Mountain Bikes
29er, 27.5 and Plus size. See what MTB’s we love for adventuring on single track to the backcountry.
Gravel Bikes
The most versatile bike going , the gravel bike is great on pavement and off. Check out our favourite rides for all-road
Touring Bikes
A proper touring bike can haul it all. Here’s what we recommend for the pedaling the long haul by bike.
How to choose the Best Bikepacking Bike
When it comes to choosing a bikepacking bike it is easy to become caught up in the details. We tend to over analyze our options. As bikepackers, we embrace only relying on the essentials. So why do we forget this when it comes to choosing a new ride.
It’s ironic that something so simple like a bicycle can at the same time be so complex. There are so many different options out there for us. This is why we over analyze our choices. With so much to consider, we have too.
Alas, diving in to the fine details and making the right choice can be fun. It’s exciting to find that new steed. This guide can help. We will break down the vital specifics of various bikes. And we will explain the benefits and drawbacks. So let’s get into it and find a ride.
The Essentials
There are only two basic things that we need in a bike to go bikepacking. Those are a bicycle that is reliable and one that is capable of handling your journey. So long as our bike is able to tackle the miles ahead and the terrain, adventure by bike is within your grasp.
Bicycle Reliability
Reliability should be obvious. Anyone who has gone on long rides knows there is nothing worse than having a mechanical failure. Breakdowns aren’t always avoidable. But, a reliable well built bicycle can reduce those unwanted situations.
Bicycle Capability
A road bike is fast and efficient on pavement. A mountain bike will also work on the road, only not as well. The first question we ask to start us on our journey of choosing that new bike is, where do you want your bike to take you?
Pushing is another unpleasant aspect of bikepacking. Like a mechanical failure, it will happen from time to time. Yet having a bike capable of the terrain ahead can help mitigate the need to push.
Once we figure out if we are going from town to town or off into the backcountry. It becomes quite clear where our selection needs to begin.
Start with a Tire Size
Now that we have determined where we want to go, how do we choose a bike?
Most cyclists will start by choosing a frame. The best piece of advice we can offer is, start by choosing a tire size and wheel. The tire will often be the limiting factor on any bicycle. Picking a frame based on your preferred tire and wheel options, will make life much easier. Do the places you want to explore have paved roads, gravel roads or trails?
In today’s arena there are so many great bicycle frames that allow a variety of tire sizes. For example Salsa Cycles and Surly bikes have several versatile frame options. Frames that accommodate pavement or off road tires. This way we get versatility and have the best of both worlds.
On Road
Road bikes today use 700c and 650c wheel sizes. And with gravel specific bikes growing in popularity so do our options. In the past you’d be lucky to fit a 30c wide tire on a road bike. But today there are road style bikes that can accommodate tires as fat as 2 inches. As adventurers, versatility is our friend. We recommend 33c to 42c wide tires for bikepacking. A nice fat slick tire this size will handle pavement, gravel and dirt roads well. Also the wider rubber reduces road buzz creating less fatigue on long trips.
Off Road
Taking the road less travelled and turning onto the trails? Now we need to consider getting fat. Mountain bike tires are available in 27.5 and 29 inch diameters. From there we recommend starting with a 2.2 inch tire. This is a very standard size for mountain bikes. If you’re looking for more traction than this for very rough, sandy or winter conditions? Then there are plus size tires available. Ranging from 2.8 inches all the way up to 5 inches in some cases. Though the extra grip and give in plus tires is nice they do roll slower so give this some consideration.
Now that we have considered what wheel size and tire width is best, our selection becomes more clear.
What About Bike Frame Geometry
Next, preferred body position and again the terrain you wish to ride come into the equation. These factors will help us in picking the right bike geometry.
Road Bike Sitting Position
If your preferred exploration lies on roads or faster hardpack trails. Then a more aggressive aerodynamic sitting position is what you’ll need. Geometry that uses dropbars will lower your shoulders and reduce wind resistance. With weight on the front wheel, this road type of seating is efficient on fast terrain. Steeper head tube angles offer better steering at high speed. And a longer wheelbase gives better tracking and stability. This is great for peddling over long distances that don’t have tight turns.
Mountain Bike Sitting Position
Finding yourself to venture more on technical single track trails? These adventures are better suited to a frame that provides more control and agility. Sitting more upright and using flat bars or at least flared drops can do this. This position puts more weight toward the centre of the bicycle. Sitting up gives the rider confidence and control during technical descents. A slacker head tube angle will also assist in better downhill control. This in combination with shorter chainstays provide better cornering in tight turns. Geometry like this is great for the rough stuff.
Frame Material
Generally there are four bike frame materials to consider when choosing a bike. Aluminum, Steel (CrMo), Carbon Fibre and Titanium.
Steel and Titanium
These materials have the most flex over the alternatives. A bike frame that flexes is more comfortable. Absorbing road buzz and other vibrations, these frames are less fatiguing. Though steel is a less expensive material it is also heavy and can corrode. Titanium frames are light weight and flex well but they are expensive. Steel frames are also easy to repair. Titanium is a difficult material to work with and repairs need a certain expertise. Steel and Titanium are great for long bikepacking trips.
Carbon Fibre
Carbon Fibre frames are stiffer than steel frames and more flexible than aluminum. Engineered to be stiff in some sections of the frame, while more flexible in others. Bike manufactures can fine tune the ride of a carbon frame in the material itself. Carbon fibre frames are very lightweight and strong. Though not always lighter than titanium, carbon frames are often cheaper. Carbon frames don’t corrode. The downside to carbon is the cost. Carbon frames are more expensive than steel or aluminum. Carbon fibre frames perform very well. As a best of both worlds frame material carbon fibre bike frames are good value.
Aluminum
Aluminum is the least expensive frame material. It is lighter than steel and very rigid. The cost to weight and rigidity of aluminum make it the most popular bike frame available. Though a rigid frame is great for peddling it doesn’t offer the most comfortable ride. Like steel, aluminum can corrode. Aluminum is a good frame option for a bikepacker with a budget.
Wrap It Up Already
When we recommend a good bike for bikepacking. We always consider these fundamentals first. Yes, there are things like wheels, components and braze-ons to also think about. But when we make a decision based on our guide, it gives us a solid foundation. By deciding on tire size, geometry and frame material first we have that foundation for an ideal bike. Having the right foundation means better adventures and more fun. Now get out there and bike to nature.