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

Bikepacking is really popular right now and if you want to get started, this video should answer all your questions you were too afraid to ask. From what bike to choose to how many bags you need, what to carry for your bikepacking adventure and many other tips and advice, this is the video for you

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[CyclingWithDan]

Planning a 3 day bike packing trip to the Peak District. Perfect timing!!

[treyquattro]

that Grizl does look like an excellent gravel/tourer

[dd]

Well done Dave.
Food: I recommend dehydrated stuff like oats, biltong or dried wors (dehydrated meat), protein powder meals, Back Country freeze dried meals, powder milk etc. Just add hot water, no cooking required.

[jonathangreen]

I agree with earthstick about rack & rack-top bag. Extra weight, only 300-500 grams, is easily compensated by stability and accessibility.

[billwelsh]

Good work on the video, as a light setup. If you have to cook or even heat water, you'll needa pot and stove/fuel. I just came back from my 1st backpacking trip and I carried way more than your video showed. My tent took up a lot of space and I brought multiple changes of cycle wear and minimal street clothing. I was forced to use a rear rack (tent & poles) and one large pannier. For food, I only brought two dehydrated meals and some on board snacks for riding. I have toured (road) with 4 panniers and a handlebar bag, so this setup was much lighter, but did not compare to the cargo capacity of the aforementioned setup! I did road and trails with my gravel bike rig. My gravelbike is all steel and is not as light as your beautiful Canyon for sure. I agree, that bikepacking is fun and if you have the means, you should try it. I'm 64, and I did!

[earthstick]

A rear rack is a bit of added weight, about a kilo. But the under saddle bag can then be swapped for a rack bag that goes on the top of the rack. It is just as aero but puts the weight a bit lower and onto part of the frame that I suspect can handle it better.

[BTcycle]

Great video on explaining the bags. I'm starting to look into gravel and bikepacking and this helps alot.

[JibbaJabber]

Great bit of real in depth experience. More of this please. Well done.

BTW. There are brackets/holders that can help stop the saddle bags 'wagging':)

[fatamorgana]

Thanks a lot. You took a lot of weight of my back. I ordered the same bike in al. I havent even gotten it yet and am already on planning the luggage. I have a big tent that is my biggest concern. But thanks to you i have gotten the knowledge how to pack :)

[grumpy-dad]

I'm going to go bikepacking this year on my Scott aspect.

[GarethTyrrell]

Sorry Dave, but the best footwear and pedals for bikepacking are obviously Birkenstocks and whatever flats the local bike shop stocks. #lachlandiditbest #flatsarefast

[DomenicoSaretto]

Great video! Though, I would start a multiple day adventure riding a bike equipped with mudguards. Enjoy!

[kmtb]

since starting bike packing iv given up on mountain biking trails, . bike packing is so much more fun and adventurious

[scruf]

I will be using a state 4130 all road building it my self hopefully will be ready in two months I trust steel more over anything else I am hoping to get more people on a bicycle

[twatts]

I would highly recommend that on your first trip you stay in a hostel. YHA is about £10 a night in most places.
You can then save on buying (and carrying)
- stove
- tent/shelter
- sleeping bag
- roll mat

My first two were like this. You get most of the fun, but much less weight and initial expense.

[stuartclarke]

Awesome vid mate great info for a newbie like me

[kidShibuya]

Note quite, if you want ultimate get a tailfin.

[robertjackson]

very nice video well done and thank you for sharing.

[randycallow]

I think people should put lots and lots of weight up high!! Don't worry about the center of gravity!! And like people holding their phone up to their head like a 1960's transistor radio..lol..now the way you bag up your stuff and where doesn't make you feel like you are riding a touring bike!! Just get panniers and stop w all the fashion!!

[cyclingdane]

This looks like a Ultra racing setup. I have some of those bags that i use for racing.