A Wavering Heart
Some of you with good memories might recall that just the other day (or three months ago, to be precise), I asserted that my next Bike Friday would be a Diamond Llama.
【BIKE of the WEEK】BikeFriday Diamond Llama
（If you haven't read it yet, please check it out here↑↑）
Yes, as of September '22, I truly believed that from the bottom of my heart.
But right now, my heart is wavering significantly.
That is because Bike Friday has released a new model: the "All-Packa."
Diamond Llama and All-Packa: They Look Similar, but How Are They Different?
What kind of bike is this new All-Packa?
According to Bike Friday, it is a "frame optimized for dirt and gravel bikepacking, leveraging 30 years of Bike Friday's experience."
At a glance, its styling resembles the Diamond Llama.
Both employ a high-rigidity triangular frame that utilizes truss construction.
At this point, my heart, which loves triangles, is already starting to shake.
And the deciding factor is the fine-tuning of the specifications. I’ve summarized the main differences below.
| Diamond Llama | All-Packa | |
|---|---|---|
| Max Tire Width | 20(406) x 2.1″ | 20(406) x 2.4″ |
| Bottle Cage Eyelets |
Top Tube Top x 2 Bottom x 2 Seat Mast Rear x 2 |
Top Tube Top x 4 Bottom x 3 Seat Mast Rear x 3 Fork L/R x 3 each |
| Top Tube Shape | Round | Oval |
| Front Center | Same as other models | Longer than others |
| BB Drop | Same as other models | +0.5 inch vs. others |
| Brake Support | No Hydraulic | Hydraulic OK |
Oh, this is no good—I love the All-Packa too!!
I can’t resist these specs.
What? You don’t get it? Let me explain a little.
The All-Packa Supports Fat 2.4-inch Tires
For a touring bike, 2.4 inches is quite wide.
But once you hit the off-road, the overwhelming air volume contributes to stable riding.
Since this is basically a mountain bike width, you can expect high off-road grip if you use treaded tires. This looks like it would be more fun for Japanese forest roads.
Abundance of Bottle Cage Eyelets for Loading Versatility
The number of bottle bosses is impeccable for a bikepacking bike.
A bike without plenty of threaded holes is no bikepacking bike.
Not only can you use regular bottle cages, but you can also use three-bolt cages offered by various manufacturers.
Oval Top Tube Shape to Increase Rigidity
By using an oval shape instead of a round one, the welding surface area with other pipes is increased, boosting rigidity while allowing for the use of lighter pipes.
More importantly, by crushing the pipe vertically, you gain space in the front triangle, increasing the capacity for frame bags.
Long Front Center / Long BB Drop / Hydraulic Brake Support
Adopting geometry that contributes greatly to off-road stability and steering, plus support for hydraulic brakes—which might seem overkill for a 20-inch bike—everything is aimed at off-road stability and fatigue reduction.
It’s wonderful. A truly captivating package.
What’s the Difference Between Touring and Bikepacking?
The question here is: is the Diamond Llama, which can also handle wide tires, now obsolete?
Of course, that’s not the case at all.
The difference between touring and bikepacking is open to interpretation, but reading between the lines of Bike Friday’s frame design, they seem to view "bikepacking" as "adventure"—taking on pathless roads regardless of distance—and "touring" as "travel"—following one's whims to explore all kinds of roads, both on and off the pavement.
The All-Packa as an UL-Based Bikepacking Bike
The All-Packa isn't really designed with racks in mind. It’s a bikepacking bike that allows you to enjoy a nimble ride with lightweight gear by utilizing saddlebags, handlebar bags, and the like. The "All-Packa" will support your adventures as you challenge yourself on harsh roads.
On the other hand, touring bikes like the Diamond Llama or New World Tourist allow you to increase carrying capacity via racks and pannier bags. These become the perfect, versatile partners for touring, letting you travel as far as the road leads, following your whims.
In terms of off-road capability, considering the tires, the All-Packa likely has the edge. But in terms of versatility—handling any road, on or off-road—the Diamond Llama has the advantage. Is that how it shakes out?
The Lightweight-Oriented All-Packa Also Has a Weight Limit
The characteristics of these two bikes are also reflected in their rider weight limits.
The All-Packa, which uses lightweight pipes, has a limit of 100kg, while the versatile Diamond Llama has a limit of 150kg depending on the configuration.
For me, closing in on 0.1 tons, this is also a major issue.
So, I currently can’t decide which is the best choice for me. Which one is your heart leaning toward?
I could declare that "A man’s infidelity is a sign of his spirit," and consider owning both, but for now, I’ll continue enjoying my forest of delusions.
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