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Complete List of 29” Drop-Bar Mountain Bikes

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Underbiking purists might disagree, but we think there’s a special place for drop-bar mountain bikes and gravel bikes built around bigger tires. Here’s our complete reference list of dirt-drop 29ers that fit tires over 2.1” wide, all suitable for bikepacking. Find more than 50 bikes that fit this category and learn about the criteria we used to select them here...

compose Logan Watts
time Jan 13, 2023
comment 287

Originally published October 2020, major update January 2023

As mentioned in part one, 650B Gravel(plus) Bikes, bikepacking bikes come in all shapes and sizes. Drop-bar mountain bikes are one of the more popular manifestations, favored among Tour Dividers, weekend escapists, and those hellbent on a one-bike stable—especially the drop-bar 29er. In short, riders find these bikes both comfortable and efficient. Here’s part two of our Gear Index, featuring a full list bikes that fall into this category. But first, more on the criteria we used to select them.

  • Kona Sutra LTD Review
  • Chumba Yaupon Review
  • Salsa Cutthroat V2 Review

What are Drop-bar Mountain Bikes?

Not all will agree on what defines a drop-bar mountain bike. A strict interpretation of the term might limit this list to only a handful of rigs with a 73mm MTB bottom bracket shell and a geometry that resembles a mountain bike. However, there are variables and intricacies in this realm. Who’s to say that a bike with road-esque angles and a 68mm bottom bracket can’t be a mountain bike? With that said, our principle metric for this list is tire size. And, keeping in the spirit of bikepacking, we also selected bikes with added utility and characteristics that are well-suited to long-distance riding. Here are the details:

2.1″ Minimum Tire Size

These days, many drop-bar bikes are designed to be versatile, with the ability to swap svelte road or gravel tires for bigger knobbies. While many gravel cyclists might be fine with 42mm tires, dirt-road tourers and mountain bikers appreciate the option for meatier rubber. With that, we decided a good metric was that this class of 29″ drop-bar mountain bikes must fit standard 2.1″ mountain bike tires or wider. Ideally, they would also be designed around a tire that’s about 2″ wide. In our opinion, 2.1″ is a versatile size for all kinds of dirt and gravel-oriented bikepacking, and wider is even better for tackling longer and more rugged pursuits.

Plenty of Mounts

Even though there are countless options for rackless bags, having mounts for extra bottles or accessory cages is a nice perk for carrying extra bottles and gear. Rack and fender mounts are also important to many bikepackers and bike tourers, although not absolutely necessary for this list. We made sure that most of the bikes we included have at least a third pair of cage mounts (typically under the downtube). Even better, many of these bikes have forks with pairs or triplets of blade mounts for added water capacity or bags such as the Oveja Negra Bootlegger.

Designed for Dirt (and Drops)

Last but not least, all of these bikes were designed for use with drop bars. Yes, drops can be slapped on any mountain bike, but they shouldn’t be. For instance, most MTBs have a geometry with a much longer reach, and generally don’t fit as well with drop bars. Conversely, a few of these bikes have some road bike characteristics—shorter wheelbase, 68mm bottom bracket shell, road drivetrain or brakes, and tires labeled 700c, but all of them are made to play in the dirt. This means that the frame construction and specced components should hold up on the rough stuff.

The List

There are a few things to note about our list of drop-bar 29ers. The factors that we found particularly important to consider are listed in the highlights (in red). These include the frame and fork material, maximum tire size (to the best of our knowledge), and the hub/dropout width specs. In addition, note the bottom bracket spec. Bottom bracket width is relevant to tire and heel clearance, usually either a 73mm mountain bike standard, or 68mm road standard. Plus, we reference whether it’s threaded or PressFit (PF)—an important factor for many. Click each list item to expand the details and see a larger photo. Lists are displayed in alphabetical order, with bikes we’ve tested grouped at top (represented with a hexagonal “T” icon):

  • $5790
     Bearclaw Beaux Jaxon

    Bearclaw Beaux Jaxon

    • Frame/Fork: Titanium/carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 27.5 x 3.0″ / 29 x 2.6″
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 x 110mm / 12 x 148mm
    See Our Full Review

    Michigan-based Bearclaw Bicycle Co claims its Beaux Jaxon is “the first drop-bar bicycle in the history of drop-bar bikes to accept 27.5 x 3.0″ and 29 x 2.6″ tires while maintaining true all-road geometry.” They don’t think of it as a mountain bike with drop-bars; instead, it’s an all-road bike with mountain bike tires.

    From Miles’ review: “Overall, the Beaux Jaxon is an incredibly fun and intriguing bike. There’s nothing quite like it on the market that I’m aware of. If I had more time, it I’d have been curious to run it with both 27.5+ and 29+ tires, and to play around with the fit a bit more to properly dial it in. For me, that’s the real selling point of the Beaux Jaxon: adaptability. As it should be, considering the athlete it pays homage to.”

    • Price: $5790 (Rival 1 Build)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $1895
     Chumba Yaupon Steel

    Chumba Yaupon Steel

    • Frame: Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.6"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • DROPOUTS (F/R): 15 X 110MM / 12 X 148MM
    See Our Full Review

    According to Austin, Texas-based CHUMBA, the Yaupon is an ATB at heart and is designed for everything from singletrack to multi-day bikepacking. It’s “about making big possibilities into reality.” The Chumba Yaupon features an adaptable geometry with a sliding rear dropout, a 68° head tube, 120mm fork capability, and clearances for big tires—it’s shown with 29 x 2.4″ rubber (with clearance for 2.6″ and 27.5×2.8″), although CHUMBA makes no statement about the maximum clearance. The Yaupon also has a longer reach designed for use with a shorter stem and wider bars. Want a titanium version? Chumba offers that too.

    • Price: $1895 (frame only)
    • Place of Manufacture: Texas, USA
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • £1899
     Cotic Cascade

    Cotic Cascade

    • Frame: Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.4"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • DROPOUTS (F/R): 15 X 110MM / 12 X 148MM
    See Our Full Review

    According to Cotic, the Cascade drops neatly into that space between their SolarisMAX hardtail mountain bike and the Escapade road/gravel bike. It’s meant to be a versatile character in their lineup, stripped down with a carbon fork, beefed up with Cotic’s very own rigid steel fork and custom bags, or dressed up with a 100mm travel suspension fork and dropper post.

    The Cascade is built up around a Reynolds 853 Chromoly steel front triangle and seat tube, and 4130 Chromoly steel wishbone seat stays and bridge-less s-bend chainstays. It is based around boost hub spacing, with clearance for 29×2.4″ tires in the rear end and 2.6″ up front. It can also be set up with 27.5×2.8″/3.0″ tires as well. The frame has bosses for bolt-on frame bags, racks, fenders, top tube bags, and more. Cotic is offering the Cascade with your choice of three different forks: their very own steel Alpaca fork, a carbon Salsa Firestarter, or a Rockshox SID SL Ultimate 100mm travel fork for getting rowdy.

    • Price: £1899 (MicroShift Advent 1x10 Complete)
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • €1599
     Decathlon Riverside Touring 920

    Decathlon Riverside Touring 920

    • Frame/Fork: Alloy/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.4"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 12 X 100MM / 12 X 142MM
    See Our Full Review

    Kitted out with all of the mounting points you could ever need, a dynamo front hub, and a well-rounded build kit, the Decathlon Riverside Touring 920 is purpose built for the long road ahead. It’s built up around a triple-butted aluminum frame and their own carbon fork, has 33 different mounting points, and offers clearance for 29 x 2.4″ tires. It’s a unique take on a do-everything drop bar bike, and offers some of the best value we’ve seen in this category of bikes.

