier turn over large objects and their momentum is more difficult to stop.

As for the 2-week wait, I look at it this way: When I'm in the Andes, or in the middle of Argentina, I could easily find myself 100+ miles from a bike shop anyways, so it really doesn't matter what wheel I get. I want to speak to some more people of experience on this end.

The "plan" that I have right now is to just get near-indestructible rims, the upper crust of Schwalbe flat-proof tires, and then carry a foldable spare (plus, obviously, a flat kit and 3+ spare tubes). In the event of a real shred on a tire, I can pop on my foldable and then air-drop the new spare in. Two weeks later, I take the foldable back off and put on the new tire. So, the only way to get grounded completely is to shred a Schwalbe and then a folded tire within 2 weeks of eachother.


I mean, I've toured Maine, VT, Mass, and New Hampshire, which meant some pretty seriously rough riding and bad highways with metal scraps/glass. I even mountain biked on my road frame on Hurricane Mtn, because it was 2 miles to the road. I find the idea of ripping through a tire to be really, really difficult, especially if you have the heaviest duty tires available.


But if I'm absolutely wrong about

A) the 29ers making riding easier
B) the scarcity of bike shops for any size wheel
C) the "plan" of tire replacement

then 26's it is. I just want as much info as I can here, so THANK YOU, very much, for this information. I'm sorry if it seems like I'm arguing, but I feel in my gut that the fun, security, and speed apparently associated with 29's is worth really trying for, logistically.

at your price point I would order a VSF Farhradmanufaktur TX-400 30-speed. it's ready to roll with excellent equipment and should exceed all of your demand as it's the lowest level of the Expedition bikes these guys make (1299€)

http://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/bikes/expedition/2013-tx-400-shimano-deore-xt-30-gang/#

most bike shops can/will import it from England (Chrisbikes.co.uk)

for a little more money, I'd highly recommend the Tout Terrain Silkroad. It's extremely well designed and configurable ... can be ordered from Peter White cycles ... they'll configure it for whatever you wants (drops/straight/rohloff/30-speed/etc...)

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/tout-terrain.asp

that would be money EXTREMELY well spent

edit: you can run 700c or 26 inch with the silkroad frame, i linked to above.

Here's what I learned so far from my LBS:

1. The only tire common in South America is a 26", but the majority of great touring experiences come from roads that demand a 29" tire.
Huh? You've got to be riding on roads the demand a 29" tire to have a "great touring experience"? Sounds like b******* to me. It also sounds like some gearhead is trying to sell you something that you don't need.

I've had some pretty wonderful touring experiences on 26" wheels, 20" Bike Friday wheels, & 700C wheels. I've toured in Chile & Argentina on 26" tires (on an early 90s no suspension steel frame), including biking over unpaved passes in the Andes and had a "great touring experience". I toured in Costa Rica (which has many awful roads, as buelito mentioned) on 26" wheels. I biked on some paved roads in Costa Rica with huge potholes that forced me to keep my hands on the brakes during long descents, and that would have been true regardless of whatever wheel size I had. I biked on some roads and a trail in Ecuador on 26" wheels, and the experience was great. And I toured on my Bike Friday in the mountains of Mexico and had a great touring experience there, too. You're going to find yourself in some pretty isolated areas. For such a long tour, I wouldn't mess with something that is non-existent in the region, when you have perfectly good alternatives.

Thanks Axoloti, that's really helpful. I appreciate it! I'll be doing a lot of thinking about this, since the tradeoff now is all speed and handling. I'll have to try some 29's out myself.

When you toured So. America, what was availability like on bike shops? Were you ever very remote?

And you don't need a "MTB." A solid steel frame adapted to your needs will be fine. I would go for a new steel frame and use framesaver unless you absolutely confident that a used frame has never seen rust.

