Well, here goes.....I know you're all gonna tell me it's not a good bike for bikepacking.....But it is a good bike for everything else I do and I only want one bike.....

Santa Cruz Tallboy....BB height 12.8"   Fairly light and from tons of reviews it climbs like a billy goat...

My last bike was stolen so I'm starting over from scratch with bike and parts.

If I can find a good deal on an XTR 970 triple crankset I will get it and ditch the big ring for a bash.  If I'm not happy with the 22t for a granny I will get the 20t.

Since I have to buy a cassette anyhow would it be smart to go ahead and get the complete cassette in TI from action tec instead  of spending almost as much money on an xtr cassette and then buying the single 36t cog???

After a bunch more research today it does seem easiest to go with the XTR 2 x 10 setup.... 11/36 rear from the factory....Front trail version is 26/38 so I I will need to either change both rings or find out what the smallest ring I can go down to and still have good shifting with the 38 is....Action Tec makes the whatever rings I need so I should be good to go!!

Has anyone used something like this to protect their rings or do you have much trouble out west??  http://www.mountainracingproducts.com/mrp/xcg/

Lets say I have the new XTR M980 2 x 10 trail crankset with 26 - 38 rings.....Could I just change the 26 ring to whatever smaller Action Tec ring I wanted and leave the original 38 ring???  Would they work well together or should I change both rings out??  Sorry for the questions but I get more and more confused about this when I read the 8 page threads on the subject...

Thanks for the great info!!  I'm planning on building up my wheel with DT Swiss 240 hubs so I will need to do some rearching about putting the cogs on that hub.... I agree that if I'm used to riding without the big ring up front I might not miss it!!

Hello,

I'm switching to a 29er and have a few questions..

I'm planning on the Cococino 250 this year and the ATR 300 and CTR 500 next year..

I've been doing tons of research and have pretty much decided that I want to stick with my good old 3 x 9 XTR drivetrain..

I'm thinking that I will want all the gears I can get due to the widely varying terrain along these routes...I would hate not having my low gears for grueling climbs and would miss my big gears in some sections..

What are your thoughts???

Hello,
Wondering if anyone would recommend using the easton EC90 XC carbon or easton Haven Carbon wheels for bikepacking??  SC Tallboy for my ride....I know it's not the best bike for bikepacking but it's my one bike for everything and I'm looking to lose the weight without losing the durability..