My COMPLETE Bikepacking Gear Setup. Bags, lights, tools, sleep system and must-have items.

A full run-through of all the equipment I take bikepacking and all the things I took to the Atlas Mountain Race in Morocco. From the bike I rode (a dual-suspension mountain bike) to the bags I used, clothing, lights, tools, sleep system, safety and first-aid and extras.

Still photography thanks to Ariel Wojciechowski and Nils Laengener

Get a discount on Attaquer cycling kit: Use code CR-ATQTRISTANTAKE15

A big thank you to BMC, ATTAQUER and WINFORCE for helping make this video possible!

00:00 Intro
00:40 Why I ride a dual-suspension MTB for bikepacking
05:43 Bag selection & setup
07:30 Clothing choice
10:57 What lens for your sunglasses
11:44 Hydration
13:38 My lightweight sleep system essentials
16:15 Lights for bikepacking and night racing
19:18 Charging
21:51 Tools and spares
24:35 Safety and comfort
26:51 Navigation
29:09 How I film my vlogs (and how I filmed the AMR documentary)
30:14 Outro

[littlealrides]

Hey Tristan, awesome video and music is great as always. Totally agree with you on the chamois cream - never use it anymore and my bum thanks me. It definitely softens and moistens the skin which is the opposite to what you want. There's a reason the skin's natural response to pressure and chafing is to thicken and harden - chamois cream prevents that. Well done for the race, it looked insane. Could we please see more of the cat?? 😊

[felixdieu]

Nice one. Tubolito for bikepacking is usually a no-no. Not resistant enough.
Moved to Garmin 1040 solar as for some reason my Wahoo Roam dies unexpectedly. Insane battery life on the solar.
Pedalcell is absolutely amazing to charge a battery pack.

[bradpw]

Excellent video. Helpful and inspiring. Nice one!

[shred]

I have to agree with no chamois cream. Years ago I got some Aussie Bum Cream for all day rides (based on some online article) but while I never had any problems as a result of using it, I also found not using the chamois cream was totally fine too. After you’ve built up an arse of steel, for many riders the cream is more of a hassle and waste of time. Might be necessary for some people, but not most in my experience.

Also surprised about you comment about Squirt lube. In dusty conditions you don’t want an oil which gunks up the drive train so clearly a dry lube or wax is better. Riding gravel bikes in Qld dusty conditions I’ve never had issues with my drive train and Squirt lube and found that on my road bike Squirt has given me the longest chain life of any of the lubes I’ve tried over the last decade. I’ve read some reports that support it. Just my experience but I’m always happy hear other peoples experiences

[Thorsten]

Really interesting video, thank you, it’s given me a lot to think about for racing. I really do like that BMC bike I have to say!

[Richz]

I would imagine your BMC is lighter than some gravel bikes. They aren’t particularly light and when you add in the factor of dual suspension the BMC is an absolute winner.. An insightful video Tristan and hopefully the Atlas experience hasn’t put you off more adventures in the future.

[francisorate]

Amazing breakdown Video. for the go pro, i would suggest a bag clamp mount for easy storage yet you can put some tape or something so you can use it as mouth mount.

[shelbypostproduction]

If you are looking for something other than a Wahoo. I highly recommend the Karoo Hammerhead 2.

[LordCapsis]

Bought a krampus recently, put on a RS Pike Ultimate. I can't miss my suspension. Taking it to scotland coming summer.

[weeringjohnny]

Some great gear tips here, many of which don't cost a fortune.

[drouleau]

Great video. I've been going toward the replaceable battery lights myself as I'm planning an upcoming brevet series (and then hopefully Paris Brest Paris). While I have a few Lezyne lights, which are great....the ability to easily swap out fresh batteries on my Fenix lights (I have two BC26R and one BC30 V2 for shorter rides) is quicker/more efficient, and I can save my battery bank for the Garmin 1040. On the Fenix BC26R lights (one on my handlebar and one on my helmet), you can get just over 9 hours at 600 lumens per light and only require one battery per light (unlike the BC30 which requires 2)....so it's a pretty ideal all-night setup on a battery. With all the room you save by not carrying extra bibs, you have plenty of room for batteries :). I'm not a fan of chamois cream either and haven't really used it in years. I was going to go with a bikepacking seatpost bag as I have the large 17L Apidura, but two issues with that (well, 3 if you include that I have the non-waterproof one)....1), it's a PITA to access gear not at the top of the bag and 2), it rubs my thighs. I went with a Carradice 15L bag (Lowsaddle Longflap) for longer events, and a 9L bag (Junior) for shorter events, combined with a Bagman sport rack (attaches to your seat) and quick release system. I'm sure for bikepacking you'd want a sturdy rack setup, but they do make a seatpost clamp/extension arms that gives the rack a 3 point "mount" system, greatly stiffening up the system. Since the bag is wider/spread out and the larger bag has 2 external pockets (but it's not so wide that it sticks way out past your hips), it's far easier to access items and separate some stuff, and not have to take everything out of the bag to get at stuff on the bottom. And, they are super durable and feel pretty light in the hand, relatively speaking (my longflap weighs in at 882 grams, but doesn't feel it for some reason - packed bag weight with all my gear, including nearly 40 stroopwaffles was only 3 1/2 kg). Plus the longflap bag has the ability to overstuff it as well, so you could likely get most of your sleep system in there too and not have to weigh the bars down as much, and go with a smaller bag up front.

[kellymckenzie]

Get some ergon grips with the larger heel pad. Helped my wrists a lot. They look goofy and they're "heavy" but well worth it.

[scugno]

Loved these videos, I was exhausted just watching what you went through on that ride but seeing what you had to take makes the whole adventure more amazing! 🤯 I love the direction you are going with your Videos
PS. I completely agree with you about chamois cream

[guillemsanchezmoline]

Amazing work and race Tristan! Love this blogs! How many kg did your bike weight? Thanks! See u on the road champ!😊💪🏼

[MarkCRyan]

In another doc I saw that Lael has drop bars on her hardtail mtb. I wonder if drop bars and levers would have helped with wrist issues without the repetitive strain of the thumb shifter. And also giving more hand positions that you’re more accustomed to.

[sebastienemir]

Thanks for this great detailed explaination. Could you tell us more on the preparation of the race, I mean the analysis of the GPX, the way your design the stop or the refull ?

[kimwalton]

100% right choice on the bike. Comfort is supreme on this type of event!

[rottieshepcalibre]

So glad u never threw that battery pack into that pristine environment.

[g]

id love one of those BMC fourstrokes however they were always out of stock of my frame size L

[Amundsen.A]

Nice mate! Would be interesting to hear about how you managed nutrition. How often, how much etc