The standover height is measured from the center of the top tube to the ground. For the price and durability factor, we don’t recommend getting a carbon frame as your first bikepacking bike. Gravel bikes are similar to typical road bikes with rigid frames and drop bars for more hand position options. The stock fork is also a lightweight but sturdy carbon fork that is peppered with mounting points for racks, bottles, and anything cages. She has a Straggler, which is great for paved + some dirt. We are getting into much more remote riding + touring, and want to get into bikepacking. The stock build alone is excellent for immediately hitting a trail such as The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. The most comfortable bike frame is the one that fits. Photo by Graham Hodge. The Bridge Club rolls on plump 27.5 x 2.4-inch WTB Riddler tires for a blend of low rolling resistance on smooth pavement and confident handling on forest trails. But fear not, we don't allow our judgment to be influenced by these arrangements! [–]chillypillow2 2 points3 points4 points 1 year ago (1 child). What's your intention with the bike - commuting, fitness, touring, sport, etc? I ride from VA into DC every work day and the trails, while plentiful, are very packed and in some areas really bumping. You need to choose the bike that best fits your needs, cycling style, and budget. Regardless of the condition, singletrack trails are sure to be a fun route into the backcountry. Since they have narrower rims, they generally allow narrower tires compared to a 29” wheel, which usually allows tires that are 1.8 inches wide all the way to 3”. The G-Ones roll so damn good. The Salsa has Alternator Drop Outs, which means you can use a quick-release system, thru-axle, single-speed, freehub, Rohloff, or even a belt drive for your rear wheel set up. Photo by Pepper Cook. 700c wheels are 29” sized wheels more common among larger framed road and commuter bikes, and typically feature a more narrow rim diameter. It is also compatible with a Rohloff hub (see the Glossary for more on Rohloff hubs). Remember, though, when bikepacking, you are riding your bike on rougher roads and even trails. Photo by Naomi Hudetz. © 2021 reddit inc. All rights reserved. The Surly ECR has a CroMoly steel frame and all the “barnacles” (mounting points) you could ever need to customize your bikepacking setup. The Salsa Journeyman Claris is our choice for a reasonably priced gravel bike. 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). Whatever it means, the ECR is a great rig. Treeline Review editor Naomi Hudetz bikepacking near Mt. The Surly Karate Monkey is designed to handle technical mountain biking trails as well as be loaded with all your bikepacking gear. The Surly Bridge Club also comes in a more pavement-oriented build kit (700c) for $100 less that would be a great city commuter bike with the ability to take on dirt tracks when needed. You can start learning about a bike’s stack, or the vertical distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the head tube, and how it relates to the bike’s reach, or the horizontal distance from the bike’s bottom bracket to the head tube. The Salsa Timberjack is the best singletrack mountain be found within the budget. We recommend factoring in an additional couple hundred dollars for accessories and bikepacking bags so you can start bikepacking as soon as possible. Photo by Graham Hodge. If you want nitty gritty details head over to surlybikes.com. I just got a 29+ wheelset for my fatbike, so I'll be able to run 2.2-3.0 tires, so now I can ride anywhere I want to with appropriately sized tires. You may find yourself wondering if you should run 27.5” or 29” tires on your bikepacking bike. Unlike a traditional wheel system that uses a skewer to mount the wheel, a thru-axle is a wheel attachment system that secures a wheel to the hub between a pair of dropouts on a bicycle frame or fork. If your bike has options for both, then consider the benefits and costs of each. 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. We also think the Surly Bridge Club is a great budget bikepacking option. Photo by Graham Hodge. It's somewhat entry level, like the Salsa Journeyman, but entry level for people who have a little experience, know what they want from a bike and know what they don't really need from a bike. We may make a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. What We Look For in a Bikepacking Bike→. Complete builds with these frames typically hover around 30 lbs. Available in a huge number of configurations in both 700c and 650b wheel sizes (and lots of flat or dropbar builds), the Journeyman family starts at $950 for Shimano Claris and climbs to $1,500 wearing SRAM … Between all the wheel/component/bar variants of the Journeyman there is probably something that stacks up well and might even come in at a lower price point. The Surly Bridge Club is one of my favourite flat bar bikes. In addition, the stock components are not as good as the Fargo Apex’s stock set. Your PBH determines your stand over clearance, which is how much room you have in relation to how tall the bike is when standing over it. It is designed to seamlessly transition between dirt, gravel, or paved city streets. We finish it with a Shimano Claris drivetrain and 700c x 37mm wheels/tires for a fast and efficient ride for every adventure. Surly’s newest touring bike is named after that card game your grandma plays, but don’t let the name fool ya, this is a touring bike meant to take on just about anything. The Troll, and Ogre are great bikes that tend to lean a little more toward the trail bike side with regards to handling. It’s an excellent alternative to the Salsa Fargo and an incredible deal for what you get for the money. 