Cheapest stock bike for ultras

[woodsy]

I'm wondering what are some of the cheapest bikes price-wise that would be rated as "trail-worthy?" I understand the components and weight drive the prices upwards, and rightfully so, but on a budget, what would you all recommend? In addition, other than Salsa, what companies have bikes that are well-suited for ultra, bikepacking and endurance trail riding.

[Racingguy04]

Do you have a specific trip as an example? For example, the perfect bike for the tour divide, arizona trail, and colorado trail are all different bikes in most peoples opinion, though you could do all 3 on the same basic bike with some modifications.

My one bike quiver for bike packing and trail riding is a carbon fiber hard tail 29er that I got for just over 2 grand. It's got a sram x9 drive train and a fox CTD 100mm fork. The only things I changed from the bike when it came out of the box are the saddle, stem, and bars for a better/more comfortable fit.

I'd check out moots, they make some cool bikes for adventures, I don't have any first hand experience but if I had the money and time I'd look pretty hard at their bikes.

[woodsy]

Should've clarified, but AZT would be the main focus.

[bakerjw]

That's a very open ended question and bound to get all kinds of opinions. I am planning on riding (somewhere between racing and touring) the upper 1/4 of the TD route this June so I keep a keen eye out of loading, bikes, drivetrains, etc... So, to get an idea, I go on youtube and look at the Tour Divide grand departure videos to see the varied rides out there. You will see
Full suspension. Hard tails. Rigid forks.
1x10 drivetrains. Dual and triple front sprockets. Single speeds. Rohloff hubs.
Panniers. Trailers. Bags on front forks.

I just goes to show that pretty much anything can be made to work. Your budget is the key. If it is low, keep an eye out on Craigslist to see what shakes out in the used bike world. Check with local bike clubs. Ask around local shops. Used isn't always a bad thing.

Myself, I like to build from scratch.
What price range are you looking to hit? That is probably the biggest question.

[Flounder]

AZT is a good route for a full suspension bike.

[punchcard]

Im interested in this answer also. I've done several road ultras but would like to give the AZT a try and will need a mountain bike.

What stock bikes get you the closest and what upgrades would you look at?

[Flounder]

I don't think this question has an answer. Keep in mind a "stock" bike suitable for the AZT could range in price from $1500 to $6500. Or more.

The record was set on a Salsa Spearfish, so maybe that is a good starting point. I have the 2016 Spearfish Carbon XO1 and it is pretty sweet.

Im interested in this answer also. I've done several road ultras but would like to give the AZT a try and will need a mountain bike.

What stock bikes get you the closest and what upgrades would you look at?

[AZTtripper]

I would bet you could finish on any $1,000 hard tail, assuming it's fairly new and well tuned, or $1,500 for a full.

Upgrade to tubeless wheels.

 

[woodsy]

The record was set on a Salsa Spearfish, so maybe that is a good starting point. I have the 2016 Spearfish Carbon XO1 and it is pretty sweet.

Some research and consulting has lead me to many other suitable bikes, Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt, Trek Fuel EX, Specialized Camber, Cannondale Trigger. I don't think Salsa is the only bike for bikepacking, though they have positioned themselves as an adventure bike company. The record holder being a Salsa sponsored rider.

[dream4est]

I work in a shop currently and IMO the entry level full suspension bikes are overrated and not worth the $2500-3200. I disagree with the wheel spec on these bikes. I am talking 2016 models from the big players. My shop has like 8 brands and I cant name one "deal" at all where I think the wheels are worth the purchase price until one gets to stupid price points like 5500 for a Pivot Mach429 trail (XTR/XT/DT star rachet 350 hub) with real hubs and a nice build.

My idea of a cheapie AZT bike? Find a deal on a frame and killer wheels and build one up. Like 2014-2015 closeout frames or full bike and sell off the cheap wheels. Chinese carbon rims or full wheel builds from folks like www.light-bicycle.com

29er  bikes need a good light set of wheels to be race worthy anyway. A basic XT drive and brakes is perfect. Cockpit parts dont have to be high end. Cheap spd's like low end Shimano work fine.

In 2010 this is what I did: Bought a 2010 Speshy 29er Alum HT. I did get a good deal at 1400 for a 2000 buck bike so doing this move may require getting an older model at closeout. Then I swapped to carbon cranks, Roval alum wheels with DT star rachet hub and dropper post. I sold off the old parts for race cash. The hardtail did beat me up finishing the 750 but it would have been fine for the 300.

So my thinking goes along the lines of any bike with a solid rear hub is good. Even just buying better wheels for a current bike can work. Other than brake failures rear hub explosions end races often as brake issues can be dealt with somewhat on the trail hub issues usually not.

[Flounder]

Some research and consulting has lead me to many other suitable bikes, Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt, Trek Fuel EX, Specialized Camber, Cannondale Trigger. I don't think Salsa is the only bike for bikepacking, though they have positioned themselves as an adventure bike company. The record holder being a Salsa sponsored rider.

