Drop Bar Bikepacking Bike DONE RIGHT!

Review of the Tumbleweed Stargazer.
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[@curtbrown7967]

Great review Russ. Once more. You always deliver pertinent commentary and obviously work hard to test bikes and gear for the rest of us. Grateful.

[@jp93309]

Sounds like Tumbleweed really did their homework on this one. If you couldn’t pick out very many cons then this should be a winner with the bikepacking crowd.

[@robmdq]

WOW!! Finally someone did things the right way!! A beauty of bike, almost makes me wish to change mine (almost meaning no budget lol)

[@leiferic]

Ordered mine in August. Can't wait! So Stoked! Thanks for the review!!!

[@greggr1591]

No surprise that Tumbleweed got this bike right. Daniel and his compatriots used his Prospectors to ride the Peru Divide (El Silencio), the most epic bikepacking ride I’ve ever seen. Thanks for the review Russ!

[@no_Ray_bang]

Nice looking bike, also the guys at Tumbleweed are super friendly. I had some questions and they got right on it. If someone deserves your money it's these guys

[@jamieh4814]

Sweet Ride! Russ is always bringin the new hotness.

[@gravelpack8536]

I wants it and love the head badge and everything about it.

[@garycox3841]

That is my DREAM BIKE! Thanks for the great video, Russ.

[@driventomadness117]

Love that Ratio is installed OEM!

[@alarson722]

This will be my next bike. Thanks for the honest review.

[@TheTrakker]

Looks like a genuinely groovy ride. 🤙

[@jessedeines4796]

The already equipped mullet is 👍👍

[@MrTougiejr]

The water moccasin bar tape rocks the shit. Painted and rebuilt an old Cannondale mtb. Hardtail, no suspension and a straight bar with a couple of chubby but fast rollers. It's just enough for rear packs and 20-100/mi weekend trips. The 1st 50 mile pack adventure was awesome. Love it and drop bars may be coming soon...

[@damienmckinney]

Damn if I hadn’t already gotten the Kona Sutra ULTD! Great review though keep them coming. love the new stuff!

[@ericmillar8446]

Excellent for the bikepacking enthusiast without the feel of a mountain-bikey side, watching from Majestic Princess, ride and stay safe!

[@AlecBoyle]

My main take away was feeling very justified in the drop bar conversion I did to my Bridge Club!

[@george8214]

Great review, as usual.

[@davidweisz3338]

Looks like the garage has gotten chilly.

[@danhufferdoutdoors]

The dropper is super trick, but it makes me feel good about my 2019 fargo. I guess not enough of a change to make me want one. Thanks

[@augusthavince8909]

I like that bike. I'm one of those people that likes a double chainring. But the rest of the bike seems perfect for me.

[@saflatty]

A lot like a Fargo. I love my Fargo!

[@1speedbrian]

Great review, I have one on order, looking forward to it for weekend bike packing and rides that lean a little more gravel/ trail than gravel/pavement.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

You'll love it for that.

[@gsrossco]

Great review, I pick mine up in two weeks. Based on your review I think it will be the perfect bike for me.

[@SaddlesAndBars]

How do you like it?

[@albert85b]

A really insightful and helpful review, as always. I'd be interested to know your thoughts on the new Ritchey Ascent, as a drop bar. Lower BB and looooonggggg chain stays!

[@evr-mr3cp]

Nice review and nice bike. I have a Fezzari Shafer on order and am hoping for delivery in December. I plan to use it as an everything bike and plan to try some bike packing with it as well.

[@T_track]

Really waiting for this years MOST SUPPLE BIKE AWARD!!!

[@joelrichards4965]

Great review. I have not liked modern mountain bikes, sold my last slack-angled HT and my only bike is my Ritchey steel cross bike. This could be a nice complement, better for singletrack MTB trails (than my cross bike) and more comfy/stable for longer gravel rides in New England.

[@johnkordyback7878]

I’ve put a deposit on one to replace my 34 year old touring bike which has seen a lot of miles. This excellent review helped me make the decision. Thanks! Out of curiosity, would you need an adaptor to run a Paul Klamper for the 180mm front rotor?

[@TheInart]

*good review as always. very nice video!

