6 Ways To Save Weight On Your Bikepacking Rig 

The flute is actually a genius idea. Save weight by not carrying food or a tent, and use the flute to get free food and shelter.

A bit late watching/commenting on here, but on my first bike packing trip with a friend from the UK to Morocco ten years ago, my friend purchased a full size soccer ball in Bordeaux as we thought it would be great around the campsite. He carried it to Morocco strapped to the top of his rack and we used it ZERO times.

Fairy lights to spice up camp and make for great pictures!

I’ll tell you what I didn’t bring on my first bikepacking trip to save weight, my sleeping bag. Guess what, turned out to be colder than I thought it was going to be. My emergency space blanket helped but damn that thing was crunchy and noisey while I tossed and turned trying to stay warm...

I’m 200 pounds.. I need to drop 40 so I’m not going to worry about a few ounces of gear when I really just need to stop eating pizza and burgers every night. Lol

In the 90's we would do overnight rides. Strap tent poles to crossbar, tent to handlebars. (Using bungy chords.) All light stuff in backpack, inc stove. (No panniers or racks.) It was quite flat where we lived to be fair but we tried to stick to farmers fields and public right of way trails / paths. (UK.) Very happy memories.

Not so much ridiculous but necessary. I started bike touring in the early 70's. I didn't have the money the "rich kids" had, so panniers were not an option. All my gear went into my external frame backpacking pack. I was riding my parent's hand-me-down touring bike from the 50's. High tech for the time with a Reynolds 531 frame and changeable rear sprockets on the Sturmey Archer hub. But I had a great time and enjoyed myself which is what's most important.

Prioritize on shelter, clothes and sleep kit before bike specific stuff. If you would ever go backpacking instead of bikepacking those items are nice to have for different purposes. For instance I would rather have a power bank than a dynamo hub. Multi use items. Look for a head lamp that has a red light function so it is your (backup) rear bike light as well. Heck, put your head lamp under a filled bottle and it is a cozy camp light. Your sit pad could be an extra insulation layer beneath your sleeping pad. A buff is also a pillowcase. I once saw a guy that used his rolled up sleeping pad as arm rests for his aero bars.

A lot of reviewers on RU-vid say that the more space you have for gear, the more stuff you're inclined to take but I've never found that. After all, common sense dictates that weight is weight whether you cram your kit into small bags or stash it in bigger ones (although obviously I agree big bags weigh more). Personally I prefer to have some additional packing space on my rig, especially on longer trips into unknown territory, as it generally makes it easier to pack and access gear, and leaves room for food and water resupply just in case plans go awry. I suspect we have not seen the death of panniers for bikepacking, especially with the lighter racks and bags now available.

Always have to save weight for a 6 pack!

When I was still photographing on film, I once went bikepacking with a Bronica SQ-A medium format camera with three lenses and two film backs. Also 20 rolls of 120 film, which takes up quite a bit of space. It was fun riding up 4000 m mountain passes with that kit, but hey, I got some cool photos.

I don’t know that I feel that it is ridiculous but other might. I take my knitting with me, usually I take a small project like socks or hat so usually less then 100g or yarn plus knitting needles 😆. My husband rolls his eyes at me but he knows I’ll sit and knit at camp so he’s just giving me a hard time out of good fun.

I want to see more of that van!

Things I'll do differently after my first GDMBR ride: Switch from 27.5 x 2.8 to 29 x 2.3 and go tubeless Leave the suspension fork shock at home Inflatable pillow often at odds with sleeping pad. Rolled up thermal shirt, while heavier, worked better Headlamp - only need it if rolling into camp after dark. Bike headlight worked fine 99% of the time for most tasks. Freeze-dried food is only fun for a day or two. In fact, it about did me in between Union Pass and Pinedale, WY. Even something benign like chicken fried rice was too much after a while Powder mixes for water. Get the unflavored. Chamois butter. 8 oz was overkill. I'll choose a few of the single packets instead

1extra kilogram on bike is 1% slower uphill speed. Even if your whole day is all uphill you save 1min per 1hr40min or 5mins in almost 8 hrs. Now make it 15mins. 3kg of weight can be difference of 10kg cheap €1.5k euro grx Vs €20k euro custom bike that weights 7kg. €18.5k for 15mins in 8 hours of constant uphill day(almost impossible to find such place) edit: to avoid myself being accused of making "unrealistic example" 800€ difference of carbon Vs aluminum wheels (let's say it's 300g difference) which makes it to 0.3% difference in uphill speed(or 5min*0.3(tada it's 90sec or 1min 30sec in 8 hrs)) 90sec per day for €800 in unrealistic conditions

Keeping items that are only for one use I try to stay away from, and keeping track of the gear I didn’t use on the last trip

Very helpful! This is a conversation I have a lot with my customers when they are deciding what gear to order. If they haven’t invested in the down bag and light tent I encourage them to do so before ordering custom bags. Thanks again Neil!

