What's in a Gravel Bikepacking Gear List?
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- čas přidán 6. 10. 2020
- n our latest video, Neil unpacks the ultralight fastpacking setup he used on his recent ride of the Arizona Trail 300. He details the importance of convenience on a rig like this, what kind of bike works best, and highlights essential items such as lights, water storage, calories, and much more...
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Hosted by Neil Beltchenko
Music by Ben Weaver (benweaver.net)
More at bikepacking.com
Mentioned links:
The Most Stable Seat Pack? Revelate Designs Spinelock VS Porcelain Rocket Mr. Fusion: • The Most Stable Seat P... - Zábava
Can’t thank you enough for your vids!! I’m recently retired and the bike bug has gotten to me. Have never done bike trip but am really stoked to plan and do one. Really love ur videos. The last time I biked in any serious fashion was way before today’s modern technologies (1980s). Today I have such a bug to get back into the lifestyle and am grateful for all of your suggestions. May plan a trip to Smithville missouri from upper iowa as my maiden voyage (can’t wait).
2 years ago you posted thus vid, still so relevant to those of us transitioning to bikepacking (in my case road bike and backpacking) I appreciate the insight. great vid
I like to carry a little food on a trip, Instead of relying on finding a place to eat on a day when you run out of light or run into a storm. I like to rinse out my padded liner in camp every night. I'm old school and still use panniers., that are twice the age of the young riders. This week I'm taking off on a ride carrying my Seva 123 white gas self pressurizing stove. For the first time I will be carrying alcohol based sanitizer. In an emergency it is a good fire starter. Everything I carry must have two or more uses or it stays home. My knife is a a two blade , small Swiss Army knife, with a Philips screw driver. I have tents but have used tarps over the years.
Great gear list. Thanks for the look.
Two things I carried on a 9 day trip from Brussels to Sweden not on this list:
1 - more complete wash kit including laundry detergent so that I could wash kit & carry less, plus a towel and flannel.
2 - "lite lock gold" that wrapped around seat pack.
Traveling through western Europe meant I didn't need to carry food on the bike and could shop daily or eat take out.
Other than that (and less camera gear) my set up is pretty similar...
Hey, did you also take a lock with you?
Thanks for the great video! I can't wait to hear more about the tent!
Good overview of your setup, enjoyed it and will check out more of your videos, thanks.
The WarBird is so beautiful! It is ironic that all that bikepacking gear conceals some of its beauty.
Excellent explanation and breakdown🎉
quite insightful,
thanks for sharing!
Excellent thanks for the detail! answered all my questions
This is a great video. TY Neil!
diggggggggg the pink frame !
I always carry a small u-lock to lock my bike when needed. Sometimes I go hiking a bit to see some scenery and sometimes it is easier just to lock the bike and do a 2 km loop by foot over a boulder field. Usually there are some museums along the route.
how do you lock your bags? or do you just leave them and hope nothings gets stolen
@@stephenimsong3462 I carry my bags with me. Carradice is easy to carry. Framebag stays in the frame.
Helpful advice 😊👍 I have my first bike packing trip coming up in a few weeks
Nice one Neil,chapeau
This is really helpful. Thanks!
how about using dates, mango slices, figs and trail mix. save the processed bars and gels with a list of toxic ingredients. or like wraps and peanut butter/ maple syrup/ beans, van duzer style.
Thanks Neil for always serving up the good stuff! I love my MSR Trailshot.
Thanks!
Thanks so much!!!
I run a very similar setup minus the frame bag. This video makes me want to buy one!
Thanks for bringing up aero. I’m getting the Switch Aero System from Redshift Sports to go between my road and gravel bikes.
They can laugh all they want about aero on gravel, but on the 75th mile of a hundred plus mile rails-to-trails ride, I’m usually begging for a different hand-position option (even though drop-bars already offer three).
Good video and great breakdown of your approach. Some takeaways will work for me, and some will work for others!
