Personal setups, Ultralight / Singletrack » Outsider’s hardcore singletrack setup
by OutsiderWhile I do most of my outings on the Salsa Fargo, I also have an FS 29er bike for endurance races, hardcore singletrack riding and even bikepacking on technical singletrack. The bike is a Gary Fisher Hifi 29er, the first incarnation of which cracked in August 2009. During the spring 2010 I got a replacement frame through the warranty program, and it has seen quite a bit of action during the summer.
With this bike I’m forced to use a backpack, since there is no room for a reasonable frame bag. I have been contemplating getting a large seat bag, but I’m not sure whether that would work well. I fear the high center of gravity would affect the bike handling negatively in very technical places. Currently I just use a small seat bag to hold some bike tools and repair gear. The rest of the gear is in the Deuter Trans Alpine 30 backpack, which is specifically made for this sort of use. I find it very comfortable and have used it with up to 12 kg (~27 lbs), though I prefer a lot less. A small handlebar bag could possible make sense, but I have not yet tested it with this bag. On the Fargo 2-3 lbs in the handlebar does not seem to affect the handling much, so it might be worth a try on this bike as well.
The rest of the gear (outdoor stuff) is shortly described in my other setup post about the Salsa Fargo.
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The seat bag would be lower than having the same weight in the backpack. So it would
actually lower your center of gravity.
I think there is a major difference between having weight in a backpack very close to your body and having the same weight high up on the bike.
Very nice photography! You obviously spent a lot of time setting up (and taking down) your camera for the right angles. Most people don’t realize how much goes into doing self documentation. Nice job.
Question. How tall are you and which size Gary Fisher Hi Fi did you choose? I’m seriously considering one and am torn between the 19″ and the 21″ frame. I’m 6’0″ and they BOTH feel right in the store. The larger one seems like it would be better for less technical stuff and visa versa. I’m thinking bikepacking would favor a larger frame.
Chris, I’m 192 cm, i.e. just under 6’4″ and my inseam is just under 36″. The 21″ Hifi is exactly the right size. I do use a 20 mm setback post from the previous model and on MTBR I’ve read that several others do the same. The stock post is straight. This is still another small parameter to consider. Have you check the Gary Fisher forum on MTBR? There might be some input there as well.
Thanks for the solid advice Outsider. You’re a bit taller than me. I guess I’ve been on the road bike (58cm) so much this year, every MTB I sit on seems short, even if it’s supposedly my size. The last 19″ frames I’ve bought I keep raising the seat post and the stem to make it “right”, so I was thinking next size up. I wish GF made 20″ frames, but of course maybe Trek will offer more sizes in GF collection the future. Thanks again.
I’m looking at either squeezing a Jandd frame pack in the small area under my Yeti 575’s shock, or having eric up at revelate rig me up a little pack for down there. Either way should relieve some space.
The 1st image is a great photo!