Adventure Rig
In August 2018, I invested in a long distance gravel touring bike. Aftera lot of research and current stock availability at the time I went from ordering a Wayward Cape York touring bike to instead getting a more hardy gravel bike on the lead up to my first Gears and Beers event.
In recent posts (the Gears and Beers event, followed by the Canberra to Goulburn return trip) I used my new gravel bike, Bombtrack Beyond 1. This beast is built for bikepacking with a flared drop down bar to allow easier handling for technical terrain, the many mounting points on the front fork, top tube, and down tube. The tyres are even tubeless ready something I am very keen to change to, after the Canberra to Goulburn ride where we experienced a few puncture situations from wood staples and nails. We were able to patch up with the holes but it would have saved time if we already had the tubeless in place.
There are a few things that I would want to change about this bike.
Bike Frame Storage
Rear Rack
Currently, I run the Tauber Rear rack for daily commuting with my Ortlieb Classic Pro panniers for clothes, shopping and gym gear. This allows for storage while commuting and is an alternative solution for bikepacking saddle bag for the moment.
I have a preference for a more solid saddle bag rack system; so far I am interested in the Mr. Fusion XL from American Cottage Company Porcelain Rocket and Blackburn Design Outpost seat pack.
Frame bag
I do want to get a frame bag, I like the idea of a roll top frame bag from Porcelain rockets as its less hardware to worry about breaking. I’ve seen frame bags with multiple zips which people overpack and break the zips. This bag will be used for main food storage.
Bottle Mounts
The Bombtrack Beyond has many mounting options which means I will be looking towards two fork bottle mounts and a bottle at the bottom of the frame.
Top Tube bags
I’m looking at top tube bars near the handlebar and the top tube bag closer to the seat post. The plan for these pieces:
- Top tube handlebar mount – To be used for electronics; gopro, battery bank, camera.
- Top tube seat post mount – To store tools, and equipment for bike repairs, spare tyres, etc…
Handlebar bags
These will be used for carrying my snacks in bulk in two handlebar bags.
Additional bar mounting system
I’m also looking at additional bar mounting system for my handle bars for mounting my GPS Garmin Inreach Explorer Plus, bike bell, bike torch and phone mount.
Equipment (subject to change)
- Shelter – Oztrail starlight dome 2p [strapped via voile straps to the front bars]
- Sleeping pad – double
- Sleeping bag – Enlightened Equipment Sleeping quilt -11 degree
- cook system – BRS 1000 stove, GSI aluminum 500ml cup, mini gas canister
- Water bottles – 3 x 1 litre camelbak bottle
Clothes
- Windproof arm and leg warmers
- Cycling jersey
- MTB padded shorts
- Macpac Puffy jacket
- Outdoor Research Helium II rain jacket and pants
- Cycling hat
Cycling gear
- Helmet
- MTB shoes
- Windproof gloves
Author: Jay
Editor: Alex
Outdoor Adventure & Urban Survival 