Rigs of the 2024 Tour Divide Breakdown: An Analysis of Trends, Tire Sizes, and More

[@kiwiAdventure100]

As a 54 year old kiwi a big shout out to the 50+ participants and the 21 kiwis in the race - not bad from a country of only 5m people!

[@Skatted]

Big scene happening there!

[@nickshearer9705]

the tour aotearoa must be a bit of a feeder event for this sort of thing.

[@thedingoman]

a kiwi?

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

@thedingoman search the internet for who is a kiwi person.

[@kiwiAdventure100]

@@thedingoman kiwi is what New Zealanders call themselves (a kiwi is our national bird)

[@svenrides]

Shout out to the person using the paper map!

[@johnvine5731]

Do they still make those? 😄

[@erikpeterson8306]

I’m curious what saddles they are using.

[@darranmoore]

Great shout

[@JRmntain]

The only time I get excited by excel.

[@seancrosby4392]

what?! I'm almost always excited by excel

[@ucanskixc568]

How about a breakdown between who has a tent or a bivy on the Tour Divide. Also who takes a stove and who does not.

[@mojojojo6852]

Holy smokes man that's some effort you put into this video. I know stats can be an ordeal to fumble through and form into something that makes sense. Thanks for that!

[@ellerybice3787]

Please interview the Burley trailer racer when this race is over, surely there will be valuable information to learn from.

[@hibby_]

Seconded! I’m trailer-curious and would love to know how it handles long term off-road.

[@bironbrunelle5186]

Definitely pros and cons, seems like you’d adjust but would need to pay attention

[@betenoirproductions6062]

Manuel Schürholz ran one on the Tuscany Trail a few years back. Search "Bombtrack Bicycles Inside the Tuscany Trail" for details.

[@MrGoodaches]

I used a BoB Ibex trailer on GDMBR in 2018. It was a wonderful solution to keeping wife and I at near same % of body weight. If we evenly split gear she would have bike and gear at nearly 70% of her 110 pound naked weight. By me carrying more than half of our stuff got her bike and gear to about 50% of her weight. But me plus most of the gear for two people would have been extra harsh on my tires and bike would not handle well. The single wheel trailer distributes load over one more tire, at a lower CG, and aerodynamically better than going wider with side bags. Downside of course is that trailer is additional weight. But some of that penalty was mitigated by one large bag weighing less than the sum of a collection of bags. I advocate for suspension on trailer if it is a small wheel. The suspension provides compliance that reduces the forward energy loss of roots, rocks, and surface mis matches. If I was going myself to enter Tour Divide I would carry my minimalist gear directly on my Surly ECR. However, my BoB provided an effective solution for keeping wife and I matched for pace and daily range. The trailer did cause me some lost time because it invited superior “experts” to want to school me for having more stuff than I could fit on my bike frame. Over the weeks my polite listening got shorter and shorter for me to interrupt their class with the point that I’m carrying for two.

[@rhetti2ride]

I was wondering if we would get one of these this year, thanks for putting it together! I would love to see a breakdown of these as well: -Employment (are they students on break from school, retired, business owner, saved up PTO, sabbatical, stay at home mom or dad etc. -Chamois vs. no chamois -Hydration with bottles vs. hydration pack vs. combination -With clipless and flat pedals, what brand or cleat system do they use

[@nickholzem7401]

Yes!

[@captaincoyote1792]

You are an outstanding communicator….sharp, witty,….hey! Are you the next David Letterman? I’m a proud Chumba owner….came into bikepacking late in life….after I retired from dual careers: Navy Officer and federal wildlife law enforcement officer. I always enjoy--and learn from--your videos. Thank you. Stay safe while out there riding, mi hermano!

[@dddsss376]

Can you analyze which bikes actually finished at the end? It's nice to see what started, but what's most interesting are the bikes that make it through

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

I actually could do that, if enough people want to see it…

[@jeromelacote8304]

@@BIKEPACKINGcom I love the idea, In the past, I have always tried to look at the different setup based on the ranking.