[@robinheil]

It looks beautiful. Do you think you could fit fenders with the stock tires?

[@johnnydoe66]

Funny that you mentioned Paul Klampers as your first and only upgrade. I think that every time I see basic mechanical disc brakes. I still have a full set of Paul Components Cross-stop "cantilever" brakes from the mid 90's in my parts bin. They were the best thing ever before V-brakes came out. Steve of Hardtail Party gives Klampers rave compliments and uses them on some of his Hardtail mtn bikes. If they're good for technical mtn bike rides, then they're definitely good for gravel.

[@Hintonbro.]

I think $500 upgrade each time he mentions the Klampers

[@kdstoffel7574]

@@Hintonbro. I think TRP Spyres and the money I’ll have left in my wallet. 🙂

[@themoodyteam]

Mullet gearing OUT OF THE BOX! 😀😁😀

[@ploegdbq]

My understanding is that the production frame will have triple mounts on the main triangle (double mounts on the seat tube for small only) and 450mm chainstays for extra clearance and stability.

[@ploegdbq]

I also understand that they have a limited number of components available for complete bikes, so if you want your bike built up like this, you snooze you lose. Edit 2 Nov 2021 5:15pm CT: Welp, looks like the complete bike with this build kit is no longer available on the Tumbleweed website. All frame size/color combinations still seem to be available though, so you can build your own.

[@philtomlinson8220]

Another great review! A really interesting bike, and one I've been looking forward to hearing your thoughts on. How would you say this bike compares to the Salsa Fargo?

[@KowalskiVanishing_Point]

Profile looks very very similar.

[@mechanicaldavid4827]

Well, later models of the Fargo have adjustable (& thru-axle) chainstays

[@juliapoelstra3624]

This ticks a lot of boxes!!

[@18wheelerham]

I wish I saw before I got my diverge and I just drove through Missoula so 👋 and 👋

[@vmxd]

I am doing the same conversion for Poseidon Redwood. Switching to Sram gx with ratio hack

[@greggschwabauer6241]

I would like to know how this one handles fully loaded for a weekend.

[@scottallison7157]

Any chance the Tanglefoot Moonshiner's on your radar?

[@chrislonsberry1974]

Great review and a nice looking bike. Would you please elaborate a little more on your choice of brakes? Thanks!

[@robrot5460]

I second that about the brakes

[@ryanfrahm9953]

Having used the Spyre brakes, I agree with Russ. I’ve heard plenty of great reviews but in my experience, they are terrible. Klampers are amazing but very expensive.

[@chrislonsberry1974]

Thanks for the input Ryan.

[@josuem2853]

I love that bar tape! Where can I get it? Also, thanks for you videos. I just got my first gravel bike for party pace riding 🥳

[@Likelybiking]

It’s the campandgoslow western rattler bar tape. You can get it at their website or some other online shops.

[@josuem2853]

@@Likelybiking awesome thank you!

[@1speedbrian]

It looks real cool but has very little padding. Its kind of like nylon webbing and is very durable. Ive wrapped it over some cheep cork with great results.

[@user-zu7fu6ky9k]

It's reassuring to see a company going the Ratio Tech route for a mullet setup. I upgraded to a similar setup (after learning about it from your video's 🙂) on my Sutra ULTD; 32t chainring and 11-50 cassette, climbs like a champ now, gearing was way too high on the factory spec! I was trying to install a 10-52 cassette but Kona decided to put some cheap OEM formula freehubs on the Sutra that have a hg driver, which means it can't work with a 10 cog and the only eagle cassette that works is the nx eagle (fine, but made of steel, which adds weight to an already heavy bike ). Any good wheelset recommendations (or video's) with xd drivers? Also, love the content my dude, keep up the awesome vids!

[@timlagas]

DT X1900 wheels are nice on the wallet, not to heavy. 370 pawl hub and available with XD driver.

[@jovenguardian]

For your terrain, did you enjoy this more than the Piolet?

[@Whereisshellymiscavige]

Great review! though can’t believe it’s almost 2022 and people are still measuring weights using pounds and ounces :)

[@ploegdbq]

Agreed, it's much more useful to say the bike weighs two stone.

[@ronwhite8503]

Imperial measurement is used in the civilised world. The people who need to use their fingers and toes to count use metric.