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. I bought a Bridge Club a few month ago thinking I would use it mainly for off-road/gravel/adventure riding. for more information on frame options). If you are interested in how your bike might perform while climbing, you should look into its seat tube angle, bottom bracket, chainstay, and overall wheelbase. A longer stem will shift your body weight towards the front of the bike and allows for a better pedaling position. The Salsa Timberjack 27.5 Deore can handle technical singletrack and is budget-friendly. The small Salsa Fargo Apex 1 frame has a reach of 364 mm, while the medium frame has a reach of 368 mm. Fully packed bikebags. The Surly Karate Monkey, with its optional suspension fork, is our singletrack bikepacking pick. Surly Bridge Club 27.5 Bike Grandmas Lipstick Red $ 2,600.00; Out of stock Mone El Continente Small Apex Hydro $ 5,400.00; Out of stock Salsa Cutthroat Apex1 2020; Surly Ogre Bike 1×10 Cold Slate Blue $ 2,950.00; Surly ECR 27.5+ Tank Green $ 3,750.00 Photo by Graham Hodge. Your location (even approximate) can help other locals familiar with your conditions, too. Titanium is not always stronger than steel. Bike theft is a huge problem. Copyright © 2018-2021 Treeline Review LLC. A bikepacking bike can handle rougher conditions than a commuter bike. The Surly Ogre is a classic, go-to 29er for bikepacking, grocery-getting, or whatever makes your heart sing. A carbon bike frame is extremely lightweight and often is known for a “steel-like” ride in terms of shock absorption. At which point was the tool closer to your hand? Mounting options are also referred to as bosses, braze-ons, or barnacles. Surly Bridge Club « on: May 20, 2018, 06:03:18 AM » Anyone ride one of these yet? Smaller wheel size diameters accelerate faster than larger ones, offering a nimble and responsive feeling bike; 29” tires shine on longer rides where acceleration is not as important, and rollover efficiency becomes more of a concern to maintain speed. Rohloff Hubs, on average, run about $1,600. 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. I can now zip around gawking tourists near the airport or mall, but also handle the roots creating mountain ranges in the trail constantly. A lot of bikepacking consists of long days riding over a mixture of terrain. There are many great options, but we believe the Salsa Fargo Apex 1’s versatility, stock build, and price make it the best choice for folks looking for a gravel-specific bike. Treeline editor Mike Unger on the Klickitat River Trail. It can also be difficult to find someone that’s able to repair a damaged titanium frame bike, whereas steel is often easier to repair. Photo by Graham Hodge. Surly Bridge Club or..... Close. The Best Touring Bike Trek 520. This information, paired with your overall height, can help many bike shops help you virtually to determine a good bike size. Yes sir, $1,200 complete build, not had at all, kind of a full steel Salsa Journeyman flatbar. 2. While my operation is small, it has allowed me to work with multiple styles and brands of bikes. The Journeyman Claris comes in two types that Salsa describes as: the fast and efficient (700 c) or comfortable (650). 26-inch is often touted as being the best for developing countries, but from my experience in Latin America over the last few years, 27.5″ and 29″ are definitely the most common sizes as they’re readily found on entry-level mountain bikes. Many first time bikepackers may appreciate the comfort of the 650, but the 700 is often easier to find. Photo courtesy Graham Hodge. Simply put, the Midnight Special is a road bike, but a road bike that can do more. Do you want a single bike to do a bit of everything? I swapped out the stock tires for Schwalbe 2.8 G-One All Around tires (tubeless) and replaced the handlebars with Surly Open Bars with some strategically placed bar-ends, acting as bullhorns. Some bikes are sold completely built with better components than others. I currently have a Soma B side v3 with a Salsa Firestarter fork. -Ron Sorta want one myself, but it's just too close to my beargrease to justify for myself. Essentially, it’s where your rear wheel goes. Photo by Naomi Hudetz. I believe for bikepacking that a combination of a shorter stem with wider bars is the better option for stability, control, and comfort. A cassette is the cluster of sprockets located on the rear hub of your bike, slotting onto a freehub body and held firmly in place with a threaded cassette lockring. We researched and tested bikepacking bicycles for muddy dirt tracks, fast-rolling gravel roads, and occasional technical singletrack. The Timberjack maintains its quality by keeping the costs down in two ways: its build