If you’re planning on tackling some of the day rides or multi-day routes on this blog, or over on Bikepacking.com, a rigid mountain bike or hardtail is likely your best bet, given Oaxaca’s varied and sometimes picante terrain.
Whether you need suspension or not will likely depend on what route or day rides you’re considering. For instance, valley rambles an mountain loops are great on rigid bikes, whilst a technical outing, like Hebras de Ixtepeji, will be more fun on a hardtail.
HARDTAILS
A hardtail, shod with 2.4 to 2.6in tyres, is perhaps the sweet spot for bikepacking in Oaxaca, and will give you the most options for enjoying the state’s variety of terrain, be it rugged dirt roads or technical singletrack. In terms of forks, 100 to 130mm is sufficient.
A low gear range is also very much recommended – a 28/30T chainring and an 11-50T cassette is appropriate for bikepacking here, given the steep terrain and long climbs. Depending on the route, a dropper post can be really nice to have, too. If you’re planning to head up to Ixtepeji and riding the trails there, you’ll be especially grateful to have one.
A setup like Logan’s Nordest with a 110mm travel fork, a dropper post, 29 x 2.6in Maxxis Ikons, and low gearing is pretty spot on for bikepacking in Oaxaca, especially for those who want to dive onto trails as well as riding dirt roads.
FULLY RIGID MTBs
If you prefer to go lean and light, a fully rigid MTB is another good option, especially for the more dirt-orientated multi-day loops and day rides. Similar to the comments above, I’d go with 2.4in tyres or wider, even sizing up on the front for some extra cushion, and run similar gearing; a 28 or 30T tooth chainring with a 11-50T cassette.
This is Daniel’s El Mariachi. 2.35in Vittoria Mezcals are fast rolling, and a great option if you want to go lean and light.
GRAVEL BIKES
Samer’s Bombtrack Hook EXT, shod with the 27.5 x 2.2in Maxxis Ikons. When we met, Same was riding the length of the Americas and was loaded up for months on the road.
Most gravel bikes are less suited to the routes we post here, given their typically narrower volume tyres – for non-racers, the marginal gains in speed are probably outweighed by the loss in comfort, especially over the more rough and tumble routes. Fitting the widest rubber you can squeeze in your frame is a good idea – mud is only an issue in the rainy season.
Bear in mind that most 1x drivetrain gravel bikes are geared considerably higher than you’d want for bikepacking in the Oaxacan mountains, so I’d recommend fitting a bigger cassette and/or a smaller chainring than you normally run, too.
Although it’s not what I would choose, I know it takes a certain courage to underbike across unknown terrain, and if that’s what you enjoy, go gravel!
VINTAGE
If you’re planning on cruising the valley dirt roads and want to blend in with the local scene, older 26in mtbs are a great option too! Parts are cheap and omnipresent, they don’t stand out like expensive sore thumbs, and they’re easy to fit on a buse or in a collectivo.
Although they’re possible to purchase locally, finding decent options can be tricky, especially in larger sizes, so you’re best off bringing one with you… and perhaps selling it, or giving it away, at the end?
Chad’s vintage, locally purchased mtb and homemade bags, great for dirt roadin’ the valleys in Oaxaca. Spare parts rarely cost more than a few dollars.
MY SETUPS
I have a fully rigid Jones mountain bike for all the riding I do – either with 29 x 2.6in tyres for general dirt road riding, or 29 x 3in if I’m expecting conditions to be burlier. I’m a big fan of dropper posts and find them a real confidence booster on steep and rutted dirt descents, as well as when riding steep, technical singletrack.
This is my old Jones SWB, seen here with 29 x 2.6in tyres.
And this is my Jones LWB. For trips with Huesos, I pull a Frances Cycles Farfarer.
More recently, I also invested in a modern hardtail, with 140mm travel, for riding local enduro trails, and occasional bikepacking trips too.
My Merida Big Trail is the bike I ride for local trails, and bikepacking trips up to Ixtepeji too.
ALSO: GO TUBELESS
It’s worth setting your bike up tubeless, as the valleys are mined with thorns and goatheads, as are the sides of many dirt roads. Plus, it adds comfort to your bike too. Bicimundo and Zona Bici (both in Reforma) have sealant, spare valves, and all the accoutrements you’ll need.
Otherwise, carry plenty of glue and patches, and a spare inner tube or two.
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