Originally Posted by
Aquakitty
Hi guys. Looking seriously for an offroad touring bike. By offroad I mean logging roads, rail to trails, simple single track and double track and of course pavement. Not hardcore offroad over cliffs with panniers acting as sails or anything
The list so far:
Salsa Fargo
This is on the top of my list. I have no way to test ride it though, but it has what I want.. 29er, wide tires, MTB frame with a touring package. I read there are some issues with a squirrely front end when loaded but that's not an issue as I tour light and just putting a sleeping bag or light load up front is fine for me.
Rans Alterra or Dynamik
I am a Rans fan, and I enjoy my crank forward, but for offroad touring I would want a more upright bike then the crank forward I have now. The Alterra fits the bill. Also they are bloody comfortable.
Kona Sutra
Hoping to test this next week... seems like it would handle offroad fine with the right tires, more cyclo crossy though.
Norco Cabot
Another choice that would be more cyclocrossy offroad, good or bad?
Any other suggestions?
I don't know that any of these would be suitable for what you want to do. For off-road touring, a conventional hardtail or a Moots YBB would be a better choice. Get them with a fork that can be locked out and you'll have a machine that can handle pavement and everything else you want to throw at it. If you go to
Revelate Designs, you can even get bags that make off-road touring easier than dragging around a trailer or trying to loft a bike loaded with panniers. I'm planning on purchasing these bags for exploring old mountain railbeds here in Colorado (not smooth railtrails but rockier flatish roads)
I've done off-road touring like you are planning on a conventional rigid mountain bike with front and rear bags, as well as on a hardtail pulling a trailer and the Moots pulling a trailer. The rigid bike
will beat you to pieces. The hardtail with shock is much more comfortable and the Moots takes enough edge off the rear hits (remember you won't be able to lift the bike over the bumps like you would an unloaded bike) to make it a worthwhile investment...especially if you can find a used one.