[@poetac15]

@@BIKEPACKINGcomyes please 🙏

[@balrog687]

so, to summarize, the average rider is using a salsa cutthroat, vitoria mezcal 29x2.25, mechanical 1x12 sram drivetrain with 34t chainring and a tailfin rear rack, and aero bars.

[@eojmeiser]

That seems like a good setup! :)

[@jessejustice341]

That's actually darn close to my Kona RoveDL

[@HHHSykes]

Well actually is the "mode" rider :D

[@BrentZahradnik]

Fascinating numbers. Shocked to see steel as such a low % of overall, and so many full squish.

[@kbd13-n9c]

I’m more surprised by the carbon %

[@maxmxl]

Nice statistics! I would add some numbers about the ones who finished and what they used, in order to get the most effective stuff

[@TheBikeChallenge]

You know the 2024 edition is still going right 😂?

[@maxmxl]

@@TheBikeChallenge I'm not following the event, so it's an idea for a future video 😉

[@lesterroberts1628]

Yes. We want to know puncture rate per tire model!

[@kai_v_k]

Concerning the Singlespeedratios, since I find them hard to compare: 42x20: 2.1 38x19: 2.0 34x18 = 1.89 32x17 = 1.88 So the majority (5) use a primary ratio of about 1.9, while 2 use larger ratios. With my Rohloff hub, I would be going for something like 38x16, so my 10th (13.6% between each gear) gear would be about 2.0. Those guys really grind big gears, I am impressed.

[@anotherscandinavian]

Thanks for doing these videos and breakdowns Neil. I may not ever do the Divide but my I've drawn inspiration from the rigs (yes... I run Mezcals) and directly from these breakdowns. Cheers!

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

Mezcals very popular in uk

[@BewilderedDuck-e5l]

Great breakdown, would be interesting to filter and revisit on the finishers bikes and look for trends in kit failure

[@CarloBotto-hx6cg]

Thank you for compiling such great stats on the Divide, really useful information. Especially recognise the amount of work you have done. It was interesting to note how many in my age group (60+) doing the Divide, would not have guessed this. And as for the Aussies, hope to see more representation, can't have the Kiwis beating us!

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

🤣

[@chrisjong8412]

I'm not a bikepacker but as a cyclist that wants to be prepared I can really appreciate this.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Thanks Chris, really appreciate this.

[@zenfully13]

Awesome geeked out video! Would also love to see even more in depth live coverage of the race.

[@rsrnsrwds]

Interesting! Would love to compare results from the finish. And also see how trends have changed over the years.

[@Incorruptus1]

Very intetesting data. Thank you very much!

[@GoodwinBiking]

Thanks for compiling all these stats, super interesting! Dispursed bags look so good! I especially liked the titanium bike with blue and black bags

[@IanMcBeth]

this is something that is on my bucket list. looks just amazing! Great video - thanks for the share.

[@charlies7658]

Would love to see someone ask the riders at the finish line if they would use the same bike setup again

[@mattdelcomyn8012]

Awesome analysis Neil!! Thank you!

[@DuncanFoster]

Super breakdown! I would love to see if there are any differences in the numbers between the start group, and those that finish! And thew other thing that would be interesting to see is a breakdown of what mechanical issues riders had on the route. Anecdotally, it seems like there were a few high profile electronic shifting issues over the last two years, and I've also heard of quite a few issues with rear racks, it would be interesting to know how significant an issue those are.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Absolutely love watching and such a fantastic insight in to the Tour as ever. Thanks.

[@CDubyaX]

Love seeing the analysis and trends! I'm really interested in what lube(s) people carry with them.

[@tim9324]

Padded shorts vs no pad?

[@tomasstanek4644]

How many people have used tubeless systems? Thank you for your answer

[@Alex-ce2xc]

I'd be shocked if it wasn't 100%

[@bramblejazz5940]

Great to see Bob make an appearance. Maybe he should call in as an on the ground correspondent, reporting on the divide. Idk, I feel like he'd have something to say

[@Tarck.Raider]

lol i just stumbled on this, and the gear nerd in me is loving it

[@MikeOnaBike]

Saddle would be super interesting

[@bivouaqc]

I'm saving up for this. I'm going to use my surly krampus with friction shift.

