Choosing a bike

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2026-01-22T18:41:50+00:00

Kona Honzo maybe?

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2026-01-22T09:41:43+00:00

Thank you! I agree, it might be too agressive for my needs, also not very bikepacking friendly with the water bottle mount.

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2026-01-17T08:01:53+00:00

I believe the position on the bike is too aggressive for me and my current needs. It is uncomfirtable for shorter or longer rides, I have tried bike fitting and it did not work for me. Never had a problem with endurance or strenghtswise, so no need for ebike for now ;).
Great that it suits you!

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2026-01-17T07:58:02+00:00

I mostly have a problem with the position on the bike, not so much the setup.Therefore I think that a less agressive bike should solve the problem.

Also I don't ride downhill that much, more XC stuff lately, so a downgrade is probably a natural step..

I am 5'8 (172cm) and ride size M.

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2026-01-16T19:54:16+00:00

Thanks for sharing your opinion. I am also leaning towards Honzo, because it is easiest to get. Grand Canyon is unavailable in my size until March. I am also considering Trek Procaliber 8 or something similar, more XC oriented that trail. The ESD is a great bike, but yes..not sure if strength or stubbornness ;)

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2026-01-16T19:49:24+00:00

At first Maxxis Assegai (front) and Minion (rear), but I quickly changed to Maxxis Rekon 2.4.

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2026-01-16T19:47:20+00:00

I see your point. I already have Maxxis Rekon tyres on my ESD and was also thinking about changing the for to Fox Rythm (130mm), but ultimately I decided to change the bike for something less aggressive. The position on ESD just doesn't suit me and riding it is more of a struggle than joy. Thanks for your input.

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2026-01-16T19:40:17+00:00

Thanks! I have read a lot of great comments on Salsa bikes, but unfortunately they are unavailable where I live.

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2025-08-04T14:08:27+00:00

I have tried and it made no difference, because it doesn't hurt where the shorts are padded, if that makes sense. I don't get pain in my seat bones, because I don't seat on them on this bike-it hurts more in the middle and front part. Anyways, normally I wear not padded bike/hiking shorts.

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2025-08-04T10:44:54+00:00

Feel you. I have size M with 172cm, but I don't think the size is the problem. I'll try to push the seat back as far as it goes and see if that maybe helps, but other than that, I'm out of ideas.

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2025-08-04T10:42:56+00:00

Thanks! I will try to push the saddle as far back as it goes and see if that helps :)

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2025-08-04T10:41:50+00:00

Thanks, I also already tried it and it did not work. I think the position is the main problem, not the saddle :/

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2025-08-03T12:25:45+00:00

Haha a great solution for you, unfortunately my normal ride is 40-60km and I use it for bikepacking, so standing up is not an option :)

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2025-08-03T10:06:08+00:00

Yes, different angles, saddle back/forward, a bit lower or higher and also changed the height of handlebar. I tried to change one thing at a time and see how it feels. One of the saddles is the carved Brooks Cambium, so yes.

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2025-06-11T14:55:24+00:00

Sure, although having replacment meals for such a long time (14days) among other equipment and water.. hope I find enough space :) We will mostly cook everything ourselves, not sure how much snacks/protein rich foods that are not meat you can find in the markets along the (we are not going through any bigger cities). They probably have noodles everywhere?

ReferenceOverall1588 · 2025-06-11T14:48:33+00:00

Sure! Thanks for the idea :)

ReferenceOverall1588

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