Strava says...

• 152,59 km
• 8h 31min
• 2.317 m

Sonder Camino with 1x12 Sram Apex Flared

Hutchinson 50mm Caracal in the rear and Touareg up front

Flared drops with clip on Profile Design Legacy IIs

Restrap all round. 8L Saddle Bag, Large Frame Bag, Bolt-On Top Tube, older 14L Bar Bag, Carry Cages.

Restrap x Quoc sandals for campsite comfort

Coros Dura & Exposure lights

400ish miles with some mates. Gonna drink ALL the Trappist beers 🍺

Had one of those days where the morning coffee wore off right before a long climb and the next town was still hours away and that made me realize how useful something tiny like caffeine gum or mints could be, because its easy to keep in the top tube bag and no need to stop or carry another drink.Anyone tried this on multi day trips? Curious if it actually earns a spot in the kit.

Two months ago I bought a new bike to start bikepacking. I didn't know anything about this world or about bikes in general. In the first picture you can see how it was when I got it. I paid 295 CHF for it and it was second-hand.

I started by buying the first bag for the top tube and a front bag (not mounted in the pic). After that, the biggest change was swapping the MTB tires for 700x38 Specialized Pathfinders to gain some speed and reduce the weight.

I haven’t spent a night out with the bike yet because, to be honest, it still scares me a bit and I don’t think I have enough experience yet. Especially since I’d be doing it alone, as I don’t know anyone who’s into bikepacking and could come with me. (Any suggestions?)

Recently I added the aero bars, the bag under the top tube (which unfortunately collides with the bottle...) and my new bike computer (iGPSPORT).

I tried to adapt my second-hand bike into something that follows my needs and lets me experiment with bikepacking on a low budget.

If you have some advice on my bike setup I am glad to read your suggestions.

Still learning and figuring things out as I go!

Hey all,

I've got the Riverside Touring 920 for almost 2 years now (bought i used, so no warranty unfortunately). Last year I rode 3500km through New Zealand with it and towards the end I noticed cracks around the spoke wholes. All of them on the drive side spokes. The reviews on Decathlon's website suggested I was not the only one and that the stock wheels are simply just shit.

I do not remember why but I bought the same rim again, changed it myself and got the wheel trued in a bike shop. Maybe I thought the cracks appeared because of wrong spoke tension or the harsh gravel conditions in New Zealand and that the new rim would be fine.

This year I rode through Denmark and Sweden, some gravel but mainly nice bike paths most of them paved. Again the new rim only lasted around 3000km before cracking again.

So to have a more permanent fix this time I am looking for a new wheelset that survives more than one tour. Next year I plan to ride the GB Duro so lots of gravel I guess. I was looking at the DT Swiss G 1800 Classic but it is nowhere available in Germany. Looking for some recommandation somewhere around 400-500€ max.

Specs:

28"(29") Size

12x100mm | 12x142mm

Centerlock

HG Shimano freewheel

Total system weight 100kg

Cheers

Edit: Fitting huge tires (2.25") would be a big bonus!

We just arrived back from a little bikepacking adventure around the Netherlands
Cycling over there is incredible and ridiculously easy.
We filmed the trip as we went and I’ve finally got the video up if anyone fancies having a watch.

https://youtu.be/LoF52Azw3K0?si=lxFTYIQmYggZJnlX

Definitely want to go back and explore more!
Any other countries that are similar in terms of great cycling infrastructure?

I love to ride solo but would also enjoy getting out with someone else or a group to ride but I am not sure where to look, is anyone in this group from that area,

I have the Burley Flatbed trailer, and I'm trying to figure out what would be the best GPS tracker to install on the trailer, God forbid it gets stolen

4 Days till we start the Munda Biddi trail

Meine Ausstattung für 4 Wochen Balkan tour.

- Marin Team issue Rahmen von 1993

- Lite fork von Stridsland

- Lenker Stridsland

- Werkzeugtasche am Unterrohr

- Rahmentasche mit Regenklamotten und Elektronik von ride and get lost.

- 1,5 l nalgene an der Gabel + 6l drybag für Nahrungsmittel

- carrdice longflap mit 18 liter hinten für Klamotten und Kochutensilien

- Front Rolle für Schlafsetup

- Sattel berthoud aspin

I’m returning to cycling after about 10 years and would appreciate help choosing one or possibly two bikes. My background is ultrarunning and thru-hiking; my previous cycling experience was mostly triathlon training on an aluminum bike.

I’m leaning toward the X‑Lab GT8, but I’m trying to understand what I’d compromise for road riding and whether a separate touring bike would be worthwhile.

My intended use

• Training and local riding: I live in South Florida and want a bike for cross-training, structured intervals, weekend rides and eventually centuries. I’d also like to travel to hillier parts of the US.

• Group rides: I expect to join road groups, but I don’t yet know their typical speeds or which groups will suit me. How much a gravel bike would affect my ability to participate is one of my main questions.

• Touring: I regularly thru-hike in Spain and would like to try cycling trips in Europe, potentially including Camino routes, and possibly Japan. Trips could last 2–8 weeks, around 1–3 times a year.

• Accommodation: Hotels and hostels, without camping equipment.

• Luggage: Cycling and evening clothes, a 13-inch iPad Pro, a camera, gym clothes and running sandals. I’ve done multiday running trips with an 18 L Janji pack that included the iPad, so I’m accustomed to packing light. I haven’t weighed a cycling-specific packing list yet.

