Solid conclusion to the question "what bike do you need for adventure riding?": a bike. Two wheels, handle bar, pedals, optionally some suspension to make it more comfy, good off road tyres... and a lot will to pedal :D
Agreed. Where I live I don't need a slack head angle or an insane DH setup. I have grown up riding 90s mtb. Back when they were off road-road bikes haha. But I still rock a 98 giant Rincon. 3 rings in the front and 7 in the back. It's my most favorite bike ever, great for adventure and capable of running trails. I love riding bikes! The best bike is your favorite.
sold the gravel bike and bought a heavily discounted XC bike and I have no regrets, comfortable and safe over a much broader range of terrain than a drop bar bike, confident across 70-100k rides.
My vote for 29er hardtail XC bike. I'm lucky enough to have a 2020 Voodoo Bizango Carbon, 1x12, with upgraded Rockshox Judy Gold forks with remote lockout and a 150mm dropper. Nice and light with a springy frame that seems to soak up bumps amazingly well for a hardtail. Super lucky to get it early in lockdown before everywhere sold out. Done a few 50km+ cross country rides on it so far and it's been great.
More stuff like this. Super practical advise. Simple n straightforward. For us normal 61 year old adventure riders. I am near Peak District not far from Sheffield. More stuff like this. Fabulous.
Thanks David! Adventure week is a theme that comes around for us every now and then. If you'd like to watch more videos like this search 'GMBN Adventure Week' in the RUclips search bar 👍
Don't worry about it, I started out with a budget steel frame bike with modern geometry. Until now I still use it but with upgraded parts of course. The feeling of a heavy steel bike is just so much nicer compared to a lightweight bike, enjoy your riding and don't be pressured by the modern standards 😁
As I was buying my entry level bike, I was making a noted that it was heavy compared to my mates bike. The dealer just went: "Don't worry, you just get stronger".... i liked that :-D
This really depends on where you are going...I did the continental divide (Canada to mexico) on an e-bike and had a couple of times where power was an issue, but pushed the bike alot in the super sandy south (with 2.8" tires), last year I did it with a fat tire (4.5" tires) and the sand in the south was nothing, but was pushing it up steep climbs in the northern Rockies... One note though is the divide ride is about 30-35 days of straight riding...
The best bike is the one you have. But, if you have more than one, the one suited for the terrain is best. I've only got one bike, so my 120mm full suspension bike will be what I use.
Scott Spark full suspension. Twin lock system to lock the suspension on then flat, halfway for the gravel, opened entirely for the descents. Affordable, capable, and awesome.
my dream adventure bike is definitely a fat bike. right now im riding something a lot less fun but still pretty good for most things. just an entry level hybrid ebike. my trusty ol raleigh hardtail is in no condition for a long trip. i spent all the money on the ebike and back to saving up for new parts =(
I’d argue for in between... a good 120-130mm hardtail that’s a bit burlier and more robust than a XC race bike but not as cumbersome and heavy as a fat bike. Also consider whether you want your expensive carbon XC or trail bike out in rough conditions and unpredictable weather for a week at a time, or left where it could be nabbed from your campsite while you sleep.
Really enjoying this adventure week series. Great job guys! Timing couldn't be better. Picking up my first fat bike in 2 weeks. Planning my first bikepacking trip, 450km trek across the Central Ontario Loop Trail here in Canada. Never ridden more than 100kms before so it should be disastrous and the one of the greatest experiences I will ever have all wrapped up into one. 😆 Looking forward to it.
I realise this is a MTB channel but what about using a gravel bike or a tourer? The people who do this stuff all the time aren’t using the bikes you argued for (with the exception of the fat bike). What about hard tails or commuters with gravel tyres? Just a bit myopic. Still, a great video.
