- 8
- 18 321
Kurt Refsnider
United States
Registrace 8. 07. 2022
Kurt Refsnider's take on bikepacking, backcountry MTB, gravel, and ultra racing. For his coaching services and training plans, please visit www.ultraMTB.net
Ultralight Bikepacking: How to make your bike feel like you're out for a day ride
The lighter the bike, the more fun it is to ride and the more you'll be able to ride technical terrain like you're out on a day ride. Here Kurt breaks down how to set yourself up for incredibly fun bikepacking trips by choosing an ideal weather window and packing as lightly as possible.
*Here's Kurt's full packing list:*
*Bike setup:*
Frame: Pivot Trail 429
Wheels: Industry Nine Trail 290/300 Carbon
Drivetrain/brakes/pedals: Shimano XT/XTR
Saddle/grips: Ergon SMC Sport Gel/GS1 Evo
Bars: Flexx MTB
Seatpost: Wolf Tooth Resolve
Tires: Maxxis Forekaster 2.6/Aggressor 2.5
GPS: Garmin Edge 140 Solar
Lights:
*Patagonia Dirt Roamer backpack:*
Fenix HM65R-T v2 headlamp
HydraPak Contour 2L reservoir
HydraPak water filter
GU Drink Tabs
Patagonia Houdini wind jacket
Garmin InReach Messenger
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship trail map
Sun screen/floss/sun screen
Small battery/cord for charging phone
Sony a6700 camera
First-aid kit
Snacks!
*Revelate Designs custom frame bag:*
HydraPak Seeker 2L reservoir
Repair kit
Tubolito spare tube
Multi-tool/tire pump/shock pump
*Revelate Designs Pronghorn handlebar bag:*
60*F down quilt
Tyvek ground sheet
Inflatable sleeping pad + pillow
Headnet for bugs
Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail long-sleeve shirt
*Revelate Designs Mag Tank:*
Snacks
Phone
*Clothing:*
Shimano GE9 shoes
Patagonia Dirt Roamer shorts
Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail T-shirt
Smith Forefront 2 helmet
*If there was any chance of precipitation* in the forecast or if I was out for more than one night, I’d add a light rain jacket and an emergency bivy just in case
*Here's Kurt's full packing list:*
*Bike setup:*
Frame: Pivot Trail 429
Wheels: Industry Nine Trail 290/300 Carbon
Drivetrain/brakes/pedals: Shimano XT/XTR
Saddle/grips: Ergon SMC Sport Gel/GS1 Evo
Bars: Flexx MTB
Seatpost: Wolf Tooth Resolve
Tires: Maxxis Forekaster 2.6/Aggressor 2.5
GPS: Garmin Edge 140 Solar
Lights:
*Patagonia Dirt Roamer backpack:*
Fenix HM65R-T v2 headlamp
HydraPak Contour 2L reservoir
HydraPak water filter
GU Drink Tabs
Patagonia Houdini wind jacket
Garmin InReach Messenger
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship trail map
Sun screen/floss/sun screen
Small battery/cord for charging phone
Sony a6700 camera
First-aid kit
Snacks!
*Revelate Designs custom frame bag:*
HydraPak Seeker 2L reservoir
Repair kit
Tubolito spare tube
Multi-tool/tire pump/shock pump
*Revelate Designs Pronghorn handlebar bag:*
60*F down quilt
Tyvek ground sheet
Inflatable sleeping pad + pillow
Headnet for bugs
Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail long-sleeve shirt
*Revelate Designs Mag Tank:*
Snacks
Phone
*Clothing:*
Shimano GE9 shoes
Patagonia Dirt Roamer shorts
Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail T-shirt
Smith Forefront 2 helmet
*If there was any chance of precipitation* in the forecast or if I was out for more than one night, I’d add a light rain jacket and an emergency bivy just in case
zhlédnutí: 3 179
Video
Kurt's Take: Rack + panniers versus seat bags for bikepacking and touring
zhlédnutí 12KPřed měsícem
Which setup is better for bikepacking and bike touring - a big seat bag or a rack with panniers or a bag on the deck? Neither is better - it just depends on the trip, the style of riding, and personal preference. Here I break down what goes through my mind when I'm getting ready for an adventure and need to get all my gear onto my bike.
