I did it, gear is under 20lbs
02-26-07 | 06:49 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 0
Thanks for the list; extremely helpful.
Just a thought/tip. You may not need the toilet paper. I've heard some cultures only use water to clean themselves when they're finished. With the water bottle im sure you could get a nice stream up/down in there to clean all the good stuff, just like a baday. (sp?) It wouldn't save you much weight, but perhaps it will help in space. Also, now you don't have to worry about it getting wet from a downpour and ruining the whole roll.
There has to be some kind of sunscreen/skin cream combination. That would reduce a couple more ounces if you could get rid of one of those bottles. Also, its your preference, but I don't think the mouthwash is necessary if you're bringing a toothbrush and toothpaste. I may be wrong I may be right. If you take away the items I mentioned it, sans the alcohol since that may be an essential, then you could shave another half pound I'd say. Matt
Just a thought/tip. You may not need the toilet paper. I've heard some cultures only use water to clean themselves when they're finished. With the water bottle im sure you could get a nice stream up/down in there to clean all the good stuff, just like a baday. (sp?) It wouldn't save you much weight, but perhaps it will help in space. Also, now you don't have to worry about it getting wet from a downpour and ruining the whole roll.
There has to be some kind of sunscreen/skin cream combination. That would reduce a couple more ounces if you could get rid of one of those bottles. Also, its your preference, but I don't think the mouthwash is necessary if you're bringing a toothbrush and toothpaste. I may be wrong I may be right. If you take away the items I mentioned it, sans the alcohol since that may be an essential, then you could shave another half pound I'd say. Matt
Last edited by permanentjaun; 02-26-07 at 06:54 PM.
02-26-07 | 07:09 PM
#29
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 43
Bikes: Rivendell Quickbeam, Rivendell Rambouillet, Rivendell Atlantis, Circle A town bike, De Rosa Neo Primato, Cervelo RS, Specialized Diverge
Originally Posted by Lolly Pop
love the tent! thanks for the link!
am I.
Even while touring 'ultralite', i'll always carry a mini-Ulock and keep an almost paranoid view of my bike if I'm otherwise unable to secure it to a secure object. It fits on the bike itself and has become like part of the bike more than 'extra weight'
Its mounted above the front derailluer braced up against the seatstay in the rear triangle.
Its mounted above the front derailluer braced up against the seatstay in the rear triangle.
take it into a store and if I eat in a restaurant I try to sit close to the window to keep the bike in sight.I'm thinking about getting a motion alarm for the bike, there are some around, but I'd really like to see one from Kryptonite or OnGuard.
02-26-07 | 07:12 PM
#30
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 43
Bikes: Rivendell Quickbeam, Rivendell Rambouillet, Rivendell Atlantis, Circle A town bike, De Rosa Neo Primato, Cervelo RS, Specialized Diverge
Originally Posted by permanentjaun
Thanks for the list; extremely helpful.
Just a thought/tip. You may not need the toilet paper. I've heard some cultures only use water to clean themselves when they're finished. With the water bottle im sure you could get a nice stream up/down in there to clean all the good stuff, just like a baday. (sp?) It wouldn't save you much weight, but perhaps it will help in space. Also, now you don't have to worry about it getting wet from a downpour and ruining the whole roll.
There has to be some kind of sunscreen/skin cream combination. That would reduce a couple more ounces if you could get rid of one of those bottles. Also, its your preference, but I don't think the mouthwash is necessary if you're bringing a toothbrush and toothpaste. I may be wrong I may be right. If you take away the items I mentioned it, sans the alcohol since that may be an essential, then you could shave another half pound I'd say. Matt
Just a thought/tip. You may not need the toilet paper. I've heard some cultures only use water to clean themselves when they're finished. With the water bottle im sure you could get a nice stream up/down in there to clean all the good stuff, just like a baday. (sp?) It wouldn't save you much weight, but perhaps it will help in space. Also, now you don't have to worry about it getting wet from a downpour and ruining the whole roll.
