Bikepacking Setup for a Small Hardtail
Vložit
- čas přidán 17. 05. 2022
- I’ve been meaning to do a gear check video for quite a while now. There are so many of these out there, and my setup isn’t particularly unique… but hopefully I’ve developed a few tricks that might help someone who’s getting started or looking for advice on fitting a load to a small-framed bike.
My setup changes a lot depending upon weather, surface, resupply, and route length. For a shorter route with plentiful water and resupply, I may opt for a backpack with soft items like clothes, hydration bladder, and toiletries in lieu of the rear load, and then do without the frame and stem bags if I can put a bottle of electrolytes in the front triangle. I try to keep the bike as balanced and agile as possible for the terrain.
I didn’t take the time to cover the bike spec very much, but questions are always welcome 😊
Salsa Timberjack www.salsacycles.com/bikes/mou...
Salsa EXP Series Frame Pack www.salsacycles.com/gear/exp_...
Salsa EXP Series Dry Bag www.salsacycles.com/gear/exp_...
Salsa EXP Series Top-Load Dry Bag www.salsacycles.com/gear/exp_...
Oveja Negra Front-End Loader www.ovejanegrabikepacking.com...
Oveja Negra XL Snack Pack www.ovejanegrabikepacking.com...
Thule Pack ‘n Pedal rack: www.thule.com/en-us/bike-pack...
Moosetreks Stem Bag www.amazon.com/Moosetreks-Han...
CNOC Outdoors VECTO 3L Water Container: cnocoutdoors.com/products/vec...
Sawyer Micro Filter: www.sawyer.com/products/micro...
Sawyer Fast Fill Adapter Kit: www.rei.com/product/858765/sa...
HydraPak Seeker 2L Bladder: hydrapak.com/products/seeker-...
Seeker Hydration Kit (cap with hose): www.amazon.com/Hydrapak-Seeke...
Hydrapak Plug-N-Play Quick Disconnect Kit: hydrapak.com/products/quick-d...
Garmin 1030 Plus bike computer: www.garmin.com/en-US/p/704417
Giant Clutch Crank Core Tool: www.giant-bicycles.com/global...
Voile Rack Strap: www.voile.com/rack-straps.html - Sport
I love your water system!
Really enjoyed this post! Simple, no frills, but great information; especially for those of us just getting started into bikepacking. Thank you for taking the time to make this!😊
short cyclists uniting and listing gear choices? Subscribed within a minute. As someone who is only 5'3", I can so relate to this!!
So many struggles! 😂
We need more videos like this for the S and XS bike owners 😀
@@karenb221 Best video I've seen for short riders. Excellent ideas and well thought out!!
@@Squirrel_Rides This is awesome. Best video I've seen for short riders. We will always struggle, but you nailed it. Thank you!!
@@richlast477 Aw thanks! That’s so kind. Trial and error 😜… and as much as I like this setup, I’m already dreaming up new options. I might actually go back to a backpack this year so that I can do some more rugged routes on my full suspension with a minimalist load!
Great setup on the water bladder! I came up with a similar system - but I didn't think of the lanyard hack! I'm definitely doing that when I next head out on a cycle touring adventure - it looks a lot nicer than carrying it on my back!
Nathan said you couldn't make the ride at the last minute. Glad you made the best of things! Thanks!
Rear racks really are the way to go. Especially if you ride out of the saddle a lot and like to throw the bike around
Excellent. We're all juggling ideas and everyone has their own approach.
It's great to see/hear what works and why.
Cheers
Thank you for the very informative video of your load out. Really appreciated.
Great break down! Thank you
Thanks very much, this was super useful. Cheers from Spain.
Great video. Thanks for sharing!!!
Awesome video. Thanks for sharing.
Great video! Thank you
Great! I ride an xs hard tail, very helpful. Thank you.
great video! thank you!
Very, very good. Thanks so much
Just found your channel. You do an excellent job at presenting and explaining things. I also have a rear rack on my hard tail and a handle bar harness from Revelate Designs. Great hack for filling the water bladder. Again like you I use a bladder, Sawer mini and the Cnoc fill bladder. Thanks for the great video from Canada
Thanks for taking the time to show, what, how, & why you carry on your bike pack. You may have saved me a lot of time, & money, as I am interested in putting a bike pack rig together. I have 3 , & a half mountain bikes, a beach cruiser, & two road bikes. So yeah I ride, but I only ride with a patch kit, and water. :-)
This was super helpful! I'm just getting into bikepacking so I love that you really explained your reasoning behind your set up
Great video! Loved seeing all the bikepacking footage during your introduction. And really love that cap!😍
It’s my favorite hat!! Need to look into having some CKB ones made 😉
I find this so useful especially after battling with saddle bags and found out about this Thule rack system. I also ride a S frame cannondale 29er and it’s really tough to mount things haha. Thanks for your video guide
Great setup 👍🇬🇧
Nice set up! I’m always looking for ideas to improve mine, cheers from Norway!
