First overnight on Colorado Trail

[Steve_The_Pirate]

Spent my first night out after climbing the initial section of the Colorado Trail. Pretty intense for the first time out, mainly because I honestly don't have a very good bikepacking setup just yet and had to lug a good 40-50lbs via panniers on my back end...lame.

In trying to shed that weight, what are some key things to consider when making a bikepacking rig?

[Mini Bear]

Pretty much just look at the major systems that you carry: bags, sleeping, repair kit, worn clothing, etc. 'Bikepacking' bags are a must. Also, if something only has one purpose, it better have a good reason for being there. Wear all your clothing to bed so that you can lighten up your sleeping bag. Think about a bivy instead of a tent.  And look at all the little things too. Be ruthless about everything. There is the old lightweight cliche of cutting the handle of your toothbrush, which may seem silly, but that is the kind of mindset you have to have. A good rule of thumb is to have a base weight (everything that isn't bolted to the bike or worn on your person) of 10-15 lbs. Less is better. But, more than anything the more your knowledge increases, the less stuff you can get by with.

[Eastman]

+1 for what ruffal said but let me add this: there is nothing "lame" about your system.  At least you were out there doing it.  I much prefer running into people riding beater bikes in a pair of cutoffs in the woods than people who own dream machines that hang in their garage.

[Colorado Cool Breeze]

Welcome to the forum neighbor.

Do you have a list of the gear you are packing and its weight? That might help us help you with suggestions.

Here a link to my flicker picts with my bike packing kits.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/outandback2012/sets/72157631519909619/

Feel free to look thru my sets. Most of my picts on flicker are bike packing related.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/outandback2012/sets/

[Vik]

what are some key things to consider when making a bikepacking rig?

I added rear panniers back onto my bike for my last tour because I had to carry some extra group gear. Boy did I regret that...having the extra weight on the bike was one thing and riding to protect the rack and panniers from damage was another, but the real killer was that when I had to hike-a-bike my rig up steep techy singletrack that left rear pannier was right where my hip wanted to be. The result was some very awkward body positioning and much less smiling on those sections.

Next time I will carry a heavier backpack or do whatever I have to so I can skip the rear rack and panniers on technical terrain. The trade off for getting weight off my back was not worth it. 

OTOH - if I was just riding dirt roads [ie GDR style] the rear pannier setup would not have been so bad.

[Aslan]

Another +1 for what Ruffal said. Panniers and some additional weight are fine for road touring.  Bob trailers work great for gravel and forest roads but get hung up on single track.  If you want to ride single track and still have it be fun you MUST drop the weight.  Proper bikepacking bags and light weight kit are your friends (but not your wallets friends).  Get a scale and weigh you gear.  This was very illuminating for me when I transitioned to ultra light bikepacking.  Pack your heavy items lower on the bike in the frame bag and go lighter as you move up the bike.  Try to keep the weight off of you back.  Your ass will thank you for this and you will experience less fatigue.  As you go out more often and gain experience think back to what you used and, importantly, what you did not use or could have gone without.  When packing if you are wondering 'should I bring this?' then the answer is NO.  That said, go with your existing kit and gain experience.  Is it better to have nice kit?  Absolutely, but do not let the absence of perfect gear keep you from going out and gaining experience.