Geoff Meredith  Nov 22, 2022
My #bikepacking bike:
2015 Salsa Fargo. A classic machine that I still love riding. It's got about 25,000 km -- mostly bikepacking.
It has a 3x9 drive train with bar end shifters. Simple to work on and easy to find parts. I would likely go 2x10 if building a new bike.
Has a combination of Apidura and Relevant bags.
Almost rode it in the #TourDivide 2015 race but finally completed it in 2018.
Picture in front of Holland Lake Lodge along the TourDivide route.
Show threadMartin FarrentDec 21, 2022

@geoff

I still opt for 3x10 on my #bikepacking hardtail. Additionally, I have relatively few (and small, with the exception of a handlebar roll) bikepacking bags. Keeping almost half the weight on my back is a tad uncomfortable at times, but facilitates some fun trail riding - due to my ability to shift much of the weight with my body.

That's an old Gravity Dropper post, btw. Chosen for reliability and easy repairs/maintenance.

Show threadMartin FarrentDec 21, 2022

@geoff

Same bike configured for #bikerafting (involving a rather light #packraft, in this case).

Not that I actually found #bikerafting to be very practical... :-)

Show threadGeoff Meredith  
@MartinFarrent
I'd love to do some packrafting some day!
Dec 21, 2022 at 6:50pmWeb
Show threadMartin FarrentDec 21, 2022

@geoff

I enjoy it a lot. But the combination with #bikepacking is less thrilling than one might think. The load in the bike is too heavy for serious trail riding, and the bike on the front of the #packraft is too exposed for anything but very moderate whitewater stretches.

Also, transitioning more than once a day is problematic. Ride just 30 km to the river, paddle for three hours... and your bike muscles are in a mode of deep relaxation, totally unwilling to start pedaling again.

Show threadGeoff Meredith  Dec 21, 2022
@MartinFarrent
It does feel like #packrafting is more of a novelty, or at least it would be for me.
Show threadMartin FarrentDec 21, 2022

@geoff

It seriously expands your paddling scope. With a light boat, you can do hybrid hiking/biking tours... and even with a 'heavy' (3.5 or 4 kg) whitewater design plus safety equipment, a car will almost never prove necessary.