Love the video, Erika! Also a big fan of the Salsa Timberjack myself. I have one set up single speed with the 27.5+ wheelset. Very versatile bike.
It is! In addition to bikepacking, I love it for pump track and taking to Ray's, and it's often played the role of my "guest bike" if I want to take a non-mountain-biking friend out for a ride! I did swap out the wheelset for a smaller-rimmed i9 set... the plus tires have been good for sandy soils but for versatility I typically like 2.3-2.4.
You have an excellent bike packing setup mine I dont even have a single bag, i'm less fortunate to have one....take care...have a greate video.
That downhill shot in the beginning was killer. 1:36. Catch you on the trail.
Oh yeah… that was a fun day! 😏
Awesome video. This is one of the most helpful bike packing tips I have seen in YT. Thank you. I'm planning on my first ever biking trip to the Pyrenees (Spain or France). Hope everything goes well, (or at least most of it, if not all).
So glad it was helpful! Have an amazing trip! 😁
Thx! Very cool setup. Mine is developing pretty similarly- along with a back rack!!! Don’t worry, back rack pride! For the same reasons: now my load is super stable, lower than a seat bag, no sway, doesn’t interfere with dropper! And fast simple and easy to strap on any ole dry bag. And can add bottle cages along side with some improv. Modular yay! I used a short cheap carbon stabilizer bar up front to make my salty roll bag more stable, works quite well. (Thx to dirty teeth mtb for that)
Nice setup + new sub! Digging the front mud guard/frame tape too!
Thank you! Wasn’t sure about the super loud colors at first, but I’ve decided I love the frame kit too.
PS: best reply with a picture how it secure. Thank
top a hug from the south of brazil bikepacking root
Thank you so much. I do all my bike packing on my small hard tail and struggling with packing a small tent (poles) and not overloading front roll. I have been considering a rear frame (Tailfin) or similar.
The Tailfins look so sweet!! One day that’s what I’d like to get.
Cool
Really informative video
Love your set up also rear wheel rack would be great for duellie im Sid from Australia
Thanks! I am putting together my first bikepacking bike. I've ordered the Areoe back and handlebar racks. need the bags. I like the idea of top loading !! Just so that I understand.. the link for the Salsa top loader is for a handlebar bag, but you found it worked ok on the rack? The Areoe rack has a roundish platform, do you see any issues with my using it there? thanks again
Young lady, obviously I don’t know you from Adam…uh, Eve….your presentation on this topic is exceptional! I’m in my mid-60s and retired from the Navy and a retired federal wildlife law enforcement officer…both careers spent primarily outside. In retirement, I’ve taken to bikepacking my Chumba Stella ti hardtail. Sometimes I wish that I had put on another fork besides the Fox suspension…but I see you have added brackets. A couple questions: (1) what lighting system? And (2) what bell did you go with? (3) 18:38 and that front fender? Seems like that would be handy in rain and mud! Your “kit” is impressive….and I really like that rack mounted over the aft tire. I did outfit my bike with a SON Dino up front, and geared by a Rohloff hub….so my rig is heavier than most. I’m proud of your ability “to roll” with it….and again, Bravo-Zulu, very well done on your communication style and super smooth delivery! Who says an old dog can’t learn a new trick….cuz I just learned a few from you! Thank yo…and I wish you countless smiles with the miles!
Well thank you so much for that - you've made my day! 1.) The tiny visibility lights I have on the fork arch and the rear rack are by Bontrager. On the bar I have a couple of 1100 options - one is a Nite Rider and the other is by Giant. I also have a Light & Motion lamp that I mount on my helmet for rides that cross through a lot of tunnels, etc... I don't recall the model but a quick Google search tells me it's probably the Vis 360 Pro. 2.) I don't even remember where I got the bell. I just wanted something small and clean on the bars, so it's a very basic little black bell. 3.)The fender is from Groundkeeper Custom and it matches the frame protection kit I have on the bike. It definitely does seem to keep some of the splatter at bay, which is nice on that soggy gravel dust that turns to cement! I'm so glad to hear that you're finding lots of room for adventure in your retirement. And thank you for your service! I'm a veterinarian myself and have been lucky enough to work with some really incredible wildlife folks. I bet you have a lot of interesting stories to tell!