I think it depends on adventure you would like to attend. If you would like to travel through the mountains you definitely need stiff rig. Cross country bikes (mostly on the high end side) are developed only for using for XC races. Everywhere material on frame is not needed it is made thin or cutted. So it is made for load from rider not from the luggage. Actually I think the best adventure bike is original bike for adventure :D But from my standpoint I would prefer trail bike (as Rich said) which has stiff frame and I would take XC tyres. This is my favorite setup. Hardtail is prefered :D
I have a 2010 Kona Kula hardtail XC that works brlliantly for winter adventure riding. So do not need to spends tons of money on another bike cost me £99 mint condition from guy in Ilkley plus £15 train fare to pick it up. More than capable bike for winter adventure riding. That is what I specifically bought it for. So have more than 1 bike. I have 4. Hurray 😊
dunno if this is a GCN or GMBN thing, but why not a trekking bike? They don't get any love at GCN or GMBN (excuse me if I'm wrong). They are absolutely great, have flat handle bars, light weight and some of them offer the best of MTB and road bikes drivetrains, with not too wide tyres, but not too thin either. They are more like my dream "gravel bike", but gravel bikes usually only have drop bars and their gear ratios are more akin to road bikes. The Canyon Roadlite 6 (gorgeous bike btw!) which is 1X 46T 11-51T cassette, and the Riverside 920 which is also 1X 38T 11-46T, are imho two perfect examples of excellent trekking bikes
the best and most suitable are too different things, the most suitable option for most people is a carrera vendatta from halfords its a light ish 27.5 plus hardtail with an entry level fork and decent ish gears for 400gbp enough for most uses unless you wanna go real nuts, fairly inexpensive and easily upgradable. not trying to be a fanboy or anything im a bit short so i built up a 26+ bike, im just trying to be helpful to those who can afford the best stuff like myself : )
I've been bikepacking on a fatbike and honestly... I hated it bike-wise. Next time I'd definitely take my xc bike or pack really light and take a roadbike to cover as much ground as possible. The lighter setup the better.
So you took a fatbike on the road and it didn't live up to your expectations ... got it. Keep us updated on _"covering as much ground as possible"_ after you took the road bike out on the trails pls! 😅
@@geemail369 I rode on forrest singletrack near the sea, through villages with cobbled roads and through the dunes. And still, having to cover those 100k a day I'd rather push my xc bike through the dune than ride whole route on a fatty. Horses for courses i guess. To me lighter is better and that's ,y point.
@@kubagajda7347 It just comes down to terrain for sure. I have done bike tours that you would not have been able to ride a xc bike on even without bags! For those routes the Fatty is just plain fun. I did one tour that had 70KM of beach .......super cool ride.
The simple answer is to buy an enduro bike, a free ride bike, xc bike, mtb bike, down hill bike, all mountain bike, gravel bike, fat bike, plus bike, road bike, hybrid bike, e-bike, trail bike, and travel bike. Once purchasing each of these, you will finally be able to enjoy cycling. Thank you.
Carrera bikes are great if you're on a tight budget, yes a bit heavy and unsophisticated but still way better than any bike from back in the day I started off on a 2014 Vulcan, great frame and wheels. Forks can be a bit poor and heavy but you can upgrade later when you've saved up some more money. I fitted Suntour Epixon to my Vulcan which transformed it. Also swapped from Clark brakes to Tektro Auriga which are still quite cheap but much better. That bike did 1000s of KMs, cross country and bike park, over Snowden (Ranger Path), Brecon Beacons many times, Helvellyn (Stick's Pass) and the Quantocks (all UK greats) and never let me down. Still going strong when I sold a couple of months ago (got the same as I paid for it all those years ago due to Covid shortages 😊). Just maintain it properly, replace and upgrade things as they wear out and it will serve you well.
@@kevinshort3943 Agree, Voodoo are even better, I have 3 😊, Marasa for the road, a 2018 Bizango 29er and a 2020 Bizango carbon (which is fantastic). But they are quite a bit more expensive than the Carerras, as ever, you have to suit your budget, and the Carerras are a great place to start.
@@jonm7272 The only bits left of my Bizango, are the wheels, cassette and frame :0 Now I have half a clue (unlike when I bought it), I find it too tall and not long enough.
