Help a Newb!!

[texasjake]

Hey y'all I hope this message finds everyone doin' well,

         I'm new to this and need some advice/wisdom - I have a 2010 Specialized Hardrock 29'er w/Fronts suspension (lockouts) and disc brakes. It is stock and well taken care of... is this bike a good choice for bike packing? what tires, handlebars and/or other gear do y'all suggest? i'm a huge fan of DIY projects, where could i find designs for bike packs? Thanks y'all I really appreciate your time and effort.

[wahday]

That's a fine bike for bikepacking. I wouldn't worry about upgrading or changing anything on your ride just yet if all is in good working order. Get out there on an overnighter or two and I think any issues you want to address will become evident. But what you have will work perfectly fine.

At this point I would just focus on what you are bringing and how to carry it. There is a whole Make Your Own Gear section here with great advice on DIY projects if you are interested in that. Also check out the mtbr.com forums which also has an active forum on bikepacking.

Where in Tejas are you? If you poke around these forums looking at trip reports, you will see some from Big Bend State Park, the Dallas area, and more. I also have an interest in Palo Duro Canyon area (I'm in New Mexico).

[texasjake]

Thanks for the reply! I'm just South of Dallas and funny enough, just went on a trip to Cap Rock Canyons state park (Palo Duro's little brother). Thanks for the advice on where to find some DIY projects too. NM is one of my favorite landscape states - super jealous you get to traverse its deserts and canyons. ANyway, ive got some bags to design and a bike to Mojo - I'll send pics later this week hopefully.

[wahday]

Yes, I love New Mexico. I moved here 15 years ago so it still feels like a place I discovered and not something I take for granted. So much to explore.

My aunt and uncle live in Hillsboro (Corsicana exit off 35) and we've got friends in Waxahatchie. I lived in Austin many years ago (where I met my wife) but have not been back in ages. We also travel to west Texas occasionally (Alpine, Marathon, Big Bend area, Lajitas, etc.) and that's some crazy moonscape riding down there!

Keep us posted on your MYOG stuff. I love looking through those forums. Just wish I knew how to use a sewing machine. The most I have done is make my own little alcohol stove out of beer can bottoms, which is still pretty cool. I'm definitely a budget bikepacker and try to repurpose items I already own.

Ride on!

[Tommi]

Howdy texasjake, good on you for getting out there on your bike; I am also a 're-purposer' and started bikepacking last year with a Norco Bushpilot. I've since upgraded to a Norco Charger 29er, which I am picking up on 7 Feb - my 52nd birthday. Never too late to get out and about!

[texasjake]

wahday and Tommi -
   
                     Thanks again for the replies! So far i have attached to G.I. style canteens to my front shocks - canabolised my old EMS internal frame pack by taking off the top gear pouch and inverting it BOOM got myself a handlebar bag with 2 zippered pockets and enough room in the pouch for a 10 - 15L dry/stuff sack - as far as the frame bag is concerned - my sewing skills are not what i thought. I had planned on making a bag out of some old Grundens from work but...nope. I have opted out (for now) with a Jandd large frame pack. Still deciding on the rear bag though... (racks? bags? suggestions?)

tommi - your set up looks cool man, and we are both hammock dudes! my buddy is pushing a eureka solo on me but i've been happy so far!
wahday - budget is what it is all about man! I look around and think..."what could i make out of that?" or "how can i fix that to my bike?" - with the canteens it's awesome because if i take them out of their holsters, i can fit up to a 2 liter bottle in one or pack in other stuff!     

[Tommi]

You gotta post pics of those canteens lashed to your bike! I love that stuff!

[texasjake]

BOOM! Again, still debating on whether i want a rack or some sort of bag - right now i am thinking some sort of rack might be good.

[wahday]

Looking good! I actually did the same thing with the top of my internal frame bag. I drape it over my sleeping bag stuff sack which also contains my clothes. I put a water bladder in it.

Since my last trip I have also tried a new strategy to move the stuff sack out away from the shifters and brakes. I cut a section of PVC pipe and strapped it to the stuff sack. Then I strap the two items to the bars. The PVC pipe holds the bag out far enough to clear the shifters and brakes so they don't wear a hole. Dirtbag style! Have not taken it out for a shakedown yet but I'm hopeful. Will post a pic later. As a bonus I also wrapped some duct tape to the PVC that I can unwrap and use if needed. Trying to figure out if I can incorporate the pipe for some other additional purpose.

As for rack vs. seatbag, I just went with what was most affordable. Found an OMM cold springs rack for $50 so that's what I am using. The thing is bombproof! I strap a stuff sack or drybag to the top of it that has my sleeping pad, cook kit and sleeping tarp. Food goes in my pack with rain jacket, rain pants and another water bladder. If needed ( ie. I am planning a trip with my 12 yo son and may need to carry some extra gear for him) I can also attach panniers from my wife's commuter.

I don't use a frame bag. I have three bottle mounts on my frame so there is not a lot of room I have plenty of capacity for any moderate weather bikepacking.

Keep us updated on your developments!

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[texasjake]

wahday -
       
                  I would love to see pics of that PVC adaptation-- might be a fun place to throw in some multi vitamins, electrolytes, mace can, socks.... i dunno. Thanks for the heads up on the rack - i'll look it up and see what's up. the frame bag seems cool for my frame 21" - i should be able to remount the bottom cage but we'll see. coincidentally, do you run tubeless or with tubes? I have tuffy liners and slime tubes and have rarely experienced any variety of flat... i've seen so many posts about tubeless it's got me curious - especially in regard to 200lb + riders. anyway, have a good one man -

[Tommi]

Nice looking GI waterbottles, dude!!

[wahday]

I run tubes but would like to go tubeless. My wheelset, which is ust ready, is close to the end (been servicing the rear hub to keep it alive) so I am thinking of making the transition at that time. It's all about the money.

I run a geax saguaro 2.2 in the rear and a wtb mutano 2.4 up front which is a nice combo. I use Stan's sealant which is like magic and really do not have any problems, even in the land of goatheads. Yes on occasion I need to replace a tube, but it's not often and not a big deal. I keep a little bottle or two in my pack. If you go that route just make sure you have removable valve core stems so you can unscrew them and squirt the Stan's in there either to try and seal a hole or in new tubes.

Really I think as slow as one typically goes bikepacking running tubes is fine. I'm sure it makes something of a difference, but my interest in tubeless is in regular riding where speed and trail contact, especially in cornering, really make a difference in performance.


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