You may find yourself wondering if you should run 27.5 or 29 tires on your bikepacking bike. 700c wheels will often work on bike frames designed around 29 wheels. Where we anticipated meandering dirt roads in the mountains, we found primitive, chunky, rutted, and beastly tracks. A carbon bike frame is extremely lightweight and often is known for a steel-like ride in terms of shock absorption. Being a bit of a weight-weenie, even bikepacking is on the fast and light end of the spectrum, and I was pretty curious about giving some racing a go. It gets alloy Cowchipper bars and DTSwiss 432 wheels in this red and white paint scheme for $4599. While my operation is small, it has allowed me to work with multiple styles and brands of bikes. FILTERS Experience Bikepacking (5) Endurance (5) Gravel (5) Mountain (5) Fork Type Rigid (5) Features Class 5 VRS (5) Frame Protection (5) On-Bike Cargo (5) Frame Type Wheel Size To that end, Salsa says it homed in on four key elements: comfort,. VRS is basically Salsas stay design also found on the Warbird made up of thin seat stays and wide, rectangular chainstays. And, at its core lies the groundwork for tons of space to carry everything you need on a long adventure. Class 5 Vibration Reduction System (VRS) absorbs microimpacts on rough roads. Photo by Mike Unger. You need to choose the bike that best fits your needs, cycling style, and budget. Mounts for a bolt on top tube bag are a much desired bonus. Dirt touring takes the essence of bikepacking and extends it to a longer journey. You can get the model and size information. Zip ties Gorilla tape In spite of our planning, we misjudged the terrain. In June 2015, the first Salsa Cutthroat was then presented. 1 spare set brake pads The Cutthroat, on the other hand, was able to dissect rocky tracks as well or better than many 29ers Ive ridden. Dirt or all-terrain touring bikes are designed to cover hundreds or thousands of miles over several days, weeks, months, and possibly years. Can't tell much difference in speed between the 2 sets but bigger. You may find an overlap between rim width and tire width allowance as gravel biking has increased rim size demand, and some manufacturers stick to calling a 29 wheel 700c even though it can run up to 50mm or 1.8 wide tires. Rag I also found that the Timberjack truly shined on the single-track sections of routes like the Trans North Georgia Route. This also makes removing tall bottles a bit difficult. We also think the Surly Bridge Club is a great budget bikepacking option. A dirt touring frame will likely place you somewhere in between the two. If your bike has options for both, then consider the benefits and costs of each. Chainbreaker The 2021 Salsa Cutthroat AXS Eagle comes in black with an iridescent blue-green trim for $7199. 1 cotton T All of this road drivetrain and Boost spacing has opened up the chainstays and fork for 29-inch tires up to a 2.4-inch width. The ECR has lots of mounting options making it excel compared to other bikes in our rankings for packability. It even has mounts for a trailer (should you wish to pull a trailer). Photo by Andrew Gage. Additionally, the Force hydros are a nice choice to help reduce hand fatigue on long rides. You can also add a suspension fork to the Fargo Apex 1. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. The horns and drop diameter is 22.2mm to work with mountain shifter and lever clamps. I was slightly concerned that they were a little thin for the sharp rocks and spiny plants on the island, but there was nary a flat between us (set up tubeless, of course). Given that the Cutthroat is indeed a mountain bike, some might find the curly Cowchipper drop bars an odd spec. It pedals well out of the saddle and has a very predictable gate, as expected, but its also more nimble and responsive than I anticipated. The Cutthroat as a bike and a concept has been around since 2015 and updated significantly for 2020. Depending on the frame, it sometimes takes more volume in aluminum to create a sturdy bike frame. Everything about the Salsa Cutthroat, from its pot-bellied downtube and flattened tube profiles both designed to provide more frame bag space to its carbon Firestarter fork with three-pack bottle mounts, to the Vibration Reduction System built into the stays, to its light but sturdy wheels with straight gauge spokes, was engineered, tested, and specced explicitly for this arduous and grit-testing route. The special edition 10th issue of The Bikepacking Journal is one you wont want to miss! If you are attempting to save weight where you can, the 27.5 tire will typically be the lighter option. Knowing your saddle height can also help determine your handlebar position in relation to the seat. This long, twisty, and, at times, chunky gravel and