SlingFin Tim's Sub-20 Day Tour Divide Bike Check

In this video Tim does a deep dive into the bike and gear he used on the 2024 Tour Divide. The 2700-mile Tour Divide is a self-supported bikepacking race that follows the Continental Divide from Banff, Alberta, to the US-Mexico border in Antelope Wells, New Mexico.

A good Tour Divide setup needs to keep a rider (and bicycle) alive in a huge range of weather conditions from snow to scorching desert heat, but must be light enough to cover 100+ miles per day for several weeks through mountainous and remote terrain without outside support. Keep watching to learn about the bike setup and unconventional shelter choice that helped Tim survive the Divide.

Intro: 00:00
What is the Tour Divide?: 0:17
The Bike: 1:40
Drivetrain: 2:26
Cockpit: 3:37
Bags Overview: 4:39
Top Tube Bag: 5:09
Frame Bag: 5:27
Clothing Carried (for riding): 7:21
Clothing For Camp: 9:39
Sleeping Bag: 11:08
Sleeping Pad: 11:26
Shelter: 11:46
Bike Tools: 12:41
Feed Bag: 13:53
Riding Clothes: 14:46
Backpack and Rain Gear: 15:09
Conclusion: 16:31

[ivarbrouwer]

One of the most well thought out bike/gear set ups for the divide I’ve seen. Congrats on the 20 day finish!

[RideAlongside]

Great gear list Tim! Thanks for sharing it.
-Nick, Prescott, AZ

[chriswilliams]

Really useful thanks - easily the most informative bike check I’ve seen. Those calf length vapour barrier socks look great. Wet cold feet on multi day rides are a pain. Bread bags are good with wet shoes but wear out fast and don’t seal at the top. ‘Waterproof’ socks wet out under the soles after a few hours riding in the rain - then don’t dry out for the next few days.

[francoispaquin]

Thanks for sharing. A lot of interesting ideas. And congratulations for your 20 days Divide finish. Wow!

[PerfDayToday]

4:15 “I’m not making Northface money’ … 😢😢 Hey. I just Bought a Portal 1 for bikepacking. I love my DCF MLD floor-less mid- but at 7’ x 9’, it can be a bit big at times. THXS FOR THE video. Agree w your view on floorless mids for bikepacking- spacious. Congrats on your GDMBR race.

[omare_biketonature]

Congratulations on your 20 days finish 👌🏻 stealing some ideas for my ride in the Atlas mountains next year, cheers from Norway

[SingermanRyun]

My mom bought one kislux and she loves it. It had been there for over 10 years when she went out with it.

[ChossBoss]

Love the video! However, my dude, the second GPS unit is for when the software/firmware on your primary craps out on you, not because you might lose it 😂

[quinnharnett]

Love the breakdown, just had the algorithm feed me this video a few months late. I'm on an R+ as well, how do you like it with the 650b x 55 wheelset? Can you compare it to a 700c wheelset on this bike? Were you able to push the tire clearances at all? Thanks!

[Jimoto]

Hi Tim, great information! I have one question. About how many liters were your dry bags? Thanks and happy trails.

[arekmisztal]

Tim, congrats on finishing the Tour Divide! Great video. What was the length of the carbon pole that you used?

[sharondennis]

I, too, get cold super fast...as a result bought the gloves and rain jacket you used...question...are the gloves waterproof...the kind of water proof the TD offers? Lol

[kovenant]

If it fits your riding style good then that's the most important thing imo.

[wherethen]

A great dialed in set up. Is that the Ergon SM Pro saddle? I've been considering trying Ergon and it's the only model with silver rails

[mattvanderwalt]

Thats a very cool tent. Did you use the foam mat in conjunction with a bit of groundsheet (Tyvek etc.)?

[Mr_Zzzeee]

You didn't have to use the pump once during the whole trip??

[Twoholesofman]

Who makes that light mount adapter for the Beacon to Garmin mount?

[onthetrailwithbart]

Do you have any advice on saddle sores/saddle pain?

[yumyumhungry]

trying to figure out how you went through double the brake pads I did. Maybe I'm just sendy?