what would you choose for 100 miles offroad in a day?

and why.

Fatbike.
29er.
Full sus.
Cross.

All depends on the surface, technicality, hike-a-bike etc

Something light and comfy. Like an Epic or Anthem or Solo. Somewhere around 120mm full sus.

Tallboy, ‘cos I’m used to it, and I’ve done 100 miles on it before.

It is superbly suited to such a task.

My Merida BigNine 900. Because it’s very comfortable (I’ve done such a long rides on it). Because I love it. And because I haven’t got any other off-road-friendly bike 😆

What sort of off road? Gravel / bridle paths or xc / trails type riding?

Not a rigid single speed……..again.
A rigid singlespeed with 29+ tyres….I learnt my lesson.

Epic, comfy enough and fast

I was going to ask a similar question, but specifically for the South Downs Way. Has anyone done it on a full suss or is a HT 29er the best bet?

Anthem. Light, fast, capable, reliable.

terrain would be long steady offroad climbs, gravel/limestone/grass, descents would be similar.
nothing to rough.

Same as always, just for longer……..

At the Kielder 100 races there were almost every type of MTB.

Depends how technical and how fast you want to go.

29er or a cross/gravel bike then. Depends on your preference for hand positions and your “need” for suspension. A high volume tyre on a rigid bike would mostly be fine.

I’ve done the SDW on a Commencal Meta 55 and a Giant XTC29

The Giant was easier.

I’d probably go for a Spearfish if I had a choice.

Did the Kielder on an Anthem and thought it was a bit unecassary and heavy, did it on a Scandal and was happier. Didn’t finish on either tbh.
If I had to do it again it would be the lightest possible ht 29er.

I built this for that sort of thing. Now with double rings up front.

december 002 by jamesanderson2010, on Flickr

26 in hardtails and one of them up there^. 1 x n, same tyres and everything.

Scott spark would be my weapon of choice

Either something “cross” or a maverick with fast xc tyres.

100mm FS 29er, with semi slicks.

Stooge

29er

full suss – short travel like Rocky Mountain Element (yes my bike) but anthem would be outstanding as well

Hardtail – Ritchey P 29/Scandal 29 with suspension seatpost like USE or Thudbuster

terrain would be long steady offroad climbs, gravel/limestone/grass, descents would be similar.
nothing to rough.

In that case, I’d like to be on something like a Giant XTC Advanced, or my Diverge! 😉

29er my Spearfish was ideal when I had it, you could ride for hours and not feel so tired.

In that case, I’d like to be on something like a Giant XTC Advanced, or my Diverge!

100 miles off road on drop bars. Bugger that.

it will be fitted with my jones bars and b17 saddle.

Not fancy a Krampus Tony?

Was being a bit silly, Nobeer! But, if it was smooth going, then drops would make a lot of sense.

Cannondale Scalpel

Anthem 29er would be my weapon of choice.

Something in the planning then Ton ?

Shand Stoater.

At about the 70 mile mark you will be craving
A comfortable saddle and a super light bike to get up the incessant hills if its the sdw.comfort is less rolling mass.

Just whatever bike you are on!
Same for what tyres? really.

My cross bike

IMG_0545 by thom1984, on Flickr

i like this one.

i thought about using my disc trucker, but even with 47c tyres fitted, it will be too harsh for the route.

FTFY

What route have you got in mind Tony?