When you toured So. America, what was availability like on bike shops? Were you ever very remote?
I was often in pretty remote areas, but not as remote as I could have been. Most of my 3 1/2 weeks were spent riding in the lake & volcano region of south-central Chile and adjacent Argentina. That area is usually considered northern Patagonia. I don't recall seeing a bike shop anywhere except in Bariloche, Argentina. But I never needed a bike shop.:thumb: Argentina has vast empty stretches. As soon as you pedal out of Bariloche, you're in wide open spaces. If you decide to tackle the Carretera Austral in Chile, I doubt you'll encounter even a basic bike shop anywhere.

I'm sure it's not a "need" but I felt like I could really use a mtb just touring the northeast. Dirt roads, trails, and backways lead to some of the most interesting areas. As a young photographer, I'll never hesitate to leave a road. I'm pretty sold on bikepacking this trip.

I'm suspicious of your LBS, they must be either 29er zealots or else not know what they're talking about...there are relative advantages of 26ers and 29ers, but I don't know of a whole lot of places you can't go with one or the other. Almost everyone who tours in South America uses a 26er because of the availability of parts, and I'd do the same even if I were otherwise a devotee of 29er wheels - the peace of mind would be worth it.

That said, check out my favorite blog, whileoutriding.com. He's doing a mountain bike tour through the Americas on a Surly Ogre 29er. His most recent lightweight/bikepacking setup is also pretty inspirational. And he's used four bikes on his trip so far - the Ogre, the Surly Troll (which helped me decide on that bike when I'd narrowed it down to a few), a Thorn, and one other, and his thoughts on all things gear-related will help you a lot. He likes the 29er enough that he's riding on a rigid fork over some truly gnarly roads, but it's not the route I would go. Basically, 29er in the third world can be done, but the idea that it's the only way to go is total nonsense. Examine the relative merits of each before deciding.

Also, the Troll/Ogre are probably really, really good choices for your trip. They'll handle the trip with aplomb and be a great bike back home as your mountain bike, commuter, and tourer all in one.

Edit: Oh yeah - what hammock are you using? I'm a dedicated hammock camper as well, but I sure wouldn't take one to the Andes. It'd get used infrequently enough that I would see it as wasted weight. Then again, if you're moving between wooded and treeless biomes, a very light hammock could be nice to have along...

Anyway, sounds like an amazing trip. I trust you'll keep a photo blog!

But if I'm absolutely wrong about

A) the 29ers making riding easier
B) the scarcity of bike shops for any size wheel
C) the "plan" of tire replacement



A) riding is easy when you go easy. Shocks will make a big difference downhill if speed is a priority. Durability, comfort and safety should be a bigger priority.

I have not been a huge fan of Surly's, and a lot of other touring-specific rigs like the Silk Road because the frames are such incredible overkill for me. I am 6'1" and 160lbs, and my gear is about 9-15lbs, plus food and water. I never break over 200lbs total and these bikes are designed for 150lbs more than that, so they weigh a ton. The two previously linked bikes were 32 and 34 lbs respectively, and surly's all push 30+. The bike I'm looking at, a Giant XtC 29er, is 27- that's like bringing one less 4-person tent on the tour.

A really lightweight and fast 29er would lend a cyclocross experience to the tour. I can dig that.

Hammocks are so divine. I use a Hennessey Hammock and I love it- the great night's sleep is a huge plus. I will either do some heavy orienteering to stay within trees (with 22 feet maximum on distance, I usually find a setup, and the trees can be the width of my arm and still hold me.) I will practice tarp-tenting using the bike frame and the rainfly to see how that works. Insects might be so brutal that I'll need a tent to keep them away from my body anyways. I wouldn't mind picking up a tent. But the hammock... Aww!

Jude, thank you so much for this blog. Bikepacking with a DSLR is the definition of my trip- this is hugely informative!

This tour, for me, is about getting from one amazing experience to the next in a minimal amount of time. I want to hike the Andes, see the temples of central america, swim in oceans, visit rainforests, villages, cities, and more.

