Honestly really love drop bar mountain bikes. They have to be one of the most versatile bike choices for bikepacking. What do you think? Have you ridden a “drop bar mountain bike” before?
Drop Bar Mountain Bikes
Drop Bar 29ers or Dirt-Drop 29ers
Gravel bikes built around bigger tires
650B Gravel(plus) Bikes
MonsterGravel
Drop Bar Hardtail
Blurs the line between mountain bikes and gravel bikes
Identifying a Drop Bar MTB
A key indication of a drop bar mountain bike frame is..
Angled top tube
Increases standover clearance, making it easier to mount and dismount the bike, especially on uneven terrain or when carrying heavy gear
Fit tires over 2.2” wide or 56mm
Designed with geometry suitable for drop bars, unlike typical MTBs
Popular amongst Tour Dividers
Perfect for those seeking a “do-it-all” bike
Versatile enough for dirt roads, gravel, and light singletrack (especially off-road bikepacking)
Ideal for weekend adventurers and long-distance tourers
Built to handle rough terrain despite drop bar setup
May have mountain bike or road-like geometries, depending
Want to learn more about comparing bikes and identifying these differences in specs? Check out my NEW COURSE
However, geometry is optimized for stability and comfort off-road.
Slacker head tube angles (usually between 68 to 70 degrees) and upright riding positions.
More progressive angles in general compared to gravel bikes, allowing for a smoother and more controlled ride on technical terrain.
These bikes often have a longer rear end and wheelbase compared to gravel bikes, enhancing their stability on rough terrains.
Advancements in design have allowed for shorter chainstays (e.g., moving from 460mm to 445mm on the Salsa Fargo), improving acceleration and maneuverability without sacrificing tire clearance.
Typically have stronger tubing than gravel bikes to withstand the rigors of off-road riding and bikepacking
The rear triangle is also designed to accommodate larger tires and handle more rugged conditions
These bikes often use wider axle standards and boost spacing (e.g., 142x12mm thru-axles) to accommodate larger tires and improve overall stiffness and stability
Many drop-bar MTBs are designed to be suspension-corrected, meaning they can be fitted with a suspension fork (typically 100mm or 120mm travel) even if they come stock with a rigid fork
Wider drop bars (46cm or wider) gives riders more control and confidence on technical terrain. With some even 50+ cm
Frames are designed with extra clearance to accommodate both larger tires and mud
They often come with forks the feature specific offsets (e.g., 42mm or 51mm), affecting handling and increasing trail for better control on rough terrain. They also come with mounting options for bottles, racks, and fenders.
Mountain bike-specific bottom bracket standards, such as 73mm threaded bottom brackets
Varying degree of road and mountain bike influence
Drop Bars for comfort off-road… multiple hand positions, Different areas for different terrain
Some Drop Bar MTB Options…….
True Love Cycles Heart Breaker
Go-anywhere adventure-seeker | All Terrain Drop Bar 29er
Custom Bicycles. Handcrafted in Warsaw, Poland
The Heart Breaker is a fillet-brazed, high-clearance 29er designed for all-purpose touring, balancing ruggedness with refined design for adventure cycling.
The bike is crafted with a mix of Columbus CroMo tubing and features custom geometry tailored to the rider’s specifications.
The Heart Breaker features a slanted top tube, a mix of tubing profiles, and boost spacing, creating a bike that handles well on climbs and smooth surfaces but can feel unstable on sharp turns.
The bike is commonly specced with a refurbished Rockshox RS-1 fork, which enhances straight-line descending but may compromise stability in tight corners due to lateral stiffness concerns.
Noted for its climbing efficiency, likely due to its custom tubing and SRAM drivetrain, which provide stiffness and efficient power transfer.
The bike offers a smooth ride on varied terrains, attributed to the bespoke tubing design and longer wheelbase. However, the combination of longer wheelbase and BB height can make the bike feel too tall on technical descents.
Balance of comfort and efficiency for long-distance rides. Despite some handling quirks, the bike is seen as a reliable partner for future adventures.
Frame has clearance for 29 x 2.6 tires or 66 mm
With Boost axles
Internal routing for a dropper post
Suspension fork-corrected geometry
Long reach numbers, and high trail at 90mm make for stable descending.
Nimble steering is provided by a short 50-60mm stem
A bike for long days in the saddle, bikepacking journeys or just an all-round off-road shredder
Progressive head tube angle 68-69 degrees Slow and more stable steering for off-road riding
67 mm bottom bracket drop
All-Rounder Mid-Length Chainstay at 435mm
12x148mm thru axle rear, 12×110 thru axle front
SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger compatible dropouts designed and made in-house Which means you can mount any derailleur using the widely accessible and cheap SRAM hanger
You can also mount any SRAM T-type derailleur directly to the dropout!
Viral Bikes Wanderer
A ready to go titanium drop bar do-it-all adventure bike, with Pinion Gearbox & Belt Drive Designed for the most rugged backcountry expeditions
First to the market with an adventure bike that exceeds all expectations since Pinion announced their partnership with TRP on the drop bar brake lever/shifter combo built specifically for the new SmartShift electronic gearbox.
