Edited Date/Time
2/6/2015 7:04am
We picked on riding with a pack in our 2015 in/out list, but how do you hit the trail on a regular basis? With a pack or without? It's easy for us to say "just put everything on your bike" but how many of you are really there for most of your rides?
I'm personally still a bag boy on basically all "xc" rides over 20-30 mins. Even though I rarely come close finishing all my water, I like knowing it's there...kinda how I like how rarely let my gas drop below a 1/4 tank in my car LOL. I don't mind the pack on the uphills but don't really like it on the downs. I hate it being too tight, but I hate it flopping around.
Would love to hear how you all normally approach your rides.
I'm personally still a bag boy on basically all "xc" rides over 20-30 mins. Even though I rarely come close finishing all my water, I like knowing it's there...kinda how I like how rarely let my gas drop below a 1/4 tank in my car LOL. I don't mind the pack on the uphills but don't really like it on the downs. I hate it being too tight, but I hate it flopping around.
Would love to hear how you all normally approach your rides.
In my pack I have a shock pump, large tire levers, full size multi tool, lighter, extra shifter cable, patch kit, tubeless plugs, extra tube, and a mostly empty bottle of tri-flow. I have a big reservoir in my pack that i pretty much only fill all the way up.
I weigh much more with a pack.
I use a Backcountry Research Mutherload to strap my tube/C02 to the frame. Black Diamond ski straps also work well: http://www.backcountry.com/black-diamond-ski-strap
Add the SWAT bibs/vest for longer rides when you need more water or food.
Warning to everyone here, don't be the one that relies on another person to bail them out, one day you might find yourself walking back to the truck!
2nd warning, don't become the person(me) always bailing everyone else out! It gets expensive always buying spare parts that go to everyone else!
I'm old-school like that.
I have 3 different size packs depending on how long I'm going out for. At a minimum there is water, a multitool and a pump. The big pack also has a rain jacket, some more tools, spare tube, chain lube and brake pads, and usually a snack or two.
I never really notice the weight or it being "in the way". When it is hot enough that it would bother me it is also my life safer with water so cannot go without.
I also lead guided rides every now and then, in which case I'm the pack mule AND a bike shop on wheels.
I'm a introvert when it comes to riding. On occasion I will ride with one or two other buddies, but most of the times I ride solo and off peak hours. it's important that I carry everything I need with me in case of emergency.
I hate walking (that's why I ride my bike) so I typically have everything to get me out from wherever I am. My challenge is that I like to rotate my bikes and they all have different wheelsizes. So before setting off I really need to make sure I have the right size tubes in my pack. I have multiple zip lock bags with tubes that are labeled with the size. I take those in and out of my pack depending on what bike I ride.
I try to keep my pack as light as possible, so if the ride isn't going to be longer than 2 hours and the bike I'm riding that day has a water bottle cage, then I'll just use that instead of a hydration bladder.
a few times I've tried riding with a thin XC jersey (under my regular jersey) and used the back pockets to carry my tubes, pump, tools, water, etc... but on one fast rough section that sh|t started bouncing all over the place and I eventually ended up loosing my pump and tubes. No more...
I have tried a bumbag and just don't like how tight I need to wear it around my waist to prevent it from moving. On long climbs it really is uncomfortable. But that's just me... I don't like having anything tight around my waist or chest
I try to pack lightly for local loops, but anything backcountry i tend to pack a bunch more. DH involves buying a massive pack of disposable waters, and then the empties get ditched at the top (in a recycling can). A tube/zipties/small multitool/CO2 and tire lever are taped to the bottom of my DH seat, if we're shuttling, and the descents are pretty long.