Oh man I just picked up a mechanical warbird. Couldn't find the Di2 version, anywhere. Looking forward to the BA tent review when you're allowed.
Amazing video.
Excellent packing information Brother 😎✌️. Peace ✌️ and Love 💕 from Tucson Arizona Desert 🏜️
You should def invest in a dynamo hub.
Nice...I'm thinking about riding across Minnesota from Wisconsin, TO Iowa . Ive got a 94 RALEIGH MT400rsi Technium , going to make a Frame bag from thrifted backpacks, waterproofed by 303 brand outdoor umbrella protectant
Great walkthrough... Your comment about the InReach though - my wife would be very upset if she wasn't side by side with me on the trip... Get her out there with ya! :)
Aero bars are a must for any extended distance riding. The alternative for me was 6 months of finger numbness after a 1000km MtB race in New South Wales, Australia.
I just bought that same cookset this year and LOVE it. Perfect size, and packs down great.
How do you fit this (or any other pot that's higher and larger in diameter than the bag width) into your frame bag like Neill did without chafing your thighs? I usually put it into my front roll or in the saddle bag.
Dude, thanks for the info which was well presented and very informative. :-)
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks James.
very well presented video dude ;) great information & tips throughout, just what we wanted. If you're ever in the UK lets ride together. peace
I love this video and this channel. I have been mountain biking for decades but I am just now getting into bike packing. Very helpful video. Did I miss which your choice of water filter however? Also, can that Inreach mini let me upload where I am for friends to follow my journey?
Just saw this one. I live in Western Canada and have tons of relatives and biking friends in Iowa. Curious about your route as I may want to do a ride like this some day.
Shout out Kwik Trip
Just getting into Bikepacking, really enjoyed your video. What’s the make of tool keg holder your using? Many thanks
Really great video, thanks! Do you think you'll put up your route? I'm in southern Minnesota and have been thinking about a trip like this for next year.
I'd be interested to know roughly how much your kit weighs.
Amazing how much stuff is packed into such small spaces!
Looking to do a first trip soon. This has been monumentally helpful in giving me ideas for what I may need for a one night out and back. Curious what you might do about securing your bike at night or when you stop at stores along the way.
Really interested in what shoes you are wearing at 6:40? Also thanks for all the great videos! Loved seeing you biking in snow in Minneapolis. Brought me back home after moving a while back:)
Oh yes, thanks Neil!!! Love the recommendations!
Great detail on a ride that I would like to do! Did you carry a bike lock? Also, where do you keep all of your bikes and equipment?
Thanks for the video ,I would suggest that paracetamol is safer than ibuprofen . Ibuprofen can cause problems with liver & kidney as it did with myself .
I have the Cowchipper on my Salsa Vaya & love it 😍
I’ve been seriously considering this! Now that you’ve used it a while, what are your thoughts?
@@shandke love it great fit, comfort even over long rides
Thanks for the vid! Wondering what model bottle cage and tool pod Neil is running under the downtube?
id on that Adidas shell?
I still use the little plastic case that my snowpeak stove came in. But seeing how nicely your pocket rocket fits in your cookset makes me think I could just ditch it!
Great video with useful tips, thanks! I always wonder about bike security, what do people use on solo trips to make sure their bike is secure? IE: you need to go into a grocery store or some other place you cannot keep an eye on your bike.
I have a Lock with an alarm in it.
Doing the OTT this July, trying to sort our gear. Trying to do a faster run on this, still don't know what mileage we may make per day. I know Neild runs a light setup and that's what we need to do. Wondering what kind of clothing you'd suggest, I'm from Alaska so I tend to overdo it or under do it lol.
Thanks for sharing, seems I serendipitously came upon a very similar setup for my DWR ride. Do you ever leave the tent behind and go for a bivy? Also, what about the overall weight of your setup you have there?
