Game-Changing Bikepacking Kit | Top 10 Must-Have Gear for Bikepackers and Ultra Cyclists

[@CycleXplorer]

What piece of bikepacking kit have you discovered this year that you've loved?

[@lizzycampbell3665]

Apple air pods - battery life if fantastic and great for long solo stretches

[@CycleXplorer]

@@lizzycampbell3665 That's a good one, can't beat a little bike boogie in the middle of the night!

[@benmarwood416]

Redshift ShockStop suspension stem is a massive game changer on my gravel bike. Much more comfort and control in the rough and even on the road/potholes. Helps with fatigue and hand numbness. I think manufactures should consider putting them in as standard. Smooth is fast and fast is smooth!😀 I have the seatpost too. Very plush but doesn’t work too well with a seatpack so I use a Specialized Cobble Gobbler which isn’t bad. If you get the stem you won’t be disappointed!😀🤟

[@CycleXplorer]

@@benmarwood416 I've heard lots of good things about them. My gravel bike needs some serious repair work (or maybe a complete new bike if it works out better value). The stem is something I'd seriously consider, thank you

[@TailfinCycling]

Thanks for featuring us, great to hear you love the Top Tube Bag... we've got exciting things coming soon that you will love

[@CycleXplorer]

@@TailfinCycling they're great, I'm guessing a longer version is coming? The next one I'm considering is your new bar bag for my mtb.

[@louiskirby4266]

Thanks cobba for the hot tips Merry Christmas champion 🏆 🥇

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, happy Christmas to you too!

[@Jimoto]

Thanks for the recommendations! Just a side note, I had numbness in both hands during and after my first ultra and the cause turned out to be the ergon paddle style grips themselves! I was putting direct pressure on the central (ulnar) nerve and couldn’t feel the tips of my middle three fingers for a month. I switched out the paddle grips for my old standard grips and no more problems.

[@CycleXplorer]

That's interesting. For me it's kind of been the other way around. Especially on the mtb. Guess it all depends on our individual bodies. Numb fingers and hands are so horrible. Especially months after the bikepacking or ultra event and you still can't use them properly!

[@bruce.KAY-bike-drifter]

@Jimoto - for me, it was the other way around too. I now have Ergon grips on all my bikes. Much depends on how you orient the paddle support for your palm. You need to angle them so that your wrist is forced to remain straight,. No bend. Also, your brake levers need to be mounted just so. With the hook for the index figure in the right place for one-finger braking and with your wrist remaining straight.

[@andrewburke4347]

Maybe your hands are to big for the grips causing you to grip to hard. I switched to fatter, foam grips

[@CycleXplorer]

@@andrewburke4347 oh didn't realise that was a thing. I'll take a look at some other grips and see how they feel. Although I'm now really used to the Ergons 😆

[@lizzycampbell3665]

As always a fountain of knowledge. Thanks for some great tips

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, hope you have some goof bikepacking trips planned!

[@lizzycampbell3665]

@ you never know maybe we might see each other on one next year

[@CycleXplorer]

@@lizzycampbell3665 🚲🚲

[@Laura-dv6cb]

Thanks , that’s a great help to set up my adventure.

[@CycleXplorer]

Where are you planning on bikepacking next?

[@Laura-dv6cb]

I will soon be going from lands end to John o’groats . Your videos sure have helped .

[@CycleXplorer]

@ wow that'll be a challenge. Look forward to hearing about it 😊

[@timmcdowell3097]

Thanks pal, some great bits in there

[@CycleXplorer]

Thanks Tim. I expect you've got a great list of gear

[@timmcdowell3097]

A buff 😉, pack of hot cross buns, ibuprofen gel, and a get outta jail card (bank card)

[@CycleXplorer]

@ still use a buff you gave me. And who could forget hot cross buns.

[@HScutt-xk6ov]

Useful information,thanks Tom.

[@CycleXplorer]

No worries. You'd probably want some ear plugs too

[@lydiagould3090]

Some great recommendations here! I have the slightly smaller Anker charger which seemed fine for the 3-4 day trips, but the one you had is better, particularly for races abroad. Will definitely be getting the Magsafe charger after the most miserable bivvy experience in the New Forest in torrential rain, both phone and garmin wouldn't charge and I tried to blow into the port to dry it unsuccesfully. Eventually managed to dry it in the cafe toilets' hand dryer the next day. Guess you're already planning 2025?😀😎

[@CycleXplorer]

Haha I can vouch for the annoyance of the charge port in the rain 🌧️ I've got a couple of things entered, looking at a few other things in-between. How about you?

[@stevia13]

Hi. What make are your sunglasses? Thank you 😊

[@CycleXplorer]

@@stevia13 Hi. They are Oakley Jawbreakers. Have a good selection of lenses, but there are a lot of other brands out there offering similar.

[@OutdoorVeluwe]

I have the same power bank, I use a 100 watt charger and it is full in an hour. So stop at a restaurant somewhere to eat, recharge and it is full again😊

[@CycleXplorer]

It's a good one isn't it. If they made it waterproof it would be even better! Got any bikepacking trips planned?

[@mokotramp]

I take a few power banks rated at 27,000 each. The problem with only taking one like you do, if that bank goes down you're pretty much shafted for power, not such a great idea!