Loved, “I do my research” (6:16). Pack for your exact trip, not every contingency. Weigh all your gear on a cheap kitchen scale.

Brought a camping mirror that shattered in my bag the first day of the trip. That’s what I deserved for deciding at the last minute that I was vain enough to care about my appearance on a bike trip.

Lol even later than Robs comment, my girlfriend and I first went biking together with our 50-60L backpacking bags with our non-UL gear including a three person tent. The bikes we chose were fixed gear bikes and my frame was an old track bike that had a very short top tube..... track bike + backpacking bag does not mix well. Nonetheless it rained the entire time and my 5d mkII stopped working due to water damage. My girlfriend has yet to try bikepacking again, but my gear has evolved into a salsa cutthroat with all of the nice UL gear. Thanks for all of your great content!

I am new to bikepacking, no stories . . . but I will list some things I plan to bring (I will be bringing a trailer as my assistance dog will be going with me) my colored pencils and a coloring book or two! they help me relax when I am stressed, my dog, I have a first aid/survival kit to kill for, lights, tent, sleeping bag, food, stove ( three ways to cook food), two water filters, sleeping pad (if I can find one light enough) a cot, my dog's stuff (extra leash, collar, service dog vest, food, tie-out leash and screw in stake, harness, his sleeping bag, bowls (silicone weights nothing), my electronics, solar generator and panel, my chair (weights less than a pound), tables (also weight less than a pound), and a few other things. Most of this I also take kayak camping (yup including dog). So, I know what it weighs. the heaviest thing out of this will be the dog and water. As he can't run the whole time I am riding I need the trailer for him to ride in. I plan to train him to jump in and out using hand signals. When I approach towns I will get off and zip him in to save from him being attacked by stray dogs.

Carbon “bits” save 1.5 pounds- quite a bit Tent weighs 2.5 pounds- not that much

I carry Legos on my rig! My Moostreks panniers needed some internal stiffening, so I used a Lego build plate (or baseplate) as the backing, along with some 2x16 flat Lego pieces to help remove some of the flex. They fit perfectly and worked well!

Just starting to get into bike packing so I dont have any stories from that yet, but my first backpacking trip I brough a huge knife and collaspible saw. Maybe I was thinking I would need to make a shelter? Who knows it did not leave my backpack though lol

Wait... did you say an Electric Razor at the end there? RyanVanDuzer is that you lol

I'm used to hiking, camping, and trail running for our RU-vid channel. Trying to convert my old Fuji Touring bike for bikepacking videos to see more of the outdoors each day. Enjoyed the video. Learning again about another way to enjoy the outdoors. Subscribed to your channel.

Im totally bringing separate camp shoes this summer. But i found some water shoes that are basically just a really light sole.

It seems to me we have too many bags with too many straps and flaps and heavy fabric. I understand the need for durability, but 8oz of bag to hold 32oz or less seems nuts. Smaller bags just mean more fabric to hold less stuff. Just show some discipline -- maybe practice packing only what fits in several small bags, but then put it into fewer, bigger bags.

Never been a fan of the Weight Weenie philosophy. You're on a bicycle, get out of your mind...I gotta get a bunch of miles in. Instead, ENJOY each mile and RELAX. The experience is what is important, not the distance. I have a recumbent trike, with Ortlieb classic roller panniers. My total gear weight is 41ish lbs. Not including food and water. For long distance touring. For just a night or three. I would carry approximately 10 lbs at the most; not including food and water. I live in Arizona, so a lot of water is needed.

Telescoping fishing pole!

Congrats on this kinda content. Well explained and non scary approach for beginners. Kudos from Chile!

i dont even bike pack. im a mountain biker. still watched the whole video XD

My archery gear. It’s essential.

