Long Chainstays For Bikepacking

Okay, over the years I have used long chainstays. Most notably on mid-tail frames designed for winter events, with stay lengths ups to 25”. But a chain stay length of 19” is often considered long. I currently ride bikes that run from 17.5” to 22”. The sweet spot (for me for bikepacking) is 19” – 20”.

In class we are using 19” (actually, 18.8”) chainstays.  We’re doing this for a reason. The ideal chainstay length depends on the bike's intended use and needs to be balanced with other geometry measurements, such as reach, for overall handling.  

Long chainstays provide greater stability at speed, a smoother ride over bumps, and better traction on climbs by increasing the wheelbase and placing more weight on the front wheel. These elements are qualities desirable in a bikepacking frame.

There are pros and cons.

Benefits:

Stability: A longer wheelbase increases stability, especially at high speeds and in rough terrain, making the bike feel safer and easier to control. 

Smoother Ride: Longer chainstays can provide more compliance, absorbing bumps and reducing the feeling of being bucked, resulting in a smoother ride. 

Improved Traction: By shifting weight forward, longer chainstays increase grip on the front wheel, which can help maintain traction on steep, loose climbs. 

Comfortable Climbing: The increased stability makes for a more comfortable seated climbing experience, where the rider can "sit and spin" at a lower cadence. 

Greater Clearance: Longer chainstays offer more space for larger tires and chainrings. 

But there’s also this to know about long chainstays:

Reduced Maneuverability: The longer wheelbase makes the bike less agile, requiring more effort to throw from side to side and resulting in slower natural turnover. 

Obstacle Hang-ups: On steep descents, the extended rear wheel can "hang up" on obstacles like drops or steps, pushing the rider's weight forward and causing instability. 

Wider Cornering Lines: While providing more front wheel grip, a longer chainstay can make the bike run a wider line in corners, which might make it harder to carve a tight line. 

Below is the frame I used in the Canyonlands, May 2025.