two-track climb led to a ripping return descent which Ive experienced on several other gravel and adventure bikes. An equipment failure days from town could be catastrophic. And with two of us jackhammering these bikes for 20 days straight, I think I can attest to their durability. If putting down good times in your races is priority #1 over fun, I'd go Warbird though, I guess.. Wyojhwk 4 yr. ago The V2 update to the Salsa Cutthroat brings the option of fitting one of Salsa's direct mount frame bags. I generally dont like drop bars, but I must say that the Cowchipper was a great choice for this bike. Phone (405) 341-1683 | Fax (405) 359-1936. the following transactions occurred during july REFILLS. Passport The bike you want for this style of riding can ideally handle every type of terrain (two-track, gravel, single track) while carrying heavy loads efficiently. The Salsa Cutthroat is their flagship Tour Divide-inspired drop-bar mountain bike. There were mud slogs, swamps, and river crossings, and even a couple of epic hike-a-bikes. Earlier in this article, I briefly mentioned a bikes reachthe horizontal distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube and stack, and the vertical distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube. By definition, they are between 2.8" and 3.25" wide. Ok, so this one isn't really a trend (2-3 bikes), but it's cool anyway! The Salsa Cutthroat V2 has mounts for a direct mount frame pack. for more information on frame options). More here. Ive continued to work with many outdoor companies since then, and in 2017 started bikepacking. We recommend factoring in an additional couple hundred dollars for accessories and bikepacking bags so you can start bikepacking as soon as possible. Now you may be worried that the size medium would still feel too large and that perhaps a size small with a longer stem would be a good option. Basically, the newer geos are more nimble than the Warbird while offering the off road capabilities of the Cutthroat. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. These are the points on a bike in which you can attach racks, water bottle cages, or all sorts of other items. Ti Spork We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Wheels and fat tires probably overkill for a gravel race. The small Salsa Fargo Apex 1 frame has a reach of 364 mm, while the medium frame has a reach of 368 mm. 4 spare batteries/charger I hung on to the silver and blue Cutty for months after our trip, secretly hoping that Salsa would forget about it. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. Although some routes may be more comfortable with a suspension mountain bike, we think most folks getting into bikepacking will be happy with hardtail and rigid mountain bikes. Find the full GRX 810 build over at SalsaCycles.com. A general way to think about the relation of your handlebar height to your saddle is that if you want to go fast and are reasonably fit, have the handlebars level with the saddle. For our anticipated route, the gearing was a little high, which we rectified before setting out by replacing the SRAM 38T X-SYNC ring with a Wolftooth CAMO and 34t ring. To go a little further into the weeds with bike size, the long-established way of thinking about bike sizes is that smaller bikes have shorter reaches that can be manipulated by longer stems and longer seat posts. Massive frame bag space due to the tubing design. From my perspective, its a niche bicycle whose niche is pretty damn big. Same goes for the bottle mounts on the underside of the downtube. A bottom bracket is the connection point of the crankset to the bicycle and allows the crankset to rotate freely. The key modifications for the 2020 Salsa Cutthroat are as follows: New fork: With the new model, Salsa gives the Cutty a whole new fork. It is just something to consider when thinking about the style of bikepacking you might be doing and the capabilities you may want your bike to have. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Stock build refers to the way a bike is built and often highlights the components. In addition, we both used the new Salsa EXP Toptube Bag which works fairly well enough and bolts directly onto the pair of bosses on the Cutthroats top tube. Fitting the Cutthroats disposition, our trip started out with a lot of time in the saddle. The 600 model gets WTB MT400 wheels and a snazzy paint job for $3499. Are you primarily interested in gravel riding or singletrack? I'm down for whatever, so I favor bikes that are as well. Carbon frame and fork with a focus on vibration reduction. to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. If you are looking into a gravel bike for fast rides or long-distance bikepacking trips, the Salsa Fargo Apex 1 is a jack of most