Show and tell! Cycle touring setup
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Bike bivvy looks good, reminds me of a tent you could buy that used the bike instead of poles. 2 skin as well IIRC. Not tarped properly for over 5 years now. Last few included a very wet trip when my bivvy started to leak on a very wet trip using my micro tarp for the first time. The very last one I pitched an open style in a nice evening to experience a storm that rolled in from nowhere overnight. Typical your torch isn't to hand when you need to change your pitch suddenly or risk seeing it sail off into the dark! I found the pegs about 3 metres away where the tarp flung them. Possibly further away as i couldn't judge. Always get pegs with orange sleeves on them. I only found the pegs with orange sleeves.
We got a single wheel trailer like the bob trailers. Too easy to overload and make your bike unstable. We thought it would be ok and we could take it on a train if needed. We're trying to go without av trailer this year. Or get a two wheeled one. Either a box or flatbed trailer.
BTW i love the fact you've got your kid towing it. How old in that photo? I think it looks like you're riding off and leaving her behind.
Where was the track? Looks a nice ride. Wales?
We got a single wheel trailer like the bob trailers. Too easy to overload and make your bike unstable. We thought it would be ok and we could take it on a train if needed. We're trying to go without av trailer this year. Or get a two wheeled one. Either a box or flatbed trailer.
BTW i love the fact you've got your kid towing it. How old in that photo? I think it looks like you're riding off and leaving her behind.
Where was the track? Looks a nice ride. Wales?
Also - if your travelling light, the bike bivvy is awesome!
I like that set up.. using the bike.. very clever
Trailer is always a good option. Easy to get at your gear. Can leave it behind if taking a detour off the main route. Also can share the load around if travelling in a group.
Im not exactly sure that counts as sharing the load...
We had a burly child trailer with a hitch on both our bikes. It allowed both parents to do the towing duties. He lost interest in going in the trailer preferring the seat. That stopped me pulling our son around and my bike couldn't take the seat with him in. Too unstable due to a kind of speed wobble effect that started straight after setting off.
But if your whole family has the hitches then you could easily take turns with the trailer for a length of time appropriate to your cycling strength and age. Although that child does look overloaded.
But if your whole family has the hitches then you could easily take turns with the trailer for a length of time appropriate to your cycling strength and age. Although that child does look overloaded.
I can't take credit for the bike tarp idea, was inspired by something similar I saw on the WWW. The setup did work well for me though, it was fun to set it up and it survived a wet and windy trip.
The child in the photo was 6 at the time - this was the last few miles on the way home so time to play around a bit (he'd been pestering me for his turn to tow the whole trip!). The loaded trailer must have been equal too if not more than the weight of the rider + bike, so it made for some interesting lessons on stopping and speed control - especially downhill.
The child in the photo was 6 at the time - this was the last few miles on the way home so time to play around a bit (he'd been pestering me for his turn to tow the whole trip!). The loaded trailer must have been equal too if not more than the weight of the rider + bike, so it made for some interesting lessons on stopping and speed control - especially downhill.
Have i asked before about carrying water? If you have a full frame bag that completely fills tyre main triangle what do you do about hydration?
So far I'm thinking of Alpkit stem cells, an Alpkit bheestie stem mounted cage bracket, saddle cage or bladder in the frame triangle. I'm trying to avoid tyre latter because i want that volume for kit not water. I don't really like the stem cells, it looks like they'll affect handling and might get in the way a bit. The stem cage I'd worry about hitting somehow with it being in your face. The saddle cage is known as bottle rocket in some circles because they're known to launch bottles with even a smallish bounce through rough surfaces. That doesn't leave me much choice.
BTW I'm thinking of carrying a meths fuel bootle under the downtube on a gorilla cage attached to a strap mounted bracket. Does that sound a good idea? Meths inside the pannier always make me worry about leakage. Even Trangia bottles i don't 100% trust.
So far I'm thinking of Alpkit stem cells, an Alpkit bheestie stem mounted cage bracket, saddle cage or bladder in the frame triangle. I'm trying to avoid tyre latter because i want that volume for kit not water. I don't really like the stem cells, it looks like they'll affect handling and might get in the way a bit. The stem cage I'd worry about hitting somehow with it being in your face. The saddle cage is known as bottle rocket in some circles because they're known to launch bottles with even a smallish bounce through rough surfaces. That doesn't leave me much choice.