Thanks for the overall overview! it's great. My questions for the Gurus: 1) How to spread the weight on a bike ( is it better to load the front sus folk with cages or panniers )?? 2) or/ and Rig on a seat and or panniers on a rear? I have a handlebar bag + 2 water holders + a frame bag and a seat post bag. Planning the 700km with (9000m of elevation and descent) 65%/35% off and on the road via small towns and villages ( wild camping ) within 6 days + 2 to get there and back). Your suggestions of how to spread the weight and what works for you will be great. My bike is an MTB 29er XL, 16kg already. ( will try to swap the wheels and tires from MTb to gravel and from 2.6' to 1.75/2')

Not bikepacking but on my first backpacking trip I brought a gallon jug of water (camped next to a stream), a tailgating chair (+5lbs), a massive speaker, and a 8.9lb backpack… after 1/4 of a mile I was dying and I brought literally everything except blister care so I was destroyed after the 21 miles.

I am guilty of the large hunting knife as well. I am 63 and back in the day everyone in the “bush” carried a big hunting knife. A fry pan, a small one but still it doesn’t get much use. LOTS of water, I pack my fears. I ran out on the first day of my first bikepacking trip years ago, it was close to 100* all afternoon, never got over it.

Would love to try this! I use a paneer rack with bags but I like this setup

The ultralight backpacking crowd have refined weight saving to an art form. A common move is to replace sleeping bags with "quilts". This can often save nearly a pound. The other good part is that they are available from cottage makers, like Enlightened Equipment, using reasonably paid American labor rather than the slave labor used in China by the big commercial brands. Although I like the idea of not carrying camp shoes, I find on longer multi-day trips that my feet can get sore, especially in the ball just over the cleat. Getting a break in camp with a different shoe seems to eliminate that problem.

Ayyyeeee! The shout out, love it!

Great video ! Thank You

You are awesome. So good. Thanks brother.

Good tips, thanks. Just the title had me weighing 2 cups; the 1 I “want” to bring, & the 1 I need (hey, it saves ~100 grams!) Ride on!

I brought a cotton tent weighting in over 14 Kilograms, for 4 people, while camping alone. As for my first trip in 1989, and a complete windsurfing gear on a trailer behind. And actually it was doable, the plank carried most f the load and the carriage for it was pretty good. I did that on a Gazelle bike to Leekster Meer (lake of a town called Leek, the Netherlands). Altogether I think it weighted about 125 - 130 Kilograms. Finding out I didn't need to bring the tent, since my friend hired a camp spot with tent included. Of course it was outsourced with cooking stuff and so onward, which I brought along as well. @.o

That shot when you were talking about long johns made my skin crawl with all the bugs. Oof.

Hey! That van looks really similar to my build. Can you share a quick tour?

On my first trip I brought a 10oz glass jar of chicken stock concentrate. I used one full tablespoon of it. The tent advice is noteworthy - just the cost is tough to swallow.

I didn't carry it but I was greatful... cast iron skillet and steak

Hammock and a good rain fly with a good bivy sac and a down bag.

BEC Members bring a full cocktail bar... Rocks glasses, ice, simple syrup, bitters, oranges and a handle of Pappy or Blantons. Cheers.

Compact filtration system (like the BeFree) over a bulkier Gravity filter. 1.8mm cord over paracord for a bear hang. Tyvek sleeping bag + long Johns in the summer is way lighter and more versatile than a standard sleeping bag.

I once had a very fancy bottle of red wine in my bag while i had to climd the muur van Geraardsbergen, and after that some more of the famous cobble climbs like bosberg etc.

2021 Salsa Timberjack looks great! I just picked one up too. Who did you order your frame bag from? Thinking about getting a custom one made for my bike too.

While its nice to save weight when we can, l don't worry so much as long as I have the things that matter most. As a rule I don't need to know what it all weighs. I just don't want to come up short.

