So, there are some categories I need to head up my list and then put things in those categories which should help me compartmentalize packing and getting all the gear and things in the truck so nothing is left behind.
The Bike:
I know for some of you this would be the easiest category. Not for me! Too many choices exist and all would make sense to take for one reason or another. Here are the contenders so far.
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| The 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD |
Black Mountain Cycles MCD:
Listening to the folks I interviewed for the two BRAN Gravel podcasts, it was apparent I should take a bike with wider tires than not. This is because I am going to be tackling gravel roads in the Sand Hills region of Nebraska. Having a little experience with sandy gravel in Nebraska, (Odin's Revenge days), I know a wide tire handles the sandy gravel, or just outright sand in some cases, better than typical gravel tires would. Not that you cannot ride 700 X 40's, but if you have the option to go wider, and I do, those wider tires sure make the going easier.
The Black Mountain Cycles MCD currently has a 29 X 2.25 on the front and a 700c X 47mm in the rear. Probably good enough for this ride. Water carrying capacity is also okay. Fit and function, okay also. It would likely get the job done.
Next...
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| Singular Gryphon Mk3 |
Speaking of wider tires, here ya go! 29 x 2.8"ers here! Sand? No problem! Weight? Yeah......there is that. However; this bike was the one I took out to Western Iowa to do the Tree In The Road Ride and there were some big hills out there to climb, which I was able to do. It wasn't easy though, but I attribute that to the brutal heat and humidity we suffered through on that day. Still....
Water carrying capacity is great. Fit is awesome. (Luxy Bar) Function.....good. The front derailleur function could be better.
Next....
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| Fargo Gen I |
And here's the last contender, the Fargo Gen I. It can handle pretty wide tires, like the Surly Extraterrestrial 29 X 2.5"ers. Right now I have some Rene Herse tubed tires on it, but I also have a set of N.O.S. Vittoria Terreno Dry 29 x 2.25"ers ready to go on this wheel set. That would be a tubeless set up. So, then the tires would be definitely wide enough, but not too heavy either.
Comfort level - Excellent! Water carrying capacity? Excellent! Function? Excellent! (The front derailleur really works well on this bike!)
So, you can see I have choices, and all three have merit. I'm leaning toward the Fargo right now, but ask me again tomorrow and I'll have talked myself into the MCD, or the Gryphon.
I actually have a couple more bikes I could talk myself into here, but I have to limit this! I'll come up with a decision this week, then I'll get into all the fine details as to why I chose how I will choose. Or something like that....... Anyway...
After the bike comes the Overnight Set-Up. This will encompass my tent, sleep system, what details this all encompasses, and more. Next will be Clothing. I need to consider how I will manage a week-long ride with no laundry and after ride clothing as well. Finally, Logistics. Food, water, travel.
Look for more to come on my pre-ride choices soon. .
13 comments:
For funsie's and maybe a bit more work than needed, but can we get a bikes of Bran? Or at least a tasting of the bikes of Bran?
#N.Y.Roll - That sounds like a fun idea. I'll see what I can do.....
I did the standard BRAN two years in a row, many years ago. First year was on my lugged steel Masi Gran Criterium, and the last year was on my Aluminum Allez. Both were great, but the Masi's classic looks really felt more in line with all the small towns we went through and stayed in. My vote is for the Fargo.
The Fargo would be an excellent choice with the Terrenos set up tubeless (Goatheads).
Regarding the clothing situation, merino wool is comfortable in cool or warm conditions, and odor-resistant if you need to wear it more than once or twice.
I'd ride the BMC.
This may not appeal to you, but I stumbled across LIghterPack (https://lighterpack.com/welcome) from the backpacking world. I find it really useful for any packing related need (bikepacking, travel, etc.). No personal data captured other than username and passwored. It keeps an inventory of all the items you enter in the list so you can search and add to new lists. You can easily copy a list to create a new one. Categories can be customized (i.e., I’ve created categories for full bike build ups). Item weight can be created if you’re a weight-weenie. It’s also shareable with others if you want. I have a Ragbrai list that I’ve created and modified over the years and it makes packing so much easier each time. If it brings value to you or others, great. If not, that’s okay too.
@Carson - Thank you for your comment and for sharing this resource. I'm sure some will find it handy. I may try it out for a bike packing trip N.Y.Roll and I are supposed to do.
What chainring combo/cog combo does your MCD have?
Consider which bike is most comfortable for long rides, especially for that shoulder issue you have (IIRC). Day after day of hours in the saddle isn’t easy on the keister either. Having the best bike for being comfortable on days six and seven would be my goal.
Out of curiosity, have you tried a side swing front derailleur? May work well on your Gryphon.
@Ari - I know I answered you offline, but for those who are wondering.... The BMC has a 46/36T x 11-36T set up. I do have an 11 - 40 cassette I could swap in for a slightly lower gear.
@Nooge - You do recall correctly! These bikes all have Redshift Sports ShockStop stems and handle bars I get along with best. The Fargo and the BMC are essentially identical in terms of fit/comfort. The Singular is a bit different in that regard.
Thanks for the suggestions! I appreciate you taking teh time to share those.
@Ben W - Side swing would likely work well, yes. I think my issue here is with the set up. I need to get in there and do some fine tuning on what I have.
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