Is your goal to cycle the entire way or do you intend to use the bike in the interesting areas then toss it on a bus. Both are perfectly valid forms of touring. You might consider a folder if your going to jump on and off buses.

If a bus can make the distance, so can I. I totally respect buses, but I think the only time I'll really want to take a bus is if I get stuck in a dangerous area. I'm considering bussing from Panama to Ecuador, but I don't know if Colombia is factually dangerous or just rumored to be dangerous. I definitely want to see some cities.

The whole thing of going slower on a 26" bike Vs. 29" is just non-sense. There hasn't been a true scientific analysis on the subject to support that a 26" is slower. There are many other factors to take into account other than just wheel/tire size. If you're over 6 ft. tall, you might be a little more comfortable on a 29er wheel bike which in turn could make you faster. The European bike designers, by the way, never bought the whole 29er concept on mountain bikes. Now suddenly the whole bike industry (Europe and North America) is pushing for smaller 27.5" tires (650b.) So if 29er are better and faster, the industry would not diverting from it after approximately five years of being really popular. So, do watch out for a LBS that might want to unload a few 29er bikes as they make room for 27.5" MTB that several manufacturers will be launching this fall.

Some things to consider on a 29" wheel bike:

* Subject to more torsional forces. A strong 29er will require at least 36 spokes to be built strongly Vs a similarly strong 26" wheel with 32 spokes
* 29" being larger - you'll carry more weight in material for the larger rim and more rubber (tires.)
* A few more spares to carry due to fewer bike shops carrying replacement parts (tubes, tires, spokes, etc.)
* The above translates into more weight than you'll have to haul around on your bike defeating the purpose of going "light and fast."
* Down time while you wait for parts being shipped from the U.S., clearing customs, and steep customs charges in many Lat. Am. countries. That ain't no fun! Why go through this if you can simply get these things locally with a 26" bike? In any country in Lat Am a nice bike shop located in a large city will be able to ship you parts within two days to any small town. Another thing many people do is to catch a bus to the nearest large city, get the bike fixed there and continue the next day with their tour.

I remember when a fellow BF member returned home early last year from her Pan American tour with her entire family. One thing she said she would have done differently was to ride a 26" bike instead of 700c.

As far as front suspension goes, it will definitely make a huge difference in comfort off-road, but it's one big expensive component to worry about. You might have a really good chance finding a 26" suspension fork, but on a 29er, good luck!... definitely cost prohibitive to replace a 29er suspension fork in Lat. Am., especially if it has to be shipped from the U.S. Bigger tires and a suspension seatpost (e.g., Cane Creek's Thudbuster) might be a better and simpler solution.

Is the bike proposed by your LBS built around carbon fiber wheels? What material for the frame?

If a bus can make the distance, so can I. I totally respect buses, but I think the only time I'll really want to take a bus is if I get stuck in a dangerous area. I'm considering bussing from Panama to Ecuador, but I don't know if Colombia is factually dangerous or just rumored to be dangerous. I definitely want to see some cities.

Read bike tourist blogs avidly before your tour. The two countries most bike tourists LOVE are the countries with the worst international media: Mexico and Colombia. The countries that many have had safety issues in the last few years: Peru (an area just north of Lima) and a couple of countries in Central America.

Ok, that pretty much seals the deal then. The advice here is internalized and respected.

-I will be touring on a 26" hardtail instead of a 29"
-I will be using a tent instead of my beloved hammock

Thank you for the advice. Can anyone offer any insight into materials? Experience would be a plus.

If a bus can make the distance, so can I. I totally respect buses, but I think the only time I'll really want to take a bus is if I get stuck in a dangerous area. I'm considering bussing from Panama to Ecuador, but I don't know if Colombia is factually dangerous or just rumored to be dangerous. I definitely want to see some cities.

There are no roads between Panama and South America. You'll have to fly or float.

