{"id":203378,"date":"2025-04-24T20:31:29","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T20:31:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/adventure\/essential-gear-for-bikepacking-adventures\/"},"modified":"2025-04-24T20:31:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T20:31:29","slug":"essential-gear-for-bikepacking-adventures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=203378","title":{"rendered":"Essential Gear for Bikepacking Adventures"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Essential<\/p>\n

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Bikepacking is essentially backpacking on a bicycle. Our fearless leader Henry Brydon offers this handy explanation of what you need (and need to leave behind) for an awesome bikepacking adventure.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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The idea is that you distill your worldly possessions down to your absolute essentials, stuff them into a couple of (ideally waterproof)\u00a0bags and then head off the beaten path. Simple. <\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019re able to do a tonne more kms than you would if you were hiking<\/a>, along roads that are inaccessible for other vehicles. Perfection.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"We<\/a><\/p>\n

@al_humphreys<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Bikepacking Essentials<\/h2>\n

Thanks to the nutty gear boffins who tinker, tweak and transform; ultra lightweight and affordable bikes\/gear are now much more readily available, paving (or should I say, unpaving) the way for an influx of curious explorers to try out a new and wildly exciting hobby.<\/p>\n

So whether you\u2019re after a local overnight trip or an epic cross-country trail ride, bikepacking<\/a> opens up a new world of adventure for all. The trick of course, is to save weight without compromising safety.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having spent <\/span>22 months bicycle-touring around the world, I\u2019m able to impart some degree of experience to this mode of travel \u2013 I didn\u2019t clock up over 37,000km of dirt and some seriously debilitating saddle sores to serve you up useless gear tips!<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"We<\/a><\/p>\n

@al_humphreys<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

1. A Bike<\/h2>\n

You\u2019re not going to get very far on a bikepacking trip without a bike, and so it\u2019s deservedly at the top of this gear list.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now within reason, any bike that you can mount racks or storage bags to is capable of a bikepacking adventure. However, given the fact that terrain varies from forest paths to fire trails, single track to gravelly country roads; it\u2019s wise to use a bike that is capable of handling this diversity comfortably, safely and reliably. <\/span><\/p>\n

The most common choice is therefore a rigid fork (or lock-out suspension) 29er mountain bike with disc brakes. For those that want the ability to bikepack but also have something for inner city commuting, the\u00a0<\/span>Reid Granite\u00a0is a great option.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong> What is a Gravel Bike?<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"Essential<\/p>\n

2. Gear Carrying<\/h2>\n

There are a number of ways and fixtures with which you can mount luggage to a bicycle, the trick of course is to avoid carrying a lot of weight on your back and shoulders. By keeping it off your body and lower to the ground, you\u2019ll be increasing the odds of a more comfortable, better handling ride, whilst dramatically decreasing the likelihood of becoming a hunchback in later life.<\/p>\n

Traditionally, bicycle tourers have used panniers that clip onto racks above the rear wheel, as well as a handlebar bag for daily essentials (e.g. camera, sweeties, bum moisturiser). The trouble is of course, the more opportunity you give yourself to pile on extra gear the more you\u2019ll do it!<\/span><\/p>\n

As the wonderful <\/span>Tom Allen<\/a><\/span> perfectly asserts: ‘It seems to me that ultralight bikepacking is, for the most part, the art of leaving things behind. Stripping things down to their barest essentials. Not buying gear.’<\/span><\/p>\n

As bikepacking evolves faster than an EU debate, enthusiasts are now going lighter and more streamlined; skipping racks and panniers for seat, frame and handlebar bags, strapping and tightening everything on meticulously in order to reduce drag and maximise speed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong> Osprey Makes Bikepacking Bags Now and We Took Them for a Spin<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

@mattiejgould<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

3. Tools<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve ever found yourself stranded in the rain with a flat tire and no puncture repair kit, you probably appreciate that feeling of frustrating under-preparedness, the inner fury flamed by your own stupidity.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are only a few things to pack to avoid this tear-jerking distress, and it goes something like this:<\/span><\/p>\n