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81  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Map cases on: May 01, 2014, 02:21:41 AM
I use thick ziplocks available at stationery stores. Also use the Sea to Summit TPE cases, but mainly for kayaking when dry is a priority. On the bike they tend to get munched, dusty, dirty, muddy, tyre rubbed, stood on, rained on etc so easier to bin it (ziplock) when job is done and it's beyond repair with clear tape Smiley
82  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Securing your bike on: April 27, 2014, 04:35:20 AM
I have taken it into grocery stores a few times and just rolled it up and down the aisles with me.

This is pretty much what I do - take the bike in and ask the clerk if I can leave it near a checkout or enquiries desk, never been turned away yet. I know it breaches their OHS rules, but it's always great when they can see the humanity first and rules second. I passed through Corona, CA one afternoon, the clerk even wheeled my bike behind his counter while I stocked up.
83  Forums / Bikepacking / Re: Any suggestions for a long lasting backup battery for recharging devices. on: April 15, 2014, 08:22:16 PM
Has anyone tried recharging a battery pack from a dynamo like the SON?

Yep I've charged my power monkeys with no issue, but you have to be realistic with charge/discharge cycles - you have to do the math on the current output of the SON and the capacity of the storage battery.
84  Forums / Ultra Racing / Re: Leg Cramps on: April 11, 2014, 01:41:37 AM
Self massage and foam rollers are awesome, great way to relax before bed too.
85  Forums / Ultra Racing / Re: Leg Cramps on: April 09, 2014, 08:25:27 PM
No hocus pocus. Train more, drink enough, sleep well. Breathe easily.
86  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: What are you all doing for rain pants? on: April 03, 2014, 11:50:02 PM
Sugoi majic shell pants, with my own mods - waist loops so I can use ski bib straps (front only) and under boot arch loops to keep the ankle of the boot covered.
87  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Hub dynamo and electronics thread. on: April 03, 2014, 11:46:53 PM
Exposure stuff is very nice kit!
88  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Food - How to go 3 full days without resupplying? on: April 03, 2014, 11:43:24 PM
So many ways to go about it. Here're a few pics of my meals for 6 day supply on the kiwi, a fairly low tech and non-exotic solution means I can follow a similar plan in most countries.

Raw materials for main ration ziplock


1 day ration packed into a tough ziplock, 3 meals, stored in seatbag and only accessed at mealtimes



Raw materials for high energy ration ziplock


In between meal high energy ration, 2 gels, 1 clif bar and 2 regular granola bars, whole ziplock stored in jersey pocket and accessed on the bike


Complete meal pack for 6 days. High energy ration x6 bundled into tough ziplock, portioned for each day.


Only thing missing from pics is a heat treated salami (stored whole, portion cut up each night with macaroni) and jelly snakes. This is a luxury plan that requires boiled water.

For a fast and light trip I'd go with a custom no-cook MRE.
89  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Fargo v El Mariachi on: April 02, 2014, 09:51:26 PM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Who did you have build the custom TI fork?  Very interested.  Thanks!


Thenne, I had Muru Cycles make it up for me. It's not listed on the site, you'll have to contact them and have a chat. Mention Troy in your email, they'll know. Pretty good product, I also took a ti Witjira to Iditarod last year.

http://www.murucycles.com/

 
Moyo, the bottle cage is held on with hoseclamps - the images shows large zipties, these worked well during testing as well.
90  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Fargo v El Mariachi on: March 29, 2014, 06:04:38 PM
For me the Fargo, in ti of course Smiley .

I have done something a little different though, I've slammed the bike with a custom ti fork and 17 degree stem, so it is no longer 'suspension corrected', geo is now closer to my road bikes for ultra-distance, plus the BB is a bit lower too for handling. Don't notice any negative effects with chainring clearance (39T) but of course pedals are a touch closer to trail obstacles, but your skills negate this anyway. I really didn't like the height of the original fork, felt goofy and too high.

