What is most interesting to me in the bikepacking space is what seems like consensus that a rigid 29er running 2.4s is about right for most people doing adventure touring. Don’t overlook the many thousands of hardtail aluminium mtbs made from 2002-2012 that just need a rigid fork to be that bike. Not just a budget-friendly way to get started bikepacking, but also giving a new lease of life to bikes that might be just sitting in a shed or garage.
I pre-ordered the Priority HXT earlier this fall. Can’t wait for it to be delivered! This is the most excited I have been for a new bike in a LONG time
That one is going to be interesting. I can't think of any other Alu frame with that tech. The few bikes with it yet are all Ti. And its a proper modern trail frame which is a pretty big departure from Priority as their other bikes are quite conservative. Will be interesting to see what the market decides about it. This could be the decider on whether a gearbox has a future on non-touring bikes.
I just built a Velo Orange Piolet and I did a lot of research on bikes and frames within my budget. I'm very pleased so far with it now to get some overnighters.
So intriguing to see that your best bikepacking bikes of the year are basically all hardtail mountain bikes. It looks like a MTB list from the 80’s. ...All my bikepacking so far is on my amazing 3T Exploro gravel race bikes…they are lighter, faster and with Talifin racks, equally as capable. ...Now, long distance bike touring is another matter altogether and the long wheelbase bikes in your list are the revelation here, though I wouldn’t classify this as ‘bikepacking’ per se. Semantics perhaps, but with none! of the amazing array of Gravel bikes on the market in your list I am responding in kind :) Cheers, all the best for 2024.
That Stooge is eye popping! As for what to test ride in 2024, I love the look and weight of the Solace OM-3. A drop bar mtb monster gravel bike. Very promising.
my honzo cr aint a bikepacking bike but it sure is lighter than most the bikes on review here. its nice when your everyday mtb just is your bikepacking bike, ya know
These bikes are amazing, but most of them are waaay out of my budget. Maybe someday... But I wonder if you tried some more budget friendly options? Did you ever put your hands on Marin Four Corners? And I am not thinking in a base form, with a 3x9 Sora gearing. Maybe someone you know uses it, has it, has some experience with it on a trail, maybe someone upgraded it to better drivetrain. Has it much heavier frame than steel bikes from boutique or mainstream brands mentioned in the content? I just wonder... Great channel! Bikepacking is sth new for me and you opened my eyes and mind😊. Carry on! Ride safe!
Good to see so many 27.5 2.8 wheel bikes still available. Disclainer i gotta whyte 909 27.5 2.8 bike and i keep thinking infact Paranoid 😅 im missing out on 29ers
Does anyone know What are the some of the strongest bike's with no rear suspension I'm looking for a bike for bike packing as well as bikejoring (dog sledding on a bike) as well as hauling a bike camper as you can imagine that would all be heavy as hell and having the dog pull on one end and a lot of weight on the other would be a lot of stress on everything especially if I get two or three dogs I'm also looking for something with decently wide tires that can soak up some bumps and decent front suspension it doesn't need to be anything super high performance it just needs to take the weight and it should have a ton of gears for climbing Hill's and getting maximum speed on the way down for conserving energy long term any suggestions are helpful
I’m really big on the new m trigger shifting Pinion bikes, the Viral Derive and Wanderer are high on that list, as well as the Priority HTX. In my dream setup, I’d do something that was similar in geo to the Jones LWB but with a Pinion. Any thoughts on who makes something like that?
Consider having a look at Rollingdale Cycle. I've got a 29'er and a fatbike from Dale, both Pinion with Carbon Drive and fairly long wheel bases. I've written a blog post on the 29'er. "Finding N+0" at Bikepackers Foundry. Both bikes were completely custom with costs similar to the Derive.
I just want a bike for all in I dont have a house for multiple bikes i bought Specialized diverge e5 2023 for commute to work and to hit the road long disntance
They sell an extension piece which should solve that out of level problem you get when the rack is mounted too low on the seattube (either due to dropper post, or just a really small sized bike). The extension should push the wishbone back so that the tail end of it lowers slightly.
What is most interesting to me in the bikepacking space is what seems like consensus that a rigid 29er running 2.4s is about right for most people doing adventure touring. Don’t overlook the many thousands of hardtail aluminium mtbs made from 2002-2012 that just need a rigid fork to be that bike. Not just a budget-friendly way to get started bikepacking, but also giving a new lease of life to bikes that might be just sitting in a shed or garage.