uses more affordable components than most singletrack bikes. Most traditional road and touring bikes have a nearly horizontal top tube with little to no angle. We’re not saying to get the bike with the widest tire clearance, either. While it was a hard call between the Trek 520 and the Surly Disc Trucker (winner of our Customizable Pick), we chose the Trek because we think it is a better value as an entry-level … Salsa Journeyman Series. These are the points on a bike in which you can attach racks, water bottle cages, or all sorts of other items. Photo courtesy Graham Hodge. Go. It rides well even while being loaded up with bikepacking bags. You could, of course, ride singletrack trails on a gravel bike and ride a mountain bike all day on gravel roads, but the appropriate bike would be more comfortable and fun. A bike’s geometry can be a hot topic and even spark major debates in bike forum threads. The weight savings may be worth it for a few folks. This means that a steel frame can sometimes be lighter than a titanium one. It can be well-groomed or full of rocks and roots. Aluminum is not always lighter than steel, either. You can also run up to a 2.8-inch wide tire for more flotation, or swap-in a 700c wheel and tire combo if your route includes a lot of on-road riding. Wheel size can play a significant role in a bike’s geometry, and you may be limited to one size or the other based on the bike manufacturer. Photo by Naomi Hudetz. For reference, before the BC, I own a classically spec'ed steel-framed touring bike and a Brompton. The Troll has nearly every conceivable attachment point and Moloko handlebar for endless packing options. I also found that the Timberjack truly shined on the single-track sections of routes like the Trans North Georgia Route. You may find yourself at the conclusion that 2.4” tires are not that slow for how much comfort they may add to your ride, but your bike can only run 2” tires, and now you're stuck wondering how those 2.4” would feel. I had no idea. Thank you for supporting us! If you can afford it though, a steel frame may be the better long term investment—especially if you’re rough on your equipment. Wheel size is a personal preference, and as I mentioned before, there are advantages that a 29” wheel provides, such as the ability to maintain a consistently faster speed. A dirt tour will likely involve piecing together rides on country dirt roads, gravel fire lanes, and gnarly trails. 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. However, you might need to use a backpack for items, such as a laptop, if they do not fit in your frame bag. All Road Touring Bike for Any Destination Bridge Club is for those multi-surface outings — planned or unplanned. 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. We researched 12+ of the best hiking and backpacking socks including mid-weight, lightweight, ultra-light, budget, blister-prevention, and non-wool picks. Surly's Troll was once a simple mountain bike frame with a few extras that made it nice for touring. Beyond fitting huge tires, what makes it unique among the expanding options in this category is that its geometry is derived from a road bike rather than the ‘cross bikes that most “Road Plus” … Photo courtesy Graham Hodge. An equipment failure days from town could be catastrophic. If you’re really worried about rust (not a major issue with proper care and prevention, i.e. Thru-axles are more common on mountain bikes. Think of a tool you need to reach on a counter high workbench. This is a lot more expensive, but the All City Gorilla Monsoon is really nice, and is also a QBP brand. Surly will not say what “ECR” stands for. There is no additional cost to you and the decision to buy something is up to you. Salsa is a QBP brand right? I think the Fargo could be in the same class of bikes. The Journeyman Claris 650 runs 27.5” tires and has all the attachment points you need to customize your bikepacking setup. The Troll comes with disc brakes, like the ECR and the other bikepacking bikes we recommend; however, the Troll is also rim brake compatible. You are on an aluminum frame as opposed to the steel Surly. The Salsa Fargo Apex 1 is the best bikepacking bike for gravel riding. We analyzed over a dozen professional reviews and used our own experience to find the best touring bike for 2020. Help me choose. Over the years, weaker versions of titanium have entered the market, and they are not always up to the standards of space exploration as the original titanium once was. [–]GravelWarlock[S] 1 point2 points3 points 1 year ago (0 children). The Troll has evolved into a frame that has been pushed deeper into the category of off-road touring. See our guide to the best road and commuter bike helmets, including helmets from Bell, Smith, Scott, Bontrager, Specialized, Bern, Lazer, and more. The frame’s geometry is often designed to have you leaning over a bit more and may feature a more horizontal top tube. 