Overall Weight of a Tour
 

I know this is a can of worms but weight seems to be such a big deal based on how it's treated in these threads that I thought I would ask if there's a rule of thumb.

Me = 208 lbs.
Bike = 43 lbs.
Trailer = 16.5 lbs.
Gear = 30 lbs. (maybe less or will at least vary)

With the above numbers the bike and gear are roughly 1/3 of the total weight.

No matter how much weight you can cut, you will still wish it was lighter so I don't bother worrying about it so much...I know I'm going to suffer. Some people seem to be frantic about weight and these extremes tend to distort what the average rider will actually experience. So please feel free to share your experiences and thoughts...hopefully you can include a bit of background to put your position in perspective, too.

In my case, I expect to lose some weight during the tour so that will be some consolation. I tend to avoid thinking that if I had lighter equipment than losing weight will make me even lighter. At some point you just need to accept the situation and go with it if you know what I mean.

Sleep is good it makes the next day that much better. If your heavy tent, bag, pad (mine is extra heavy), pillow, ear plugs and liner helps you sleep better, schlep it.

Bad sleep -> unhappy panda on a bike.

Bike + Gear < Hand + Checked in airline baggage allowance

Me before tour ≈ Me after tour + 5 lbs (ymmv)

edit: +1 on having the right sleeping gear for the conditions you'll be in.
Saving weight by carrying a too light sleeping bag, then freezing your ass off every night ain't fun.
A too heavy bag might leave you sweating and being eaten by bugs all night :/
Tarp, hammock or tent choice depends on the conditions as well.

Food and water weigh a lot as well. Fully stocked up I'll have at least 6.6 lbs (3 litres) of water plus maybe as much food again. And fuel...

As you say, weight is a personal thing. I prefer clean cycling shorts every day (I take 3 sets), cook my own food, like to have comfortable off-bike shoes (not sandals), and carry full rain gear. Of late, I've been leaving the camping gear at home.

I've written an article with 8 ideas for touring with less weight, should you be interested. Number one is to lose weight before you tour, something I'm not very good at.

210
32
52

600 miles Camping

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...ril2010001.jpg

Over the last 18 years, my personal weight has been between 185lbs. and 200lbs. while touring. I usually carry 35-45 lbs of gear. I've never weighed my bikes, but they're about average for hybrids. I've always tried to keep my gear and foods to what I consider necessary, but a few pounds here or there really hasn't made a huge difference, or worried me. That's what all those gears are for, and so what if it takes a day or two longer....it's not a race, but I still have managed to average 75-85 miles a day in the past. On my planned tour in 2012, I will be pushing 260lbs. without the bike weight, and because the ride is over 9-10 days of gravel, my only concern is if the wheels can take the abuse.

What bike are you riding. Seems heavy @43 lbs. Most come in under 35 with racks. Otherwise, don't see anything unusual for a trailer rig.

I've managed to get my gear weight under 30 lbs, counting panniers(2), but not water/food. Quit cooking on tour. I'm actually less concerned about weight than bulk, so shoot for stuff with low pack volume. Neoair, down, single wall tent, minimal clothes, etc.

Weight definately matters, but only when climbing. It's an advantage on long, shallow downhills.

Good ideas---Thanks for sharing.

The only rule-of-thumb that I have heard of was from Machka-- I believe she said her goal was to keep the weight of the loaded bike less than half her body weight. Maybe she'll join in and correct/expand.

Interestingly enough, that is about where is about where my wife and I both started our last tour at, by using our packing lists that have gone through numerous iterations. I weighed about 150lbs. before the tour and my bike is about 26 lbs ( with pump etc) and panniers and gear was right at 40 lbs. I could have lightened it a little, but I used everything that I had except the spare tire. However, I'm glad I had it just for the peace of mind. My wife's bike and gear came in at about the same ratio. Our packing list is the results of over a dozen multi-week tours with a couple of multi-month ones thrown in. We think we have it dialed pretty good for us. However I know there is still room for improvement!

me=165
bike=34
gear=43
average supplies=8
total=250lbs

http://www.ziligy.com/photos/posts/J...tonHighway.jpg

That may not be bad for a recumbent.

My touring bike is just under 30 pounds with racks, spares, and tools.

My ultralight touring bike is about 25 pounds with tools, spares, water bottles, and rack. It is only 41 pounds with everything except food, fuel, and water.

I have gone with several different amounts of weight and been pretty happy with all of them. Still the lighter the more pleasant it has been.