Like this vid made me wonder what is wrong with my rockhopper….nothing?
This is pretty fun… bikepacking.com/bikes/budget-bikepacking-build-off-lucas-diamondback/
What are some hardtails from that era you'd recommend?
The best bike for bikepacking is the bike that you have got :D
Thats exactly what I did with my 2008 Kellys Scarpe
I pre-ordered the Priority HXT earlier this fall. Can’t wait for it to be delivered! This is the most excited I have been for a new bike in a LONG time
I have the 600 X and I love it
That one is going to be interesting. I can't think of any other Alu frame with that tech. The few bikes with it yet are all Ti. And its a proper modern trail frame which is a pretty big departure from Priority as their other bikes are quite conservative. Will be interesting to see what the market decides about it. This could be the decider on whether a gearbox has a future on non-touring bikes.
@@HuntersCyclingAdventures Same here. Super comfortable bike and I don't mind the grip shift. The electronic shifting does seem nice though.
@@frbrable especially since the battery’s last for like six months on a charge
Man, we're spoiled.
You should follow up a video like this with a "how to store more bikes" video. Thanks for the awesome content!
Already got you covered: czcams.com/video/1WDitHDhpok/video.html
I’m loyal to Salsa, but that Esker Hayduke LVS reminds me of a lean Blackborow - very nice!
my fav bikepacking bike is the one i built around the Sonder Camino frame... cause it's my only bike... and the only bike I can afford :D
I just built a Velo Orange Piolet and I did a lot of research on bikes and frames within my budget. I'm very pleased so far with it now to get some overnighters.
My Stooge Mk6 has quickly become my favourite bike I've ever owned, and I have owned a lot of bikes!
So stoked to see you giving Stooge props. The geometry is magical, they look amazing, and they’re fun in every way. Love my Speedbomb and my Rambler!
Waiting with bated breath for my Rambler frame!
If Salsa redesigns the Fargo for 2024 I'd love to see a review of one of those.
I love my Olsen Lamb with a Pinion , a great value titanium bike .
This video dropped just in time for my Ti Fenrir to arrive. So much stoke going on right now!
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
High value content! Certainly makes the N+! seem like N+5!
I just built up an SST and have been loving it. Glad to see it on the list, certainly a bike I feel would be the last bike I sell.
So intriguing to see that your best bikepacking bikes of the year are basically all hardtail mountain bikes. It looks like a MTB list from the 80’s. ...All my bikepacking so far is on my amazing 3T Exploro gravel race bikes…they are lighter, faster and with Talifin racks, equally as capable. ...Now, long distance bike touring is another matter altogether and the long wheelbase bikes in your list are the revelation here, though I wouldn’t classify this as ‘bikepacking’ per se. Semantics perhaps, but with none! of the amazing array of Gravel bikes on the market in your list I am responding in kind :) Cheers, all the best for 2024.
As always I want all the bikes n+1+1+1...
That Stooge is eye popping! As for what to test ride in 2024, I love the look and weight of the Solace OM-3. A drop bar mtb monster gravel bike. Very promising.
my honzo cr aint a bikepacking bike but it sure is lighter than most the bikes on review here. its nice when your everyday mtb just is your bikepacking bike, ya know
Favouite bike of 2023 is still the Cutthroat for me, Stigmata just behind... 🤣 then my fellow Oiz TR for more gnarly terrains.
I was gonna suggest checking out that new Priority & you already knew about it 😂❤🎉
all nice bikes, thanks Neil
so many cool bikes
I'd like to see the priority 600HXT reviewed. Thinking I should buy one.
The priority 600hxt looks interesting
The scrambler and coyote have my attention
No doubt!
Nice bikes all around, but the Voytek and Fenrir are two of my favorites!
These bikes are amazing, but most of them are waaay out of my budget. Maybe someday... But I wonder if you tried some more budget friendly options? Did you ever put your hands on Marin Four Corners? And I am not thinking in a base form, with a 3x9 Sora gearing. Maybe someone you know uses it, has it, has some experience with it on a trail, maybe someone upgraded it to better drivetrain. Has it much heavier frame than steel bikes from boutique or mainstream brands mentioned in the content? I just wonder...
