Tumbleweed Sunliner Review: The People’s Bike

Writing bike reviews can be a daunting process. For me, it involves a lot of riding, pondering, and mental note-taking until something clicks and I’m ready to put pen to paper. I usually base my reviews around a particular revelation or backstory or build them up from a historical or taxonomical context, all in an effort to appease my own sensibilities and keep the writing as entertaining as it is accurate and informative. A foundational idea, or crux, can come relatively quickly, but more often than not, it takes time to truly get to know the bike and allow my thoughts to marinate and simmer, all the while comparing and contrasting other bikes. Then, out of nowhere, usually while out riding, whamo, the review blueprint reveals itself. I’ve had the new Tumbleweed Sunliner since March and have taken it on all manner of rides, but oddly, that lightbulb moment never occurred. Nevertheless, the time came to write my Tumbleweed Sunliner review, with or without a plan. And here I am, rambling on about review writing. But, make no mistake, there’s plenty to say about this unassuming yet compelling new bike.

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I’ve found that the inspirational spark for writing sometimes ignites from a realization or series of realizations about what the bike is perfect for. That usually comes to light after riding it on a variety of terrain, which for a bike like this one, includes the surfaces that it’s designed to be ridden on, plus trails and terrain that’s a little off-the-deep-end. You have to see what it’s capable of, after all. More and more, bicycle frames are reinvented in an attempt to blur the lines. That theory is certainly evident in two of the most popular trends for new bikes: A) “transformer” bikes that come with some sort of geometry nuance or clever flip-switch-chip-trick that enables it to morph from one use case to another. Or, B) “uber niche” bikes that are purposefully designed to reside in some sort of gray zone that achieves perfection within two or three styles of riding—the best of both worlds, so to speak.

The Sunliner doesn’t have any fanciful tricks up its sleeve, and it can’t really be slotted into one or two niches, either. Perhaps that’s one explanation for the blank page syndrome I had with this review. It’s a bike I could describe in earnest as a jack of all trades and a bike you can just ride without thinking where it needs to go. That’s not necessarily a fair or flattering statement, however, especially for a bike I’ll likely end up recommending over many others to inquisitive readers going forward. I was actually chatting with someone about this not too long ago and explained my dilemma, “It’s a 100% genuine off-road bicycle… a near-perfect one.” Keep reading; I’ll wind my way back to that.

Behind the Name

Without knowing the backstory, the Sunliner name seems pretty benign, too. When I first heard it, I pictured myself wearing sunglasses and a floppy straw hat riding a super-stable bike with long chainstays on a sandy gravel road in Baja with a sun-soaked, grainy film backdrop. But, rest assured, the name Sunliner ain’t just a stage setter. It’s actually based on some local flavor close to Tumbleweed’s shop in Garden City, Idaho—kind of a namesake twice removed. As Daniel explained, “We picked it up from our local coffee roaster, Push and Pour. It’s the name of their espresso blend that we make at the shop every day… and anybody who’s come by the shop to say hi or test ride bikes may have had a coffee using these beans.” There was also a Sunliner motel in Garden City that shut down a few years ago, which is where they took inspiration for the decal. Looking it up on Google shows some suspect room photos, but the sign’s cool in that Western vintage style, and that seems like a proper nod to this bike.

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Frame Details

The Tumbleweed Sunliner frame is made from custom-drawn, heat-treated, size-specific chromoly tubing. Similar to the Stargazer, Tumbleweed’s light-touring drop-bar bike, it has a triple- and quad-butted main triangle with internal gussets butted into the top tube and down tube profiles where they’re joined to the head tube. This means there aren’t any external metal plates bodged to the outside, giving the frame the same streamlined and clean aesthetic as the Stargazer. The main difference between the Sunliner and Stargazer tubesets is that the Sunliner has a larger 31.6mm seat tube.