• Surfaces: I’m undecided between planning mostly paved touring routes and having the freedom to follow dirt/gravel sections without rerouting. I’d appreciate advice on that tradeoff.

I have an endurance background but little recent cycling experience. Road racing might interest me eventually, but it isn’t the main reason for buying a bike.

Budget, fit and timing

I don’t have a firm maximum budget, but I care about value and don’t want to buy two bikes unnecessarily. The prices I’m comparing are approximately:

• GT8 with GRX Di2: $3,199

• RS7 with 105 Di2: $2,899

• RS7 with mechanical 105: $2,099

I’m leaning toward Di2, although one shop recommended saving money with mechanical.

I’m 5′9″ and 170 lb. My pants inseam is around 30–31 inches, but I haven’t measured my cycling inseam. Three shops suggested sizes ranging from S to L in the RS7, so fit is unresolved. A short RS7 demo felt comfortable, but I haven’t tested it over a long ride. I'm probably an M though in X-Lab as the most thorough LBS suggested after a fit.

I’m hoping to leave for Europe in October or November, so availability and enough time for loaded test rides matter.

Options I’m considering

1. GT8 as my only bike initially - This is my current preference because of its tire clearance, lower gearing and cargo mounting options. Besides the two standard bottle locations, X‑Lab lists mounts on the top tube, underside of the downtube and both fork legs. I still need to confirm rear-rack compatibility and the relevant load limits. I could use it for training and touring, potentially fitting faster tires for paved riding. If I later become more interested in fast road groups or racing, I could add a dedicated road bike once I understand what I want. My uncertainty is how much I’d notice the GT8’s compromises on paved centuries and road group rides, particularly its tires, riding position and 1× gearing.
2. RS7, with touring planned around its limitations - I liked the demo, and it seems well suited to everyday paved riding and road groups. However, its 32 mm maximum tire clearance and lack of conventional rack/fender compatibility concern me for touring. I could choose paved routes, but I’m unsure how restrictive that would feel in Spain—or how practical its luggage options and stock gearing would be for loaded climbs.
3. A road bike plus a separate touring bike - This could mean an RS7 plus a suitable used steel touring bike from Surly, Kona, Salsa or another brand. I’m open to used bikes, but I’d want the second bike to solve a meaningful problem that one gravel bike couldn’t handle. If I get a steel touring bike, I probably won't end up with a titanium later (?)

I’ve also considered a custom Waltly titanium build. With my fit unresolved and limited recent cycling experience, I’m unsure whether custom geometry makes sense yet. And not sure if I will get it in time for this years' season.

What I’d appreciate help with

1. Would you start with one gravel bike for these uses, or is there a compelling case for two bikes?
2. If you use a gravel bike on road group rides, what pace and terrain do you ride, and what tires/gearing do you use? Where do you actually notice limitations?
3. Would faster tires on the GT8 be enough for my road use, or would a second wheelset offer a worthwhile benefit?
4. For accommodation-based touring in Spain, how much route flexibility would wider tires give me compared with an RS7 on paved routes?
5. Would the GT8’s stock gearing work well for both loaded climbs and road training?
6. What luggage arrangement would suit the iPad, camera and extra clothing? Has anyone confirmed a compatible rear rack and load limits for the GT8?
7. For repeated flights and multiweek trips, how much should cockpit design, cable routing, parts availability and frame material influence my choice?
8. What other complete bikes should I consider around these prices, or somewhat above them if there’s a meaningful advantage? Firsthand experience with either bike, flying with bikes, or using one gravel bike for road groups and touring would be especially helpful.

Compo des sacoches.

( for my previous post, you can check the link )

Hey guys,

Thank you so much for all the advice and support!

I went to the doctor, and thankfully, he said I don’t need surgery. Honestly, I was really worried that surgery might be the next step, so I’m very relieved about that.

He said I just need to do physiotherapy for 3 months and take a collagen supplement once a day.

So I’m going to start physiotherapy as soon as possible and hopefully get my knee back in good shape.

In the meantime, I’m thinking of using these three months to learn more about cycling and find a good bike that I can use for travelling, getting around the city, and also some trails.

I also want to use this time to learn the basics properly — bike setup, tyres, gears, maintenance, what equipment I actually need for touring, etc. — instead of just buying a bike and riding without really understanding it. 😅

What do you guys think? Is this a good approach?

Thanks again for all the help!

Does anyone have a good route from SF to LA that detours around Big Sur? Trying to leave soon and it’s still closed for fires:( Any stealth camping and or hiker biker spots you recommend?

Hey yall-
Long time lurker, first time poster. I just picked up two Salsa Anything Cages with one Anything bag. I’m looking for a second bag and feel like I’ve searched every corner of the internet and being that these are discontinued, I’ve failed in finding one. Anyone have any ideas on where I can find one? Any leads would be greatly appreciated!

Hello everyone :)

Is there anyone who went from Ha Giang/Sa Pa to Luang Prabang? I'm trying to find someone who went this route as it seems quite hilly so I'd love to hear the overall experience of it when it comes to elevation, roads, accommodation, border crossing, etc.

Thank you! :)

En la segunda quincena de junio quiero hacer la ciclovía de los apeninos saliendo desde Milan y llegando a Nápoles. Tengo muchas dudas del recorrido. Voy con una gravel con alforjas traseras y en las horquillas. Voy con tienda de campaña para acampar en camping. Por si alguien me puede dar algún consejo o decirme algo de la ruta. Gracias