Make sure to get an Edge that can run while being charged -- that's not the case with all of them, but some have that ability. I run an Edge Touring Plus, and it can charge while on -- meaning I can now bring a power brick and have nearly endless battery life (for the GPS and a variety of other USB-chargeable bits, like lights and phone).

Edge Touring (and a few other navigation-capable Edge devices) are very similar to the "hiking" GPS models like eTrex, Dakota, Oregon, Montana, etc. Edges are smaller, lighter and mount on the bike better. They all have fairly weak touch screens. You can load routable maps on both navigatable Edges and the hiking models.

I also have a Garmin Dakota 20, and from a riding perspective, I like the Edge better, but I've not had great luck navigating to a new place on the Edge (that is, not riding a pre-set track uploaded from Basecamp). Dakota did better here.

I've got a large tangle, it's not new, zippers work but it's def. used. I can throw in some cash, it's just a little too big for my frames.

You might want to check out QGIS (http://www.qgis.org/en/site/) as well. It's a more power-user oriented tool, but it works great for trip planning as well. It's def. adept at slicing and dicing tracks, I'd argue more so than Basecamp. With a tiny amount of work, you can add any "slippy-map" (google, open street map, open bike map, etc) as a layer, even with topo, so you can see the track as it traverses mapped terrain. It may be overkill, but I think it has a place in the quiver.

Kids at Velodirt have a good route to the coast that can be done via MAX and WAVE bus:

http://velodirt.com/portfolio/north-trask/

Brilliant, thank you!

I'm interested in the trail discovery part (though an online topo fusion lite, perhaps like bikehike.co.uk but with more maps would be really nice). Redtrails.com was a great resource for usfs gpx files and trails, i'm super bummed it's gone. Something like skidmap.com could be cool. It needs to be wiki style so peolpe can add to/edit the database. Not all that interested in the social part, but that could help set it apart.

Thanks for those links - I've not seen bikehike.co.uk, looks like a good resource. I think user submitted content is key to this, so a wiki-like capability would be huge. I'd also try to source trail discovery from Garmin Connect and Strava if possible. Those sites have a huge repository of ride data, but they suck at displaying it. Would you pay to use something like this?

I'd prefer a one-time fee or small yearly ($30 sounds about right).

Agreed on the trail discovery part. A solid database of bikepacking routes would be sweet. I'm new to WA state—that means most of the routes I do are either logging roads (easy to get lost without a GPS), short day trip-rides (<25 miles), or hitting well-known trails like the Umpqua (which is still only a two day bike route at best).

I pour over maps trying to figure out a good route that meets all bikepacking criteria—and often come up empty.

I'd prefer a one-time fee or small yearly ($30 sounds about right).

Agreed on the trail discovery part. A solid database of bikepacking routes would be sweet. I'm new to WA state—that means most of the routes I do are either logging roads (easy to get lost without a GPS), short day trip-rides (<25 miles), or hitting well-known trails like the Umpqua (which is still only a two day bike route at best).

I pour over maps trying to figure out a good route that meets all bikepacking criteria—and often come up empty.

DITTO - I am new to OR, and on the coast for a month, and discovering trails around here is awful - often old, out-of-date info due to logging closures. In order to have broad appeal, the way I was thinking about this service is a service for outdoor planning. Bikepacking is a facet, but so is backpacking and hunting (being two of the most done outdoor activities).

I will experiment w/ the cost, but something that costs <$3 per month is attractive because it's below most people's don't give a crap threshold (as in, a starbucks mocha costs more, and it's a one-time, enjoy for 1 hour purchase).

It kind of sounds like topofusion with a social twist to it. That's an interesting concept. I'd love to use topofusion, but I'm on a mac (without Windows).

See if Scott would be interested in a licensing TF and then port it online + add social...yeah, I see the potential there.

I am on a mac as well, and it's a big pain in the rear to get all of the data together in one place. The other thing that is lacking - topofusion and not - is trail discovery. The idea here is that trail discovery will be a built-in part of the application, with a mode to see all trails/activities/routes in the visible region of the map. Speedycog, would you pay for a service like this?

My brother-in-law has finally decided to get a new bike.  He's just getting into biking and he's been using his bike that a college roommate gave him 15 years ago.  He wants to spend around $800 and he wants a new bike.  Does anyone know of any manufacturers selling a rigid 29er with gears around $800?  I'm having trouble finding options.  In the case we can't something that specific, what 29er geared hardtails do you guys like for around $700?

I know you said a new bike, but you can get a Niner EMD used for about that much, and the Niner is a way better bike than any bike on that spreadsheet. Also, check out Raleigh XXIX+g, you can get one on eBay for less than $1000, and it's a great bike.

I don't know that I'd be ready to pay for it, though if it were a fairly low price, like under $50 US for a year subscription or some flat fee for a lifetime subscription, I might. I do think the whole model of paid access to websites is inherently limiting - even if it sucks to have a site riddled with ads, the potentially much greater user base and viewership may make up for it.

However, if it really had all that I wanted - a comprehensive map showing dirt roads and singletrack, with elevation and distance info, and the ability for users to add information on trail conditions and the like (wiki-style), I might find it in my stingy, stingy heart to pay a subscription fee.

Since I don't know anybody in my area who does bikepacking, it would be really handy to have info to an easily-accessed list of good trail options in my area.

Thanks for the great feedback. The price would be absurdly low - something like $2-$5 per trip or <$30 for a year. I'll experiment with it.