There has to be some kind of sunscreen/skin cream combination. That would reduce a couple more ounces if you could get rid of one of those bottles. Also, its your preference, but I don't think the mouthwash is necessary if you're bringing a toothbrush and toothpaste. I may be wrong I may be right. If you take away the items I mentioned it, sans the alcohol since that may be an essential, then you could shave another half pound I'd say. Matt
anal about weight in the thread
02-26-07 | 07:21 PM
#31
Mo' Senior
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
if you switch to a 3/4 length therm-a-rest z-lite or ridge-rest, you'll cut the weight of your pad in half, price by 75%, and get a more durable pad. the only drawback is more bulk. I plan to attach the z-rest under the top tube... other wise a nice kit ...
02-26-07 | 07:26 PM
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 0
No I was serious. Many cultures don't use toilet paper. Just spray some water down there and you're done. Like I said though, it wouldn't save much weight, just space.
Hehe, this is from wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet_...d_alternatives
"Using water to clean oneself, in lieu of toilet paper, is common in India and Muslim countries, where people use their left hand to clean themselves and their right hand for eating or greeting (in parts of Africa, though, the converse is true, and a right-handed handshake could be considered rude). The use of water in Muslim countries is due in part to Muslim sharia which encourages washing after defecation. It is not uncommon to find Indians and Middle Eastern people express their disgust for the use of dry toilet paper as they doubt the effectiveness of just wiping with toilet paper and feel it is impossible to completely clean one's bottom and washing is absolutely necessary. Toilet paper is not as rare today in these households, but in many countries, a hose with a water sprayer (called a "health faucet"[citation needed]) or a pail of water is found instead of a water sprayer"
I was just throwing out the idea since it's a thread about saving weight. I'm sure some people would consider it if they didn't want to bother with it. Although it probably still isn't the cleanest alternative to toilet paper. I guess it depends on how 'smoothly' you release? Ha. Matt
P.S. - Was your pun intended? "..getting anal about weight.."
Hehe, this is from wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet_...d_alternatives
"Using water to clean oneself, in lieu of toilet paper, is common in India and Muslim countries, where people use their left hand to clean themselves and their right hand for eating or greeting (in parts of Africa, though, the converse is true, and a right-handed handshake could be considered rude). The use of water in Muslim countries is due in part to Muslim sharia which encourages washing after defecation. It is not uncommon to find Indians and Middle Eastern people express their disgust for the use of dry toilet paper as they doubt the effectiveness of just wiping with toilet paper and feel it is impossible to completely clean one's bottom and washing is absolutely necessary. Toilet paper is not as rare today in these households, but in many countries, a hose with a water sprayer (called a "health faucet"[citation needed]) or a pail of water is found instead of a water sprayer"
I was just throwing out the idea since it's a thread about saving weight. I'm sure some people would consider it if they didn't want to bother with it. Although it probably still isn't the cleanest alternative to toilet paper. I guess it depends on how 'smoothly' you release? Ha. Matt
P.S. - Was your pun intended? "..getting anal about weight.."
02-26-07 | 07:40 PM
#33
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 43
Bikes: Rivendell Quickbeam, Rivendell Rambouillet, Rivendell Atlantis, Circle A town bike, De Rosa Neo Primato, Cervelo RS, Specialized Diverge
The pun was intended
I looked at the sleeping pad alternatives and decided against the foam and z pads because of volume.
I have a full length pad so just went with that.
The sunscreen/hand cream combo would be good to find, but I find that most sunscreen isn't as soothing as
a good skin cream
I looked at the sleeping pad alternatives and decided against the foam and z pads because of volume.
I have a full length pad so just went with that.
The sunscreen/hand cream combo would be good to find, but I find that most sunscreen isn't as soothing as
a good skin cream
02-27-07 | 11:10 AM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: PA
Bikes: Tomasso AS1
I just got an insul mat max thermo pad that is 5"x11" packed and inflates to a thickness of about 2.5". I've inflated it and it's quite comfortable and yet smaller/lighter than my full size "self inflating" pad.