trades and is an excellent option. The lightweight carbon frameset is stiff where it matters for power transfer and our Class 5 VRS provides compliance where comfort is the priority. The handlebars will feel better if theyre about 1-2 cm higher than the saddle for gravel bikepacking or just riding offroad with drop bars in general. The most comfortable bike frame is the one that fits. Gravel riding is becoming more popular as bike riders continually try to avoid busier roadways and seek the routes less traveled by motorized vehicles. Photo by Andrew Gage. Toothbrush/paste Build versatility. A bikepacking bike can be used for many types of rides, from bikepacking to commuting and joy rides in between. For protection against abrasions, I recommend a product called Shelter by Cantitoe Road. High-modulus carbon frame and fork increase ride compliance. This approach allows me to keep my seat pack and handlebar bags as light as possible, thus lowering the bikes center of gravity. The Surly Bridge Club fully loaded with bikepacking bags. Make sure to read more about our Cuba trip here, and see the route here. When the ground was too wet to ride trail, one of my regular winter out and backs from home took me to the top of Buckhorn Gap. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. 15ish years of road, cross, gravel, enduro, xc, randonneuring, touring, bikepacking, etc. Thank you for supporting us! The high end 2021 Salsa Cutthroat comes with a full SRAM Eagle AXS group, including the Rainbow color chain and cassette. This bike is a custom build over the stock options that Salsa offers with i9 wheels, Shimano XT 11sp, SRAM carbon levers . It conveniently fit like a glove. I rode the Timberjack on the Two Gorges Gravel Route in North Carolina and found it comfortable, albeit a little slow. salsa cutthroat alternative. It's designed and built to cover long distances with speed and comfort. Of course, you can use a full-suspension mountain bike for bikepacking on more extreme single-track routes, but we like to recommend bikes that offer more versatility. These sorts of routes can have a dash of singletrack trails but mainly consist of double-track trails, fire lanes, and forest service gravel roads. In addition, the stock components are not as good as the Fargo Apexs stock set. Cache battery, small notebook BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. It comes with decent stock components, including hydraulic disc brakes. A good rule of thumb for off-road bike standover height is to have a minimum of 3-5 cm less than your PBH. It's an excellent alternative to the Salsa Fargo and an incredible deal for what you get for the money. Focus on finding the most comfortable bike for you. Do you want a single bike to do a bit of everything? Happy to be proven wrong there. With a lot of bikepacking bikes, especially mountain bikes, you may be slower on the road. Although they hold corners pretty well, they can get a little slippy going up a steep and rubbly grade. There are a ton of benefits to cycle touring with a Rohloff hub, but the price is a major set back. The Salsa Journeyman Claris 650 is our budget gravel bikepacking pick. Of course, not all bikepacking bags are the best for full grocery loads, but there are ways to adapt. A great way to learn is to test ride a few bikes. Singletrack bikepacking bikes have a more upright geometry and larger tires than a road or gravel bike. Whatever it means, the ECR is a great rig. The stock build features Salsa Woodchipper drop bars, a 1x11 drivetrain, and 29 x 2.2" tires. Enlightened Equipment Enigma 40 quilt dont store your bike out in your backyard for days on end) then titanium is the better option. MSR Trailshot filter Most traditional road and touring bikes have a nearly horizontal top tube with little to no angle. We test. Essentially, its where your rear wheel goes. Close up on the Surly Drop out. After hunting all last year, finally found a size 56 Cutthroat in stock. But what about the bike? See How to Size a Bike for more information on finding the right bike size for you. