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    Specialized Chisel for Bikepacking/Cycle touring


    Hi all,

    I bought a Specialized chisel hardtail last year. I’ve always had mountain bikes with suspension since I was a boy, so when I got a new job, I instinctively bought another one. I liked the idea of comfort and control for gravel and off-road, but wanted it to be suitable for commuting and road trips. The store and my colleagues all suggested getting a gravel bike.

    Against their best suggestions, I got the Chisel and have come to realise that I am not using it for its intended design.

    I’ve started to gain a love for bikepacking (or at least the idea of it). I love hiking and camping, and would love to get into it. However, I can’t justify paying thousands for a new bike (even though I would love to splurge out on a Kona Sutra).

    Here’s where the Chisel comes in. I’d like to convert this bike into a bikepacking work horse. I respect that the frame is not designed for this kind of work, I.e aggressive frame, limited mounting points. Additionally, the country I’m from is very hilly, so I find it exhausting cycling up hills on roads with the resistance on the existing tyres (specialized fast trak).

    I feel that I’d be leaning more towards cycle touring over bikepacking, as I’d like to cover more ground on gravel and roads over the off-road trails.

    Has anyone got any suggestions on how to turn this into a cycle-touring Franken-bike? Thanks

    by Dazzling_Basket_4428

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    18 Comments

    1. HG1998 on

      Put a Old Man Mountain Divide rack onto it and add a frame bag and top tube bag. Handlebar bag if you need the space and you’re basically there.

      Then, depending on what terrain you’re going to ride, swap the tires to something suited for it. Generally, you don’t need proper MTB tires if you’re planning on riding asphalt or gravel.

    2. Milters711 on

      In order or potential benefit, you may consider:
      – new, smaller and more efficient tires (and wheels depending on their lower size limits)
      – replace front shock with rigid fork
      – modified bars depending (maybe surly corner bars)

      But honestly, I’d recommend just getting a touring focused bike if that’s what you want. You don’t need to spend much; I tour on a steel frame 2012 Novara Randonee which would probably cost 200-300$ if I bought it today. I have my 1000-2000$ bikes, but I just keep the ol steel frame for the occasional tour.

      It may cost the same to buy a used old steel touring bike with racks as it would cost to convert your hard tail to a good touring rig.

    3. _Stolem on

      https://preview.redd.it/wimll1z5znah1.jpeg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4ffcf5f34aef285ce2d47d25640713661fb08de2

      Hope this helps.
      You dont need to go the Dropbar Route to get your bike to a capable Bikepacking Rig.

      This is my Setup for 1+ Weeks of Bikepacking (Tent)
      – Tailfin Rear Rack System
      – Tailfin Fork Adapters with Topeak Cages and Drybags
      – Custom Framebag
      – Aero Extensions + Drybag

      There would still be room for some more bags.
      Attached to the Downtube: TentPoles

      Enjoy the outdoors 🙂

    4. LittleTownie on

      I have the chisel. Its been great for single track bikepacking. I’ve made no changes to the bike. I might later on, but for the time being it suits my purposes.

    5. knellotron on

      Thumbs up from me. XC bikes are the fastest and most efficient of the MTB spectrum, and actually pretty good at going uphill. If you’re on the terrain that deserves a front suspension, don’t need drop bars, and can work with the carrying capacity, it’s a good choice.

    6. whiteryanc on

      Gravel/Touring bikes and Mountain bikes, specifically a hardtail like this have been converging for years, you’re not too far off.

      Drivetrain: Many gravel bikes come stock with a 1x drivetrain, key difference is they will have a larger chainring for the faster overall speeds. Your chisel likely has a maximum chainring size it can run due to the chain stay, but you can address this later once you ride the bike and understand how it feels with faster tires. That being said, if you’re going to load up and tour, a smaller chainring might just be the thing you want anyway.