    • Weight: 12.3 kg (27.12 lbs)
    • Price: €1599
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $2699
     Kona Sutra LTD

    Kona Sutra LTD

    • Fame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 × 2.4″
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 12 x 100mm / 12 x 142mm
    See Our Full Review

    The Kona Sutra LTD frame can take on a multitude of of forms. It’s equally at home as a classic tourer as it is a bikepacking rig, and it doesn’t look out of place as either. Fill the generous clearance with 29er tires, pop on some voluminous touring tires and fenders, or slap on some 27.5 x 2.6” rubber to create a crazy monster-cross machine. Typically, a bike this versatile would worry me—no bike can do it all. But unlike a lot of bikes that come in different models with different wheel sizes, the Sutra LTD isn’t really pitched as a jack-of-all-trades, it just works out that way. It’s a gravel bike, bikepacking rig, two-track explorer, and smooth singletrack slayer.

    • Weight: 11.62 kg (25.62 lbs)
    • Price: $2699
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $1249CAD
     Landyachtz AB-ST

    Landyachtz AB-ST

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Carbon
    • Max Tire Clearance: 29 x 2.2"
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 12 X 100MM / 12 X 142MM
    See Our Full Review

    Landyachtz AB-ST is built up around a 4130 LY Select Chromoly steel frame with internal cable routing, their new Carbon Adventure Fork with an adjustable flip-chip style dropout, thru-axles, big tire clearance, and lots of mounting points for racks, cages, and fenders. Compared to their other bikes, its angles lean far further toward off-road capability. It has a longer wheelbase, lower bottom bracket, head tube angle that is a full 2° slacker, and more stack. On paper, the result is the most stable, capable, and mountain bike-inspired gravel rig Landyachtz offers.

    From our review: “The Landyachtz AB-ST is everything I want out of a versatile, drop bar 29er. Features like 2.2″ tire clearance, dropper post routing, Chromoly Steel frame, carbon fork, and loads of mounting options tick off every box for me. Plus, the angles and specs match up as well. It lives up to Landyachtz’s claims and makes for the perfect platform to tackle the growing number of gravel routes in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. It might not be the fastest or most agile gravel bike out there, but it’s not designed to be.”

    • Price: $1249CAD (frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $9850
     Moots Routt ESC

    Moots Routt ESC

    • Frame/Fork: Titanium/Titanium
    • Max Tire Clearance: 29 x 2.4"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm BSA
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 x 110mm / 12 x 148mm
    See Our Full Review

    The MOOTS Routt ESC is designed for “deep gravel, lumpy two-track, and singletrack” and features 2.4″ tires, Boost spacing, three pairs of bottle mounts in the frame, two three-pack mounts on the fork, an oversized tubeset, and massive S-bend seat stays. MOOTS claims this recipe gives the Routt ESC the “backbone to perform across all-terrain, loaded or unloaded.”

    • Price: $9850 (NEO RETRO Build)
    • Place of Manufacture: Colorado, USA
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $2550
     Otso Fenrir

    Otso Fenrir

    • Frame: Titanium/Stainless
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.6"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 x 110mm / 12 x 148mm
    See Our Full Review

    Taking its name from a giant wolf in Norse mythology that was destined to devour the sun, the Otso Fenrir has a lot to live up to. But Otso claims it’s their most versatile rig to date. The Otso Fenrir is built around a custom-butted stainless steel or titanium frame with loads of mounts and adjustability, and according to Otso, it’s built for bikepacking on rides like the Tour Divide or any other mixed terrain route you might dream up. What makes it unique is a geometry designed for use with either drop bars or MTB flat bars. In short, this means it has a longer reach than most drop bikes, and a shorter reach and higher stack than most mountain bikes.

    From Logan’s review: “As far as bikepacking, The Otso Fenrir has everything you might need as far as mounts, provisions, frame bag space, and long-ride comfort. It’s pegged squarely at big mixed terrain routes like the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Tian Shan Traverse, Baja Divide, NMORR, or any number of rides that combine singletrack with all forms of dirt roads. It doesn’t hesitate on any terrain, and I wouldn’t hesitate to take it on any given bikepacking trip.”

    • Price: $2550 (Stainless Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $2700
     Otso Waheela C

    Otso Waheela C

    • Frame/Fork: Carbon/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 27.5 x 2.1" / 29 x 2.1"
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 100x12mm / 142x12mm
    See Our Full Review

    The Waheela C has a full EPS molded carbon frame designed around a 420mm axle-to-crown fork (suspension corrected for gravel suspension forks). The bike is made primarily for long, 100+ mile gravel races and rides. The frame features sleeved internal brake and shifter routing, a carbon access door under the bottom bracket, front and rear thru-axles, and a 68mm threaded bottom bracket. In addition, Otso designed it around bowed seat stays for vertical compliance and added comfort. The Waheela is 1x and 2x compatible and works with with both Shimano Di2 and SRAM eTap AXS electronic drivetrains. Additionally, the Waheela C is compatible with 30.9mm internally routed dropper seat posts.

    • Price: $2700 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: China
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $2200
     Otso Warakin Stainless

    Otso Warakin Stainless

    • Frame/Fork: Stainless Steel/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.1"
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 12 x 100mm / 12 x 142mm

    Named after Native American folklore — a mythical wolf-like creature called the Shunka Warakin — the Warakin™ bike was designed to take on many different forms. According to Otso, it can be a CX bike or a relaxed gravel bike, and everything in between. Standout features include a stainless steel frame combined with a patent-pending Tuning Chip™ system which provides 20mm of chainstay length adjustment and subtle changes to the bottom bracket drop and head tube angle. Choose a shorter-higher-steeper 420mm position for a more nimble cyclocross feel, or a longer-lower-slacker 440mm position for a more stable touring feel. Swapping between the two positions is very simple and can be done in about 2 minutes. The Warakin also features Full length cable routing and a Lithic carbon fork.

    Read Lucas’ side-by-side comparison of the Stainless and Titanium versions of the Warakin here.

    • Price: $2200 (Frame/fork)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $2950
     Otso Warakin Ti

    Otso Warakin Ti

    • Frame: Titanium
    • Max Tire Size: 29 × 2.1”
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm BSA
    • Axle Spacing: 12 x 142mm
    See Our Full Review

    In Otso’s own words, the new Warakin Ti is a, “lightweight, durable, lively machine that will carry the rider to wherever they choose to go…” Theirs is the latest in what’s becoming a crowded field of bikes advertised to do so, but it brings some unique features to the table and deserves a closer look. “The Warakin Ti is an exceedingly well thought out rig with some touches that make it stand out from the crowd—which comes as no surprise, given all the innovation coming out of the Wolf Tooth Components side of the business. The frameset itself leaves very little to be desired, and you can build up a Warakin to your tastes using the online configurator.” Read our full review here.

    • Price: $2950 (Frame-Only)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • £816
     Pipedream Cycles A.L.I.C.E.

    Pipedream Cycles A.L.I.C.E.

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.4" / 27.5 x 2.4"
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 x 100mm / 12 x 142mm
    See Our Full Review

    Bonny Scotland-based Pipedream Cycles’ A.L.I.C.E. is an ‘All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment’ bike which they claim to be designed for gravel-grinding, bikepacking, and epic trans-continental adventure.

    The Pipedream A.L.I.C.E. frame features a custom, triple-butted, heat treated 4130 CrMo tubeset with details such as a subtle S-bend seat and chain stays, sliding 142mm bolt-through dropouts, a horizontally ovalized top tube for vertical compliance, and an oversize head tube for front end stiffness. The frame also has plenty of braze-ons for bottles, guards, and racks.

    A.L.I.C.E. has a super high BB (55mm drop), so it should work fine with smaller 650B tires as well.