Well, yeah. I'm just thinking about Colombia, but maybe it's not so bad. it's assumed I'll take another form of transportation when there's a physical gap between countries.

I'm not missing the Yucatan, though.

Thank you for the advice. Can anyone offer any insight into materials? Experience would be a plus.

Steel frame and racks simply because you'll be able to fix in Tzintzuntzán or Tarija (anywhere!) if they break. Alloy for wheels and all other components. As much as you might be tempted by carbon fiber due to its light weight, stay away from it like the plague for touring.

Hi Paul here from NZ I have friends who are now in Mongolia were in South America 2 years ago with 29ers and they said they will never tour the sort of terrain they faced on anything but a 26". They are touring now on early 90's MTB frames with front shocks, they explained to me that they never really thought about the amount of flex the 29ers wheels went through compared to the 26" stuff they rode before and now again until they were far away from civilization. Another thing to think of is new does not necessarily mean it will suit your needs more. I see more Carbon frames broken than I do steel frames at work(I work part time in a bike shop) Steel also has more flex there fore it should take vibration better than the more rigid frames . Just my opinion.

Thanks Bicycle Addict, great advice!

I would start by looking here: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/locales/?o=1&locale_id=7160712&doctype=journal

If a bus can make the distance, so can I. I totally respect buses, but I think the only time I'll really want to take a bus is if I get stuck in a dangerous area. I'm considering bussing from Panama to Ecuador, but I don't know if Colombia is factually dangerous or just rumored to be dangerous. I definitely want to see some cities.
I was deployed to Panama 12/89 for Operation Just Cause.
from what I know, you want to avoid the Darien Gap.
scan thru a book: "Our man in Panama"

I'm a Surly fan, so I'd go Surly Troll. 26", you'll be able to resupply on the road, about $1300 too. If you buy the complete I'd upgrade the tires.

Edit: If you have to get a 29er--->Surly Ogre

great suggestion(s)

+1 on this one.

The assumption is that I WON'T find any 29ers in So. America at all, but the tradeoff in travel will make it worth it to air-drop spares. I'll carry one spare foldable tire all the time and I'll be prepared to ship one to myself if necessary.

I don't want to get an older bike this time, I want a brand-new MTB that I'm sure hasn't seen stresses beyond my control. Less variables, the better.

As for fast and light, my gear weight is like 10lbs. I'm already more than comfortable camping in all conditions with an ultralight hammock and I'm prepared to wear one pair of clothes for the majority of the tour. I'll be rolling with two Ortlieb Front-rollers mounted on the back for food and water and a single dry-sack for gear strapped to a rear rack, plus some frame bags.

Does anyone have some model suggestions? I have looked at Cannondale and Felt and didn't see anything perfect. Most of them seem to be aluminum- does anyone know of any sub-1300 carbon hardtails with the right componentry?

did you say this complete bike has to be around $1,300 new?

as I've read thru this thread
@ 6'1" and 160lbs, heck... sounds to me like you are apt to seriously make a run at some distances while on tour.

what I see in this thread, is money.

Mathew Lee's bike for the TDR is about 35lbs, complete with food, and camping equipment.
he used a Cannondale carbon Flash 29er.

from what I see in this plan, you are going to need very reliable support here stateside. money, possibly law, health, and of course technical support and being able to get things to you.
possibly you may want to carry a SPOT GPS transponder?
maybe some kind of communicator?

as you've realized there is a grey area when it comes to hardcore enduro adventure reliability vs fast and light.

if you have a resume that highlights athletics, adventure, etc... maybe even your photos, this scenario screams to me, finding sponsorship. perhaps the likes of WTB, maybe Jeff Jones? <--- I have no idea what kind of response you'd get from him.

maybe MOOTS?

seems to me ideally you'd find a sponsor to hook you up with an already established setup. Bike, packs and all.
so you have to kind of think who as this stuff?

