| We designed the Sherpa for riders who want to get out and explore the world. From bushwhacking in Idaho, to traversing military trails in the Dolomites, to racing the Colorado Trail, to travelling long forgotten game trails in the Himalayas - the Sherpa is made for anyone whose adventures regularly require a GPS beacon. - Rocky Mountain Bicycles |
Do you like adventures? Looking to cover some big miles? Take pride in being self-supported? Rocky Mountain's new Sherpa could be up your alley if you answered yes to any of those questions, although it's a bike that might also be best suited to those with an open mind. This isn't a cross-country bike in the classic sense, and it most certainly isn't one of the new breed of beefed up short-travel bikes, but it looks to be a machine that you might be able to ride pretty much anywhere that one would ever want to ride a bike. And that's the exact idea behind the $4,499 USD Sherpa: to be able to ride anywhere, but to not be limited in the fun department because you're on some rigid 29er that's scarier to pound through technical sections aboard than waiting for the results of an STD test. The Sherpa is a proper mountain bike for bikepacking, not a 'gravel grinder' with a riser handlebar on it.
The bike, and especially its mega-wide tires, aren't designed for speed, and Rocky Mountain isn't shy about that. ''
For all their advantages, they are slower and heavier than traditional 29er systems on smoother terrain,'' Rocky says of the Sherpa and its tire setup. ''
So if you're looking to win an XC World Cup, then 27.5+ probably isn't for you. Also, more volume means their sidewalls are taller than traditional tires, limiting cornering stability. A Landcruiser isn't great at the race track, but hits its stride when things get rough.'' Rocky also wants to stress that the Sherpa and its wide 27.5+ wheels and tires aren't meant to replace more traditional bikes, but rather be another alternative for those who want to get out there and do it on something a bit different.
The 27.5+ wheeled Sherpa, which was first shown in prototype form at last year's Sea Otter, rolls on 2.8'' wide WTB Trailblazer tires that are tall enough in height that their outer diameter roughly equals that of a 29" tire, which makes sense because the bike's front triangle is actually from the 95mm travel, carbon fiber Element. Up front is a Manitou's new 120mm travel Magnum fork that's basically a shrunk down Mattoc (which means it should kick a lot of ass), but things are even more interesting out back.
Rocky has mated the Element front triangle with an extra-wide aluminum rear end that provides clearance for any 27.5+ tire that you'd want to run, and it's interesting to note that they've stuck with the common and easily sourced 12 x 142mm hub width rather than going down the Boost road. A custom tuned Manitou Mcleod shock has been valved to better work with how the high-volume tires react to the terrain, as well to handle a bike loaded with camp stove, tent, and pounds of gummy bears, booze, and whatever other supplies a bikepacker might need for an unsupported trip into the woods.
With a two chain ring, 10spd drivetrain and wide, tubeless tires, the Sherpa's spec (shown at right) is about all-day usability rather than flexing your might against riding buddies up the local hill climb. It's ready for adventure right out of the gate, and all you'd really need is a set of frame-bags if you're planning on escaping the oncoming zombie apocalypse by heading into the bush - Rocky Mountain recommends bags from Porcelain Rocket.
Sherpa Parts Spec
Frame: Smoothwall Carbon, custom hydroformed rear end
Shock: Manitou McLeod custom valved, 95mm travel
Fork: Manitou Magnum 27.5+, 120mm. TPC Absolute+ damper
Headset: Cane Creek Fifteen Series
Brake Levers: Shimano M506, I-Spec
Brakes: Shimano M506, 180mm rotors
Cassette: Shimano HG50 11-36T 10spd
Chain: KMC X10 10spd EcoProtect Anti-Rust
Cranks: Race Face Turbine Cinch, 170-175mm, 38/24T
Bottom Bracket: Race Face Cinch 30mm BB92 PressFit
Shifters: Shimano SLX Rapid Fire I-Spec 2x10spd
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore E Mount 2x10spd
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT Shadow Plus Direct Mount, 10spd
Front Hub: SUNringlé SRC Plus / Fat Fork Specific, 15x110mm
Rear Hub: DT Swiss 350, 12 x 142mm axle / Star Ratchet freehub
Spokes: DT Swiss Competition
Rims: WTB Scraper i45 27.5+ TCS Tubeless Ready
Tires: WTB Trailblazer 27.5+ TCS 27.5" x 2.8" Tubeless Ready
Handlebar: Race Face Evolve 3/4 Riser x 725mm x 9° Sweep
Stem: Race Face 6° x 70-100mm
Grips: Rocky Mountain LockOn Mushroom
Saddle: WTB Volt Race
Seatpost: Rocky Mountain XC 30.9mm x 400mm
www.bikes.com
That said, I got a pair of trailblazers Monday (Universal cycles got them in stock today, for those interested) & they look rad, can't wait to get the wheelset built.
