Bikepacking can be done on a budget, and there’s no denying that. I started on a $30 bike with a rucksack on my back and went from London to Paris. Subscribers and followers often ask me, “Where is the best place to invest money in bikepacking equipment?” In this article, we’ll discuss just that. 

You don’t need performance bikes with electric gearing or thousands of pounds worth of camping gear, and bikepacking bags don’t need to be $500 a set. Provided you invest in the right place, you will still have an amazing experience! Let’s go!

My Experience With Bikepacking Equipment

I have been lucky enough to use a lot of bikepacking equipment. I have worked with some huge brands such as Shimano, PRO, and many more and bought a huge amount myself. On top of that, I have been going on trips for the past decade to extreme locations. 

I have found some kit you can get away with using budget goods and others you need to invest your money. A good example is I once spent $120 on a water bottle for my aero bars. Biggest waste of money ever unless you’re in a TT. Then, I invested heavily in extra gearing components, which have been well worth every penny. Here’s what you need to know. 

Where To Invest Money With Bikepacking Equipment

Now for the exciting part! Let’s start by telling you where, in my experience, the best place to invest money is in bikepacking equipment!

Safety Equipment

There’s no denying that having the correct safety equipment is vital. Here’s the first place I recommend investing money. I would go for clothing which has some high visibility or, failing that, a high vis gilet or jacket. 

I would also recommend good lighting. Have two rear lights in case one fails and also a decent front light. I highly recommend going to companies that are experts, brands such as Exposure, Cateye, or even Lezyne. 

Lower Gearing

I have never met a bikepacker who has complained that their gearing is too low and they wish it would be higher. After the fatigue has set in, all the gear starts getting heavier, and the inclines pick up. You don’t need high gears.

By using a larger rear cassette or smaller chainring set, you can have a much better ability to climb, and if you really want to take it up a level, change your whole group set. Although when training, you might feel limited on descents, trust me, on a trip, the low gears pay off. 

Hydraulic Brakes

When it comes to bikepacking, especially off-road, you will use the brakes often. I see a lot of riders on mechanical disc brakes, as many basic bikes come with them, but they are hard work on the hands. Day after day of riding, this catches you up.

Hydraulic brakes are stronger, easier to use, more reliable, and can even self-adjust. They are more expensive but have many advantages. If you want to know more, check out my article on hydraulic vs. mechanical disc brakes. 

A Proper Bike Computer

I know many people love using apps or old wheel-sensor bike computers, but for me, there’s no substitute for a proper bike computer. With the right sensors, a Garmin or Wahoo will tell you everything you need to know.

Not only that, but navigation is so much easier. It tells you where to go turn by turn, and you can even set alerts to tell you when to eat and drink. Honestly, for me, it was a huge game-changer!

Tubeless Wheels And Tires

I appreciate that not everyone will agree with this, but feel free to move on to the next section. Tubeless is amazing when it comes to bikepacking, and I feel it’s such a winner for anyone on an adventure because of all its advantages. 

You can run lower tire pressures, your wheels are lighter compared to having butyl tubes, they can self-heal, and you can even carry fewer spares. Yes, it is more expensive, but it makes life a lot easier.

A Bike Fit

I appreciate that this isn’t equipment but purely an adjustment to your equipment. A bike fit is where a professional will fit you to your bike so you ride as efficiently as possible. A proper one from an expert can cost as much as $400. 

Yes, it’s a lot of money, but it stops you from getting injuries, increases comfort, helps you pedal much better, and will help you travel further and faster. On a remote trail, when you are suffering from injuries and in pain, $400, fit won’t seem so bad. 

Clothing

Another great place to invest is in your clothing. The first point where I would invest in padded shorts. Not only do these help you stay comfortable, but they can also help with hygiene. This difference between good and bad shorts bikepacking is huge. 

I also think footwear is a very important factor too. I used to suffer with awful hot foot in my first few years of riding. I went to using better shoes, which were from Shimano, and never looked back. I can’t believe how much I suffered over the years. 

Good Bikepacking Bags

Having crap bikepacking bags is really annoying. They don’t fit right, they move around when you’re riding, and cheap straps damage the frame without protection. I have tried most brands of well known bags and some of the cheaper options too, and the difference is noticeable. 

First, I look for a good fit. Then, I want to make sure that they are waterproof and, finally, they have a good quality zip. You can get a very good full bag set for less than $150, or you could even spend up to $500, which isn’t always needed.

Reliable Tools

Over the time I have been cycling, I have had a lot of multitools, some of which have been amazing options and others absolutely awful. Having good tools is so important to ensuring you are able to fix your bike and not break things further. 

I would go for a brand such as Lezyne, Crank Bros, or my favorite Topeak. These tools stay together, are easy to use, and you have much less chance of rounding bolts off or things breaking. 

The Key To Investing Money in Bikepacking

The key to investing money when it comes to bikepacking is simple. Either make the riding easier for you or make you more comfortable. It’s that simple. Things like a bike fit and lower gearing make the riding easier, clothing makes you more comfortable.

A Final Note

When it comes to bikepacking, there are many things that you will want to invest your money in. These above are places where I recommend putting your money first. Thanks for taking the time to read our article.  
If you enjoyed this article you might like, The Ultimate Bikepacking Kit List, Improving Bikepacking Mental Toughness, and Gravel Bikes For Bikepacking.