Need help! I’m looking to bikepack from MI to WA with no previous bikepacking experience. I’m a sucker for old Specialized MTBs.
Wonder if you guys think it’d be worth it to snag this bike off marketplace for $100 and throw some front shocks on it for another $50? I guess I’m more asking if there’s anything I should know about a front fork swap? Sizing, wheel fit, etc. Any advice appreciated, thanks!
by Xixono
4 Comments
I dont think front shocks are that necessary if you plan on riding on mostly paved roads. I road an MTB with a rear rack, two rear panniers, and put some aero bars on the front. Riding in that position where I could be layed out OR be upright, really saved my back. I also put on some bar-ends. For me, having a variety of positions for my hands, shoulders, back, and neck were really important. PS. I did change my tires to a mostly slick model.
Source: Road Route 66, starting in Santa Barbara, from Santa Monica Pier with my MTB that I bought for a few hundred bucks.
That looks like a tall person frame. Definitely take care to test ride if you can and make sure the frame size fits you
OP, you kind of need rear brakes…. It looks like this bike doesn’t have any.
I’d recommend getting another bike, something made for tarmac if that’s what you’re going to ride.