I agree with Iowagriz that you need to examine your style and location of riding.  My specialized sequoia was stolen just over a year ago so purchased a cutthroat.  The cutthroat has lots of versatility for tires, racks, suspension fork, etc.  I can use it on long bikepacking routes.  But, due to costs, I have only 2 bikes: cutthroat and Santa Cruz Tallboy.  I've found this essentially covers all my needs.  I can swap wheels by using adapters due to boost sizes, and tires.  Cutthroat can take tires from 44mm (the smallest since the BB drops too low with smaller sizes) to 2.6 (front) and 2.4 (back).

The trek 1120 has a flat bar and cutthroat is drop bar.  Cutthroat can run a 100mm suspension fork and can use a flat bar but you would have to have components for switching between the two.  I am considering this.  So, consider the versatility of the bike, what components you already have (cost issue), and your riding style.

For my cutthroat, I also commute so use a rack.  Compare the rack attachments, load capacity, and ease of replacement between the bikes.  When I look at the trek 1120 rack, attachments, load capacity, and replacement may be an issue.

for my style of bikepacking, I use my Tallboy on most rides since I am in Northern California (Sacramento region) and technical riding is more prevalent in the places I ride.  So, style preference and location are important considerations.

Oh, don't forget: Fishing!!  Bikepackfishing is the new term for me.  Have FUN!!

You have a few options but you have to get across major river canyons: Bear, Yuba, or American.  From truckee, the easiest and fastest to Auburn is via Soda Springs Road, foresthill Road, and into Auburn: easy 2 day trip or 1 day quick trip.  This is about 50/50 dirt to paved and very doable with CX; 38's would be good, and mtb with 2.3 is okay as it is mostly downhill.  There are some alternative paths on Elliot Ranch road off of foresthill road, then around Sugar Pine reservoir to Finning Mill road that returns back to foresthill road just east of Foresthill.  Then when you get to Driver's Flat area on foresthill road, take the Foresthill Divide Loop trail (north side of foresthill road) (FDLT) for single track that returns you back to foresthill road and a few miles east of Auburn.  This is essentially the CSTR 2017 route but not taking shirttail canyon road or Yankee Jims road; less mileage.

If starting in Verdi, follow the TNCA route.  When you get to Jackson Meadows reservoir follow Graniteville road to Bowman lake via Meadow Lake Road onto Gaston road, which goes into Washington; climb up washington road to Hwy 20 & go east.  Take Lowell Hill road westward into Dutch flat; plan a route to Colfax.  Once in Colfax, make your way to either Yankee Jims road or Ponderosa Road so you can cross the North fork of the American River (2 of only 3 bridges across the river).  these road connect to Foresthill road, and then it's downhill to Auburn.  You can take the FDLT as described above.  alternative from colfax is to take roads to Auburn but this is not fun due to traffic.

I will draw these alternatives on the map so you need only click the link to see them.  You can export a gpx file from it.

The blue lake/grouse ridge/beyers lake trail are all single track, and fairly technical backcountry riding, and all this is open to bikes.  The Bicyclists of Nevada City (BONC) sponsor, and work with the private property owner and Forest Service, trail work on all these trails.  full suspension highly recommended.  It is NOT a jeep trail, it is hike a bike in spots.  It is Forest Service managed.  Specific to blue lake trail, the portion that connects near Blue Lake itself is private property so you must stay on the trail and the dirt road portion.

The second picture shows the trail on the Bowman-Spaulding canal that transfers water from Jackson meadows & Milton reservoirs to bowman lake.  The route stays on the access road until the tunnel is reached, then you must follow the access road upto Bowman Road.  do not go into the canal, either swimming or packraft.  all portions of the routes on my caltopo link are open to bikes.  The Canals are managed by PG&E as part of electricity generation and irrigation, managed by Nevada Irrigation District.

Now, if you going westward from Blue Lake trail to Washington, the route shows both the original (may be very overgrown due to past fires) and an alternate.  The original may be hard to find, and the alternate is easier to find so you can reach Arctic Mine road.  The Doolittle trail is seldom used and narrow, but recently had some trail work.  I don't know how good it is today.  Also, the Ridge Trail has not had much trail work for at least 3 years so may have lots of debris.

Have fun!!!

Also look at the Trans North California Race.  It starts in Verdi, NV and uses Henness Pass road.  CX bike would work fine, even if you went to Forrest City.  I'm thinking of doing that race on my cutthroat.  Did it last year on my SC Tallboy. Recommend a minimum tire width of 44mm or greater.  50mm would be better.  Sidewall protection is recommended.  Portions of the CSTR would be less fun on a CX type bike;  I have no shame in walking or hiking my bike if it is high injury risk.  I've gotten older.  Carry your personal locator device on you, not the bike.  I've done both the CSTR and TNCA, and they are great routes.

