Don't Get Cheap Rubbish
Its amazing that the Chinese manage to produce a bicycle for such low prices. If you go to somewhere like K-Mart you can get an MTB for $100-$200. But if you take one of these on this trail they are likely to break pretty quickly. The spokes, frame, gears or something will quite likely break and you can be stuck in the middle of the bush walking home. They are not for this type of terrain. Maybe for a day ride it can be OK, but for trying to ride a rugged section over any distance its not worth it.
There are quite a few reputable brands which make sturdy bikes with good components. Trek, Giant, Avanti, Merida. I have seen a reasonable 26" Trek MTB with cable disk brakes and 18 gears for around $420 which would be adequate. It does need a low "Granny" gear so that you can handle the steep climbs. Even with a reputable brand its worth paying extra for something with good components. It will last longer before it needs repairing and save you money in the longer term.
A good touring bike without front suspension will also do the trick. If it is using front panniers the weight on the front forks could be pretty cumbersome on some of the difficult sections.
Unsupported Riders
What do you need for an unsupported rider?
- A hard tail mountain bike with fat tyres. 26in or 29in wheels with at least 2.1 in tyres.
- Lots of gears, particularly a low granny gear for the steep climbs.
- A hard tailed (no rear suspension) bike with anchor points to be able to fit a strong pannier rack. The alternative is to use a trailer.
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| Panier Anchor Point |
The last requirement is worth discussion, because many of the
performance lightweight aluminium or carbon fibre mountain bikes do not have anchor points to fit a pannier rack. If you do already have one of these, you may need to use a trailer, or buy a
Thule Pack and Pedal Sport Rack.
The Frame Needs to Fit You
There are various sizes of frames. You may be able to push the saddle up to a height that makes it high enough for your legs, but its easy to end up with backache from a frame that's too small. Buying from a shop that has expertise on bike sizing is a good idea.
Competitive road and triathlon cyclist will actually get a frame tailor made to fit their personal body dimensions and it does make a difference. Here is a good
sizing chart that will help you pick your frame and maybe even be able to check that the bike shop are on the ball.
Panniers or a Trailer?
Trailers are great for touring cyclists as they are convenient and do not effect the balance of the bike. The Northern sections of the track are pretty rugged and the trailer can be quite an impediment. It makes a longer vehicle for getting around corners and there is also an extra wheel that can fall off the track. The trailer itself adds extra weight to tow.
My preference is for panniers. If you have a bike without anchor points you may find it best to buy or hire a trailer.
Riders that I have met coming through Denmark, using a trailer have found them rather awkward on difficult sections of the track. The Thule Rack is great, but expensive and it may be better just to buy a cheaper 26 in mountain bike for the trail than to get your lightweight performance bike kitted out for touring.
Consider Hiring Gear
There is no point buying panniers, a trailer or a whole bike so it can just sit collecting dust in the shed for months afterwards. Simply having your old bike serviced could cost more than hiring. There are a few places that will provide well serviced equipment and afterwards you can just give it back.