I'm thinking the first step is resume.

it seems to me the sub 30lb 29er for $1300 complete could be a hard find.
I'd shout out to Salsa! an El Mariachi would be awesome!
even better if it were a setup that is already together, and maybe they'd simply help sponsor you.

cover letter, resume, over view, and action plan. to start.

depending on your "agenda". I think this scenario screams NETWORKING.

We only did patagonia / tierra del fuego, but we did it on our trusty steel 28" tourers (Dutch, Snel Safari with LX parts), we took some innertubes and one outer tire with us.
never used the outer, I think we had maybe one puncture total between the two of us.
Yes ripio is not nice, but any GOOD bike / wheel can withstand it.
I do think the whole 26" vs. 28" or even 29" and higher is moot: just get GOOD handbuilt (and not brand spanking new) wheels and they all perform within a small percentage of each other.
just get what you like.

I do recall reading Ian Hibbel waded thru the Darien swamp for quite a while..

the hammock will be handy then as the water table
is above the ground surface in a swamp-bog..

I have one other suggestion, since you mentioned that you've started learning Spanish. Near the beginning of the trip, I would urge that you spend a few weeks at a Spanish language school. Every Spanish-speaking country has some schools for foreigners, and certain places such as Antigua, Guatemala, have a profusion of them. I spent a few weeks at a school in Mexico, and also at a school in Costa Rica. I learned quite a bit quite quickly with the excellent one-on-one instruction. Generally, the lowest prices per week tend to be at schools in Central America, especially in Guatemala. The schools can usually arrange for inexpensive lodging with a local family, which also helps you to practice speaking.

@Asana re: Networking, someday, YES, absolutely. This time, maybe?

Sponsorship through a charity seems realistic. As of right now, I can make and break camp in minutes and I am not afraid of distances, but my history of athleticism is not quite there. I'm definitely strong and able, but I am not record-breaking able. I've been in my current biking shape for less than a year.

I'm still drifting wildly back and forth between 26" and 29". I was pretty convinced of 26" but jurjan confirmed what I kind of thought- careful riding means you never break something built to withstand the stress. But alas, better safe than sorry..? I'll keep researching just what kind of advantages I can expect on a 29".

As for learning Spanish, I can't do much better than the spanish professor at my school. Young, engaged, interesting, realistic, and pleasant. I would be satisfied with a basic working knowledge that lets me talk about what I'm doing there with locals.


I have great home support. Health insurance, rich extended family for paying off hostage scenarios, and I'll definitely be taking a SPOT.


And yes, this bike has to be around 1,300 new if possible. Obviously, I will save up a bit more if it begs necessity for a trip of this caliber. :)

I do recall reading Ian Hibbel waded thru the Darien swamp for quite a while..

the hammock will be handy then as the water table
is above the ground surface in a swamp-bog..

DO NOT recommend a gringo or anyone to venture through the Darien gap. I lived in Panama for 15 years. Panama overall is a very safe country. The area of the Darien gap is barely traspassable but the worst part is really not nature. Due to its isolation, the Darien Gap is infested with drug labs and you run the high risk of being kidnapped (or worst!) for being taken as a DEA agent or spy surveying the area. If you're up for a little adventure, you need to get to San Blas (Porvenir) and catch a boat operated by the native Kuna indians to Turbo, Colombia. The San Blas area is gorgeous. Another way is to catch a boat from Colón, Panama to beautiful Cartagena, Colombia (the safest way.) I read somewhere there was supposed to be a sparking brand new ferry connecting these two cities some time this year or next year.

Seriously try out a Surly Troll. The rougher the road, the better it rides :) Not to mention it takes just about anything between the wheels (2.2 " tires with 26", hearing rumours of smallish 700C tires, HG vs Derailers), Vbrake or Discs, and really decent on trail or pavement.... Affordable enough to lose. Can be loaded as heavy as you like too. And it's orange.

@Asana re: Networking, someday, YES, absolutely. This time, maybe?

