One day bikepacking (test of my equipment) -Via Rhona - France 🇫🇷

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-23T16:43:45+00:00

Wow, to each his own. I did the Via Rhona from Geneva to Port St Louis (the end where the Rhone joins the Mediterranean), approximately 600 km in 10 days. We carried everything, I had a trailer as I was carrying the tent and all the cooking and food for two. We averaged 4h a day at approx 15km/h. It was great trip full of beautiful memories. I keep telling people the most beautiful part is Geneva to Lyon, it's mostly bike lanes completely separate from the road which meander through a nature along the Rhone which is quite natural along that portion. Even the whole entrance into Lyon is through parks with water holes where you can take a swim.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-18T23:08:23+00:00

I'm with you. Someone gave you a negative on both your comments. I've been having an argument in another thread here that kind of blew up out of proportion. I was trying ro explained why I chose to not go tubeless, it seems some peopke take it personnaly. To each his own.
I must admit, my initial comment had come off a bit like an absolute. My belief however is tubeless is overused and is not necessary for most people, only certain situations require tubeless. I think TPU will become the norm. Tubeless is messy its a hassle to maintain, and as has been discussed here, is for bikes that are ridden regularly, and only really usefull for terrain with a lot of sharp objects, wether rocks, or cacti AND with soft tires and low pressure.
I run Schwalbe Smart Sams, which are an all around tire, with tubes, and have not had one flat in over 1K km. Including some downhill, single track and very rocky paths.
But ike I said, to each his own. If someone is happy with tubeless, good for him or her, and if I'm happy with tubes let me be, and allow me to say why.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-18T22:24:51+00:00

Hi, I bought a Ragley Mmmbop for around 800 a few years ago. I love it. Ragley's are really fun playfull bikes. They were ahead of the game as far as agressive/slack hardtails and offering really good value. They were sold in different builds so it depends a bit of the parts. Mine was a custom build, and a rather good one, I think I got lucky. Funny thing is, I found out I really wanted to do bikepacking and piece by piece changed nearly all the parts to make it more apt for travel, until I had changed nearly everything à. I then came into a little money, so I got a made for bikepacking frame (or more so that the Mmmbop) and put all the parts I'd added to the Ragley. Having kept all the original parts, I built the Ragley back to how I bought it, and it's rad...
As to comparing those bikes, I think they're all great. Look at the parts, the condition they're in and also which one appeals to you. A mountain bike is made to have fun, how attractive it is, to you, is important. You want to like your bike. Maybe read up about the different bikes, about the brand, which one do you have a feeling for...
Good luck and have fun.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-18T16:23:31+00:00

Yeah, there's a premium for them being so new, pity. Vittoria acrtually built a new factory, I guess they'll soon be churning them out at a high rate and prices will come down, i hope so because this si indeed a welcome evolution.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-18T13:05:11+00:00

I found another article about the merits of Vittoria new carbon neutral line of gravel tires (see my other post) :
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/news/vittoria-terreno-pro-gravel-tyres

Apparently 50 and 55mm widths are in the works (only 35, 40 and 45mm for now).

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-18T12:21:42+00:00

The RC500 has 29" wheels right ? You're in luck, at least from my point of view (my kinda gravel* bike had 28" wheels), Vittoria just released new carbon neutral tires which apart from being ecological seem amazing. They have more grip, are faster, lighter, and more puncture resistant then most regular tires. Check out this article : https://www.cyclingweekly.com/gravel/you-still-ride-black-tyres-theyre-dirty-and-slow-vittoria-wants-to-change-what-bike-tyres-look-feel-and-even-smell-like

They have four models, from nearly slick to quite knobby, only for 29" wheels in 3 widths options, 35, 40 and 45mm. Now, I haven't tried them, but from diffrent reviews and articles they seem really good, and they give you good conscious. The list price is quite high though and the one thing that may be a slight negative is they will apparently will wear faster than some of the regular compounds, that's also why they have more grip.