[@James-gx7sk]

Frame numbers look similar to the '21 Ritchey Ascent.

[@GeekonaBike]

Is that a 17 deg stem that could be flipped to flat?

[@positiivi_teme]

Question about the hacked brifters, what if one of them breaks, can you order ready made replacements from tumbleweed?

[@ploegdbq]

The hack involves a ratchet and two derailleur jockey wheels. For any accident short of a massive fireball, you should be able to get a stock SRAM lever and/or derailleur and perform surgery to swap everything over. (Of course, good luck getting stock parts in this global supply environment.) If you need a replacement ratchet and Tumbleweed doesn't have any, you can order direct from Ratio Technology in the UK. Full retail upgrade kit with ratchet and jockey wheels is £82.92 for folks in the US (no VAT), and ratchet only is £55.42 for US. Cheapest shipping is £11. Should be duty free for most US end consumers, but you'd be responsible for duty if there is any.

[@jameshuggins4300]

I wannt one!!!😋

[@EW742]

What size did you rode? Thanks Christoph

[@russswanson3820]

Quick question: You say “long chain stays” but it looks like the rear tire is nearly touching the seat tube. What am I misunderstanding? (Joe Appaloosa rider; loooong chain stays) Nice review!

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

450 CS. It has big meats. If you have 26inch wheels in the Appaloosa of course there’s going to be more room.

[@ploegdbq]

My understanding is the review frames have 440mm chainstays. The production frames will have 450mm chainstays for more clearance and stability. The production frames will also have triple bottle mounts in the main triangle (excepting double mount on the seat tube for Small frames).

[@russswanson3820]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Hi Russ, Thanks for this quick reply! My Appaloosa is a 60cm frame with 535 chain stays. I've got the big wheels and tires (700c w/50 Schwalbe Big Bens) and there is still nearly a fist of space between the seat tube and the tire. At any rate, this looks like a fun bike. I've also got a 2017 Salsa Fargo (all steel) and it has a similar vibe, but with less tech: Friction bar-end shifters and a solid seat post. ⌀≥🚲 Russ

[@michaelhayward7572]

@@russswanson3820 sounds like you got space for a FD....😎

[@russswanson3820]

@@michaelhayward7572 Yep! Got one in fact! Three rings up front. Not a mullet, more like a full Zappa.

[@MarcoSantusMaximus]

You may actually like the Polygon Bend R5. Great geo, 650B, dropper and excellent components for under $1700. Hoping you can review one down the road.

[@arminhess1512]

That was my thought: the brakes. Tektro Mira, right? There is a big difference between the Mira and the TRP Spire. BUT: are the Paul Clamper's so much better? (4x Spire fot the price of 1x Clamper)

[@Csapi007]

I was with you the whole video, like yeah, agree, cool. Finally a bike for the people. Then I checked the price and for almost 4 grand, this is not a bike for the people...

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

While not inexpensive its what bikes cost these days.

[@momo.maru-kun]

I can build the same custom bike with 1/8 of that price. Manufacturers nowadays charge a premium just to hear what people want to hear, it's really just a part of every marketing scheme, the "listening to the people" part.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

@@momo.maru-kun Ha. Would love to see you do that. Put a parts list with price in the comment section. If you can get something the “same” for 1/8th the price which is $475 I’ll send you a bronze stem cap for free.

[@jasonwu9287]

I'd also love to see that parts list, always looking for good priced builds!

[@Matt-gy9ir]

Have you ever reviewed a Fargo?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

No.

[@jfspurlin1]

I've seen several of your videos where you said you really like the Onizuko (sp?) brakes. Why didn't you recommend them for upgrading this instead of the Paul Klampers?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Because I like the Klampers better.

[@jfspurlin1]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Thanks for the reply!

[@onetwentyeight]

FYI the Prospector is not rohloff specific, just rohloff compatible. It is fully capable of taking a conventional derailleur drivetrain.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Sure, but Daniel designed the bike specifically with the Rolhoff in mind. Hence the expense of the eccentric BB.

[@onetwentyeight]

@@PathLessPedaledTV certainly true, but that doesnt make it rohloff specific as you describe it in your video. I just wanted to highlight that so people who might be interested in the prospector didn't get turned off if unconventional IGH drivetrains are not their thing. Big fan of Tumbleweed! Daniel does it right!