    • Price: £816 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $2599
     Salsa Cutthroat

    Salsa Cutthroat

    • Frame/Fork: Carbon/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.4"
    • Bottom Bracket: Pressfit 41 x 92
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 x 110mm / 12 x 148mm
    See Our Full Review

    On the outset, some might see the Salsa Cutthroat as a gravel bike on steroids. But at its heart, the Cutthroat is indeed a mountain bike… one destined for speed and long rides. And, at its core lies the groundwork for tons of space to carry everything you need on a long adventure. And while it’s a niche bicycle, its niche is pretty damned large. Most likely, it’ll find itself at home with anyone interested in long mixed terrain rides who put a premium on comfort as well as the possibility of tackling trails that veer on and off the gravel roads. It’s the perfect bike for someone who wants to tackle a race such as the Tour Divide, or even shorter routes like the Trans North Georgia or the NM Off-road Runner. We’ve published two reviews of the Cutthroat: the original version that we tested in Cuba, and the latest iteration, complete with Boost spacing.

    • Salsa Cutthroat V2 Review, bikepacking
    • Salsa Cutthroat Review, Bikepacking
    • Weight: 9.36 kg (20.64 lbs)
    • Price: $2599 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $2599
     Salsa Fargo

    Salsa Fargo

    • Frame/fork: Steel/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 3.0" / 27.5 x 3.0"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 110 x 15mm / 12 x 148mm

    The Salsa Fargo is the bike that started it all. Built for long rides like the Tour Divide, it’s a dirt-drop 29er at heart. Since then, Salsa has refined it to be a versatile machine. 29 x 3.0″ (or 27.5+ tires) are its sweet spot, although with a 70mm BB drop, it can run just about anything. While we haven’t reviewed the Fargo directly, we spent plenty of time on the old 29+ Deadwood, which is essentially the same bike with a color and graphics change. Find details about Gin’s 29 x 2.6″ Deadwood set up.

    • Price: $2599 (Apex 1 Build)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $1600
     Sklar Super Something

    Sklar Super Something

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Clearance: 29 x 2.2"
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 12 X 100MM / 12 X 142MM
    See Our Full Review

    The Sklar Super Something is Adam’s first production bike. The frame and fork are designed by Adam but manufactured in Taiwan by Maxway Cycles—the same folks who make Surly, All-City, Salsa, and others. Designed from the ground up, the Super Something is made from size-specific, double-butted, air-hardened 4130 Chromoly steel tubing with custom-forged dropouts and machined head tubes. At first glance, it has that unmistakable Sklar silhouette, including a generously curved top tube, classic lines, and a clean aesthetic. “Keep it simple” are the first three words Adam uses to describe the Super Something’s design philosophy, and it seems he achieved this.

    Dig into Miles’ review here.

    • Price: $1600 (Frame + Fork)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $1949
     Surly Grappler

    Surly Grappler

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.1"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • DROPOUTS (F/R): 110 X 15MM / 12 X 148MM
    See Our Full Review

    The Grappler is a uniquely long, rigid-specific drop-bar bike specced with beefy 27.5” tires. It has a Surly Natch chromoly steel frame, of course, which is built around Boost-spaced 148 and 110mm wheels. It has an internally routed dropper post, all the bottle and rack mounts one might expect from Surly, and two additional pairs you might not. The Grappler has a new adjustable dropout that can be set up single speed or with an internally geared hub. It’s made for dirt touring, getting rowdy on singletrack (drop-bar style), and pretty much any other kind of riding that you can dream up in between those two disciplines. It’s an oddity that’s unlike any other bike we’ve ridden, and one that has Surly’s name all over it.

    • Surly Ghost Grappler
    • Surly Ghost Grappler Review
    • Surly Ghost Grappler Review
    • Price: $1949 (Complete)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $880
     Tanglefoot Hardtack

    Tanglefoot Hardtack

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.2" / 27.5 x 2.6"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 100X12MM / 142×12MM
    See Our Full Review

    The Hardtack has a very similar intent and geometry to the brand’s Moonshiner. The difference between the two is that the Hardtack is a more stripped down and simplified bike featuring a lighter tubeset that’s optimized for gravel/doubletrack/light singletrack duty, whereas the Moonshiner is a little burlier and meant to tackle the rowdiest of exploits. Also, the Hardtack has clearance for 27.5 x 2.6″ tires in comparison to the Moonshiner, which clears beefier 3.0″ tires. As for geometry, the two have some slightly different numbers, but they aren’t too dissimilar. The Tanglefoot Hardtack has a similarly long front-end, slack seat tube, off-road-friendly high bottom bracket, and high trail fork. The Hardtack also gets a straight top tube and a slimmed-down fork. However, it carries over a lot of great features such as rack and fender mounts, and plenty of accessory mounts on the frame and fork. It also has 12mm thru-axles front and rear.

    • Price: $880 (frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $1125
     Tanglefoot Moonshiner

    Tanglefoot Moonshiner

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 3.0"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 110 X 15MM / 12 X 148MM
    See Our Full Review

    The Tanglefoot Moonshiner is a steel bike with clearance for 27.5 x 3.0” (or 29×2.6″) tires on 35mm rims. It has a 69 degree head tube angle, a slack 71 degree seat tube angle, and a high bottom bracket (51mm of drop). All those numbers are preserved across the three sizes. It’s intended to be built up with a high-stack, 0mm or 30mm stem for riding in the hooks basically all of the time. The trail is also high at 88.7mm in all sizes. The top tube bend provides ample standover height.

    From Tanglefoot: “What is a Moonshiner? A rowdy sniggle shred sled? A diggle whip designed to dominate rocky roads? A ride-camp-ride mule-foot machine? Yes.”

    • Price: $1125 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $1350
     Tumbleweed Stargazer

    Tumbleweed Stargazer

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.5"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • DROPOUTS (F/R): 110 X 15MM / 12 X 148MM
    See Our Full Review

    The Tumbleweed Stargazer is a steel drop-bar all-terrain bike that is meant to be versatile and is built around Boost hub spacing, thru-axles, and a 1x specific design. It has all the mounts you might need for touring or bikepacking, but they’re relatively pared down. It has the standard two pairs of bottle cage mounts in the triangle, a pair under the downtube, three-pack mounts on the fork for cargo, and rack and fender mounts. There’s also a titanium version that we tested here.

    • Tumbleweed Stargazer Review
    • Tumbleweed Stargazer Review
    • Tumbleweed Stargazer, Rigs of the Eastern Divide Trail
    • Price: $1350 (Frame/Fork)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $925
     Velo Orange Piolet

    Velo Orange Piolet

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.4" / 27.5 x 3.0"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 12 X 142 / 12 X 100MM
    See Our Full Review

    While not shown with drop-bars, the Velo Orange Piolet is designed for either drops or flat bars. From our review by Lee Vilinsky: “Velo Orange’s Piolet is truly a modern classic: though 26” wheels and rim brakes still win for being the most widely available component choices, the benefits of larger wheels and discs are an overwhelming advantage. With more of a touring-oriented geometry, the Piolet is a fantastic interpretation of what a rough stuff touring bike should be. The frame handles bikepacking loads quite well and it should also take a classic 4-pannier, loaded-to-the-gills setup without issue. Even unloaded the frame handles great and feels agile, though its touring geometry means a bit more effort is required when navigating more technical singletrack. Velo Orange obviously did their homework in designing this classy machine which will certainly stand out from the rest of the herd. Given the opportunity to do another round-the-world journey by bike, there is no question that this is the one I would take.” Also, be sure to check out Pao’s Piolet (shown here).