Sure, there are plenty of bikes that fit the bill. I'd tend to advocate for the Rocky Instinct over the Thunderbolt, but I have an Instinct, so I'm biased and think the 29" wheels are better suited to racing most courses than the 27.5s.

At any rate, there are some attributes of the Spearfish that I do like. I like the efficiency of the suspension design. I like the calm handling with the 51mm fork offset and 69.3 degree head tube, making it feel pretty darn planted and comfy after many hours in the saddle. It's one of few bikes specifically designed for endurance racing.

But, I would not say by any stretch that the Spearfish is the bike to have. There are simply too many options and personal preferences to suggest any one bike. That said, I've actually come to really love the Instinct...for me.

If you go to the start line of any bike event, you see bikes of all kinds for a reason. Everyone has their own idea of what works best.

[AZTtripper]

Yes there will be lots of different bikes at the start, and Salsa's likely won't even be that common. 29 inch wheels will dominate for sure. Steel and titanium hard tails with high end wheels as Dr4est says. Better a full sus bike with great wheels.

Flounders Instinct looks good but to get really high end wheels you have to pay $9,500. Find one of the $3,000 ones lightly used for $1,500 then get a deal on wheels worth $700 to $1,000. Then you would have the cheapest bike for the AZT course.

[Flounder]

Flounders Instinct looks good but to get really high end wheels you have to pay $9,500.

That seems a little silly. If you suspect the wheels of any bike are inferior...replace them, don't just buy the top tier bike to get better hoops.

Not to say that this talk of wheels is given more attention than necessary, but much of the issues with wheels is rider influenced. Some people are simply hard on wheels, others are not. I've built hundreds of wheels going back to the 80s and some people would thrash my wheels like gorillas, others would ride them for tens of thousands of miles. My friend Chad rode from Anchorage to Ushuaia...and back...on a set of wheels worth probably $350. So, it's really tough to say one wheel is more or less likely to survive than another without considering the rider and their influence on wheels.

I have one set of wheels that I've raced and bikepacked on that have covered probably 8,000 miles and have yet to be trued. They're nothing too special.

[punchcard]

Thanks for the replies. I'll start my search for a used frame or bike. Thoughts on wheels? Brand/spoke count/hub generator

[Flounder]

Thanks for the replies. I'll start my search for a used frame or bike. Thoughts on wheels? Brand/spoke count/hub generator

This is really a very tough question for anyone to answer beyond just general suggestions, which will be highly variable. A couple thoughts on wheels, first.

Wheel technology often gets distilled on forums like these to just durability and longevity, but to those designing wheel systems, the bigger design element is relative to performance. When designers are putting together the components that make up a high-end wheel, their end goal is to develop a system that is laterally stiff, light, and mitigates the flex that feels mushy under hard accelerations. The stiffness, or lack thereof, particularly in the front wheel, can be noticed when riding on cross-slope or off camber trails as the wheel struggles to hold a line. Same for hard cornering.

So, buying a $3000 wheel set might land you with a product designed for unyielding performance, but it might be crap for comfort and none too durable. I have ENVE carbon rims on Kappius hubs that are super blingy, great on race day, but really suck for long miles. On the flip side, a durable wheel, and a comfortable wheel, may not have the performance of a high end hoop, but if you don't need that performance, who cares, right?

My personal opinion, and worth about a nickel, is to fit my bikepacking bikes with 32 spoke wheels on Chris King hubs with DT spokes and brass nipples. Nothing fancy, but it works for me. I had a set of road wheels with that combination that lasted 40,000 miles. But, everyone will have a combo they favor.

By the way, I've been logging a lot of miles on an Advocate Hayduke and it's been a really great bikepacking rig. Maybe worth a look. Great value.

[woody]

By the way, I've been logging a lot of miles on an Advocate Hayduke and it's been a really great bikepacking rig. Maybe worth a look. Great value.

I've heard good things about the Hayduke. Soma bikes I've also heard good things about.
Both are HT, but steel and steel is real..
I agree with getting a good wheelset.

http://www.somafab.com/bikes-frames/frames

[bakerjw]

As they say, light, cheap, durable... Pick 2.

For me, durability is #1. Always.
I normally find a fine line between light and cheap.

But... I am not a racer...

[Flounder]

I think durability has come a very long way over the years. As prices have increased, so too have consumer expectations and failures simply will not be suffered by your average buyer these days, and for good reason. I do think people sometimes misuse products and that leads to failures.

I also have to say, I sure used to be super picky and particular about what I'd ride and advocate for. Anymore, I just unbox the damn thing, ride, and leave it at that. I've become far easier to please and I'm just happy to be outside.

[punchcard]

What do people think of the moots motox ybb on the AZT. Is that enough travel in the rear suspension?

[Yagi]

What do people think of the moots motox ybb on the AZT. Is that enough travel in the rear suspension?

That depends on what your definition of "enough" is.  I ride an older Mooto-X YBB (2011), and personally, I love it.  I don't need much suspension, and the YBB is just perfect for taking the edge off of a long ride, but it's by no means a big-hit bike, either.  YMMV, but I feel like it's a great compromise of hardtail and squish.  The only way to know is to go and ride one.