Adventure week cool 😎👊 Well I'm loving my Nukeproof Scout 290 Race great for a blast or long as ride (which is what I mainly do ) Looking at getting some kind of frame bag for it. Looking at doing the recently announced Kings Alfred's Way (part of the route passes my house😁) I sections and next year bikepack it 👍
Fatbike is not a good choice for traveling, if you are traveling on a road on sandy mud, I still agree that it is good, but not for asphalt. There is no roll-over, very heavy navryatli, someone will buy top-end carbon wheels for a fat bike for travel.
Cross country maybe if the terrain is easy but I ride in areas with no trails let along roads so the Fat Bike is for me. Ebike ....hell no that is just a motorcylcle. Trail bike sure but I'd rather have the fatty
Which is your bikepacking bike of choice?
Xc definetly
Gravel bike
XC, more specifically the trek supercalliber
I got my self a Surly Wednesday fat bike, set it up for touring and the tyres arent big compared to other fatties, only 4.0 on 80mm rims. just enough.
My current Orbea Alma
Best bike for bike packing is the one that you have...
Followed your advice, and so can confirm my unicycle is not the best bike for bike packing.
@@Mochachinoexfk Well, bike is shorter for bicycle. So in your case it would be uni packing 😉
@@Mochachinoexfk Ed Pratt travelled the world on a unicycle
Use rat , I was going to say the same thing. Ed’s adventures on the unicycle was awesome to watch.
Solid conclusion to the question "what bike do you need for adventure riding?": a bike. Two wheels, handle bar, pedals, optionally some suspension to make it more comfy, good off road tyres... and a lot will to pedal :D
Gmbn fan all the way from philippines 🇵🇭. I'm an aspiring dh racer here in my country, and I learn a lot from this channel, MABUHAY GMBN...
Answer: the one and only bike we own as that's what 99% of us have.
Haha yeah it's funny how only a few years ago the 29er hard tail was considered.the every bike now we need 3 variations minimum x 2 for a backup.
Agreed! I've got an upper-entry level 29er Hardtail on its ways with a straight steerer and I'm sure that's not going to hold me back for a long time
glenn oc lol I’m on a 27.5+ HT for my bikepack adventures. Gotta love a jack-of-all bike.
@@DavidMaruca_ A 27.5 is great
Agreed. Where I live I don't need a slack head angle or an insane DH setup. I have grown up riding 90s mtb. Back when they were off road-road bikes haha. But I still rock a 98 giant Rincon. 3 rings in the front and 7 in the back. It's my most favorite bike ever, great for adventure and capable of running trails. I love riding bikes! The best bike is your favorite.
Definitely XC - light and fast. E-bike? Where you will charge it in the wilderness?
Pub
Idk if you really wanted to spend thousands just on extra batteries and carry them around everywhere but thatd be dumb
Gravel bike has its place. Personally I think its XC or gravel for bikepacking.
Indeed, over on GCN😉
sold the gravel bike and bought a heavily discounted XC bike and I have no regrets, comfortable and safe over a much broader range of terrain than a drop bar bike, confident across 70-100k rides.
What model Xc bike ?
@@chrismartin1761 2018 Focus Raven Max SL
My vote for 29er hardtail XC bike. I'm lucky enough to have a 2020 Voodoo Bizango Carbon, 1x12, with upgraded Rockshox Judy Gold forks with remote lockout and a 150mm dropper. Nice and light with a springy frame that seems to soak up bumps amazingly well for a hardtail. Super lucky to get it early in lockdown before everywhere sold out. Done a few 50km+ cross country rides on it so far and it's been great.
I agree with Blake Fat bike is the best bike for adv.
how do you charge the e-bikes on a 4 day adventure?
Pub
^^ this. Or stay at a campground every 2 days and use the plugs in the kitchen.
More stuff like this. Super practical advise. Simple n straightforward. For us normal 61 year old adventure riders. I am near Peak District not far from Sheffield. More stuff like this. Fabulous.