Would you be interested in being connected w/ like-minded individuals in the area as part of this site's mission?

Do I have to buy the $99 Garmin topo map or can I get this from Topofusion.

check out this thread for a good discussion on topo maps. http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,5518.0.html

The short of it is that there are free topo options that are very high-quality.

I am thinking of building a trip planning website that combines street, topo and a few data sources together (campground, trails, parks, etc), and allows you to plan your bikepacking/camping/touring trip.

Possible/probable features:

• creating a cue sheet (for road/off-road touring)
• topo map printouts with route overlays
• exporting the map + route to garmin (gmapsupp.img + gpx) with routable streets and topos
• trail discovery via garmin connect, strava, trailsAPI and other trails sources (this is the most lacking out there right now)
• social aspects
  
  • planning trips with friends
  • hosted trip websites with "trip player"
  • ability to share "excursions" on facebook/google+/etc

Would you guys be interested in something like this? Would you pay to use it? How much would you pay per month? What other features do you feel are must-haves before you would pay for this?

Since the market size for a product like this is fairly small, I'd like to gauge interest before venturing to build this - having said that, I would love to have something like this for myself and might build it just because.

Thanks for your help!

New bag setup for my Jones in prep for a CT trip this summer. Pictures about 3 months old...the bags are a little dirtier now 

How do you like the ride of the Jones? Could you tell me what bikes have you ridden before, and how they compare? I love the look of the space frame -- I know you have the Diamond, but still, I am really interested in the ride. Thank you!

My main ride: a 2010 Trek PDX Hybrid. Its a great bike for the money. I was a little financially short to buy a Fargo, so I bought this and have been upgrading it over the years. Aluminum frame with steel fork with mid blade braxe-ons, lots of room for bigger tires (could clear 45c tires no problem
I've upgraded the crank to X7, the rear derailleur to Rival, the front Derailleur to Apex and X7 2x10 shifters. Also a Brooks saddle, some no-brand bars that I love, Easton stem, Continental 35c Cyclocross speed tires, Ergon Grips and a lot of my own creations.

This pic was taken before I finished swapping the drivetrain. The front lowriders and tent holder were made by me

That's a dope ride! When you want to step it up, all you have to do is just buy a new frame, and all your components are already going to be good. I do that all the time, get components for as little as I can, and just change out frames. I am now on a Niner MCR with pretty much all x9. Love the ride, got rid of a Fargo for it, well worth it!

Hello,
I did not see this topic posted on the site, but if it has been addressed already I would appreciate it if someone could direct me to the answer.

I have a new Garmin etrex 30.  I live in Washington state and would like to use it to help navigate some trips close to home and hopefully some longer ones.  I have never used a GPS before. 

I would like to be able to plan out a route at home on my computer and then load it onto the Garmin.  I also want to be able to load in the ACA waypoints.  Eventually I want to ride the Great Divide route.  My question is what maps to purchase for the GPS.  The device really did not come with any map detail at all.  Garmin has different maps for sale on their site.  There are the Topo 24 K DVD maps that are $129 each section.  I think to get the Divide and also my home state I would have to buy three of these... I also see that they have a US 100 K that includes the whole US for only $99.  In looking around the web I have also seen free maps mentioned but I am not sure how to get these or if they are any good.   I would like to know if the free or $99 maps are usually sufficient, or if I need to shell out $387.  Although if I have to pay another $387 I will probably send back the GPS and go back to paper maps. 

Thank you for your advice.

also checkout http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/, specifically, their topos. I've been using their Arizona topo, and it's nearly as precise as Garmin's 24k topo, and, it's free!

Are you guys riding without gloves or fingerless?  How else are you using the newer touch screen models with guys?

Full-fingered glove with Dakota 20. Works fine. Just need to make sure you're actually pressing. It's not a capacitive touchscreen, so it's def. not as sensitive as an iPhone.

Thanks for the updated 2013 advice everyone. I just ordered a Garmin Dakota 20 and am psyched to get out and crush some gravel.

And I'd like to raise a practical question at this juncture: What's the best way to attach it to my stem?

Here's how mine is mounted. I used the Garmin Dakota 20 mount, zip-tied to the stem, with enough clearance between the GPS and the stem cap so I can take it out. Then, I tie the GPS with the green cord to the handlebar, so that when I fall, I don't accidentally lose the GPS. While the mount is strong, I've def. kicked the GPS mid-fall so that the string prevented it from getting lost.

Interested in this as well, moving to Portland this summer.

I spent 5 weeks working in Victoria, stayed at the Swan Hotel. Best seafood I've ever had! I'm moving to Portland this summer, hoping to hit up Victoria again in not too distant future.

I currently live in Orlando FL where there isn't a ton of mountain biking. I just graduated from college, and I am looking to move to a new city that will allow me to mountain bike every day and bikepack on weekends without needing a car for travel. I have been a bicycle mechanic and sales person for over five years now, so finding a job shouldn't be too difficult.

Does anyone have any suggestions for cities that I should look at? Preferably hotter climates, and I have student loans to pay off so a lower cost of living is better.

Thanks

Phoenix AZ is pretty great from November to April. It's not yet April, and the temperature is already in the 90s -- not great. How about Portland? I am moving there from Phoenix, and really looking toward to rainforest riding.

Anyone around here in the area? I'm going to be living there for a little under a month, and would love to meet up for a ride/take a bikepacking trip. I am arriving April 30th or so, leaving May 30th or so.