Climbs like a mountain goat with the dumped position. Running 46cm chippers. Comfort wise with chippers versus flatbars, I love the chippers, so many hand positions, no hand soreness. I've spent many, many multiday trips on this machine in this configuration, over a lot of washboard gravel roads, it's just beautiful to ride.

The geos of the el mar and the fargo are designed to work with their respective bars - el mar with flat/riser, fargo with drop. You'll be in experiment land if you wanted to run flat with fargo or drop with el mar. Not saying it won't work, but the fargo is more of a road bike (if that makes sense) than the el mar, as it has a shorter top tube to deal with the added reach of drop bar. El mar is longer TT like regular mtb, for just stem and flat/riser bar with setback.

91  Forums / Bikepacking / Re: Water bottle cage set up? (custom) on: March 29, 2014, 05:45:12 PM
If you have the space on a low top tube, seriously get some lugs put in for a bidon cage as pictured.

This setup has worked exceptionally well, it is easier to access than a regularly positioned cage and does not hit my legs. If you were a knock knee you could always go for an aero cage and bottle that are a lot narrower but the same capacity.

This is on my ti Fargo 56cm, but as many know the frame is super compact with a low top tube, so my standover is not affected.

This images shows heavy zip ties - which still worked well during testing - but for regular use I have hose clamps.

In my framebag top pocket is a 4L dromedary bag, also run a drinking hose from it to the bars. The bidon is great for quick water stops, electrolytes, filter and treatment (via mesh filter and Steripen Freedom) etc.

92  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Best Sleeping Setup on: March 28, 2014, 04:11:28 PM
A few thoughts:

Are bugs an issue? If so, you will need protection. This could mean a tent, a bug bivy (just mesh) with a tarp, a weatherproof bivy, or some tarp/bugproof hybrid like the Henry Shires Tarptent products.

I like a tarp (which I do hold up with my bike, or attach to a tree, or use found sticks) because it is so lightweight, I do not have bug issues and I am not usually in a hurry (setup can be longer with a tarp as you decide the best setup for particular conditions). Tarps are very versatile- they can be set up in many configurations depending on needs (low and wind/rainproof, higher and airy/open, etc). My kit includes a tarp, a tyvek groundcloth and up to 12 stakes.

Tents can be a challenge because of dimensions and weight. Pole length is usually not that conducive to situating on the bike and they are generally on the heavier side. Those that have shorter pole sections and are super lightweight (Big Agnes Seedhouse or Fly Creek and other similar products) are quite pricey. In excess of $300 typically. Tents do give a more complete feeling of enclosure, though, which can translate to a better sleep. That is not something to be taken lightly.

Bivies are probably the lightest option for total weather protection as they use the least amount of material. But they can feel confining. I have only used one once and it was ok, but I wasn’t totally sold. I sleep on my side and curl up a bit and this was difficult in a staked bivy. If considering this, I would definitely choose a version that has a loop pole to hold material up away from your face. Outdoor Research has three models worth looking at – Alpine, Helium or Advanced. They make a very rugged product. If you can, get in one and see how it feels before purchasing.

Then there are combination options. The Henry Shires tarptents are awesome, but also pricey. But the combination of a tarp with netting for buggy conditions results in a super light shelter that is bombproof in pretty much all conditions. Worth looking into. If I were heady to a buggy place, I might get a bug bivy and use it with my tarp.

The last thing I will say is consider if you will be travelling alone or with someone else. A not too light 2-person tent might be perfectly light if you divide the weight among two riders. Similarly, a biyy only serves one, so if you are trying to get a friend or romantic partner interested in this, they will need a place to sleep, too. A tarp that can cover two people is a good option too. Mine does that and so if I go with my son, for example, all I need is an additional groundcloth.

I also wasn’t clear if you were asking about using a bivy instead of a sleeping bag. That really depends on your area and temperatures. I have a 45 degree down REI bag that packs super small for summer camping (got it at a Scratch and Dent sale for $50). But when temps are really high, I can get away with just a SOL Adventure bivy which is good to about 55F. And its REALLY small and light. Also waterproof and breathable. With my warm weather bag, it is warm to about 35F. It’s about $45. I also have a cold weather bag good to 20F for spring, fall and early winter.

