Author Topic: Bikepacking rig  (Read 997 times)

mermlundry

Bikepacking rig
« on: June 18, 2024, 01:46:50 PM »
Hey there,

Looking at building up a bikepacking-specific hardtail 29er, rigid front fork. Will be bikepacking bags mostly so rack mounts aren't necessary on the frame (but always welcome). However I will be looking for a fork with mounts for fork cages.

Love the way this build looks but seems like the owner (who I know posts here) had issues with the frame.
https://bikepacking.com/news/readers-rig-willems-airwolf/

Anyone done something similar, or have experience with frames/vendors that would work well for something like this? This will be my first China build so advice welcome!



Mtnbykr

Re: Bikepacking rig
« Reply #1 on: June 18, 2024, 02:24:35 PM »
Are you in the USA?

I've got a 1st Gen Salsa Mukluk set up as a 29 x 3.  No cockpit,  shifter/derailleur, seat.

If interested,  I'll send you pics.

Kurt

mermlundry

Re: Bikepacking rig
« Reply #2 on: June 18, 2024, 03:03:26 PM »
I am - thanks! But probably not interested in a fat bike unfortunately.

Tijoe

Re: Bikepacking rig
« Reply #3 on: June 18, 2024, 03:41:31 PM »
There are a few bike frame details you need to think about for your bikepacker.   1st: The frame differences between a "gravel bike" bikepacking frame and a "29er hardtail" frame used for bikepacking.   Gravel frames have a shorter wheelbase, steeper headtube angle and lower bottom bracket.  29er hardtail frames have higher bottom brackets, slacker headtube angles and a longer wheelbase.  29er frames tend to weigh more.   Most 29er frames these days use boost 148 rear hubs and 110 front hubs.  Gravel frames typically use 142 rear hubs, and 100mm front hubs.   29er frames usually handle up to 2.3" wide tires, gravel frames, 48 to 50mm tires.  (On Aliexpress, there are a lot of 700C based gravel forks that have mounts on the forks, and only a few 29er carbon forks that have fork mounts.)  29er forks tend to weigh about 100 grams more than a gravel bike carbon fork.

With the above written, ask yourself if your "Bikepacker" is going to be used primarily for racing or for touring.  For racing, you will want to get the lightest weigh bike you can build.  For touring, weight is not as important, but comfort and capacity you can carry becomes more important.

Regarding frame mounts.  Frame mount don't add much weight, so I believe in having the versatility of being able to put on racks and other accessories if you eventually decide you want a rack for a specific ride/trip.

One other feature to consider.  If you are going with a 29er frame, try to find one with a larger triangle area.  This will let you carry more gear in a triangle frame bag.

To put this all in context:  I had a custom Waltly TI frame built for my 29er bikepacking rig.  I have a very small frame triangle and can't carry much gear in the frame triangle.  I wanted to use only a seat pack, but I am addicted to dropper posts, so with a seat based pack bag it hits my rear tire when my dropper is down.  Therefore I ended up installing a rack and run small panniers and a bag strapped to the rack.

My 29er bike packing rig is so much more comfortable than my gravel bike, but due to all the weight I often carry, the bike is a lot slower riding overall.

jefflinde

Re: Bikepacking rig
« Reply #4 on: June 18, 2024, 07:03:38 PM »
Hey there,

Looking at building up a bikepacking-specific hardtail 29er, rigid front fork. Will be bikepacking bags mostly so rack mounts aren't necessary on the frame (but always welcome). However I will be looking for a fork with mounts for fork cages.

Love the way this build looks but seems like the owner (who I know posts here) had issues with the frame.
https://bikepacking.com/news/readers-rig-willems-airwolf/



I would say any of the hard tails from carbonda, ican, light carbon, dengfu, tantan cycle, basically someone with their own website would be fine. 


I have the light carbon 914 and run it single speed with no issues and I am 240lbs fresh out the shower.  I have never had it feel flexy either. So it will handle bike packing just fine.

« Last Edit: June 18, 2024, 07:52:56 PM by jefflinde »

hongbetta

Re: Bikepacking rig
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2024, 03:42:46 AM »
Hey there,

Looking at building up a bikepacking-specific hardtail 29er, rigid front fork. Will be bikepacking bags mostly so rack mounts aren't necessary on the frame (but always welcome). However I will be looking for a fork with mounts for fork cages.

Love the way this build looks but seems like the owner (who I know posts here) had issues with the frame.
https://bikepacking.com/news/readers-rig-willems-airwolf/

Anyone done something similar, or have experience with frames/vendors that would work well for something like this? This will be my first China build so advice welcome!
If you like something gearing more toward MTB adventure bike, can be set up as drop bar or flat bar, check out https://bermcycle.com/product/ragnar-frameset/

Tijoe

Re: Bikepacking rig
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2024, 06:25:45 PM »
I am attaching a picture of my 29er hardtail, slacker, Waltly-custom TI framed bike camper.   This is in its fully loaded camping mode.  I use this rig for my longer trips (Like Divide Trail sections, 600+- mile trips) where I ride 50 to 70 miles per day and set up camp each evening.  One can see that I run a dropper post and use "H" drop bars.  This bike is very comfortable on gravel and single track trails.  Fully loaded bike and luggage weighs in at 55 to 60 lbs, depending on amount of food and water I carry.    In contrast, for "Bikepacking" races/rides, where I ride over 100 miles per day, this rig is too slow and I switch over to either my carbon 29er hardtail or my conventional 2X12 gravel bike.  (These bikes beat the heck out of me, but I carry a lot less weight, and sleep most of the time in hotels or lodges.)   Depending on the ride/route, I can swap to my 100mm travel Rock Shox SID suspension fork in about 20 minutes, but this adds more weight.