Hey Cawlin, i've been looking to talk to somebody who's recently rode the route, as im going to go for it in 2014. Im looking to buy a new bike for the route but dont want to spend much over 1000, any bike's you could recommend me to point me in the right direction?

Did you see any 26" wheels on the route?... or would this even be possible? I'd love to just use my original bike i have now.

Been looking at bike's and dont really want to spend the 2000+ for a brand new bike like the one's recommended here, i love the bike's and i know they are optimum but are there any cheaper options you guys could recommend me for the GDMBR?

I was thinking about just using my old bike and upgrading some parts, its a 2004 Specialized Hardrock in good condition with 26" wheels.

If i can find a bike for 1k or less i would do that too, but dont want to drop the 2500 it costs for a new fargo.

Benedryl, you'll get used to it over time.

What about a front suspension? In the video it looks as if some people are riding a stem, and some people a fork.. is there that big of a difference?

Nice, I've seen a few other people recommend the Salsa Fargo. I'm only 5'9'' and usually ride a 26inch wheel. Most people have been recommending me a 29er, but with my height i hope it's not too large of a tire for my size. Training is always key beforehand when preparing for a trip like this as i learned on my previous 2000+ mile hike, i trained for months beforehand and cant describe how much it helped, i actually just got done going on a short 24 mile ride in the hills around my house, as i do everyday.

I'll check the bike out, anybody else have any suggestions on good bike's specifically for the GDMBR?

Thanks Harry, much appreciated. Oh and, if anybody needs a partner, im down to ride.

Hey, my name's Jared Weber and i loved the film Ride the Divide. Im on a quest, i just walked the entire Appalachian Trail by myself this year in 4 months, 9 day's with hardly any experience beforehand (it takes most people 6-7 months, visit my page for stories & photographs)
www.facebook.com/jared.m.weber

I had originally been planning on walking the Pacific Crest Trail next summer, but decided to go for a different adventure... a thru-ride, rather than another thru-hike. I've been interested in this ride a long... long time, since seeing the film a couple months before my departure for the AT.
 
So, a friend i finished the Trail with earlier this year and I decided we would ride the divide next summer, starting mid to late june, going Southbound from Canada to Mexico. I have all the gear necessary besides the Bike, as my bike is outdated & not optimal for this ride.

I was hoping you guys had some sources that could point me in the right direction on choosing a bike. I joined bikepacking.net and it's been the best resource i've found so far, as well as other's trip-reports of riding the GDMBR.

Hoping to go as light weight as possible, and complete the journey in under 2 months. So far all i know is a hardtail w/ locking front suspension might be the best choice, but am just not sure. Im really looking to talk to some experienced riders before making a decision based on just internet research.

Thanks a ton, Jared.. an outdoor enthusiast.

I as well am planning on riding the entire GDMBR next summer from Banff to the US/Mexico border. Your goal of 100 mile's a day seems optimistic, but not unreasonable. I just walked the entire Appalachian Trail earlier this year in 4 months, 9 days with hardly any experience beforehand, averaging 20+ mile's per day not including our zero day's for rest & resupply... with our longest day being 49 mile's. Stay in touch & shoot me some resources for information on what kind of setup is best for riding this route.

I have all the gear necessary besides the bike, and am doing all the research i can to figure it out so i can get some mile's under my leg's before departing for the GDMBR. All i know so far is a hardtail w/ optional locking front suspension might be the best option, but am just not sure... i want to go as lightweight as possible, ultralight being the goal target weight.