Many factors are involved in getting a bikepacking setup right, and they will constantly change depending on the trips you’re going on and many other outside influences. You must constantly improve it to make the adventures easier and let you travel further.

I have been bikepacking and ultra racing for over a decade and have found many ways to improve my bikepacking setup without spending any money. In this article, I will share my top ten tips to help you on your adventures. 

1. Modifying Your Bags

Over many years of using bikepacking equipment and being lucky enough to be a tester for many brands, I have tried some amazing bikepacking gear. The problem with bikepacking kit is it’s rarely perfect for your bike as it has to be made to be generic. I often find myself modifying bags. 

It could involve cutting straps down, making holes in sections for cable routing, adding a bridge to stop flex, or even installing a better zip. It’s sometimes it’s better to modify a bag than spend more money on another you might think will work better.

I have taken very basic bags and adapted them to fit my bikes properly and to be waterproof. I also installed a power bank, the cables of which went to my front and rear lights and also to my Garmin for charging.

2. Learn Your Electronics

Electronics are vital to bikepacking success. They help you navigate, keep you well-seen at night, and charge your phone in case of emergencies. It’s surprising how few people know their electronic capabilities, and it’s good to learn.

I recommend testing your lights on each setting to see how long they last. The same goes for navigation, and it’s worth seeing what your power bank is capable of. One of the last things you want when bikepacking is to run out of power.

You might be surprised at what the manufacturer states the lighting will last for and what it actually does. Also, batteries get weaker over time, and you need to stay on top of the longevity of some of these items.

3. Organizing Your Bags Properly

Being organized is crucial when bikepacking. Not having everything in the right place where you need it can waste time and cause unnecessary hassle. 

It’s worth taking your time to split your bags up. I keep my spares, tools, and extra clothing in the handlebar bag, food and water in my frame bag, and sleeping kit and other goods in the saddlebag. 

I know where everything is and can get to it quickly. Keeping organized means, you also tend not to forget things after camping and when packing, making it so much easier because there’s no guesswork. You already know where things go well.

4. Tailor Your Clothing

When it comes to bikepacking clothing, I am incredibly particular about how things fit and make me feel while I am riding. I used to buy so much to get the fit I wanted when I never realized that cycling clothing can easily be modified. All you need is a sewing kit and some basic knowledge.

You can add reflective elements to clothing and adjust the fit. I have even seen someone add lighting and heating elements to cycle clothing. What you can do with YouTube and a sewing kit is incredible.

The most recent clothing item for me was a gilet. It was a great fit apart from the section around the waist, and I would hate how it looked and moved in the wind. I got it sewed in by a family member till it was perfect. I absolutely love wearing it now, and it’s very reflective.

5. Tire Pressure

When I first started road biking, I would put 100 psi in and just let the good times roll. Years on, I have realized that spending time learning about it and using it is such a huge advantage when bikepacking. 

Adjusting your tire pressure for the size of your tires, the terrain you’re riding, the weight you’re carrying, and the performance you want goes a long way on an adventure. Use a tire pressure calculator and making small adjustments to suit comfort and performance. 

I often find myself dropping tire pressure on rough roads or gravel sections to ensure that I get the most comfort from my ride. I also look after my tires as well as possible to avoid flats.

6. Optimize Your GPS Navigation

It’s amazing how many times I have been on an ultra race or come across bikepackers, and when speaking of navigation, they are still using all the standard pages and settings on their Garmin. This makes it much more difficult and hugely reduces the power duration.

It is good to change your screens, remove any data fields you might not need, and add other fields such as distance to destination, time of day, heart rate, and much more. You can even set reminders to eat and drink. 

I like to have one data screen and one map screen with cadence and heart rate. It means for all my vital information, I have on screen, but while I’m navigating, all I need is the route and my heart rate and cadence to ensure I’m not pushing too much.

7. Adjusting Your Fit

A bike fit is an amazing process. A professional fitter will adjust your bike to suit you perfectly. This is not vital for bikepacking, but it makes a huge difference in pedaling efficiency, injury prevention, and comfort. 

Many fitters will generally fit you. You can make adjustments yourself to improve your bikepacking experience. For example, I like to raise my handlebars slightly on my bikepacking bike. I also change my aero bars from an aggressive to a relaxed position and sometimes move my shifters in.

Don’t be afraid to make small changes that you think will improve your experience while bikepacking. Your bike fit you had for racing doesn’t always mean it will be great for bikepacking. As a bike fitter myself, I can back this up.

8. Practicing Repairs

When it comes to a bikepacking setup, it’s not just about how amazing it is going to ride and carry your gear. There’s also a huge amount to be said for how easy it is to fix and how competent you are at doing it.

In my past ultra races and bikepacking events, I have found things to go wrong. Although they are fixable, and I have done the repair on many other bikes, it’s not rare to come across problems that need to be fixed differently on your own bike.

Practice repairs on your bike when you can, and if you get the chance, work on it yourself. Servicing and building my bike taught me so much about repairs years ago, and now I feel confident about my adventures. There’s little I can’t fix or bodge with my multi-tool.

9. Adventure Cheat Sheet

When it comes to bikepacking, I always recommend having an adventure cheat sheet to friends and clients. Before each trip, I list the towns I will pass through and some shops and hotels in them.

This means not only do I avoid the unnecessary stress of having to source everything on the go, but I know exactly how far away I am from each stop and what I will need to get from there as far as supplies go. 

I will either put this list on my phone or print it out and stick it to my top tube under sellotape. It can also help if you have a problem with your navigation. You always know the plan and where you need to get to.

10. Add Extra Accessories From Home

You would be surprised at what you can find around the house, which is going to help you when on a bikepacking adventure. Here are some great home goods that will help improve your bikepacking setup.

• Drawstring Bag (Great For Extra Supplies)
• Rubber Gloves (Good For Laying Gloves And Repairs)
• Cables Ties (They Always Come In Handy)
• Insulation Tape (For Repairs)
• Hair bands (Again Great For Repairs)
• Head Torch (Great For Setting Up Camping In The Dark)

If you have any other recommendations, please leave them in the comments below. There’s always room for me to add more!

A Final Note: Bikepacking Setup

Working on your bikepacking setup doesn’t have to be costly or difficult. There are many small things you can do to improve your cycling experience while bikepacking. Thanks for taking the time to read this article.

If you enjoyed this, you might like How To Plan A Bikepacking Route, The Ultimate Bikepacking Kit List, and Best Bikepacking Pedals.