{"id":160984,"date":"2017-08-31T08:28:54","date_gmt":"2017-08-31T08:28:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=160984"},"modified":"2017-08-31T10:36:18","modified_gmt":"2017-08-31T10:36:18","slug":"get-bike-ready-bikepacking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2017\/08\/31\/get-bike-ready-bikepacking\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Your Bike Ready for Bikepacking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Technology made long bike journeys accessible to everyone. You don\u2019t need a special bike and a lot of equipment like you did for bike touring. A lot has changed with the rise of backpacking, a minimalist way to explore trails and roads on any bike. Let\u2019s look at what you need to get your bike into a bikepacking shape.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You no longer need heavy racks and panniers to go for a weekend adventure on your bike. Bikepacking is all about easy, lightweight travel. All you need is your bike, be it a road bike, mountain bike, or fixie – any will work. Just strap on a few bags, fill them with essentials, make some simple adjustments, and you\u2019re good to go.<\/p>\n

Choose the right bike bags<\/strong><\/h2>\n

All bikepacking bags have a few things in common. They are minimalist compared to a rack-and-pannier setup and they are usually waterproof and very durable. There are several types to choose from, each is best for a different type of load. You don\u2019t need to have all of them, just enough to carry the essentials.<\/p>\n

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Saddle bags will usually carry your overnight gear because they are compressible. Frame bags are the best place for heavier items to maintain a low centre of gravity. Handlebar bags are best for lightweight items to prevent handling problems and top tube bags are great for things you need handy like food and tools as they are easily accessible.<\/p>\n

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Adjust your suspension<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Before you test your fully loaded bike on the trail, it\u2019s advisable to add roughly 10 psi to the rear shock, 5 psi to the front, and up the compression damping slightly to keep the suspension feeling sharp under the increased weight. You might have to play around with it a bit.<\/p>\n

Gear down<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The heavier the load the more pushing you\u2019ll do, unless you gear down. Even those hills you can usually breeze through will seem pretty tough with a fully loaded bike and a whole day of riding behind you. Don\u2019t feel bad going down to a 24-tooth chainring, you\u2019ll thank yourself later.<\/p>\n

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Finding the Stoneman in the Heart of Europe<\/span><\/h3>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n<\/div>\n

Ride Wide<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For heavily loaded bikes, a wider tire footprint makes for a more stable ride, especially on rockier trails. You can experiment with tires from 6 cm to 7,5 cm wide for added comfort and bite.
\nGet ready for a weekend trip<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve got your bike adjusted and bags ready, now it\u2019s time to choose the equipment. First, you\u2019ll need stuff for sleeping – a tent, sleeping bag, and a mat. The smaller and lighter you can afford the better. Spare socks and a raincoat are also a must. Don\u2019t forget hygiene essentials like toothbrush, tooth paste, towel, and a deodorant in case you want to socialize in the evenings. Good lights for the bike as you may be riding late, and a head lamp for the camp site are always a good idea. The usual spare inner tubes and tools are a no-brainer and a charger for your phone won\u2019t go amiss either.<\/p>\n

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Find a detailed kit list for #europecycleworldrecord<\/a> here: https:\/\/t.co\/Y114DfiBcs<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/RwFl9qDERQ<\/a><\/p>\n

— Sean Conway (@Conway_Sean) August 4, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n