Mountain bike set ups?

[Dannytsg]

Looking for some inspiration really from anyone who uses their mountain bike to delve deeper into the wilderness. I want to start 2017 off with a few good trips so set ups, recommendations and locations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mrcharly]

How much experience do you have, and what equipment do you have now?

A lot of people using a bike to travel off-road are going for what amounts to elaborate stuff-sacks strapped to the handlebars (like this https://www.alpkit.com/products/airlok-xtra-dual-20-litre) and under the seat.

There are also devices like huge bottle cages that can fasten to your forks but those depend on having the fixings on your forks.

 

[Dannytsg]

How much experience do you have, and what equipment do you have now?

A lot of people using a bike to travel off-road are going for what amounts to elaborate stuff-sacks strapped to the handlebars (like this https://www.alpkit.com/products/airlok-xtra-dual-20-litre) and under the seat.

There are also devices like huge bottle cages that can fasten to your forks but those depend on having the fixings on your forks.

I am in the market for a new bike at the moment however my camping set up is as light as i wish to go with a tarp, hammock, cook kit, jet stove and sleeping bag. As for experience I am a casual biker looking to spend more time outside into the new year.

 

[Madriverrob]

Have a look at Shaun Conway's set up from his UK triathlon .

www.seanconway.com

 

[mrcharly]

I don't do off-road myself. If I did (and I keep having a hankering to do a bit of exploring), I'd be looking at Fat bikes, rather than the sporty stuff. Most of the sporty MTB's are aimed at going fast off-road. If you want to get into wilderness, you need to be able to cross any terrain. That's what fat-tyred bikes were designed to do.

Rather than have fancy suspension, they have big, fat tyres. Minimal impact on the terrain, and they can cross soft ground where lots of other bikes can't. The original was the Surly Pugsley (I have a friend who owns one of those), but they have become more popular and there are cheaper models. There are places that hire them out so you can try before buying.

 

[Madriverrob]

I don't do off-road myself. If I did (and I keep having a hankering to do a bit of exploring), I'd be looking at Fat bikes, rather than the sporty stuff. Most of the sporty MTB's are aimed at going fast off-road. If you want to get into wilderness, you need to be able to cross any terrain. That's what fat-tyred bikes were designed to do.

Rather than have fancy suspension, they have big, fat tyres. Minimal impact on the terrain, and they can cross soft ground where lots of other bikes can't. The original was the Surly Pugsley (I have a friend who owns one of those), but they have become more popular and there are cheaper models. There are places that hire them out so you can try before buying.

Good point , I seem to see a lot more of those about these days .......

 

[andibs]

Have a look at Bear Bones bikepaking web site

Andy

 

[beezer]

yep i have to say fat bike are well worth considering. dont be tempted to carry a large rucksack on a mtb it can make for some dangerous situation such as harder to shift your weight and crash impacts will suck. i dont think full suspension bike will be suitable as its very hard to put any kind of a load on them but you will get a nice soft ride. if your planning on riding on tar roads may be consider a semi fat bike which have thinner but still big tyres.

 

[copper_head]

If you're on Facebook check out the group 'bike and bivvi' lots of good advice and set ups. Just started cycle touring myself last summer, but really would like to get a bike packing set up. The Alpkit Sondor bikes are appealing to me!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1375318136020037/

 

[Trig]

Came to recommend Bearbones Bikepacking, but Andy beat me to it.

Ill one up him though and give you a direct link ! http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/


Depends how small and lightweight your gear is. My personal setup is a 28 litre rucksack,a drybag on the handlebars in a Wildcat harness with tent, and bits'n'pieces in a bag below my seat.
Total capacity about 39 litres. Enough for summer use one/two nighters.


My personal tip though, is make sure your bottom can handle more than 1 day in the saddle. My first overnighter was fine, the ride on the second day not so much...

 

[Lithril]

I'm slowly building my collection of Alpkit luggage, I'm currently setup for extended days but really need the large tail pouch they do if I want to consider an overnighter without taking a rucksack. This is my current setup https://goo.gl/photos/k7Fk9upEPdjnsiJx6

 

[beezer]

a thudbuster seat post might be good investment if you're using a rigid frame

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...gclid=CIvl8LW34NACFXUo0wod0woLXg&gclsrc=aw.ds

it is surprising what a bass can put up with when it used to a lot a saddle time.

 

[Lithril]

That's nice thing is if I was going to spend that I'd be really tempted with a dropper post. This one is a 29er and I find the tyre capacity is so huge I don't find it that much of an issue, not compared to my road bike anyway

 

[shindig]

I mostly use my fatbike for bush-biking. A Surly pugsley. Great bike. Carries a lot of gear. I also have a trailer and sometimes take my ebike.

A suspension seatpost is a must. Makes distance cycling more comfortable.

You can see my setup on my blog http://doricdiversions.com and some more photos on my Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/DoricDiversions/

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Lithril]

I do covert a fat bike, they look great fun.

 

[beezer]

would be a fat bike with a gear hub for me. oh im going weak at the knees just thinking about it.

 

[Macaroon]

would be a fat bike with a gear hub for me. oh im going weak at the knees just thinking about it.

So am I, but I venture to suggest that my weakness has a different cause than yours They look as though they'd take some work to move along, 'though I'm no cyclist.

 

[Lithril]

Interestingly enough the research that has been done says they're actually quite quick, as the tyres are so huge they deform over objects/irregularities in the ground which takes less energy that riding over the top of them.

 

[shindig]

They are surprisingly nimble and roll along very well. Much easier than you'd expect. Due to the bigger wheel and tyres deforming, they roll over stuff easily.

And weight wise they are about the same weight as an average mountainbike. They do become a bit harder to pedal if you put on aggressive treaded tyres though.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[pieinthesky]

Don't be tempted to use this sort of rack

http://www.wheelies.co.uk/images/products/10745_1_SuperSize.jpg

It will break