http://www.outsideonline.com/blog/outdoor-adventure/inside-the-tour-divide-with-eszter-horanyi.html

I’m riding a fully rigid 29er steel Waltworks. I have Stans NoTubes wheels, Maxxis Crossmarks, and a mix of XT and LX components for a 3×9 drivetrain. I’m all about maximizing the durability-to-cost ratio.

Jenn did it singlespeed on a steel Kona 69er 🙂

A mate of mine is riding SS this year 😉

Aidan did it on a rigid SS.

Only 2 from UK this year I think, at least 8 last year.

Esther will take some beating in ladies section.

This is on my must do list. Wouldn’t be racing it but must be nice to do it when other people are, hook up with for a few hours, bit of chat then on your own again. Heaven

Dave Nice is riding it as an ITT from south to north, on a fixie.

Right now I’d be packing my snorkel instead. Flood warnings in Banff and Bow river 1m+ above normal level…

Dave Nice has tried 6 times now, this year’s his 7th.. good luck to him!

Jenn rode a Trek 69er, aluminium frame with a thudbuster post

I’m not sure a custom frame is “maximizing the durability-to-cost ratio”.

I’m not sure a custom frame is “maximizing the durability-to-cost ratio”.

Spending money on a non-consumable makes sense. It’s tyres and transmissions that wear out and have to be replaced.

Esther will take some beating in ladies section.

My money would be on Tracey Petervary – very tough lady.

I rode the divide years ago and SS is admirable I’d be choosing the gear very carefully for hours of climbing! Rigid isn’t as big a deal as it sounds the majority is fire road and not technical.

LX and XT is well up to the job, the notion that only xtr is good enough if utter GUFF!