Bikepacking kit list from the Independent Newspaper

[darbeze]

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

[Taylor]

That's cycle touring.

[whitestone]

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

[PaulB2]

She's using the tent at least on her round the world tour so she may or may not be being sponsored.

[Bearbonesnorm]

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.

[Alpinum]

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.

[whitestone]

I saw another list in a similar vain on the MBR website,

A deliberate misspelling?

[padonbike]

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.

You took the words from my mouth Stuart!
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!

[Richard G]

I think the mat is the only thing there I'd consider using.

[voodoo_simon]

At least there's no axe mentioned!

[jameso]

I'm increasingly wary of lists like these. Sadly my cynicism makes me ask "Who's sponsoring this article/the writer?"

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 .. ).

[thenorthwind]

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]

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

I've a unique thermal sensing finger that will do that

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.

[Bearbonesnorm]

It's more about being a known media writer than any level of expertise

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.

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

Ooh bugger, I missed that

At least there's no axe mentioned!

I find that strangely worrying ...

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

[RIP]

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!

[Ray Young]

I think it's a list for hipsters who will announce their intentions, buy all the gear then promptly do nothing with it, .

[jameso]

Whitestone, agreed, I'd noticed that on 29Inches.com and gravelbike sites and thought it was good to point out.

[Mbnut]

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!

[pistonbroke]

Mbnut, better not be those R@pha shorts, I've got exclusivity in the winding Stuart up stakes.

[Scattamah]

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.

[johnnystorm]

Whitestone, agreed, I'd noticed that on 29Inches.com and gravelbike sites and thought it was good to point out.

It says this at the bottom:

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

So the same thing as you have to take them both on their word.

[johnnystorm]

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

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.

[jameso]

Fair point johnnystorm. My experience of 'a newspaper' best bikes list doesn't match with

The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing

though. For some of them we simply sent a press-quality image of the bike, not an actual bike.

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]

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.

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.

[thenorthwind]

I've a unique thermal sensing finger

Sorry to break it you you but it's not unique