Mike Hall (RIP) Gear List

[Adam Greenberg]

Hi,

I am intending on riding tour divide in 2019 and looking for an ultralight/minimalist set up.

I saw many pictures of Mike Hall's bike and can see he didn't take much, but I'm sure he had everything he needed.

I was wondering if anyone came across the list of gear he used when he won in 2016.

Thank you,

Adam

[Bobonli]

Did you try Google? The first result is a video of him with his bike and kit. I think the full video is on a pay-site. And there is this: https://road.cc/content/news/59716-interview-round-world-record-holder-mike-hall-talks-round-world-record-kit  though not specific to TD. His lists used to be up on the Revelate and Normally Aspirated Human websites but it looks as if they have been removed.

[Adam Greenberg]

Thank you for the response. I have tried Google. I am familiar with the site, but don't really want to spend $100 for a gear list. I am surprised someone would charge money for such a thing. Also familiar with the removed pages.

I'll check out the link you sent. Thanks!

[timon.fish]

http://www.bikepacking.com/gear/josh-kato-tour-divide-pack-list/

josh kato from '15....good info there.

[xlewisx]

Can’t help you with Mike’s list but here’s what bike and gear got me to Antelope Wells in a decent time this year. 37lbs all up before food and water.

https://overlandarchive.com/2018/04/01/giant-xtc-divide/

[Adam Greenberg]

Lewis,

Thank you very much for your response.

I actually had a look at your bike earlier on Bikepacking.com.

My gear list is pretty similar to yours, but I do have a few questions about undecided items:

1. I can't decide between the Niner RDO fork and a Lauf. I am afraid of what a rigid fork would do to my body on such a long distance and finger numbness. On the other hand, I am afraid of failure, and loss of energy due to bobbing on the lauf, since I like to climb out of the saddle.

2. Can't decide between a brooks cambium, or a Specialized Power saddle. How did you like the specialized?

3. Were two large water bottles enough for you? even when there is over 100 miles with no water?

4. Is the aerobar necessary? Was thinking of going with a set up like Mike Hall had, with the two bar ends in the middle of the bar. Or maybe putting the aero bar pads in the middle of the aero bar to rest my arms but no bars.

5. How much did you use the bar ends, is it necessary?

6. Did you take a lock with you?

Thank you!!!

Adam

[xlewisx]

1) I can’t really speak to the Lauf as I’ve never tried one. But I’d be running rigid again if I went back. Sounds like maybe going rigid but sizing up your front tyre to a 2.35 could be a good option. Keeps things simple but gives you a little bit more rubber to dampen the trails. I also would recommend a good carbon bar. Carbon is incredible for reducing road-chatter compared to aluminium. Just use some electrical tape to protect the bar from bag rub from feed bags, handlebar bags etc

2) I love the Power. I actually switched to it only a few months out and was nervous about making such a change so late but it was that good I had no hesitation with sticking with it. I think it’s especially good if you run aero bars as with the short nose there’s less to get in the way, and means you don’t have to told the saddle down further than ideal to compromise between the two positions. (Which was a complain of Mike’s against aero bars)

3) there’s a third bottle mounted under my down tube. So I had 2.7L capacity. Through montanta it was cold and wet so was mostly only carrying 2L at a time. Through the Basin and the Gila I added an extra 1L Gatorade bottle. I had some bungee cord wrapped around the back of the aero bars and used that to strap down the extra bottle. I never ran out of water but I was also moving at a good pace. If you’re moving slower you made need more. What sort of time are you aiming for?

4) To me, yes. I wouldn’t even think about attempting the Divide without them. Yes. They are heavy, ~500g but being able to get the weight of your hands is so crucial to me. Especially if you’re saying that you’re concerned about hand numbness. I think aero bars are going to do more to reduce that than a Lauf. I’m not sure the pads with no extensions would really work. Part of having the extensions to hold on to is allowing you to maintain that position but still having enough control to negotiate rocks and potholes in otherwise smooth roads.

5) All. The. Time. I love them. Again if you’re worried about hand numbness, the more positions for your hands to be in the better. Each different position is going to relieve pressure off different parts of the hand.

6) No. But again, that’s part of moving fast. Mostly I was refuelling only in gas stations so wasn’t leaving the bike long and was never far away. Only went into one supermarket. And I think only 3 or 4 restaurant meals.

[Adam Greenberg]

Lewis,

Thanks again for the very detailed response!

I have a few more questions for you...

1. Was your aerobar carbon or aluminum?

2. Your list of gear doesn't mention off the bike clothes, just something for sleep?

3. Were your sleeping bag and sleeping clothes (assuming you had them) in a waterproof/dry bag?

4. Did you take a backup GPS?

5. I know you had waterproof socks? How were they? looking back, would you also take shoe covers?

6. What pump did you use? Did you take a CO2 pump as well?

7. What tire pressure were you running most of the time, and how much do you weigh?

8. I've heard people say that your feet swell, and they recommend getting a slightly larger shoe, do you agree with that?

9. You mentioned that you stopped at restaurants only 3-4 times. Do you consider subway or McDonalds a restaurant, or by restaurant you mean a place that you sit and order? How many nights did you stay at a hotel/lodge/motel? At night that you didn't, did you stay at campgrounds or just slept by the side of the road?

Thank you!!

Adam

[xlewisx]

1. alloy
2. Nope
3. No. My sleeping bag lived inside my bivy and that went straight into my bar bag
4. Backup GPS was my phone. Had the route loaded on Maps.me.
5. I didn’t love the waterproof socks. In the future I’ll just use bread bags. Thinner and lighter. It’s what I’ve done in the past.
6. Just some topeak mtb hand pump.
7. I think I started with 24 rear, 22 front. I weigh ~70kg
8. Yeah they definitely did. I didn’t size up shoes but I did utilise the BOA closure a lot in the second week of my race to back off the pressure on my foot if I was on a flat section and then tighten back up for climbing.
9. I mean I only sat down to eat at a table 3 or 4 times. If I ever ordered subway I took it to go and ate while I packed my bags, or while riding, or put it in a bag for later. 3 nights in hotels. A couple nights in camp toilet blocks, otherwise on the side of the road.  

[Adam Greenberg]

Thanks again!!

I have to say you're a true minimalist! I think that's the way to go, both on the bike and in life.

Any thoughts on first aid kit, spoke wrench, tire sealant, batteries and charging cables that weren't on your list?

[Woodland]

If you want Mike Hall's gear list you better be prepared to suffer...hard!

[xlewisx]

Oh yeah. I guess there’s a few small things I might have missed. Yes to spoke wrench. A small 4000mAh cache battery to charge off dynamo. Cables for iPhone, micro USB, mini USB for etrex (didn’t use), and for the exposure helmet light. No extra sealant. Just put a lot in before I started. First aid kit was minimal. Some strips of KT tape, 2 small gauze pads, neosporin, steri strips, couple band-aids, backup ibuprofen.I think that’s about it.

I don’t think my minimalist kit caused me to suffer. A few moments of discomfort. Most of those were attributed alone to my stupid rain pants, which I’ll admit were a mistake. But I think a 50g heavier pair would have solved a lot of that