Yes, I appreciate all the input and my answer to the question of "how fast?" would be that speed isn't really my concern. My main goal is to push the Hillborne to the limits of what it is capable of and see how it fares, prior to dropping $2000+ on a new bike when 95% of what I'd want to do can be done with the Sam. The tire recommendations sound good, but I am wondering what the absolute "FAT MAX" limit of my 2012 Waterford-built 64cm Sam might be...
>From what I've heard, it's possible that a 50mm can fit without fenders. If this is the case, I'm wondering if the Schwalbe 'Thunder Burt' would be a viable candidate, as a lot of folks rave about it in other forum posts I've read on O.O. Going with this as a tubeless tire on the Sam would seem like the best of all possible worlds, if the clearances are indeed do-able. The Surly Ogre looks like a complete beast of a bike, and my 96cm PBH having self is very pleased that they offer it in XXL. If I were to go for a fat-ish bike, I think that would be the one. However, it is just about impossible at this point in time for me to add a steed to the stable (see: $$$). On Sunday, November 16, 2014 6:35:22 PM UTC-8, hsmitham wrote: > > Mike, > > The question that comes to my mind regarding the OO is how do you want to > ride it? > > Fast like Jan Heine or taking your time and camping along the way? If you > plan on riding in like under 30 hours than a 42 mm tire like the Grand Bois > Hetre's would be sufficient with next to no load (as Aaron mentioned). > > http://velodirt.com/the-oregon-outback-2014-in-aggregate/ > > If your not a speed demon and enjoy the pleasure of experiencing your > natural surroundings and camping along the way than again the Hillborne > should suffice with either the BG rocking roads in 700c and soon in > 650b/43mm or the Soma Cazadero also in 700c & 650b. > > Weight wise I know the Hillborne can carry a sufficient load so I see no > need for a more dedicated MTB hardtail with front supension for the OO. The > Jamis Dragon would also be excellent on the OO but not mandatory. If you > plan on riding aggressive downhill single track than the Dragon will > outshine the Sam. > > I agree that two bikes are more versatile (as Eric mentioned ). I'm an > advocate for n+1. Perhaps a fat tire bike would be worth acquiring with > studded tires in the winter and those fat tires can come in handy in Sandy > & muddy conditions that the Sam might not excel. > > Anyway my .02. > > -Hugh > Los Angeles, CA > > > On Sunday, November 16, 2014 2:33:17 PM UTC-8, Mike S wrote: > > So I currently have my Sam Hillborne as my only bike, though I was > considering adding a front suspension/disc-brake mountain bike to the > stable. There's a deal for a Jamis 650B dragon pro on the interwebs now for > $1400, but I'm thinking I could rather add a second set of very nice wheels > with fatter tires instead. My main reason to do this is so that first of > all, I can have a set of slicks and a set of studded tires in the winter, > as I live in a very icy/snowy area and am bummed out by having just studded > tank tires to ride in winter. Beyond that, I want to have a set of wheels > with a 55mm-ish tire that can handle most gravel/firetrail/light > singletrack in a ride like the Oregon Outback, as I am hoping to actually > do that ride this summer. It would also just be nice to have this set of > wheels that can handle more aggressive off-road riding to go explore > different areas where I'm at (Eastern Washington). > > > > So, I guess the question I pose to the group is: better to have a > second, cheap-ish mountain bike or a second set of really nice wheels to > maximize the All-Rounderness of a Hillborne? I've been thinking also about > Jan Heine's opinion that a rigid all-road bike with fat tires is the > "Porsche 911" of a gravel-orientated ride, and I want to stick with that > plan. Also, what are some ideas about the best tire model to do this kind > of riding? I think that 50-54mm with a moderately aggressive tread would be > perfect, but I'm wondering if there is something better than the Smart Sam? > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
