How much weight is too much on your back while MTB'ing?

[canuckjgc]

Hi all,

I'm setting up to fish remote lakes only accessible by mountain bike and using an Alpacka packraft (typically day trips only).

In your experience, how much weight do you comfortably carry on you back while bikepacking off-road?

The boat and PFD will weigh right around 10 pounds.  Pack is 2.5 pounds.  Extra gear 6 pounds.  Total of about 19 pounds.

I'd rather stick with a pack then buy a BOB Ibex trailer for 20 pounds worth of gear.

Thoughts?

[Slowerthensnot]

Bars and under seat bags...  they are your friend!

Pack wight i find that if i'm over 15lba it wears on me very quick!

[DaveC]

Pack weights between 5 and 20 pounds are all the same in my book, but I do more hiking and backpacking than most.  Over 20 and on long days or multidays I start to feel it in my butt (literally).  Getting saddle sore with a big pack is the most relevant concern IMO.

[canuckjgc]

Thanks, I may be better off with a BOB Ibex for 20 pounds of gear.  I want to decide before spending $200+ on a backpack just to find out it is indeed too heavy to ride comfortably off-road.

I'm not keen to strap everything to the bike, although it is an option.

[AZTtripper]

If the route is not to technical I would go with the Bob. I have had up to 40lbs on my back for multi day trips but never again.

[DaveH]

20 lbs in a pack for days on end has not caused me trouble.  That said, before you settle on a bob check out the offerings of Eric at http://www.epicdesignsalaska.com/.  I think he's got a handlebar setup for alpacka rafts.  I know he has traveled by bike w/ alpacka extensively - he's the goto guy for this question!

[bmike-vt]

I have an Epic front harness system. I'm not currently planning on any Alpacka trips... But the system is well done.

With the Bob you'll be adding more weight in the trailer than you are planning on carrying.

I've not used one - but the Xtrawheel trailer looks interesting - and if you set it up right you can make it a spare front or rear wheel.

[Pivvay]

20lbs you could put on the bike pretty easy. Epic Eric's stuff is the bomb, way better than a trailer if avoidable.

10lbs disappears on my back with even the flimsiest packs. Over 20lbs I'm not too happy even with my heavier suspended Nathan. I bet if you get some weigh on the bike and some on  your back you'll be fine and save a ton of trailer weight.

[stevage]

More than about 6-7 kgs causes me a sore back. I've thought in the past that pack that could be supported somehow by the bike would be great. Obviously you'd still stand up for technical sections, but it would be much more comfortable for the rest.

[canuckjgc]

Thanks -- good points.  I'll see if I can put some weight on the bike with Eric's bags, and less in the pack, and avoid the trailer.

Do the Epic Design bags stand up to some rough single track?

[Pivvay]

Oh yea! They're made for singletrack

[ScottM]

More than about 6-7 kgs causes me a sore back. I've thought in the past that pack that could be supported somehow by the bike would be great. Obviously you'd still stand up for technical sections, but it would be much more comfortable for the rest.

I do this sometimes with my Talon 22.  Let the straps out all the way until it rests on the top of my Epic Designs seat pack (has to be stuffed pretty full).  Works great for taking almost all the weight off your shoulders/butt when riding dirt roads or pavement.  Though it only works for a couple hours at a time since it can be annoying to shift around or stand up after a while.

I try to keep the pack weight below 15 pounds.  Less than 12 is ideal, IMO.  If the weight is in the right places on the bike, it doesn't kill handling too much.  I also shift things between the pack and bike depending on how much trail or steep descending I expect ahead. 

[DaveC]

Pack is 2.5 pounds. 

Somehow I missed this.  Seams pretty heavy for a pack that'll be carrying 20 lbs.  I'd think that besides a pack, the ideal place to put a raft would either be strapped to the bars or on a rear rack.

[jhl99]

I second the rack concept... even a front rack and a rear rack, which gives many options for where you load the weight and/or bulk by just using shock cords.  I would imagine that the PFD is rather bulky. Maybe put the boat on the rear rack, PFD on front rack and rest of the stuff in a pack or large fanny pack or a single pannier to keep it all on the bike.

[canuckjgc]

I hadn't really considered racks as I don't want them on the bike normally, but if I can find some that aren't hard to take on and off I'll consider those.

Do you really think loaded racks (with bulky items such as PFD as mentioned) is ultimately better than a BOB Ibex trailer that can take the boat, paddle, PFD, etc?  I am at the limit for putting it all in a comfortable backpack I'm sure. 

[stevage]

>I also shift things between the pack and bike depending on how much trail or steep descending I expect ahead.

Care to elaborate? Which way does the bike/backpack balance go?

[Mike Brown]

canuck- I actually have a lot of experience using loaded BOBs to carry tools for trail work. 
If a system is secure, stable, and out of your way, I definitely think that a rack or something on the bars would be better.  But, you can do ANY trail with the BOB if you have to- I've even had mine airborne enough to bend the axle/dropouts.  The trailer is just cumbersome and very difficult to get through mud, steep climbs, or anything else requiring slow, powerful riding.  It can also really kick around behind you at speed. 
Just looked at the Alpacka website so  I could have an idea of what you're talking about- that seems ideal for a rack, IMO. Would strap right to the top of it, good to go. 

[canuckjgc]

Thanks Mike...I have no experience carrying any loads on a MTB though I've been riding for years and years.  I suppose taking a few minutes the night before and installing the rack may be the way to go.  I could also strap the collapsible paddles to the rack as well.  There will be 10 pounds on the rack -- assuming that is not too much for rough riding?  Also, Old Man Mountain the way to go?

[AZTtripper]

You can do a lot with a Bob no doubt as long as the trail is not super tech that might be a good way to go.

Old Man Mountain racks mount through the skewer and brake bosses if your bike has them or clamps if not. I had one but sold it to a friend who wanted something easier to put on and take off. So that would work.

Seems like you added something, I didn't see paddle listed in the OP but I guess you won't be hand paddling will you. Then I bet you still have some fishing gear to add to the list. The more you add the more the Bob makes sense. And then there are the fish would you want a cooler to bring them out in you could with a Bob. Again as long as the terrain is not to tech.

Looking back at your second post you mention spending $200 on a backpack it seems like you be be better off to put that into a Bob for sure. You still want to be careful not to get carried away and get over loaded.

[canuckjgc]

Ok I should be clear about what I'm taking on singletrack rides, somewhat technical, 10-15 miles one way:

- Boat
- Paddle (collapsible)
- PFD
- Fishing rod (collapsible)
- Basic survival gear (first aid, knife, water purifier, etc)
- Extra clothes
- Bike tools (pump, tire repair, chain repair)
- Lightweight paddling boots
- Lunch and supper
- Disposable camera
- Bear spray in the water bottle holder (fishing in grizz country)

I won't be taking fish home -- I'm a catch and release fisherman -- so no cooler.

So what do you think?  BOB Ibex, racks or backpack? 

All the options are bit pricey, so I want to avoid investing in one system only to discover it doesn't work well.