Bikepacking: Using a Mountain Bike for Off-Road Adventures

Can I bikepack with a mountain bike?

Absolutely, a mountain bike is not only suitable but often an ideal choice for bikepacking, particularly when your route includes unpaved roads, gravel, or technical singletrack trails.

The Suitability of Mountain Bikes for Bikepacking

Bikepacking, by definition, is a blend of mountain biking and minimalist camping, emphasizing off-road routes and self-sufficiency. Given this, mountain bikes inherently possess many characteristics that make them exceptionally well-suited for the demands of carrying gear over varied and often challenging terrain. Their design prioritizes durability, control, and comfort over rough surfaces, which directly translates to a robust and capable bikepacking rig.

Advantages of Using a Mountain Bike for Bikepacking

Utilizing a mountain bike for your bikepacking adventures offers several distinct benefits:

• Robustness and Durability: Mountain bikes are engineered to withstand significant abuse. Their stronger frames, wheels, and components are built to handle impacts, heavy loads, and the rigors of off-road travel, making them less prone to mechanical failures in remote locations.
• Superior Off-Road Capability:
  • Suspension: Full-suspension or hardtail mountain bikes absorb shocks and vibrations from uneven terrain, significantly enhancing rider comfort and control over long distances, especially on technical trails.
  • Tire Clearance: Mountain bikes accommodate wider tires (2.0 inches and up), which can be run at lower pressures. This provides exceptional grip, stability, and flotation on loose surfaces like gravel, sand, mud, and snow, as well as absorbing trail chatter.
  • Geometry: The slacker head tube angles and longer wheelbases typical of mountain bikes contribute to greater stability and confidence when descending or navigating challenging terrain, even with a loaded bike.
• Powerful Braking Systems: Modern mountain bikes come equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, offering superior stopping power and modulation in all weather conditions, which is crucial when descending steep grades with a heavily loaded bike.
• Versatile Gearing: Mountain bike drivetrains typically feature a wide range of gears, including very low climbing gears. This is invaluable for ascending steep, technical climbs while carrying the additional weight of bikepacking gear.
• Comfort and Control: The upright riding position often found on mountain bikes can be more comfortable for long days in the saddle compared to more aggressive road or gravel bike geometries, reducing strain on the back and neck.

Considerations and Potential Disadvantages

While highly capable, using a mountain bike for bikepacking does come with a few considerations:

• Weight: Mountain bikes, especially full-suspension models, tend to be heavier than dedicated gravel or touring bikes. This added base weight can impact overall speed and climbing efficiency, particularly on sustained ascents.
• Efficiency on Paved Surfaces: The knobby tires and suspension, while advantageous off-road, can create more rolling resistance and energy loss on smooth paved roads. This can make road sections feel slower and more demanding.
• Mounting Points: Older or more aggressive mountain bike frames might lack traditional rack mounts. However, modern bikepacking bags (frame bags, seat packs, handlebar rolls, fork bags) are designed to attach directly to the frame, circumventing the need for traditional racks.
• Suspension Maintenance: Full-suspension bikes have more moving parts (shocks, pivots) that require occasional maintenance. While generally robust, a major suspension issue in a remote area could be problematic. Hardtails mitigate this to some extent.

Key Mountain Bike Modifications for Bikepacking

To optimize your mountain bike for bikepacking, consider these modifications:

• Tires: Choose tires appropriate for your anticipated terrain. A fast-rolling cross-country tire with minimal knobs can be efficient for mixed terrain, while more aggressive tread might be needed for technical singletrack. Consider a tubeless setup for flat protection and the ability to run lower pressures.
• Gearing: Assess your current gearing. If you anticipate very steep climbs with a heavy load, you might consider a larger cassette or smaller chainring to provide easier climbing gears.
• Brakes: Ensure your brakes are in excellent condition. Consider upgrading to larger rotors or more powerful calipers if you're frequently riding steep, loaded descents.
• Suspension Setup: Adjust your fork and rear shock (if applicable) for the added weight of your gear. You may need to increase air pressure and adjust compression damping to prevent excessive bottom-out and maintain efficient pedaling. A fork lockout feature is highly beneficial for paved sections or smooth climbs.
• Cockpit: Consider ergonomic grips, bar ends, or alt-bars to provide multiple hand positions and reduce fatigue on long rides.
• Saddle: A comfortable saddle is paramount for multi-day rides. What works for a short trail ride might not be ideal for 8+ hours in the saddle.

Essential Gear for Bikepacking with an MTB

Beyond your optimized bike, core bikepacking gear includes:

• Bags: Specialized bikepacking bags that attach directly to the bike frame (frame bag, seat pack, handlebar roll, fork bags).
• Shelter: A lightweight tent, bivy sack, or tarp.
• Sleeping System: A compact sleeping bag and sleeping pad suitable for the expected temperatures.
• Cooking System (Optional): A lightweight stove, fuel, and cooking pot if you plan on cooking hot meals.
• Navigation: A GPS device (dedicated unit or smartphone with mapping apps) and physical maps as a backup.
• Hydration: Water bottles, a hydration pack, and a water filter or purification tablets.
• Repair Kit: Essential tools, spare tube(s) or tubeless repair kit, patch kit, pump, tire levers, spare chain link, and zip ties.
• Clothing: Layered clothing suitable for varying weather, including rain gear.
• Safety: Front and rear lights, a first-aid kit, and an emergency communication device (e.g., satellite messenger) for remote trips.

Training and Preparation

Physical and mental preparation are crucial for a successful bikepacking trip:

• Endurance: Build your cycling endurance through progressively longer rides.
• Strength: Focus on core and leg strength to handle the demands of riding a loaded bike over varied terrain.
• Bike Handling: Practice riding your mountain bike with a full load of gear to understand how it affects handling, balance, and braking.
• Mechanical Skills: Learn basic bike maintenance and repair skills, such as fixing a flat, adjusting brakes, and troubleshooting shifting issues.
• Route Planning: Thoroughly research your route, including terrain, elevation profiles, water sources, resupply points, and potential bail-out options.
• Practice Overnights: Do a shorter, local overnight trip with your full setup to test your gear, bike, and physical readiness before embarking on a longer journey.

Conclusion

In summary, a mountain bike is an excellent foundation for bikepacking, offering the durability, suspension, and off-road prowess needed for adventurous multi-day trips. With thoughtful gear selection, minor bike adjustments, and adequate preparation, your mountain bike can transform into a reliable and comfortable companion for exploring remote trails and unpaved landscapes. Embrace the versatility of your mountain bike, and unlock a world of bikepacking possibilities.