Very good advice for someone wanting to try bike packing for the first time. I used two small panniers and a handlebar bag I had for commuting to work. A backpack (which I soon found better not to be on my back) and a cheap, $25 dollar one-person tent. Three days, camping, 125 attempted tour. Used the same set-up for a trip across Northern Indiana and Northwest Ohio. All suff I already had on hand. Yep, it can be done on a budget. 👍
Hey Richard. I think we both have the same approach of going with what you have got in the first instance before wasting money on potentially something you might not enjoy. It's a solid approach. Take care and ride safe. Jay
Great topic! I just ordered an inexpensive rear rack for my bike. Had to get a seat tube adapter to make it work. Going to see how it works for some longer rides. Thanks for sharing!
I like the approach. I used to camp with only what would fit in a stuff sack on the back and a small handlebar bag on the front for tools and map. I recommend lining the stuffsack or backpack with the plastic bag, since in my experience it's likely to be torn if it's on the outside. Yes, the mention of a map gives away that this wasn't recent, but 50 years ago. Back then no bikes had places to bolt at the top of the seat stays, so all racks had ways to clamp around the stays.
Thanks for the simple and budget friendly tips. I find that bikes are simple inexpensive machines, and should go with simple and inexpensive accessories. Riding with a bike for a while also encourages creative ways to solve problems without having to resort to just opening the wallet.
@@Biking360Yup, same. Why didn't a fortune on something you've not tried. Budget kit and reusing stuff or borrowing from family is a good way to start simply. Thanks for the video!
Racks are nice if you want to carry a kitchen sink :) jokes aside, they are much sturdier than hanging bags off the saddle, etc but I find that the lighter you pack the better. My basic set up is tools and water, the only clothes I need are the ones I'm wearing. Cheap food and places to stay are in abundance.
No more frame rack for me. I've switched over to the Aeroe Spider rack which is better suited for my gravel bike. It's more pricey than the traditional rack but worth it if you're into bikepacking. Any bags you buy should be waterproof or it's not worth spending the money.
@@IowaNinersFan I've seen a few reviews for that rack and it looks awesome. Also, completely agree with you about only buying fully waterproof bags. All my bags are either from Apidura or Ortlieb for that reason. Take care and ride safe.
My general rule for going away anywhere; Take half the amount of clothes you think you are going to need, and twice as much money, although these days a bank-card negates the latter half of this rule...
Firstly, a very nice Surly! ☺️ I originally got all the racks and bags etc for classic long touring, but more and more I’m now preferring a much simpler bikepacking set-up with handlebar, frame and saddle bags, plus some cages on the front forks for additional smaller tube bags and/or water bottles. Less is more maybe? Btw, have you ever used a gear trailer to keep the bike itself less loaded? It would also make it much easier to leave the trailer at the nightly accommodations, thus allowing the ‘unencumbered’ exploration of local areas around overnight stops, so to speak.
Thanks for the love to my Surly! Like you I have definitely started to increasingly embrace the less is more philosophy. I have never tried the trailer option though. However, if I got the opportunity to try one and would certainly give it a go. Take care and ride safe. Jay
Very good advice for someone wanting to try bike packing for the first time. I used two small panniers and a handlebar bag I had for commuting to work. A backpack (which I soon found better not to be on my back) and a cheap, $25 dollar one-person tent. Three days, camping, 125 attempted tour. Used the same set-up for a trip across Northern Indiana and Northwest Ohio. All suff I already had on hand. Yep, it can be done on a budget. 👍
Hey Richard. I think we both have the same approach of going with what you have got in the first instance before wasting money on potentially something you might not enjoy. It's a solid approach. Take care and ride safe. Jay
Tried the backpack thing when I first started out. Didn't last long. Not a fan of sweaty back.
Great topic! I just ordered an inexpensive rear rack for my bike. Had to get a seat tube adapter to make it work. Going to see how it works for some longer rides. Thanks for sharing!
Good luck with your longer rides. You should be fine though with just a rack. Have fun :) Jay
Nice and simple does it, no need to go mad when starting out. Thanks for the tip Jay.
