On the subject of Five Ten Shoes,  I am now about to buy my 3rd pair.  My first pair were Impacts. Those were durable but heavy. 

Looking at http://bike24.com there is the Five Ten Impact Vxi which is a lighter "Impact" at 383 grams per shoe.

@Bobonli for your comments. Interesting that the FiveTen shoes get a lot of love. Might have to add them to the shopping list.

@Hoka Hey Thanks for your comments. The carbon footbeds sound interesting. I wonder how they would impact on the hiking side of things and around camp.

@Smithhammer Thanks also for your comments. I more and more developing a similar view to you. With another vote for the FiveTen shoes I think that side of the equation is sorted.

Here are some reviews of some newer models

http://reviews.mtbr.com/round-up-best-new-flat-pedals

Thanks for the comments and link.

I know this is a serious bring back from the dead bump but I am interested in the current thinking/suggestions for flat pedals and shoes for bikepacking. Having just read a post over at Bikepacking.com and working towards a minimal load hence no camp/town shoes to be carried I am seriously considering moving from clipless to flat for bikepacking.

If you are using flat pedals, I would value your thoughts and suggestions on pedals and shoes. Also what do you think of the suggestions in the blog post linked to above?

Thanks
Andrew

Virtually all my touring and bikepacking is alone, including my longest tour of 3,000 kilometres. Never bothered me and I like how I don't have to "fit in" with others wants. I do carry a inReach SE so my family can track where I am etc for their peace of mind as much as anything.

Thanks for the suggestions, but none of the stem bags I've seen are large enough. Initially I thought that would be the solution. And as for weather protection, aside from the camera's weather sealed body, I bought a down carrying bag from Matadorup that has a built in rain fly. My new camera is a Panasonic Lumix DMC GH4.

I have carried my Olympus OM-D EM-1 and a 17mm Olympus lens in a top-tube bag, an Alpkit Fuel Pod. I haven't tried it with my 14-150mm lens but it might be a goer, just has to be disconnected when riding.  I have blogged on it as in my write-up of my Bacchetta Giro. Just do a search on the page for the section if interested.



Not having the camera ready to go and really finding the OM-E- EM-1 really too big for bikpacking and touring purposes I have now decided to purchase a second-hand Panasonic LX100 which is on the way to me. Hopefully this is a reasonable comprise for its role as my on bike camera.

Thanks. I will give that a shot.

Andrew

Up top, next to the "Reply" button is an icon of a page with an exclamation point.  Click that.  Also, if you reply to a thread, I believe it also automatically updates you, though I turn that off on most boards I hang out on since I visit frequently enough and don't want extra emails in my inbox.  IIRC, the update notification is sent to your email.

Thanks but that is the button to subscribe to a thread not a forum which is what I was looking for.

Regards
Andrew

You might want to start with the manual. A Google search brings up videos etc. It shouldn't be too hard to find helpful resources. 

I suspect you can turn off the auto start; I know I can with my Oregon 600.

Andrew

I hadn't thought of the 29+ capability, but upon research, looks like 29x3" tires fit on the Pug (not Mukluk's, I believe). 

I think you will find 29+ is an option with the Mukluk.

Andrew

I would seriously look into a large Bruunton flexible panel like Tom used, and forget those massive battery packs!  I promise that you will regret the extra weight.  I had a very small little USB "jump pack" from GoalZero, and I would sometimes charge this during the day, and then charge my iPod overnight in the tent...

You live in the sunniest place in the world!  Use it.  I cannot imagine touring in Aus without a rear rack at least.  Being able to carry that little bit of extra water is a nice thing.

Scott

I would seriously look into a large Bruunton flexible panel like Tom used, and forget those massive battery packs!  I promise that you will regret the extra weight.  I had a very small little USB "jump pack" from GoalZero, and I would sometimes charge this during the day, and then charge my iPod overnight in the tent...

You live in the sunniest place in the world!  Use it.  I cannot imagine touring in Aus without a rear rack at least.  Being able to carry that little bit of extra water is a nice thing.

Scott

Thanks Scott. I think you are right on the rack ... my first bikepack planned with the new bike (Holland Track) whilst only four day of actual track will require carrying of water for at least three days depending on the winter rains.

Andrew

My suggestion is to spend the same amount of money on a Hyperjuice 2 power pack. 27,000 mAh!!! Mine is on year three and has been reasonably durable, even surviving motorcycle rides through Baja, the Andes of Ecuador....you name it.

