Back in 2022, I took up bikepacking and started training for the Smoke N Fire 400. Because that race is primarily dirt road and because Im a self-proclaimed weight weenie, I chose to do the race on a drop-bar Salsa Cutthroat.But as it turns out, *mostly* dirt road includes a lot of singletrack, and by the time I crossed the finish line, Id convinced myself that a hardtail mountain bike was in my future.I got to searching for the perfect bikepacking bikesomething lightweight, fast, and most importantly, comfortable. Ive also always been obsessed with titanium, and since this was going to be the perfect bikepacking bike, that seemed like the obvious frame choice.There were plenty of other contenders, the Revel El Jefe and the Otso Fenrir chief among them, but ultimately, I chose the Chumba Sendero for its more progressive geometry. Mountain biking is my first love, and I knew there would be plenty of singletrack in my future bikepacking adventures. That was almost THREE YEARS AGO, and since then the Chumba Sendero has become my most beloved bike of all time. Not sure why its taken me so long to write this review, but rest assured, its based on extensive use and love. Review In A NutshellPros:Extremely lightweightBeautiful aestheticMulti-purpose (bikepacking, trail riding, xc racing)Comfortable geo for long days on the bikeOption for custom builds or build up the frame yourselfCons:Wait time to receive your bikeExpensive No XS frame optionPrice: $4,450 (frame only, titanium), ChumbaUSA.comOrdering The BikeChumba offers the ability to buy the Sendero as a frame (steel or ti), frameset, or built up to your custom specifications. While the custom build form was pretty enticing, I decided I wanted to build up this bike myself. For one, I already had some parts on hand and I knew I could grab others used to help save on the cost. Secondly, I wanted the experience of building a bike from scratch.Even with the frame-only option, there are several customization options (cable routing, graphic colors, and mounts). I chose to keep things simple and affordable-ish, but a few years down the road, I do wish I had added in additional down tube and top tube mounts for bikepacking bags. Before ordering, I had a few questions. How much did the frame weigh? 4 pounds. How long was the current lead time? 8 weeks. The response from Vince at Chumba was nearly immediate.I ended up putting in my order on January 26, 2023. Then the waiting began.Lots of waiting. The bike ended up shipping on May 5 which was longer than the estimated lead time, and boy was I antsy by the time it arrived. But it was worth the wait, and par for the course when it comes to handmade bikes. They did end up throwing in some purple anodized bolts as an apology for the long wait, which was sweet. Aside from the wait time, the only other con I can come up with for the Chumba Sendero is the lack of an extra-small frame. At 55, the small frame was a perfect fit for me, but there are plenty of smaller women out there who wouldnt get a good fit. Building The BikeThe biggest decision when building up my bike was whether to put a 120mm or 130mm fork on it. The frame will accept either (as well as a rigid fork). The whole purpose of this bike was a more comfortable bikepacking rig, so a rigid fork was out of the question. I ended up putting a 120mm fork on to save weight and because I assumed this would primarily be a bikepacking rig. (Incorrect assumption).The other choice was to build it as a singlespeed or geared bike. The frame has sliding dropouts so it can be built up either way. Again, the goal of this bike was comfort, so I opted for geared, although I do think it would be fun at some point to use it as a single speed. The rest of the build was based on color (it had to be pretty) and what I could cobble together to make it as affordable as possible. It was a good learning experience to build a bike from scratch (with my husbands tutelage), and Im glad I went this route.(For a full list of the components I chose, head to the end of this article). Bought As A Bikepacking Bike.Used For Almost EverythingThe real shocker after having the Chumba Sendero for a few months was that it wasnt just my bikepacking bike, it was the bike I grabbed for nearly everything.Our trails in Boise are super buff, so it turned out this was the perfect hardtail for everything from quick lunch rides to weekend epics to cross-country mountain bike races. And of course, I used the bike for plenty of bikepacking (and bikepack racing) as well. But how would it fare on more technical terrain? On my first return trip to Arizona (where I used to live), I assumed Id be riding my full sus trail bike the whole time. Turns out, I STILL found myself opting for the Sendero. The higher bottom bracket makes it ideal for picking your way thru rocky technical trails. Of course, its not as forgiving as a full suspension trail bike, but thats actually what I like about it. It makes me pay attention and work on my skills, while still being comfortable and confidence-inspiring. There are really only three scenarios where I opt for a different bike: (1) Downhill or enduro riding. The full squish comes in handy here. (2) Commuting. While it would actually be a fantastic commuter, Im afraid of my baby getting stolen. (3) Road or gravel rides with the fast kids. I opt for my road or gravel bike when the pace is spicy, but often still choose the Chumba when its just me out for a long, slow gravel grind.If youre looking for a hardtail for racing, bikepacking, and trail riding, the Sendero is a good do-it-all option.My Full BuildFork: Fox 34 Float Factory Step CastDrivetrain: GX Eagle DUB GroupsetBrakes: Shimano XT BR-M8120Wheels: ReynoldsTR 309/289 XC CarbonTires: Vittoria Mezcal III Handlebar: Race Face Next 35 20mm Rise Carbon, 35mm DiameterGrips: Oneup Components Lock-On GripsStem: Spank Split 35 StemBottom Bracket: Wheels Manufacturing T47Headset: Wolf Tooth Performance 40mmPedals: Shimano XTR PD-M9100 SPD Bike PedalsDropper post: PNW Loam Dropper Post 170mm Saddle: Ergon SMC Sport Gel Frame bag: Dispersed Bikepacking Custom Frame BagBottom-Line: Not A Cheap Frame, But With Every PennyThree years, thousands of miles, and countless adventures later, the Chumba Sendero remains the bike I reach for first. It was supposed to be my dedicated bikepacking rig, and instead it became my everything bike.There are a few cons: the wait time is real, the price tag stings, and if youre on the smaller side, you might be out of luck on sizing. But if youre someone who refuses to be boxed into a single discipline, if you want to race on a Tuesday, hit the trails on a Wednesday, and disappear into the backcountry on the weekend, the Sendero can do all of it without complaint. Yes, its an expensive option, but if you divide the total cost by the number of rides, it doesnt seem half bad. I also love that its hand-built and will last probably forever, so the environmental impact is less. For me, its earned a permanent spot in the stable. Its not just my favorite bikepacking bike. Its my favorite bike, full stop.Other Stuff You Might LikeSmoke N Fire 400: My First Bikepacking RaceWhat I Packed For A 2 Day Bikepacking RaceSaddle Up & Sleep Out: Your Ultimate Guide To BikepackingAbout The ReviewerKristen Bonkoski is a USA cycling and NICA coach, bike educator, and founder of Femme Cyclist.Shes also the host of the Femme Cyclist podcast and runsRascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.Shes been riding bikes for more than two decades and is passionate about empowering women on the bike.IG:@femme_cyclistJoin Kristens Weekly Newsletter!The post Chumba Sendero Ti Long Term Review appeared first on Femme Cyclist.