Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
I have none of the items described as the best 11 bits of bikepacking kit, especially not a tent costing over £500...
http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/ind ... 16006.html
It all sounds very fancy, but bears nor resemblance to my setup last weekend on the WRT...
Si
http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/ind ... 16006.html
It all sounds very fancy, but bears nor resemblance to my setup last weekend on the WRT...
Si
Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
That's cycle touring.
- whitestone
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Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
I'm increasingly wary of lists like these. Sadly my cynicism makes me ask "Who's sponsoring this article/the writer?" Of the 11 items 3 are from one company: MSR, Thermarest and Platypus are all brands of Cascade Designs. The author also seems to do a few of these "Best X items for ..." http://www.independent.co.uk/author/liz-dodd
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
She's using the tent at least on her round the world tour so she may or may not be being sponsored.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
Today is 'Grumpy Thursday', so rather than write anything long winded, I'll simply convey my feelings with ... what a load of sh1te. "bikepacking has made touring trendy again" uhm, perhaps to those who read and believe guff like this.
I saw another list in a similar vain on the MBR website, I recall the only products listed were those sold by Alpkit. I'm certainly not knocking Alpkit as they'd be daft to miss the opportunity ... but I am knocking the crap, lazy and ill-informed journalists who write the bollox.
Anyway, hope everyone's having a smashing day.
I saw another list in a similar vain on the MBR website, I recall the only products listed were those sold by Alpkit. I'm certainly not knocking Alpkit as they'd be daft to miss the opportunity ... but I am knocking the crap, lazy and ill-informed journalists who write the bollox.
Anyway, hope everyone's having a smashing day.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
I'd like to take that Ortlieb handle bar thing on a bikepacking trip.
I wonder how often they would send me a replacement before telling me to sod off and stop using their kit for bikepacking.
Bikepacking has come a long way - well the definition of it.
I've loosened up on it. In the end we have cycling in common.
I wonder how often they would send me a replacement before telling me to sod off and stop using their kit for bikepacking.
Bikepacking has come a long way - well the definition of it.
I've loosened up on it. In the end we have cycling in common.
- whitestone
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Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
A deliberate misspelling?Bearbonesnorm wrote:I saw another list in a similar vain on the MBR website,
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
You took the words from my mouth Stuart!I'll simply convey my feelings with ... what a load of sh1te. "bikepacking has made touring trendy again" uhm, perhaps to those who read and believe guff like this.
Strangely though, my first expedition did involve a dodgy handlebar bag .... it shaked and rattled too much in the Attadale wilds though and was never seen again!
Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
I think the mat is the only thing there I'd consider using.
- voodoo_simon
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Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
At least there's no axe mentioned!
Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
Used to supply bikes from a brand that got featured in most of the Independent's lists. It was an intro list to items he liked and knew, brands they had relationships with etc. Not so much sponsored as not claiming to be exhaustive or 'the best' in reality, just a shopping list starter. Lizz Dodd wrote something for the Evans blog a while back along similar lines, paid content about lightweight touring experiences. It's more about being a known media writer than any level of expertise, though fair to say they have some experience in the first place. As Taylor says though, this is really a touring article (and I do see touring<>bikepacking as fairly interchangeable .. ).I'm increasingly wary of lists like these. Sadly my cynicism makes me ask "Who's sponsoring this article/the writer?"
- thenorthwind
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Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
I don't know how I've survived this long without a phone with a
unique-thermal imaging camera to check your gas stove is still lit
- whitestone
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Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
I've a unique thermal sensing finger that will do thatthenorthwind wrote:I don't know how I've survived this long without a phone with a
unique-thermal imaging camera to check your gas stove is still lit
James: it's noticeable on the US bikepacking/climbing/hiking sites that when they do a review they'll often say something along the lines of "The author bought the reviewed item with their own money" or "The item under review was supplied by X and I returned it after assessing it". With the ever more blurring of the lines between editorial content and advertiser's copy this should be standard.
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
And that's probably why so many of these articles are poor and to a degree, even misleading. If someone bothered to do a little research beforehand, they could produce / print an article worth reading.It's more about being a known media writer than any level of expertise
Ooh bugger, I missed thatI don't know how I've survived this long without a phone with a
unique-thermal imaging camera to check your gas stove is still lit
I find that strangely worrying ...At least there's no axe mentioned!
I can dismiss any article that advises the carrying of an axe as simple drivel. However, something which is drivel and doesn't even mention the carrying of a large cutting implement must be way off the mark and not even up to speed on the writing of bikepacking bollox
May the bridges you burn light your way
- RIP
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Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
Well. That's a com...... no, it's no good, I can't be bothered. I didn't even get as far as Stuart either . Well spotted though darbeze.
"They're Independent [of all the advertisers & vested interests]... are you?". Better than 'reading' all the usual 'Daily HateMail'-type of organs though!
"They're Independent [of all the advertisers & vested interests]... are you?". Better than 'reading' all the usual 'Daily HateMail'-type of organs though!
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
I think it's a list for hipsters who will announce their intentions, buy all the gear then promptly do nothing with it, .
Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
Whitestone, agreed, I'd noticed that on 29Inches.com and gravelbike sites and thought it was good to point out.
Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
Ummm.... time for the walk, ermmm, I mean ride of shame.
I am currently packing for the Spanish bimble and 2 items featured on the list are making the journey with me!
I am currently packing for the Spanish bimble and 2 items featured on the list are making the journey with me!
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Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
Mbnut, better not be those R@pha shorts, I've got exclusivity in the winding Stuart up stakes.
Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
Neoair Xlite FTW. I don't give a crap it sounds like a chip packet. Been loving the reactions today as I've been cruising across Europe. A tent, a mat, a jacket and a hat. In there? How?!
Greetz
S.
Greetz
S.
- johnnystorm
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Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
It says this at the bottom:jameso wrote:Whitestone, agreed, I'd noticed that on 29Inches.com and gravelbike sites and thought it was good to point out.
So the same thing as you have to take them both on their word.IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing
Last edited by johnnystorm on Thu May 04, 2017 8:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- johnnystorm
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Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
It would seem she's travelling abroad as we type and is headed off around the world. Whether her kit looks like what you packed for a weekend in Wales is neither here nor there really.darbeze wrote:I have none of the items described as the best 11 bits of bikepacking kit, especially not a tent costing over £500...
http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/ind ... 16006.html
It all sounds very fancy, but bears nor resemblance to my setup last weekend on the WRT...
Si
Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
Fair point johnnystorm. My experience of 'a newspaper' best bikes list doesn't match with
I'm treading a fine line here : ) so I'm not saying more in writing.
So yes, I shouldn't take either at their word, is the valid point you're making.
though. For some of them we simply sent a press-quality image of the bike, not an actual bike.The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing
I'm treading a fine line here : ) so I'm not saying more in writing.
So yes, I shouldn't take either at their word, is the valid point you're making.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
I've really no issue with the girl ... in fact, it's a real shame they hadn't written a proper article on her rather than what appears no more than using her for a leg-up, onto the 'on trend' bikepacking bandwagon.It would seem she's travelling abroad as we type and is headed off around the world. Whether her kit looks like what you packed for a weekend in Wales is neither here nor there really.
May the bridges you burn light your way
- thenorthwind
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Re: Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper
Sorry to break it you you but it's not uniqueI've a unique thermal sensing finger