Here is a link that includes the TNCA route, and a future route I want to do:
https://caltopo.com/m/2L2V

the linked routes can be easily connected with trail or road to make a great route.  Have fun!!

So, the gpx shows the loop travel as clockwise.  how about anti clockwise?

Wow!! Now I think I could schedule this.  Way to go EC!!!

Update: Modoc Rail trail is now free of railroad ballast rock.  very compacted as it gets use.  Drove my 4Runner on some of it and picked up a railroad spike in my tire.  Changed it but had to forgo driving the rest of it with no spare.  At least I had my cutthroat.

If you like very open range lands, this trail offers plenty.  Geology is fantastic as it is on the edge of the Great Basin.  if you ever go into this area, recommend stopping at the petroglyphs in the Belfast area.  These are very nice.  From Center Road, take Belfast Road northward.

some portions of it are on BLM land so you can disperse camp those spots.  The segment from Karlo to Ravendale is nearly all BLM.  The rest of it is state lands.  The population in that area nearly only centers around Susanville, Alturas, Likely, and the small towns are very small so no major issues for camping.  Suggest doing some research.

The trail is open to bikes.  Here is the website: https://lassenlandandtrailstrust.org/modoc-line-rail-trail

follow the information link.  There are some fairly recent comments but I don't know the current conditions. 

Thanks!  I really enjoy the route and location.  Just beautiful.  I know I would really do better with my new bike.  Better climbing gears.  I'll try for next year.  I just need to retire:)

I wish I could join on either date.  I'm doing stagecoach this time.  Good luck everyone!  I'll be watching.

Wow! My crash may have been worse than I thought.

Thanks!

Hey there EC, I'm considering riding this again.  It was very fun and nice to meet such great people, including you!  Seeing that you'll include romero trail, do you think 2019 will more similar to the 2014/15 routes?

I now have a good feel for those trails, and what bike I should use.  I just got a cutthroat, due to my sequoia being stolen 2 weeks ago.  But I'm thinking my santa cruz tallboy (eagle setup) would be ideal.

Give that new boy of yours a bike hug!

One other thing.  KT hubs has a hub with the conversion stuff needed included.  But I have found no reviews on the reliability of those hubs, and no responses yet from KT on price.  So, staying with a known product.

https://www.cyclingabout.com/best-dynamo-hub-bicycle-touring-bikepacking/

http://www.kttw-hub.com/pro.php?m=d&pid=336&cid=2&f=2

So very timely for this.  I will be experimenting with this conversion since I have to replace rims on my gravel bike. 

here is my plan:
1. SP PD-8X 15x100 dynamo
2. Use a 15 to 12 reducing sleeve (mtb tools product) for my 12x100 fork for use of the dynamo.
3. Use the booster kit (problem solvers product), remove the reducing sleeve and place on my 15x110 mountain bike fork.  Adjust caliper as needed.
4. 29er rims, that will be built for this swapping.  Swapping will occur only sporadically but I want versatility.

I'll let you know if I carry out the plan and its results.  I'm not done doing my research.

I have used the X-alp enduro v4 and v5, and loved them.  I am now trying the X-alp Summit and finding them working very well.  I wear a 46.  the cleats are nicely recessed and almost make no contact when walking.  The sole has good lugs and a flatter surface making HAB very stable.  My right foot is a little misshaped so a slightly wider box but not too wide is needed.

So far, I am happy with them.

Hey there EC, great to see your new addition (not a bike).  I was looking at the 2019 date and see the Stagecoach 400 is now scheduled the same day.  I was looking at the TDLP or stagecoach for my first race, if my neck is fully recovered.  I may get to do some exploring this weekend in the Tahoe area.  Let you know later.

Done!

Excellent!  let me know about the fishing.  We were thinking about that place, but I need access for recovery.

Since Tevis cup finished not that long ago, it should be rideable but likely dusty and could be overgrown some.  It's been a few years since I last rode that section and I enjoyed it.  but I like challenging adventure riding.

Options 1: from french meadows, riding up to robinson flat (FS road 43) and ride the duncan canyon portion for a very knarly fun trail.  Option 2: from Robinson flat taking cavenah deep road (WS or FS road 44), downhill to FS road 44-22 (Last Chance road) and continue on the WS portion until it reconnects to 44-22 road.  But turn left at the connection to return back towards french meadows.   If you turn right you will continue westward on the WS to Last Chance and then into the first canyon.  Option 2 is very fun and views are fantastic.

If you do both, you will need most of the day, unless you get some shuttling.

I'll be over at sugar pine for some fishing on saturday.  I'm still recovering from a very bad crash so no riding.