Exactly :)
I like the approach. I used to camp with only what would fit in a stuff sack on the back and a small handlebar bag on the front for tools and map.
I recommend lining the stuffsack or backpack with the plastic bag, since in my experience it's likely to be torn if it's on the outside.
Yes, the mention of a map gives away that this wasn't recent, but 50 years ago. Back then no bikes had places to bolt at the top of the seat stays, so all racks had ways to clamp around the stays.
@@alans1816 Great tip about lining the backpack with a plastic bag rather than using it on the outside. Take care and ride safe. Jay
Ha nice one Jay! Let's get everyone on the bike👍 good to finally be seeing the surly as well
Thanks. Hopefully it will encourage a few more people to our gang 🙂
great ideas
Thanks :)
Fantastic info, so many thanks for sharing, love the delivery and real world perspective, Cheers!
Thanks 🙏
Awesome, ride safe everyone !
Thanks :)
Thanks for the simple and budget friendly tips. I find that bikes are simple inexpensive machines, and should go with simple and inexpensive accessories. Riding with a bike for a while also encourages creative ways to solve problems without having to resort to just opening the wallet.
I couldn't agree with this sentiment more.
@@Biking360Yup, same. Why didn't a fortune on something you've not tried. Budget kit and reusing stuff or borrowing from family is a good way to start simply. Thanks for the video!
Great video! Looking forward to my next bike tour after my first in Hua Hin inspired by your videos. Keep up the good work!
Thanks 🙏
There is more than one way to attach a rear rack. I attached my wife's rear rack to her seat post with a simple homemade bracket.
That is a very fair comment. Good to hear that you made your own solution as well. Take care and ride safe. Jay.
love it !
Thank you so much :) Jay
Racks are nice if you want to carry a kitchen sink :) jokes aside, they are much sturdier than hanging bags off the saddle, etc but I find that the lighter you pack the better. My basic set up is tools and water, the only clothes I need are the ones I'm wearing. Cheap food and places to stay are in abundance.
Great points and hard to disagree with. Take care and ride safe 🚲
That may work in the UK where you are always walking distance to help, but not in western Canada.
@@nigelmccomb8106Fair comment.
Very good advice not to go nuts on stuff. Although I might have more racks, lol
Yeah, one rear rack for a camping setup is definitely pushing it a bit!
Amazon sells a rear rack with seat post attachment. Think it's about £40.
My pannier set cost about £35. And about 25 on a handlebar bag.
No more frame rack for me. I've switched over to the Aeroe Spider rack which is better suited for my gravel bike. It's more pricey than the traditional rack but worth it if you're into bikepacking. Any bags you buy should be waterproof or it's not worth spending the money.
@@IowaNinersFan I've seen a few reviews for that rack and it looks awesome. Also, completely agree with you about only buying fully waterproof bags. All my bags are either from Apidura or Ortlieb for that reason. Take care and ride safe.
My general rule for going away anywhere; Take half the amount of clothes you think you are going to need, and twice as much money, although these days a bank-card negates the latter half of this rule...
@@Teapot-Dave I like it 👌
New Surly Jay?
Had this one a little while but still have the old blue Long Haul Trucker. Will probably sell it though quite honestly! Take care . Jay.
@@Biking360 found that B17 yet?
Firstly, a very nice Surly! ☺️
I originally got all the racks and bags etc for classic long touring, but more and more I’m now preferring a much simpler bikepacking set-up with handlebar, frame and saddle bags, plus some cages on the front forks for additional smaller tube bags and/or water bottles. Less is more maybe?
Btw, have you ever used a gear trailer to keep the bike itself less loaded? It would also make it much easier to leave the trailer at the nightly accommodations, thus allowing the ‘unencumbered’ exploration of local areas around overnight stops, so to speak.
Thanks for the love to my Surly! Like you I have definitely started to increasingly embrace the less is more philosophy. I have never tried the trailer option though. However, if I got the opportunity to try one and would certainly give it a go. Take care and ride safe. Jay