wayneIII

I just picked up 2010 Gary Fisher Presidio https://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/presidio the other day and have so far by mighty impressed with it, especially with how versitile it can be. When I received it I was happily suprised to see that it had full fender and eyelets for a rack (had no idea about the rack mounts). What impressed me even more is the tire clearance, Fisher claims you can put 1.9" 29er MTB tires on it no problem https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/...d-launch/81538 and it looks like I should be able to get full fenders on there even with huge MTB tires. Double bonus. In many ways, I see this bike as being just as versitile as the salsa fargo the only major differnces I see is slightly less tire clearance on the fisher and triple chainring in the front on the fargo.

The reason I put this in touring is that I plan on using this bike for some light touring at a minimum. I actually had the rocky mountain sherpa on order at one point (a sweet touring bike in its own right imho) https://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_102+...ID=2&SCATID=26 but felt that the fisher could do everything the sherpa could, and more. Plus it had rival, carbon fork, steel frame, etc. love it.

I know many struggle with the cross bike vs true touring bike decision, as I did, I think fisher made that choice easy at what I consider to be a very good price point too.
my 2 cents.

wayne III

Sixty Fiver

Cross bikes can make wonderful long distance bikes... the carbon fork precludes the use of a front rack / bag system so would limit capacity, but one could always hook up a trailer and run light.

In non touring mode you'd have a great all round ride and with a compact crank and wider range cassette will give you gear range that will be close to a triple.

From a riding position the GF is going to be more aero and road friendly than the Fargo which is better suited for expedition riding.

wayneIII

No trailer needed, front carbon fork has eyelets...but if you really wanted to put weight on the front, could easily swap out from fork for something steel or beefy.

Sixty Fiver

I still have reservations about carbon forks for touring applications...

Fishy

I don't.

Have used one for about four years with no issues. Was initially apprehensive, but it turned out well.

robow

Lovely bike but the only problem might be the lowest low of a 38 x 27 gear, that is if you plan to carry much and need to do some steep climbing but then again you might have the legs for it.

BigBlueToe

What kind? This is interesting. I've heard many posters say not to use carbon forks with front low-mounted racks. You're the first person I remember saying he/she has done it successfully. Any further info?

Fishy

It was a no-name carbon fork that was sourced by my LBS - basically looked like a knock-off of a carbon fork that Fuji used on some of their bikes. (Fuji World, I think.) I bought it for a cyclocross bike to let me use it on a tour and still be able to use it for cyclocross. No complaints - I recently bought a new cross bike and might consider looking for another carbon fork with low rider and fender bosses.

I'll get a picture next time I have the bike with me.

wayneIII

Totally agree, not having a triple front is a problem, but if you are looking for a more performance based cross bike and plan on doing some touring with it, this is an option.

Once the price of the sram xxx and all that MTB stuff goes down and can trasfer over to touring, it will be easy to start touring with a double in front because the gear ration on the rear cassette will be so large.

Lorcatronik

You could switch to the upcoming long cage SRAM Apex rear der. coming out which will let you run up to a 32 tooth cassette. Supposedly the grouppo is designed to have the range of a triple while using a double in the front.
https://www.bikerumor.com/2010/02/17/...ange-cassette/