Gear weight question

[bakerjw]

Not including the weight of your bike.
How much does your gear and frame bags weigh?
For light touring such as a day or overnight trip?
For longer touring such as a week?
For ultra racing like the Tour Divide?

I know that there are many variables. I'm just trying to get my head wrapped around some target weight numbers.
Thanks

[AZTtripper]

Lots of variables and lots of strategies. During one of the AZTR discussions there was some mention of percent of personal weight. I've never weighed just the gear but my low 30's bikes usually bike pack in the low to mid 40's. A 50lb bike is a beast to move, back in the day I pushed a 70lb bike on the AZT and that was ridiculous.

The fastest guys that I see barely carry more then they would for a bad weather day ride. If you know your strong enough to just not stop until you get to shelter or the weather clears, then what more do you need.

Slower riders those who do the big rides taking twice the time as the winners seem to all have a way to camp out if needed. A few go so far as to carry ultra light tents but bag and bivy are plenty maybe a tarp. You can easily have all of that and even a sleeping pad with the right pieces the weight will be manageable.

Hope that helps.

Tim  

[bicyclehobo]

I am a tourer not so much a bikepacker. I am in the process of switching to bikepacking bags.

3 cross country tours with hotel once a week.

First tour with a buddy: 55 lbs [newbie who brought way too much stuff]

Second tour with a buddy: 25 lbs [really dialed down]

Third tour solo: 30 lbs camped almost every night.

I would think my next tour will be even lighter. When I finish a tour I clean all of my equipment and box it up. Each time I repack for a new tour I tend to find a lot of things that I look at and say 'Why did I ever think I would need this?'. I have also purchased a lot of higher end gear as my interest in touring has increased. I want to be lighter each time I go out.

[mtnbound]

As mentioned, there are lots of variables.  In general, for multi-day races, my estimation (which may be waaay off) is the lighter racers are around 8-12 lbs for gear (not including bike, food or water), while I think the average racer is about 10-16 lbs and those with bigger loads are probably 15-20 lbs.  I am slow and take much more stuff so I am around the 15 lbs range.  For touring, that is really much more of a personal preference and depends if you are staying in hotels (so much wider variance) and can tend to be a bit more.  

In general, bike-packing bags typically weigh about 2-4 lbs (depending if you are including a backpack and if you are going with a pannier, then it is much heavier), sleeping gear (bag, bivy & tarp or UL tent, and pad) is around 2-5 lbs (this is often the heaviest component of gear), clothes are a big variable that depend on where you are going and the weather and can be the next heaviest and largest component, then there is the camping stuff (around 2-4 lbs), biking gear may be around 1-3 lbs (I am not counting what you are initially wearing), personal stuff (1-2 lbs), etc.  

There are ways to cut down on weight and size but it can also cost extra $$$.  I am ditching my water filter (which was close to 1 lb) in exchange for a Sawyer filter (about 4 oz with everything) and there are other ways to cut down, like switching to a lightweight bivy and tarp or simply not taking certain items, though each rider must weigh the pros and cons for themselves and the type of trip they are taking.  But, in general, the lighter your gear, the easier and happier you will be!  HAB with a 30 lb bike, plus 30 lbs of gear, food and water is not my ideal fun time.

[mtnbound]

I think the biggest thing is to just go out and bike-pack!  Start out by going on small trips and each time out, think about how you could better pack (location of items, types of bags, etc.) and what you used and didn't use so each time and what you should have brought, so you can improve as your experience grows.  Keep a packing list so your packing gets easier each time and helps to avoid forgetting to bring stuff.  Finally, these forums are great for figuring ways to keep the weight and the packed size down.  Anyway, my 2 cents.  Enjoy!

[dream4est]

I have dialed the weight down to under 8 lbs for racing. It worked, but there are trade offs to carrying nothing. You are faster, but the lack of clothing and sleep kit means you have to keep moving way more. Old habits have to die hard.

For touring too much weight can cause injury IMO. Over 20lbs is tough work.

I think HOW you carry the gear can be more important, as well as bulk (size) issues. No one way is best. It depends on the individual to find the right setup. I tried Kurt Refsniders setup in 2014 AZT300 for a ride one day. It sucked!!! But he just killed it with that pack/bag setup. I thought maybe he had some secret I had to try. It made me realize my own research/experience mattered for ME way more than copying Kurts kit.