[@noahfranks984]

Glad to know im not the only one in their 20s who cant afford do races like this

[@milododd]

Right!? Look at all them boomers! 🤑🤑🤑

[@jellyfishsalad5926]

Really interesting. Thanks Neil.

[@harrylen1688]

I have seeing most top brands promoted by KZbinr's on $ 7k Bikes & above.. of course lots of bias till you try with your $ 1k bike. On 2021 did 6k only change chain & BB bracket. Great review:)

[@MakerMike54]

I'd like to know preferences for where people carry water.

[@dtbrooks7325]

I'm curious about what kind of set-up the winner circuit (maybe the top 10) uses.

[@Cassette-Trail]

The vedio is very intersrting! I can learn lots things from the vedio!

[@SonnyDarvish]

I am very impressed by the age of participants. Quite motivating! (I'm 35)

[@peterhansell3695]

Interesting data points would focus on the leaders in each category. M/F/single speed.

[@caveboy9988]

I have one for you to expand this amazing knowledge. What chain lube are riders using?

[@joehoeper4648]

Great video ❤

[@simonlynch4204]

I would be interesting to compare where different setup finish. I know it's very rider dependent but we are bike nerds after all!!

[@chrisblacklock9468]

A video comparing all the equipment choices made to the finishing positions attained might be interesting. Does an items popularity correlate with success?

[@黄辰旭]

Thanks, the material and suspension detail added. \O/

[@futuretimes6476]

Thanks for the video. For next year's stats how about including tent versus bivvy and also what spare parts were carried and parts that broke most frequently on the ride?

[@MirceaToma]

so much useful information

[@erich8258]

The SRAM dominance is interesting, especially with the battery and shifting issues that Josh Ibbett has highlighted. I wonder if it's more about groupthink than actual reliability.

[@JohnBruno13]

Exactly. I love SRAM AXS but I wouldn't run it on a 3,000 bikepacking trip.

[@BrentZahradnik]

I personally wouldn't use electronic anything on a bikepacking / touring setup but I know thats not a widely held opinion these days.

[@BodyKnight]

I know that many people justify it by saying that cable actuated shifter tire your hand and that with remote shifting you can place shifters on the handlebar AND on aerobars.

[@sudo936]

Just finished the tour with my AXS train and it is the best derail ever would for sure run it again. A cable derail would have been ghost shifting annoyingly all the time with the mud. I would get 2x 100mile days with one battery. Every shift every day was perfect.

[@mikegee2829]

This is great insight. Hoping you could do the same for the Colorado trail race? Thx

[@risahustad2323]

Yes 👏 Neil 👏 this is what the people want 📈

[@jduarte1506]

Good analysis, I wanted to start in gravel and I'm looking for a bike to start with, I have the Marin Headlands 2 which has a carbon frame, the Commencal 365 signature with good components but an aluminum frame, the Triban 900 ti with titanium, a good frame and I was looking at the Surly on your website, the Commencal is the one with the best components, the frame is aluminum but they say that this high-quality aluminum frame which is almost the same as a carbon frame with the technology that has advanced is very similar, you can hardly tell the difference, I don't know whether to buy the Triban and over time modify the bike or the Surly, there's also the Marin

[@jessejustice341]

Great video, I would love to know weight before and after gear

[@Flyingredcactus]

Very interesting !

[@sheilastallard]

How many paper maps did that one rider take? xxx Love your videos Love from England xxx

[@grahames9228]

One person using maps. You should really interview them.

[@BewilderedDuck-e5l]

I hope all the others have paper maps AND the ability to use them….technology is great until it fails, and it always does at the most awkward time 😂

[@jeroenjegerings]

What are the setups of the returning riders? That might reveal some evolution in equipment choises.

[@robertbotta6536]

Awesome as usual. Thank you. QQ; why so little electronic shimano ?

[@joyousland]

Want to know the portion using Electronic vs Mechanical Shifting. Very nice stat. Applause for the effort

[@Happy_Biker]

It's in the video

[@kak93]

These are super interesting stats!

