My training buddies and I have a 2023 goal since we’ll all be retired. Ride Across America - Southern Tier Route. (probably early March - April timeframe) I’ve been googling around and watching youtube videos to learn more about bikepacking, etc.
Has anyone here done it? If so, experiences, tips/tricks, must haves, etc.
My most important question - can I do this on my Felt AR4 w/ Di2 (yeah - will have to keep it charged)? Or, do I need to buy some sort of bike more oriented towards bikepacking/touring w/ mech drivetrain?
I assume we’ll plan a combination of camping and 1/week (ish) hotel so need to carry that kind of gear on the bike.
If you can swing it I’d look up the Tailfin rack, which is awesome and works on pretty much any bike. You’d only need to charge the Di2 ~once … kind of a pain to bring the charger, but not really worth buying a new bike IME.
Disclaimer: I purchased a Tailfin rack for an upcoming bikepacking trip, but haven’t used it yet and never been bikepacking before.
I worked at Adventure Cycling for 3 years. (The place that makes the maps for the Southern Tier, amongst other things)
If you called up and asked these questions, I’d answer.
1-If you really are going to stay in a hotel once a week, I wouldn’t worry about electronic shifting. Just make sure you charge it once a week, and you’ll be good.
2-If you are carrying all your gear for camping, you need a different bike. Full stop.
Yes, you can do the route with your bike and have saddle bags, handlebar bags, backpack, super light weight gear, ect but it will be huge pain.
If you’re racing across the country, none of this applies. And your bike is just fine, but don’t expect to be comfortable.
3-Clean bike shorts are always nice to have. You’ll want 2+ pairs. More shorts you have, the longer you can go without laundry.
In general, the longer the trip, the more creature comforts you may want. (Shoes to walk around in, more than one shirt, camp stove, towel, ect)
4-You don’t need a “touring” bike, but ultimately the best bikes have wide tire clearance, attachment’s for racks (You can get by with a rear rack only) and EASY gearing. Everything else is personal preference.
Hope that helps. And you can always call up ACA and ask questions as well. Especially if the maps are a bit off. They love map corrections!
Sounds like trying to jerry-rig the Felt AR4 into a bikepacking horse is problematic at best. A bike set up with rack mounts, easy gearing, sturdy wheels/tires, comfortable touchpoints will be the way to go.
Sounds like trying to jerry-rig the Felt AR4 into a bikepacking horse is problematic at best. A bike set up with rack mounts, easy gearing, sturdy wheels/tires, comfortable touchpoints will be the way to go.
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Cannondale CAAD8 works just fine with a little imagination. So would your Felt.
