Bike recommendation needed

Per Don C:

Quoted message said:

Do you have specific bike recommendations or general characteriscits to
look for?

No way I'll ever do such a thing - so no experience here.

However ThornRaven' EXXP spiel sounds pretty convincing:
http://www.sjscycles.com/thornwebsite/thornpdf/ThornRohloffeXpBroHiRes.pdf

--
PeteCresswell

Don C said:

Next summer I plan on a self supported ride from Anchorage to Deadhorse
- 750+ miles. While some of this is on pavement, the majority is along
the old haul road which is unpaved. Unpaved roads, cold, wind,
mosquitos, bears - just my kind of trip! I just got back this week
from kayaing 450 miles on the Yukon River, and can't wait to get back
to the north country.

While I have been mountain biking for years, I have an old clunker and
don't really know much about bikes or gear. I want to get a bike that
is made for dirt roads and long rides, not radical downhill or
technical stuff. I need components, tires, and rims that are reliable
and where practical field maintainable.

I am not looking for a top of the line bike, but a very good bike that
will get me through. I am sure that someone has done this ride on a $50
20 year 3-speed, but I am an old fart and need as much help as I can
get. Can I get something in the $1k - $2k range?

Do you have specific bike recommendations or general characteriscits to
look for?

Thanks

Hi
I would go for an aluminium frame front suspended only, with Shimano
XT or LX components (most reliable and cheaper than XTR), if you plan
to ride on muddy trails I would also add disk brakes (little heavier,
but exceptionally more reliable in wet or mud conditions than
Vbrakes).
A brand you can choose is Specialized or Giant, not too expensive and
good quality components.
For saving effort on paved roads I would choose lightly knobbed or
semi slick tyres (the ones used for short track competitions), unless
you foresee to ride on deep mud. No tubeless tyres, but foldable tyres
(with kevlar beads, lighter and can be folded and put in a bag
occupying few space so you can also change the type of tyre if you
need).
With the materials we can get to day (see downhill bikes that can
manage almost any stress) it is no more necessary to buy heavy bikes
to get strong parts.
How many days do you think you'll need to complete the trip? 10? more?
less?
Bye from Italy
Maurizio

"OMaurizio" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Don C said:

Next summer I plan on a self supported ride from Anchorage to Deadhorse
- 750+ miles. While some of this is on pavement, the majority is along
the old haul road which is unpaved. Unpaved roads, cold, wind,
mosquitos, bears - just my kind of trip! I just got back this week
from kayaing 450 miles on the Yukon River, and can't wait to get back
to the north country.

While I have been mountain biking for years, I have an old clunker and
don't really know much about bikes or gear. I want to get a bike that
is made for dirt roads and long rides, not radical downhill or
technical stuff. I need components, tires, and rims that are reliable
and where practical field maintainable.

I am not looking for a top of the line bike, but a very good bike that
will get me through. I am sure that someone has done this ride on a $50
20 year 3-speed, but I am an old fart and need as much help as I can
get. Can I get something in the $1k - $2k range?

Do you have specific bike recommendations or general characteriscits to
look for?

Thanks

Hi
I would go for an aluminium frame.......

Why?

Thanks for the info Marurizio. Anywhere from 15 - 18 days. This is
the kind of info I was hoping for. I am not clear if you are saying
go with tubeless, or don't go with tubeless. Disk brakes - didn't
seven know they existied! Not sure how much mud there will be because
this is an unpaved dirt road regularly used by trucks, however, there
will be plenty of wet days. The August National Geographic Adventure
magazine describes this trip. The moment I saw the article I knew I
had to do it.