We've done it a few times after running out of tubes.. "Shrinking" 29er tubes is kind of fun
- Tubes
- mini pump
- Shock Pump
- Patch kit
- tire plugs
- Leatherman with wire cutter
- zip ties
- Woolftooth bottle opener with rotor straitening tool (yes many times I've smacked my rear rotor on rocks to the point my wheel wouldn't spin)
- digital pressure gauge
- spoke wrench
- extra shifting cables
- spare hanger
- duct tape
- emergency whistle
- one moisture absorbing sweat band (that you need to tie) and one handkerchief (bandana type). Used those many times to stop big cuts from bleeding (mostly on shins)
- small spray bottle with Bactine
- Motrin tablets
- dedicated chain breaker tool
- Fix it sticks
- pieces of lawnchair webbing to use as tire patches (thank you Paul Morningstar)
- RockShox Enduro Collar in case my dropper post fails
- rubber pouch full of small bolts, nuts, spare links, etc...
I know I'm forgetting something - but that's what I can remember on top of my head
Here's the list of goodies I carry in the pack on every ride:
Water, Saltstick caps, a couple energy bars, mini bug spray bottle, waterproof shell if a longer ride or possibility of rain / cold.
CO2 + air chuck (enough CO2 to reinflate twice, typically 2x 25gram cartridges)
2oz Stans, tubeless tire plug kit, valve core removal tool (you can seal most punctures and reinflate without taking tire off the rim this way)
Mini tool (with chain breaker)
tire levers, extra tube, tube patch kit
Gorilla tape, zip ties
shifter cable, powerlink, derailleur hanger, brake pads, pedal cleats
chainring bolts, disc rotor bolts, brake pad retainer pins
ziploc bag, shop towel, nitrile gloves
Leatherman with wire cutter
Shock pump
mini crescent wrench (for use as rotor straightening tool)
I also have an "extended ride kit" organized in a REI Shower Kit (great little bag for organization) for longer and more remote rides like Whole Enchilada, it includes:
extra CO2 cartridge
hand pump
toilet paper
extra tube (a 26" tube so i can give it away to someone in need if necessary)
Survival kit (water purification tablets, emergency space blanket, 10' 3mm Spec Cord, lighter, mini compass, mini LED light)
I'm seriously considering adding a 'trauma kit' to my bag with a couple gauze pads, nitrile gloves, and a CPR shield to save my own life / someone else (did you know quick and aggressive CPR is best action after someone is hit by lightning and isnt breathing??)
My overarching philosophy is 'better safe than sorry' and this stuff adds between 3-5lbs depending on what length of ride, and to be honest, I could lose an extra 3-5 pounds if I really want to be a super duper pro and worry about Strava KOMs. Honestly I just never want to either have to walk even a mile out or worst case have a friend die because i didn't want to carry an extra half pound in my pack. Also I think I've built this list because I've had something go wrong where I'm glad I had that tool or learned my lesson by not having the right tool in the last 10+ years of mountain biking.
The crew I ride with is typically well-prepared. If someone is a total idiot and/or close enough to civilization and/or has enough sunlight I'll just pretend like I don't have the gear to fix their mechanical and they'll walk out and learn a valuable lesson.
Yah, I was a Boy Scout.
I also hate to walk because someone in the group is ill prepared. I can't tell you how often I've had to replace someones else gear cable or jerry rig their bike so they could RIDE their bike out.
I use this motto both in my home shop and on the trail: If at any point I need something, weather it's a tool, spare part or accessory, but don't have it - I go out and buy it. If it happens on the trail, then in my pack it goes from that point on.
Since I've been riding, the only things I haven't been able to fix trailside are:
- a few snapped cranks
- snapped handlebar
- Broken brake lever (after an OTB in rocks)
- On this one hell ride I want to forget, I went through all my spare tubes and all my patches. F that....
I always felt better having some backup with me. I feel better with a jacket, leg warmers, food, a lighter to make a fire, minimalist first aid, and all that water.
I ran out of water a lot during the hot summer months back then, and the water tasted gross after the bottle got dirty and the water was warm. And the WORST part was when the bottles flew out of the holder on downhill sections and I had to interrupt the fun part and go back uphill to get my water.
I've been thinking about getting a 2nd smaller pack for short rides. I'm getting tired of loading and unloading between longer backcountry rides and local 1-2 hour trips.
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