    • Price: $925 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $2000
     44 Bikes Huntsman

    44 Bikes Huntsman

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.3" / 27.5 x 2.6"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm
    • Dropouts (F/R): QR or Thru

    44 Bikes is a small, New Hampshire-based, custom shop run by framebuilder Kristofer Henry. One of the company’s ready-platforms is tha Huntsman, a drop-bar gravel frame suited to all types of terrain. Kris developed the Huntsman “Super Trail” when a client requested a Huntsman with room for 29 x 2.3″ tires. Now he builds them around both 650B (shown here) or 29″, depending on your wishes. All frames start at $2,000 and there are a wealth of options. The most standard set of options are a 44mm head tube, PMW’s Wright dropouts (QR or 12mm TA), two pairs of bottle mounts, internal rear brake routing along the top tube and traditional down tube routing for front and rear derailleurs. Based on tire clearance, utility, and looks, this one’s on our wish list, for sure.

    • Price: $2000 (Frame)
    • Place of Manufacture: New Hampshire, USA
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • €750
     8bar TFLSBERG

    8bar TFLSBERG

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.25"
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm Threaded
    • DROPOUTS (F/R): 12 X 100MM / 12 X 142MM

    The 8bar TFLSBERG is designed to carry a lot of stuff and perform well on long days in the saddle. It features a reinforced steel frame and aluminum fork with a geometry that’s more relaxed in contrast to 8bar’s MITTE gravel bike. The TFLSBERG has a lot of mounting options, including five bottle cages on the frame (two in the triangle and three under the downtube) and four three-pack Anything Cage mounts on the fork and seat stays.

    • Price: €750 (frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • $2400
     Bearclaw TŌWMAK

    Bearclaw TŌWMAK

    • Frame: Titanium
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 3.0" / 27.5 x 4.5"
    • Bottom Bracket: 100mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 x 150mm / 12 x 197mm

    The TŌWMAK is a drop bar fat bike. It’s built up around a titanium frame and your choice of a carbon or titanium (coming soon) fork. Unlike other drop bar fat bikes you can find online, the TŌWMAK features true gravel bike geometry, or what they call Ultradistance Gravel Friendly Geometry—the same as the Beaux Jaxon we reviewed and that also appears in this list.

    • Price: $2400 (Frame only)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • Bice Biycles Wandrian

    Bice Biycles Wandrian

    • FRAME/FORK:: Steel/Carbon
    • MAX TIRE SIZE:: 29 x 2.2"
    • BOTTOM BRACKET:: 68mm Threaded
    • DROPOUTS (F/R):: 15 X 100MM / 12 X 142MM

    From Bice Bicycles, “The Bice Bicycles Wandrian is a custom-made steel 29er gravel bike created for fast-paced long-distance riding. I like to think of it as the missing link between a gravel and mountain bike. With a racing geometry and 29er wheels, the Wandrian is great for fast-paced gravel ride or races. Designed to mount 29er wheels which provide more traction, increase cornering capabilities, and add an overall feeling of “floating” the Wandrian makes rough terrain a fun challenge. Glide smoothly over all those gnarly, rocky trails or gravel roads with no fear.

    This frame evolved out of my love of riding single-speed. The rocking dropouts allow you the possibility of mounting the frame with gears or as a single-speed. Having many off and on-road talents, it suitable for divide races or fast-paced bikepacking trips, thanks to the possibility of mounting bags.”

    • Weight: 1.79 kg (3.95 lbs)
    • Place of Manufacture: Italy
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $2099
     Binary Havoc

    Binary Havoc

    • Frame: Titanium
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 3.0"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropout: 148 x 12mm
    • BB Drop: 70mm

    The Binary Havoc is a versatile titanium adventure bike designed to ride fast and long. It was designed around drop bars and big 29+ tires, has a big front triangle for a massive frame bag, and mounts for racks, fenders, and cages. It’s 1x and 2x compatible, has internal dropper post routing, and can even be set up with a 100mm travel suspension fork for those looking to really push its capabilities. The Havoc is offered in five sizes and Binary offers custom options like sizing tweaks, cable routing options, and rear dropout selection.

    • Price: $2099 (frame only)
    • Place of Manufacture: China
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $1195
     Black Mountain La Cabra

    Black Mountain La Cabra

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.4"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • DROPOUTS (F/R): 15 X 110MM / 12 X 148MM

    The Black Mountain La Cabra is drop bar monstercross bike based around a full chromoly double-butted frame, a segmented fork design with triple cage bosses, clearance for up to 29″ x 2.4″ or 27.5″ x 2.8″ tires, and internal dropper post routing. It’s offered in five sizes and is available as a frameset only.

    • Price: $1195 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $1200
     Bombtrack Beyond

    Bombtrack Beyond

    • Frame/fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.2"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 x 100 / 12 x 142mm

    With tons of mounts, a Columbus Steel frame, and a geometry designed for a comfortable and stable riding position, the Beyond is Bombtracks original expedition bike. The Beyond can be purchased as a frameset (frame and fork) and is also offered in two complete build options, both based around flared drop bars, 1x drivetrains, and 29″ wheels. “Like a Land Rover Defender, the Beyond is tough and dependable and willing to go anywhere.”

    • Price: $1200 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $1500
     Breezer Radar (Expert)

    Breezer Radar (Expert)

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.2"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 100mm QR/135mm QR
    • Bottle Cage Mounts: 5

    Breezer’s do-it-all bike, the Radar Expert, is built around a steel frame with plenty of mounts. It’s equipped with a Shimano Deore/Sora drivetrain with a wide-range 46/30T crankset, TRP hydraulic disc brakes, WTB 45mm Riddler tires, and TCS Tubeless STP i23 rims. There’s also a flat bar version, if that’s more your style.

    • Price: $1500
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $1650
     Breezer Radar X

    Breezer Radar X

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.5″
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm BSA
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 X 110MM / 12 X 148MM

    The Breezer Radar X is built up around an entirely new frame sporting loads of mounts, clearance for 29 x 2.5″ tires, and a reworked geometry that’s better suited for off-road riding. The Breezer Radar X and Radar X Pro are entirely new bikes for 2021. Although they exist as part of the Radar family, the frames specs and geometry are completely different than the rest. Features like thru-axles, boost hub spacing, and more mounting options make it look pretty ideal as a 29″ drop-bar mountain bike. Breezer also confirms that the the Radar X frames have clearance for 29 x 2.5″ tires—an actual tire width measurement of 64.5mm (2.5”)—with about 6mm of space between the tire and the stays. The Radar X features a wealth of mounts, including rack and fender provisions, top tube mounts, loads of bottle mounts, plus additional three-pack mounts on the fork legs and seat stays. Find details and build kits on both the Radar X Pro and Radar at our press release.

    • 2021 Breezer Radar X
    • 2021 Breezer Radar X
    • Price: $1650 (Complete/base)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • €2190
     Chiru Kegeti

    Chiru Kegeti

    • Frame/Fork: Titanium/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.4”
    • Bottom Bracket: T47 73mm
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 X 110MM / 12 X 148MM

    Designed and tested to tackle the 2018 Silk Road Mountain Race, the Kegeti is Chiru’s a do-it-all, ultra-endurance bike. Named after the first 4,000m pass on the SRMR route, the Chiru Kegeti is designed to be the ultimate ultra-endurance adventure bike.

    • Frame: Titanium 3Al/2.5V, Grade 9, Butted & Cold formed.
    • Bottom Bracket: T47 73mm
    • Tire Clearance: 700×47 up to 29×2.4”
    • Rear Dropout Spacing: 148x12mm thru axle
    • Compatible with rigid or 100mm travel fork, Crown to Axle: 480 to 500 mm
    • External or internal downtube cable routing
    • Eyelets for three bottle cages, frame & top tube bag, fenders, racks
    • Tapered Head Tube
    • 27.2 mm Seatpost Diameter, Internal Dropper Post Routing
    • Available in two complete builds, or as a frameset
    • Chiru Kegeti 2020
    • Chiru Kegeti 2020

    The Chiru Kegeti is currently available in two different build options, based around either a Shimano GRX or SRAM Force 1 drivetrain with hydraulic brakes. For components, you’ll get a CEC Carbon Fork and wheels, Ritchey Venture Max handlebar, Rotor REX crankset, and Panaracer Driver Pro tires. These builds have a complete weight (pedals excluded) of 19.1 pounds (8.7kg), and are available in four different sizes: small, medium large, and extra large.