STP link:
https://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...d-Regular.html
STP link:
https://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...d-Regular.html
02-27-07 | 12:35 PM
#36
Cyclist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Originally Posted by nun
The caming gear is where the opportunities for weight saving are the greatest. I've simply replaced some old heavy stuff with ultralight equivalents. My Tarptent Contrail is more tent than tarp
https://www.tarptent.com/contrail.html
My bag is a summer one weighting 1lb so if it gets cold I sleep in a primaloft jacket that weighs 11oz. That is good for spring and fall, but to be comfortable in winter my gear would be too light.
Over the last year or so I've replaced most of my gear with ultralight equivalents and that has got the weight down. Also limiting the volume of my bags made me think about what to carry and my empty bags weigh 2lb as I don't use heavy panniers. I could get lighter by using bags made of lighter material that "cotton duck", and going from wool base layer to synthetic, but I like the way wool performs when wet and the Merino wool shirts feel really good. As far as toiletries go I carry 2 or 4oz bottles of stuff like shampoo and skin cream and a small travel tube of toothpaste. This is enough for a couple of weeks and I replenish at a store or if I stay a night in a motel I take the small bottles of stuff they provide.
Here's the weight of the catagories.
Camping 5lbs
Clothing Carried 5lbs
Toiletries 1lbs
Bike Stuff 3.5 lbs. (mostly made up of lock 1lbs, inner tubes 0.6lbs and multitool 0.5lbs)
Misc Items (wallet, phone/charger etc) 2lbs
Bags 2lbs
Total 18.5lbs
Here is a picture of my setup and a blog from two folks who have a similar approach to touring
https://www.tarptent.com/contrail.html
My bag is a summer one weighting 1lb so if it gets cold I sleep in a primaloft jacket that weighs 11oz. That is good for spring and fall, but to be comfortable in winter my gear would be too light.
Over the last year or so I've replaced most of my gear with ultralight equivalents and that has got the weight down. Also limiting the volume of my bags made me think about what to carry and my empty bags weigh 2lb as I don't use heavy panniers. I could get lighter by using bags made of lighter material that "cotton duck", and going from wool base layer to synthetic, but I like the way wool performs when wet and the Merino wool shirts feel really good. As far as toiletries go I carry 2 or 4oz bottles of stuff like shampoo and skin cream and a small travel tube of toothpaste. This is enough for a couple of weeks and I replenish at a store or if I stay a night in a motel I take the small bottles of stuff they provide.
Here's the weight of the catagories.
Camping 5lbs
Clothing Carried 5lbs
Toiletries 1lbs
Bike Stuff 3.5 lbs. (mostly made up of lock 1lbs, inner tubes 0.6lbs and multitool 0.5lbs)
Misc Items (wallet, phone/charger etc) 2lbs
Bags 2lbs
Total 18.5lbs
Here is a picture of my setup and a blog from two folks who have a similar approach to touring
02-27-07 | 01:50 PM
#38
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 43
Bikes: Rivendell Quickbeam, Rivendell Rambouillet, Rivendell Atlantis, Circle A town bike, De Rosa Neo Primato, Cervelo RS, Specialized Diverge
GTCommuter suggested a lightweight sticky with pics. Here's an example of the other end of the weight
spectrum when it comes to packing food.
spectrum when it comes to packing food.
02-27-07 | 02:03 PM
#39
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 43
Bikes: Rivendell Quickbeam, Rivendell Rambouillet, Rivendell Atlantis, Circle A town bike, De Rosa Neo Primato, Cervelo RS, Specialized Diverge
Originally Posted by daviddd
wow, amazing! I doubt I can get down to that weight for my forthcoming years tour, but I do like my creature comforts...
02-27-07 | 02:17 PM
#40
Easily distracted...
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From: Decatur, Ga
Bikes: Surley Cross Check
Originally Posted by nun
I don't think its that amazing, the folks who can do under 15 or even 10 lbs by using a true tarp and a bivy are the really radical ones. I've just used lightweight equipment.
Let me dig out a camera and I'll post a pic.
02-27-07 | 02:25 PM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by nun
I don't think its that amazing, the folks who can do under 15 or even 10 lbs by using a true tarp and a bivy are the really radical ones. I've just used lightweight equipment. For example, my stove weighs under an oz as its made form a pepsi can. Its best at heating soups and boiling water for stuff like instant cereal, noodles and couscous and tea. With some practice you can make a good cheese omlet with it. I've tried to lighten the load while keeping the functionality and maybe 80% of the comfort of a heavier touring kit. My philosophy is to make the riding as enjoyable as possible as if I get sick of camping I can often duck into a motel. My kit is designed for long distance touring in reasonably developed countries, it would be sparse for Expedition Touring, but for N.America, Europe, and the less remote places in Asia etc I think it would be good. I tend to camp for a few days and then stay in a motel to get a good shower and wash some clothes.
I got this blanket, which weighs .87 lbs.
https://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/ta...Fresults%2Etam
They also have a sleeping blanket solar blanket that weighs .18 lbs, but I don't think it'd be able to survive for extended periods of time on a tour. That's why I got the 'heavier' blanket. It's not much lighter than a quality lightweight sleeping bag, but this also cost me a nice $12.00. Can't beat that.
02-27-07 | 02:27 PM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 0
Oh, wow. I was looking at the shipping weight. The blanket actually only weighs 10 ounces. I'd say that's a considerable weight difference then. Depending on what sleeping bag you currently have you could easily shave 1-3 pounds off your load if you use the solar blanket. 10 ounces = .625 pounds.
02-27-07 | 02:39 PM
#43
Easily distracted...
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From: Decatur, Ga
Bikes: Surley Cross Check
Originally Posted by permanentjaun
Oh, wow. I was looking at the shipping weight. The blanket actually only weighs 10 ounces. I'd say that's a considerable weight difference then. Depending on what sleeping bag you currently have you could easily shave 1-3 pounds off your load if you use the solar blanket. 10 ounces = .625 pounds.
02-27-07 | 02:49 PM
#44
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 0
Well to me it made sense. 1. It's extremely cheap. 2. It works just as well as a sleeping bag in terms of keeping me warm. 3. I'll be starting my tour in the southwest US so if I ever feel the sun is too much this also doubles as sun protection. I doubt anyone that is feeling heat exhaustion is going to climb into their sleeping bag. 4. It's waterproof. I can use it as a tarp. Since it's water proof it is also easy to clean. Rather than worrying about a sleeping bag collecting dirt and smell I can just hose this off every once in a while.
It's a large 5'X7' so it is easy to wrap yourself in. That's all I need. It doesn't have to feel like silk chocolate on my skin. To me, it is a very economical tool to use on a tour. I'm sure there are other uses for it too. It reflects radar and is a great light reflector in case of extreme emergencies. No wonder they keep these things in survival kits. Matt
It's a large 5'X7' so it is easy to wrap yourself in. That's all I need. It doesn't have to feel like silk chocolate on my skin. To me, it is a very economical tool to use on a tour. I'm sure there are other uses for it too. It reflects radar and is a great light reflector in case of extreme emergencies. No wonder they keep these things in survival kits. Matt
02-27-07 | 02:57 PM
#45
Easily distracted...
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From: Decatur, Ga
Bikes: Surley Cross Check
All good points. I'll look forward to hearing updates from your ride.
If you haven't followed the randonneuring scene, Kent Peterson does many of his long distance rides with a Thermolite space blanket. He mentions them in his ride reports occasionally...
https://search.bikelist.org/getmsg.as...10309.0034.eml
If you haven't followed the randonneuring scene, Kent Peterson does many of his long distance rides with a Thermolite space blanket. He mentions them in his ride reports occasionally...
https://search.bikelist.org/getmsg.as...10309.0034.eml
02-27-07 | 03:39 PM
#46
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 43
Bikes: Rivendell Quickbeam, Rivendell Rambouillet, Rivendell Atlantis, Circle A town bike, De Rosa Neo Primato, Cervelo RS, Specialized Diverge
Originally Posted by permanentjaun
I'll see what I can do. I'm still waiting for my bivy to come in the mail. I'm also not bringing a stove on my trek. I might save a few ounces or a pound since I won't need the can stove or alcohol. Call me crazy, but I'm also not going to bring a sleeping bag. I bought a 'heavy duty' solar blanket with grommets in the corners. I figure at night I'll fasten two ends of the blanket together to make me into a giant egg roll. I tried it out last night and it kept me plenty warm. Since I'll be touring from May-July I don't have to worry about 0 degree temperatures. My thoughts are the the bivy will be a nice wind breaker. Then since the bivy is much smaller than a tent my body heat will warm the air inside easier than in a tent. That coupled with the solar blanket should keep my plenty warm and still have a feeling of being wrapped in a blanket to keep my comfy.
I got this blanket, which weighs .87 lbs.
https://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/ta...Fresults%2Etam
They also have a sleeping blanket solar blanket that weighs .18 lbs, but I don't think it'd be able to survive for extended periods of time on a tour. That's why I got the 'heavier' blanket. It's not much lighter than a quality lightweight sleeping bag, but this also cost me a nice $12.00. Can't beat that.
I got this blanket, which weighs .87 lbs.
https://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/ta...Fresults%2Etam
They also have a sleeping blanket solar blanket that weighs .18 lbs, but I don't think it'd be able to survive for extended periods of time on a tour. That's why I got the 'heavier' blanket. It's not much lighter than a quality lightweight sleeping bag, but this also cost me a nice $12.00. Can't beat that.
I think to get below 15 lbs there have to be some significant changes to the approach like using tarps, no cooking, no sleeping bags and limiting the tour to the summer months. In my original gear list I tried to have stuff for a 3 season multi-month tour where the temps might dip down to freezing that still maintained the functionality of the heavier touring loads so that I kept a fair degree of comfort. So my criteria were 3-season, be able to cook, tent to protect from bugs and to stay in for a rainy day, 32 F sleeping system, less than 20lbs without food and water.
I think we should get some 10, 15 and 20lb gear lists together so folks can choose what to take for various conditions. My only worry is that the drive for less weight might cause people to underpack and find themselves without and item or too cold at night.
02-27-07 | 03:40 PM
#47
Lentement mais sûrement
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 5
From: Montréal
Ti Spork
Anyway, just saying a lexan spoon is lighter and cheaper. Only lighter in your case, since you already wast... I mean, bought a spork. Add a lexan a fork and it's still lighter.
Did you cut your toothbrush handle?
02-27-07 | 03:47 PM
#48
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 43
Bikes: Rivendell Quickbeam, Rivendell Rambouillet, Rivendell Atlantis, Circle A town bike, De Rosa Neo Primato, Cervelo RS, Specialized Diverge
Originally Posted by Erick L
I'll never understand that. Titanium utensils? Sporks? The only thing I find easier to eat with fork than a spoon is spaghetti, and a spork doesn't do.
Anyway, just saying a lexan spoon is lighter and cheaper. Only lighter in your case, since you already wast... I mean, bought a spork. Add a lexan a fork and it's still lighter.
Did you cut your toothbrush handle?
Anyway, just saying a lexan spoon is lighter and cheaper. Only lighter in your case, since you already wast... I mean, bought a spork. Add a lexan a fork and it's still lighter.
Did you cut your toothbrush handle?
well, I manage rice noodles with it ok, never tried spagetti as I stick to couscous as it packs small and cooks quickly. The lexan is a good alternative, but I've broken lexan utensiles in the past so got the Ti spork
02-27-07 | 05:13 PM
#49
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 0
What kind of pump did you get? I'm looking for one right now. Is a gauge necessary you think? Lightest pump on nashbar is just 65 grams. It's also the cheapest at only 6.95 so I don't know if I'd trust it, but you never know. Matt
02-27-07 | 06:48 PM
#50
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 43
Bikes: Rivendell Quickbeam, Rivendell Rambouillet, Rivendell Atlantis, Circle A town bike, De Rosa Neo Primato, Cervelo RS, Specialized Diverge
Originally Posted by permanentjaun
What kind of pump did you get? I'm looking for one right now. Is a gauge necessary you think? Lightest pump on nashbar is just 65 grams. It's also the cheapest at only 6.95 so I don't know if I'd trust it, but you never know. Matt
piston in and how hard the tire feels. I ride 28s or 32s somewhere around 80 or 90 psi