BIKEPACKING BAJA CALIFORNIA – BAJA DIVIDE – BIKEPACKING GEAR

This bike is very popular between bikepackers that ride the Baja Divide and we see many of these rigs every season also from travelers that are on a continent or world journey.

We had the honor of meeting very experienced California bikepacker Jon ( and great photographer! ) this season about two-thirds down the Divide and thought about asking him to share his opinion on the relationship between his loyal Surly Karate Monkey and Baja.

Welcome to bikepackingbaja Jon, would you introduce yourself please?

HI! I’m Jon Peelen, 29 years old so officially in my “late mid twenties” as I say. I’m from San Luis Obispo county in California but have been in Santa Cruz for my professional life. I’ve been working in Construction Management until I quit to do, amongst other things, bikepack.

Can you tell us about your cycling background?

I’ve been a lifelong backpacker, I think my parents took me on my first trip when I was 6 years old. Around 2018 my Dad started to get into bikepacking and he pitched it to me as “the same as BACKpacking but you see way more every day.” He got me into it, and together checked off the Tahoe Rim trail, and the Idaho Hot Springs Route, amongst a handful of other smaller routes. My first big solo route was Puerto Montt, Chile to Ushuaia, Argentina over a span of several months. That further inspired me to explore internationally via bicycle, and lead me the Adriatic Crest route in Croatia, and the Tian Shan Traverse in Kyrgystan, both solo as well. I’ve found cycling is a very unique way to travel abroad – you move slower and often find yourself in places you would never be otherwise. It’s also an extremely affordable way to travel, provided you have the gear already.

What bike do you ride/have ridden in Baja?

I’m on a large 2020 karate monkey with no suspension. It’s all steel frame and fork, so it’s heavy but sturdy. I’ve got 29” tires on with extra spokes for the weight of Bikepacking, and 2.6” Maxxis tires. The components are all shimano, and I’ve got it set up as an 11 speed, I think 52/30 tooth is the ratio. I got it used and basically unridden for $1600, with racks and frame bags included. The seller actually built it up for the Baja divide but had to sell it before he could attempt it. I wanted a gravel bike that was capable of whatever was thrown at it, and at a decent price. I was looking for a reputable company, modern components, and expensive enough to not break but cheap enough to not break the bank. With the intention of using it for bikepacking, it made sense to go with a company who builds bikes for that purpose.

Do you like it?How does it rides?

I love it. I think it’s exceptionally capable as a mountain bike and that really comes in handy on a ride like the Baja divide where a lot of the “roads” are more technical than a lot of the single track back home. The bike does great getting over, down, & sometimes through obstacles. I’ve never had another rigid suspension bike, but admittedly I’ll often take the KM out on single track track trails at home in Lieu of my Santa Cruz Hightower (a full suspension bike). It’s just a fun ride. Regarding flexibility, even when the bike is fully loaded I never feel any “wagging” in the back. It still rides stiff like it’s unloaded, and that gives you some more confidence off-road.

What’s the best feature of this bike in your opinion?

It’s geometry allows it to be a very competent bike in rugged conditions, and that good old chromoly steel let’s it take whatever beating you throw at it. Basically it let’s it be an all around Bikepacking bike, whether you’re on smooth graded roads or chunky backcountry junk.

What’s the downside feature that you would change or you don’t like on this bike?

I don’t like the mechanism for either of the wheel attachments. In the front you have too many pieces going on – axel, washer, nut, and a small bolt. It’s just more pieces to lose and there are plenty of other better systems. The back wheel is somehow always a pain to put back on. Usually it takes a few scraped knuckles and some cussing to get it done. I can’t say with certainty what’s wrong with it, but I’m terrible at it.

How the geometry fits?

Geometry fits great and is as advertised I would say. I think the jones H-loop handlebar goes a long way to make it comfortable for long days. It’s definitely heavier but that just means you get stronger legs!

Are you happy with the tire clearance?

Yup, I think on the whole divide I’ve only had 2 pedal strikes and never hit the frame.

Do you feel safe riding in Baja with a fixed derailleur hanger?

I don’t lose any sleep over the fixed hanger. Ripping off your derailleur on a rock is never something you want to do, anywhere. You could almost make the argument that you’re safer in Baja because almost every town has a mechanic that could possibly weld it back on. On the contrary there are only a small number of bike shops (2, before La Paz?) that you’re likely hundred of miles away from. Good luck unless you carry a spare hanger with you.

What about cargo capacity?

You could really load this bike up if you want to. It’s for attachment opportunities everywhere you need. It’s a bike made with Bikepacking in mind so you should be able to configure it to your wildest dreams. Likely it can vary more gear and weight than you would ever be able to bike with. I’ve got surly racks on the front and back, and a frame bag. If you really wanted to you could have 4 panniers and more rack room to spare.

During your time in Baja did any part of the frame brake, crack or fail?

Nothing so far. If I’m counting right the bike has endured over 4,500 miles of Bikepacking without an issue with the frame.

Would you recommend this bike to someone planning to bikepack Baja?

I’d absolutely recommend it. You could make an argument to add front suspensions but you don’t need it. Use the biggest tires you can, but I wouldn’t go smaller than 2.6” if you can avoid it. There are many Sandy sections that bigger tires will help with, and if you don’t have suspension they will be your buffer between your hands and a million rocks/miles or washboard. Again, use the biggest tires you can. Having a high spoke count on your wheels could save you a lot of headaches. I’ve got 32 spoke wheels and haven’t broken a spoke yet, but I meet riders on the same routes that have broken handfuls. Cary some extra spokes with you too, they weigh little and give you some peace of mind. I like the Jones H loop bar, but you could use the Surly Moloko and it’s similar. The center handlebar bag is handy for phones, wallet, etc. I like using a dropper post in general, but the divide rips them up pretty good. Mine gave out at about mile 1300. Be ware. I used Ortlieb panniers for this trip and it’s been fine. I’m very intrigued by the Tailfin designs and would like to try out that for a lighter more nimble set up.

Sometimes I joke that my relationship with this bike is kinda like Stockholm’s syndrome – it has held me captive for many a long ride, and even if I swear I’m done I couldn’t ever leave it. The bike lives up to its name in some ways, and falls short in others. For example it is a good climber (although untested in trees), but it does not eat bananas. It has an MBA – “Monkey Business Administration”.

Biking out of Vizcaino my left pedal was feeling a little funky so I stopped to check it out. When I unclipped the entire crank arm fell off, not good. Luckily I was leaving the town with the only bike shop for many miles and was able to cycle back into town with one crank arm. The bike shop didn’t have the correct parts I needed, but the mechanic put a quick release through to hold the assembly together. It looks pretty janky but it held up for the rest of the divide. For a highlight – I had teamed up with a German cyclist couple for a day of the Tian Shan Traverse in Kyrgystan. We had a big 2 pass day and we’re looking for a camp near water when the sun was on its way down. We descended a couple miles cross country across the grasslands with some pretty dramatic scenery.

That ride has always stuck out to me as one of those magic moments. (Insert Picture of 2 cyclists riding across green grass with mountains in the background)

Hey Jon, how can people follow your adventures?

On my Instagram at @jonpeelen !