BOB + Fuel?

[Majcolo]

I'm looking at using a BOB Ibex with a Trek Fuel that has a carbon rear triangle, but I'm a little concerned with the durability of this setup. I won't be heavily loaded (Mountain Feed Bag up front, early 90's Blackburn Bullet Pack under the saddle with tools/tube/patch kit, three water bottles, 20 lbs in the trailer including food and water) but it seems like the best alternative to riding with a backpack.

Anyone have any insight or knowledge they can share? I simply love the Fuel for all day epics, but I passed my old Mountain Goat hardtail on to a buddy that needed it and my new bike budget for the year is spent on a Surly LHT.

Thanks,

Mark

[AZTtripper]

That's a tough call while carbon is pretty strong it does have limits. Should work fine on a short non tech trail a couple of times but even with a light load, no way it would last forever.

Depending on what you are doing trail wise Bob's can be great but they are a little more of a pain if there are a lot of unridable obstacles. That said Bob's are great to camp out of with that nice big dry bag for storage.

[sean salach]

if it breaks, delete this thread and send it back to trek. you could always go rackless/trailerless too.

[Majcolo]

True enough. I was looking for a practical way to avoid wearing a backpack, but this may not be it.

[AZTtripper]

if it breaks, delete this thread and send it back to trek. you could always go rackless/trailerless too.

Yes but not packless. You posted in while I was typing this but anyway

I have seen several post here from people who don't want to carry a pack and I certainly see a fair number of riders who don't carry one they get by on water bottles, seat packs, and pockets. But for bikepacking only with a Bob and then only on easy terrain IMO.

Here's one way to look at it IMO

Bob/rack and panniers carry as much as you need then to, great for camping style trips more weight slows you down but if you don't care you can still have fun. And enjoy camp time more but for faster more efficient travel on more rugged terrain it is better to go light and distribute the weight evenly.

I have learned a lot of this the hard way and being stubborn didn't help any either I know it is possible to ride a 70 lbs bike on single track while carrying a 40 lbs pack but I wouldn't recommend it.

The new custom packs currently being made have revolutionized bikepacking IMO along with modern ultra light backpacking gear we can now ride nearly as fast on the same terrain as we would on a day trip.

[Majcolo]

Well, I can't find anything on the web that makes this seem like a good idea so I'll just stick with going rackless and trailerless. My of my tours have been done that way anyway.

I had done a couple of tours on my hardtail with a rear rack and loved not having to wear a pack so I thought it was worth exploring the idea for a dual suspension bike.