Bringing unparalleled shifting performance to the drop-bar market
Ensuring seamless integration with the Pinion system, making it a game-changer for long off-road expeditions.
Introducing Pinion’s electronic SmartShift gearbox, paired flawlessly with TRP’s Hywire shifter/brake lever. Shifting is now as simple as pushing a button
Pinion C1.12i SmartShift gearbox delivers 600% gear range, that’s 80% more gear range than the new SRAM 1×12 system
The SmartShift system offers seamless electronic shifting, boasting up to 10,000 shifts per charge
Built around the SID SL Ultimate 100mm travel mountain bike fork
Or the Viral Bikes boost spacing carbon fork
More than enough mounting points for you to carry any and all of your needed gear
Full Mountain Bike capability Tire clearance that can accommodate up to a 29” x 2.4” tire
A true mountain bike wheelset, with a true mountain bike fork, built for drop bar riding.
Triple butted titanium tubeset delivers an amazingly compliant ride
Innovative geometry that offers a stable and confidence-inspiring ride, whether loaded or not
The bike’s geometry features a slack 67.5° head tube angle and innovative size-specific design, providing unparalleled stability and control.
Also with a steeper seat tube angle for improved balance and stability.
A unique seat cluster design with a titanium spring plate offers 10-20mm of flex, adding comfort on rough rides.
Partnering with Industry 9, featuring their new Solix M Ultralite 300 Carbon wheels
Along with Tailfin, offering customers the ability to fully equip their new bikepacking rig with racks and bags
Salsa Fargo
The off-road drop bar adventure bike that started it all
The Fargo is one of the original bikes that sparked the trend of drop-bar mountain bikes, specifically designed for long rides like the Tour Divide.
15 years since its inception it has been refined into a versatile adventure machine.
A bike that I had the chance of riding multiple times in America and Japan. My mate Eric owns one and he kindly let me ride it. Such a mile crushing capable rig!
The Fargo is a versatile steel or titanium touring bike with drop bars and mountain bike features.
Designed for adventures ranging from rugged gravel rides to long, self-supported bikepacking trips
During a brainstorming session for this steel-titanium touring bike, the team began listing places that felt remote and far off the beaten path. Former Salsa brand manager Jason Boucher suggested “Fargo,” inspired by his upbringing near the area. As the name lingered, the team quickly realized the clever wordplay—”Far-go” as a nod to the bike’s ability to take you far. Mike “Kid” Riemer described it as a moment of pure magic.
With speed potentiality for those long endurance events
Despite its larger tires and heavier weight to some other bikes, the Salsa Fargo’s as fast and efficient as some bikes like the Niner RLT 9 Gravel Bike. This is thanks to it being offered in a titanium build
It is ideal for descents and rough terrain, coming with front suspension and dropper post full mountain bikes specs. Offers a comfortable ride over long distances!
The frame now has clearance for massive 29 x 3.0-inch tires, making it suitable for a wide range of terrains.
Has plenty of mounts and options for bikepacking and adventure cycling, catering to touring and long-distance rides.
Well-sorted angles and measurements, designed for comfort and control on long rides, and available in five sizes to accommodate different riders.
The Alternator dropouts provide flexibility for singlespeed setups and offer a chainstay length adjustment range from 445mm to 462mm.
Mason Cycles InSearchOf
A Ultimate Steel Adventure Bicycle
With a “progressive essence”
With Fast & Far riding in mind that take you on continent crushing adventures
Accommodating 29 x 2.4″ or 650b x 2.8 wheels
Built for those seeking extreme off-road challenges while retaining comfort on tarmac
An Italian hand-built steel frameset redefining what a drop-bar bike is!
Ideal for serious bikepacking expeditions
Featuring multiple mounting points, load-bearing mudguards, and specific rack systems.
Designed with 100mm suspension-ready geometry
With a unique kink in the frame, made from Dedacciai ZERO and Reynolds 853 steel tubes, offering durability and a distinct look
Equipped with a radical full carbon ‘HotShoe Fork’, the ISO features an abundance of lugs and mounting points for bikepacking gear, along with internal cable routing through the fork for a dynamo-powered light.
One important thing to consider when looking at bikes that you wish to take off-road on often types steep terrain. Is adequate gearing!
This rig comes in many build spec options. However the mid-level spec comes with a Sram Rival 1X groupset (34T crankset, 10-42T cassette) for reliable and straightforward gear shifting, ideal for climbs and remote locations.
But still not incredible.
With a 24” granny gear it could be better.
Singular Gryphon
Singular was among the first brands to popularize combining big wheels with drop bars for versatile and fun off-road bikes.
Released in 2008, the Gryphon introduced a steel drop-bar mountain bike frameset designed for 29” wheels and disc brakes, making it a cult favorite for its smooth ride and versatility.
A Drop Bar MTB Touring Bike
A bike designed to encourage slow travel, taking in the surroundings and promoting an active connection with nature.
Inspired by the sense of freedom bikepacking offers
Frame clears up to 29 x 3” tires
The build offers confidence on descents and helping tackle tough climbs.
A “cheat code” on challenging gravel, making it an enjoyable experience on rougher routes.
Perfect for discovering remote, less-traveled paths, with the bike’s durability making it a reliable choice for such adventures.
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