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. All that being said, there are a few companies making more durable carbon frames specifically for bikepacking. Because of this, gravel bike options can be overwhelming. PBH also is a factor to consider when choosing which style of bikepacking bike you’re interested in. Gravel bikes have sort of a medium angle, somewhere between road and mountain bikes. Riding conditions: roads, pavement, trails, single-track, off-road? The cassette is a cluster of sprockets. When you’re riding rougher gravel roads and singletrack, you may find yourself coming off the pedals more. I'm on the taller size, and trying to find a 59.5cm, seems to be out of the question... One shop did suggest the Surly Bridge Club… Other bicycle related stories you may like... Gear Reviews, Hiking, Thru-Hiking & Backpacking, Apparel and Footwear, Apparel, backpacking, Footwear, hiking shoes, hiking boots, trail running shoes, popular, backpacking, camping, footwear, apparel, hiking, camping-related, water sports, PFD, lifejacket, personal floatation device, life jacket, whitewater rafting, kayaking, packrafting, fishing, safety equipment, popular, life jackets, NRS, Stohlquist, Astral, Josette, The Best Women's Mountain Bike Shorts for 2021, The Best Touring Bikes 2020 (they make great commuter bikes, too! Surly offers 26″ wheels in the smaller sized bikes – that’s 42cm right up to 56cm. You may notice that most mountain bike geometries have a more exaggerated top tube angle to help create a buffer area for quick dismounts. Modern mountain bikes often feature a 1x11, 1x12, 2x9 or 2x10 drivetrain (i.e., one gear at the pedals and 11 sprockets in the form of a cassette attached to your rear wheel). The fatter the tire, the more comfortable the ride. If you consider yourself more of a casual rider, you may want your bars even higher. https://salsacycles.com/bikes/journeyman_650b/2019_journeyman_flat_bar_sora_650, [–]GravelWarlock[S] 0 points1 point2 points 1 year ago (0 children), Wowza! A bit about yourself: height, weight, and level of fitness can all help people understand your needs better. Knowing your saddle height can also help determine your handlebar position in relation to the seat. By definition, they are between 2.8" and 3.25" wide. Sweet setup! The Surly ECR and Surly Krampus at camp. The Surly Bridge Club is a versatile, reliable, and affordable rig that meets budget bikepacking bikes. They are not as ideal for bikepacking, though. Gravel riding is becoming a very popular trend in the cycling world as we all attempt to ride routes that have fewer motorized vehicles. While there are a lot of numbers and a bike’s geometry can help with decision making, just riding a bike will likely be the best way to determine whether a bike will feel right to you. If you look at what modern mountain bikers, dirt bikers, and even old road cyclists are riding, you’ll see wide bars with a short stem. Despite those two factors that make the bike more affordable, the geometry and overall bike make for a comfortable mountain bike that is more than capable of handling rooty single track trails than other bikes in its price range (or even more expensive bikes). It may just raise the bars to the height you're looking for while keeping them closer to your saddle than you may think. Right! We designed the Bridge Club to be a good off-road touring rig but kept in mind that someone may want to throw 700c wheels/tires and panniers on and knock out a classic road tour, this is totally possible with the Bridge Club. But I did make some changes. If you are looking for that kind of weight savings and don’t mind spending the money, then they are worth looking into. Bike shops and law enforcement can use the database to find and return stolen bikes. It is rugged, reliable, and excellent on muddy dirt tracks, fast-rolling gravel roads, and the occasional technical singletrack. We explain the differences between hitch racks, roof racks, and swingaway racks and suggest the best for your needs based on our criteria and testing. The thickness of tubing needed to build a sturdy titanium bike factors into its weight. At 156cm, this was the obvious choice for me. Thanks for the detailed review. If you are interested in a singletrack mountain bike and the Surly Karate Monkey is a little spendy for you, the Salsa Timberjack 27.5 Deore is an excellent, budget-friendly option. You may even consider paying for a custom bike-fitting. Adams, WA. Brand: Surly, Product: Bridge Club 27.5 1x Bridge Club is a highly versatile touring bike that perfectly hits the sweet spot spanning on- and off-road excursions. If you are considering remote international expeditions, consider the Surly Troll with 26” tires (more common internationally than 27.5 or 29” tires) with rim brakes. It can accommodate up to 27.5 x 2.8” tires. We review Darn Tough, Smartwool, Farm to Feet, REI Co-op, Injinji, Point6, Wrightsock, Icebreaker, Stance, and more. We keep coming back to the Bridge Club, it would replace the straggler which has been used for on-road, and rail trail touring, as well as gravel grinders in the north east USA (Black Fly, D2R2, Farmers Daughter). It contains a spindle to which the crankset attaches and the bearings that allow the spindle and cranks to rotate. The Surly Troll has a lot in common with the Surly ECR. Some routes will have a higher percentage of rough riding than others. Let us help you choose the right bike to get you riding! If a bike is uncomfortable, you may be less likely to ride it. and join one of thousands of communities. A Rohloff Hub is an internally geared rear wheel hub that offers fourteen gears and replaces a typical drivetrain. You can get the model and size information. Gravel bike frames are designed for faster riding. Below are some common terms to help you navigate the world of bikepacking. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. ... Surly Bridge Club Series. I wanted more tire clearance, 650b for stability and disc brakes. We analyzed tough camera reviews to find the five best rugged cameras. That’s only a 4 mm difference, and many riders could choose either frame size. We think the Surly ECR is the best bikepacking bike for most. Surly claim it has absolutely nothing to do with smokey rooms and card games, but is named after the Minneapolis tradition of riding out with your mates and hanging out under a bridge to share an alcoholic drink or two… If any UK brands want to follow this naming convention, Cake Club is yet to appear on the top tube of any bike frame. The first big difference is that the Bridge Club is designed around 27.5 x 2.4” (584 BSD) wheels/tires. Surly’s New Bridge Club Touring Bike. The Surly wins on budget, but the AC is a bit sexier. If you don’t mind spending a significant amount more on your bike, titanium frames are both lightweight and durable. This is why focusing on stack and reach is important. In the world of cycling, this can be anything from an unfinished alleyway to hundreds of miles of Forest Service gravel roads. See more at Surly… The Salsa Journeyman Claris 650 is our budget gravel bikepacking pick. Why? April 2, 2018 . Bridge Club … On the other hand, a mountain bike’s frame geometry will have you sitting in a more upright position and will likely have a sloping top tube in case you need to dismount quickly. It’s also designed to pull a trailer or use a Rohloff hub. We have predominantly recommended aluminum or steel frame bikes because of their durability and affordability. This is often reflected in the price. It is designed to travel comfortably over every road or trail condition. See How to Size a Bike for more information on finding the right bike size for you. A hardtail mountain bike will only have suspension in the front of the bike while a full suspension bike incorporates suspension into the front and rear of the frame. Because a rigid fork consists of two non-moving metal supports, the manufacturer can add mount points to it without compromising the structural integrity of the fork. Nearly every bikepacking adventure will cover a variety of road and trail conditions. Treeline Review writer Mike Unger testing the Surly Krampus on the Klickitat River Trail, Washington. Therefore, most folks should look for a bikepacking bike versatile enough to handle different travel conditions. Archived. It is simply a ‘bike’. While titanium is certainly rad (it’s pretty much space metal after all), the frame alone costs an extra $1,800. Photo by Mike Unger. Suspension is used on bikes to soften the rider’s contact with rough terrain. The answer is, ultimately, yes. Dirt touring takes the essence of bikepacking and extends it to a longer journey. Your saddle height should be about 10-11cm less than your PBH. The Fargo is also a great pick because of its versatility. Although it has fewer attachment points than the ECR (nearly every bike has fewer attachment points than the ECR) it can easily be fitted with all the bags, racks, or panniers you need for bikepacking adventures or city commutes. The Karate Monkey has Surly’s rugged Chromoly steel frame. Front end suspension on a mountain bike. The Bridge Club rolls on plump 27.5 x 2.4-inch WTB Riddler tires for a blend of low rolling resistance on smooth pavement and confident handling on forest trails. The ECR is designed to comfortably and reliably carry all your gear and supplies over every type of terrain—dirt two-track, gravel, single track, or paved. Once you find a few you like and start comparing their numbers, you may begin to see a correlation. Plus-size tires are sized between a traditional mountain biking tire and a fat tire. According to Surly’s sizing guide, the XS Bridge Club is claimed to suit riders from 150–165cm tall. Taller riders may consider 29” tires while shorter riders may prefer 27.5” tires. When looking into a bike, you may want to pay attention to your bottom bracket height, especially when converting tire and wheel sizes. The ECR comes with a Moloko handlebar that allows for more hand placement and handlebar packing options than a standard straight handlebar. A well sized bike will feel more comfortable. If you want to tackle some rough bikepacking routes, such as the Oregon Timber Trail or the Colorado Trail, we would recommend a bike like the Karate Monkey. Are you primarily interested in gravel riding or singletrack? Photo by Whitney LaRuffa. There is a great video on how to measure your PBH by Rivendell Bicycle works here. The stock build features Salsa Woodchipper drop bars, a 1x11 drivetrain, and 29 x 2.2” tires. I’ve been working in the outdoor industry for the past eight years. international expedition bikepacking bike. I do like the Bridge Club. Reply. It was affordable and allowed me to get into bikepacking.

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