"Don C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks for the info Marurizio. Anywhere from 15 - 18 days. This is
the kind of info I was hoping for. I am not clear if you are saying
go with tubeless, or don't go with tubeless. Disk brakes - didn't
seven know they existied! Not sure how much mud there will be because
this is an unpaved dirt road regularly used by trucks, however, there
will be plenty of wet days. The August National Geographic Adventure
magazine describes this trip. The moment I saw the article I knew I
had to do it.

mud + rain = disc brake

if its flat get something with gears so u can cadence at a swift yet
comfortable pace. get the LBS to throw in a computer for free so u can get
some stats at the end.

good luck it sounds like a fun ride.

"Don C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Next summer I plan on a self supported ride from Anchorage to Deadhorse
- 750+ miles. While some of this is on pavement, the majority is along
the old haul road which is unpaved. Unpaved roads, cold, wind,
mosquitos, bears - just my kind of trip! I just got back this week
from kayaing 450 miles on the Yukon River, and can't wait to get back
to the north country.

While I have been mountain biking for years, I have an old clunker and
don't really know much about bikes or gear. I want to get a bike that
is made for dirt roads and long rides, not radical downhill or
technical stuff. I need components, tires, and rims that are reliable
and where practical field maintainable.

I am not looking for a top of the line bike, but a very good bike that
will get me through. I am sure that someone has done this ride on a $50
20 year 3-speed, but I am an old fart and need as much help as I can
get. Can I get something in the $1k - $2k range?

Do you have specific bike recommendations or general characteriscits to
look for?

Thanks

I would look into a steel-framed touring bike with fatter tires, like Surly
Long Haul Tucker, Trek 520, Jamis Aurora, etc. Or a roadified mtb,
preferably steel, with eyelets for racks and such. Hey, be careful and have
a great time.

"Mitch Pollard" <(mitchpol)@iinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Don C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks for the info Marurizio. Anywhere from 15 - 18 days. This is
the kind of info I was hoping for. I am not clear if you are saying
go with tubeless, or don't go with tubeless. Disk brakes - didn't
seven know they existied! Not sure how much mud there will be because
this is an unpaved dirt road regularly used by trucks, however, there
will be plenty of wet days. The August National Geographic Adventure
magazine describes this trip. The moment I saw the article I knew I
had to do it.

mud + rain = disc brake

if its flat get something with gears so u can cadence at a swift yet
comfortable pace. get the LBS to throw in a computer for free so u can get
some stats at the end.

good luck it sounds like a fun ride.

On a long tour-type ride, especially in the boondocks, you want the least
amount of mechanical complexities as possible. So no disk brakes, no front
shock. A rigid steel bike with cantis or v-brakes is the way to go.

Don C said:

Thanks for the info Marurizio. Anywhere from 15 - 18 days. This is
the kind of info I was hoping for. I am not clear if you are saying
go with tubeless, or don't go with tubeless. Disk brakes - didn't
seven know they existied! Not sure how much mud there will be because
this is an unpaved dirt road regularly used by trucks, however, there
will be plenty of wet days. The August National Geographic Adventure
magazine describes this trip. The moment I saw the article I knew I
had to do it.

Hi Don
excuse me for my approximative english, I meant not to use tubeless,
because they are better for thorn punctures (if used with Slime liquid
inside) but if you get a rock and take a cut in the tyre it cannot be
easily repaired, and if you damage the rims you can get air leakage
for an imperfect match between rim and tyre:
Good luck for you trip!
Maurizio

Quoted message said:

On a long tour-type ride, especially in the boondocks, you want the least
amount of mechanical complexities as possible. So no disk brakes, no front
shock. A rigid steel bike with cantis or v-brakes is the way to go.