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The rear end is also different on the Sunliner. It has slightly longer chainstays and a modified yoke to fit wider tires or for a little more wiggle room. The Stargazer is built for 29 x 2.4” tires and fits up to 29 x 2.6”, and the Sunliner frame is designed around 29 x 2.6” tires but has clearance for up to 29 x 3.0” rubber. A full 3.0 tire would be tight on my preproduction version, as you can see in these photos shown with a 2.6” Maxxis Ikon on a WTB i35 rim. But, Tumbleweed widened the stays by a few millimeters and says they tested it with a 3.0” WTB Ranger tire on a 40mm internal rim width and had no problems. Here the other final frame specs.

• Sizing: small, medium, large, and extra large, each built with different wall thicknesses and tube diameters depending on the frame size
• Head Tube Diameter: 44mm I.D. for ZS44 upper, EC44 lower cups
• Bottom Bracket: 73mm BSA threaded
• Spacing: Boost 148mm x 12mm rear with thru axle (included); 110x15mm front with thru axle (included)
• Seat Post Diameter: 31.6
• Seat Collar Diameter: 35mm (included)
• Dropper routing: External routing on downtube with internal routed seat tube
• Driveline: 1x drivetrain specific. Not designed to accommodate a front derailleur
• Chainring Clearance: 38 tooth max
• Brake Compatibility: 180mm or 160mm IS mount, front and rear with external cable routing
• Colors: Offered in Forest Green or Rhubarb (dark pink) paint with classic gold Tumbleweed graphics

Build Kit

The list below shows the standard build kit that Tumbleweed will be offering as the Sunliner complete. As you can see, there are a few differences between it and the bike I tested. Namely, mine had a different crankset, wider i35 rims, hydralic brakes, tires, a shorter dropper post (the large complete will be specced with a 150mm or 175mm post). I would guess that this build is a hair lighter than mine, which weighed just shy of 29 pounds (13.6 kg).

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• Headset: Cane Creek 40 ZS upper, EC lower, 30mm Crown Race
• Crankset: RaceFace Aeffect Black, alloy
• Chainring: RaceFace Aeffect, steel 32t, black alloy
• Bottom Bracket: RaceFace BSA Threaded
• Front Hub: DT Swiss 350 Black, 110mm Thru Axle 32 hole
• Rear Hub: DT Swiss 350 Black, 148x12mm 32 hole, XD Freehub
• Cassette: GX Eagle, Lunar 10-52t
• Shifter: SRAM GX Eagle black
• Rear Derailleur: GX Eagle, Lunar black
• Rims: RaceFace ARC30 29 x i30mm
• Spokes: Sapim Race Black 2.0/1.8 w/Brass nipples
• Brake Levers: Avid FR5 Black, alloy
• Brake Calipers: Avid BB7 Black
• Cables and Housing: Jagwire Pro Compressionless Stainless Cables, Black Housing
• Disc Brake Rotor Adaptor: Promax/TRP Black aluminum
• Brake Rotors: SRAM Centerline 180mm front and rear
• Tires: Maxxis Rekon Race 29 x 2.4 EXO 3C TR
• Chain: SRAM GX Eagle silver
• Grips: SQLabs 710 black
• Stem: Zoom Black 31.8mm 4 bolt
• Handlebar: Tumbleweed Persuader 20 or 30 (black)
• Seatpost: PNW Loam dropper Black, travel length based on saddle height, frame size
• Dropper trigger: PNW Range Black
• Saddle: WTB Pure Black, Steel Rails

The only issues I had with the build kit on my test bike were that it had too short of a dropper post (125mm). Apparently the complete will have the option of a longer 150 or 175 model. Also, mine had two-piston brakes and 160mm rear rotor in the rear (production complete has 180 and BB7). All that being said, Tumbleweed builds each bike custom for each customer, so anything’s possible.