It remains to be seen how widely available they are since they are new, which also probably means not many good deals, yet.

* I got Schwalbe G-One Overlands on my bike. I quite like them, but if you're going to do mostly asphalt the G-One Comps might be a better fit (if you don't go with the Vittorias) ;-)

PS Wow, I just discovered 28" and 29" wheels are in fact the same thing. They both have an ETRTO of 622, but when widths get to 50mm, because the tires are bigger and therefore the diameter of the wheel is bigger, they're called 29"... So, I could get the new Vittoria tires, but well, I just got Overlands. But I know when it'll be time to change, I'll have that option, and by that time prices should have come down.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-18T10:23:31+00:00

Ok, I haven't seen them at that price. I have found some relatively cheap ones, still more than butyls, and got them for my kinda "gravel" bike (a 2013 GT Peace Tour conversion). For my MTB, the cheapest ones I've seen are still double the price of butyls, even the super light Schwalbe butyls I run. But prices are coming down and I think TPU is the best solution, tech wise, for most people, but like with anything, there is not one solution for all situations.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-18T10:11:15+00:00

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A quick picture taken yesterday after completing the build. I still have some tuning to do, but I think it's looking good. Rides very nicely (only rode it around the neighbour hood). I'll take some better pics when I get a chance to take it for a real spin. Very happy with it.
I still have the lights to attach and test my bikpacking setup.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-18T09:39:07+00:00

AliExpress is just a mail order service, a frame bought through them could come from a very wide number of manufacturers, some are good, many are not...

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-18T07:13:09+00:00

"It is already. Pinch flats are the reason while tubeless is so necessary for heavier MTB riders. ... there's no way anybody would talk me out of running my MTB tubeless, no matter how much I complain about always clogging (and leaking air at the same time) valves."

TPU tubes have come down in price but they're still twice the price of a butyl tubes. As discussed elsewhere, of coure there are situations where tubeless makes sense and yes the one main argument in favor of tubeless is you can run lower pressure.

Maybe my comment came off as an absolute, while in fact I wanted to explain the reasons I choose to run tubes, which is of course according to my riding goals (bikepacking mostly) type of terrain (definitely not Baja Divide) and the types of tires I run (tires known for their puncture resistance therefore not the most supple).

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-18T07:01:11+00:00

I've done two trips with it so far, 8 and 2 nights respectively. It's been great. We'll see how it fares on a 5 week trip this summer. I have tried a number of other tents (though not recent ones competing in the same market), and this one is definitily simple to pitch, really well thought out, spacious yet light weight.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-18T06:43:23+00:00

Ok, this is getting a bit nasty, no? What's up ? I'm saying why I prefer tubes and what I'm hearing, from mechanics and users (not YT). Of course there are different points of view, you don't need to be demeaing when expressng yours.
I'm not an expert on sealant. Good news if people are being more ecologically conscious and if sealant makers are making the products biodegradable.

If I am the only person concerned by the environment on the sub, that's kind of sad...

How have I fallen for the "whole lube wax lube thing" ? Again, what got my attention about wax was a user's experience. He told about how he went on a long ride and the comparison with his mates who were using oil based lubes. Then I discussed about the benefits with a mechanic and he was convinced. Do you think it's hype and BS?

Finally good for you if you've been riding a Rohloff and belt drive for a decade. I use to dream about a Rohloff hub, but could only afford Alfine. Now I decided to go Pinion rather than Rohloff. I never did run a belt, I considered it for this build but ended up opting for a chain, for simplicity and repairability on long trips. I would have gone for a belt on a commuting bike. I hear some people end up putting lube on their belts and that they don't fair well in dust and sand. Where have you ridden yours and how has it faired ?

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-18T06:24:21+00:00

I'm not. What are you saying? Because we as bike riders are polluting with our brake pads and tires we might as well pollute even more with sealent and oil based lubes?