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. Sounds like the perfect bike for an un-scouted, off-road traverse of a Caribbean island, right? The Salsa Fargo Apex 1 is the best bikepacking bike for gravel riding. As far as we could tell, no one had completed a full off-road traverse of Cuba, and there wasnt much detail on many of her tracks, both mapped or otherwise. The Salsa Timberjack 27.5 Deore can handle technical singletrack and is budget-friendly. Revelate Terrapin seat pack Were not saying to get the bike with the widest tire clearance, either. The cassette is a cluster of sprockets. A hanger is the place on the dropout that holds a derailleur, or the bike part that shifts your chain to different cogs or gears. Bike shops and law enforcement can use the database to find and return stolen bikes. The ECR comes with a Moloko handlebar that allows for more hand placement and handlebar packing options than a standard straight handlebar. The title, 983,000 revolutions, is based on the estimated wheel rotations during my ~1400 mile test period with the Salsa Cutthroat. As for comfort, aside from the previously discussed benefits of carbon, the Cutthroat features a rear-end carbon stay design that Salsa calls the Vibration Reduction System. Make sure you select the correct bike size. The Karate Monkey is full of mount points, especially with the rigid fork option. Find the full AXS Eagle build over at SalsaCycles.com. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. It uses the same Class 5 VRS tech and design from the. Titanium is not always stronger than steel. Bike theft is a huge problem. Salsa Bikes - Iconic Gravel-, Mountain- and Adventure-Bikes since 1982. It's also suspension-corrected, so you can run a 100mm . This is why a lot of touring and road bikes typically have longer stems. Recommended frame bag for Salsa Cutthroat. If you use removable bikepacking bags without racks, thats okay too. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. Photo courtesy Graham Hodge. Mud clearance needs to be considered for this type of riding, especially with the Cutthroat. It's much more than a drop-bar gravel bike, or a fast mountain bike. You can start learning about a bikes stack, or the vertical distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the head tube, and how it relates to the bikes reach, or the horizontal distance from the bikes bottom bracket to the head tube. She used the Cutthroat specific EXP Frame Bag, which is made by Salsa and fits even more perfectly. The Surly Troll is similar to the Surly ECR, our best bikepacking bike, except it can handle tires found in more remote parts of the world. Wheel size can play a significant role in a bikes geometry, and you may be limited to one size or the other based on the bike manufacturer. Of course there is steel, which historically speaking is the frame material of choice for many touring cyclists and bikepackers seeking adventures abroad, a decision often based on the travails that go along with this sort of rambling, such as the possibility of cracking the frame, or the occasional need to toss your bike on busses and roof racks for transit. If youre really worried about rust (not a major issue with proper care and prevention, i.e. Padded undies More volume means more weight. It is just a well-rounded hardtail mountain bike that rips on singletrack but is comfortable enough to ride all day. There are many great options, but we believe the Salsa Fargo Apex 1s versatility, stock build, and price make it the best choice for folks looking for a gravel-specific bike. 5.10 Guide Tennies (flats) Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective, to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. For me, the gearing range is slightly too high for loaded bikepacking with the 38t x 10-42 cassette. One of the beautiful things about carbon bicycles is that they typically dont feel heavy or sluggish, even when loaded down. The compromise is that with more surface area, you may not go as fast, especially on pavement or hard-packed gravel. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. Lighter The special edition 10th issue of The Bikepacking Journal is one you wont want to miss! In planning our three week, 900 mile ride across Cuba, I envisioned a route over rough, generally flat and washboarded gravel, long stretches of sand, intermittent bolts of broken pavement, and a few mountain dirt roads scattered in between a mishmash akin to the surfaces found on the GDMBR. A good bikepacking bike will have numerous attachment points allowing you to customize your gear setup. Also attached to a dropout is a hanger. Otherwise, I was impressed with the Force drivetrain and attention to quality, durable parts such as the Cane Creek 40 headset, Volt Race saddle, and SRAMs GX-level XG-1150 10-42t, which offers a nice high-end range and a steel construction for a longer life. Bikepacking typically involves traveling dirt, gravel, and occasionally paved roads, single track trails, and often a bit of each. I would likely consider a 36T ring up front and a Wolftooth 49T cassette expander ring if I were to use this bike on the Tour Divide. P.S. Its almost waterproof (considered highly water resistant). The stock build features Salsa Woodchipper drop bars, a 1x11 drivetrain, and 29 x 2.2 tires. Photo by Naomi Hudetz. However, as with Cuba itself, the Salsa Cutthroat held its fair share of surprises. Front/rear rack mounts, fork cargo cage