@@Squirrel_Rides Thanks so much for that comprehensive reply. Squirrel Rides. I won’t use your “pen name” out loud around my Aussie. If we even say the word “squirrel”, she goes absolutely ballistic….so we are careful not to! I subscribed to your channel….as you provide a wealth of great information, plus both my daughters ride bicycles. I have two more questions--I don’t want to be a pain, but --(1) at one point you had your rig’s rear wheel in a stand. I want one of those to store my bike in the basement. Do you know what brand? Also, regarding “stands” (2) I’m considering adding a quality kickstand to my bikepacking rig….with a load on, I’m not keen on constantly leaning it against trees, fences, rocks, etc ….have you considered or do you have one for bikepacking rides? Thanks again…great video!
@@captaincoyote1792 hmmmm. I’m not sure on the brand of the stand - Hubby bought them online. It works pretty well but honestly I’d love to get a couple of the ones that sort of skewer the bottom bracket - they take up less space and you don’t have to adjust for tire size. Well, I’d really love to get a wall-mount system, but we don’t have a free wall at the moment 😉. As for the kickstand, I’ve never looked into them and I have no interest in having one. Maybe for a really heavy or awkward load on a tame route it could be beneficial, but I’m usually riding more technical, rugged terrain and kickstands are a bit of a hazard in those conditions!
@@Squirrel_Rides thank you, again…take care, be well, and you and your husband please ride safe. (BTW….veterinarians are unsung heroes!). Thank you again, for the great information.
@@Squirrel_Rides thank you, again…take care, be well, and you and your husband please ride safe. (BTW….veterinarians are unsung heroes!). Thank you again, for the great information.
Thanks for the vid, I'm just getting into bikepacking and I'm wondering if your long term impression of the rack is still the same as when you put this out. Thanks
Yes, I still really like this rack. I have since bought a Tailfin, mostly because I wanted to have a lightweight option that didn’t mount to the frame so that I can use it on my carbon gravel and full sus bikes as well. Both racks have their advantages - the main downside to this Thule rack is the weight at over 2#… but I love the wide flat top, and the adjustability that makes it easy to slide backward or forward and keep the loading surface level. It’s a great option for this aluminum hardtail setup!
congratulations, and thanks, it has helped me a lot, one question: how much weight do you add to the bike in that load format? thanks again
To be honest, I’ve never weighed it! And of course, the weight changes with every trip depending on length, season, and result. I suspect it’s around 15-20 pounds of extra weight, but I’ll try to get an accurate total next trip!
Wow - great Vid - so many great ideas - especially for us smaller framed folk!
At ~ 4min in we see you front suspension forks with some mounts on - are these topeak?
And what do you think about them? Always looking for more options on my small frame.
Thank you!! Yes, those mounts are for the Topeak VersaCage. Honestly, I’ve only used them once, on the C&O… so flat, nontechnical surface. Not sure how the bike would handle with so much weight on the front on more rugged terrain. That balance is always a huge struggle for me! But they were a good space option for a longer route where I had to carry a cookset and 5 days’ worth of food.
@@Squirrel_Rides awesome thanks
Missed you, Erika. Looking forward to RRG overnighter.
I’m not over my FOMO but there will be plenty more to come!! ♥️
@@Squirrel_Rides don't feel too bad. You could be like me sitting here covered in chigger bites wondering about my life choices 😜.
🙏👍😊
Hi there, any recommendations for a rear rack for a small full suspension bike? So happy to come across your video, it was great!
Hey Alicia! I’m currently using (and obsessed with!) a Tailfin rack, although I have yet to use it on my full sus trail bike. Tailfin says they are FS-approved because of the articulating pivots, which makes sense. My favorite things about the Tailfin are the light weight, the fact that it doesn’t touch the frame thanks to thru-axle and seat post mounting, the dropper compatibility, and the clip-on AP20 trunk bag. It’s pricey but worthwhile. If your frame isn’t carbon and you don’t mind a little more weight, the Thule Pack n Pedal featured in this video works great, and the Aeroe Spider rear rack is a popular option as well (I haven’t tried that one yet but I’ve researched it a fair bit). Both of those clamp to the seat stays, so I would only use them on alloy or steel frames.