    • Price: €2190
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $3995
     Chumba Yaupon Titanium

    Chumba Yaupon Titanium

    • Frame: Titanium
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.6"
    • Bottom Bracket: Threaded T47 73
    • DROPOUTS (F/R): 15 X 110MM / 12 X 148MM

    According to Austin, Texas-based CHUMBA, the Yaupon is an ATB at heart and is designed for everything from singletrack to multi-day bikepacking. It’s “about making big possibilities into reality.” The Chumba Yaupon features an adaptable geometry with a sliding rear dropout, a 68° head tube, 120mm fork capability, and clearances for big tires—it’s shown with 29 x 2.4″ rubber (with clearance for 2.6″ and 27.5×2.8″), although CHUMBA makes no statement about the maximum clearance. The Yaupon also has a longer reach designed for use with a shorter stem and wider bars.

    • Price: $3995 (frame only)
    • Place of Manufacture: Texas, USA
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • Cinelli Hobootleg Geo

    Cinelli Hobootleg Geo

    • Frame/fork: Steel/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 3.0"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 110 x 15mm / 12 x 148mm

    The Hobootleg GEO features a COLUMBUS Cromor double butted steel tube set based around a 73mm bottom bracket shell. With that it fits tires up to 29 x 3.0″. Other frame features include three pairs of triple-pack eyelets (on the fork and down tube), flared handlebars, and a 2×10 drivetrain.

    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $2400
     Co-Motion Cycles Divide

    Co-Motion Cycles Divide

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.35"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 110 x 15mm / 12 x 148mm

    The Co-motion Divide is one of the first bikes created to tackle the GDMBR bikepacking route. The Divide frame is made of Reynolds 725 steel tubing with an integrated chain-stay yoke and features plenty of mounts and options. The bike is available with a Rohloff, 2×10, or Pinion gearbox.

    • Price: $2400 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: USA
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $2900
     Corvus Crow Pass

    Corvus Crow Pass

    • Frame: Titanium
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 3.0"
    • Bottom Bracket: BSA Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 x 110mm / 12 x 148mm

    The Crow Pass incorporates the stiff yet supple qualities of a gravel bike with the sturdy versatility of a fat bike. It’s based around a titanium frame and a rigid carbon fork, and it can be built up with either 27.5″ wheels with fat tires or 29″ mountain bike wheels. The frame and fork are fully kitted out with mounting points for racks, cages, and bottles, including triple pack mounts on the fork legs, rear rack mounts, two triple pack mounts inside the main triangle, and an additional under the downtube. There are top tube mounts for a bolt-on top tube bag, and the drive side seatstay/top tube junction has a built-in portage handle to make it easier to lift with a frame bag on. Read our entire press release here.

    • Price: $2900 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $9299AUD
     Curve Big Kev

    Curve Big Kev

    • Frame/Fork: Titanium/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.35"
    • Bottom Bracket: T47
    • Dropouts (F/R): 12 X 100mm / 12 X 142mm

    Big Kev builds on their GXR (aka Kevin) but allows for wider tire clearance and features updated angles that make it look to be even better suited to off-road riding. Curve says the Big Kev is comfortable and reliable and is perfect for weekend gravel rides or bigger bikepacking trips like the Tour Divide, Rhino Run, or Race to the Rock.⁠ The Big Kev is based around their new Ride 415 carbon fork and is optimized for 29 x 2.1″ tires, with room for 2.35″ in the rear and up to a 2.4″ up front. For those looking for a speedier setup, you can size down to a 29 x 2.0″ tire as well. Big Kev’s titanium frame features a custom yoke with asymmetrical chainstays and dropouts, plus it’s the first bike in Curve’s lineup that uses a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH).

    • Price: $9299AUD (Riv-Eagle Complete)
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $4949AUD
     Curve GMX+

    Curve GMX+

    • Frame/Fork: Titanium/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 3.0"
    • Bottom Bracket: T47
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 x 110mm / 12 x 148mm

    The newly designed Curve GMX+ has clearance for 29 x 3.0″ tires and some very unique mounting features, including a new fork with six mounts per blade, and an unprecedented seven pairs of bottle cage mounts on the frame. As its name implies, the GMX+ has clearance for full 3.0″ plus tires and is positioned as Melbourne-based Curve Cycling’s ultimate titanium bikepacking bike.

    • Curve GMX+
    • Curve GMX+

    The GMX+ features a 3Al-2.5V Aerospace Grade 9 titanium frame with rear rack mounts and an unprecedented seven pairs of bottle cage mounts: two in the triangle, one under the downtube, two offset toward the top of the downtube, and one on each chain stay. The GMX+ frame comes in seven sizes ranging from XXS to XL. Sizes SM–XL are designed around 29″ wheels and clear 29 x 3.0″ tires, while XXS and XS frames run 27.5″ wheels and have clearance for 27.5 x 3.0″ rubber. This keeps the geometry proportions and handling characteristics consistent across all sizes, according to Curve.

    The GMX+ also has a much slacker geometry than the GMX, Boost spacing (15 x 110, 12 x 148mm), and a completely new non-suspension corrected carbon fork with 12 M5 mounts. Additional differences include the cable routing on the down tube instead of the top tube, a T47 bottom bracket shell, and an oversized seat tube for added stiffness.

    Find all the specs and details at our press release…

    • Price: $4949AUD (frameset)
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $795
     Farr OUT

    Farr OUT

    • Frame/Fork: 6061 Alloy/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.4"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 x 110mm / 12 x 148mm

    The Farr OUT is big-tired gravel bike, featuring a custom Alloy-6061 frame, clearance for 29 x 2.4″ tires, and a Chromoly steel fork with plenty of mounts. Farr says the OUT’s geometry was “purposely designed for use on gravel roads and smoother trails than what a modern MTB would be used for.” The included steel fork uses a 483mm axle-to-crown, which makes it perfect for 100mm travel suspension forks as well, or a carbon replacement fork.

    The Farr OUT uses front and rear 110/148mm Boost hub spacing, thru-axles, and are only sold as a frame kit. The frame and fork kit, including axles, headset, and seat clamp is priced at $795 USD and available from RideFarr.com.

    • Price: $795 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • €675
     Finna Landscape

    Finna Landscape

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.3"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 100/135mm QR

    From what we can gather, Finna is the house brand for the Spanish website TopFun.com. Based around a steel frame that comes in two different colors (Primeval Forest and Old Pavement), and in three sizes (S, M, L), the Landscape is offered in a couple different builds or just the frameset for 675 Euros. All models have mounts for a front and a rear rack, as well as five sets of bottle cage mounts. The weight of the standard build, pedals not included, is below 12 kg, according to their website.

    • Weight: 12 kg (26.46 lbs)
    • Price: €675 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • £2199
     Genesis Vagabond

    Genesis Vagabond

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.1"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 12 X 100MM / 12 X 142MM

    As Genesis puts it, “Vagabond is a monstercross bike in the loosest sense of the term; the illegitimate lovechild of a road and mountain bike, a ‘frankenbike’ that has long been the staple of shed tinkerers, the result of many an experimental ‘I wonder if…’ spare parts box builds.”

    With clearance for 2.1″ 29er tires, thru-axles, and plenty of mounts, it looks like a promising competitor to bikes like the Beyond and the Fargo. It is available as a complete build for £2199 or as a frameset for £800.

