Bikepacking With A Full-Suspension Bike

In our latest video, Neil talks about his experience bikepacking on a full-suspension bike. He walks through examples of when he uses one, the upsides, downsides, and offers some tips to help improve your full-suspension bike trips. He also shares thoughts on a few bikepacking-friendly full-suspension bikes that are currently on the market.

Outline
When To Use A Full Suspension Bike: 1:18
Characteristics (Upside) Of A Full-Suspension Bike: 2:04
Downsides Of Using A Full-Suspension Bike: 4:03
Full-Suspension Bikepacking Tips and Tricks: 6:32
Full-Suspension Bike Options: 10:26

Bike Options

-------------
Hosted by Neil Beltchenko

[bapbob]

Finally someone who promotes full suspension bikepacking ! I do it all the time and even on flat terrain it could be worth it !

[Grrg]

Having lockouts for when you're not on the trail is really helpful too

Great video. With my Scott Spark I have increased rear shock pressure and carried a bag with 8 kg without touching the tire. Of course the suspension lock is a must.

[andrewthemaker]

Great info as always Neil! From a bag makers perspective one thing I’d add is that since the frames typically have more stand over you can have a custom bag made wider than on a hard tail without worrying much about leg rub issues. One other thing that most people don’t realize is that you can run a rack on a full suspension. There aren’t many, but I’d highly recommend the Old Man Mountain.

[TmanTorin]

Thanks a ton for the info. Been bikepacking on a 12 year old customized hardtail which works amazing but just bought a Santa Cruz Tallboy. Time for some dual suspension and need to learn more on setting it up. Great video and thanks for your insight! 👍🏻

[macktastic]

I used to believe full squish wasn't for bikepacking, until I got passed by a few in the Arizona Trail race (Neil included).

[StudQBeefpile]

This also applies to hardtails. Only pack your stuff in bags attached directly to the bike. Do not use piggyback or accessory bags that attach to the bags that are attached to your frame (i.e. only use handlebar and seat bags - don’t attach accessory bags to your handlebar or seat bags). These accessory bags’ straps will loosen over time on rough (e.g. MTB) terrain and rub your tires, which at a minimum, is distracting, and at worst can dislodge and wedge between your tire and fork or frame and send you over the bars.

[sush]

I did the Bull and Jake loop in northern Georgia on my 2019 tallboy. It was my first time bikepacking so I didn’t think too much about changing my suspension but I did add some clicks of compression to my fork and put the climb switch on my rear shock to the middle setting and it worked really well with no issue, even with my dropper post down a little I didn’t get tire rub and my front end felt supple and supportive

[brettfoster]

Bike packing on my full suspension Trek Liquid that’s 23 years old, I’m using a top tube bike Bro’s bag, gas tank, & 4 bottle carriers with a Rev holster seat bag .Arizona rocks

[sugarfreejulie]

Fullsus bike is great for bikepacking! Neil, thanks for your video. Such a valuable resource for info and guide.

[sfryer]

I found I could use a half frame bag (Apidura) on top of the top tube then used frame space for bottles - worked well.. This was with an S-Works full sus Epic. Toured Tasmania and NZ for three months with this setup, plus Apidura Handlebar and Saddle packs.

[Stevenblue]

Totally agree, for some areas like Colorado I couldn’t imagine riding here without a rear suspension. I rock the ovega negra pack with the wolf tooth valais

[Squirrel_Rides]

Thank you for drawing attention to the plight of the vertically-challenged, tiny-frame-riding, singletrack-loving, dropper-post-using bikepacker. I haven’t found a perfect solution for space yet (even on my hardtail, depending on the length of the route, thanks to itty bitty front triangles and low saddle heights), but it sure is fun to experiment!

[terrybuccambuso]

Just finished the Divide on a Giant Anthem. Having full suspension for the rough parts and front/rear lockouts for smooth/climbing was a game changer for me. Very efficient, yet comfortable.

[yankohristov]

Very informative, thank you for creating this video !

[Swayndo]

Used my Hightower on the CL300 last year and it was absolutely the right tool. I wasn't massively scientific about the extra pressure but I did test it with the bags on before I went and it was great. As well as handling the roughness of some of the descents it made spinning along rough Landy tracks much more bearable. Already planning for a honed repeat in 2021.

[schleusnerr]

I appreciate this video, thank you! I'm trying to get into bikepacking, but I'd love to use my current full-suspension since I'll only be doing 2-3 nights. Definitely got the confidence to save my money towards new packs and gear rather than a gravel bike. Plus I know my bike very well and know it's rock solid in the middle of nowhere.

[plscott]

Good advice. I learned this over the last 7 years. Nearly all my bikepacking was on full suspension. Trance was first and now a tallboy. I do put on fork cages when route needs it. I'll use hip pack for extra water before a backpack. I seldom carry a shock pump. All things depend on the route conditions and my available gear.

[reeceholmes]

great stuff, full suspension looks so damn cool too, thanks man

[offroad]

Thank You! I'm going to get my first full suspension for my bikepacking trips after years on a hardtail. Its not that I don't like my hardtail, but I need something more comfortable for long journeys, and I also like to ravage those nasty fire-roads as fast as I can. I'm leaning towards the Trek Fuel Ex 8 cause it has a more travel than an XC bike and you can still lock the suspension if you’re riding in a smoother road.