What made you choose the Chumba Sendero Steel?

I am taking off on an adventure this summer bikepacking along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Ride route. I wanted a bike that was built specifically for this kind of trip. I can't pretend I knew what bike or build I should get. There is so much to choose from.

So, thank you Alexandera Houchin and Katie Strempke! I love reading blogs (see: The Town Bicycle) about women riding/racing big bikepacking events. I enjoy listening to podcasts where they describe their bike builds, and hearing them share their honest reflection of the challenges. And they are still happy to be out there! I decided if a Chumba Sendero was their choice, I was going to get me one. 

Where am you riding?

I live in southern New Mexico - a beautiful desert landscape with close proximity to the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument, Lincoln National Forest and the Gila National forest. It is often rocky, prickly and pokey. We have gorgeous punchy single track, old jeep roads, piñón forests and some nice gravel, by our standards. I prefer to pedal through off-road areas where the travelers are sparse with lots of solid climbing. Throughout the year, northern New Mexico, Big Bend National Park, Colorado and Utah are also places I love to ride and bikepack.

Any trips currently planned?

We have this little event, the Dangerbird 250, always a favorite of mine. In both March and April there are several endurance ride/races here in New Mexico which are fun and kinda hard. May has the Weedsac 140 in Cloudcroft, NM a la Matt Mason. Then, a 3-day shake down trip in Salida, Colorado is planned. Come June, we set off from Banff and head south. 

What are some key components you selected for this build? What have you been enjoying so far?

I enjoy researching component options and learning to be my own trail mechanic. But, I needed a company like Chumba to educate me and guide me to the best choices and options based on what I wanted to do with this bike. I also had some great guidance from Pablo at Outdoor Adventures Bike Shop in Las Cruces.

The whole drive train makes me happy! The Wolftooth oval chainring and SRAM GX Eagle 1x12 cassette are stellar for stroke efficiency and climbing while bikepacking. I was hesitant about both because I thought I was being a wimp but not sorry at all.  

I now know there is a difference having Shimano XT 4 piston hydraulic brakes on a fully loaded bike. Whoa! Literally.

Teocallis carbon wheelset on my Sendero Steel keeps it so light! Well worth it.

I also enjoy are great bike bags. Dispersed Bikepacking makes bags that fit a small frame bike but are cleverly designed for optimal use of the space. 

Your latest go-to bikepacking snack?

Chili Cheese Fritos with cheddar crackers. If I am feeling extra hungry I throw in chili limón peanuts or pistachios.

Tanya’s Bikepacking Build

• Fork - Fox Factory 34 130mm Boost FIT4

• Drivetrain - SRAM GX Eagle 1x12 w/ 10-52 Cassette

• Brakes - Shimano XT 4 Piston Hydraulic

• Crankset - Raceface Turbine w/ 32t Oval Chainring

• Bottom Bracket - Cane Creek Hellbender 70

• Headset - Cane Creek 110 Series

• Stem - Thomson X4

• Handlebar - Thomson Titanium 12°

• Grips - Wolf Tooth Fatpaw

• Wheelset - DT Swiss 240’s laced to NOX Teocali Rims

• Tires - Vittoria Mezcal 29x2.35”

• Seatpost - Thomson Elite

• Bags - Dispersed Bikepacking Frame, Top Tube, and Seat Wedge Bags

• Bar Ends - Cane Creek Ergo Bar ends

• Bell - Spurcycle Original Black

Thank you for everything Chumba Bikes!