Thanks David! Adventure week is a theme that comes around for us every now and then. If you'd like to watch more videos like this search 'GMBN Adventure Week' in the RUclips search bar 👍
I was waiting for Martin Ashton to pop up at the end and say that his 4 wheel electric bike trumps them all as the best bike for adventures. 😆
Unfortunately for us poorer folk we have to pedal heavy bikes as these bikes are ways too expensive to afford 😔
Steel doesn't necessarily mean heavy.
Check into the Specialized Fuse. It's my bickpacking bike of choice and as far as high-end bikes go it's pretty cheap.
Eh..
Don't worry about it, I started out with a budget steel frame bike with modern geometry. Until now I still use it but with upgraded parts of course. The feeling of a heavy steel bike is just so much nicer compared to a lightweight bike, enjoy your riding and don't be pressured by the modern standards 😁
As I was buying my entry level bike, I was making a noted that it was heavy compared to my mates bike. The dealer just went: "Don't worry, you just get stronger".... i liked that :-D
This really depends on where you are going...I did the continental divide (Canada to mexico) on an e-bike and had a couple of times where power was an issue, but pushed the bike alot in the super sandy south (with 2.8" tires), last year I did it with a fat tire (4.5" tires) and the sand in the south was nothing, but was pushing it up steep climbs in the northern Rockies...
One note though is the divide ride is about 30-35 days of straight riding...
The best bike is the one you have. But, if you have more than one, the one suited for the terrain is best. I've only got one bike, so my 120mm full suspension bike will be what I use.
Scott Spark full suspension.
Twin lock system to lock the suspension on then flat, halfway for the gravel, opened entirely for the descents. Affordable, capable, and awesome.
Such a good video🤩 always the best!!!
I have watched a good number of your videos This was the one that actually got me to subscribe to your channel. ❤😊
Love the different perspectives from all the presenters!!
I was expecting a GCN presenter to appear and mix things up a bit
gravul
Fixie
@@Will99x If you want your commute to be an adventure, yes
Thank you for adventure week! I'm looking forward to all the videos!
my dream adventure bike is definitely a fat bike. right now im riding something a lot less fun but still pretty good for most things. just an entry level hybrid ebike. my trusty ol raleigh hardtail is in no condition for a long trip. i spent all the money on the ebike and back to saving up for new parts =(
What happened to Blake’s black fat bike?
Best bike is the bike you have bc you know it and can fix it easily. As a motorcyclist tourer this was always my approach.
Oh Blake you make me want to try a fat bike so hard dude. They are so rare though, I wish they were more common!
I’d argue for in between... a good 120-130mm hardtail that’s a bit burlier and more robust than a XC race bike but not as cumbersome and heavy as a fat bike. Also consider whether you want your expensive carbon XC or trail bike out in rough conditions and unpredictable weather for a week at a time, or left where it could be nabbed from your campsite while you sleep.
No gravel bikes?
Rebuilt 2012 Orange P7, it has rack mounting points on it so I can carry as much as I want in the panniers, too much probably!
Downcountry/trail hardtail n gravel bike
Description says twist shifters, but pictures show and manufacturers website says trigger shifters for the aluminum frame/discs/29s. Which is it
Really enjoying this adventure week series. Great job guys! Timing couldn't be better. Picking up my first fat bike in 2 weeks. Planning my first bikepacking trip, 450km trek across the Central Ontario Loop Trail here in Canada. Never ridden more than 100kms before so it should be disastrous and the one of the greatest experiences I will ever have all wrapped up into one. 😆 Looking forward to it.
Did you manage to do your trip? If so, how did the fat bike handle the up hils etc
I realise this is a MTB channel but what about using a gravel bike or a tourer? The people who do this stuff all the time aren’t using the bikes you argued for (with the exception of the fat bike). What about hard tails or commuters with gravel tyres? Just a bit myopic. Still, a great video.
Depends on the terrain. As long as there is no gnarly single track involved. Gravel bike should be fine.
Thanks for the video!