[@MatteoCarbone_83]

Kudos for the paper map bro.

[@keithc5729]

My issue is hand pain. I wonder what bars people use?

[@FaustBusserl]

great video, I'd like to know the bike starting weights too

[@DIY-DaddyO]

Soooo my steel, 26", Sturmey Archer, bamboo rack, BMX bars with maps and a compass would be in a tiny niche... I like it.

[@sedonasugarloaflodge7971]

saddle choice and chami or no chami

[@brettfoster6786]

Bob is a legend. Paper wins . Stupid rocks got you covered .

[@stuarthorner7431]

Another vote for the trailer bike check! Im going to guess this was also the paper map person 🤘

[@davidcawthorne7115]

I was just about to say same. Saddles?

[@chrisbenten9971]

Surprised no Classic hub for the 1X riders...nice video.

[@jeffreyrule8143]

Thanks for the stats.

[@realalbertan]

Etap over Di2 makes perfect sense. Battery 🔋 swapping takes seconds vs internal battery

[@TheMachoGabacho]

I’m curious about how much the weight of the fully loaded bike influences finish times. How much does weight matter on a two week slog through punishing terrain?

[@doogie64]

It’s clear I’ve often overthought my cross-country set up as a lot of my tire and gear choices are similar to these. My only remaining debate is which wahoo unit and if I should reduce to a 1 x front crank. Thanks!

[@peglor]

If you use a gear range significantly outside what can be got from the 500-520% Shimano/Sunrace/SRAM offer, you might have a problem with 1x. A decent 2x setup can give over 600% range (2x12 XT is 619% and very much off road rated, but the new Cues drivetrains can hit 660%).

[@doogie64]

@@peglor thanks!

[@peglor]

@@doogie64 Path Less Pedaled did a quick rundown on the Cues setup recently under the title 'Why is No One Talking About this Drivetrain?'. I'd be shocked if it was anything like as off road durable as XT, but it's a lot cheaper, and the linkglide 11 speed chains are meant to be very durable.

[@doogie64]

@@peglor I’m on XT now, I’m too change adverse to try something different. I’m 60 in Nov, and want to do the C&O top to bottom so I’m exploring a gravel bike or my Canyon ht 29r. This video has me excited again!

[@CaptainSwallowtail]

I'm curious if the rise of racks is also pushing overall weights up since it's easier to carry more stuff. Like you see normal bikepacking fronts with rolls / full frame bags, but now 40L of rear storage vs what used to be 15L which forced people to minimize.

[@felipeprenholato2301]

The uner 20 years guy caught my attention :)

[@baladec13]

I'm curious to know how many riders ran top tube bags, handlebar bags, or both. Also, where's the preferred water bottle mount? Is it traditional? Fork? Handlebars?

[@lorenzodibernardini8891]

It would be interesting to know how many pairs of bibs they are taking with them. Is everyone using bibs ?

[@sudo936]

You should already know what kind of pants you like to ride big rides in.

[@richardtkd28]

Hi! How about suspension stems? How popular are these on the Tour Divide?

[@carrot595]

paper maps for the win !

[@ChopperChad]

Here’s to the 22.8% of riders over 60 🍻

[@Mike-vd2qt]

Great video thanks!

[@黄辰旭]

PAPER MAP guy, he's rock.

[@BondMeisterbond]

Year on Year the TD has about a 50% attrition rate. I'd like to see the 'Rigs That Survive'The Tour Divide'. My gut feel is more of the lightweight bikes don't make it - for obvious reasons - and the riders of 'fast' bikes don't make it either - for less obvious reasons.

[@SethThomas-bf8pi]

I'd love to see a video talking about when and for what reason people scratch.

[@brentra7076]

I would be curious to know what the average weight of the gear was. Cheers to the rider from NZ, who I met at Tuchuck Campground!

[@redauwg911]

good video thank you

[@leojosephy]

Hopefully this signals a return of rack mounts to frames!

[@GeekonaBike]

can we access your spreadsheet online anywhere?

