Hi All

I'm new here

I'm thinking of getting into bike packing and have started doing some research

I was wondering on a MTB with 100mm forks what sort of weight do people hang off the handlebars ?

Would people say 5kg is too much ? Obviously nothing compared to leaning forward on them but would it affect the handling too much if not trying to tear up the trail ?

Im thinking tent/matt/sleeping bag and then says some snacjs and water in pouches on otherside

Thanks

5Kg extra seems a bit much. I'd have thought 2.5 - 3Kg would be about right. Just make sure you adjust your fork (if possible) for the extra weight on the bike. I didn't do this - and subsequently ate through the center strap on a Revelate harness in around 3000Kms.

Greetz

S.

Thanks for the reply

A tent i was looking at is 2kg alone so may have to think about a bigger saddle bag to get the matt in

Not quite sure what to do with water.

If i get a full frame bag then the bottles would have to go on bars or forks

While it may be good at trying to come up with your own solution (and thats to be encouraged), I'd look at other peoples solutions as they've already gone through that learning curve for you.

2/3 kg on the bars and keep the bottles in the frame as they're easier to get to whilst riding.

Also look at lighter tents as 2kg is alot.

I try and aim for well under 2Kg on the handlebars but there's also stuff in Stem Cells so there's probably 2.5Kg in total towards the front of the bike. This is for summer kit, winter's a whole different ball game.

Im thinking tent/matt/sleeping bag and then says some snacjs and water in pouches on otherside

Aside from the weight, that lot's also pretty bulky. I and many others tend to work with a 13L dry bag up front and if it doesn't fit in there, then it's not going. I'm also inclined to keep my 'must stay dry at all cost' sleeping kit away from 'might be wet' gear such as a tent / shelter.

As Chew says, 2kg is heavy for a shelter with regard to bikepacking. However, you might find it easier to carry if you split it up rather than packing it as the manufacturers intended ... but have you considered a tarp?

Thanks. What is on the front in winter ?

MiniEggs wrote:Thanks. What is on the front in winter ?

Not much more really in terms of items but the kit is, by the very nature of the conditions you encounter, heavier and bulkier. For UK winter it's usually a sleeping bag and quilt used in combination, for serious winter conditions I've a 5 season bag that itself weighs 1.7Kg. Add in winter grade sleeping mat and bivy bag and I'll have 3Kg on the front.

Same thing that is on the front in summer! Harness, bag and inside the bag, the tent, mat, down jacket and beanie. Same stuff been in there for a few years now...just the bag holding it all gets smaller as time goes by and I find ways to pack it better. I might switch the down jacket in the winter from a Plasma1000 to an AntiFreeze; at which point, it's going in the back with the sleeping kit/bag..

Greetz

S.

I used a 1.9kg tent when starting out. It was what I had, and I didn't have the budget for shiny new ultralight kit. You could put the poles and pegs in a frame bag for lowering the weight. Also do you need all the pegs they provide?

Regarding the tent ... is it possible to set ip up 'outer only'?

I'd definitely echo the don't load the front too much sentiments, although don't have a weight for what was too much.

My first time out I used the alpkit 20L bag, and it was hard work.
I had sleeping bag, tent fabric(a ~2kg yellowstone 1 man cheap one, with poles strapped to frame), sleep mat, and down jacket in it, and it touched the tyre quite a few times, and the handling really sucked.

Apart from maybe rolling up the brake leaver/shifter a little what do people do about accommodating bar luggage and still have some suspension travel before the load touches the tyre ?

Thanks

Take fewer things.

Seriously, you shouldn't be at the point where you're running the risk of kit/wheel interaction. Even on smaller frames.

Ive a large frane bike and not measured it but i guess there is about 10cm from the underside of the bar to the top of the fork. A bit less if you allow for natural position of brake leavers

Which i dont think is a huge amount of room for bulky light items if you still want 100mm of sus travel

Not trying to go fully loaded around a bike park but I'm guessing I will need 50mm of travel for rocky/rooty ground ?

Remember, not all dry bags are the same shape for a given capacity. LOMO bags tend to be longer / thinner which should maximise the available space.