well, my ctr training schedule just got shortened-- broke my left arm in 4 places yesterday taking a fall on my road bike. 4-6 weeks of rest and ill be ok as long as I dont end up needing surgery. Sneezing is dangerous business on bumpy trails with a road bike! Oh well, could've been worse. If this had happened in july I'd be a lot more upset

Ah, forgot to mention CDT from Monarch over to Cottonwood, rather than CT, through there.

Most CDT hikers run an alternate that bags Elbert on the way, so, why not?  Eszter... you in for that???

Do it! I wish the CTR would add Mt Elbert as well. Seems perfectly in line with the mission of the race.

I had just bought the Ley maps and was starting to map this out as well, but, sounds like you're going to do a way better job than I! I would definitely be in for the race next year depending on dates. Really excited to see what you guys put together.

Go WIDE carbon for the rims! I recommend either Light Bicycle or Derby china carbon rims if on a budget, but if you're really a doctor, you can probably afford to go with ENVE I have sets of each and they are awesome. The 27.5" Derby rims are 40mm wide and they feel indestructible.

Glad this thread got bumped. So stoked to ride the CT this summer. It's haunting my dreams.

Great job everyone! wish I couldve been there this year.

Marshal-- how did you attach the sinewave to anything-- mine came with two exposed cable ends that I have no idea what to do with. My dynamo lights from klite came with a rectangular plug that slides right into the SP PD-8x out of the box, seems like this one should have one too so I am at a loss for how to get this thing to work :/

Wow. I wish I had time off then-- sounds incredible! I dont have the book handy (just ordered it), how much of this ride is on asphalt roads, dirt roads, or singletrack?

Looks like Scott/Porcelain Rocket's work. Maybe a Sally Ride?

Curiak's bag. Not sure who makes it. Nice Dyneema X Gridstop fabric on the side panels. Notice how he left the velcro seat post attachment open- to allow full drop is my guess.

Fred bars have arrived! They look great-- thanks so much to Siren for doing another run of these, and for giving first preference for TD racers!

The new trent batteries are awesome, I have been using them for traveling for a few years now and they are reliable. You can get them in the 1200mAh range that weigh around 8-10oz.

The tent has been sold.
Thanks

Sweet seatbag Steve-- excellent use of space. Love how it hugs the seatpost all the way below its insertion into the seat tube. Did you make that yourself?

In terms of the smallest, lightest, fastest charging 4xAA USB charger-- what is everyone using? I have a modified Kemo USB interface from K lite and need to find a good AA charger to use with it. Was debating something like the eneloop charger but was hoping I could get something smaller. I just need the device to charge AAs, not something to use AAs to charge something else like a phone, I have that covered with the kemo

Also, I know dynamo hubs do well on terrain like the tour divide, but I was debating throwing one on my CTR/AZTR bike as well. How many people have really tested dynamo hubs in the trail riding environment? Holding up just fine? I have an SP PD-8x for reference

Im liking the hyperflow as well, reliability has been better in recent years than when they first came out. Just be careful and if the pressure builds up too much backflush instead of muscling out another few liters and maybe damaging it. I also carry aquamira in case its a really suspicious water source (since filters dont take care of viruses), or as a backup if the pump breaks. Even when I go fast and light, clear, fresh tasting water is an absolute must for me. I hate just dunking my bottle into sludgy water even when filtered through a bandana or something

I just picked up the new Pearl Izumi X-alp Launch and love them. I had to go up 1/2 size from my usual size (I am a 10.5 and ordered a 45) but so far so good. The big toe box is ideal for me since my feet tend to swell on long bikepacking trips. I love clipless pedals on my road bike, but am still on the fence if I like them on my trail bike, but it's not the shoes fault. I have taken these shoes on pure hiking trips just to break them in and simulate CTR type hiking and they do a great job with it. They are relatively flexible but don't give me any hot spots on the bottom of my feet from the cleat so that's good enough for me

Anyone using a dropper post with a fully loaded seat bag? Which one do you use and are there any issues with it raising back up to height with the weight of a seatbag pulling it down? I think a dropper could be super convenient for bikepacking as long as you have enough rear clearance to make use of it

Great idea on the nalgene bag from Bedrock. Much better solution than a two fish quick cage, that will hold more water, more securely. I just emailed bedrock for one.

Also made my decision on bike and ordered up a 27.5 Turner Flux w/ 120mm SID, Derby carbon rims, and XX1 setup. Think it will be my perfect quiver of one. This might sound crazy, but I really wanted a carbon frame (Czar) for 'psychological lightning protection'. The overall geometry of the flux won out for me in the end though. Im a total lightning weenie and anything I can do to decrease the amount of conductive metal on my person while traveling high in the mountains is a good thing for my psyche. Maybe I am the only one who thinks that a carbon frame might even slightly protect them from lightning though

The Turner Czar looks like a great FS design to build a bikepacker out of.

The Turner Flux is the one that really has my attention right now. 27.5 is right in my sweet spot for wheels, and not having to worry about cable/pack rubbing on a bikepacker is pretty convenient. Not insanely expensive either to get a <25 pound build either which is awesome for an aluminum 120mm travel frame. Im just debating if 2.25 (the max wheel diameter) is enough width for me. It's a shame there isn't just a tad more clearance on these new frame.

Yes sir! Let me know if you're interested

Thats a good idea yogi. Im getting new Porcelain Rocket bags built up for this so I think I will do the 2 compartment thing and maybe get him to stiffen up the sidepanels as well