Hey guys, I'm currently in Kathmandu, Nepal - where I will start a cycling tour -so my bike options are quite limited here haha!

Also I need to to do it with a mountain bike due to the terrain I will be crossing.

Currently have 2 options of second hand (good condition) bikes - Giant ATX 2 2015 or Giant Talon 1 2015.

The talon is quite a bit more expensive - and one of the reasons is the super light weight frame - which is great for me as I'll be facing ALOT of big mountain inclines.

However I'm wondering if this frame will be strong enough in the long run to carry me (65kg) and my gear (30-40kg). I'll be in pretty rural areas so a cracked aluminium frame is a pretty horrible situation, but if it's almost guaranteed to be strong enough then it will be better option.

What do you think?

Thanks!

Sounds like a great tour, and wish you the best of luck!

As for the bikes, this is not something I am all that experienced with but will pass on thoughts from reading about bikes and some words of advice from my crazy friends that spend a lot of time on MTB. Aluminum for bike frame is nice due to low weight, but if it breaks it will take a very dedicated welder to repair it. Not a problem if you are just bouncing around local hills, but can be a tour-ender in most remote places. A steel frame I think would be less likely to fail to begin with, at the price of a bit higher weight, and any welder can fix it if desperate.

My two cents worth anyway . . .

The Giant site seems to indicate both are made of the same aluminum tubing (ALUXX). Are you sure the frames aren't a fairly similar weight and strength, and the weight difference elsewhere?

In any case, while I have often heard the "its hard to find someone to fix aluminum" quote, I'm genuinely curious how many people riding good condition, serviceable bikes have actually had a catastrophic frame break that would do anything but a fix just to get them home if they were riding steel.

Very true, can't imagine breaking one but have heard mountain bikers talk about it, almost like a badge of honor to ride one hard enough to destroy it. I would think for most folks breaking components would happen long before the frame would break, unless just factory defect to begin with.

Take all this with a grain of salt as I dont own either bike and have never even seen either in person.

The Talon is significantly better for the following reasons which, to me, are more important than frame weight-
- significantly better fork. The fact that it has lockout alone makes it much better, but the quality is also better.
- significantly better gearing for where you are. 42-32-24 with a 10speed 11-36 cassette is WAY better for where you will be when compared to 48-38-28 with a 7 speed 11-32 cassette.
- Deore components with hydro disc brakes are a lot better than the Tourney components on the ATX.

The frames, based on Giant's website, are made from the same level of aluminum. Not sure how much lighter the frame alone would be, but the components on the Talon will be lighter for sure. The ATXs handlebar is hiten steel, so that alone will be close to 1 pound heavier than the Talon's.


By all means, ride what you can afford. Just wanted to point out some benefits of the Talon beyond simply being lighter weight. Your tour sounds incredible...based just on the location!

thanks for the replies guys. Talon seems better to me too for sure especially with the low weight and gear range, but of course I can't get Old Man Mountain specific racks here so I probably can't carry panniers on the front which makes it hard. So it seems there are a number of approaches to handle my issue, but I'm just a bit limited because of my location in Nepal.

I was thinking that either:

A) I order a B.O.B trailer - but will cost ALOT - import taxes are super high.
B) I try to get a similar trailer custom made here but assuming that will be very challenging.
C) A different trailer like this one: https://goo.gl/RUhJsT - cons of this are the constant bounce over the ****ty terrain, and the extra response if i take on flight.

And

D) Try a mix of bike packing and panniers. Bike packing ONLY i think is not possible because this is a long term trip (with all camping/cooking gear, plus electronics to do documentary filming) but maybe if I have 2 back panniers, plus a smaller bag under the middle frame and a handlebar bag - and try to even the weight out as much as possible, it could work?

What do you think?

timagius91, Since both are pre owned, the one in better condition. Do both offer attachment points for a rear rack? There are clamps available for attaching low rider front racks to suspension forks. A mix of bike packing and traditional touring gear can tote quite a bit of gear.

How hastily is this tour being arranged?

Brad

Have you thought about just having a front rack fabbed up locally? It would be much easier than a trailer, and while likely a bit on the heavy side, should be plenty strong.

what options are available at local bike shops?
would you consider switching out the heavy suspension
for a standard fork? would be pounds lighter and
offer more front rack options.

have seen a number of cracked aluminum frames
touring cambodia and laos. usually break at the
toptube/seattube weld. maybe from increased
leverage long seatpost with too small frames?
at twiggy-esque 65kg you'll not have to worry.

Let's see The pictures of the Bike shop in Kathmandu, Nepal . want low prices You Should have brought your bike with you.
Now you have to pay all the costs to get a Bike into a Remote City.




FWIW, My Koga World Tour has a 7005 heat treated Aluminum frame... well designed Aluminum structures are reliable , just don't Crash.

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Weight of frame/bike is irrelevant given the load you're carrying. I'd go for panniers, frame and bar bags.