To add to my TP comment, there’s a lot more to this issue than a glib comment. Bikepacking in general needs to address proper human waste practices like hiking and canoeing have done. Wild camping necessitates “how to shit in the woods”. Done poorly and routes/campsites become like Boundary Waters was, years ago, with TP all over the place and disgusting sites. Even if it’s a credit card/convenience store route, that one dash into the bush to rid oneself of Pad Thai overload requires good hygiene + better gear list preparation. TP + pack out bags + trowel + sanitizer ...all together in larger zip lock.
Similarly, what goes out has a nasty habit of going in again. While the hand to mouth fecal transmission route is well known with children, it still exists with adult adventures outdoors. The point of sanitizing hands and not touching the face is to reduce that transmission - but what else goes in or near your mouth? Those exposed bottles are collecting all kinds of road crud, esp in wet conditions. What we have learned from COVID is the ease of droplets going everywhere. So only spraying the liquid without touching the nozzle is still not enough to prevent transmission. Better is to keep bottles clean in the first place, before handling them. What does that mean for packing? Bottles with lids, covers, or stuffed into full frame bags for protection.
Look, I don’t mean to be insulting. That’s not my intent at all. So I apologize if the language in this is too brisk.
Gear lists and packing are interesting for a lot of reasons, one of which is the logic and reasoning that goes into solving the problems. I’m just suggesting that Bikepacking.com may need to examine whether the typical go-fast setup in a COVID/climate change/high-outdoor-usage world needs to present to the mass audience more robust viral/bacterial management strategies, especially in non-racing situations.
Correct. Leave No Trace offers excellent modern guidelines and free education for outdoor ethics. lnt.org/. I myself sit in the natural objects for TP category and dug to compost far from camp or water sources. Round river rocks work better then you would expect and are often easy to fine, but all sorts of things work depending where you live. That and a love for cold baths in lakes and rivers. Since cycling requires a bit more "care" to the ass and taint then other outdoor activity, i would suggest a pack it out system with some sort of wet wipe. cheers and happy and safe shit posting :)
Thanks for the look at your gear. I had the MSR Pocket Rocket in my plan to replace a 40 year old Coleman, but bought the Whisperlite instead. It was the disposable canister that changed my mind. I found I had to drive to our local landfill to properly dispose of them.
I’ve owned the whisperlight for years. It’s an outstanding stove!
I like Brooks C17 all weather saddle, Ace Pac 16 liter handlebar sack, Ace Pac 5 liter frame pack and Carradice 20 liter saddlebag. No tent. I am a minimalist.
The satellite tracing stuff is on my wish list. I'd love an over all review there seems to be two main brads. I'm still a noob and so far not too far from home but cell service is an issue and I've found some pretty remote roads.
just take the next left, or right, and carry an old cheese stick or bologna slice for dogs and wolfs you meet on the way!
that bike is beautiful
Man I am pretty sure that you have the new bikepacking blackbird hotel tent... I look forward to seeing your review
Saw the tool water bottle cage by the crank. What would you recommend I grab for that? I also snagged a warbird and took a trip last week and saw that the tools and tubes took up more room than I was expecting.
Thank you very informative Nice clothing! Just starting out and looking to get away from the Lycra. Some info on the clothing side would be great what works/ doesn’t, thanks again.
Great idea, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for watching, Tony.
Lycra is your friend, learn to embrace it. It is great for wicking sweat, supporting your muscles, and providing cushion in delicate areas.
Thank you! Is there a posted map of the route you took?
Thanks for insights Neil, I always appreciate watching how others organize their bags and what stuff they prioritize. Love the bike, by the way!! I might have missed that in the video but, how much weight did you carry on the bike approximately? I find it very interesting how you carry the tools in a 'box/bottle' attached to the frame. I normally carry them in a frame bag similar in size to yours and it can get messy if I need to make use of them. I will save that one for later!!