Sponsorship through a charity seems realistic. As of right now, I can make and break camp in minutes and I am not afraid of distances, but my history of athleticism is not quite there. I'm definitely strong and able, but I am not record-breaking able. I've been in my current biking shape for less than a year.

I'm still drifting wildly back and forth between 26" and 29". I was pretty convinced of 26" but jurjan confirmed what I kind of thought- careful riding means you never break something built to withstand the stress. But alas, better safe than sorry..? I'll keep researching just what kind of advantages I can expect on a 29".

As for learning Spanish, I can't do much better than the spanish professor at my school. Young, engaged, interesting, realistic, and pleasant. I would be satisfied with a basic working knowledge that lets me talk about what I'm doing there with locals.


I have great home support. Health insurance, rich extended family for paying off hostage scenarios, and I'll definitely be taking a SPOT.


And yes, this bike has to be around 1,300 new if possible. Obviously, I will save up a bit more if it begs necessity for a trip of this caliber. :)

$1,300 is an OK budget if you were getting a used bike and components. For hardcore touring purposes like doing the Pan American highway with your requirements of going ultralight with a 25 lb bike and less than 15 lb gear, I think you'll be looking easily at $3,000 just for a new bike alone. Light frame and components add up very quickly. In the cycling world LIGHT = RACING, but this doesn't mean at all built sturdily for off-road expedition touring. For example, carbon fiber is out the window! This leaves titanium, steel and aluminum as the materials to use for your build. So, for your purposes you're going have to plan carefully on how you build your bike from the frame up. This costs money but if you have a year or so to plan, this is very doable! In the meantime, focus on finding the right frame and build your bike exactly the way you want it. If you have a great home support plus rich extended family, I would gather their moral and financial support. The fact that you already have some $ saved up for this might make it interesting for them to help you out in the form of gift or a long term loan.

By the way, how old are you?

About the hammock thing, your idea of using it as a bug bivy with a tarp over it is not bad. If you have a foam mat you can just put it on the ground, rig up the hammock's bug-net suspension to your bike and some other object, and put the tarp over it.

But a tent might still be the best option. And then bring a Grand Trunk Nano or similar almost-weightless hammock just for lounging or sleeping in when you can.

$1,300 is an OK budget if you were getting a used bike and components. For hardcore touring purposes like doing the Pan American highway with your requirements of going ultralight with a 25 lb bike and less than 15 lb gear, I think you'll be looking easily at $3,000 just for a new bike alone. Light frame and components add up very quickly. In the cycling world LIGHT = RACING, but this doesn't mean at all built sturdily for off-road expedition touring. For example, carbon fiber is out the window! This leaves titanium, steel and aluminum as the materials to use for your build. So, for your purposes you're going have to plan carefully on how you build your bike from the frame up. This costs money but if you have a year or so to plan, this is very doable! In the meantime, focus on finding the right frame and build your bike exactly the way you want it. If you have a great home support plus rich extended family, I would gather their moral and financial support. The fact that you already have some $ saved up for this might make it interesting for them to help you out in the form of gift or a long term loan.

By the way, how old are you?


My family has my plane tickets. I'll get the bike.

I'm looking for at least Deore components, maybe a Deore XT rear derailleur. Not the top-of-the-line, but good reliable parts. I can service them and baby them on the road, but things like derailleur sway are issues I don't want to have to deal with. I want reliable springs back there.

I'll be 23 when I take the trip. I'm 22 now. My Ultralight definition here doesn't need to be as fine-tuned as someone who sets records for distance and time spent. Something like a Surly Troll is considerably more meaty than I need- a lighter frame can take the bike down to sub-30 without breaking my bank. I just need to find that perfect bike, and I'm still looking. Because my gear weight is so low and my body weight is average, a big, burly bike is overkill. I can buy a singletrack or cyclocross-style bike and never put too much tensional stress on it that might break it.

How awful is aluminum? Why do I need to avoid it like the plague?