Bikepacking/expedition drivetrain choices?

[zuren]

I will need finances to cooperate but I'm contemplating a build for a versatile bike that would see some bikepacking use. I already have a Salsa Enabler fork (135mm) and I'm eyeing a 2013 Soma Juice frame running 29x2.4 wheels.

There seems to be a raging debate over the ideal drivetrain setup. Singlespeed is an option. Derailleur is what most people know. Then there is Internal Geared Hubs (IGH) like the Shimano Alfine 8, Alfine 11 and the Rohloff Speedhub. The Rohloff is not an option at $1600 (hub only). The Shimano offerings are possible but wanted to hear any experience from others with IGH hubs.

I plan to run a singlespeed hub for the front wheel then a geared solution for the rear. I'm just trying to decide which direction to go. If you were building up a new rig that would see a mixed amount of use including bikepacking, what would you go with?

Thanks!

 

[Christophe Noel]

Bikepacking doesn't really impose any unique demands on your drivetrain. Some riders worry about mechanical failures mid-trip, but the reality is, even big bikepack trips are seldom longer than a few hundred miles. I put roughly five to seven thousand miles on my bikes in a season and can go years without a real mechanical failure. In fact, a good friend of mine did a 22,000 mile bike tour recently on a ten year old Rockhopper and only had two noteworthy failures. Any bike that is maintained well will provide the reliability you need.

With regard to internally geared hubs, I just don't see the need. Few do, which is why that topic frequently comes and goes without an increase in the number if IG hubs in circulation. Derailleurs are simply more popular because...they work. As a former Rohloff owner, that thing was a boat anchor at a couple pounds.

As for singlespeeding, I'm a fan - sorta. I've used a singlespeed as my primary ride for the last seven years. However, it makes for a challenged bikepacker. I'm now starting to realize two things: Gears are damn handy and my knees are seriously screwed. Getting out of a chair some days nearly brings me to tears. If you think you have sensitive knees, don't go with the one gear. I also feel I cover more miles with less overall fatigue with a full 2x10 geared set up.

So here are my final words on bikes, bikepacking, and mechanical durability. Most failures are the result of a crash. Crashes are usually the result of riding towards the edge of your limits. When you're bikepacking, you're usually going pretty darn slow and riding well within your limits as to not stack it up miles from home. There's just not a ton of demands being asked of your bike.

Here's one of the singlespeeds I used in the past in the San Juans of Colorado. Note the gigantic cog. That's a 32x23 combo. Yep, pretty darn slow.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I run gears because my left knee is shredded from a telemark accident years ago. Single speed is uber painful. It's been really bad this summer since I raced the full Growler without my patella brace. By the end of the first lap it hurt to pedal and at the end I could barely walk. Took 4 weeks for the inflammation to fully subside. My hat's off to guys who can ride one speed. More than to the bar and back and I have to spend a day cozy with an ice bag.

Personally I think the attraction of internal geared hubs is the external simplicity, nothing to break from sticks. Plus you can run a belt drive, super quiet! I think the weight and potential trip-stopping break make them unattractive for bikepacking. Worst case I can bypass everything and have at least a way to keep moving.

I run a 2x10 because I only run the one bike, so it has to do a bunch of things. In a more dedicated bike (e.g. one that is just for fun and touring, no racing) I would have no trouble doing 1-by-whatever, punting the big ring that is only useful for eating up miles on roads and pavement.

 

[Christophe Noel]

Many of the internal geared offerings still have a very delicate actuator mechanism at the axle, just waiting to be destroyed. In some cases, I've heard of internal geared hubs blowing up and leaving the rider with no gear. At least with a derailleur you can get home with one gear if you have to.

 

[EMrider]

About every 6-9 months or so the idea of trying a Rohloff IGH grabs my attention. After considering the reliability of modern geared drivetrains, costs, and Rohloff availability, I always pass on the idea. I will keep your comments in mind when the urge strikes again.

I bought a Surly Troll about a year ago. It came with the lowly Deore drivetrain and I considered switching to XT or X9 right away.

After many many miles of fun riding, I am very impressed with the Deore setup and have no plans to switch. It is solidly built, easy to service and very reliable. Cheap too.

R

 

[Christophe Noel]

In 2001 when I was living in Alaska one of my buddies there bought a $700 Rockhopper, loaded it with 60 pounds of gear and rode it home to Denver. The next year, he did it again, this time along the Divide route, but to Veracruz, Mexico. Two years ago, he did it AGAIN. He left Anchorage on the same $700 Rockhopper, now a decade old, and he rode it all the way to Leadville, took off the panniers and did the Leadville 100, then put the panniers back on and rode to Mexico. He then went to Peru, and on to Ushuaia, on a 12 year old Rockhopper with Deore components. That trip alone was 22,000 miles. He figures he put over 37,000 miles on that bike.

I urged him to contact Specialized and tell them the story of that bike. Their marketing guy said, "Hmm...that's a lot of miles on a bike. Thanks for calling." <click>

Anyway, bikes are amazing things, even the lesser priced bikes we would normally think are fragile and fit for rookies.

 

[p nut]

I plan to run a singlespeed hub for the front wheel then a geared solution for the rear. I'm just trying to decide which direction to go. If you were building up a new rig that would see a mixed amount of use including bikepacking, what would you go with?

Sounds like a good plan. It's like a Pug set up where you can exchange the front for rear. IMO, I would go with a simple frame, like a Karate Monkey. Sliders are ok, but I prefer track ends for simplicity and durability. Although sliders will probably do just fine, I have broken my fair share of bolts and rounded off heads. For gears, I would personally just go with a traditional set up.

 

[madmax718]

rear cog spacings can now be pretty wide so you can get away with a single gear in front. Unless your driving to a trail head, you do want some speed ability, but I say that from a perspective of riding 20 miles on road to do 30 off road, to ride 20 back. You want to be able to take advantage of speed where you can, and push the granny when going up hill. Although I do find it to save energy to sometimes just walk it. lol.

 

[ddog45]

I love my Karate Monkey after riding it a few hundred miles I have made it a 1x9. Its a no frills bike that will last forever and it was relatively cheap considering the prices of bikes these days.

 

[Victorian]

Have done many thousand miles biketouring... The best setup I had was a cheap simple Shimano Deore drivetrain. Lately I have been experimenting with a Shimano Alfine 11 on my touring and mountain bike. Shifting was fine. Gearing sucked! Steep climbs will make switch back to derailer. Then there is also the weight of a gearhub and the resistance. I think they have their place in a daily commuter but not in mountain bikes or for touring.

 

[bucketosudz]

I have ridden my Surly Moonlander year-round exclusively for over a year now in Northern UT. Several hundreds of miles monthly, even during the winter months with Revelate Designs frame bag, Mountain Feedbags, Gas Tank, Jerry Can and Viscacha seat bag with a........Rohloff. Love it, wouldn't change it!

Tried the Alfine 8 out on my Pugsley beforehand for about 6 weeks, was great for a few of those weeks then the shifting mech became more niggly than I cared to bother with. Sold a bunch of stuff and paid for the Rohloff and it has been by far the best investment I have made has needed zero attention though an oil change is due soon. Mileage in the thousands thus far in all weather types, opinions vary for sure but I like my well enough that next year I hope to build up a Surly ECR with another!