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Tumbleweed Sunliner Geometry

It’s fair to say the Tumbleweed Sunliner is made up of equal parts Stargazer and Prospector (the brand’s flat-bar expedition touring bike). Tumbleweed admits that the Sunliner model is a result of requests from two different groups of customers: folks who wanted a lighter Prospector with a derailleur instead of the 14-speed Rohloff internally geared hub (also to reduce the cost of the overall build) and people who wanted a Stargazer but prefer riding with a flat bar. As mentioned above, the frameset shares a lot of similarities to the drop-bar Stargazer, making it light and svelte and applicable to the same styles of riding and touring. Meanwhile, the Sunliner’s geometry is very similar to the Prospector with a few small tweaks. It has a half-degree slacker head tube angle, a 6.5mm lower bottom bracket drop, and of course, it’s not suspension corrected, giving it a longer head tube and shorter fork with a 440mm axle-to-crown height and a 55mm offset. It shares most of the same fork specifications as the Stargazer; the differences are that the Sunliner model has a little more tire clearance and a post brake mount (the Stargazer fork is flat mount).

Bike Fit

Generally speaking, the Sunliner sizing is fairly consistent with other rigid mountain bikes, particularly when comparing effective top tube lengths (see below). Still, I found it impossible to review a bike like the Sunliner without digging into fit. Being a dirt-touring frame foremost, people will probably choose to spec it with some form of alt handlebars, which can complicate fitting. Furthermore, it’s a bike I found a little tricky to get dialed in. I’ve been known to “ride into” almost anything and be somewhat comfortable, but I took the time to really digest the fit of the Sunliner.

All measurements in millimeters except where noted. ETT=Effective Top Tube Length; HT/STA=Head Tube Angle/Seat Tube Angle; CSL=Chain Stay Length; WB=Wheel Base; BBD=Bottom Bracket Drop; AC=Axle-to-Crown/Fork Length; TC=Tire Clearance (for 29″ tire)

For the record, I’m 6 feet tall (1.83 meters) and have a 75” wingspan (1.91 meters), or +3” ape index, and a 34.5” inseam (0.88 meters). I’ve learned over the years that there are a couple of different bike fits that work best for me. One is based on a longer reach that’s more mountain bike-specific. For that, I usually prefer unusually long frames and sometimes find myself between sizes large and XL. I’m comfortable touring with this style of bike or cockpit spec as well. The Sunliner isn’t unusually long, but it came set up with an 80mm (+7° rise) stem and 840mm Persuader 20 bars. This fit pretty well for me with the saddle slammed all the way rearward. I think a 90mm stem might be needed for it to gain Goldilocks status, but I didn’t have one on hand.

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The other configuration that sometimes works for me is a shorter reach and higher stack that results in an upright posture. To accomplish this, I tried the Sunliner with a 50mm stem and the Persuader 30 handlebar; the deeper backsweep and short stem effectively brought the bars (at the bar ends) back about 90mm and resulted in a very upright posture. That felt okay, although, as you can see in the two photos above, it placed the grips behind the steerer, which feels a bit odd on the trail. Anything in between those two caused excessive hand pressure. I’d be really curious to try the XL. That should theoretically offer a comfortable MTB fit using a shorter 50-60mm stem and the Persuader 20 bars. That said, I wouldn’t be able to switch the cockpit back to the short/upright posture, and for this bike, I kind of like having that as an option. I also liked the nimble feel of the size large, which might get muddled by the additional length of the XL. Not to mention, the 55mm longer seat tube would highly limit the size of a dropper post (more on that below).

On the Trail (While Out ATBing)

So, with all the numbers and details laid out on full display, you might still be asking: what exactly is the Sunliner? The quick and lazy answer is that it’s an all-terrain bicycle (ATB). However, even that term has garnered some nuance since we published our treatise on the subject a couple of years ago. After riding this bike for a while, I’d probably distill that definition by pegging the Sunliner as a genuine ATB—with the emphasis on authenticity coming from the fact that A) it’s a rigid-specific, non-suspension-corrected frame; B) it’s made for flat bars; and C) it’s an off-road bike that can and will go anywhere. It has some unique ride qualities as a result. To break that down, I’ve compiled my impressions under several subheadings below.