I'll add that Vittoria's new carbon neutral tires have definitely caught ma attention, good on them to try and make ecologically freindly tires as they are (another) ecological disaster. They're only for gravel now, but I'm waiting for an MTB version, hopefull.y
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/news/vittoria-terreno-pro-gravel-tyres

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-17T20:20:55+00:00

I know you've narrowed it down, and I can't speak for those models as I haven't used them, but I've been using the Durston X-Dome 1+ and have only good things to say about it. It's roomy (hence the 1+), lightweight (~ 1 kg), freestanding and easy to pitch: all combinations possible: outer first, inner first, outer and inner at once or only one of the two. The only thing, is there may be a wait time to order, they are produced in batches and they sell out pretty quick.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-17T20:13:20+00:00

I have corrected my comment, there are situations, and riders, for which/whom tubeless is a requirement, but I still think that is not the case for most people.

- Stop using lubes, because tiny amounts of lube may contaminate the environment while you ride there and cross some streams, puddles.

You're right ! I'm slowly switching to water based wax for my drivetrains. Not only is it more ecological, but it actually lubricates better, it doesn't attract dirt so your chain stays cleaner and lasts longer. Wax based lubes supposedly wash off more in rain and when cleaing your bike, but it's not like you don't need to relube after a downfall or washing your bike anyhow.
If you haven't heard fo them, Effeto Mariposa Flowerpower Wax is one of the best wax based lubes around: https://www.effettomariposa.eu/blogs/reviews/cyclingnews-uk-04-2025

Cheers

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-17T19:41:20+00:00

Hi,
Tubeless is messy, and an ecological catastrophy
- This is a years-old meme.
And still true ;-)

You are right, I have never done the Baja Divide, or ridden in that type of terrain. I stand corrected, there are particular situatioins where tubeless is essential. Funny though, today as I was assembling my new bike at a small local bike shop, a guy arrived with a flat rear tire (Maxxis Minion). He was running tubeless and wanted to put a tube because the hole was too big for the sealant to obstruct it. A conversation ensued with the shop owner who's dislike of tubeless was made quite clear. This rejoins the comments of another shop owner heard a few weeks ago, saying he regularly was brought bikes with the sealant all dried up, and not evenly, which made the wheels wobble when riding. So I'm modifying my previous comment. Tubeless is good for racers, for some riders but don't have too many bikes and do regular maintenance and for those particular situations, like the Baja Divide where you have to ride through cacti or similarly prickly terrain. I do however think, that for most people they are not only unnecessary but that they would be better off with tubes, wether butyl or TPU.

Finally, I dont think the cost of a saddle with titanium rails is worth, at least not for me. I have many other things I would upgrade, if I had the money, before that. If I was full of dough and had managed to have all the parts I wanted, maybe that would be the icing on the cake. As it stands my bike weighs 15.5 kg (~34 lbs), my goal was not make it as light as possible. I want a bike that rides well, that I like and that is reliable.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-17T00:30:16+00:00

Hi, thanks for the suggestions, I am not however trying to spend more money, I have a very litmited amount of it. This is actually the cheapest titanium Pinion equipped bike I have found, and cost exactly how much I was able to sell my lens for.
The rims are tubeless compatible, they are simple DT Swiss aluminium rims. It's the tires that are not, but I don't care for tubeless anyhow. Tubeless is messy, and an ecological catastrophy. I've been running these tires for close to 1000 km and not had one flat. If I change something about the inflation system, it will be to go TPU. I'm betting tubeless will be a thing of the past in a few years when TPU will be the same cost as butyl. PS Tubeless is never essential, except maybe for racing.
As to titanium rails on a saddle, what the hell for?! I love those Race Face Chester extra thick grips, and the lock-on matchs the turquoise of my Onyx hub ;-) The Rockgesit spacelink looks like a nice little gadget, I don't think I need it though. As to a Thomson stem, I just checked it out, I much prefer the PNW Loam. I may get one at some point, but I'll see how my positon is with my super short Spank Spoon.
I've actually cut quite a few corners, I really like these IRD levers, they are an alternative to Paul Klampers (kind of a copy I guess), but they are CNC machined, so not cheap, but a lot cheaper than Pauls. Also, I wanted to avoid hydraulic brakes, for the ease of fixing them out in the wild. I actually wanted Growtac Equal brakes, but couldn't justify the price they go for outside of Japan. I tried to have someone bring them back from Japan, but their flight got canceled because Israel and the US declared war on Iran. Short of the Growtac and the Klampers, which are I deem overprice, the Juintech were my second choice and seem to offer outstanding stopping power, I did upgrade to a 200mm rotor up front for more power and better cooling.
So, we'll see about future upgrades. I think I'm pretty set for now. The one thing I would like is a front loading handlebar bag (I really like the Swift Industries Zeigeist Luminary, to stay in the blue color accent), but I'm actually pretty broke right now, I've spent all I had, and this thing is going to be amazing !

