Thinking about new bike, looking for free opinions!

[Solrider]

So my initial intent has been to use my current mountain bike (Voodoo Dambala) as kind of my do all MTB - bikepacking, races, casual trail riding.  I'm coming to find that its fine for everything other than the bikepacking, its really set up for racing at this point and not comfortable to ride for hours in the saddle touring around.  So now I'm toying with the idea of getting a new dedicated touring bike, something good for both on and off road, comfortable, able to do panniers or a lightweight set-up.  This is something I've been going back and forth on for literally months, so I turn to you for some informed information. 

I've got it narrowed down to building up a CX bike or trying to pick up a Pugsley.  I have to admit, I'm totally in love with the Pugsley, and although I don't experience a lot of snow here in Arizona, there are some areas I'm interested in exploring with sand (ECD for example), but I fear the weight of pushing the Pugs on road. 

I've been keeping my eye on the Origin 8 CX700 as a budget builder, and I think this would make a good option if they can get over the quality control issues, but I fear the lack of front suspension off road...I'm a massage therapist and already battling carpal tunnel....riding with no front suspension, which I have tried, is quite painful.  But I think this set up would be better for long stretches of pavement. 

I've also toyed with the idea of just picking up an old steel Trek Singletrack or Specialized Stumpy, but I feel like if I'm going to spend the money upgrading components or fixing the thing up I may as well go new from the beginning. 

I've read a few stories around the internets on people touring on the Pug's, not much on the Origin 8 because its so new.  My brain tells me the CX or old steel MTB would be the more practical set up and a good compromise of on/off road but my heart lusts after the Pugs!

Opinions?  Experiences?

[bmike-vt]

I had a CrossCheck that I tried to make work as an on road, off road touring rig. And I have a traditional road bike that will take 35s or even 42s cross tires (typically running 28s with fenders). I also have a Pugs. And had a Soma Juice. What I settled on for dirt touring / bikepacking was a Fargo, and couldn't be happier.

My cross bike didn't have the geometry and clearance for tires I wanted and my Juice didn't gave a short enough TT to run drop bars (or gears, it was set up SS). The Fargo is the perfect all rounder for me and the type of exploring / riding I do. Its been on single track, through some technical sections, and on lots of dirt roads. I ride it daily on local single track - and while I'm not a very good technical / rock roots rider - its what we have here - so I'm learning how to ride those areas with drop bars. I will eventually be building up another SS to be a dedicated single track thrasher / low maintenance bike, but the Fargo is my MTB / all rounder now. Even to the point of rarely riding my custom Ti road rig mentioned above.

Had I to do it over, and if I didn't have access to a good price on a Pugsley, I would have kept the Juice and built up a Mukluk with extra set of wheels. Or gone to a Fatback. One set for winter / float, and another for singletrack / touring / dirt roads / adventuring. I could do the same with the Pugs, but don't want to deal with offset rims...

You should check out the Moonlander, especially for sand riding. I'll likely be getting a big fat Larry to squeeze into the front of my Pugs.

The Fargo is pretty solid as a platform. I'm likely to put some H bars on it this winter and run it with a Paul tensioer as a SS and studs for icy days. Currently I'm running it with WTB vulpines as a big cross bike for dirt and rough touring, including riding out to single track and connecting various roads, and then riding home.


The stable by mbeganyi, on Flickr

[Solrider]

Thanks for the reply! I should clarify a couple of specs maybe...no plans on doing drop bars or singlespeed.  Thinking alt bars of some kind and maybe a 1x9.  Looking for pretty relaxed geometry.

I've not considered the Fargos because I've found very few positive reviews on them, but you seem to really like yours.  I've been hoping to find a sweet deal on a Pugs because I'm not interested in dropping huge amounts of cash right now on a new bike...I guess another reason I'm looking to see if spending the money on it in the first place is worth it or if I should just put it out of my mind!!

**Also I guess I should clarify, that I'm looking for something that will handle on road just as well as off.  I do realize there is no free lunch, and there is no one 'do it all' bike out there, so I'm willing to make compromises.  I guess my question is, if you were leaving to tour be it in the US or around the world and wanted to do a mix of asphalt/forest/singletrack...what bike would you take?

**Does anyone have any experience riding a Pugs for long distances on asphalt? 

[intheways]

I haven't gone more than 40 miles on my Pugs, but it was great for that distance.  I just use some big apples for road duty.  I'm not moving fast, but I'm plenty comfy!

[SlowDave]

I am another happy Fargo owner.  You would be surprised at how comfortable the ride is.  I haven't met a Fargo owner who has been dissatisfied.  In fact everyone just wants to talk about how much fun they are having with their Fargo.  The only negative I have found is it is a bit heavy.  I too lust after a Pugsly for no rational reason.

