Bikepacking on an Electric Gravel Bike?

We wanted to see the bikepacking capabilities on Electric Gravel bikes. We got out hands on two Niner RLT E9 RDO's and set out for an overnight trip. The route was planned and the bikes were packed. We set out to do a trip that would potentially leave us pedaling back with no battery.

Here's a list of the gear we brought on the trip:

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FOLLOW US

Intro - 00:00
Gravel Riding - 00:14
Bike Specs/What We Carried - 03:03
Last Leg to Camp - 04:31
Camp Site - 06:56
Morning Ride Out - 09:26
Thoughts on the Bikes - 14:05
Bike & Trip Summary - 17:18

[captaincoyote]

I’m retired Navy and retired federal land management law enforcement. Always active…as I approach my late 60s, I’ve drifted away from running for fitness, to long distance hiking and doing “sprints” to exhaustion….and gravitating back to bicycling. I built up a custom gravel bikepacking bike (a gorgeous Chumba ti)….to do trips to backcountry New England to access isolated fly fishing spots. But…I recently volunteered to take the lead in developing a long distance bikepacking route (450+ miles), with federal, state and local partner support. I was in a LBS recently in Connecticut….to garner local “bike business” support. And….I had my first in-person look at e-bikes…..and I fell in love with their look, and the idea. But…I questioned the “wisdom” of using an e-bike for long distance rides….particularly rides that take you into the backcountry— where recharging facilities don’t exist. Still, the idea….and maybe if I buy one for the wife she will let me buy one for me? I really enjoyed this video. It is encouraging me to seriously consider….another bike??!! Great video, brothers! Bravo-Zulu….on this adventure! My question? What happens if you have no charge? (I wonder, could I carry a foldable solar panel? (Im kind of kidding). Seriously #1: what would I have to carry to recharge at locations other than home? #2. How much more weight is an electric bike? And #3: I mistakenly assumed when hearing of e-bikes, that pedaling somehow recharged the batteries. (I guess not). I think I recall that it was Harry Truman that said “there is no free lunch”. There’s always a “cost” to any adventure. Pedal easy when charged….pedal twice as hard when charge is depleted. I plead “ignorance” when it comes to e-bikes. Thanks again, guys.

[DemiGod..]

The beauty of having a motor is hills can be super easy, or you can change up gears to make you do more work, or decrease asistance level.

[paulcardsfan]

I have a bike with step thur and a battery that can go 100 miles on a charge . Made for bike touring I have done plenty of long bike tours with and without lectric . But really enjoy tour with a electric that has a huge battery .

[danielthomas]

Seems like adding one of the gravel forks (rockshox rudy, fox 32 tc etc) would be ideal for this kind of usage - added comfort for unsealed surfaces and long rides. And maybe the extra weight is less of an issue with the e-assist...

[Outlaw-Dashing]

Thanks for the video. 👍 you showed me a lot of great information 💯 i ride a motorized bicycle but am interested in electric overnighter range . Would be interested in throttle only trips as well .

[myronas]

How about the flat pedals? Was it ok for this ride?

[pmstuff]

I think bikepacking is 2 different things in europe and US. When I think bikepacking I think a long, multi-day trip, usually through different countries, you know like backpacking.
This just looks like a camping trip?

[timsmead]

I have been looking for a good e grave bike and I have a RIP 9 Ninner mountin bike and love it. How much do they weigh and what knid of range does it have if you go in eco mode? Thanks

[myronas]

How was pedalling with battery off? They say that for mid drive systems that's not easy

[cooloutac]

Looks like fun. I can do 40 miles on my cheap fat bike but I'd be scared to go more than 10 - 15 mph on pas 1-2. Lol

[steviejks]

What are your heights (for both of you) ? I can easily choose frame sizes on a mtb but I have no experience choosing on a gravel bike. I can't test these bikes so I would be ordering without sitting on one(looking to get one for me 183 cm and my wife 164 cm ). Thanks

[paulcardsfan]

Do not like clips I like flats without the spikes I take the spikes out of my peddles so they don't claw my legs up .