Using Novara Mazama for GDMBR?
 

Hello all,

Last summer I rode the TransAmerica Trail west-to-east on my bone-stock 2016 Novara Mazama. Besides changing out the tires partway through the trip and replacing normal wear-and-tear items (chain, brake pads, etc), the bike was flawless. I´ve since swapped out the 35mm Schwalbe Marathon Supremes for a 29x1.9in tire (don´t remember the brand), and have taken it on some decently rough trails around southern California.

All of my riding got me thinking: could my Mazama be used as-is to ride the GDMBR? Are 1.9 inch tires wide enough? Would not having suspension be suicide for my butt and hands? Is Shimano Deore able to take the abuse the GDMBR throws at it? I´d like to convert to a bikepacking setup and ditch at least the back panniers, but would the rest of the bike be up for the task?

These are just a couple of my questions. If there is anyone that has done the GDMBR on a Mazama or similar bike, please chime in!

havent done the route ornanything like it so take the following with a big ol salt grain.

1- deore is completely fine and more than enough in terms of quality. You crossed a continent with it, after all. Its a solid level of mtb equipment, so used on a route like you are asking would make sense.

2- love the mazama. Almost bought one, but the largest is good in stack height but probably too cramped for me in terms of reach. Really versatile bike.

3- the weight limit is 250# per REI. Granted you used it fully loaded so you know what it can do, but that limit is really low and singletrack/mountain trails will typically stress a frane more than paved road. Just worth mentioning.

I've done the northern 2/3 of the GDMBR (it's a long term project).

I would recommend 2 inch tires for this route. 1.9 is probably close enough.
On the really rough sections (not very many of them), you can always push the bike. I had to push a few times.
There really isn't much single track its mostly gravel roads. The worst parts are steep loose gravel and washboard.
Suspension would be nice but isn't strictly necessary and may not be worth the weight penalty.

I am not intimately familiar with that bike, but if properly equipped, it looks like it would be fine.

I met a guy who was doing it on a disk trucker, his only complaint was he was going through brake pads.

As noted above, most of the route is forest service road type, little single track. So, most any bike that can handle wider tires would be fine.

Check stories of folks who have completed it and you will find many styles of bikes including Surly Big Dummy, LHT with rim brakes, LHT with disc brakes, Surly Ogre, Surly Troll, etc. The 2015 and 2016 winners of the divide race used dropbar bikes without shocks. Here's a couple who did it on a tandem:

Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR - 3 Segments): Stage Coach Lake/Reservoir, Lynx Pass-Gore Pass, Kremmling-Ute Pass, Colorado; May, 2010

As for taking some of the pain out of the rough stuff, you may want consider trying one of these. I just put one on my Novara - Safari, and I almost couldn't believe how it transformed the ride quality around town. I have not yet had the opportunity to take on any rough unpaved trails yet though, but I expect it will perform well there too. It's not a gimmick or joke, this thing actually works, and better than you might expect. I got mine from a seller on Ebay for a good price. If you get one, just make sure you get the correct diameter size version for your frame.
http://www.srsuntour-cycling.com/typ...93&view=detail
Suntour SP12-NCX

Did I talk to you in Twin Bridges, MT about, inter alia, you bike and recognizing it from a thread on Adventure Cyling's forum?

planeguy, I rode a 500 mile Montana section of the GDMBR years back on my unsuspended Bruce Gordon Rock & Road. Looks similar to your Mazama. I used the BG 700x40 (now 43) R&R tires. That combination worked fine. That said, I welcomed the paved sections for relief from the wash board. Not a deal breaker though.

edit: I see on spec sheet that Mazama is 5# or so lighter than R&R, so not sure the two are that comparable.

Yes, it'd be do-able, especially if you have any experience off pavement. I did the GDMBR on 29x2.2" tires, steel frame, front suspension. The folks in the race generally use tires about 1.75" tires and no suspension. Seems like fat tires (3-4") are becoming more popular.
Since you have no suspension, I'd get the widest tires that'll fit on the bike. I hear Thudbusters are great, but they're expensive and only serve to add suspension (and don't do it as well as actual suspension in your frame). You might consider a Brooks Flyer saddle. It's probably a better saddle than what you've got and adds some level of rear suspension to your bike. Cheaper than a Thudbuster and serves two purposes, not one.

The 2016 winner of the tour divide did not use drop bars.

Personal preference. GDMBR has been ridden thousands of times with and without drops. I prefer non drops, my riding partner prefers drops. Its what works for you.

planeguy5, IME a non suspended bike can work well on the typical logging or park road. Tire size does come into play and I have always had a tire around 2" on my mountain bikes. I do love my hard tail on tight technical trails, but for riding on unimproved roads and trails there is little advantage.

I think you'll be fine on your Mazama.

Brad

I believe so! That was the night there was the drunk/high guy walking around and staking-out our equipment, right? And I´ve posted pics on the Adventure Cycling forum a couple of times too. Hope all is well.

ok 2015 winner

Thank you folks for the feedback. The widest I can go on my Mazama is 2", so I may investigate some new tires. The only thing I might worry about (and correct me if this is a silly thought) is that, if I were to knock my wheel out of true, couldn´t I run in to some issues with tire-frame rub? I remember a fellow at my LBS in college mentioning that.

As for drop bars, I love them. My Mazama has flared "mustache"bars which I´ve found great for both descending and for leverage on brutal uphills (I´m looking at you, Ozarks and Appalachians). I like the idea of a Thudbuster seatpost, and I´m also looking in to swapping out my front fork for a suspension fork. We´ll see. It´s all hypothetical right now, but I´m catching the touring itch again and wanting to try something different!

Yep. The tweaker. And then the guy from the sheriff's office stopped by.

Congrats on completing the trip!