I think it depends on adventure you would like to attend. If you would like to travel through the mountains you definitely need stiff rig. Cross country bikes (mostly on the high end side) are developed only for using for XC races. Everywhere material on frame is not needed it is made thin or cutted. So it is made for load from rider not from the luggage. Actually I think the best adventure bike is original bike for adventure :D But from my standpoint I would prefer trail bike (as Rich said) which has stiff frame and I would take XC tyres. This is my favorite setup. Hardtail is prefered :D
Can we have a link to the embn video that was refrecend in the video?
It will be live on EMBN this weekend!
@@gmbn I know Chris' south downs way one is out soon, but is Jonesy's 4 day Wales n-s in this vid also as well?
I have a 2010 Kona Kula hardtail XC that works brlliantly for winter adventure riding. So do not need to spends tons of money on another bike cost me £99 mint condition from guy in Ilkley plus £15 train fare to pick it up. More than capable bike for winter adventure riding. That is what I specifically bought it for. So have more than 1 bike. I have 4. Hurray 😊
I hava a trail bike (mondraker foxy) and I use it for bike packing. Its just great to ride the mountains technical trails and ride all day long 🤘👍.
Have I missed the Neil & Blake XC/Fatbike adventure? 😕
Long time ago
dunno if this is a GCN or GMBN thing, but why not a trekking bike? They don't get any love at GCN or GMBN (excuse me if I'm wrong). They are absolutely great, have flat handle bars, light weight and some of them offer the best of MTB and road bikes drivetrains, with not too wide tyres, but not too thin either. They are more like my dream "gravel bike", but gravel bikes usually only have drop bars and their gear ratios are more akin to road bikes. The Canyon Roadlite 6 (gorgeous bike btw!) which is 1X 46T 11-51T cassette, and the Riverside 920 which is also 1X 38T 11-46T, are imho two perfect examples of excellent trekking bikes
the best and most suitable are too different things, the most suitable option for most people is a carrera vendatta from halfords its a light ish 27.5 plus hardtail with an entry level fork and decent ish gears for 400gbp enough for most uses unless you wanna go real nuts, fairly inexpensive and easily upgradable.
not trying to be a fanboy or anything im a bit short so i built up a 26+ bike, im just trying to be helpful to those who can afford the best stuff like myself : )
Surprised no one said a Gravel/Hybrid bike, but that's probably more in GCN territory instead of GMBN territory
I've been bikepacking on a fatbike and honestly... I hated it bike-wise. Next time I'd definitely take my xc bike or pack really light and take a roadbike to cover as much ground as possible. The lighter setup the better.
So you took a fatbike on the road and it didn't live up to your expectations ... got it.
Keep us updated on _"covering as much ground as possible"_ after you took the road bike out on the trails pls! 😅
@@geemail369 I rode on forrest singletrack near the sea, through villages with cobbled roads and through the dunes. And still, having to cover those 100k a day I'd rather push my xc bike through the dune than ride whole route on a fatty. Horses for courses i guess. To me lighter is better and that's ,y point.
@@kubagajda7347 It just comes down to terrain for sure. I have done bike tours that you would not have been able to ride a xc bike on even without bags! For those routes the Fatty is just plain fun. I did one tour that had 70KM of beach .......super cool ride.
Good for its intended use - I'm trying to cool 1,000 sq ft and it's not working great for that...
Fat bike seems a good idea until you get a puncture and have to pump the tyre up with a mini pump 😊
For me it's got to be the off road unicycle lol
Blake makes a good case for the fat bike... But still picked Neil's XC bike for the cider farm trip. Hmmmm.
The 160mm travel bike has a fox 38 on it hu 5:22
Yep...its an e-bike
I wanna see Blake and Neil go for another epic adventure.Make it a multi day and multi video event. Those 2 are great!!
My Surly Ogre with plus tires
Has the video of Steve Jones doing north to South Wales not been put out yet???
It will be over on EMBN this weekend!
The simple answer is to buy an enduro bike, a free ride bike, xc bike, mtb bike, down hill bike, all mountain bike, gravel bike, fat bike, plus bike, road bike, hybrid bike, e-bike, trail bike, and travel bike. Once purchasing each of these, you will finally be able to enjoy cycling. Thank you.