Try to figure out you wheels and vbrakes packed with 3-4 pound of mud,
impossible to pedal, wheels not turning any more, bike that doubles
its weight and you must portage it on your shoulders.
Personal experience.
And remember: new hydraulic disk brakes (E.G. Shimano XT) will do 3
times the trip before needing any kind of maintenance (The brake pads
from Shimano will be replaced after 3000 Km (about 1900 Miles) of XC
competitions.
Maurizio

Mitch Pollard said:

"Don C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks for the info Marurizio. Anywhere from 15 - 18 days. This is
the kind of info I was hoping for. I am not clear if you are saying
go with tubeless, or don't go with tubeless. Disk brakes - didn't
seven know they existied! Not sure how much mud there will be because
this is an unpaved dirt road regularly used by trucks, however, there
will be plenty of wet days. The August National Geographic Adventure
magazine describes this trip. The moment I saw the article I knew I
had to do it.

mud + rain = disc brake

True, cycling in mud and rain just couldn't happen before the adaptation
of the disc brake to the bicycle. ;-)
Just bring a spare disc in case you ding one badly.

Shawn

ellis said:

"Don C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Next summer I plan on a self supported ride from Anchorage to Deadhorse
- 750+ miles. While some of this is on pavement, the majority is along
the old haul road which is unpaved. Unpaved roads, cold, wind,
mosquitos, bears - just my kind of trip! I just got back this week
from kayaing 450 miles on the Yukon River, and can't wait to get back
to the north country.

While I have been mountain biking for years, I have an old clunker and
don't really know much about bikes or gear. I want to get a bike that
is made for dirt roads and long rides, not radical downhill or
technical stuff. I need components, tires, and rims that are reliable
and where practical field maintainable.

I am not looking for a top of the line bike, but a very good bike that
will get me through. I am sure that someone has done this ride on a $50
20 year 3-speed, but I am an old fart and need as much help as I can
get. Can I get something in the $1k - $2k range?

Do you have specific bike recommendations or general characteriscits to
look for?

Thanks

I would look into a steel-framed touring bike with fatter tires, like Surly
Long Haul Tucker, Trek 520, Jamis Aurora, etc. Or a roadified mtb,
preferably steel, with eyelets for racks and such. Hey, be careful and have
a great time.

Or even a cyclocross style bike if it has the eyelets for racks. Maybe a
Surly Crosscheck frame or similar. You can use discs or V's on it
(arguments for either already laid out). You'll be able to cover more
ground on road and road-like conditions, but it will be harder to ride
if there's any really rough, technical, or very muddy trail.

Matt

Trek 6700 disk - rock solid reliable.

sherpa

--
"Don C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Next summer I plan on a self supported ride from Anchorage to Deadhorse
- 750+ miles. While some of this is on pavement, the majority is along
the old haul road which is unpaved. Unpaved roads, cold, wind,
mosquitos, bears - just my kind of trip! I just got back this week
from kayaing 450 miles on the Yukon River, and can't wait to get back
to the north country.

While I have been mountain biking for years, I have an old clunker and
don't really know much about bikes or gear. I want to get a bike that
is made for dirt roads and long rides, not radical downhill or
technical stuff. I need components, tires, and rims that are reliable
and where practical field maintainable.

I am not looking for a top of the line bike, but a very good bike that
will get me through. I am sure that someone has done this ride on a $50
20 year 3-speed, but I am an old fart and need as much help as I can
get. Can I get something in the $1k - $2k range?

Do you have specific bike recommendations or general characteriscits to
look for?

Thanks

Quoted message said:

True, cycling in mud and rain just couldn't happen before the adaptation
of the disc brake to the bicycle. ;-)
Just bring a spare disc in case you ding one badly.

Shawn

In the past years (I rode off road motorcycles since 1967 till 1980,
then MTB) we rode the same trails as to day, we did everything without
suspensions and disk brakes.
As we are riding in year 2005, why ride as in the 1980s?
I remember all the problems I got in the past riding mountain bkes
with cantilevers and Vbrakes, ceramic rims brake boosters and all the
other stuff, nothing worked in mud and snow!!
Now it's easier! Why refuse technology if it's not too expensive and
works? Would you like to buy a car without servo steering, servo
brakes, air conditioned?
And finally, yes you can bring a spare disk with you, it weighs only
3-4 ounces (160mm diameter) and is flat, easy to store in a bag.
Maurizio