[@larrywhite8590]

This is very very similar to the Kona Sutra ULTD (well now LTD, but whatever ;-) ). So what do you like better?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

ULTD was geared too high IMO. This climbs better and felt more neutral as well.

[@larrywhite8590]

@@PathLessPedaledTV I’ve never ridden the factory spec ULTD (mine is a frame build), but I can see the gearing being an issue. Mine is 32 x 11-46 which works for me (vice the stock 36 x 11-42). I’ve been very pleased with the handling really very neutral with a 60 mm stem and some Easton 46cm ea70ax bars. Some carbon stuff drops the weight under 25 as well. The big attraction for me was the long reach on the ULTD. It allows me to get a decent position without a long stem.

[@WalfredoCirne]

Oh!! How do you modify the rival left shifter to actuate the dropper post? Could you please do a video on that?

[@1speedbrian]

Search KZbin there are already several videos on the subject.

[@willek1335]

What's the utility of the drop of a dropbar? It looks cool, but I've literally never used it.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Getting out of the wind. Stability on descents.

[@willek1335]

@@PathLessPedaledTV That's fair and I use the drop right next to the breaks, but I've never used any of the tail ends of the drops. Maybe that's just me.

[@johnwaugaman358]

Can you elaborate on the characteristics of a “drop bar MTB”?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3eqiauFrpmoesk

[@JC-pt2tw]

Is this better or comparable to a Surly long Haul Trucker?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Different.

[@JC-pt2tw]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Aren't they both bikepacking rigs with similar geometries? Or is the stargazer more built for rugged terrain and the LHT is for long distance?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

@@JC-pt2tw the LHT is designed as a traditional road touring bike (yes you can take it off road, lets not get into semantics), the Stargazer is made for more off road riding.

[@Volkmannx]

🤩👍

[@ryaari]

If you wanted to use this bike on pavement for commuting…how efficient would it be on the road?

[@jovenguardian]

I put slick Schwalbe’s on mine and the thing moves. Stable speed that can carry weight. Fan.

[@rickdaignault2447]

I have been pinning for a Cutthroat since following your channel. How does this compare?

[@_Schreintime]

Sweet Fargo clone!

[@JoshKablack]

Wish I had that kind of scratch to drop on an what would only be an occasional adventure bike.....🤔

[@shanecavlovic4521]

I think it would also make a great commuter bike

[@JoshKablack]

@@shanecavlovic4521 Only if you can lock your bike in a climate controlled office. For my commutes, where I have to lock my bike unattended and exposed to campus hooligans and rust belt weather, this sort of pricetag is a nonstarter, regardless of how worth it this bike looks. If I make it to my retirement years, something a lot like this would be great, but until I have that sort of time to do bikepacking adventures, this one is a bike for people other than me..

[@robertcoates2752]

Why in the world did they do flat mount brakes?

[@sd70me]

Have you looked for short pull post mount brakes?

[@marccope942]

I am Pavlov’s dog, if his dog was a bikepacker.

[@michaelhotten752]

any toe overlap?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

None for me.

[@unsungwindham]

Looks A LOT like a Salsa Fargo

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Every bike with drop bars and big tires looks like a fargo.

[@ploegdbq]

One review called the Stargazer a first-generation Fargo brought up to modern mountain bike standards. No suspension correction, no carbon, 1x drivetrain, boost spacing, thru axles, (not literally but extremely close to) All The Mounts

[@briand8862]

If I didn't already have my Fargo this would be the bike I'd buy. More or less comes how I see my Fargo ending up, though I don't think it has quite the same tire capacity, which to be fair will rarely be used by me.

[@mechanicaldavid4827]

@@PathLessPedaledTVSure - but at which end of the Fargo's development?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

​@@mechanicaldavid4827 Does that matter? Right now if someone was making a purchasing decision I'd say get the one in stock and worry about the details later :)

[@clintandtracyevans9538]

Would you consider this bike over a cutthroat?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Yes.

[@larsthorwald3338]

Why do your likes and dislikes matter?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Why does your comment matter?

[@jessedeines4796]

The already equipped mullet is 👍👍