H-Bar and rim selection
 

I've browsed the threads on titec's H-bar, but haven't been able to find out if there is room for the small arkel handlebar bag between the front horns. Does anyone know if there is clearance for the bag, or if it's viable to chop the horns a little bit to squeeze the bag in? I very recently picked up a bruce gordon rock n' road so with the threaded stem I don't think the 2nd stem setup is a possibility. I've used nitto noodles on my LHT for a while now and do enjoy them alot, with the exception of off-roading with them. The H-bar seems like a comfortable bar for long days on the road and mixing in fireroads/light trails. I'd like to be able to build this bike up to ride parts of the continental divide without killing my wrists, ect. Also, are paul thumbies the only option for getting bar end shifters to work with H-bars?

What 700c rim is sufficiently strong to take off-roads and be dynamic in width to accommodate say 25c-47c? I've looked into the Mavic A719, salsa delgado, velocity dyad & chukker. I've got my eyes on lacing the rims to a front shimano dynamo hub and rear XT. Any thoughts/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

I just completed the GDMBR on a hard tail fitted with Titec H-Bars. I also own a small Arkel handlebar bag. Your lucky day!

1) Room between front of H-Bar for a small Arkel bag: No. Not even close. I have XT M770 dual controls where both the derailleur and brake cables also would interfere. Wouldn't you also have a conflict with at least your brake cables?
2) Cutting the bar is inadvisable. There's barely enough room as it is for the fists using the bar's vaunted "aero" position.
3) Thumbies ought to work, but you'd want them where my dualies are mounted (something like this: http://www.jonesbikes.com/h-bar.html - half way down the page) and the cables would again interfere with your bag.

The H-Bar's "aero" position was helpful to stretch the back, but the other hand positions illustrated in the link above are too similar for them to offer much relief. A conventional MTB bar with bar ends allows a 90 degree rotation of the wrists and a moderate stretch of the back. I think I'd go instead with the latter and have a chance to mount a handlebar bag or better yet mount something like this http://www.revelatedesigns.com/index...=3&ProductID=4 and try to avoid a front rack and panniers.

I have Rhyno Lite rims, but the narrowest tire I'd care to mount on them is 35mm. I have Dyads on another bike and the narrowest I'd go on those is 28mm. I am not aware of a rim that will unquestionably take the range of widths of tires you want.

Thanks for your response! It's great to know that the h-bar clearance won't allow the arkel bag. Considering my plan is to tour next summer I have time to think these options through. I've been debating whether to just swap my touring components to my kona hard tail and enjoy the trails more than the paved road. I appreciate the feedback on the dyads, if 28c is as narrow as it'll go, then i'm more than satisfied. I just don't wanna build up a 700c wheelset that can't be somewhat quick on the road. Overall, how was your experience with the CDMBR? It's been crazy how much I think about riding in those vistas...

The (24 mm exterior width / 19 mm interior width - my measurement) Dyads will easily fit 28's. You can try 25's, but I wouldn't advise it on rough roads. See http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html (near bottom of page) and http://www.schwalbetires.com/tech_in...dimensions#rim (also at the bottom of the page).

I ride my 26 lb Americano unloaded on asphalt with 30-622 Marathon Racers . Although I average about 15 mph on Pacific Coast Highway in northern San Diego County, I am smoked by nearly everyone with drop bars. So I tell myself I'm in it for the fitness, not for racing.

The CDMBR was really one of the best parts of the trip. Unfortunately, I didn't have the new map that routes through the Flathead Wilderness, so was on too much asphalt.