So just to clarify, a 29er is (roughly) 2.2"-2.6" and a 29+ is 2.6"-3.0"? Things sure have changed in the past 10 years since I bought my LHT haha.

I like the concept of additional grip from a fatter tire at lower PSI (even at the expense of additional rotating mass), but I think you are right that since I am mostly dealing with rocks and not sand, the added float probably isn't 100% necessary. It seems like I'd be paying a premium for the 29+ FS over a 29er FS just because they are new to the market.

RE backpack, when riding I typically go 3L Camelback, "shit kit" (AKA trowel/tp/etc), emergency gear (lighter, knife, bivy, paracord, SPOT), and ghost whisperer down jacket.

Thanks for the reply!

I find it interesting that liters are not commonly used to describe how much gear one has (especially when drysacks do all the measuring work for you), but I guess that explains why I was having such difficulty finding volume measurements when looking over gear lists?

RE fatbike, I find that with no other suspension, the undamped rebound of the fat tires felt a bit offputting from my few test rides. I'm sure it's something I could get used to, but coming from the dirt bike enduro would, full suspension feels much more natural to me.  

I did some googling and I found a company called Old Man Mountain (OMM) who make a line of front and rear racks called the Sherpa that supposedly work with FS bikes due to their unique mount points. I'm going to do more research, but maybe someone here has experience with them? Also, I was thinking along the same lines as you that a single drybag (or bear canister) on top of the rear rack would be a better solution than low hanging panniers.

Also here is an example of one of my favorite local trails that I would love to be able to ride with a pedal bike (and why I was initially drawn to something with FS). Unfortunately I have to turn around with the Surly LHT far before this point.




Unlike what I would guess is the majority of bikepackers, after muscling a 400lb loaded dirt bike around, an extra few pounds here or there is more or less irrelevant to me - as long as my frame stays in one piece I am perfectly happy averaging 4mph. If I can get the rack situation to work, I'm guessing my type of riding will be best suited by one of the newer 29+ FS  bikes (for reference I'm 6'1" athletic build):
http://dirtragmag.com/first-impression-lenz-sport-behemoth-29plus/
http://www.bikepacking.com/news/2018-salsa-deadwood/
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/full-stache/full-stache-8/p/22688/?colorCode=greendark_greenvisibility

Interested in trying out bikepacking and looking for recommendations:

I currently ride a 2008 Surly LHT with Smart Sam half knobbies and and an ebay seat post suspension that works quite well on mild offroad, but I'm tired of racking my junk when things get gnarlier.

I've never had anything but a hard steel frame, however after trying my mother's (comically small) Trek Carbon Lush I'm now sold on full suspension.

From my limited research, it looks like +/- 40L is the realistic combined maximum storage volume with a bikepacking setup using a handlebar bag, triangle bag, and seat bag. Unfortunately this is not sufficient volume for where I live (high Sierras - it snowed a few weeks ago in July), so need to explore what my options are.

- Is it possible to mount a front or rear rack on a full suspension bike? I understand there is likely to be interference with a traditional style mount, but has anyone overcome this? If so, what full suspension bikes come with rack mount points?

- Besides carrying a backpack, are there any not annoying ways to get beyond 40L without using racks?

- I'd like to keep my LHT as it is, but could it be that my best bet just to swap handlebars and put some genetic material in the fridge if I ever want to have kids?

I say this with reservation, but price is not my number 1 concern.... If it costs $5,000 to make what I want work, than that's acceptable.

Respectfully, I'm not interested in hearing "pack less" as a solution - I've spent many days on the PCT and know exactly what I need to survive and have an enjoyable experience.

Thanks in Advance!

Hopefully the pic shows up of my LHT in day-use mode: