Tubus Vega Rack - Surly ECR 29er+ // Adding Bottle Cages // Custom modifications // Pedaling Nowhere // Building the Epic Touring Mountain bike //

[Photo credit of Pedaling Nowhere]

Excellent ECR build write-up with rich descriptions and photographs from Logan at Pedaling Nowhere and his experiences are also detailed for his first 1000km test tour in South Africa. Using framebags from Revelate Designs and Tubus Vega racks to support smaller pannier baggage from Carrdice.

[Photo credit: Pedaling Nowhere]

Many adventure cyclists are looking for their perfect bicycles in the stables, some choose rigid frame and fork for reliability and simplicity of setups, without the concern over mechanical failure in suspension set-ups. I am interested in the 29x3.0 Surly Knard tires, these semi-Fat bike tires have evolved with puncture resistance  a wide tread that seems durable from reports I keep reading. They have also been used on the Tour Divide race by Cjell Monee building up his rigid 29+ steel frames these days. 

[Photo credit: Pedaling Nowhere]

Here's the full article below:

Tubus Vega Rack - Surly ECR - Adding Bottle Cages - Pedaling Nowhere

301 Posts in the Korean-World! Bikepacking with Salsa Cycles and Revelate Designs

[Author notes:] Bikepacking trip in the Chequamegon National Forest, Northern Wisconsin, USA

Bikepacking setup for MTB Lite-Touring [Bikepacking.net]

Bicycle touring with Mountain Bikes (MTB) is nothing new. Since the design of frame bags that tuck neatly into the center triangle, or completely cover the triangle space for more equipment, slings for handlebar bags and Pods for behind the seat - everything you need for a weekend Micro Adventure, or a cross-country expedition can all be packed in there, with some extra kit placed on your backpack.

One major advantage of frame bags/packs is the elimination of heavy and sometimes expensive carrier racks that require the purchase of durable panniers as well, doubling the costs of equipment to set up panniers (high quality Tubus stainless steel racks are light, strong and expensive.) While frame bags and slings are relatively inexpensive, durable, light-weight and don't require attachment to rack carriers. In the photo (above), the MTB is also a FS - Full-Suspension, so the hard days of punishment on a hardtail frame...can be modified.

60kg fully loaded with 7L of water, 13"notebook computer, cameras, solar chargers, water filtration, stove, fuel bottles, medical emergency kit, clothing, repair tools/replacement chain,tire, survival blanket.
I used this setup through western China (Uighur Autonomous Region - Taklamakan Desert in photo; Aksai Chin Mountains; Sichuan-Kham and Yunnan Regions of the Himalayas; 38 days, 1988 miles, 3200 km)

For expeditions, the less suspension linkages (using a rigid hardtail frame, see above photo) and simple components (Avid BB7 cable braking, 203mm front rotor is okay for fully-loaded touring!) increases the all likelihood of dedicated mechanical, fail-proof performance. Although, I will continue to use Fox Racing air suspension forks in the future (RL32, 120mm...2008, same as in the photo above) with any frame I am currently using, they are tough and make riding easier in off road/rough terrain (Mongolia).

Micro Adventures (in this link, I carry everything for the Himalayas training in South Korea)

With Bikepacking, the advantages of packing light, making transport by plane easier (luggage restrictions) or going hard all weekend or in under 24 Hours the S24O (Sub-24 hour Overnight Adventure).

Enjoy cycling, wherever you ride, live the Dream!