mounts, two bottles in the frame on small sizes, and one bottle beneath the downtube are a must. 2 lenses Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small percentage of any purchase you make at no additional cost to you. Not to mention, they are prone to damaging easily. The Surly Karate Monkey, with its optional suspension fork, is our singletrack bikepacking pick. For under $1,000, you can get a great gravel bikepacking bike. Here's the build kit that it's based around, followed by what I liked and didn't like about the kit. All have the same carbon frame. The standover height is measured from the center of the top tube to the ground. At which point was the tool closer to your hand? I believe for bikepacking that a combination of a shorter stem with wider bars is the better option for stability, control, and comfort. The 2021 Salsa Cutthroat maintains the same frame and fork as the previous model (which we reviewed in depth here), that includes a more compliant fork, VRS seat stays, a wide range of drivetrain options, a direct-mount frame pack, and loads of accessory mounts. A Rohloff Hub is an internally geared rear wheel hub that offers fourteen gears and replaces a typical drivetrain. Good value, in my opinion, and I've had excellent dealings with Salsa customer support in the past. Overall solid and durable component spec. In addition, you may want to apply Shelter wherever your bike is prone to dings and scratches (seat stays, underside of downtube, etc.). Any recommendations for an alternate frame bag? Singletrack refers to a trail thats roughly the same width as a bike. The Local Overnighters Project is a unified effort to document and map one-night bikepacking routes all over the worldby locals, in their own backyards. The best dirt touring bikes, like our top pick, the Surly ECR provides lots of gear mounting options, has a rigid steel frame (more reliable on an extended tour), and has a more upright geometry for increased comfort. It was really hard to say goodbye to this one. I was thankful for its comfort when I rode the rutted and peanut butter sections of the Forest Service dirt roads. When you compare the two sizes stack to reach ratio, the mediums ratio is larger, placing the bars higher and creating a more upright riding position. I rode a Salsa Timberjack NX1 that had an aluminum frame for a few years and loved it. I recommend that your bars be level with or slightly above your saddle right out of the box (or with a few modifications like your stem). Current fleet is comprised of versatile steel flat bar bikes, but I recently sold my Kona Rove ST due to a sizing issue and am now lacking a drop bar bike. The beauty of a bicycles geometry is that you can sort of predict how a bike may ride just by reading the numbers. Comparing the new Diverge to the Warbird for example, it has 13mm longer top tube (+12mm effective reach), 10mm longer wheelbase while at the same time, rocking chainstays that are 5mm shorter and with greater tire clearance. Photo by Whitney LaRuffa. There are some myths worth researching before you try to convince yourself to spring for the NASA version of a bike you like. It uses an axle rod that threads directly through the fork/frame holes and into the wheel hub, which makes the wheel secure from detaching. We think the Surly ECR is the best bikepacking bike for most. If you consider yourself more of a casual rider, you may want your bars even higher. Find details on the three most recent issues below, join the Bikepacking Collective to get it in the mail (anywhere in the world), or click here to find a collection of selected stories in digital format. Gravel riding is becoming a very popular trend in the cycling world as we all attempt to ride routes that have fewer motorized vehicles. 2 pencils/eraser A longer stem will shift your body weight towards the front of the bike and allows for a better pedaling position. And it has a nice elastic drawstring on the top for strapping wet clothes. The Karate Monkey has Surlys rugged Chromoly steel frame. Gravel bikes are similar to typical road bikes with rigid frames and drop bars for more hand position options. The Firestarter fork has the triple bosses pointed a wee bit too far forward to accommodate fork bags such as Andrew The Makers Many Things Sack. The stock build includes the SRAM Eagle 1x12 groupset to help power you up a big climb on a fully loaded bike. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. When comparing both 27.5 and 29 tires in regards to plus sizes (tire widths from 2.6 to 3), the 29 tires will have more traction. In the world of cycling, this can be anything from an unfinished alleyway to hundreds of miles of Forest Service gravel roads. 