I never weighed it but I would guess maybe 25-30lbs with water. Making it around a 50lb rig, pretty light considering I had everything I needed for days. Yea, the "kegs" are nice for tool kits, and it's easy to get to. When I stuff my repair kit away, I tend to neglect things that are an easy fix because of connivence to my tools.
Good coverage. I've done a lot of on road touring with a traditional pannier set up, and thinking of trying off road Bikepacking. I'm trying to figure out how in the world I can do long (multi week) bike packing trips using bags that only hold half the volume. This video is helpful, though I'm still scratching my head a bit...
As a novice road commuter. What's holding you back from using panniers for gravel road bikepacking?
@@Eklipze Nothing if all it is is gravel roads. I'm thinking more about rougher routes. My concern there is primarily the durability of the pannier attachments and rack welds and attachments.
@@rickmason2579 Oh that makes sense. I assume you'd wreck them through tight single tracks. Pannier for the road touring perfect over saddle bags
Nice setup! Where can I find these bottom tube bottle mounts?
Mind sharing what brand tool keg you have and what mount you have under the downtube using the velcro straps?
Does the pronghorn interfere with hand positioning on handlebars?
hi, have you thought of using rechargeable batteries? I think that would be better for you. nice content bro
What's the litreage on that fine fine fanny pack? I've got a mini-pelican case that is badass, but gets in the way of a really refined bikepacking setup.. I've got the same camera + lens selection, so wondering how big to go (also in China, so finding this stuff in person to try isn't as easy as I'd like... Outdoor pursuits is kinda new so finding equipment ain't straight-forward)
When you go into stores what do you do about locking your bike up? This is a great video! I’m new to the scene and am hoping to go on a longer ride this summer. Thanks!
Thanks Neil,
Very insightful! How do you fit the stove kit (or any other pot that's higher and larger in diameter than the bag width) into your frame bag without chafing your thighs? I usually put it into my front roll or in the saddle bag.
(BTW, I'm always astonished how little bike tools and spares other people tend to rely on longer trips. esp. when I'm on a schedule too tight for waiting for a shop to open. Swap it or bodge it and I'm off again.)
Thanks Nik. I think I would ensure that my stove kit can fit in my frame bag, thats a big piece to the puzzle. If you already have something then yes, maybe consider putting it in a different spot. As far as repair items for this set up, I had every nut and bolt, event extra E-tubes to get me to the end of my trip. Thats a video I will touch on in the coming months.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom Quite often I rely on cold meals like potatoes, selfmade bars or rice cakes, hot water against hypothermia emergencies only. Big fan of TrailDesigns, e.g. their SUL caldera kegs and ethanol stoves.
For more laid back trips I have different cooking setups varing in size and fuel, most between the basic Ti mug for a brew and a dehydrated meal to a 900ml pot/pan set for the most basic demands of "real" cooking. (large kitchenware for more persons, camping by car or cargobike not covered here😋)
I switched to alcohol years ago and use Vargo stoves including their woodstove that doubles as a windscreen. I found a narrow stainless steel Stanley container
Aquamira my dude. The 2 part liquid style (classic aquaira) More reliable, safer, lighter, and most important, it takes up less space. Thanks for this video I got lots of good tips and tricks. Ive spent months living in the wilderness in all sorts of environments but bikepacking is a new challenge! Most outdoor professionals will suggest taking hand sanitizer as well, as its thes best way to fight off oral fecal contamination. (cleaning your hands after ya shit basically) which is one of the most common and potentially serious wilderness illnesses. Plz tell your hommies at big agnus to make a 1 man bikepacking tent that incorporates the airpad into the tent floor.
I’ve used the classic Aquamira forever, just testing some new ways to filter so I can share my thoughts with you all. Sometimes ultra running gear works for bikepacking, other times it just does not. I’m a NOLS Alumn, and started as a backpacker, I know all to well the dangers of fecal contamination. Maybe the pandemic was a wake up call, but I’m surprised I removed it from my essentials list. Interesting tent idea.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom thanks for the reply. im NOLS alumn as well, did a semester in the rockies with them. cheers. i subscribed :)
Wait...we're lubing the chain every single day?
