A dream bikepacking bike
This is the bikepacking bike I’ve been dreaming of for a few years now.
It all started with determining the max tire size I wanted to use. In this case, I chose 29×2.8 (71×622) tires, which offer enough float over loose and chunky terrain without feeling like total pigs. Since trails in the winter up here can be awfully muddy, the bike is initially set up with a pair of 2.6″-wide Maxxis Rekons for extra clearance.
On the front end, I wanted the option to run a rigid fork or a 100mm suspension fork. That way I can adapt the bike to different trips. I chose the Enve Mountain Fork for its tire clearance, high build quality, and it’s mid-fork mounting options.
To maximize the bike’s carrying capacity, I included mounting points for a full frame bag and large top tube bag. Rockgeist knocked it out of the park with a custom set of bolt-on bags. I also made sure to add mounting points for a rear rack. All travel bikes should be able to easily run a rear rack in case you need panniers for extra storage.
For components, I went with the solid and popular 12-speed Sram Eagle drivetrain. The 10-50t cassette combined with a 30t chainring offers a great gear range for loaded, off-road exploring. The White Industries MR30 crankset and bottom bracket are bombproof and beautiful.
It was actually the silver White crankset with its brass self-extracting ring that helped me determine the overall look of the bike. I installed a brass head tube badge and asked the painter to match the brass color with the Manzanita graphics. I chose a dark blue for the paint color to allow the silver components to stand out.
The rest of the silver bits include the Velocity Blunt rims, White Industries hubs, Thomson seatpost and stem, and the Soma Dream Bar. All of these parts should be reliable while still looking great.
For helping the bike stop, I chose the excellent Shimano SLX BR-M7100 brakes combined with 180mm rotors. I know a lot of bikepackers shy away from hydraulic brakes because they aren’t technically field serviceable. But I’ve found Shimano hydros to be perfectly reliable. If I were to venture out on a long trip, I’d consider switching to cable-operated disc brakes, but for the shortish trips I foresee riding, I’ll stick with the superior feel of the Shimano hydros.
This is my idea of a great bikepacking bike. The design gives it some adaptability to different terrain while remaining focused on providing comfort and smart gear storage solutions.
What does your ideal bikepacking bike look like? Let me know if you want to work together to make it happen!