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Velocity Curiosity

For some reason, I always judge how fast or slow a bike feels before any other quality. I suppose that’s because it’s the first characteristic that reveals itself after unboxing, assembling, and pedaling out the door. And after riding and writing about nearly 100 bikes here on the site, it’s also become the trait that most piques my curiosity. I’ve tested heavy, wide-tire-shod bikes that feel snappy, and I’ve pedaled lighter drop-bar bikes with narrow tires that feel like you’re churning through molasses, so I truly never know what to expect.

My initial impression of the Sunliner, which remains unchanged, was that it’s definitely not slow, especially once it gets going. I’d describe it as smooth and fast once rolling on flat or moderate terrain, where it just wants to keep moving. Accelerating from a standstill isn’t as swift and effortless as many drop-bar bikes I’ve tried, including the Stargazer. That’s probably due to the longer chainstays and a relatively heavy build, but I wouldn’t say it’s slow. It’s maybe not too far off from the Stargazer. The Sunliner isn’t a flat-bar gravel bike, after all. It’s capable of filling that role, but it’s built for stability, not quick acceleration. Still, I’m convinced that with some lighter carbon wheels and zippy 2.2” tires, this bike would feel atypically snappy and might give bikes like the Cutthroat or other light drop-bar 29ers a run for their money.

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Climbing feels pretty good. It’s not super efficient when hard-charging, but it’s not overly taxing or sludgy, either. The frame feels stiff enough to satisfy average expectations for energy transfer, and it’s not flexy when putting power to the pedals. I’d say it’s well-balanced in that regard, particularly for a bike that’s not meant for racing. Again, I feel like it sits in a nice median zone where it’s tunable with components and tires, which is a good place to be for a steel bike of its ilk.

Frame Feel

The Sunliner frame solves two of the main complaints I voiced about the Tumbleweed Prospector. First, I thought it was too heavy for general trail riding, and second, the Prospector’s tubeset felt kind of harsh on rugged trails. Obviously, rigid bikes are inherently harsh on rooty and rocky trails, like my home turf here in western North Carolina, but some frames are better than others at muting those impacts, especially over a long ride. The Prospector has a very stiff frame, which isn’t an oversight. It’s made for expedition-style touring, and the chainstays are designed to meet the stiffness requirements necessary for Gates Carbon Drive compatibility. The Sunliner frame is noticeably more comfortable. I’d venture to say it’s very well-dialed and ranks up there with some of the better steel frames I’ve ridden. It takes the edge off of small bumps with the best of them and still feels nice and lively. It’s not too dissimilar from the Stargazer I raved about, actually. I was a little nervous that it might lose some of that magic with the larger seat tube, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Nevertheless, I am confident in saying that the front end is a little more jarring than the rear. That’s not surprising since the fork is significantly shorter than most mountain bike forks, thus lessening the leaf-spring effect. I ended up running 13-14 PSI in the front tire and about 17-18 in the rear, and that evened things out. All in all, it’s a great-feeling frame that brings the same qualities I loved about the Stargazer to a flat-bar bike.

Poise

After tuning into the tubing, one of the first things I noticed about the Sunliner was how planted it feels. Its long chainstays and low bottom bracket give it a sure-footed poise, and it maintains traction very well, both climbing and cornering. As a result, it sticks to the trail and can muster up about anything as long as you have the legs. That being said, a byproduct of this is that the front of the bike doesn’t jump at the chance to come off the ground. It’s not a bike made for manuals, and it’s not the easiest to lift over obstacles. That’s not a deal breaker, though.

Steering and Handling

As you may have surmised from the geo chart, the Sunliner isn’t framed up around modern mountain bike angles, which these days trend toward slack head tubes, steep seat tubes, and short fork offsets. Tumbleweed went with a modest 69° head angle, and the fork has a slightly higher than standard offset at 55mm. This nets a mechanical trail in the high 80mm range, which is moderate compared to other mountain bikes. That also minimizes wheel flop, making it well-suited for reasonably composed pedaling up switchbacks, grinding out long climbs, and general extended rides. Tumbleweed mentioned that they experimented with forks in several offsets and found 55mm to be a good all-around figure for off-road riding and loaded touring alike.

