Hey guys! I'm really wondering how necessary it is to have a proper good bike. Of course, it does part of the heavy lifting, and you'd get longer distance quicker. But does it really matter if you have a mediocre bike that can carry you forward?
What upgrades to a regular city bike are truly necessary for bikepacking to you?
Hey Friends,
first some quick words on me and then see what I have in mind and if that makes any sense or if I'm being delusional:
I want to do the following route (all tarmac), carry as little luggage as possible and no riding in the dark. I'll stay at hotels (3 nights)
What's your view around:
| Start | Goal | KM | D+ | D- | km/h | Time on bike | Rest off bike | Time (gross) | Sleep | Buffer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| München | Sölden | 180 | 2.300 | 1.500 | 19,6 | 00:08:44 | 00:03:00 | 00:11:44 | 00:07:00 | 00:05:16 |
| Sölden | Bozen | 150 | 4.100 | 5.200 | 19,6 | 00:08:57 | 00:03:00 | 00:11:57 | 00:07:00 | 00:05:03 |
| Bozen | Landeck | 203 | 3.700 | 3.200 | 19,6 | 00:10:48 | 00:03:00 | 00:13:48 | 00:07:00 | 00:03:12 |
| Landeck | München | 193 | 1.800 | 2.100 | 19,6 | 00:08:20 | 00:03:00 | 00:11:20 | 00:07:00 | 00:05:40 |
| Total | 726 | 11.900 | 12.000 | 00:36:49 | 00:48:49 |
I’m not completely sure how long the trip was because our km tracker broke down the 3rd day, but counting back it was around 350 km altogether. The trip was 8 days for us: 6 days biking, 1 day waiting for the rain to stop pouring like it’s the end of the world, and one day chilling in Linz 😇
We were lucky to experience every single weather conditions within a week so that’s something I guess. 🫠😄
Getting food was an unexpected challenge in mid April. If you go before May, it’s unlikely that the guesthouses and restaurants will be open on this route.
It was a lot of fun though! Very scenic, family friendly and easy route. Some parts get boring but we were looking for something simple as our season opener.
Up next: West Loop Slovenia 😎
Hey hey!
I am finding myself overseas for work and am taking the opportunity to take my bike and tour around Asia.
My rough plan is
- bike east side of Taiwan from north to south, train back to Taipei
- Seoul to Busan on four rivers route
- ferry to Japan
- train from Fukuoka to start of Shimanami Kaido
- ferry from end of Shimanami Kaido to Osaka
- bike Osaka to Tokyo
- end!
I have about four weeks to do this so I am planning to use trains where necessary if I need to speed things up or I want to spend more time in each place.
I have never been to Asia before so I am expecting to rely on Google translate A LOT.
I will be there in July which is not great timing for the heat so I'll see how I go.
I have a Surly Midnight Special with 650b 2.1 gravel tyres and some fork attachments. I'll have a front roll, two fork bags, top tube bag and saddle bag. Might get a pannier rack fitted in Taiwan to make room for some more clothes, camera etc.
Any recommendations for me? 😎
Hey everyone! I’ll be doing a multi-day bike ride from DC to NYC early July. Should I be worried about how hot it’s going to be throughout the trip? What are the best ways you cool down and stay safe in hot weather? Thank you!
Hey everyone,
I’m currently rebuilding my entire bikepacking setup and would love to hear your recommendations, more precise for a Canyon Grizl.
A few years ago I bought a Restrap setup and unfortunately ended up pretty disappointed. Stability, handling, and all the fiddling around on the road eventually just became annoying. This time I want to do it properly and invest in gear that actually works well long term.
At the moment I already have the Canyon fork cages mounted up front, and for the seat pack I’m strongly leaning toward the Ortlieb seat pack (“Arschrakete”). The quick-release system just seems extremely well thought out and stable.
What handlebar bag would you currently recommend? It’s important to me that it mounts securely, has as little sway as possible, and keeps a clean, minimalist look (ideally completely black).
The harder part is the frame bag. I’d really like a full frame bag for the Grizl. I really like Cyclite in terms of looks and overall concept, but the price for the custom frame bag is pretty brutal.
What alternatives would you recommend? I’m looking for something with a really good fit for the Grizl. Maybe some of you have already found good options.
Curious to hear your experiences :)
I've been going camping all my life (50+ years) and never paid much attention to sleeping bag ratings and we have a motley collection here of various bags. Now that I'm getting more into bikepacking, I'd like to get a higher quality sleeping bag that's less bulky / heavy.
