I’m starting to get into bikepacking and I’m confused as to what kind of bike I should go for.
I currently ride a giant rove 2014, which is a hybrid. When my bike is loaded, the brakes are not the best even after a tune up (drum brakes).
I plan to do most of my riding on Vancouver island, Sunshine Coast, port Angeles etc. I want to do the Cowichan 8 as my first longer trip. I also use my bike for commuting (but I could keep my hybrid for that if needed), and will be doing bikepacking throughout the winter as well as summer.
I’m stuck between finding a gravol bike, or a hardtail. What would you suggest? I would prefer to do more bikepacking to find out but I’m worried about taking my bike on longer trips because of the brakes.
Here’s a pic of a bike on Facebook that I thought might suit me. It’s listed for $300, cannondale tango 2.
by Sufficient-Good-5256
2 Comments
Do you prefer drop bars or flats?
I would suggest a gravel bike or rigid touring bike depending on your preference.
Go for disc brakes. Avoid suspension.
Counterpoint. Hardtail. That one is a good starter and down the road/trail if you choose to go one way or another, you can probably flip it for about what you paid for it. Check bicycle blue book for value, but that front rack is also worth some money if you don’t use it, or ask to price it without. I’ve got a cyclocross and a monster gravel bike, and while both do flats and uphill fine since I can choose the smoothest line, neither is comfortable going downhill in chunk. To the point where I have to slow down. There’s a reason why they stopped making rigid mountain bikes 30 years ago.