While things fluctuated a bit, in general:
On the high end I have had 210# of me, 30 pounds of bike, and 45 pounds of gear on my first tour.
On my last tour I had 210# of me, 30 pounds of bike, and 22 pounds of gear.
On my next tour I expect 210# of me, 25 pounds of bike, and 16 pounds of gear.

That does not count food, fuel, or water in any of those cases. In all cases the me part was less as the trip went on.

I have the LongBikes Slipstream. It's definitely a "long" bike with a 70.5 inch wheelbase and it rides like a hammock on wheels. It's called the Cadillac of recumbents and I think this is accurate from my experience so far. But it is heavy and hard to start on hills once you stop. I also find myself crawling up hills if steep and long enough. You slowly burn out it seems. But to be fair I have not had the opportunity to try this during a tour when I have my body in shape (I assume that happens on a tour).

Here's a pic of just the bike and the trailer:

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/646...andtrailer.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Note how the camera flash reveals the reflective trailer wheels. I didn't notice them until I took this photo. You can't see them but there are two water bottle holders on the rear triangle. I'm considering removing the rear rack (Tubus) for the tour to save some weight but if I don't I will have an Arkel trunk bag mounted there for quick access items.

It is going to depend on several factors...

I run heavier weights in the colder weather and where I am going. My average gear weight is ~ 45#, low of 35# high of 55# while on a winter expedition trip. Bikes vary from 35#-42# (XL frames)

I currently weigh 215#, but will be working to get that back down to 185#.

I don't really worry too much about weight when touring I carry what I need and want to be comfortable.

Aaron :)

ray what does the tire liners look like dont think i ever heard of them before, how are thy fitted and photos.

Mr Tuffy maybe? Never used 'em myself

I'm on a Tour Easy. Part of my reason for whittlng down the gear. First tour in January on the Texas Coast. Flat!

As I'm sure you've found out, the overall comfort is enhanced by the shock adsorbing, long, steel frames of these things. Helps with the $%$# factor of Texas chipseal.

http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...y/TourEasy.jpg

Hi scrapser really theres no need to worry about weight you know what you can take and what you can't take me 182lbs bike 34lbs gear 30lbs and you will lose weight on a fully loaded tour, take your time enjoy the ride, if I where going on tour with you, you would be waiting on me.

thanks for that imi looks like a lot of hassle to install them but if they stop the dreded p....re guess it would be worth the efford.
btw i tried a few companys in the uk on the new wheel build still heard nothing so i'm getting my son in america to price it for me will let you know as soon as i find out.

I'm left for a cross country at 137 lbs with a 90lb bike/gear load. I sent 5 lbs of gear home but ended up replacing it with more food :). Gained 10 lbs over 4000 miles.

I'm no speed racer but the bike weight was a non issue. I really won't change much for the next trip.

Me - 110-115
Bike (includes permanently attached stuff like racks, fenders, bottle cages, computer mounts, but not tools, pump etc)- 34
Stuff - 35-50 including the panniers themselves and food, but not including water.

I don't lose weight. If I'm lucky, I don't gain it. If I'm *really* lucky and careful, I don't gain weight in the 2 weeks after the tour.

As you can see, Machka's rule of thumb does not apply to me. And, I seek out mountainous routes. I can't stand flat riding. the steepest place I've been so far is New Zealand, but I'm hoping to correct that with some European mountains in the next few years.

I may have mentioned this to you in the past, but I highly recommend the Pyrenees, its a trip I would do again one day if possible. My German biking friend and I did most of the range from east to west, very neat gradual change of elevation and look as you toodle along the range.
I arrived in Toulouse, down to Carcassone, then west following the Pyrenees on the French side until into the Basque area, where we went into Spain for a few days, then up the Atlantic coast and then to Bordeaux. I then biked alone from Bordeaux back to Toulouse for the loop and the flight back home.

me-135-140
stuff around 40
bike low 30s to 35

Im pretty careful about gear weight, and from my experience, I'd say the "half body weight" theory is pretty much spot on.

Have you ever thought about counseling. There might be help available:)

Happy Holidays to you all.

chuckle,

and Happy Holidays to you and your wife as well Doug.

David

Me = 190 lbs slowly going down,,,,,,:thumb:
Bike = 24 lbs
Gear = 20 lbs
Food Water = 5 lbs

http://wheelsofchance.files.wordpres...1042.jpg?w=468

You're very welcome over here valygrl. We have the famous Alps in Switzerland of course... Then there's the Pyrenees from East to West along the north coast of Spain, not a flat mile to be seen! :D

Thanks you guys. I'll be sure to look you up when I start planning.