BTW I'm thinking of carrying a meths fuel bootle under the downtube on a gorilla cage attached to a strap mounted bracket. Does that sound a good idea? Meths inside the pannier always make me worry about leakage. Even Trangia bottles i don't 100% trust.
This type of mount?
Pic from here ~ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bicycle-Cycling-Bottle-Holder-Handlebar/dp/B00ELBOB68 (not a recommendation, just a suggestion, first easy link I found)
The mount would allow you to mount on the handlebar ~ theoretically you could mount side by side so one was on the rider side and one was in front of the handlebar (drink on your side and spare fuel away from you?)
Pic from here ~ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bicycle-Cycling-Bottle-Holder-Handlebar/dp/B00ELBOB68 (not a recommendation, just a suggestion, first easy link I found)
The mount would allow you to mount on the handlebar ~ theoretically you could mount side by side so one was on the rider side and one was in front of the handlebar
(drink on your side and spare fuel away from you?)Just waiting for a custom full frame bag to arrive. Complete with 2 compartments, map pocket and hydration system holder. No bottle carrying issue and capacity to even out weight distribution on a bike unable to take front rack. Will try to post what it's like when I get it.
About £86 all in which is pretty cheap.
Apidura costs £142 and isn't custom.
Alpkit costs £75+ extras = £122 with the same extras.
Not sure how it'll turn out since I've seen no reviews of their bags online. They've been operating since 2008 IIRC so must be ok to survive that long.
About £86 all in which is pretty cheap.
Apidura costs £142 and isn't custom.
Alpkit costs £75+ extras = £122 with the same extras.
Not sure how it'll turn out since I've seen no reviews of their bags online. They've been operating since 2008 IIRC so must be ok to survive that long.
That's a full camping load; tent, sleeping bag, camping mat, cooking gear, food, change of clothes, even a towel and toiletries. I did buy a bottle of beer from the nearby village shop when I got to a campsite.
Wow great thread guys. I've been thinking about getting a bike for ages now, much to the groans of my hiking buddies, which when every time we hit a notable hill (either up or down) I hit out with "see this is why you need a bike"
As someone who hasn't really been in to bikes since he was a teenager, can you suggest any key considerations or aspects of a bike you'd want for bikepacking? I'm probably going to pick up a bike second hand. I like DIY projects.
I was thinking,, hard tail, simple dual pannier set up (only need about 40l storage), 26" wheels, maybe a single speed maybe an internal gear hub? I used to ride BMX and love the simplicity of single speed bike, not sure how it'd translate to an offroad bike but!
Will all bikes be able to mount panniers?
As someone who hasn't really been in to bikes since he was a teenager, can you suggest any key considerations or aspects of a bike you'd want for bikepacking? I'm probably going to pick up a bike second hand. I like DIY projects.
I was thinking,, hard tail, simple dual pannier set up (only need about 40l storage), 26" wheels, maybe a single speed maybe an internal gear hub? I used to ride BMX and love the simplicity of single speed bike, not sure how it'd translate to an offroad bike but!
Will all bikes be able to mount panniers?
Wow great thread guys. I've been thinking about getting a bike for ages now, much to the groans of my hiking buddies, which when every time we hit a notable hill (either up or down) I hit out with "see this is why you need a bike"
As someone who hasn't really been in to bikes since he was a teenager, can you suggest any key considerations or aspects of a bike you'd want for bikepacking? I'm probably going to pick up a bike second hand. I like DIY projects.
I was thinking,, hard tail, simple dual pannier set up (only need about 40l storage), 26" wheels, maybe a single speed maybe an internal gear hub? I used to ride BMX and love the simplicity of single speed bike, not sure how it'd translate to an offroad bike but!
Will all bikes be able to mount panniers?
Depending what sort of routes youd be intending, if you only require 40litres of space i would look at bikepacking bags over panniers. Dont like having panniers sticking out wider than the bike and makes it easier for carrying the bike too. But again it depends what sort of trails your intending.
I was away at the weekend with a 28 litre rucksack and a 12 litre drybag strapped onto my handlebar harness. If i need more than that, id use a frame bag and a saddlebag.
http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/ This is the site that got me interested in bikepacking.
Cant advise much on bikes as i havent got much luck with mine
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So much depends on where you want to ride.
I ride on the road, but the bike in the picture above takes tyres up to 38mm so in theory will handle dirt tracks.