[@CycleXplorer]

That's a good idea, a few at 27k would keep you going for a long time! I tend to also take a small 10k one to keep my garmin topped up and for emergencies. I would quite like to take more smaller ones but I need the larger one to be able to charge the exposure (if I don't have power access). Got any events or routes lined up for 2025?

[@omare_biketonature]

Nice! Nitecore power banks are lighter and less bulkier, and Fenix light is a good and less expensive option with extra battery. Cheers

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you. I'll have to have a look at the Nitrcore ones, not heard of them. My ideal power bank is very small, charges fast, is waterproof and has loads of capacity. Maybe one day as technology improves, we might not even need to recharge!

[@omare_biketonature]

A 20,000 mha weight is half of the Anker (324 g), it doesn’t have the fast charging integrated feature but you can get a fast charger until we find the infinity source of energy 😅 I’m going to the AMR 2025 and I’ll rely on nitecore pawerbank and Fénix lights, see you in Morocco to talk bikes and gear 😎💪🏻🚴🏻‍♂️

[@CycleXplorer]

@@omare_biketonature Nice weight saving, can carry a few extra snacks 😉I'm afraid I am not doing the Atlas Mountain Race next year. As much as I'd love to do it again, there are a few other events I want to do - too many events not enough time! You'll love it, the route and scenery is amazing.

[@Al_Fresco]

Ah I was doing so well up to #3! Especially good to see you did AMR with the 6pack as thats what im planning to do (picked mine on ebay for £150 2yrs ago!) But im nervous about charging it. Does your power bank fit into the tailfin TT bag? I have the medium tailfin TT bag and while the battery pack does fit into it, it's too small for me to plug in my USB cable!

[@CycleXplorer]

Hi! I am getting some serious Atlas Mountain Race fomo at the moment! I didn't have any issues with the 6-pack, circulating between low and high. I charged it off the Anker Power Bank - perhaps test it a few times before you go? I made sure I didn't drain the light before charging, maybe topping up during the day. I think you could have some potential issues if you completely discharged the Six Pack battery. It fits in my 1.5L flip top back and allows the USB to fit etc - the one in the video. You could store it in the top tube bag and only charge when not moving OR put it in a stem back whilst charging? During the race there is a fair bit of darkness (I think 13 hours) - but I probably stopped for around 6 hours each night so that reduced some of the time the Six Pack was in use. Had a head torch too for setting up camp and also in case of an emergency if the light stopped working.

[@Al_Fresco]

​@@CycleXploreryeah thats more or less my plan also (4hrs sleep + 2hrs faff) and ill have a Joystick on my head. I usually have to use the anker from a feed bag, but that can be a bit impractical, and it's risky if it rains. I'd rather carry it off a TT bag and leave it there all the time. Who knows....maybe Tailfin will come out with longer TT bags soon!

[@CycleXplorer]

@ I think they are making a long version one. My biggest bit of advice would be to savour the night skies. They're amazing and I've never seen so many stars. I went back to Morocco a couple of weeks ago but didn't get so see the sky like it is in the desert 😢 ✨

[@johnscorps95]

The fast charging powerbank is great, but to be able to charge it that fast, you need the compatible charger. Which one would you recommend?

[@CycleXplorer]

I use a Minix 65w charger, it's got 3 ports on it so you can charge a few things at once. However, there are some other ones about by Anker etc that do 100w+.

[@BrianRPaterson]

Somebody complained about the sound. If I was paying, I might care. But, since the insight and enjoyment is free, I don't. Thanks

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you for watching. All feedback is a gift, gives me something to look into improving.

[@markcowen9538]

Everything seems to be a “game changer” these days.

[@CycleXplorer]

It's because 'average' bikepacking equipment might not make for an interesting title! But in all seriousness the gear I mention in the video has all been fantastic. I paid for it all and have no incentives to big it up, so hopefully it is useful to someone.

[@spektrumB]

The problem you keep referencing "race". In reality, many people doing bikepacking trips aren't racing. How and what you do in racing have little to do with ordinary people doing bikepacking.

[@CycleXplorer]

I appreciate that, other than the foil blanket I use all of this gear on bikepacking trips that are more relaxed. The ultra 'race' riding is a good testing ground for kit as it gets absolutely battered. Due to work etc I don't have the luxury of big extended (in terms of time) trips but doing it in a 'race' setting let's me cover some good distance/time on the bike. But I do love a little overnight micro adventure close to home 😁

[@drewr34skyline18]

Well I for one found it useful being of an exceptionally ordinary disposition. I looked up to see the time and effort you put into a bike packing equipment video. Sad to say those that can't complain at those that do! If it works for racing, it will work in a non race setting. If you want more comfort it will weigh more. But it's a good informative video nicely presented.

[@spektrumB]

@@drewr34skyline18 Racing and non-racing have different objectives. You should pack accordingly. Is it really that hard to comprehend?

[@drewr34skyline18]

@@spektrumB I look forward to your video post explaining the difference and all your wonderful tips you have to offer. It would greatly help those of us you deem of less intelligence than your good self! Merry Christmas and try not to 🧌 too hard. On occasion it is okay to be positive and polite to other people. Even if their views and opinions don't perfectly match yours. 🚴

[@spektrumB]

@@drewr34skyline18 Merry Christmas.

[@JeffPrince-z6p]

What an echo chamber you have going on there. Near impossible to hear you.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thanks for the 'feedback'*, it's something I'll look to improve. *excuse the pun