    • Price: £2199
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • £3490
     Mason InSearchOf

    Mason InSearchOf

    • Fame/Fork: Steel/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.4" / 27.5 x 2.8"
    • Dropouts (F/R): 12x100mm/12x148mm

    The Mason InSearchOf is designed around custom formed Dedacciai ‘Zero’ Steel tubing and a Reynolds 853 steel seat tube. InSearchOf can be fit 29 x 2.4″ wheels and tires or 27.5 x 2.8″ rubber for a more versatile dirt touring setup. The frame features dropper post compatibility and plenty of mounts, including triple-cage mounts on and under the down tube. Exclusive to the ISO, the Mason Hot Shoe Fork features triple-cage mounts, internal routing for dynamo light systems, and eyelets for racks and mudguards.

    InSearchOf has an optional bespoke load-bearing mudguard or specific rack system unique. The Shutter mudguard provides ample coverage from dirt and debris and also doubles as a small front rack when using the integrated strap loops. The ISO is also compatible with a 100m suspension fork and has 160/180 flat-mount brakes. Both the Force 1 and Rival builds come stock with a Mason x Hunt ‘The Search’ Dynamo front wheel and HUNT 27.5 TrailWide Boost rear, with WTB Ranger tires on both the 27.5 and 29er models.

    • Price: £3490 (Force 1 Build)
    • Place of Manufacture: Italy
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $1325
     MONē El Continente

    MONē El Continente

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Clearance: 29 x 3.0" / 27.5 x 3.0"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 x 110mm / 12 x 148mm

    Designed around 29er or 27.5+ tires, with raw brass fillets, a bi-plane, curved offset fork, custom butted tubes, and short telescoping chainstays, this frame is a new take on a classic. According to Cjell MONē, it’s a drop-bar, plus, dirt tourer, born on the Tour Divide. Other frame features include Anything Cage mounts on the fork, two more triple mounts on the frame, and fender and low rider rack mounts. It’s non-suspension corrected, “a true dirt drop miracle designed to take on a grocery run, or a run down the Continental Divide.”

    Note that with a full 29+ setup, some toe overlap can be experienced on the S/M frames. As such, 27.5+ wheels are a great option for this bike. Also, with a 75mm bottom bracket drop, anything smaller than 27.5 x 2.4″ tires might make the bottom bracket a little low for those venturing into rugged and uneven terrain.

    • Price: $1325 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $4500
     Mosaic GT-X

    Mosaic GT-X

    • Frame/Fork: Titanium/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.25"
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 12 X 100MM / 12 X 142MM

    The GT-1X and GT-2X models feature a long top tube that accommodates both flat and drop bars, have clearance for 29 x 2.25″ tires, and Mosaic is offering a custom frame bag, extra gear mounts, pump pegs, and other options for those who want them. The GT-1X utilizes Mosaic’s top-of-the-line double-butted titanium tubeset. Custom geometry and a rider-specific tubeset are included as “standard” options on GT-1X, making it a truly custom build. The GT-2X utilizes Mosaic’s simpler straight gauge titanium tubeset. The GT-2X is offered in seven stock sizes from S-XXL, with custom geometry available as an upgrade.

    • Price: $4500 (GT-2 X Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: USA
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • €599
     Nordest Kutxo

    Nordest Kutxo

    • Frame: Steel/Titanium
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.4"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • DROPOUTS (F/R): 15 X 110MM / 12 X 148MM

    Carção village in Portugal is known as an area where dogs (or kutxos) became faithful friends to the Almocreve merchants who traveled to and from this remote village. Named as homage to these friendly travel companions, the Nordest Cycles Kutxo is a 29er monster gravel or drop-bar adventure rig designed to handle everything from singletrack trails to dirt roads and “devour kilometers of rough tracks in the mountains.” It is offered in both steel and titanium, has lots of mounting points for racks and other gear, dropper post routing, and clearance for 29×2.4″ tires. It has geometry that’s long and versatile, perfect for wide bars and a short stem.

    • Price: €599 (Steel Frame-Only)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $3899CAD
     Panorama Cycles Taïga EXP

    Panorama Cycles Taïga EXP

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.6"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 110 X 15MM / 12 X 148MM

    The Panorama Taïga EXP is a drop bar mountain bike built up around a Reynolds 725 steel frame and carbon fork. Both the frame and fork are kitted out with all the mounting points we like to see, with multiple triple-pack mounts, downtube bosses, rack and fender mounts, and even a spot for a bolt-on top tube bag. The Taïga EXP screams versatility with sliding dropouts, a split seat stay for belt-drive systems, 100mm travel suspension corrected geometry, dropper post routing, and the fork has internal dynamo routing. It comes as a complete build or as a frameset and has clearance for 29×2.6″ tires.

    • Price: $3899CAD (Complete)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $599
     Penhale Gypsy

    Penhale Gypsy

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire size: 29 x 2.1"
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 100mm QR / 135 QR or 12 x 142mm

    The Gypsy is designed to fit up to a 29 x 2.1″ MTB tire, or a 27.5 x 2.3″ tire… however, with a 75mm bottom bracket, we chose not to include it in our list of 650B gravel bikes. While you might think it’s titanium, the Gypsy’s frame is a custom Japanese cromoly tubeset with a nickel plated finish. other frame features include swapable rear dropouts (135mm QR or 142mm thru), rack and fender mounts, and five pairs of water bottle bosses if a front rack is not used.

    • Price: $599 (Frameset)
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $899
     Poseidon Redwood

    Poseidon Redwood

    • Frame/Fork: Alloy/Alloy
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.3” / 27.5 x 2.5"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • DROPOUTS (F/R): 12 X 100MM / 12 X 142MM

    At just $899, the Poseidon Redwood is packed full of modern specs and great value, making it a fantastic option for anyone looking looking for a versatile, capable, yet totally affordable drop bar adventure rig. It’s designed around an aluminum frame and fork, a MicroShift Advent 10-speed drivetrain, mechanical disc brakes, and 27.5 x 2.35″ tires (with clearance for 27.5 x 2.5″). It’s great to see the Redwood outfitted with thru-axles, multiple bottles mounts, downtube mounts, as well as triple pack mounts on the fork legs. The Redwood is also available as a frameset for $450 USD.

    • Price: $899
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • £3925
     Quirk Cycles SUPRACHUB

    Quirk Cycles SUPRACHUB

    • Frame: Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.3"
    • Bottom Bracket: T47 86mm
    • Dropouts: 12 x 142mm

    The Quirk Cycles SUPRACHUB is a handmade drop-bar 29er that “takes drop-bar off-roading to heady heights of maximum surefootedness.” Handmade in London, UK, the Suprachub has clearance for 29 x 2.3″ tires for traction and floatation over rough terrain, internal cable routing, a slack-ish head tube angle, and a long rear end for better climbing. Just like the SUPERCHUB, the SUPRACHUB features a 3D printed stainless steel seat cluster to join the seat stays and top tube. Which, according to Quirk, increases tire clearance and frame compliance. The frame has an integrated seat post clamp that hides within the seat cluster, and the rear dropouts are also 3D printed to reduce weight and increase strength.

    • Price: £3925 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: UK
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $1299
     Ritchey Ascent

    Ritchey Ascent

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 2.6"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 X 110MM / 12 X 148MM

    The 2021 Ritchey Ascent is designed around a TIG welded heat-treated, triple-butted Ritchey Logic steel frame, and an updated steel fork with a straight steerer. Both the frame and fork are kitted out with loads of mounting options, including rack and fenders, three-pack fork mounts, and a triple set of mount under the downtube.

    Geometry wise, the Ascent appears to be better suited for a drop bar setup, based on reach numbers. But depending on your preferences and fit, could be a solid contender for just a slightly longer stem, or something like the new Curve Remlaw that Logan recently reviewed. Compared to the Ritchey Outback, the Ascent has a longer wheelbase, higher stack, and shorter reach. The Ascent’s head tube angle is slightly more slack at 70.5° and it has 10mm longer chainstays.