If a bag is rated for 40° F, does that mean it'll be at the edge of comfortable at that temperature and going lower the bag just won't keep up? Also, does that mean that if it's maybe 60° F out, the bag will be sweltering and uncomfortable? What's the rating really mean?
These higher end lightweight sleeping bags are expensive and I'd like to just get ONE that is going to be suitable for the sort of camping I envision I'll be doing. I don't see myself going out in the deeper winter, so I'd say my experience will likely be in the 45° nights and upwards.
In advance, thanks for your advice, help, criticism, recommendations, and terrible jokes.
Any recommandation? Looks on point.
Almost 4 liters of water, everything else fit well.
Here we are, that’s my bike and i’m suffering for the frame. I bought it just to going from home to work and same some gas money. Actually i want to gravelize it and maybe change color . Any suggestion?
Wanted to try bikepacking with a quick overnighter somewhere accessible by train from Brooklyn. During research, came across u/ifuckedup13 dropping knowledge on the area.
Long story short, I reached out for advice and they built me an entire route that absolutely rocked. Gorgeous scenery, nice blend of surfaces, and an amazing dispersed campsite on top of a waterfall. A perfect trip for our first time out.
Just wanted to shout out this act of kindness and communal stoke. It's fun to dial in gear and get tech-y about everything, but all you really need to do this shit is some friends to figure it out with.
Just finished the first shakedown ride for my trip round the Scottish Highlands in June. Some minor fine tuning but all good.
Pictures from my trip to Corsica with my Puch Elegance from 1985 with a 3 speed Torpedo and coaster brake.
Hi all,
I'm looking for a long-sleeve snap-button down shirt for bikepacking for tropical weather, something pretty much exactly like these two;
But the Cognative one doesn't seem to be made anymore, and the Orionride company is getting some pretty shitty reviews...
Any other suggestions?
Here's a picture of my bike for an overnighter in a sleeping bag. Quick 320km in April of this year. That's my tax.
I have a saddle bag from AliExpress which worked but isn't great. I think I would prefer the stability of a rack mounted bag or panniers but except for the Ortlieb Quick Rack I'm not aware of many options that would work with a non-thru axle bike.
Another benefit is that panniers are more useful for commuting compared to just bags.
Are there any good, ideally budget, options?
I bought a wahoo element v1 used for 50 euro and im been using it for a half year. Its a good navigation system but i got a question in mind . If i go like 700 km in 3 days and the second day i don't have internet access how do you upload the daily ride or if something comes of how can i change it my destination?
Hey everone, I have a road bike (Cube Attain SL 2022) that I mainly used for competition. And this summer I want to join some friends for a bike trip for a few days. I wanted to know if it was possible to install any sort of rack on the back of the bike that is easily removable. I don't see any eyelets on my back frame so I think any traditional rack is not an option; But would like to have your thoughts and experiences on this matter.
Thank you in advance for your help.
I'm looking at the Genesis CdF 20 or 30 and I'm struggling to work out whether to go with the M or L.
I'm 5ft 10cm or 178cm (rounded up). The size chart has an overlap between the M and L.
M going up to people 180cm
L starting for people 176cm.
What do you think would be the better sizing, unfortunately getting to a shop and trying is near impossible.
I've asked in here as it will be predominately used for bikepacking (if that makes a difference).
TiA 🙏
Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some advice before pulling the trigger on a gravel bike.
I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to the Cinelli Zydeco Washboard Allday (Shimano CUES 2x9).
My situation:
Budget: max ~€2000
Main use: bikepacking + long gravel rides (Belgium/Ardennes, some mixed terrain, nothing extreme MTB-level)
I want something reliable and simple, not a high-maintenance race build
I also prefer no carbon frame (personal preference)
Its a nice design: not too generic like some entry-level gravel bikes i found)
What I’m unsure about:
Mechanical disc brakes (are they limiting for loaded breaking?)
Tire clearance being closer to 40 mm in practice?
Whether I should instead go for something like a Kona Rove, Trek Checkpoint ALR, or Focus Atlas for better specs?
So my question is basically:
Is the Washboard Allday a solid bikepacking choice, or am I sacrificing too much in specs/performance for the looks?
Thanks in advance!
Hello fellow bicycle gang,
I’ve never bikepacked and looking to get into it. I want to plan a trip this coming weekend. I have a road bike and a mountain bike but no panniers or bicycle rack. I am an experienced backpacker and camper.
I don’t want to be cheap but I also don’t want to spend money on panniers and end up not liking it. I do however have a my backpacking pack and was wondering if that was okay to use? I’m doing a 5mi biking trip to the coast a little south of bodega bay in CA.
Any advice is welcome!