Tour Divide 2013

[BobM]

Could a monster cross bike work for the whole route? Nice fat tire with drop bars and no suspension?

I'm not techie enough to know what a "monster cross bike" is, but Joe Meiser did the race on a Salsa Fargo (http://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo/) a few years back with no problems.

[pablito]

I'm not techie enough to know what a "monster cross bike" is, but Joe Meiser did the race on a Salsa Fargo (http://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo/) a few years back with no problems.

Thanks Bobm. That is indeed a "monster cross" and the very bike I am considering.

[BobM]

Thanks Bobm. That is indeed a "monster cross" and the very bike I am considering.

check out

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joe%27s+great+adventure+salsaamigos&oq=joe%27s+great+adventure+salsaamigos&gs_l=youtube.3...3034.4300.0.5557.6.6.0.0.0.0.729.1300.1j0j2j6-1.4.0...0.0...1ac.2reZoSCWddE

for some tips from Joe

[Pizzaz]

Don't count on that. When did you order or when did they say it would be ready?
STAY ON THEM to be done before NAHBS or you're looking at April.

Yup... they're currently quoting more than 13 months for frames - didn't help that they (sortof) go through a local distributor here who wasn't perhaps as diligent at following things up as he could be.

Current estimate is somewhere between Nov and Jan...

[Christopher R. Bennett]

I agree, never too late to start planning for the 2013 TD.

We may as well start putting our names on 'paper'. I've adapted last year's Google Docs spreadsheet that was done by Denis for 2013. It is here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnV6xT65HkPRdFRTWGUyNTRnWGNrNkZsbVVPNTViNkE

One entry so far. The kiwi who is hoping 3rd time lucky.

[sthig]

signed

[Mauro_N]

Signed and running single speed! Now a question on what is classified as a single speed.  I understand that some think racing single speed means that one cannot change gear ratios or run a dingle. I have been thinking about it and think geared means that one can change gears without getting off the bike or stop peddling. So if there is no gear shifter and have to get off the bike a change gear manually will still class as a single speed.

Thoughts?

[Christopher R. Bennett]

As someone who wishes he had more than 30 gears to choose from, I think that even having to manually change it confirms you as a single speeder, and also certifiable. 

[bmike-vt]

Signed and running single speed! Now a question on what is classified as a single speed.  I understand that some think racing single speed means that one cannot change gear ratios or run a dingle. I have been thinking about it and think geared means that one can change gears without getting off the bike or stop peddling. So if there is no gear shifter and have to get off the bike a change gear manually will still class as a single speed.

Thoughts?

[moosevt]

I kinda like definition #2 myself.

I would gather that if you have the ability to change your gear ratio at all, be it with a shifter or the less efficient way such as the dingle, you are not considered SS. Furthermore, if you are not in contention to steal/set a record for that category, you might as well run whatever you feel fit. Just don't call it what it's not.

[seabrin]

Signed and running single speed! Now a question on what is classified as a single speed.  I understand that some think racing single speed means that one cannot change gear ratios or run a dingle. I have been thinking about it and think geared means that one can change gears without getting off the bike or stop peddling. So if there is no gear shifter and have to get off the bike a change gear manually will still class as a single speed.

Thoughts?

I'm a bit of a stickler so take with a grain of salt. Single speed means a single gear ratio for the entirety of the race. Whether you use a derailleur or your fingers if you use multiple gear ratios for varying terrain then you are using multiple gears hence multiple speeds; in TD terms it is the opposite of single speed.

[ron]

In the words of Fixie Dave, none of those are true SS setups, just a "really slow derailleur."

Same gear ratio (or gear inches if you have to swap to a 26" midway, God forbid) start to finish = SS category.

[mbeardsl]

Yup... they're currently quoting more than 13 months for frames - didn't help that they (sortof) go through a local distributor here who wasn't perhaps as diligent at following things up as he could be.

Current estimate is somewhere between Nov and Jan...

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be happy with the bike but the process can be frustrating.  My 5-6 months 2 years ago turned into 9-10 and that was with almost daily calls near the end.  And then it came with a few wrong parts and no pedals.  They always make it right but surprising issues for the $$ you pay.  Of course it could have gotten better in the last 2 years also.

[moosevt]

Anybody have any pictures of their rig they want to share? Interesting in seeing people's setup. I am still setting mine up. I have my bags (courtesy of the Porcelain Rocket) and I'm setting up a training bike for this year's training. Pics soon!

[BobM]

Anybody have any pictures of their rig they want to share? Interesting in seeing people's setup. I am still setting mine up. I have my bags (courtesy of the Porcelain Rocket) and I'm setting up a training bike for this year's training. Pics soon!

here are a few:

[Christopher R. Bennett]

I have photos of my bike setup and all gear for last year at:

http://triduffer.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/tour-divide-the-gear-list/

For this year it is at:

http://triduffer.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/tour-divide-2012-the-gear-list/

Still refining the setup for next year (as my credit card shows!).

[moosevt]

I asked to see some rider setups and wanted to say thank you. I am finally getting around to throwing up some pictures of my setup. Still working some things out with it but the overall setup is ready to go.

Voodoo Bokor 29er
bags from Scott Felter of Porcelain Rocket fame! (incredible stuff)
currently single speed
will be setting it up with the Alfine 11spd

[Christopher R. Bennett]

You are running two bags on the front? How about some photos (and explanation).

[moosevt]

There are two bags (technically three) up front. I have the standard main roll bag that Scott from PR has and then I had him make me a smaller roll bag to my specs to hold a Tarptent Moment. The tent packs to 4x20. It was the best place that I could think to carry it. Below are some pictures that show how it is set up. The details were ingeniously executed and it all works great together. The best part is that I can remove that roll and have a more standard set up on the bars. The third bag is his accessory pouch that clips to the front.

[jamieb]

Hi
i am already planning / training for the 2014 race, i am running the ultra mont blanc next year so cant do both.  am going to do JOGLE next year for a training ride