Kurt's Unbound XL bike and gear check, nutrition, and how it all worked out
zhlédnutí 1,2KPřed měsícem
Kurt Refsnider rode 1,400 miles from Arizona to Kansas to race the 350-mile Unbound XL, finishing in the top 10, and more importantly, had a lot of fun racing. Here he shares his Pivot Vault setup for the for the race, what gear he carried, his approach to nutrition, and what he'd change if he did it again. Thumbnail photo by Chandler Robinson.
Dells in a Day - riding every trail in Prescott's Granite Dells
zhlédnutí 87Před 6 měsíci
Is it possible to ride the nearly 50 miles of ubertechy bedrock wonderland trails in Prescott, Arizona's Granite Dells in a single day?
Out to Cypress Mountain
zhlédnutí 161Před rokem
Join Kurt on his favorite kind of big day out on the mountain bike near his home in Arizona's Central Highlands - 75 miles of seldom-traveled backcountry where the mountains meet the desert. There aren't many places where one can ride for 14 hours without seeing another person, but this is one of 'em.
Kait Boyle and Kurt Refsnider talk Alps bikepacking gear and bike setups
zhlédnutí 613Před rokem
What do you carry for hut-to-hut bikepacking and burly backcountry trail riding in the Alps? Here's how Kait and Kurt set up their bikes and packed for 3 weeks of adventuring in the Alps.
Racing the Comstock Epic route across Nevada
zhlédnutí 206Před 2 lety
Kurt Refsnider chasing a new FKT (55 hours 38 minutes) on the 520-mile-long Comstock Epic MTB route across Nevada
A few days of winter bikepacking in Wyoming
zhlédnutí 931Před 2 lety
Out on the snowy trail with Kurt Refsnider and Kait Boyle during a spell of January high pressure in northwestern Wyoming.
Thanks for sharing this!
What rack are you using? I am using the Ortlieb rack, which is light and very easy to (de-)install.
I use the Old Man Mountain Divide and Elkhorn racks. They're bombproof, something I need for what I put them through.
Nice looking set up
Sounds like you're ready for the Ultimate challenge of rides. THE TOUR DE DIVIDE.
Ha! can't say I have much left for TD goals these days - I've raced it three times, was the first to Antelope Wells on one of those years, and managed to finish on a tandem another....
@@kurt.refsnider Well what's next ? Race across America? You are limitless my friend 👍😁
@@tmayberry7559 Something bigger than any of those races...
@@kurt.refsnider wow. What race is that
I experienced heavy condensation with the bivy bag set up both inside the bivvy and outside. I was breathing out of the bivy bag, so the condensation wasn't due to the breathing moisture. I stopped on a grassy field and the weather was clear. I was waking up around 6:00 in the sunlight. I'm trying to find a strategy to avoid this. Maybe avoid grassy fields?
Sleeping beneath trees and avoiding topographic lows can definitely help reduce how much dew accumulates on the outside of a bivy or tent (cool air settles in topographic lows, and dew can thus be heavier). Bivies are quite prone to condensation on the inside. Truly waterproof bivies are the worst for that; more breathable ones can be a bit better, but they're not as reliable if you're out all night in the rain, so it's definitely a compromise. That's why I prefer a mid-style shelter or a tarp over a bivy for most trips.
@@kurt.refsnider thank you!
Travelling light is the ultimate luxury! The more you do it the less you realise you need.
That's a great way to put it!
What was your route and how many nights/where did you camp?
This was a couple big days and one day out - Packer Saddle, Spencer Creek, back to Big Boulder to D'ville, up to Chimney Rock, back to D'ville, and back up to Packer Saddle.
Just for the records. You are a complete beast man
I just like pedaling a whole lot!
I've got to agree with you. I keep wanting to get back to a seat bag for the simplicity but.. I just did Ragbrai with some cheap panniers and it was good. Felt good, heavy but good. I probably loaded them up with a little too much weight but.. I'll be looking into those micro panniers. I tend spend most time on crushed limestone and gravel. I love how well panniers work for camping out of and making mid trip lunch out of. Stay cool man.