When it comes to the dropouts, 135 wasn't an option—in order to make the back end of the bike stiff and strong enough to handle the extra weight and torque of a loaded down bike we would have had to build it way too heavy. So we had a choice between 142 and 148, and for the Sherpa it was pretty clear that the availability of 142 was an advantage for its intended use. Fair point to @groghunter that the tires are the hardest-to-replace part on tour. Definitely a limiting factor at the moment.
Cheers!
I agree, wouldn't it be more fun just an overnight trip? During the video where the group rides through Arizona, there is footage of them stopping in little towns/store/outpost. I think you would have to plan the trip carefully and try to get a few trails that link together and a few stores or places to resupply. Also it would be good to have a plan in place in case of injury or destroyed bike , etc
Red meat, bread, and beer on the first night - shortest travel day while you adjust.
Eggs, tortillas, cheese, hot sauce for breakfast fuel day 2 - and lots of it. This is the longest travel day.
Dried foods, nut-butter, gels, coffee, filtered water for the in between average days. Up to three is relatively easy.
Last day plans to end around 3 - so when you're off schedule you still hit the bar/restaurant that you have strategically ended at before it closes
To extend, the last day above becomes a reprovision, sleep in relative civilization night version of day 1. Get a shower, clean your undies, and repeat.
Just like hiking. Have fun out there and tell people your planned route and check-ins.
Just give bikepacking a shot and you'll know how amazing and fun it is. Last year I did three multi day trips though rugged BC terrain and they were a blast, even while carrying 40lbs of gear. Can't wait for my next trip!
Also as to using these (and fat bikes) for rentals in fishing/hunting allowed areas like many state/provincial park land.Jim Felt (owner of Felt Bicycles) is a hunter and specifically had one of his fat bikes done in a camo finish because he uses it to hunt with. With racks for his rifle or bow and an electric motor he can ride into his campsite, setup, bag a "whatever is in season", gut the animal, pack up the meat on the bike, and use the motor to ride out to his vehicle.
@driftmonster the film crew was Brian Vernor, who lugged all his own gear plus camping stuff for the trip. The truck is an AEV Brute that our friends at Overland Journal were kind enough to help out with for the trip. We definitely got picked up in style!
As for the hub spacing, hubs are one of the most vulnerable parts of a bikepacking bike. All that added weight and wide gear range results in some serious torque. It just made sense to stick with 142 on this bike.
But yeah, we'll be bringing some spare parts on any trip to the Himalayas regardless.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/11620028
With the former you see the bumps coming,
The latter the bumps arrive after you....
Also, panniers are great in the right applications, but we've been loving Porcelain Rocket's seat bag + rail system. It keeps things from swaying side-to-side and prevents the bag ever sagging and contacting the tire.
As for the "weirdos" remark, we didn't write the article or the captions. We're all about weirdos!
Haha, good stuff!
Some innovations made my rides better and some were purely profit driven and made absolutely no difference.
Norco just released a DH bike with a142mm rear axle yet Boost marketing would like for us to suddenly start beleiving their 148mm hubs, forks and drive trains are necessary for wide tire trail riding.
I have tried a fatbike and counter steering was a singnificant annoyance and this would be the case no matter what the axle size.
I just think the bike industry should chill and experiment more with rim width, tires and casings before it reverts yet again to its two year cycle of reinventing the wheel.
I guess my point was that It's a small victory over marketing propaganda that RockyMountain made a wide tire bike with the current axle size.
classic Levy
www.stantonbikes.com/content/sherpa-853