That is a serious looking power pack for sure! I have the Anker and probably okay for up to seven days, but if not, thanks for the heads-up on HyperJuice.

Andrew

We made it 28 days without plugging in on our Canning Stock Route traverse of last year.  No dynamos...

I used a GoalZero rigid solar panel to charge my iPod, AA's for the GPS, SPOT batteries and my camera battery.  Basically had it draped over the rear rack all day, everyday.

Tom used a Bruunton flexible panel to basicaly direct-power his iPhone (which he used for navigation).  He also charged various batteries on this panel throughout each day.  Again, the panel was draped over the rear rack all day, everyday.  We would move the panels to maximize exposure.  

So, yes it's totally do-able.  I think you just have to be prepared to go without a few of the more-modern conveniences...

Happy to help if you want the help.

Scott

Thanks Scott. Maybe I should duck around the corner and check out Tom's panel .  Not that I am planning the Canning Stock Route but it is good to know it worked for you both and that at least for the longer trips or longer periods it might be an option. I suspect for those rides I will need a rack anyway to carry the water so that aspect is solved.

I wonder but if the flexible panel would be a better option in such a setup?

Andrew

Its Sunday, it is hot (heading to 40 C), so not much outside activity so here I am throwing some silly ideas around in my head re off the grid power sources. As my Salsa Mukluk 2 is coming and it has a 150mm OLD fork a dynamo off the shelf is not an option so I am just throwing options around in my head and one of those is solar power to recharge a Anker 15,000 Mah battery.

With a more traditional touring option of racks and panniers I can see a solar panel mounted on the rack, draped over the panniers but with a bikepacking setup I will not have a panniers or a rack which leaves the question of how to mount a solar panel.

As a guide I am looking at most of the time going five days to seven days between main power sources and I use a Garmin Edge 810 that will be the main item needing charging. I also carry an iPad but that gets limited use and can generally survive this time-frame.

mmm maybe thinking about this more just sticking with the Anker or two might be a better option.

Ideas? Anyone have other ideas of on off-grid bikepacking without a dynamo?

Thanks
Andrew

I am not that familiar with  Supernova lights but I have heard reports of water ingress with upside down Busch & Muller lights so maybe something to be aware of.  SJS Cycles has a lot of mounts listed on their website.  Maybe worth a look to see if you can get some ideas on an alternative way mounting.

Andrew

One is 135 with disc rotor spaced for rear, one is 135 disk rotor spaced for front. You'd have to figure out how the Muk for is spaced for the disc mount.

Thanks.  As it turns out I have a bigger problem (me ) or rather I made an assumption instead of reading carefully and didn't pick up that the Salsa Mukluk frameset I have coming has the Salsa Bearpaw 150 fork so the fork spacing is 15 x 150 mm. Of course there are no dynamos of this size.

I am aware of 15 x 100 dynamos such as the Shutter Precision PD-8X and that spacers are available to bring it out to a 15 x 135mm fit but I am not sure it could be pushed out to a 150mm.  Thoughts?

If spacers are not the go, my only other option is swapping the fork out for a Salsa Bearpaw 135.

Andrew

I was just looking at Bike24.com at the SON 28 135 dynamos for a Salsa Mukluk build and notice that they offer a SON 28 135 Hub Dynamo Disc 6-hole VR and a SON 28 135 Hub Dynamo Disc 6-hole. Does anyone know what the VR refers to or the difference between the two models?

Thanks
Andrew

Thanks for the link Addy, I somehow missed that. I was leaning toward the Patagonia or possibly Marmot due to great quality and the pricing I get on those brands. I'll have to take a closer look at the "uber downs".

Will be interested in what you decided to go with. I am also considering a replacement down jacket as I want to be able to pack smaller and lighter.  I have pretty much narrowed my choice down to a Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisper. I am not going with a hood as I use a beanie anyway.

Andrew

Andrew it wouldn't matter if you went with the latest plastic model or the gen 2 cage - both are good.

Thanks. Being in Australia, it seems that buying options are such I might not have much choice but the Gen 2 cage anyway so it is good to know either option is a good one.

Thanks
Andrew

And here's another Dutch bike

Next week I'm heading off for a couple of weeks on the Transandalusia with a set up like this( now with lighter dry bags). Built the bike up over Christmas and spent a lot of time sewing the last couple of weeks.

Have fun on the ride. What is the bike BTW?

Andrew