I found with a fixed length fork its best to go for the shorter option, especially for bikepacking where we'er not doing super tech stuff and a lower frontal area helps with head winds and weighting the steering.  If the ride is going to be on harder ground I swap back to a 100mm suspension fork but on the great divide a rigid fork was fine.

Having looked at lots of options I found the Travellers Pronghorn to be the best option = length, triple mounts and cost. 

I'm using a Chisel frame and use a Travlers Pronghorn fork with a AC 485mm, it also have triple mounts on too.

I would stay away from the longer forks, you just don't need that length / it will jack up the front far too much. On a rigid you can get away with less AC length as peddle strikes are just not going to happen. 

Hey all,

I'm on the look out for a new rack as my old one is too small for a 29er frame with boost spacing, has anyone had similar issues or have suggestions?

I'm running a 29 x 2.2" tyre and the rack mounts are on the axel so are quite low and wide.  would prefer a more minimal / light weight option as I only use front panniers on the back.

cheers 

 

I often cringe when I see bikers and hikers in all black clothes, I make a point of buying bright and clashing colours to stand out on the bike & walking in the mountains. 

I spoke a mountain rescue guy recently about this subject and he said they have had several issues finding people when they are wearing black ninja suites.

To hell with fashion, I want to be seen and stay alive.

Still sad about the loss of Mike :-(

Great info in the replay, thanks 

Hey all,

A questions for you, how do flat pedals compare to SPD for bearing life and reliability?

I normally use Shimano SPD's and we all know how long lived and reliable these are but I've been considering using flats for a tour but looking about on the web I see a fair few examples of the bearing failing and the platform snapping off the axel shaft, this I have never seen on SPD's so it got me thinking is it worth trying something new when my existing product is so very well proven.

What is your experiences and any recommendations?

I'm looking for some advise for a smartphone app for following an gpx route with offline mapping data, preferably a free one!

I've perviously used a garmin 810 with a uploaded gpx and then use maps me for offline mapping but I would like to have one app that does both functions.

I'm not great with tech and just want a simple app, any suggestions?