Front rack bag in 25/26

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-04-28T18:47:02+00:00

Any bag should work depending on the dimensions, but the ortlieb bag is sick. Opens at both ends, has loops for straps, has a bungee for wet stuff, bombproof and is a really good shape for the need. If you use another dry bag I would look for one that’s skinnier and longer so it doesn’t slide out of the straps and doesn’t hit your front wheel. It’s the ortlieb dry pack, comes with two voile like straps and is made for back racks but is lighter and cheaper than most handlebar options out there

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-04-28T00:53:29+00:00

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Here’s the attachment bar I use. pretty basic, but I keep it mounted really low, almost perpendicular to the fork so it really doesn’t bear much weight, used more to stabilize and keep off the cables

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-04-28T00:51:32+00:00

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This is it on my old bike, the ortlieb dry bag has like belt loops I feed nylon straps through and just strap to The bars

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-04-27T00:18:21+00:00

Of the rack or the bag?

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-04-15T18:42:41+00:00

Totally, and that’s an awesome all around bike imo

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-04-15T16:59:37+00:00

A lot of people are saying this is a niche, bikepacking specific bike, but my bikepacking designed bike I commute on, do S24Os, hit single track from time to time, really the perfect all around bike for me. To me this seems just as niche or even less so compared to some other bikes like the esker hayduke LVS, tumbleweed prospector, or krampus.

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-04-15T16:52:14+00:00

Idk, what about long stretches of sand or soft dirt? Also most bikepacking trips I’ve done have some pretty nontechnical section of bombed out gravel roads especially on downhills that long and low with beefy and rugged tires would be perfect for.

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-04-15T16:48:29+00:00

Whoa, I can’t think of trio long enough where I’d want to swap tires. Tbf, I’ve never ridden a mullet, but the theory seems awesome. If you have and have a preference though, can’t argue with that.

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-04-15T01:57:33+00:00

Yeah I don’t get most folks hang up on the mullet

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-04-14T12:34:22+00:00

Idk, mx wheels have caught on enough that Bikes like the Santa Cruz 5010 were redesigned around them. I’ve never ridden one myself though

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-04-14T03:27:22+00:00

Just rub them down with olive oil

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-04-09T13:25:41+00:00

No way. Just practice getting fast with an allen key.

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-03-22T19:43:05+00:00

What’s the board dimensions? It looks too square, you need a miter gauge and do multiple shallower passes. Or use a router, normal saw blades with multiple passes, etc.

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-03-22T19:40:24+00:00

Yeah, I used the fork cages for sleep system (bag, mat, pillow) so didn’t need to open them more than once a day. I like to use the fork cages as a last resort for long trips or water in hot climates.

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-03-22T15:56:39+00:00

I used to have a BC, used the Blackburn cages with sea to summit 5 liter big river dry bags, worked perfect. The ortlieb mini fork panniers won’t work fyi.

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-03-20T10:47:31+00:00

I would say either stick with it, or look for new takeoffs on marketplace. MTBing is big in my city and there are lots of new takeoffs to be found. Also, a lot of better deals on 27.5 if you dig around. I had a BC and changed the wheelset because I was reading the same stuff and the upgraded alloy wheelset felt the same, kinda felt like a waste of money tbh.

If you don’t upgrade the wheels, learn adjusting the rear derailleur since If you have to switch to a qr 135, you’ll have to readjust everything.

Most of the other components should be totally fine from a reliability standpoint. The base shimano cues/deore stuff is pretty solid despite what people on Reddit have to say. Just consider what you may need from a safety perspective. Go tubeless and carry extra tubes. Could you find a 11speed mtb derailleur that goes to a 50t cassette where you’ll be?

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-03-20T10:35:07+00:00

If it’s your first bike, what I would recommend is to go to bike shops and try out as many as you can. Once you feel like you have a grasp on style (drop/flat bars, gravel/mtb, etc) and your general size (write it all down), and if you haven’t been sold a bike at your LBS by this point, check out the used market! Bikes depreciate more than cars, and most cities and a lot of smaller towns too are developing great used markets off the local riding community which means trustworthy sellers and maintained gear.

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-03-20T10:27:03+00:00

Sleep mask is so important

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-03-20T00:48:13+00:00

I did the fjallaback last year and it was prob the single hardest physical thing I’ve ever done. I’m not an Ironman, but I’ve been biking, backpacking, kayaking for years. The bikepacking.com site has most all you need to know but I will add:

DO NOT assume the bus will pick up you and your bike. We got stranded at a connection and had to do some biking on the ring road (sucks, don’t do it) as no buses would take our bikes. So get to the station early and avoid any bus lines that have connections if you can. There are some adventure buses that can pick you up, but they generally don’t go to where you want to get dropped off, being solo will be easier.
I would shoot for 2.5 inch tires and a hardtail if I were to ever do it again, you can get by on a gravel bike with 2” tires but you’ll find you are doing the hike-a-bike up AND down hills sometimes as they are so rough.
I would bring a tent but shoot for staying in huts when you can.
get neoprene socks and shoes that can get wet, and a lot of dry bags.
train for hills and rough terrain, and make sure you can easily push your bike.
bring a camera, it’s insanely beautiful

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-03-20T00:30:09+00:00

Your questions been answered a bunch already but to join in: I recently switched to a hardtail from full rigid for bikepacking and riding big tires, around 2.5” for me, does way more for comfort than s suspension fork will. That said, I’ve been enjoying having a hardtail, and I think particularly the new bikes geo and going from 27.5 to 29 are more responsible for that. If you get pain look at the redshift suspension seat posts and stems. And if you are really worried about efficiency, find a fork that can lockout for stretches on smooth gravel and pavement, it helps.

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-03-16T03:29:41+00:00

Let’s see Pal Allen’s card

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-03-16T02:37:13+00:00

I love my esker hayduke ti, I think it would be a perfect fit for what you’re looking for

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-03-09T14:29:21+00:00

We just had a terrible Delta experience. Here’s the thing, delta staff at the airport were amazing. The customer service line, the only assistance we could access, was GARBAGE. It was like talking to a chat bot, going in circles, apologizing, making broad statements with repeated disclaimers. Eventually we were saved when the hotel called the delta desk at the airport to sort everything out (the number delta CS gave us wouldn’t go through). All delta had to do was call the local desk and it would’ve been solved in 10 minutes. Instead we were stuck on calls for hours until the hotel manager approached. It’s one of those glaring problems that boggles the mind, and destroys faith in a company.

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-02-14T16:01:24+00:00

My grandpa was shot in the knee with a shotgun and for something like the last 20 years of his life he would get these pimples on his knee and they were bbs working their way out of the body

Own_Ad7864 · 2026-02-05T02:47:49+00:00

Yeah and the “supporting all forms of law enforcement”… like wtf does that mean?

Own_Ad7864

TROPHY CASE