I built my bikepacking bike for less than £500/$650, and I really want to share that you can do these things on a budget. Money doesn’t go very far in bikepacking, unfortunately. In modern times, things are getting more and more expensive, and it’s tough to know what you should spend and where the value is. In this article,
Why I Built A Bikepacking Bike for Less Than £500?
I love bikes, and honestly, building them is a massive passion for me alongside riding them. I wanted to build a bikepacking bike for many reasons. Here’s why,
- Had an event planned (Great British Escapades)
- Wanted a better multi-terrain bike over a gravel bike
- Better performance off-road and handling
- Wanted a new project to keep me motivated
- I have always wanted to build a bikepacking rigid MTB
- I wanted to challenge myself on a tight budget.
£500 / $650 is not a small amount of money. In some people’s world, it is, but not in mine it is. I have 2 kids and a dog, and I run my own business; survival is a win, haha.
What I Came Up With?
| Component | Specification | Why I Chose It |
| Frame | 2020 Voodoo Bizango (Large) | A capable and affordable aluminum hardtail frame with modern geometry, making it a great foundation for bikepacking and long-distance adventures. |
| Fork | Rigid Carbon Fork | Saves significant weight compared to a suspension fork while improving efficiency and reducing maintenance on long trips. |
| Drivetrain | Shimano Deore 1×10 | Simple, reliable, and easy to maintain. The 1x setup reduces complexity while still providing enough gearing for most bikepacking routes. |
| Brakes | Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc Brakes | Powerful, dependable braking in all weather conditions with excellent modulation for loaded riding. |
| Wheels | Meroca Carbon Wheelset And XR1 Tubeless Tires | Lightweight and responsive, helping improve climbing performance and overall ride feel while keeping the build weight down. |
| Saddle | Pro Stealth Off-Road Saddle | Designed for comfort during long hours in the saddle, particularly on mixed terrain and rough tracks. |
| Handlebars | Wake 780mm Flat Bars | Wide bars provide extra control and stability, especially when riding technical trails or carrying bikepacking luggage. |
| Aerobars | Pro Missile Clip-On Extensions | Offer an alternative riding position to improve comfort on long rides and help reduce fatigue over multi-hour days in the saddle. |
How Did I Get All The Parts So Cheap?
You’re probably wondering how I got all the performance parts so cheap? Well, the truth is, they are old standards. I’m using QR wheels, 10-speed gearing instead of 12-speed, and riding aftermarket wheels from a very cheap website that had a very long delivery time.
It’s not the way a lot of people go, but for me, someone who is very experienced working on bikes, I’m really happy to make something a little different with cheaper parts.
What’s Next For The Bikepacking bike For Less Than
It’s time for adventures next! If you did enjoy this article on my bikepacking bike for less than £500, then I highly recommend checking out how much should a bikepacking bike cost, are carbon fiber bike for bikepacking? and fat bikes for bikepcking.
