Joe R

Hello!

I'd agree with Ron on the tire size and gearing. I did it with a 29x1.75" tire and still wished I had a bit bigger. There was a fellow in our group on a CX bike with rear panniers only. He made it with zero pinch flats, but in the deeper, softer pea gravel his rear wheel was sinking pretty bad and he seemed to be doing more work than the rest of us most of the time. He also had to take the downhills pretty gingerly.

I was running a 1:1 as my easiest gearing, and that was definitely not easy enough. :(

You can get away with a large rear seat bag, toptube bag, and handlebar bag on the Outback for sure. Prob don't even need the extra weight of the rack(s) and the internal structure of a pannier.

Best,

Joe

Ron Strasser

I have not done that specific event, but been on several sections of the
route.............on a mountain bike with racks and bags. Fat tires will
take better care of your body and be less likely to flat. You could
probably do it on your cross bike, but carrying more weight will make you
want lower gears (fattest tires you can put on best....touring type are
fine). Be prepared for all types of weather! If you do it, it will be
hard, but you will also love it I am sure. Going too fast you will miss a
great deal of the beauty and wonder. Traveling through sections at night
(nothing wrong with that experience...just different) without a full moon is
good for the pride level, but beauty missed. Just my opinion.
ron strasser

-----Original Message-----
From: Pete Conklin via OBRA
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2018 10:15 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Oregon Outback Info / Bike Selection

Hello OBRAland,

I am considering the Oregon Outback ride later this spring and was looking
for insights to help in trip planning.

I was thinking of throwing a rack/panniers on my CX bike. I've got it set up
with Clement MXP Tubeless 33 mm tires. It seems like a little bit fatter
tire might be mo better but I'm not sure I can sell the purchase of a
hardtail MTB or gravel grinder just to do this ride. I've never bikepacked
before and I was wondering how the CX bike will handle the weight of a 200
lb rider and gear over the gravel terrain.

I am thinking of trying to get it done in 5 days of riding. My riding
partner wants to do it in less if possible.

If anyone has any thoughts or advice on these issues or anything else about
the ride, I'd love to hear them offline.

Thanks,
Pete
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Pete Conklin

Hello OBRAland,

I am considering the Oregon Outback ride later this spring and was looking for insights to help in trip planning.

I was thinking of throwing a rack/panniers on my CX bike. I've got it set up with Clement MXP Tubeless 33 mm tires. It seems like a little bit fatter tire might be mo better but I'm not sure I can sell the purchase of a hardtail MTB or gravel grinder just to do this ride. I've never bikepacked before and I was wondering how the CX bike will handle the weight of a 200 lb rider and gear over the gravel terrain.

I am thinking of trying to get it done in 5 days of riding. My riding partner wants to do it in less if possible.

If anyone has any thoughts or advice on these issues or anything else about the ride, I'd love to hear them offline.

Thanks,
Pete