10 Best Bikes of The Tour Divide Race

What You'll Learn:

✅ How to match bike types to your adventure style
✅ Decoding complex bike specifications with ease
✅ Using our exclusive Bike Comparison Tool
✅ The Bikepacking Matrix: Find your ideal adventure bike match
✅ Tips for comfort-focused, adventure-ready bike selection

✅ Bonus: Exclusive discounts on premium bikepacking gear!
SAVE $$$ on Bikepacking Gear with Our Exclusive Discount Codes!

Plus so much more.....

CHECK OUT THE BIKES MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO (If you purchase with our affiliate link, we get a commission. We appreciate you helping support the channel.)

(Note that the SL varies form this model, due to availability)

SAVE 10% ON THE BIKE! +20-30% OFF UPGRADES + 10% OFF ACCESSORIES!

Steel gravel bike with large tire clearance) for up to 650b x 2.8″ or 29″ x 2.6″
Endurance Event Gravel Crusher

-----------------

The touring bike has a special place in my heart. As it was the type of bicycle that opened the doors to this wonderful world of adventuring by bike.

These bikes are considered the best bicycles for long distance touring. Meaning more traditional touring mainly on paved roads.

Most are all new 2022 models and are great for loading up and riding for months on end to cover states and even countries at a time. Some are better for lightweight, credit card style of touring, others are best for fully loaded front and rear pannier setups.

[amitkumar-wjgn]

A very good reminder of why a hardtail is all one needs.

[oscarrignell]

Yeah those Fred bars certainly look like they work. I've been scouring second hand websites for the old versions of profile design aero bars where the bar clamps and armrest clamps are separate meaning you can shift the pads significantly closer for comfort, they also have spacers available to lift them higher too. I find it crazy that I couldn't find this system on anything other than the old profile design bars. The closest I found are the Pro Missile and Bontrager Race Lite but I'm unaware if they have spacers available.

[yumyumhungry]

I rode the tour divide on my Cutthroat. 32T front 11-46T rear was perfect. I would consider suspension if I were to do it again. I wouldn't do it without aero bars. 2.2 fast rolling tires were perfect. My SON 28 Dyno hub was useful.

[Foxtrottangoabc]

Bmc frame looks nice can get for a decent price. Was wondering maybe add a 110 to 120mm fork just to improve the downhill stability and raise the front a tad for more relaxed posture

[nicolusthompson]

I have a question of preference. I am between a marlin 6 and a 2022 rockhopper sport. I read your post comparing the marlin 8 and rockhopper comp and saw that you recommended the comp. But as far as a marlin 6 vs rockhopper sport which would you recommend. Thank you

[variosworld]

is kona dew 2023 good for travel for long distance with packing ?

[pavelg]

A great overview! I'm glad it popped up, because I am designing a frame for similar use. Rough idea is a 2022 Kona Sutra 2x frame with a Pinion c1.12 I got, + gates. As I am not an ultralight racer, but more of a fast bike packer, the pinion weight penalty is alright. Having the necessity to order a custom pinion frame, I now have a chance to consider tweaks and adjustments to the Sutra geometry. I would be very curious of your thoughts and input, if you don't mind sharing... here or in dm.

My current Sutra is more similar to the LTD you got then to its basic 3x touring version. It's got tapered tube, 50-54 mm tires, and I swapped the cassette to 11-42 with a 46/30 up front, giving me 585% range. Pinion c1.12 is 600%. My use is 50% pavement, so I want to keep the road-ish geometry of the 2x Sutra vs the LTD, but get clearance for 29 x 2.35.

Cutthroat, LTD, Flaanimal are also on my list for ideas, as they share 445 chain stays, longer wheelbase and similar HT angles in their rigid frames. For suspension I use eeSilk+ seat post and Redshift suspension stem. I'm considering China Ti or Marino steel (Peru), not sure is changing from 4130 to 520, 725, 631, or 853 offers any benefit for this particular built/ use.

[HD]

I really wish that SRAM would support an AXS setup with 2X (42/30ish) and MTB cassette (10-52 or 10-46ish) with firmware lockouts for stuff that the RD won't handle.

[harrylen]

Not sure spending $$$$ for the Tour Divide' I don't mean to race. Actually you can have fun also complete the tour. ( Specialized Sirrus 4.0 12 sp SRAM GX Eagle Groupset) 2023 4300 mil