      Tires: Just put some more slick tires on, pretty simple. Most pro gravel racers are running 2.25-2.4 tires these days anyway, and there’s lots of good choices for very fast tires. Maxxis Aspen ST, Vittoria Peyote, Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge are all popular tires for this purpose. As noted in my last point, once you change tires you can pay attention to what gears you’re in most and try a larger chainring as needed to compensate for increased speed (if that’s the case).

      Hand positions: possibly the only thing you can’t really replicate, but look at Ergon grips with bar-ends, or inner-bar ends from companies like SQ Labs to add a second hand position for extended road riding.

      Fork: If you’re motivated and have the budget, get a carbon rigid fork like the Enve or Lithic carbon suspension corrected forks to reduce weight and add mounting points on the fork. Lighter and more versatile if you don’t see suspension being useful. This is a very common set up for mixed-surface touring bikes. I always love looking at Tour Divide bikes, they’re all trying to achieve speed and comfort for mixed surface, although it does lean more off-road. Still a good place to find inspiration. [https://bikepacking.com/bikes/2026-tour-divide-rigs-part-one/](https://bikepacking.com/bikes/2026-tour-divide-rigs-part-one/)

      I like a hardtail for its versatility, and if you do venture off road you can easily convert back to a more rugged set up. It’s still going to be a bit slower than a road bike due to geometry differences and the inability to get low/aero as easily, but it will probably work just fine.

    7. UnusualCareer3420 on

      Mountains bike gearing is ideal for bike touring from what I’ve seen is you will want aero bars on it for flat stretches and to give your hands a rest from the limited positions maybe consider jones bars on it.

    8. Jack-Schitz on

      I use something very similar to this for bikepacking in the Colorado Rockies.

      My bike changes:

      1. When you add bags (and the weight that goes with them), you may want to invest in a new smaller chainring.

      2. Bags. Choose what you need: a. Front roll, b. frame bag, c. feed bags for the handlebars, d. rear seat bag OR rear rack + bag(s) attached to your through axle, e. top tube bag(s), f. down tube bag (great place to put your cook kit). Try to keep weight off your body. Having said that a lumbar pack is not the end of the world.

      3. Mid bar extra grips.

      4. A dropper post is nice.

      5. Make sure you are running tubeless and adjust your pressures for the weight of bags and gear. I also run inserts for safety.

      Have fun.

    10. kristapszs on

      i am bikepacking with modified giant fathom. went over alps last year. I dont see any problems with riding xc/trail bike, as the matter of fact, i prefer it as it allows me to ride singletrails and rougher sections. One thing i have done is risen the stem so my shoulders dont get so much load. basically making it less “xc agressive” and a bit more durable with tyres, wheel, bearing updates.

    11. Taz1960 on

      I purchased a Chisel to see if I liked bikepacking.
      I put a jones bar on it.. I also put a steerer tube extension. I wanted a more upright riding position.
      Tailfin rear rack, mounted front fork cargo cages(use hose clamps and a bit of old tube to stop the clamps from slipping).
      It worked well.
      I now ride a pinion gear box bike, less hassle, but the Chisel was a good lightweight bike.

    12. behindmycamel on

      A wide, full slick/filetread would be best for rolling, and still cover mild gravel. 

      The G-One Speed? Pro 2.35 hasn’t been mentioned. Measures closer to 60mm on a wide inner rim. Quite light.

    13. HippCelt on

      imo it looks ideal ..I go on my Sonder transmitter very similar shape and I loved it.

    14. Keroshii on

      Narrow bars and a set of schwalbe g one speed 2.35 tires. That’s all you have to change. Maybe a slightly bigger chain ring if you spin out alot. Rigid fork could be handy but definitely not required.

    18. fpeterHUN on

      I rode an Epic HT (2017). It is a really rigid and unforgiving frame. Once you put some bags on it, it gives you an enjoyable ride quality. The Epic HT and Chisel are really similar bikes. I ended up using 2,4″ tires on the Epic HT and it rubbed on the stays. The Chisel has a better tire clearance. It is a great bikepacking frame.

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