Doing my first two nighter in a couple of weeks all gravel in Colorado. About 3k incline over 65 ish miles. Have this for my setup right now the plan is
Front: Tent, sleeping pad, Cook gear and camp chair
Middle: clothes
Back; sleeping bag, food and propane
Will have a little camelback for just water and then little phone patch for gu and quick snacks
Please any suggestions on what you’d modify or change. Right now a little hard to get to breaks but can grab them and they work just fine.
Thanks!!!
by MuchMembership9849
4 Comments
Honestly that much weight on the handlebars makes the steering a lot worse. I’d rather have more weight at the back and just put bulky light stuff fork/handlebar mounted. Eg. Sleeping bag, and thermals.
Also I hate a backpack, I’d rather have water frame mounted.
But… I’m in the middle of a trip through Kyrgyzstan at the moment with rear panniers plus Deuter Mondego front bag and frame bag and 2 standard location water bottles. Super rough gravel – others we’ve met have been on MTB with front or full suspension, I’m on a rigid monstercross with 2.2 tyres. And the pannier bags are the easy reliable part and in no way cause any handling issues.
Just go for it and have fun. You aren’t going too far away from civilization so just try to enjoy yourself and use this as a learning opportunity! Setup looks fine!
This is fine. 3k ft incline over 65mi is practically flat.
A pair of panniers would be better no doubt. And as one other said you’re very front heavy for no reason. Panniers aren’t as cool looking but it lowers your center of gravity and gives you more space. Do you have enough space for food if you shop more?
You gonna lose the stuff at the back at one point.