[@brendanhousel4731]

Shoutout my boy Derek

[@matthewchristensen4570]

Front suspension travel would be an interesting addition to the stats.

[@jonpoon3896]

They mentioned it. The chart said HT with suspension

[@Dakota.Covers]

I'd guess a lot around 100mm or less.

[@JohnBruno13]

Yeah I was surprised by how many riders, including many of the most competitive racers, are running front shocks. I rode the GDMBR without them and rarely was on terrain when I would have wanted them. I did use them on the CTR and in that context they make sense. For comfort, sure why not. But Im curious why young pros racing to break the record run them. Maybe Im discounting their benefit and worrying too much about the weight penalty?

[@jonpoon3896]

@@JohnBruno13 comfort trumps weight over that kind of distance

[@gaypreator8547]

Bob meme with a princess corded phone. Resurrection of the landline. I love paper maps.

[@6242-j1z]

can you mount 1.6 foot height 40pounds bag on rear seat?

[@DovHayes]

Did the trailer use the paper maps

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

Good stuff Only 44 bike computers ? Are we suggeating a good 50 percent plus of entrants are using mobile phones as their main navigation device ? Is this the future

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

No, I didn’t ask for this info, so that was just the info from 44 that shared randomly. I assume plenty more used gps devices but just mention it. That’s a question I will ask next year.

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

@@BIKEPACKINGcom thanks great list. I only ask cause my brother asked why didn't I use my mobile phone for a recent multiday bikepack which I got lost several times . I had to remember the reasons why I bought a bike computer a wahoo bolt v2 and stopped using mobiles 🤠 I didn't sound convincing explaining why I use bike computer but I'm sure I'm still making the right decision 😅

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

​@@BIKEPACKINGcomthanks , a great breakdown of kit etc. I only ask as my brother asked why don't I just used my mobile phone instead of my bike computer if I kept getting lost on my last muktiday bike ride . Got me thinking as I started out with two smartphones then got a bike computer , which I'm sure is much better 🤔😅

[@futuretimes6476]

Surprised nobody uses Komoot. I'm using this on my phone with offline maps to save data and works fine.

[@joshuabrown5057]

Fun video

[@DIY-DaddyO]

I need to see the paper map rider? How many maps? Years ago the Paris-Dakar riders used a rolliing road paper map driven by the front wheel.

[@MrPixelbreaker]

Be interesting to see how many people run the Coros Dura next year, sounds promising for self charging from solar.. I'll probably be running one.

[@kevincrowley9873]

😢It's worth checking out the DC Rainmmaker review as it highlights some pretty serious issues with the Coros...

[@MrPixelbreaker]

@@kevincrowley9873 I checked it out before, yes there's issues, I'm gonna hold out until it's been out for a while, I'm never an early adopter anyway.

[@kitbiggz6135]

Can I ride tubes or is tubeless a must have?

[@Bubba6399]

Have you ever seen someone use a Specialized Crux for these races? I imagine it’s not ideal or “made” for bikepacking… but just curious. With bikes being so light it’s hard to tell if there’s a potential for cracking a frame with more weight on them.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

What I've noticed is that gravel bikes in general don't hold up as well as mountain bikes during this race, but we see them in the race every year.

[@tylerboylehoban2834]

@@BIKEPACKINGcom hold up as in they break? or what do you mean by hold up exactly? just curious what you have seen though I agree MTB is the way to go for the divide

[@jonpoon3896]

Majority of the route is gravel riding. A gravel bike might be alright for 1-200 mile single day rides. But riding everyday for 2-4 weeks, minimizing fatigue is key, so the wider tires and suspension of mountain bikes are much more suitable

[@nicolasledoux355]

@@tylerboylehoban2834 MTB are usually more robust than gravel bikes. Gravel tires, wheels and transmission has an higher rate of failure while used offroad (+ rider fatigue that cause accidents and injuries on a long trip)

[@WordupG]

Crux would be a terrible bike for this race, imho. Wrong geometry,, limited tire size, fragile, & lack of cargo mounting