…one more bit of advice if you end up investing in a Tailfin: I wanted the alloy rack because it comes in a version with mounting bosses along either side of the arch, increasing cargo accommodations if you don’t want pannier mounts. The carbon racks don’t offer that option. However, my low dropper pushing down on a big dry bag ended up bending the alloy top stay down toward my wheel. I consulted with the company and ended up keeping the alloy arch but going with a carbon top stay and the AP20 trunk to address these issues. The carbon is much stiffer and the trunk bag clips in, doing away with the possibility of a standard drybag load inching forward and wedging under the saddle (which it WILL do because of the angle of the top stay on a small modern mountain bike). It’s a super stable setup and was FLAWLESS on the 200+ mile Badger Divide this summer. Tailfin will sell you a mix-and-match hybrid setup like that, but it’s not an option on the website - you’ll have to call or email and have them put it together for you :)
@@Squirrel_Rides Oh my, this is great info! I've never bike packed before, my first trip will be next Sept doing the San Juan Hut to Hut ride. And you make it look so much fun, I'm excited! I want to go to Kentucky and bike pack with you ladies! Have a great day, and thank you!!!
ps: please do more videos on your gear :)
pss: and why were you not able to go on your trip mentioned in this video?
@@aliciadiaz2730 thanks so much! Your hut to hut ride will be AMAZING - I'm sure you'll be hooked! Feel free to join our Central Kentucky Bikepackers group on Facebook if you're interested in any of our group rides ;). I really enjoy making these videos, but have so little time to dedicate to it. Hopefully I can put a couple together for 2024. I pulled out of the trip mentioned in this video due to a positive COVID test the night before departure, although it ended up being a false positive or some sort of lab error. I wasn't sick, but it was during a time when we were still trying to protect each other and I had done the test as a screening. I never did get sick and multiple subsequent tests were negative - so as you can probably see in the video, I was pretty bummed!
Hi, how you secure the Salsa top open dry bag onto the rack. From the sale photo there no stripes?
I use Voile rack straps. They have a clip on each end that snaps directly onto the rails on either side of the rack.
Which stem cap mount are you using? Recommend? Excellent communication!
Honestly, it’s just a cheap one from Amazon! They all do the same thing, so why not? 😉 corki Bike Stem Top Cap Mount for... www.amazon.com/dp/B07W3RLZBK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Thank you!
You mentioned cables for your computer?
What is your solution for the computer to keep it both dry and protected?
Bike computer. My Garmin head unit.
@@Squirrel_Rides lol I was thinking laptop when you mentioned your GoPro to DL footage or edit. Makes sense!
What are the mounts on the forks. Are they added and if so what brand please
Yep they’re just an extra storage option. Those mounts came with the Topeak VersaCage for forks that don’t have mounts built in
@@Squirrel_Rides thank you exactly what I’ve been looking for for my hardtail bike
Believe it or not I have also a Thule rack like that one in my MTB for bikepacking and I'm extremely happy with it. I don't mind conventional aesthetics when I'm in the forest 😂😂😂
Where do you put food?
It depends so much on the route length and resupply options. I’m a lazy cook and don’t want to carry more than I have to, so I’ll buy food along the way when possible. If that’s not an option and the weather is warm, almond butter and fruit/seed wraps are a staple that don’t take up much room. A few of those plus bars, gels, jerky, and fruit snacks fit easily in my front roll (plus some in my top tube and stem bags for ride snacks). If it’s cold and I’m taking a camp stove, I’ll often put that in a small dry bag and use the cages on the fork mounts. I usually pack ramen or something equally small for cooking rather than big bulky camp meals. I use a compression sack or dry bag with a carabiner and paracord to contain food items and hang food and trash at night.
Thank you great insights
What length Voile Rack straps are you using in this video?
I have a 20" and a 25". They both fit but I think I might have to buy another 25" one in the event that I ever pack more on the rear... the 20" is about on the last hole with my standard load.
@@Squirrel_Rides Thank you! How much of a hassle do you think it would be to deal with the extra strap if you had the 32" version?
@@Jaysus145 not bad. They have a keeper on them and aren’t floppy. I’d certainly err on the side of too long rather than too short!
@@Squirrel_Rides Awesome, thanks! Right now I have to daisy-chain two regular Voile straps to hold my dry bag to my rear rack, and I am thinking of the the bike rack ones would be a good fix for me. Thanks yet again!!
@@Jaysus145 yes, the rack straps are wonderful for clipping directly to the rails and cinching down tight!
Why the hate for rear racks?? So undeserved. I mean, if we truly love adventuring, the rear rack should be embraced for its' functionality.
I’m using one, aren’t I? 😉 I’ve actually moved to a Tailfin these days. I would personally aspire to a lighter, more nimble setup for my preferred terrain if my saddle height allowed it. The “functionality” of accommodating excess rear luggage seems counter to the very spirit of mountain biking (great for more traditional touring!), but in the end I reached the same conclusion - that a small rack reduces the amount of adjusting and repacking that I have to do vs a seat pack, and adds a degree of stability to the rear load. Everyone adventures differently and has their own setup preferences, and I have enjoyed the process (minus the cost!) of figuring out what suits me, my bikes, my riding style, and my favorite routes best.