Choosing a bike - long and remote trip

[Marylee]

Hello

I am new here and I am starting to shop  for a bike for bikepacking and the more I discuss with vendors, the more I am confused.

Here is the plan: about 6 months in South America (Ecuador to Chili), about 6 months in India, Nepal and Central Asia.
Bikepacking in remote places, singletracks, rocky grounds, etc. trails will be similar to, let's say, Colorado trail so no intend to stick on gravel roads.

At first I thought i'd get a 26' (parts are easier to find in central asia) hardtail but then realize the suspension might be a big problem if it breaks.
Then I thought a rigid 29' with 2-3' tires might do the trick. But there is still the wheel problem...

Rest of the components I am looking for:
Mechanical disk brakes
Preferably Shimano Deore or alike because it is easier to find spares and repairs
Gears with a very low ratio (no compacts!) but don't mind 1,2 or 3 brakets. I'll be climbing routes at an altitude of 4-5000m with stuff on the bike.
Steel/Cromoly frame or anything easy to fix
Possibility to put many bottle cage, anything cage would be great.
Simple mechanics

I must say the Surly Krampus looks good, but I am affraid with the wheels and the what if it breaks... even if I find a 26' spare WITH a disk brake, pretty sure my pedal would it the grounds, or the rocks!
My budget is 1500-2000$

I am curious to have your opinions, thanks a lot!

[Biggus Duckus]

Sounds like a Surly Troll would be just about perfect.

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[Marylee]

Thanks for your comment. I know it is a good pick. I am just wondering if I'd go with a 29 anyway because I think a 26 rigid is gonna be too bumpy on rough trail. What do you think?

[ArisaemaDracontium]

I was in Nicaragua 4 years ago. I'm going to make some brash generalizations and assume the bikes that were common there are common throughout Latin America.

Everyone in Nicaragua was riding 26" mountain bikes with v-brakes. I would try to replicate that in case you need spare parts. So you could get a bike that has mechanical disks, but be sure it has canti studs too, and rims that can run v-brakes.

[looks up the specs for a Surly Troll really quick]

So in summary, yes, a Surly Troll would be just about perfect. I'd probably put a crankset on it with smaller chainrings though. The big tires should soak up the bumps.

[Eastman]

Consider going with a fatbike like a Surly Pugsley.  The big tires help over rough terrain.  Inexpensive parts, threaded bottom bracket, option to put a rear wheel on as your front wheel...

[ArisaemaDracontium]

If you're worried about the cush factor, it looks like the troll will take up to 3.0" tires. You could run those at pretty low pressure


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[chrisx]

Suntour power thumb shifters

They work with all size cassettes and last forever.
I have used 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 speed cassettes with my thumb shifters.  I lost count, but perhaps 7 bicycles they have been on now.  

I vote for a 26 inch wheeled bike.  More important than if you choose the 2017 troll or a 1995 mt bike, be able to take it apart and put it back together.  Can you build your own wheels?  Are you able to install canti brakes correctly?  Can you install and remove the bottom bracket, and replace the chainrings?

Why not buy an old mt bike, build new wheels, and get a 9 speed XT drive train.  9 speed because you can squeeze in a 7 or 8 speed chain if you have to, somewhere along the way.  To hell with carrying spare chains or spare parts or mail drops.  Get a bike you can buy parts for along the way.  If you need 29 inch wheels,  you may also need a long bus ride to a big city.

Where to start?
Bike fit.  Decide what handle bar you want for comfort, then figure out what the bike dimensions should be.  This could be the most important thing, (proper fit).  Many a person ended their tour over pain from a poorly fitted bike.

here is one mans thoughts, he may be right about many things
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1fs&doc_id=5094&v=2w

I just reread this thread.  Seems there is little agreement.  What did you decide?

Come June first I will be starting an around the world bike tour in Alaska. Ridining a Jones 29+. Because I want to. It's built tough. Yeah I might have trouble finding a tire or spoke or? Somewhere. Not a big deal. It's the bike I want to ride. So I am riding it. Do what you want. It's your tour. You will enjoy it more on the bike you want to ride. Give your mom some spare parts in a box. It's a tour not a race . the fella going with me will be on a fatbike. Have fun. I will
Harry

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/question-and-answer/26-vs-29-touring-internationally/msg69219/#msg69219

[zuren]

Before I read any of the posts under post #1, I thought - Surly Troll.

My only other thought is a Co-Motion, but it would blow your budget immediately. 

Someone mentioned being able to run a rear hub in the front fork.  This isn't a bad idea and how I have my Surly Ogre set up (Alfine8 rear and singlespeed front with an Enabler fork).  If I do a tour, I plan to stay in North America but the option of drivetrain is a comforting thought.  I mostly did it because I'm A.D.D. and it was cheaper and easier to set it up to run multiple drivetrains.

So my vote is Surly Troll with a front fork spaced to 135mm and run a singlespeed hub.