Originally Posted by
Cyclebum
With $$$s, it's pretty easy to equip for a tour with classy looking, look lasting, convenient gear. Many seem to go this route. But what about the more budget minded among us?
How about sharing your tips/experiences with low dollar gear that actually worked pretty well. Bike, camping, clothes, bags, racks, etc.
My favorite is the Eureka Spitfire tent. $80 for the solo, $125 for the double. Light and durable with good peak height. Also Sunlite panniers. 4 for $100.
If one takes care of whatever gear one has and is creative in the way it is repaired and maintained, one can tour on and with almost anything. The homeless prove that. As one wants look less like a homeless person, wants to spend less time repairing gear, wants enhanced functionality, wants more reliablity, and yes, when one wants more comfort, the wallet needs to open a little more. Usually a lot more.
Making one's own gear is very appealing, not so much to lower costs since time spent making should also be considered, but because the gear can be customized. Seams and wear areas can be reinforced, pockets and zippers added, and one can chose colors for stealth or visibility. It makes sense to buy cheap gear and then use one's own ingenuity to improve it.
But to say that low-end gear has the same functionality as high end gear is silly. Low end gear can be adequate (for example a $15
2.5R closed cell pad), but for those who want to spend the money, high end gear is usually better (for example a $150
2.5R NeoAir pad). Usually gear that is more expensive has a wider range of adequacy (for example a $160
8R Downmat 9).
If one has never slept on an air mattress or has never toured on a high end bike, then of course one doesn't know what one is missing. The internet is chock full of poseurs who offer passionate advice based on nothing more than what they have read or based on one fair weather tour. And they repeat it endlessly.