    “Call it what you will—Swiss Army knife of sorts, Jack of most trades, Jeremiah Johnson of bikes—the 2021 Ritchey Ascent is for those who like to get lost in the wilderness.” – Ritchey Design

    • Price: $1299 (frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $1750
     Rivendell Atlantis

    Rivendell Atlantis

    • frame/fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.2" (59-62cm frames) / 27.5 x 2.2" (47-56mm frames)*
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 100/135mm QR

    The Atlantis was renamed from the original Rivendell All-Rounder, a bike built for big tires and fire-roads. The original was made in batches of three in Wisconsin. Later, the Atlantis was fabricated in Japan in larger numbers, but the costs went up. To keep the same quality and maintain a competitive price, the company moved production to a trusted facility in Taiwan. The Atlantis still has the same creamy blue-green color scheme and headbadge, and underneath, the investment-cast Rivendell lugs and custom drawn Silver tubes are all the same. Such a beauty. Make sure to check out Benedict’s musings on it here.

    *Note that Rivendell switches wheel sizes with frame size: 47-56mm frames are 650B and 59-62cm frames are 700c.

    • Price: $1750 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $3099
     Rodeo Labs Flaanimal

    Rodeo Labs Flaanimal

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.1" / 27.5 x 2.4"
    • Bottom Bracket: T47 Threaded
    • Dropouts (f/r): 12 x 100 / 12 x 142mm

    Now in it’s 5th iteration, the Flaanimal is what Rodeo Labs describes as “a multi-use steel adventure frameset designed and built around the themes of versatility and adaptability.” The Flaanimal 5.0 uses Japanese Custom Butted, heat treated tubing with an integrated carbon headtube and seat tube. Sliding dropouts allows for some tuning of how the bike handles as well as more drivetrain options. It also features Rodeo Labs’ Spork 3.0 fork, which comes complete with internal dynamo routing, adaptable axle spec, and configurable eyelet options. There are several different complete build options available ranging from $3,099 to $7,068 USD, and framesets start at $1,475 USD.

    Find our original press release on the Flaanimal 5.0 here.

    • Price: $3099 (SLX 12-Speed)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $2975
     Rodeo Labs Traildonkey 4.0

    Rodeo Labs Traildonkey 4.0

    • Frame/Fork: Toray T800 carbon
    • Max Tire size: 27.5 x 2.4" / 29 x 2.2"
    • Bottom Bracket: T47 Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 x 100 / 12 x 142mm

    Originally conceived in 2014, Traildonkey is Rodeo Labs premier carbon bicycle without a category platform which Rodeo claims has abilities that range from pavement to singletrack to gravel, and from epic races to weekend bikepacking trips. 4.0 features six pairs of bottle mounts, rack and fender eyelets, a light mount, dynamo wiring, and increased tire clearance. It has clearance for 650b x 2.4″ and 29 x 2.2″ tires, but Rodeo Labs recommends running something a little smaller. Real all about the Traildonkey 4.0 here.

    • Price: $2975 (Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • €2999
     Rondo Bogan ST

    Rondo Bogan ST

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.1″
    • Bottom Bracket: BSA 68mm
    • DROPOUTS (F/R): 12 x 100m / 12 x 142mm

    With a Tange steel frame, clearance for 29 x 2.1″ tires, loads of mounts, and a dedicated portage bar, the new RONDO BOGAN ST looks like quite an interesting bikepacking rig. Alongside their RUUT and MUTT all-road/gravel bikes, Gdańsk, Poland-based RONDO originally released the BOGAN ST in 2019. Designed specifically for bikepacking, the BOGAN ST is built around a Tange Champion double butted cro-mo steel frame, and a RUUT Twintip 2.0 Fly carbon fork, which features two axle positions to change the offset and fork length. The BOGAN ST is designed for 29 x 2.1″ tires has plenty of provisions, including triple cage mounts on the fork, a unique portage handle, dedicated frame-bags bosses, internal dropper post routing, full fender/rack compatibility, and loads of mounts, including a pair on each seat stay.

    • Rondo Bogan ST
    • Rondo Bogan ST

    At this time, it appears that the RONDO BOGAN ST is available as a complete only. The build kit has an Apex 1×11 road drivetrain with a RONDO Direct 38T Crankset, RONDO branded wheels and hubs, and RONDO Boomerang handlebars. Find the full kit list at our press release. The RONDO BOGAN ST is priced at 1,999€ and is available worldwide through a few different distributors; Mike’s Bikes is the dealer here in the US, although they don’t currently have it listed.

    • Price: €2999 (ST1)
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • £4245
     Shand Bahookie Dropbar

    Shand Bahookie Dropbar

    • Frame/fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.5" / 27.5 x 3.0"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm PF30
    • Dropouts (F/R): 110 x 15mm / 12 x 148mm

    Scotland-based Shand created the Bahookie to be a real off-road tourer. It has clearance for 2.5″ 29er tires or 650B+ tires up to 3″. The front has additional clearance for a 29+ tire (with steel or carbon fork option). The Bahookie comes with a Columbus tubeset and choice of rigid carbon fork or a steel fork complete with dynamo routing, rack mounts and triplet Anything Cage mounts, or a suspension fork. As with all the other Shand models, the Bahookie Drop-bar is equipped with modular dropouts to provide options for a Rohloff speedhub, 1 x 11 derailleur, or singlespeed.

    • Price: £4245 (Complete)
    • Place of Manufacture: Scotland
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • £900
     Singular Gryphon

    Singular Gryphon

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 3.0"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 100x12mm / 142×12mm
    • BB Drop: 70mm

    Originally released back in 2009, UK-based Singular Cycles describes its Gryphon as the “mythical mash-up of lion and eagle representing the ostensible clash between drop bars and big knobbly tyres.” It combines wide flared drop bars with big tires and a custom-drawn 4130 Chromoly steel frame for a versatile platform that’s designed to go pretty much anywhere. It features thru-axles, flat mount brakes, and clearance for 29 x 3.0″ tires. The frame is based around a 73mm BSA threaded bottom bracket shell with eccentric insert, external cable routing, triple pack mounts under the downtube, and all the other mounts we like to see. The fork has bottle cage mounts and internal dynamo routing.

    • Price: £900 (Frame/Fork)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • £1100
     Singular Peregrine

    Singular Peregrine

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.1"
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm Threaded
    • DROPOUTS (F/R): 12X100MM / 12X142MM

    From Singular: “Drawing on the traditions of the great French constructeurs of the post-war period, while employing the finest modern steel tubing and fitment for modern componentry. The Peregrine was the second frameset I designed under the Singular brand – with the first prototypes landing in May 2007. I’d already been a big proponent of 29” wheels – launching the Swift in ‘06. The concept of the Peregrine was to take the function of those big wheels and put them in a classically styled, lugged construction frame – adding disc brakes and the ability to use current componentry. That brief hasn’t changed in the 13 years which have since passed – bringing with them a whole raft of ‘gravel’ bikes – a wider audience now coming to appreciate the wonders of drop bars and fat tyres for tackling varied terrain.”

    • Price: £1100 (frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • £2500
     Singular Ti Gryphon

    Singular Ti Gryphon

    • Frame/Fork: Titanium/Titanium
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.4"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 12 X 100MM / 12 X 142MM

    The titanium version of the Singular Gryphon to a whole new level, using a size-specific selection of 3Al/2.4V Titanium to provide a lively and comfortable ride quality. It has clearance for 29×2.4″ / 27.5×3.0″ tires, additional bottle mounts under the downtube, dropper post routing, and is designed to run modern 1x drivetrains. There is a long list of custom options that Singular also offers, including increased tire clearance (up to 29×3.0″), rack mounts, different hub spacing, and more. They can also customize the titanium fork to include rack mounts, fender mounts, and triple pack mounts for those looking to really load the Gryphon up. It’s offered in four standard sizes but custom geometry is also possible at no additional cost.

