Bikepacking Setup - 2019

A short video of my bikepacking setup and gear that I used for my recent bikepacking trip of the Munda Biddi Trail.
Note, I did not carry a tent for this trip as the Munda Biddi Trail has many huts on the trail.
If you haven't seen my recent 'Bike Check' video, be sure to check it out as i go into a lot of detail about the bike and all the upgrades and accessories.
• Specialized Fatboy SE ...

[@oldmanbanksia]

Thanks for all of that - a really good instructional video for us novices. I had no idea what to pack, how much to pack, how to organise it, etc etc. Your overview of your setup is invaluable. Thanks so much.

[@soloist777]

BikeBagDude are great! Have got those guys to do a few of my bespoke bags now.

[@lexster411]

Amazing setup. We live in very different climates!

[@Bikepacking]

cool planning a trip down under in few months

[@nickfitzpatrick5302]

Excellent review, cheers. Can I ask how the Brooks saddle goes on wet, multi-day trips? Do you have to use a cover when you ride and/or afterwards? Do you cover the underneath of the saddle to protect it from water, mud or sand getting kicked up onto it? Thanks for any info you can share and again for the straightforward review👍🏼

[@FatTraction]

Thanks mate, I've never covered the saddle. It's gotten wet and muddy many times. I apply beeswax leatherseal before each trip. I've had the saddle for about 10 years now.

[@billmaidment5623]

I really like your bottle cage holder and how you made great use of the rear rack dead space for your rain jacket. What bars are you using?

[@FatTraction]

Cheers mate, handlebars are Alpkit Confucius. Check out my 'bike check' video for more details

[@russellwilson5246]

thanks for the water bottle position idea...you doing the victorian divide 550?..if yes im on the ebike.

[@georgecumming760]

Nicely done. I've been asked to do a bikepack across India next year and I don't even have a bike. What we do have in time so it could easily take 2 months. I suspect the roads will be brutal in every sense so I'm looking for advice on what type of wheels, tyres and bike that would let me complete this mission without breaking the bank with titaniums and carbons. Grateful for any brief help? I'm quite heavy but have gone from 139kg to 123kg in last 3 months.

[@FatTraction]

Hey mate, sounds like an epic adventure. It really depends on the terrain you will be riding and how much gear you will be carrying. If you are primarily riding bitumen roads, a steel frame touring/gravel bike may be the best option. The steel frame will help soften the ride. Aluminum wheels are fine (the more spokes the better) For a combination of roads and off-road - a 29er rigid or hardtail mountain bike would be a good choice. Add a set of bar ends or aero bars for some extra hand positions. If you want the ultimate go anywhere bike - its gotta be a fat bike 😄 (especially if you are going to encounter any sand). It's hard to go wrong with any of the big name bike brands. Look for whatever features you need (ie rack mounts, bottle mounts, tyre size, gear range) and narrow them down until you find the right bike. Hope that's helps

[@georgecumming760]

@@FatTraction Cheers. I need to do more research as the "main" roads seem dangerously busy and polluted and the side roads are indeed dirt tracks. At present I have little idea of the mix of roads that are safe.

[@jeffhayward9544]

Wondering where you got your handlebars. I like the front “loop” as opposed to a bolt-on bar; like the idea it’s welded on... Cheers...great vids of your trips...enjoying them all!

[@FatTraction]

Cheers mate, they are Alpkit Confucius handlebars. I really like them. They hold the handlebar roll much more secure and stable

[@jeffhayward9544]

FatTraction ...thanks. I’ve been looking for a more stable alternative than the 3/8” aluminum rod I bent into a cradle to hold my front roll bag. Cheers from 🇨🇦🙂🤙...and thanks for the reply!

[@WillZWT]

@@FatTraction how did you attach the handlebar roll to the bars? it looks like there's a foam block between your headtube and the roll, can't really tell from the vid

[@gregorybupp]

Do you ride tubeless? What rack do you use? Thanks!

[@richardtodd5418]

How did u mount ur water bottle holders on ur frame triangle, was it by zip ties

[@FatTraction]

A custom bracket that mounts to the existing bottle cage mounts

[@davedavies5746]

Nice set up. What wheels and hubs are you running?

[@FatTraction]

Alexrim blizzerk 80 with novatec hubs

[@conanfa18]

Shelter?

[@FatTraction]

For the particular trip I was packing for I didn't need a tent as there was huts along the trail. I usually carry a Marmot tungsten 1p tent, which I put in the rack top bag.

[@craighenry7915]

Nice setup.

[@phulesickmate]

Hi did u do the mundabiddi E2E? if so did u feel the need to pack a tent at all? I'm unsure if I need to carry one in case i don't make it to the next hut for whatever reason. Cheers.

[@FatTraction]

Hi, yes I did the whole trail. Check out my Munda biddi videos on my channel. I didn't take a tent. Stayed in huts or accommodation in towns. There is somewhere to stay roughly every 50km so as long as you can ride that far and are happy to pay for some accommodation you'll be fine with no tent.

[@phulesickmate]

Yeah i saw ur vids. Awesome!! A tent was more for insurance in case i have a mechanical breakdown i couldn't fix on the trail and had to spend the night in the open. But maybe i'm being too cautious. Cheers mate.

[@FatTraction]

@@phulesickmate you could carry an emergency bivy or ultralight tarp if you are really worried

[@psynazakaz]

Do you use 4.00 tires? And what kind of handlebar do you have?

[@FatTraction]

Yes, 4.0 JJs. Alpkit Confucius handlebar. Check out my recent 'bike check' video where I go in to lots of detail about my bike and accessories.

[@kreanord3011]

I have always wanted a fatbike to use for both asphalt and gravel, but mountainbikers in Denmark say a fatbike is useless on asphalt. Is that really true ? I have heard of others who cherish these bikes, it seems like mountainbikers dont have an objective view on fatbikes. I currently have a trek midfatbike, and its a pleasure to ride. An upgrade to fatbike is rather expensive and I would like to hear from one who actually rides one of these. Thanks for sharing your videos.

[@FatTraction]

@@kreanord3011 It all depends on the tyre choice and pressure. The 4inch Jumbo Jim's at 15psi roll really well on bitumen. They roll better than my 2.6inch Maxxis minions on my mountain bike.

[@hop333]

@@FatTraction I agree they are amazingly fast for such big tyres. Are you using the Evo Addix ones?

[@johnbradley1599]

Fail - no enamel mug hanging from your rear bag.

[@ellerybice3787]

That Australian accent is almost as bad on my ears as nails on a chalk board.