If you want to ride on bridleways and get out into the countryside that way, I would recommend looking into what is called '29er' bikes. These are bikes with 'normal' 700c wheels, but frames sized so that fat tyres fit on the bikes, up to 3" in some cases. They roll very easily over rough ground and are the dogs danglies for easily rolling along. Bigger wheels and bigger tyres ride over the bumps.
Single speed is hard work if you want to get up hills, very hard work. Maybe get something cheap and simple and just ride for a bit, then you'll have a better idea of what you really want?
I ride on the road, but the bike in the picture above takes tyres up to 38mm so in theory will handle dirt tracks.
If you want to ride on bridleways and get out into the countryside that way, I would recommend looking into what is called '29er' bikes. These are bikes with 'normal' 700c wheels, but frames sized so that fat tyres fit on the bikes, up to 3" in some cases. They roll very easily over rough ground and are the dogs danglies for easily rolling along. Bigger wheels and bigger tyres ride over the bumps.
Single speed is hard work if you want to get up hills, very hard work. Maybe get something cheap and simple and just ride for a bit, then you'll have a better idea of what you really want?
Singlespeed? I'd be impressed if you went into the hills with a fixie! I know they're different but a fixie would be dodgy on fast, rough downhills I reckon.
Take a look at Sonder bikes from alpkit. The way I see it you have a few options. 29er MTB hardtail or even rigid. Alternatively the gravel / adventure bike. Both run on 29er/ 700 wheels. The difference is flat bar or drop bar. You could put Jones bars on which are modified flats.
Money is key with new bikes, £800-1500 gets you good kit. Second-hand I don't know. Suggest trying to find a second-hand kona bike. They're hardtail frames (usually from the 80s/90s) actually make good tourers.
Basically get out and try bikes on, best fit wins. Ride it for a bit. You'll then start to find out what you really need.
Take a look at Sonder bikes from alpkit. The way I see it you have a few options. 29er MTB hardtail or even rigid. Alternatively the gravel / adventure bike. Both run on 29er/ 700 wheels. The difference is flat bar or drop bar. You could put Jones bars on which are modified flats.
Money is key with new bikes, £800-1500 gets you good kit. Second-hand I don't know. Suggest trying to find a second-hand kona bike. They're hardtail frames (usually from the 80s/90s) actually make good tourers.
Basically get out and try bikes on, best fit wins. Ride it for a bit. You'll then start to find out what you really need.
Mrcharly & Paul_B,
Currently no interest in riding technical trails or going 'very' fast. More interested in using the bike to cover more distance / a degree of comfort on multi-day hikes. In my younger days I used to use a BMX to ride trails. Granted, that's very different, but realistically, if you don't have the gear ratio needed or the trail gets too dangerous, it's easy to jump off and walk the bike.
Maybe it's pie in the sky and as soon as I get out there on a single speed I'm going to regret my idealism, but theres certainly something that appeals in the simplicity (and challenge) of a single speed set up.
What are your thoughts on internal geared hubs?
Currently no interest in riding technical trails or going 'very' fast. More interested in using the bike to cover more distance / a degree of comfort on multi-day hikes. In my younger days I used to use a BMX to ride trails. Granted, that's very different, but realistically, if you don't have the gear ratio needed or the trail gets too dangerous, it's easy to jump off and walk the bike.
Maybe it's pie in the sky and as soon as I get out there on a single speed I'm going to regret my idealism, but theres certainly something that appeals in the simplicity (and challenge) of a single speed set up.
What are your thoughts on internal geared hubs?
Wouldnt say its pie in the sky, anythings possible if your willing.
http://bikepacker.com/markus-stitz-single-speed-the-world/
Single speed bike around the world, and completed the Highland trail on a singlespeed also. Plenty of hills involved in that.
The biggest problem i have with my bike at the moment is gear problems, so i can also see the attraction of the simplicity of single speed, but ill put up with the problems
http://bikepacker.com/markus-stitz-single-speed-the-world/
Single speed bike around the world, and completed the Highland trail on a singlespeed also. Plenty of hills involved in that.
The biggest problem i have with my bike at the moment is gear problems, so i can also see the attraction of the simplicity of single speed, but ill put up with the problems
This is my big bike set up, Surly Big Dummy, fully loaded it has the capacity to carry 90kg of cargo, my camping gear is nowhere near that weight but it means that I have a lot of flexibility in what I can take. Even a Cobb BBQ for picnics!