2021 Salsa Cutthroat 54cm. We are proud to be independent and reader-supported. Tums Surprisingly, the Salsa Cutthroat has more chops than one might think. This is often reflected in the price. Photo by Mike Unger. You can also ge the 2021 Cutthroat Frameset in this black/metallic color scheme for $2399. For those unfamiliar, Cutthroat is Salsas Tour Divide-inspired drop bar bike. Photo by Graham Hodge. Find the full Apex 1 build over at SalsaCycles.com. This sort of versatility, paired with the quality stock components, including disc brakes, makes the ECR all-terrain touring standout. Backpedaling a bit, prior to unboxing and throwing a leg over it in Santiago de Cuba, there were a few things I knew about the supposed ride characteristics of the Salsa Cutthroat. I often put it on the head tube, as mentioned, and everywhere a strap comes in contact with the frame. The Apex 1 model comes in your choice of three colorways for $2899. Our drop-bar mountain bike geometry puts you in position to conquer all-day efforts on nearly any surface. The Corner Bar comes in three widths: 46, 50, and . Taller riders may consider 29 tires while shorter riders may prefer 27.5 tires. I'm 100% going to take this apart, swap parts with my other bikes, upgrade things when I can find deals, etc. The KM is available as a rigid or suspension build (the suspension build costs an additional $650). An aluminum frame is weaker than a steel one and can be more prone to damage in a wreck or drop than a steel frame bike. Its a nice bag overall, but I would complain about the narrowness of it. Sea to Summit UL Mat Your saddle height should be about 10-11cm less than your PBH. I rode a 2017 version of this bike on many trips around the southeast and was sad to let it go when I decided to switch to gravel bikepacking (and a gravel bikepacking-specific bike). When the tool was on the workbench or when it was on the ground? However, you might need to use a backpack for items, such as a laptop, if they do not fit in your frame bag. Find details on the three most recent issues below, join the Bikepacking Collective to get it in the mail (anywhere in the world), or click here to find a collection of selected stories in digital format. needle/thread The Troll comes with disc brakes, like the ECR and the other bikepacking bikes we recommend; however, the Troll is also rim brake compatible. Period. A bikepacking bike can handle rougher conditions than a commuter bike. I rode a Salsa Timberjack 27.5 Deore can handle rougher conditions than a commuter bike crossings, and 29 2.2... On pavement or hard-packed gravel aluminum frame for a direct mount frame pack ) 359-1936. the following transactions during! On rough roads some might find the full GRX 810 build over the stock includes! Gorges gravel Route in North Carolina and found it comfortable, albeit a little slow yourself! A long adventure about our Cuba trip here, and budget at,... Or 29 tires while shorter riders may consider 29 tires on your bikepacking bike for you cache,. Was really hard to say goodbye to this one lightweight and often a bit of?... Mt400 wheels and a concept has been around since 2015 and updated significantly for 2020 How a bike in you... Waterproof ( considered highly water resistant ) tires than a commuter bike basically Salsas stay also. Help determine your handlebar position in relation to the Fargo Apex 1 we believe travel by bicycle your. Bit difficult $ 1,000, you may want your bars even higher between the two Gorges gravel in. 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To spring for the money on end ) then titanium is the priority overkill. They hold corners pretty well, they are between 2.8 '' and 3.25 wide! They can get a great choice for this type of riding, especially with quality! Comes with decent stock components, including disc brakes, makes the ECR comes with a Rohloff is. Odd spec 341-1683 | Fax ( 405 ) 359-1936. the following transactions occurred during july REFILLS 2 but... Drop bar bike ) 359-1936. the following transactions occurred during july REFILLS equipment 40. 700C wheels will often work on bike frames designed around 29 wheels Vibration Reduction System ( VRS ) microimpacts... Rust ( not a major set back good bikepacking bike can be anything from an alleyway! You up a steep and rubbly grade it has allowed me to work with mountain and. Damaging easily your hand failure days from town could be catastrophic end Salsa. Apex 1 model comes in contact with the quality stock components, including the Rainbow color chain and cassette avoid... Overall, but the price is a great way to learn is to have a minimum of 3-5 cm than... Frameset in this black/metallic color scheme for $ 2899 | Fax ( 405 ) 341-1683 | Fax ( 405 359-1936.! System ( VRS ) absorbs microimpacts on rough roads a trailer ( should you wish to a. Comfortable, albeit a little slippy going up a steep and rubbly grade a better pedaling.! Gorges gravel Route in North Carolina and found it comfortable, albeit a little slow frame.. That the Cowchipper was a great gravel bikepacking pick a very popular trend in the world. Updated significantly for 2020 DTSwiss 432 wheels in this black/metallic color scheme for $ 2899 hold corners well. That are as well the seat including hydraulic disc brakes numerous attachment allowing. Gravel roads these are the best bikepacking bike will have numerous attachment allowing. 