Where'd you keep the chair?!
It folds up to fit in the frame bag's map pocket
Where did ya put your blow up pad? Or did you bring one?
It's in my handlebar bag with my sleeping bag and pillow. See the video description for more on all that
I recently started using my bob trailer on a few grav rides. Kinda crazy how difficult it is to feel it behind the bike! I admit, it was for a more luxurious ride where I took my cooler with drinks, hammock, chair, etc lol but considering I had like 25 lbs in the trailer it cruised along great!
Is there any way to run a seat bag with a dropper post?
Check out the Wolftooth Valais 25. You lose a little of your drop, but it works great.
Yes, some work fairly well if you have enough clearance between the bag and your rear tire when you have the seat dropped. You can limit the drop with the WolfTooth Valais clamp, too. I use the Revelate Designs Shrew, Stoat, and Terrepin 8L all on my dropper posts.
What do you eat?
On this trip I had sandwiches, snacks, and grabbed dinner in Downieville when I passed through.
I seem to never be able to pack light lol!!
Great motivation for keeping it light and moving quickly.
Keeping it light helps keep it so fun!
Best overview I’ve seen! At 5’0”, I will likely never use a seat bag…
Nope, you probably won't! Fortunately, there are some other great options out there 🙂
I like your mini pannier set up! I BP on a full suspension MTB, and use Arkel Rollpackers front and rear. I carry the weight really high at the rear but it doesn't bother me on fast gnarly single track. The Rollpackers are bags on a frame, so inbetween what you have just reviewed.
If you use a dropper post then a seat bag won’t work well.
I use a seatbag on my dropper all the time - check out some of the smaller Revelate Designs seat bag options. They work great so long as you have enough space between the saddle and rear tire.
I have a Tailfin out back with no panniers and a 12 liter Bags x Bird top load bag in front. Revelate 1/2 frame in the middle as I like to use bottles. That was a nice balanced ride for gravel and really helped on some slippery descents. Never done a road tour, but what you wrote makes sense. Sleep! Don’t just replace your pillow - get a better pad like a 25” wide Nemo Tensor - they work!
Happy to have your back on your adventures Kurt! Thanks for the continued support!
Can you do a review on the 840? Is the Solar with the extra money and other features are free or need to pay? Thank you from Dallas Texas
I'll see what I can do!
It seems like one of the advantages of going “bikepacking” style is that you are more streamlined and you have weight distributed over the length of the bike. In your photo, there is no bar bag or anything visible that would put a bit of weight on the front. I wouldn’t want too much weight in front, but do you think grip on cornering for the front tire would be better with a little weight forward?
Good point! I had a small bag on the bars on this last long tour (the new Revelate Designs Pitchfork bag), but it's obviously not on there in this video. That bag probably only had 3 pounds in it, though. Distributing the weight across the bike definitely is important, but I find it much less so on road/gravel than I do on trail. Shifting my own body weight forward/backward on the bike when cornering makes a much bigger difference for traction than a small bag does.
Great explanation, short and to the point, no long drawn out fluff. Thanks for your thoughts
Nicely presented. There is no substitute for practical experience.
I love my Revelate Nano panniers! so does my Surly 🥰seat bags are ok but these bags kick ass 🥰🥳👊🏻
Great teaser! I would watch a long format version - good on you both for getting out there, it SOUNDS cold!
Great breakdown Kurt!
Great overview, I have similar reasoning. Tailfin (rack) is great for convenience and very stable. It's easy to pull something out and put it back. But it is heavier. Saddlepack is light but harder to access and swings about a bit. Also changes size and shape depending on what you take out/put in during the trip. So I lean towards the rack for fun trips and the pack for fast, light bikepacking races.
Great info and insight. Thanks!
Good info ..
Thanks. I'm shocked that a guy with your credentials has only 80 subscribers. Where is everyone?
Ha! It probably has something to do with me only getting around to posting a video every 4 months or so on average...
@@kurt.refsnider Regardless, thanks for the content and for the insight.
Such an incredible trip! Thanks for making this video and all the other content, super fun to watch and read
Brillant video how can it only have less a 1000 views
Nice video. I appreciate your background music selections too 👍
𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕞