New to the forum - hi

[thenorthwind]

Just a quick post to say "hi" since I'm new here. Some of you may know me from STW (same username) as there seems to be a bit of crossover and some familiar names. You might not recognise me otherwise as I have neither an Audi nor a Gaggia coffee machine.

Anyway, I'm a mountain biker at heart but known to dabble in the dark arts. I've done my fair share of "endurance" XC day rides (otherwise known as type 2 fun), multi-day road-based touring, and bivvying and wild camping on foot, but never really what you'd call bikepacking, so I'm looking to broaden my horizons.

Currently riding a 2015 Nukeproof Mega which is my plaything, my old hardtail which is mainly set up as a commuter and town bike and my new build, a full-size folding steel/carbon rigid tourer. n+1 is something fat (or at least chubby).

Full disclosure: I'm mainly here to pester people to join me on trips so I'd particularly like to hear from anyone local to me (north east), but also looking forward to general arguing, I mean discussion, about gear, etc. with everyone.

Cheers,
Dave

[RobMac]

Evening Dave, nice introduction please excuse my colleagues their a bit shy

Rob from Jockland

[ianfitz]

Oh, turns out there isn't a waving smilie to use. I'm afraid I'll not be able to welcome you to the forum after all...

Whereabouts in the north east are you based? Plenty of bothies around those parts, forest roads too. I'm sure there is space on the calendar for another ITT round that part of the world I really enjoyed (some - most really!) of Ray's Borders 350

[Lawmanmx]

Oreet Dave STW user and Mega owner here too, we're like Ford escorts round here Welcome

[thenorthwind]

We'll have to do it the old school way then --> *waves*

I'm in Newcastle so good access to plenty of fun stuff - north Pennines, Lakes, Northumberland, the borders. I've got plenty of ideas but not enough time and (more importantly) need a poke to get me going sometimes.

I've got my eye on the 2 day ITT route out of Edinburgh down to Innerleithen and back - the name temporarily escapes me.

Another mega eh? Wasn't expecting that. It's not exactly your traditional bikepacking bicycle. I am determined to do a trip on it though. I think it could handle a light load and still be fun. Maybe the Sandstone way in the summer.

[Alpinum]

Hi Dave.

Depending on the terrain a mega can be the very right choice
My girlfriend has one too and we've been over a bunch of techy terrain where such bikes shine. Including a sleeping bag or not.

And it'll bring you around the Capital Trail too, despite it not being ideal for it.

[gypsumfantastic]

Hello Dave

I'm also new to the forum, periodically frequent STW and am from the North East of England.

I'm here mainly to try and figure out what I've got myself into as I'm signed up for the Yorkshire Dales 300 (beer made me do it).

My 5 yo likes the sounds of wild camping so I figured I better learn how to do it properly so I don't terrify the living daylights out of her on our first trip.

Cheers

John

[thenorthwind]

Hi John

I was thinking about the YD300 too but thought maybe it wasn't the wisest first bikepacking trip, but I salute your bravery!

[gypsumfantastic]

I was thinking about the YD300 too but thought maybe it wasn't the wisest first bikepacking trip, but I salute your stupidiy!

FTFY

[whitestone]

Don't worry - the YD300 was my first ITT, I think the WHW in a hoolie was my first bikepacking trip.

[Blair512]

I'm new to bikepacking as well, done all my trips on my Giant Trance so far. The suspension does mean you have to work a bit harder but it's cheaper than a new bike! Top tip - make sure you put more air in your back shock if you have a seat pack on!

[thenorthwind]

Top tip - make sure you put more air in your back shock if you have a seat pack on!

Probably not a bad idea if you've got a lot of weight in there, but I haven't noticed it making much difference in my (not very heavily loaded) experience.

FWIW I have the Alpkit 13l tapered dry bag which I've used on the bouncy bike a few times. It's biggest outing was last year's Kielder 101 when it carried all the mandatory but unlikely to be needed kit - probably a kilo or so and roughly 2/3 full. It does swing about a bit but not noticeably with a light load.

I attach it to the seat tube with velcro cable ties at two points, one on the very nose that goes through the little triangle formed by the seat tube/top tube brace, and one round the exposed top of my dropper post (the static part). Seat tube has two wraps off cohesive bandage (really useful stuff) to protect it and help the ties grip. Then a thin bungee through the side attachment points and saddle rails. This actually tolerates the full range of the dropper's movement.

I've got one of those thin plastic mini-mudguards that attaches to the saddle rails cable-tied to the underside of the dry bag to protect it from abrasion from the tyre, which does occasionally occur if you use the full travel of the rear shock. Sounds a bit sketchy but it's been fine so far. I realise now this is maybe what Blair512 is trying to prevent with more air in the rear shock (I thought you meant because of the extra weight) - good thinking.

[voodoo_simon]

[Blair512]

Yeah I have the same bag and my MSR hubba hubba tent stuffs into it perfectly so the additional weight is negligible. As you said the travel in the rear shock brings the bag down onto the wheel. I have to run an extra 20psi and put my seat up a bit then all seems to work ok. I use an old bracket for a rear light on the tip of the bag to screw it to the seat post, it holds it nice and steady and only takes 30 seconds to take off with multi tool

[thenorthwind]

I use an old bracket for a rear light on the tip of the bag to screw it to the seat post, it holds it nice and steady and only takes 30 seconds to take off with multi tool

Cracking idea also. Got loads of those kicking around in my parts box, will try it out.

I took a couple of photos a while ago after experimenting and getting a setup that works, mainly to remind myself how to attach it in future. May be of use/interest to someone:
saddlepack1 by Dave W, on Flickr

saddlepack2 by Dave W, on Flickr

Slightly different from my previous description (no cohesive bandage or mudguard and a different strap) but you get the idea.