Probably wax, not oil.
I normally lube my chain every 100 miles or so, so depending on conditions I wouldn't be that surprised?
I mean it can't be that bad to do
When your doing long trip it's better to keep it clean and well lubricate
I blast mine with wd40 once or twice a year 😂 but my stuff is junk in comparison to his
thanks for the video! would you recommend the cowchipper bar in a smaller size ie 42cm or do you prefer the larger bar for gravel rides?
I like the wide bar for gravel rides as it creates more stability. For this rig, a 48cm bar works well for me and my reach. It's hard to say what might work for you, but I do know the chowchipper is a great middle ground between the Cowbell and Woodchipper.
Please review the inReach!!! Been looking at sat units for trips....
Working on an outline as we speak.
Look at a Spot X for half the price.
Thanks for the video. Do you use a bike lock when you’re going into shops or cafes etc?
I wondered the same thing.
I always carry a small combination luggage lock when I ride. Certainly not nearly as safe as a true bike lock, but something to add security when I pop in and out of shops.
Do you leave your garmin gps on the whole time you ride like how it’s used on the car? Or toggle screen on when needed?
Which bike is best for bike camping, the aluminum or full carbon?
Great video Neil, thanks. How are you attaching your tool keg to the downtube?
The cage is a Dom Monkii Cage V, I love this thing.
www.freeparable.com/portfolio/monkii-cage-v/
I need a packing (and shopping) masterclass to get me kitted.
when you find one, pass that down!
i may have missed it, but did you mention whether you carry a lock?
Always wondered this
Personally I tend to use a either a ZipLock or if bivvying, a long, very light retractable wire cord which also loops through the drybag that sits next to me. Obviously no defence against a serious thief, but saves things wandering...
A hip pack with this feature is great for this if ur more of the 3-5 day kinda person
One thing I use is two large zip ties with a stainless steel center for just entering a convenient store. Great deterent..
@@edgit69 hey you could sell that for a 100 dollars like Ronnie romance lol
I have a long seat bag like that but I'm wondering how to get on and off the bike as I won't be able to swing my leg over. Do you have to to the rolling version where you stand on the pedal, or is there a stationary way to do it?
I lean the bike toward me until I can easily get my leg over the top tube, step over, and then tilt the bike back upright and away I go! I learned this from a lady who had broken a hip, and could no longer swing her leg over the seat to mount up. This technique also works when you're in tricky conditions, like deep snow with a narrow packed track [i.e. fat biking].
@@revystoked cheers, will try it
What brand is the tool bottle and cage? Great video and very helpful.
It's a 'K.E.G.' which is made by specialized. The cage is a Dom Monkii Cage V, love this thing and have had it for 5 years. www.freeparable.com/portfolio/monkii-cage-v/
Thanks for the cool trip through your kit. What clothes do you wear in late fall? Do you wear the down jacket while riding too? I feel like it could get sweaty.
Cheers
That's a whole other video, but typically in the fall, 50 and under I would would knee warmers and a long sleeve, once it gets under 40 I'll start wearing different shoes too. The down jacket was used that morning as the temps were at or below freezing. I got going with the jacket on but quickly warmed up and took it off. I didn't want to suffer to warm up, so this was a way to avoid that.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom very cool! thank you for the detailed answer. Might be a cool video idea worth to enter your backlog.
I like the sleep kit in the seatbag, but i always feel i nees to separate the possibly wet tent from the sleeping bag. How do you deal with heavy rain using this setup?
I'll pack the sleeping bag first, then tent body and ground tarp, which is mostly dry, followed by rain fly. That typically gets the job done. You an always throw your sleeping bag in a lightweight stuff sack too.