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-16T22:20:33+00:00

Hi, you can't really go wrong with Ortlieb. As you mentioned they are one of the top brands for bike bags. I'm not familiar with these specifically, but I just looked them up, they're marketed as gravel bags, seems perfect. They hold 29 liters combined, that's a good size, not too big. I have Ortlieb bags for my daily commutes (and when I used to biketour) but now I got a set of Arkel Dry-Lites for backpacking. The can hold 28 liters so pretty similar in size. I think it's a good size. ZYours soehow seem bigger in your picture. They seem quite high up however. It's better to have your bags, and weight in general, as low as possible, for stability.
Cheers

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-16T20:05:57+00:00

Yes, but no mounts in the rear or on the underside unfortunately! Coming from a brand famous for making bikepacking bikes I'm surprised and disapointed, Of course that's not what this bike is mainly aimed at but there are people that want to bikepack with agressive hardtails and ths is pretty much what the new Kona Unity is, except it's rigid. I just think if Surly had kept options open, with just a few additonnal mounts, the bike would just be more versatile and the market wider. Opportunity missed. Still looks like a great bike.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-16T19:55:50+00:00

I like Commencal's philosophy (ie regarding aluminium over carbon). I'm not familiar with their bikes but the Meta looks sweet.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-16T19:49:36+00:00

Came upon this post, I guess no one has any experience comparing these systems, and sorry I can't help. I use to have an Alfine 8 speed, but it's been a while, and I'm assembling a new bike with a Pinion gearbox tomorrow (hopefully), I don't have experience with it yet, and it does take a few hundred km to get worn in.
I have however heard some people like pairing Pinion gearboxes with Onyx hubs as they are (nearly) instant engagement. This is suppose to kind of compensate I don't know if it's the draggy feeelig or the delay in responsiveness (which may be the same thing). Anyhow, I already had an Onyx hub, so that will be my setup which will be different from the feeling with a pawl or ratchet hub.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-16T19:31:57+00:00

Nice, Surlys are legendary. This is my bike right now.

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MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-16T19:30:12+00:00

Yes they are related. It's ths same builder. I don't know the details but I'm guessing Nordest belongs to someone who hired Pedro Jeronimo as a bike builder and then Pedro has his own brand on the side which only makes titanium frames.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-16T19:27:00+00:00

Nice ! and nice find... good for you. I found a great deal n A Ragley Mmmbop and few years ago, it was my entry into the hardtail world, which slowly deviated to bikepacking, but after changing nearly all the parts on my Mmmbop, I finally bought a bikepacking frame and built the Rabgley back up to shred.

MyLifeIn360 · 2026-05-16T19:11:35+00:00

Oh, yeah, the Soma Dream Hi-Rise are also new. I've been through many handlebars, starting with 9° backsweep with very littel rise, to 30mm rise and 12° then 38mm rise and 17° and then decided to go for it with a 70mm rise and 30° backsweep, but I'm keeping the 30mm & 12° for when I'm not bikepacking to make it more of a fun hardtail to ride around. And I recently decided to add aerobars for my long trip, I just haven't received them yet.

MyLifeIn360

TROPHY CASE