    • Price: £2500 (Frame + Fork)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • £1900
     Smokestone Mr Harry

    Smokestone Mr Harry

    • Frame: Titanium
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.6"
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm threaded
    • DROPOUT: 12 x 148mm
    • BB Drop: 75mm

    The Smokestone Mr Harry is a titanium hardtail mountain bike with external cable routing, dropper post routing, adjustable dropouts, and clearance for 29×2.8″ tires. Smokestone also offers customization on their frames, so you can run a fixed rear axle, internal routing, and more mounting points if you want them. It’s based around a 120mm travel fork and they also offer several different rigid carbon fork options.

    • Price: £1900 (Frame Only)
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $5500
     Solace Cycles OM-3

    Solace Cycles OM-3

    • Frame/Fork: Titanium/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.2"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm T47
    • DROPOUTS (F/R): 12 x 100mm / 12 x 142mm

    The Solace Cycles OM-3 features a titanium frame, clearance for 29 x 2.2″ tires, and is designed more as a drop-bar mountain bike than a beefed up road bike. Here’s how Solace describes it: “A Beyond Gravel bike that was designed more as a drop-bar mountain bike than a beefed up road bike. Uses mountain bike hub and bottom bracket spacing yet maintains the Q factor of a road bike. The frame utilizes a slightly slack stance and a mix of straight gage and butted tubing to keep the frame light, stiff, and strong for handling the most aggressive climbs and descents that you can imagine on a drop bar bike. It’s also routed for an internal dropper if you really want to get after it. Tire capability goes all the way up to 29 x 2.2 inch tires, yet 28s still look right at home for those pavement days.”

    • Price: $5500 (Base/Complete)
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • €849
     Sour Bikes Purple Haze

    Sour Bikes Purple Haze

    • Frame: Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 27.5 x 2.2" / 29 x 2.2"
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 12 x 100mm / 12 x 142mm

    The Purple Haze, Sour’s flagship adventure rig, has three sets of water bottle mounts, as well as mounts for fenders and a rear rack. There’s an aluminum and a carbon fork available, both with 12mm x 100mm spacing, internal light cable routing, and clearance for 29 x 2.2″ tires. Frames are available in sizes XXS-XXL.

    As Sour puts it, “Delivering a dreamy burst of euphoria that brings you right to your psychedelic heyday. With our Purple Haze you can remain cherished and full of blissful contentment throughout your day on the bike. It’s very special mix of geometry underscored by its materials and little details sum up to an exceptional ride.”

    • Price: €849 (Frame only)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • £3550
     Stanforth Pamira

    Stanforth Pamira

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Clearance: 27.5" x 2.4” / 29 x 2.2"
    • Bottom Bracket: BSA Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 100/135mm QR

    Inspired by the Pamir Highway – traversing Central Asia’s Pamir Mountains – the new Pamira from UK-based Stanforth Bikes is built for loaded riding off the beaten path. And like all of Stanforth’s bikes, the Pamira is handmade to order in the UK and can be tailored to your measurements at no extra cost.

    The frame features bosses for front and rear racks, four bottle cage mounts, fender mounts, as well as three-pack bosses on the fork. It has routing for both Rohloff and derailleur gearing with dropout inserts for easily switching between the two. The Pamira is built from a mix of heat treated Reynolds 853 and 725 steel in the main triangle and air hardened 631 in the rear triangle. It’ll clear up to a 27.5” x 2.4” or 700c x 2.2″ tire. View thew full press release here.

    • Price: £3550
    • Place of Manufacture: UK
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • £1900
     Stayer Groadinger OG Plus

    Stayer Groadinger OG Plus

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.3"
    • Bottom Bracket: T47 Threaded
    • Dropouts (R): 12 X 142MM

    Based on the design of their original Groadinger OG, the Stayer Groadinger OG Plus takes drop bar adventures to a whole new level with clearance for 2.3″ tires in both 29er and 27.5″ setups. It’s designed to be the ultimate monster-cross rig, with the ability to mix and match parts, ride gnarly terrain, and loads of custom options including different finishes, specific cable routing, and more. The Groadinger OG Plus is handmade in Stayer’s East London shop using high quality Columbus tubing, which also allows them to customize frames before they go to get painted.

    • Weight: 1.9 kg (4.19 lbs)
    • Price: £1900 (Frame only)
    • Place of Manufacture: UK
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • £2199
     The Light Blue Darwin One By MT

    The Light Blue Darwin One By MT

    • Frame/Fork: Steel/Steel
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.25"
    • Bottom Bracket: 68mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 100/135mm QR

    The Light Blue Darwin One By MT its a complete version of the Reynolds 725 Darwin frame. The MT is built specifically for bikepacking and adventure touring. Using the popular SRAM Rival 1x drivetrain, the One By MT has a similar specification to the regular One By build but with a different fork, flared Genetic Digest bars, and bigger tires for off-road trails.

    • Price: £2199 (MT Build)
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $2100
     Titus Silk Road

    Titus Silk Road

    • Frame/Fork: Titanium/Carbon
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.6"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Droputs (F/R): 15 X 110 / 12 X 148MM

    From Titus: “The Titus Silk Road is a true all-mountain expedition adventurer. Expedition geometry, 2.6″ tire clearance, full adventure mounts and a monocoque suspension adjusted carbon adventure fork combine to create a bike as worthy as its namesake. Meticulously designed and constructed using Aerospace Grade 9 3AL-2.5V Titanium to offer unparalleled lightness, strength, and ride quality, its made for the long haul and has a lifetime frame warranty to prove it.”

    • Price: $2100
    • Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close
  • €1599
     Vpace TMX Titanium Monstercross

    Vpace TMX Titanium Monstercross

    • Frame: Titanium
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.3"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm BSA
    • Dropouts: 12 x 142mm

    From Vpace: “Our TMX is the brutal symbiosis of the popular T2ST titanium frame and the T2M 29er titanium frame. 5 (!) bottle cage mounting options on the frame alone – a first! Tyre clearance of approx. 2.25″ and suspension fork compatibility or our new C2FK bikepacking fork, as pictured.

    • Price: €1599 (Frame only)
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
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  • $2600
     Wilde Dream Engine

    Wilde Dream Engine

    • Frame: Steel/Titanium
    • Max Tire Size: 29 x 2.6"
    • Bottom Bracket: 73mm Threaded
    • Dropouts (F/R): 15 X 110MM / 12 X 148MM

    The Wilde Dream Engine is described as their drop-bar bikepacking and adventure frameset. It’s handmade in the USA and available in titanium or steel with custom and stock options. The Dream Engine has loads of mounting points, clearance for 2.6″ tires, is built around the carbon Salsa Cutthroat fork, and is designed to excel on big backcountry trips, fire roads, singletrack, and routes like the Tour Divide.

    • Price: $2600 (Steel Frameset)
    • Place of Manufacture: USA
    • Manufacturer's Details: Link
    contract Close

We searched high and low to gather a comprehensive list of 29” drop-bar mountain bikes. However, we are well aware that there are probably a few that we missed. If you know of a bike you think will make a solid addition to this list—preferably one you have first-hand experience with and can recommend—please let us know in the comments below. In addition, more drop-bar 29ers will be released and some of the models here will evolve, change, and may even be discontinued. Feel free to help keep this list up to date in the comments.

Parting Thoughts

As mentioned, you can pop a drop handlebar on nearly any mountain bike and call it a drop-bar mountain bike. But, you’ll likely have fit issues. There are plenty of great options out there, as shown above, and many custom builders taking on this category. A couple of my personal favorites, and bikes I recommend to a lot of people, are the Kona Sutra LTD and Salsa’s Cutthroat or Fargo. All three are incredibly versatile bikes and have a lot of things going for them.