Bikepacking Setup Guide - Essential advice and tips for your first adventure 

Sounds great!

9:20 he does mention the stove

@@julesnfriends thanks, you are correct. I don't know how I missed it!

Yes, I've often wondered why people dont really use a rear rack and a small set of panniers and a bag (or tent etc) on the top. Seems more practical, quite probably cheaper and as you say it really doesn't add much weight (maybe 700-800g)

Bike packing bags are often quite heavy, because they have to be stiff on their own, especially the under seat bags. A light aluminum rack and bag strapped to the top would be lighter, and just as aero. And it won't away around like seat bags always do. Same thing in the front, you can strap anything to an aluminum demi porteur rack, and it won't interfere with using the tops of your bars or get messed up with the cables. You also won't have straps rubbing the paint off your frame...

I agree. It made me laugh when this guy said the key point of the bar bag was that it was low and therefore didn't affect stability. His definitions of low and high are different to mine. There seemed to be a bit of a mismatch between what was described as being in some of the bags, even as a bare minimum, and the size of the bag. They obviously have TARDIS like properties. In the same way that I recall a Scandinavian saying they don't have a term for 'wild swimming', they just call it swimming, we have to suffer gravel bike riders thinking that they've invented cycle touring😂.

whats the difference between the two?

I'd rather have the comforts and privacy of a hotel tbh. Premier Inns let you keep your bike in the room.

@@Bungle2010 it's a good option if you have the budget!

I take it you never found out the size of the frame bag ? I was interested as well.

Julian hawker, dock leaves are for nettle stings.

Follow his advise of putting the heavy items towards the seat post and you will be fine. Consider that even carbon saddles are designed to carry riders that weigh ~110kg, and 5kg in the saddle bag, will only contribute little to the total load on the rails.

@@TheMrDannyGee thx just saw your comment. Didn’t get notified!

I just got back from doing my first bikepacking trip the other day, the Cantii Way. I took panniers (convertible trunk bag), because that's what I already had. It worked pretty well for that route as it consists of a lot paved surfaces, but on the (fairly tame) off road bits there was a lot of rattling. I suspect that on a ride with a majority of off road, especially rougher (and narrow) stuff, bikepacking bags would be better.

@@Bungle2010 how was it? I got quite emotional when I finished my 1st ride.

Yep, thereabouts. Maybe a little bit less.

@@nicklewiscycling thanks! God forbid that it gets stolen while at the 7-Eleven lol

5000€ would be a better fit. In General Bike cost + 1000€

@@nicklewiscycling that’s a real concern, I just can’t seem to fit a proper chain/cable lock into the bags on long trips and it sucks not being to stop and do anything you can’t bring the bike along. Best I managed was wearing a bike chain and lock around my waist like a mad max fashion belt...worked for shorter days and on level ground, don’t think I could do anything to hard with the extra weight and discomfort

The Grizl costs 4700€ with Di2. I don't think the bags and stuff cost more than 5k :-)

@@vaughanbbrean71 And you went off road with that did you?

😀😀agree 100%, this is just a silly fad, carrier bolted to the frame, panniers small medium or large mounted low, worry less about the weight carried and more about centre of gravity, it was all worked out decades ago and will still be the best way to carry gear long after thei nonsense has gone out of fasion

@@Bungle2010 No I use a modified Giant Escape hybrid with front lock out suspension, rear carrier bolted to the frame, 700x38C tyres and a handlebar bag and Panniers, I have 3 sets, small medium and large depending on how much weight I want to carry, keep the weight low

Because you lose power and efficiency doing that

​@@GoldenGod69are you concerned about power and efficiency on a bikepack trip, is it a race?

Hiking sneakers and flat pedals work well.

It’s a Giro Helios and there’s a link in the description to find out more 👍

@@davidarthur Thanks David👍🏻

Where?

Decent locks are heavy. I think most people just carry a lightweight one that only has opportunist deterrent value.

It would totally work to just get a backpack. The issue is just that backpacks get really uncomfortable if you're wearing them for a long time. Not great for your back either if you have a bike where you ride in a bent over position like this guy.

A rucksack is ok for a day ride, but I wouldn't want to wear a necessarily heavy one for days on end.......

TOTALLY agree, I have ridden my trusty Dawes Super galaxy thousands of miles with sturdy rear carrier and low rider front bags, dont worry too much about weight as its surprising just how well the bike handles properly loaded like guys worked out decades ago :-)

On the bike the lighter it is the better. That's just a fact.

@@Bungle2010 Thanks for chiming in only to move the goalposts. I never wrote that heavier is better. I wrote that I disagree that "the essence of bikepacking" is "streamlining your setup as much as possible to keep the weight as low as possible". That's an opinion, and one that might not be so widely shared in the bikepacking community. The lighter the gear, the more expensive the gear. That's just a fact. Bringing along extra gear, like extra rain gear or wool socks, may help you through difficult days and nights on the road. Bringing along more creature comforts, like a camp chair or a waterproof Bluetooth speaker, may increase your enjoyment and encourage you to bikepack more often. The essence of bikepacking is to enjoy yourself, not injure yourself, and have a good time so you continue the hobby. That's an opinion. Other than being a complete non sequitur, your comment was spot on, I guess?

I did a bike packing tour last September into October and I was trying to go as light as possible and last min decided to hell with it and took extra gear / clothes/ and boy was I relieved I did .... it was crazy cold one of the nights and I had every piece of clothing on..... On my next tour I'm a bit wiser again and will defo scrap the light weight race.... I have to say tho I absolutely loved it...

I still got my rear ortlieb panniers .since 2007 .still going strong. First trip back then . absolutely had to much crap .but what a 6 month trip to Europe. Cycling is so fantastic.cheers to having fun 🚲🍺

When showing the contents of the bag which contains what he might need during the day, the food comprised one flapjack. Hope he eats a massive breakfast😊.

Less?