What brand down jacket do you recommend
Hey Neil, at 13:08 you mention the "big top tube bag from Andrew the Maker". I only see one 0.9 liter top tube bag on ATM's website - is this the same bag, or some other larger model? Thank you!
That’s the one, it’s big enough for nearly all of my big bikepacking trips.
Hi, what frame size are you using? Asking because it seems really hard to get adequate storage on size small frames, most bag manufacturers list their frame bags as not compatible with my frames, and handlebar bags have a tendency to get too close to the wheel. The only bags that have some useful volume tend to be seat bags.
he mentioned it in the video, 56 cm
magnesium tables are GREAT for leg/muscle cramps!
Great. Thanks so much. What’s the name of your front / handlebar bag? Cheers
This is the Revelate Designs Pronghorn with the small drybag.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom thanks!!
Panniers:
Garage, 13.7 lbs. (Left front) - photos.app.goo.gl/wtBkagW4fbfQxnJn7
Primary Sleep System, 12 lbs. (Right front) - photos.app.goo.gl/s4ZwacKEVL7obUGv6
Kitchen, 14.5 lbs. (Left rear)- photos.app.goo.gl/WnqJj7b6UxGNSvjg8
Bedroom/Bathroom, 11 lbs. (Right rear) - photos.app.goo.gl/Psj6sHpoiy7jq3JY7
Handlebar & bar-bag evolution: Double-ended bar-bag, 6 lbs., Handlebar bag, 13 lbs.
photos.app.goo.gl/owx61e75m2nsSdjJ8
"Heartburn pills" -- ha. I'm very familiar with berry-flavored Tums.
Did you do wash the bibs at all? If so, was drying-time an issue? I tried wool bibs on a hot bikepacking trip once -- bad idea.
No washing, thats why I had an extra. If need be, I could do a quick soak in a stream but didn't need to. As far as drying, thats pretty climate dependent. Living in Colorado for years, I had things dry out in minutes, living in the midwest....that never happens.
I have the same issue and use (reluctantly) a proton pump inhibitor which is the only thing that works for me....
Great video. So what does your bike weigh with full gear, food and H20?
Wow, I’m not even sure to be honest, maybe 40ish pounds? 45?
I’ve been reticent to get a frame bag because I’m concerned my knees will rub against it and also I think it’ll impede bottle access. Do people have issues with the width of frame bags in this respect?
Yes i have both issues. But its a trade off. It really depends on your build (hip width, thigh thickness and rotation of your knees).
Super video. What camera do you use Neil. Thanks
Sony a7III and a GoPro Hero 8.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom do you get anymore than 2 hours out of you gopro?
What kind of aero bars are those? I'm looking to add some to my gravel bike but unsure what to lol for.
They are some older profile design T2 aerobars with old school mountain bike bar-ends that were trimmed down and installed to the end of the aero bars. They are all bent and haggard, I'm in the market for some new ones but they did treat me well for 6 years.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom awesome thanks. I've never used aero bars before but routinely find myself adopting a similar position on long rides just putting my elbows on my bars. I'd be very interested in a good aero bar for gravel/bikepacking review or buyers guide.
What’s the tool box on underside of downtube?
What kind of container do you have your tool kit in I like that idea I just need to find I container like that. Thanks
Keith, they are called kegs. Check it out: www.angrycatfishbicycle.com/product/angry-catfish-angry-catfish-keg-6382.htm
Neil thanks I just ordered it.
I use the ergon as well, have you noticed any rail creek?
I have not, this is a Carbon rail version of the SR Mens.
Nice video, was wondering though if you use any locks?
I did not on this trip. I did however hide my bike and clip my helmet between my spokes and rim when I was at a Casino in Hinkley, Minnesota. Zip-ties work well too, if you have a knife handy.
What is the tool kit called and is it just held in by a waterbottle cage?
What’s the name of those Aero Bars?
I have an Ergon saddle to sell lol. Can't use my top tube bag with Diverge future shock 😬
What’s the brand of those aerobars?