Wondering where people like to bike pack ?
Can u give your option on Carrera bikes please, I just bought a Carrera Hellcatt 2020 model , thanks
Carrera bikes are great if you're on a tight budget, yes a bit heavy and unsophisticated but still way better than any bike from back in the day I started off on a 2014 Vulcan, great frame and wheels. Forks can be a bit poor and heavy but you can upgrade later when you've saved up some more money. I fitted Suntour Epixon to my Vulcan which transformed it. Also swapped from Clark brakes to Tektro Auriga which are still quite cheap but much better. That bike did 1000s of KMs, cross country and bike park, over Snowden (Ranger Path), Brecon Beacons many times, Helvellyn (Stick's Pass) and the Quantocks (all UK greats) and never let me down. Still going strong when I sold a couple of months ago (got the same as I paid for it all those years ago due to Covid shortages 😊). Just maintain it properly, replace and upgrade things as they wear out and it will serve you well.
Not too bad, but if you can stretch to a Voodoo ..........
@@kevinshort3943 Agree, Voodoo are even better, I have 3 😊, Marasa for the road, a 2018 Bizango 29er and a 2020 Bizango carbon (which is fantastic). But they are quite a bit more expensive than the Carerras, as ever, you have to suit your budget, and the Carerras are a great place to start.
@@jonm7272
The only bits left of my Bizango, are the wheels, cassette and frame :0
Now I have half a clue (unlike when I bought it), I find it too tall and not long enough.
Trailhardtail.
XC Marathon bike with 120mm travel front and rear and a dropper post... A cross country bike on steroids!
Good choice!
Yey my fave adventure week
Hi GMBN- Team!
How would you plan and prepare for a "sunrise to sunset- Ride"?
Cheers!
Check this out! gmbn.eu/planepicride
Adventure week cool 😎👊
Well I'm loving my Nukeproof Scout 290 Race great for a blast or long as ride (which is what I mainly do )
Looking at getting some kind of frame bag for it.
Looking at doing the recently announced Kings Alfred's Way (part of the route passes my house😁) I sections and next year bikepack it 👍
I think you mean King Alfred’s Way.
@@Ghost-pt5eu that's what it says 😅🤪 (after I edited it 👍)
I think the trail bike
What are those things on your feet Blake!!! 😳
Fun fact : *The word “Long” is shorter than the word “Short”*
No, I’m not a bot
._.
RSD
Is this just a bicycle advert from the canyon catalogue???
Yup, you guessed it
Fatbike is not a good choice for traveling, if you are traveling on a road on sandy mud, I still agree that it is good, but not for asphalt. There is no roll-over, very heavy navryatli, someone will buy top-end carbon wheels for a fat bike for travel.
That depends where you are travelling. Where I live there are plenty of routes that make the Fat Bike look perfect
Hey!
Probably the trail bike.
Just wait Si pop up and say gravel bike are the best choice for adventure lol
Alternatively DEVIATE from all of those and take a. GUIDE. over anything, get AIR in a b&b and ride strong well rested.
Cross country maybe if the terrain is easy but I ride in areas with no trails let along roads so the Fat Bike is for me. Ebike ....hell no that is just a motorcylcle. Trail bike sure but I'd rather have the fatty
Why is there an Ebike in here and why is he the only one complaining about being tired and fatigued? Seriously?
Where has #askgmbn gone????
I can’t stand Neil’s audio. It grinds my gears. Something is off with it.
BIG E-BIKE obviously./
7:36
You got fooled 2 times 😂😂
Read more..
DH bike? 😂😂
Not first!
Almost first!
I can't Take you seriously wearing sandals....sorry dude
3rd
No you’re not
@@jesuschrist4185 sorry Im not exactly sure if I'm 3rd
Ah yes, first
Yes you are!
Second
Nope
First!
You are not
First
Nope
This guy is tho, cos i checked
@@jesuschrist4185 we did it at the same second 😂😂