[paxton coyote]

If I could only own one bike it would be my new Salsa Fargo, got it in March & have put over 1200 miles of mostly gravel & dirt miles on it, a few pavement miles for linking up the gravel/dirt. Rode it for a solid 80 miles gravel/dirt 2 weeks ago & it was a comfort sled, the drop bar positioning is just a natural on this bike & I ride 90 o/o of the time in the drops, I've yet to try a suspension fork on it but glad I have the capability to do so if I want to.

[Solrider]

I haven't gone more than 40 miles on my Pugs, but it was great for that distance.  I just use some big apples for road duty.  I'm not moving fast, but I'm plenty comfy!

THIS.

I'm certainly in no hurry while traveling.  I'm actually currently on the tail end of a 3 week road trip and I've quite enjoyed the last couple days sitting here in Sacramento while waiting on parts for our broken down van than I did the week previously as it was rush, rush, rush.  I'd say my max for daily travel on a bike would be 60 miles for those weekend trips where I have to be back home for work, but average 40-50 miles daily.  I try to stick to one major camping rule of arriving in camp before dark just to be able to sit and relax and enjoy. 

My travel will probably be broken down into mostly asphalt/forest roads 80-90% and a little singletrack thrown in.  I'm not looking to get super technical with the new bike, but would like the ability to if needed.  If I want to spend my day riding techy trails I've got my VooDoo for that. 

I've also been looking at the vassago fisticuff as an option to also use for my commuting bike, thus being able to stay at 2 bikes in the garage vs 3.  Not that there is anything wrong with having many many bikes, but it would be nice to have a couple of bikes that are really great and get ridden often rather than three that don't.  I guess my fear with the Pugs is that I'll drop the coin on it and it will only get ridden minimally...unless I use it as my commuter as well......

Wow so many Fargo fans!!

Really appreciate the input so far!

[bmike-vt]

sounds like you really want a fat bike. just make it happen.

i've done ~38 road / trail winter miles on my pug in the slop and snow and dirt roads. was fun, but i wouldn't tour on it unless i knew i was going to do beaches / sand / snow / bogs / whatever.

as for a cross bike, i never liked my crosscheck with flat or alt bars. be sure to size appropriately for the bars you intend to use.

My travel will probably be broken down into mostly asphalt/forest roads 80-90% and a little singletrack thrown in.  I'm not looking to get super technical with the new bike, but would like the ability to if needed.  If I want to spend my day riding techy trails I've got my VooDoo for that. 

this sounds like vaya or fargo or rawland territory to me.

[Solrider]

I'm a Libra, so making this decision could take a while! 

I've ridden a Rawland Drakkar, and I did like it.  At the time my LBS said they could get the frame for about $400...I see now on the internets its up to about $600. 

I guess I need to find someone local with a Fargo to check out before making any rash decisions.  I've already previously owned a 'fat bike', a Felt Red Baron cruiser, which was a lot of fun but very heavy, something thats keeping me from committing to the Pugs. 

I read an interesting argument last night from someone with a lot of experience in bike travel for the Long Haul Trucker...granted his post was from 2008 or something, but it was an interesting read. 

[SlowDave]

I noticed you said you are currently in Sacramento.  I am less than an hour away and you are welcome to take my Fargo for an afternoon or whatever.  There is single track, fire roads and pavement ready to be ridden here.

[Solrider]

Thanks for the offer Dave, thats really kind of you!!  Unfortunately I'm in Sacramento because our van is broken down, so I have no transportation.  The parts should be in today and we will (hopefully) be leaving here by the afternoon to continue on with our trip.  I really appreciate that though!!

[gdillon]

If you don't want to throw lots of money at the issue, you might consider purchasing a higher rise stem for the Voodoo for a better "all day" fit.  I did this with my Stumpjumper a while back and it worked well.

Of course, it sounds like you would want to change tires as well, which is considerable more effort than swapping stems, leading to a second set of wheels, cassette, chain, rotors, etc... more money!

Have fun with your n + 1 quest.

[Solrider]

If you don't want to throw lots of money at the issue, you might consider purchasing a higher rise stem for the Voodoo for a better "all day" fit.  I did this with my Stumpjumper a while back and it worked well.

Of course, it sounds like you would want to change tires as well, which is considerable more effort than swapping stems, leading to a second set of wheels, cassette, chain, rotors, etc... more money!

Have fun with your n + 1 quest.

Actually thats just what I did, have one on order.  No need to change out wheels and tires right now.  Already planning on switching from SS to 1X9.

My current train of thought is if the stem works out better I'll be continuing to use the VooDoo for the more lightweight/distance driven bikepacking.  Looking to replace my commuter with a Surly Big Dummy, which I have also seen set-up for mild off-road use (fire roads, etc).  I think it will fit the bill perfectly for the kind of road/dirt touring I have in mind. 

[Area54]

+1 for a fargo. I bought a ti Fargo and have to say it fills a niche in my quiver that I've been trying to fill for over 15 years!


I run wide road bars (not woodchippers) with some aux brake levers on the tops for mtb work. Very flexible setup and very comfy for long road miles between trail heads, or just long jeep/fire trail.