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Sent from my SM-T819 using Tapatalk
Regarding water, I find the Rixel Kaul Bottle Klick to be a useful device. Allows you to add an extra bottle mount anywhere on the bike, but also to be able to remove it when not in use. I use it on my Brompton so I can mount a bottle and still fold the bike up. Talking of my Brompton. It wouldn't be a BCUK bike touring thread without me chimbing in my 2 pence worth.
I use my Brompton, Luna, for all sorts of crazy bike tours. And even did the Isle of Man TT course on it in 2016 (66.7kph down hill on a Brompton is pretty terrifying, you can do a 90° corner on it at 40kph, but it does require changing underwear afterwards...)
Brompton make a T bag, which is about 25-30L, and fits on the front of the bike. Which is plenty big enough for many trips. I've added a 30L Alpkit dry bag on the underside of the saddle. This gives you 60L of luggage capacity. Which is more than enough for pretty much anything you'd do on a Brompton...
Luna in Luxembourg:
The T bag does however present quite a large drag coefficient, you certainly notice it. Also by having the volume, I was filling it. So as the front bag basically contained just my food, I replaced it with a 13l alpkit bag. This is enough for 2-3 days food, plus a 1l pot, with a stove inside. I strap this to the handle bars with a pair of webbing straps. Not as fast to remove as the T bag, but much less drag, and encourages me to pack more efficiently.
Luna on a Dutch adventure with the smaller front bag:
Luna approximately 60km into an 80km 2nd day of a 130km trip through the Ardenne. In which I reached the top of both Belgium (694masl) and The Netherlands (322 masl). The front wheel is in Germany, the rear wheel in Belgium, and the bottom bracket is in the Netherlands.
In january I took Luna out for some sub zero lunacy in the Netherlands, it was -6°C, lots of ice, and the offroading down frozen trails was a lot of fun. As I had extra warm weather gear I did that ride with the T-bag and saddle bag config as in the first photo. So as to stay up right on the ice I had studded tyres fitted:
The Brompton isn't exactly the most efficient bike out there, you lose a fair bit of energy in the suspension system, but it does allow for trips you might not other wise do where you can combine public transport with cycling.
My next bike will likely be a cycle cross bike such as the Genesis Vagabond, which I'll also deck out for touring, for those places even I'm not insane enough to try on the Brompton...
J
I use my Brompton, Luna, for all sorts of crazy bike tours. And even did the Isle of Man TT course on it in 2016 (66.7kph down hill on a Brompton is pretty terrifying, you can do a 90° corner on it at 40kph, but it does require changing underwear afterwards...)
Brompton make a T bag, which is about 25-30L, and fits on the front of the bike. Which is plenty big enough for many trips. I've added a 30L Alpkit dry bag on the underside of the saddle. This gives you 60L of luggage capacity. Which is more than enough for pretty much anything you'd do on a Brompton...
Luna in Luxembourg:
The T bag does however present quite a large drag coefficient, you certainly notice it. Also by having the volume, I was filling it. So as the front bag basically contained just my food, I replaced it with a 13l alpkit bag. This is enough for 2-3 days food, plus a 1l pot, with a stove inside. I strap this to the handle bars with a pair of webbing straps. Not as fast to remove as the T bag, but much less drag, and encourages me to pack more efficiently.
Luna on a Dutch adventure with the smaller front bag:
Luna approximately 60km into an 80km 2nd day of a 130km trip through the Ardenne. In which I reached the top of both Belgium (694masl) and The Netherlands (322 masl). The front wheel is in Germany, the rear wheel in Belgium, and the bottom bracket is in the Netherlands.
In january I took Luna out for some sub zero lunacy in the Netherlands, it was -6°C, lots of ice, and the offroading down frozen trails was a lot of fun. As I had extra warm weather gear I did that ride with the T-bag and saddle bag config as in the first photo. So as to stay up right on the ice I had studded tyres fitted:
The Brompton isn't exactly the most efficient bike out there, you lose a fair bit of energy in the suspension system, but it does allow for trips you might not other wise do where you can combine public transport with cycling.
My next bike will likely be a cycle cross bike such as the Genesis Vagabond, which I'll also deck out for touring, for those places even I'm not insane enough to try on the Brompton...
J
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