is the fargo the only one available?

any others spring to mind.

Specialized AWOL can take tyres that size, but I’m not sure if it will take guards as well?

Wheel size?

700c or 29” 😀

I’m picking up my AWOL this week, I can post up some pics of clearances when I do if you like.

please vorlich if you don’t mind.

Trek 920? *should* be room there for guards

EDIT – maybe not, looks tight with the stock 2in 29er tyre fitted:

Nowt by Surly?

Define “Tourer”. Are you still planning to use Loop Bars? If so, I suspect there will be many MTB frames adequate.

Surly Ogre

straggler or cross check from Surly if you’re looking for that kind of bike

Like that TREK ^^ 8)

I’ve been keeping an eye out for a Fargo myself.. 😀

Just checked Evans out for stock of that TREK but none in… I’m now searching for a 54 or 56 to try out the size..

Thanks for starting this thread Ton.

not sure about keeping the loops. might build something with nice wide drops.
that trek is vile!!
ogre might be a option. xl fargo would be perfect I suppose.

There’s loads of MTB frames that will do the job. Why everyone (only in Britain it seems though…) insists that a touring bicycle should have drop bars is beyond me anyway.

My AWOL currently has 40mm slick with guards and still has tons of space, I reckon you’d be alright.

At the risk of stating the obvious, Long Haul Trucker

wont take a 2” tyre and guards, I would keep mine if it would.

Does the Singular Gryphon fit the bill? Currently running 2″ 700c Schwalbe Big Apples and there’s plenty of clearance for guards – but I can’t remember if there are guard eyelets (and the current model may be different anyway)

Mine has rack eyelets on the back but not on the fork.

You can have a look at mine if you want. (Which will be too small for you)

I have looked for the same thing, only I want to fit 2.35″ tyres.

The only answer I have found is a 29er. However they tend to lack mudguard eyelets, but this problem can be overcome with P-Clips or using axle mounted mudguard stays.

Older 29ers tend to have better steering HAs for road use, so maybe get one at a good price secondhand, get the eyelets etc added and then repaint. It’s the direction I’m headed now that I’m satisfied it works.

You know you want it.

2.1 Nano tyres in there with Bluemels 65mm guards, room for bigger if you wanted.

Borrow it some time and try it out. Should have had an hour on it this weekend.

Surly Krampus?

Travers would do you a nice, custom frame with whatever tyre width and braze-on you want.

Not sure if it does guards as well

Does claim 2 inch and guards

Maybe not with guards, ask jameso

drop bar mtb so should have space

I have a large Gryphon with Midge bars. Not straightforward to set up with racks, even with rear braiseons, no provision for mudguards at all. Ok to tour on (Lourdes to Nantes, camping) but left me wanting more. Will sell soon (too small for you though) as I’ve replaced it with a Cross-Check which is much more straightforward. Riding across Spain this summer, but on a Surly 1×1 with Alfine 8 and loop bars. No problems on this with racks or mudguards and actually prefer the multiple hand positions of loop bars. I looked for a Fargo frame but not available in my size for sensible money, hence the new Surly.

That Kona is lovely.

ton, if you don’t get an ECR I shall have to.

🙂

Genesis Fortitude?

Karate Monkey? or the version with all the rack/anything cage mounts, ECR I think its called.

ton, if you don’t get an ECR I shall have to.

I have an ECR yet I find it slow and overtly stiff to the point where I prefer to ride my Moonlander for 15 miles. Am I doing something wrong? I really, really wanted to love it.

Isn’t yours very large for you though? (just trying to remember previous photos)

My shand will ‘just’ fit a 2″ tyre but not with guards… however, they will make you a Stoater FT (Fat Tyre) if you’re needing that.

Otherwise, I used to have a Singular Gryphon, before the stoater, which definitely will and I was mighty impressed with the Salsa Fargo after seeing it in action this weekend. I’d rate that higher than the Gryphon in terms of functionality as a tourer – additional mounts etc.

Personally i’d go with a 29er with race kings for touring 😉

I do like that Kona. That’s more like it!

This is sort of my ideal tourer, but with one howling mistake:
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/expedition/longitude
Horizontal dropouts… WHY???? Add mudguards then try getting the back wheel out. Also, I tow a trailer. One decent bump and it’ll pull the back wheel out of line. Useless useless horizontal dropouts!!!

Thanks for the reply Scotroutes (: It is a medium and I’m 5″5 but my LBS reckons it’s fine. They tell me it’s just bad because of the fat tyres 🙁

Your LBS is lying. (IMHO). I’m at two inches taller than you and I’d think twice about a medium ECR. I know it’s all a personal thing but I do wonder if you’d get on better with a smaller bike. The fat tyres do produce a bit more drag but a fatbike can still make an effective tourer. Have you considered running narrower rims and tyres? It surely has to be more easy rolling than a Moonlander!

Mr Tricky – I’ll be interested in the Gryphon.

Singletracksurfer – you have mail

scotroutes – Member
…The fat tyres do produce a bit more drag…

I’d like to see a real world comparison on second class roads at touring speeds.

I’m convinced there is less drag with my 2.35″ Big Apples on roads where the surface is rough (eg exposed aggregate).

When freewheeling downhill (on those sort of surfaces) my bike runs ahead of other bikes I have ridden beside.

On dead smooth tarmac, it does fell a little more draggy, but there’s bugger-all of that around here.

Naturally the finely honed athletes of STW who ride everywhere at 31.5mph will need a more aerodynamic tyre, but for cruising speeds up to say 18mph, it feels to me like they roll at least as easily.

AWOL pics as promised, stock tyres are 42c. I think you’d be struggling to fit 2″ with guards.

Spa cycles heard your request and came up with this

Your LBS is lying. (IMHO). I’m at two inches taller than you and I’d think twice about a medium ECR. I know it’s all a personal thing but I do wonder if you’d get on better with a smaller bike. The fat tyres do produce a bit more drag but a fatbike can still make an effective tourer. Have you considered running narrower rims and tyres? It surely has to be more easy rolling than a Moonlander!

First of all, thanks! I’ve been struggling with the ECR for quite sometime and I appreciate your helpful input (: It is seriously long, not so much the seattube, but more the top tube, I find it really hard to reach the bars with a 50mm stem in an upright position, unless I bend my back into (hate doing so) or use the fingertips of one hand stop the bike swerving, I really think there’s something wrong here! I agree with that too, and to be honest, offroad touring, I much, much prefer riding fatbikes. I have spent £50+ on some specialised tyres at my LBS (the very same) and to be honest, it changed the whole gearing, and I really didn’t like it. I am honestly really enjoying the Moonlander at the moment, I have a Mukluk and an ECR but the Moonlander is just a combination of the two! It’s brilliant, though for touring I kinda wish I could run 4″ tyres well on it. Not too sure what I’m going to do with the ECR to be honest, the Moonlander has a similairly long top tube. Maybe try rotating the stem? It’d look borderline retarded but might work? (:

Fargo and woodchippers ……whats not to like 😆