for a stove i like something like the firebox.  easier for me to burn wood.  enough fuel to last all night(must keep feeding) and cook anything i want.

for trails with no wood i use an alcohol stove. 


sleeping bag i like to use layers.  it's rare that it's going to be the same temperature every night and even if i can guess what it will be.  combo of extra clothes and bag and bivy and layers is easier to be ready and comfy.

more efficient.  traveling over objects instead of bumping into them.  plus i can switch a road set of wheels in for road only commuting. 

Plenty of bike shops on route.

I got sick of chain wear and once bashed my knee when I snapped a chain.  I now do most of my riding with this....


I did not have the monster chain for TDR last year but the idea was rolling around in my head.  A friend of mine made it for me late last year.

That said it is not really "race" equipment but it's perfect when you want a bike that you can ride every day with zero maintenance.  In truth it is not light but I like it for my training/commuting bike because it rides nice and I almost never maintain the every day bike.  For TDR, I would recommend a KMC eight speed but in truth you can get by with just about anything.

In terms of gearing I ran 36x20 and it was about right.  The TDR route is not really single speed friendly because of the long flat roads.  I ran into body issues that were not really related to the gearing and while I had fun I might consider going geared if I ever return.  I don't actually ride or even own a geared bike right now so I am mixed on the idea of geared riding.

where does your chain break?

i was breaking chains on my SS(doing chain maint. constantly) until i went to a nickle chain.  no more problems.  i change them out every year or when they get 1/8" longer.  checking length is crucial.

i like the solar over the hub.  the drag on the hub made it a "no go" for me, even though it's a more simple idea. 

setting up the solar with the rechargeable(AA) as the buffer made it work.  i charge my 18650 batteries, then my phone, then the AAA's,then the mp3, then leave my phone plugged in as it uses the most power.  it's a bit much, but after you get in the habit it's easy.  when i stop at a food stop i pull it off and charge it at the table.  i have it all set up in a compact unit.
having the usb helps to make it versatile as well.

i ride my bike everywhere.

looks cheap.  might not last.

yeah i have a magicshine and two clones and two flashlight versions.  they all are the same lumes, very bright.  any two will turn night into day.

the flashlight ones hold one 18650 battery and (2 or 4 of those)lasts a little longer than the double and four 18650 handle bar ones.

all bought on ebay.  not superlight but bright and dependable.  the first version of the magicshine had battery problems that were fixed.  sometimes the 18650 rechargable single batteries poop out after 2-4 months, but they are soo cheap i just throw them away and get more.

is there enough padding to save the frame and gun from scratching each other?



will the bullet shoot a hole in your foot if it goes off?....lol...jk

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,4939.0.html
He's got a reputation for good products on the forum, though I have no personal experience with his work.

i just ordered two of these.  will tell ya how they work.  the rest of his stuff is diesel!!!

noah just curious what is your inseam?  i am 5'9" and have a 30" inseam.  i ride a 53-54cm frame....

i have not ridden "those" washboards, but we have them in my area and shocks only mildly make them more comfortable.  the main thing is that they go on for too long of a time that is comfortable. 
they are more annoying than anything else.  i tend to go as fast as possible just to get them over with.  they suck at any speed IMO

also depends on the width of the straps compared to the weight of the roll.  i over stuffed my roll in the beginning and had a wobbly mess.

widening the straps or lightening the load fixed the problem.  i also changed the length of my cables/hoses to accommodate better fit.

i have been experimenting with 28oz water bottles and soft small bladders. 

three on the frame, two on the forks and two on the bars via mountain feed bags.  the other option is to carry a 4L platypus bag in the frame bag and fill it up only enough what i will need for the day/night.

it seems like no matter how light weight i make my bike and bikepaks, that lots of water makes it very heavy.  can't always rely on finding a stream or water source to filter, although i carry a filter also.

i like the look.  smooth and polished.

the only thing i see is that the side buckles and top/back buckle could maybe rub on the rider?  maybe not.  moving them lower or to the other side is an easy fix.  good job!!!!!

i am pursuing a similar design and found out i can just use long straps to hold on a stuff sack.  but it has to be really tight.

nothing, my paint gets wore off.

while hiking the dog was plenty to keep any black bear and even some small brown bear away or retreat.

on my own no matter how loud i bark the bears just laugh at me...

blowing a coach whistle and waving my arms was the best i could do to make black bears slowly walk away.  must have thought i was crazy and not very tasty.  once i had a black bear try to pull my bikepack off my bike while i was sleeping in my bag and just a tarp(bike was holding the tarp up).  i woke up and screamed like a little girl.  that pretty much made the bear run.  i broke down camp and reset up 10 miles away, but slept with one eye open.

if i ride hard enough i will sweat enough in my rain gear to feel just as wet.  if it's cold enough not to sweat, it's usually snowing....


thin nylon pants shell with vents and matching jacket with lots of vents is the best i have found.  i have a waterproof poncho, but i have to belt it not to get it caught in the wheels.  wearing wool base layer will help to dry you out faster, but it will also make you hotter and sweat more.

since i run really hot, in the past i have just used goretex arm/leg warmers, neoprene water proof sox and a thin wool cap under the helmet.  yes i got wet, but was comfy enough.  commuting to work i have gotten either wet or sweaty, so i just change into different clothes when i get there.

i eat honey nut cherrios for breakfast dry.  at night for a dessert i mix in some dehydrated milk and nesquik chocolate milk mix(i know i am weird).

top ramon without the flavor package for a base mixed with dehydrated veggies or dry soup mix or cooked chicken(first night only) or cooked cornbread or marinara sauce....

for me the continental's did not last very long and had minimal grip.  the racing ralph's are a better choice if you are going in a lightweight tire(but they sidewall tear easier).

i go with a heavier and bigger knob tire like the panaracer rampage on my rigid bikes.  a bit heavy compared to the others, but you will not tear one and have traction forever, even when they get to the last 20%.

i ride a lot of pavement to the trails and just inflate whatever tire to 35-40psi and then back to 25psi when i get to the trail.  most tires will "round" out and have less pavement contact.  no tire will be perfect for both.