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I saw that xc120 have better brakes and wheels.
It also has better front suspension and Eagle 1×12 rather than the 1×11 drivetrain.
Their site isn’t https:// so right there, that makes me wary and extremely skeptical. I personally would buy anything from them for that reason alone.
I’m loving all the plans. I have tons of paces I want to hit. I know, however, that it most likely won’t happen. I would like to bikepack as much as possible.
Trips that will most likely happen:
-Bikepack from Washington DC to Pittsburgh via the C&O and GAP trails. This will be my wife’s first tour, so we picked something she feels comfortable with and that has lots of side excursions that she can do while traveling.
-Rifle, Fruita, Grand Junction in CO
-I also want to hit Curt Gowdy and Happy Jack trail systems more this year. These are both in Southern Wyoming near Laramie. This is a pretty close drive for my Colorado peeps, so if you plan to head that way, hit me up and I’ll join you!!!
-Want to do a Bikepack trip from my town in WY to Steamboat for the Reds, Whites, and Brews Festival.
-Want to Bikepack the Indian Peaks Traverse from Boulder, CO to Winter Park, CO
-I would love to make it to the Jackson, WY area since I have never been there yet, despite living in WY for nearly the last 5 years
Not really sure what you are looking for exactly (single track, two track, dirt roads, no pavement what-so-ever, etc). Possible routes to look into: Kokopelli Trail (CO and UT), Paradox Trail (CO and UT), Tabeguache Trail (CO), Weiser River National Recreation Trail (ID) (may be a little short, but lots of access points for a SAG), linking the C&O Trail and GAP Trails (or picking just one of them) (Washington D.C., MD, and PA), linking the Flint Hills Nature Trail and Prairie Spirit Rail Trails (KS), Gandy Dancer Trail (WI and MN), just to name a few.
You can also try segments of larger trails: Oregon Timber Trail (OR), Colorado Trail (CO) (segments between Denver and Breckenridge or to Buena Vista is a good option), Idaho Trail (ID), Continental Divide Trail (NM, CO, WY, MT, ID), Arizona Trail (AZ), Ozark Trail (MO), Tahoe Rim Trail (CA)
Here are a couple resources you can try if you haven’t already:
https://www.mtbproject.com/ Go to the map and adjust the mileage parameter to find trails over 40 miles. I was just doing this yesterday to find some good routes to try to bikepack myself. All trails have .gpx downloads for your GPS.
http://www.bikepacking.com/bikepacking-routes/ Several good options on this site that have detailed descriptions. Many also have .gpx downloads for your GPS.
Let us know what you end up deciding or if you find other good resources. I plan on doing the C&O and GAP Trails this summer with my wife, and possibly trying the Colorado Trail again. I am also on the lookout for some good 3-4 day options to do with a friend over a long weekend, so please share anything you find out. Thanks.
Thanks. It was a lot of fun, especially in hindsight. I made it to Silverton around 10 or 11 pm on day 16. That is where I had to end my trip. I was definitely taking my time and enjoying it as much as possible. A buddy was supposed to go with me, but was unable to. So we are planning on doing it again July of 2018. I’m already stoked to try it again. I did a daily video recording of my trip. I do plan on uploading it to YouTube once I finish editing everything. I think I only have a few days of the trail left to put together. I was actually just working on Day 15 earlier today. I’ll put it on this post when I finish everything. It is just taking me a long time to get it finished now that school is in full swing.
I did the Colorado Trail starting July 25th. Because of a bad wreck, I had to quit in Silverton. Very frustrating to be so close to the end. I ended up just using my regular mountain biking shoes. I used my pair of Five Ten Freerider VXI shoes. I was worried about them being slick in the rain, but was pleasantly surprised. They worked really well through all the hike-a-bike sections. I only struggled with traction a couple times the whole trip, and these areas would have caused problems no matter what shoe you were wearing. It rained on me nearly every single day. So much so that it actually began affecting my moral by the end of the trip. Despite the constant rain, the shoes held up really well while having to push the bike. The main issue with these shoes is the weight. They also retain water well and dry slowly, making the weight even more of an issue when wet. Don’t expect them to be dry by morning after a wet day. Sole durability is a little low. I’ve owned them for a little over a year and will need to replace them soon. The pins on my pedals have left gouges in the soles, and the sole is beginning to separate around the inside edge. I’ve used them for mountain biking, as well as just shooting around town on the bike or on foot. Hope that helps.
I know trail runners are really popular with thru-hikers. So I may look at a pair of trail runners that enough tread to provide traction on the hike-a-bike sections, but flat enough to grip my pedals securely. Right now I own a pair of Saucony Peregrine Trail Runners that I purchased a while back on a good sale. I haven’t tried them on my bike before, but I will to see how well they do with my flat pedals.
Thanks irudkin. Those boots look sweet. They are definitely out of my price range though. I need to upgrade my tent and sleeping bag before my trip, so my budget is based on that first. I just purchased a lighter weight 10 degree down sleeping bag to replace my nearly 7lb 0 degree synthetic sleeping bag and now I’m looking to replace my nearly 9lb 3-person, 4-season tent with a lighter 3-season, 2-person tent. Replacing these two items is a priority first because of their weight and bulk will be too much for this bike-packing trip.
I too am interested in a a shoe for flat pedals that will be comfortable and have good traction for extensive hike-a-bike. I am planning on completing the Colorado Trail at the end of the summer and need something for the plethora of hike-a-bike sections. I currently have currently have a pair of Five Ten Freerider VXI shoes but they are slick on rocks especially when wet.
