29er vs 26" (for remote touring)

[kukamunga]

Fearfully awaits answer

It seems you have limited your choice to one of the two bikes mentioned. On what basis did you choose those two bikes? Price? Availability? Good reviews? Pedigree? Cool name/brand? MTB background?

To throw a cat amongst the pigeons (again), let's say the general consensus is to go for well built 622 wheels. Why not go for a dedicated touring bike with a 25+ year Australian pedigree? The Vivente World Randonneur certainly has pedigree, and also has the following:

RIMS - Alex Ace 19 Black with CNC Sidewall, 36h with Eyelet
SPOKES - 14g, Stainless Steel Silver w/ brass nipple
TYRES - Schwalbe Marathon 37-622 (28x1.40, 700x35c)

Do you really need fatter tyres than this? This style of wheel has seen many people, Noel McFarlane included, through outback Australia, and the world. I'm 5'8" (173 cm) tall also, and although I've always 'toured' on 559 (26") 'MTB' wheels, I dream of building up a dedicated 622 wheeled tourer (an old, upgraded Shogun Alpine GT, for instance)

You know, one thing nobody has mentioned? Instead of relying on other peoples advice (or flipping a coin), why don't you take the two bikes you've mentioned for TEST RIDES . This usually is the best deciding factor in any bike purchase. If it feels right, BUY IT!!! If you are in Melbourne, Moocar (profile: location?), I'd highly recommend visiting St Kilda Cycles if your local dealers can not provide test bikes

Just a thought (or two, or three).....

[Moocar]

It seems you have limited your choice to one of the two bikes mentioned. On what basis did you choose those two bikes? Price? Availability? Good reviews? Pedigree? Cool name/brand? MTB background?

Yeah I won't lie. I pretty much have got it down to these two bikes. In fact I was set almost exclusively on the LHT, mostly for reputation, but then someone mentioned the Fargo and my steadfastness went out the window.

Instead of relying on other peoples advice (or flipping a coin), why don't you take the two bikes you've mentioned for TEST RIDES

I have. I've been to Cheeky Transport (dedicated commuter and tourer bike shop in Newtown) and taken their LHT out for a test ride twice. And I love it! The Fargo however hasn't arrived in the country yet. I emailed Salsa last night and got a prompt reply. They said that Dirtworks, their Australian distributor will be getting their first shipment in about 3 weeks, which means the bike shops won't be getting it for a few weeks after that.

I haven't looked at the Vivente World Randonneur but I've certainly heard the name around. Thanks for the tip, I'll waste tonight researching it

[fooch]

Hi Moocar, sounds like you are getting closer to deciding!

For riding in a straight line on an unsealed road I would go for the 29er (aka700c) as they do roll better over small bumps and corrugations, all other things being equal.

I was wondering why they don't want you to run tires narrower than 40mm but you've cleared that up (it lowers bb). I reckon as you're not riding where clearance is a big issue (eg. lots of rocks, lots of turns, lots of rocks and turns, i.e. mountain biking on trails) you will be fine with 35-40mm tires on your 29er.

I have run as narrow as 28 on mine, and its been fine riding around town fast, going round corners close to curbs, etc. - you just have to remember not to pedal around corners when banking hard (pedal will hit road - I've done that and survived luckily) which you probably won't be doing anyway. I now run 50mm's at 45 psi because I like the cush, and because I can run them on lower pressure than narrow tires (they loose pressure slower).

I think for your application, 40mm tires would be a good option, as they will provide more cushioning on the roads you're travelling.

I do like the idea of the Fargo also. Good thing is that both bikes are designed for touring, so the frames are beefed up over what normal mtb's are.

And as far as bike shops go, as previously mentioned by others, there won't be any, so I suggest you carry 1 spare folding tire, 3 spare tubes, and slime the ones on your bike. And lost of patches. This is what I've done when mtb-touring through state forests where there are also no bike shops.....

[kukamunga]

Going by your height, I'd say you'd be on the borderline between....

26 x 1.5" tyres on 54cm frame
&
700c x 37mm tyres on 56cm frame

Doesn't help, does it?

EDIT: Oh I see you've quoted a 54cm. Have you tried a 56cm ?