Good luck! Part of the pleasure of bikepacking is figuring all of this stuff out and compiling the setup that best suits your particular need and proclivities. The two things I strive to protect myself from are bad weather (rain and wind) and cold (and I would add biting insects if we had them). If those are covered, a not-so-great pitch still won’t ruin your experience.


What he said.

I research the area I'm going to, then break it down to simple points to define my sleep system for the trip:

Weather type?
Temperatures?
Bugs?
Severity of the above?
Vegetation type?
Terrain type?
Luxury or fast and light?
Stealth or social?
Privacy or swinging in the breeze?

For the variety of trips that I do and enjoy, there is no perfect one sleep system for me, but I have an array of different modules that work for a custom situation. 

Modules:
- OR Alpine bivvy, SOL emergency bivvy
- waterbloc sleeping bags, regular down bags, synthetic bags, mummy bags and hoodless bags
- silk and synthetic liners
- 1 and 2 man tarps (as tarps, groundsheets, groundsheet and cover - wrapped over like a bivy)
- 1 man groundsheet
- 1 and 2 man bug nets
- Tarptent Contrail
- Vaude Power Lizard
- short and long hammocks
- z-lite pads, synmats, downmats, self inflate thermarests

Knowing how this stuff works in given environments is key to putting together a near perfect system for each trip. Might be sleeping on snow and 40 below on one trip, and hangin in a hammock on a tropical beach on another.

Remember - good gear costs good money, so buy good gear to suit your purpose and it will serve you for many years.

I know this doesn't give you a direct answer, but I think it is an essential, logical foundation tool to learn and apply - not only for your sleep system, but also for other kit you need.

Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Give a man a fishing rod, he'll eat for a lifetime...
93  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Headlight and handlebar roll solutions? on: March 21, 2014, 06:05:15 PM
Yeah, light normally shines over the top of the lot, unless something really big is jammed under the straps.
94  Forums / Bikepacking / Re: Trip Report: Death Valley on: March 16, 2014, 04:50:09 PM
You guys got some awesome countryside to ride in!
95  Forums / Winter bikepacking / Re: Old and FAT! on: March 13, 2014, 09:04:31 PM
Old and young, smashing it!
96  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Schmidt SON Dynamo Hubs… HELP on: March 13, 2014, 05:17:15 PM
I don't think the powermonkey will let you down, pretty robust and well thought out. Your planned system seems pretty simple and reliable. Given that you'd be recharging a cam batt every second day or so, that should give enough time to fully top off the cache batt between the two recharge sources of solar and SON.
97  Forums / Bikepacking / Re: Any suggestions for a long lasting backup battery for recharging devices. on: March 12, 2014, 09:03:23 PM
I use the power monkey extreme, rate it highly.  Charges via USB, but comes with a plugpack for wall charging.
98  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Schmidt SON Dynamo Hubs… HELP on: March 10, 2014, 01:28:18 PM
Yep, I saw that too, but if you can feed the camcaddy with a higher voltage and useful amperage, ie 12V, it will charge.
99  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Flash 29er with niner fork on: March 08, 2014, 10:54:32 PM
To clarify - are you planning a flash frame or the trail SL frame?

No problem fitting the fork to the chosen frame, just need to get the correct headset to suit the proprietary cannondale headtube size. On the flash it will come with an internal, direct pressfit straight headset bearing to suit a lefty, the trail SL will have an external pressfit cup, tapered bearing headset to accept 1.5" tapered steerer.
100  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Schmidt SON Dynamo Hubs… HELP on: March 08, 2014, 02:57:20 PM
I think the trouble you'll run into is the voltage of your batteries, the hub won't produce sufficient power (voltage and amperage) to provide a good charge. A solution might be more 12V based, if Olympus makes a 12V charger for auto use, you could cobble a solar rig for it all.
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