Hey Guys, looking at mountain bikes to get a little further into the back country for Elk. I usually hunt Colorado mostly gravel or rough dirt. What bikes do you guys suggest that won't break the bank? and whats the best/safest way to carry longbow and gear.

Thanks, Ghost

Warm weather is not the season for deals on bikes, but we have a Habitat Re-store (think Goodwill on steroids) where you can find absolute steals on top of the line mountain bikes that were donated in the dead of winter. I got a like-new, 21 speed Jamis back in February. I didn't believe them when they told me what it sold for new. Did a little research and went back and bought it the next day for less than 20% of its retail price after I talk them down another $25 and used my senior discount coupon. It was for the grandson, but I got lifetime rights for it during turkey season. I missed a skunk crossing the road by inches before daylight back in early May the first time I took it....that might have knocked the resale down a bit!

I made this "bow taco" to carry a strung longbow. It worked okay, I needed to do some fine tuning but lost it last year in the flood. A two part takedown is the ticket...

I used a very old (nearly 30 yrs.) steel framed Diamondback for that very purpose a couple years ago, in the mountains North of Durango. That's when I realized that those Colorado mountain bikers have forgotten more about mountain bikes than I will probably ever know. They were in places I could not believe with gear ratios so low I wondered how they could stay upright!

I don't have any answers but I do know that there are a couple stores in Durango where you could find some very qualified folks to help you. Mostly I saw super low geared, balloon tired bikes with front shocks on those 11K+ feet hiking trails.

One day, I was glassing the uppermost ridges (I'm talking near 12K feet) and saw some movement that I hoped was a group of elk. Nope, it turned out to be two mountain bikers that were miles from the trailhead and riding along on the Colorado trail. I couldn't believe it. I'm still amazed.

I just used my old bike to go down some closed FS roads that were relatively level. It worked fine for that, but there is no way I could have gotten it to the places I saw some folks.

I bet those fat tires that are becoming very popular would roll over rough stuff easier and smoother. That's the only 2 cents I have.

You really don't want a mountain bike, as you'll be ambushed and killed by a cougar. Instead, look for a bike that matches the color of your bow as I did.

Joe

They cannot go into the Wilderness areas

Can’t tell you about carrying a bow as I’ve never done it. As far as bikes go, don’t buy one with skinny tires like in Friskys pic, get a mountain bike with at least 2inch wide tires. And spend as much as you can afford because as price goes up, so does function and durability while weight goes down. Lastly, carry a tool kit and spare tire tubes or tire patch kit. Walking is bad enough, doing it while pushing a bike with flat tires is a lot worse.

MP

Take down bow or a Pack that you can strap it to are the easiest way to carry bow. Unless you want to commit to getting in biking shape borrow or rent one and ride your intended area and then decide if it is for you or not. Craigslist is best for deals but as said this isn't the time of year for those.

Rumor has it the Joe has a matching pair of panties that he wears with that combo , but it was just TMI for me and I don't spread gossip!

Ghost,

I love my Trek Fuel 70. It is a "older" full suspension mountain bike that I have taken all over this state (Colorado). It is pretty light weight and durable as hell! I found it on Craigslist for $300.00 in almost new condition.

As for transport of bow and gear? Find your bike first then look at "how". I say this because the full suspension bikes require a different luggage or rack system than the others (they attach differently) . FYI, they now make all kinds of travel accessories for mountain bikes that can easily accommodate your bow.

There are lots of discussions on some sites about using electric assisted bikes for back country hunting. They sound pretty interesting.

Ron LaClair at Shrew Bows makes a sleeve on the outside of his back quiver to slip an unstrung bow into. It pretty much just covers the handle. I have one of his older quivers and have used it on bikes and horses. Works fine for me and will hold bows other than his shrew.

My bike is a very reliable and easy to pedal BMW R80GS.

T4

Kind of depends on the type of bow you are carrying. I used to carry a short flatbow on the frame of my bike out in Runnels county Texas. It was short enough that it didn't interfere with the front end, and I just strapped it to the middle tube.

A friend of mine carried his 2 and 3 piece takedowns in a pack that he had. Arrows in a protective case on the outside of the pack.

I'll tell you all a little secret........Frisky has it all figured out! He's completely set up to hunt the Burbs. Without Frisky, certain a huge buck will die of old age in a wooded area right behind his neiborhood.

I think Frisky is on to something with the bikes and the Cats. Cats can be seen waiting on the Incline where the Bike traffic slows a bit. When Biking into some of those special spots you can also use a bike trailer to haul in Camp or use it as a Cat Decoy, or Both. I just have an older Hunting Bow with plenty of Field marks already on it already and an Old Scwhinn. This is how the bow goes in with me. :) I have also taken an two piece longbow in with backpack.

They’re great for those hard to get to places.

I know that it's extra weight, but I prefer FENDERS on the bike! Getting mud or water slung up on Your rear is not fun! ( BEEN THERE...DONE THAT!)

Well my link no won’t come thru. Have to wait for grandkids to get here and show me what I’m doin wrong lol.

James, if you have a rear rack a piece of cardboard can be tied or bungied on to catch most of the mud.

Ive tryd it but the bow keeps falling off ; )

I love this pic. Although it's not me (promise), when I was a kid I would ride my bike to the feed store and carry home 50# bags of horse feed on my shoulder...

Try again.

i surrender lol

You might take them on gravel roads but yoy won't do well on blowdowns. That all sounds good but yoy can peddle miles in on a gravel road only to meet a motorized vehicle.

Thanks for the ideas and pics

I don't have mountains to deal with, but I use a design with a crank that is forward of the seat. This allows me to get both feet on the ground while on the seat. If I get in a tight spot I won't fall, which is a big deal for an old guy way back in the boonies.

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