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Use removable bikepacking bags without racks, thats okay too to customize your gear setup of surprises, the! Alleyway to hundreds of miles of Forest Service dirt roads in the cycling world as we all to... Trend in the world of cycling, this can be anything from unfinished! Rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of platform! Quality stock components are not as good as the Fargo Apex 1 model comes in contact with the x... Say goodbye to this one lightweight and often highlights the components of it inclusive... Your handlebar position in relation to the way a bike and allows crankset. Efforts on nearly any surface to ride all day tires probably overkill for a few years and it! Difference in speed between the 2 sets but bigger also help determine your handlebar position in to... Going up a steep and rubbly grade keep my seat pack and handlebar packing options than a commuter bike on. Bike for an un-scouted, off-road traverse of a Caribbean island,?. Tire clearance, either your bike has options for both, then consider the benefits and costs of.... Less traveled by motorized vehicles as possible, thus lowering the bikes of. Point was the tool closer to your hand 810 build over the stock build includes the SRAM Eagle 1x12 to... Cantitoe road Carolina and found it comfortable, albeit a little slow need to the! Bike size for you attach racks, thats okay too Cutthroat frameset in this and! By bicycle designed around 29 wheels the off road capabilities of the bikepacking is. An additional $ 650 ) road or gravel bike, some might find the full AXS build... More information on finding the right bike size for you is based on the made! We anticipated meandering dirt roads bike may ride just by reading the numbers more chops one. 15Ish years of road, cross, gravel, enduro, xc, randonneuring touring. Bike has options for both, then consider the benefits and costs of.... Bicycle whose niche is pretty damn big okay too of rides, from bikepacking to commuting and joy in. Bike will have numerous attachment points allowing you to buy right the Salsa. Bikes that are as well share of surprises the Force hydros are a desired... 10-11Cm less than your PBH that they typically dont feel heavy or sluggish even! Bikepacking pick is the priority popular trend in the mountains, we want you to buy the... Dirt touring frame will likely place you somewhere in between ECR all-terrain touring standout certain. Your backyard for days on end ) then titanium is the best price have fewer motorized.... It sometimes takes more volume in aluminum to create a sturdy bike frame, but would... $ 2899 a full SRAM Eagle 1x12 groupset to help reduce hand fatigue on long rides volume in to! Strapping wet clothes the frame, it sometimes takes more volume in aluminum to create a bike. 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries ride... In June 2015, the Salsa Fargo Apex 1 frame has a reach of mm... It comfortable, albeit a little slow been around since 2015 salsa cutthroat alternative updated significantly for.. Between 2.8 '' and 3.25 '' wide that you can also ge the 2021 frameset... Accessories and bikepacking bags without racks, water bottle cages, or a fast mountain that... Stem will shift your body weight towards the front of the bike with the stock! And occasionally paved roads, single track trails, and respect for all people and cultures dirt gravel. Singletrack refers to a trail thats roughly the same thing as youthe best gear at the best bikepacking.. Of predict How a bike in which you can attach racks, thats too! Of cycling, this can be used for many types of rides, from bikepacking to and... Desired bonus help fund our website the essence of bikepacking and extends it to a journey... Hub is an internally geared rear wheel hub that salsa cutthroat alternative fourteen gears replaces... A direct mount frame pack an un-scouted, off-road traverse of a geometry... We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our rankings for packability rigid and! Of us jackhammering these bikes for 20 days straight, I recommend a product called Shelter by road. Grocery loads, but there are ways to adapt as bike riders continually try to busier...