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On the other hand, the Sunliner felt surprisingly playful when riding fast and relatively smooth singletrack. It’s confident at speed. The dichotomy of the quick steering and the stability generated by the long rear center took a little getting used to, but once I did, I rather liked it. The two kind of balance each other out. It’s clearly not a trail mountain bike, but the relatively low bottom bracket and a quick-handling front end backed by a dash of long-bike stability allow it to step into that role and feel pretty good doing so. That said, I found that the longer rear end requires that you put a little bit of body English into the Sunliner when navigating roots, rocks, and more technical terrain. I had a lot of fun riding it as a rigid mountain bike, particularly on fast, flowy trails.

Bikepacking and Touring

As always, adding weight to the bike helps slow down the steering. This is a little more evident with the higher-offset fork, and I thought the Sunliner felt great once loaded up with bags and gear. It boosts confidence in the front end and even smooths it out a little.

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As you can see in these photos, I took it bikepacking on several occasions, packed both minimally and relatively heavy (for me) with a rack, small panniers, a chunky basket setup, and a full bikefishing kit. It never felt flexy or ill-equipped, and I’d venture to say that it’s perfectly suited for any trip I could ever dream up. The Prospector might be a better choice for folks privy to overpacked four-pannier kits, but the Sunliner should be able to manage most moderate bikepacking loads just fine.

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And, of course, it has all the provisions to do so, most notably, five sets of three-pack mounts: one on each fork leg, two on the downtube, and one on the seat tube. That actually brings up my only complaint in the mounting department: the top three-pack boss on the seat tube is unnecessary and limits what length of dropper post you can fit. Even with my very long inseam, I think a ~170mm model would be the maximum travel post I could squeeze in there. Otherwise, it has everything I might want or need to mount a variety of gear, including a massive frame triangle. Note that some photos show it with a size large Revelate Rifter full-frame bag used as a wedge!. Here’s all of it in list format for clarity.

• Three sets of three-pack mounts in and under main triangle, as mentioned
• Rack and fender mounts
• Three-pack mounts angled rearward on each fork leg
• Low-rider mounts
• Upper fork crown rack mounting points
• Center hole on fork crown
• Generator wiring port on lower right leg
• Beefed-up M6 rear rack mounts
• Full/thru mid-blade fork mounts

The People’s Bike

With all the nuts and bolts out of the way, let me circle back to the point, or lack thereof, that left me blank-paged when starting this long-winded review. Alas, revelation too late! As detailed, the Tumbleweed Sunliner has a lot of great things going for it, but nothing really out of the ordinary. However, I also think it’s a very important bike because of its thoughtful focus on simply having a broad skill set. My personal preferences and style are hyper-defined compared to most bike consumers; I ride and review a lot of bikes as part of my job, and thinking about them through my own lens keeps things interesting. That may also skew my writing for a bike like the Sunliner. The fact is, I think it (and other broadly versatile ATBs like it) is a bike that 90% of people should be riding instead of various uber-niche bikes the industry is marketing alongside their interpretation of bikepacking and adventure. That’s particularly true for folks who are getting into this sport from the alt-cycling or bikepacking side of things. It’s an everyperson’s bike that’s capable of any ride.

With that being said, and the title of this review being what it is, I’d be remiss to not mention price. The Tumbleweed Sunliner is available now as a frameset for $1,400 or as a complete for $3,775. While I think those prices are very fair in today’s market, particularly for a high-value frameset, I realize that it’s not an everyperson’s bike in that sense.

• Model/Size Tested: Tumbleweed Sunliner, Large (Rhubarb)
• Actual Weight: 28.94 pounds (13.6 kg)
• Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
• Price: $3,775 (complete), $1,400 (frameset)
• Manufacturer’s Details: Tumbleweed

Further Reading

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