5:09 I don't envy that! Miss ya'll!

step 1, switch from beer to whiskey. step 2 decide why not both. step 3 embrace #partypace

My moto is only bring items that have two or more uses. Another one is travel light and freeze at night. Water is second only to oxygen for life. Carry enough water and always assume the next ware source is closed. Water is weight on the bike A pint is a pound (16oz) the world round. Never empty a water bottle until you taste the water at your next stop. I work off a four page master check list based on every item I have ever used on a trip since 1970. My bike load runs from 16 to 25lbs What I take is based on the objectives of the trip and time of year. The heaviest loads are during the shoulder seasons as an example a late winter early spring trip the mid continental temperature can have a 60F to 70 F swing in two days. and wind that seem to always head wind at 10 to 40mph. It can rain and snow, and hot an cold and wind all in one day. The only shoe I bring is the Keen sandals with toe cover a seasonal socks for bike and camp.

I haven't done my first trip yet but I'm determined not to have anything hanging off the bars or front of the bike, I have the rest of the bags and it still seems I will have room to spare after a few trial packs of what I think I need. We will see, I'm sure there will be last minute items 😁

Seriously, thanks.

Hi Neil, what kind of red and blue shirt are you wearing in the video? It's cool looking and the longer short sleeves are useful

Medium size Panasonic Boombox, medium dry bag full of cassette tapes, medium dry bag full of D batteries, 1 Guanaco skull, ancient Ming Guan Dao battle sword. Yikes.

A stainless steel Bialetti espresso pot (two cup) and some home-ground coffee with cloves, cardamom and cinnamon... Only a three day trip though. Still looking for a practical way to take some honey... :)

My kit totals around 7kg. I've dieted and lost around a similar weight. However, I can't convince myself that the ride quality is any better.

I pick up interesting stones. I am really proud of my collection.

What items are you packing that are your fears?

9:06 Electric Razor.... Ryan Van Duzer?

Loosing weight, combined with a lighter bike and minimalistic travel gear might be a comprehensive combination for lighter bike-packing...

I’m going on a two night trip along the Paul Bunyan Trail in MN. I’m taking my 5 year old in a Weehoo trailer.

Nice

I'm going on a 2000 kilometer bikepacking trip next year and bringing my dog in her trailer 😊

Does anybody bring a book? I'm considering some skinny ones. Also, I'm concerned about the number of devices I'm accumulating - phone, garmin, gopro - that need recharging.

Actually the ducttape makes sense to me

I like to explore my beautiful himalayan state by bikepacking but my steel frame bike too heavy hoew to upgrade to make less weight

Links?

Fist tour across USA I took a thick paperback book and never readied it until I got on the plane home ,2nd trip took a paperback book but as I readied it ripped out the pages.

on my first trip I took a trailer a pilow, full single butane gas stove, a bottle of whiskey 5 cans of coke, fishing rode umm what else was heavy pretty mush everything I took

A jar of peanut butter from Banff to wamsutter. I hate peanut butter.

I wish there was a titanium spork emoji.

I once carried a teeth whitening kit. See you had no such issue

my tip, use miswak instead of a toothbrush (no need for toothpaste and water) and you can use it anytime you want even while riding the bike as you need nothing else

I found a whole roll of gorilla tape leaving slab city

Im on a Trip, but with an 12,9 IPad 😂

Whiskey

Unless you've got very deep pockets most times you're only going to save a few pounds on the kit and as the more techy analysis - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ipENw5mjjSg.html - shows this extra weight really isn't going to cost you much over a days ride - but it might you feel better psychologically which is always part of the equation. Not mentioned, be honest about that image in the mirror - could you lose 10lbs off the waist line? - the benefits go a lot further than just your next ride.

Me? A folding umbrella weighing 1 kg.

Carry only $5s 10s and 20's and tip all your coins along with an appropriate big tip

less strong bike lock

the cheapest way to save weight is to eat less in the weeks before the trip. I shaved 10 pounds off me. Lower food bill. Less fat guy to move around. win-win all the way. Admittedly, I'm nowhere near as sexy as a built out set of i9 rims...

Sharing gear sounds good, but there's always that one idiot who forgets to bring a critical piece.

Fairy lights

The bread 00:35 does not look very healthy.

Reduce weight by getting stronger.

My 50 pounds dog!

when you said you saved 1 pound 7 ounces...I laughed...it's not a lot of weight...and you probably spent near a thousand dollars on those items. not worth it

Go tubeless and don't have any gear to repair it. That's when it doesn't/does make sense

A wheelbarrow. Don't ask......

Always use recyclable disposables. So you don’t need to carry them back home.

I dropped 140 pounds by leaving my wife home...