Thread: Tips and Tricks
View Single Post
Old 06-25-12 | 07:31 PM
  #388  
mdilthey's Avatar
mdilthey
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 10

Bikes: Nature Boy 853 Disc, Pugsley SS

I can't remember where I picked these up, but they're good tips. Sorry for any repeats:

1. Bring individual allen wrenches instead of a multitool to save weight.

2. Sprinkling your tire tube with regular baby powder before you put the tire back on after a flat will make it easier to lever the tire onto the rim, and it'll reduce the chance of pinching your tube.

3. Bring basic, all-purpose items. Safety pins, duct tape, fishing twine, nylon swatches, vaseline, and plastic bags can be used for improvising thousands of solutions for common problems.

4. Invest in a good headlamp rather than a bike lamp, unless you need a high-powered one for bikepacking. Headlamps point where you're looking, provide greater visibility to cars since they're higher up, and they can be used around camp.

5. A Nalgene Cantene™ rolls up when you're not using it. Pack it instead of a third water bottle to save weight, or to repurpose a bottle holder with a tennis ball container for storage (great tip from this thread).

6. Lumbar or Fanny Packs let you store items on your person that you use often, can be accessed while riding, don't make your back sweat, and are safer balance-wise than backpacks. Simple ones are great, but the Inov-8 Race Pro 4 is lightweight and weather-sealed, and extremely stable, with tons of space. 5/5 stars.

7. Libraries are safe and quiet places to rest in on a tour. Stop by and read for a few hours when it starts pouring.

8. Gorilla Tape is stronger than duct tape. Use a strip on the underside of your frame to protect the metal from the dings of rocks and debris. When riding in dangerous countries, wrap over logos to make your bike less desirable. Use Gorilla Tape or Duct Tape to make "channels" along your fork or frame to store things like spokes, pumps, plastic bags, and tent poles.

9. Sleeping Bag Liners add warmth and comfort, and they keep your sleeping bag from smelling or deteriorating. Wash them like clothes regularly. Keep a dryer sheet in the bottom of your sleeping bag to keep it smelling fresh.

10. Put Silica gel packets or aluminum tins in the bottom of Ortliebs and other dry bag panniers to keep out mildew from dampness.

11. If you're careful, you can boil water in a classic Nalgene bottle by turning it near a fire. Too close, and you'll melt it. Put it in the bottom of your sleeping bag to stay toasty all night.

12. They make Paracord that supports up to 400 lbs. Use it instead of rope to save weight and space when hanging things in bear country. Also makes a great way to secure a bike onto a vehicle in an emergency (so long as it's not bearing the full weight of the bike, eg. hanging).

I'll edit it if I think of more.

I want to add my GLOWING support to Henessey Hammocks. The sleeping position is so comfortable it feels like sleeping at home, and it keeps leg soreness to a minimum, you don't rock all over, you can't fall out, get wet, get bitten, and it sets up in minutes. I see people making huge sacrifices to get a tent under 1,000 grams while mine is a mere 800 with perfect comfort.

Last edited by mdilthey; 06-25-12 at 07:34 PM.
mdilthey is offline  
Reply