Great channel! Bikepacking is sth new for me and you opened my eyes and mind😊.
Carry on! Ride safe!
Get a Orbea Alma to test in either Alu or Carbon from you can order with Rigid fork
While those bikes are rad, man that shirt is gorgeous, where'd you get it?
Love to see you review the CO-Motion Divide.
I love my priority 600x gonna spend 6 days on the eastern divide starting New Year’s Day
Thanks, Neil!
I know you don't normally do videos on this, so figured I'd ask! What was your favorite new route of 2023?
Good to see so many 27.5 2.8 wheel bikes still available. Disclainer i gotta whyte 909 27.5 2.8 bike and i keep thinking infact Paranoid 😅 im missing out on 29ers
Where can I get a metal cylinder like the one that's strapped onto the stooge frame?
For the Sutra, doesn't 700x50mm make it less than the older model(not the ULTD/LTD) reviewed, which I think maxed out at 29x2.25 or 27.5x2.6?
I am dreamming now with a steel esker lvs with a jones fork spaced to put two identical wheels like a pugsley... ❤❤❤
No Surly bike??
I just wanna know where can I get that button up shirt you’re wearing ?
Does anyone know What are the some of the strongest bike's with no rear suspension I'm looking for a bike for bike packing as well as bikejoring (dog sledding on a bike) as well as hauling a bike camper as you can imagine that would all be heavy as hell and having the dog pull on one end and a lot of weight on the other would be a lot of stress on everything especially if I get two or three dogs
I'm also looking for something with decently wide tires that can soak up some bumps and decent front suspension it doesn't need to be anything super high performance it just needs to take the weight and it should have a ton of gears for climbing Hill's and getting maximum speed on the way down for conserving energy long term any suggestions are helpful
WOWZERS, what trail at 3:15?!
I think that's Skyline Spur at Hartman Rocks in Gunnison, Co.
Surprised not to see the karate monkey on here
I’m really big on the new m trigger shifting Pinion bikes, the Viral Derive and Wanderer are high on that list, as well as the Priority HTX. In my dream setup, I’d do something that was similar in geo to the Jones LWB but with a Pinion. Any thoughts on who makes something like that?
Consider having a look at Rollingdale Cycle. I've got a 29'er and a fatbike from Dale, both Pinion with Carbon Drive and fairly long wheel bases. I've written a blog post on the 29'er. "Finding N+0" at Bikepackers Foundry. Both bikes were completely custom with costs similar to the Derive.
Great setup ;)
Great review but pls flash the price to save us time cause some brands are reasonable and popular brands overpriced so .....por favor$$$
This just sounds like one long advertisement
Would love to watch your video on the topic. Send it along when you have it. 👍🏼
would these bikes also be good on pavement?....i'm favouring the Reeb sst steel bike!! SEXY!!
Fancy bikes ... There is nothing better than a old retro steel MTB for bikepacking or commuting.
Wow, you mentioned Kona Sutra but missed to mention Kona Unit X..
Check out our 2020 bikepacking awards and you will find what you are looking for. bikepacking.com/gear/2020-bikepacking-gear-of-the-year/
I just want a bike for all in I dont have a house for multiple bikes i bought Specialized diverge e5 2023 for commute to work and to hit the road long disntance
Hey, i like that shirt, where'd you get it?
It’s a Kitsbow Icon, and they went out of business this year so you are out of luck.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom Sometimes when you get disappointments it makes you stronger (not me, I'm weak).
N+7?
Hipster bike awards
It all stays a dream here in Europe. Not much choice here, all those beauties are out of reach - or taxes and delivery costs are way to high
I will never buy till i see tour bike integrated cables
I can’t stand the tail fin rear rack when it’s not level
Thanks for the comment. It's usually never level when used with a dropper post.
They sell an extension piece which should solve that out of level problem you get when the rack is mounted too low on the seattube (either due to dropper post, or just a really small sized bike). The extension should push the wishbone back so that the tail end of it lowers slightly.
what shirt is that? Looks sweet
I cannot recall the name but I think it went out of business earlier this year.
maybe kitsbow? Kind of looks like an icon
@@mgcnx1x5 Yeah, that's the one!
@@mgcnx1x5@mgcnx1x5 yep, icon. Unfortunately, it is only available on eBay once every other month. :(