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  • Here is an approximate list of what I took for a two month tour (geared) from London to Istanbul. Next time I would take less tools and spares as I didn't really use them. My advice to anyone wanting to lose a bit of weight would be to buy front panniers and use them on the rear - the rear panniers are far too big and this means you will take too much stuff!

    1 pair cycling shorts
    1 pair cargo shorts
    4 t shirts
    1 pair jeans
    cycling top
    merino wool jumper
    4 pairs boxers
    2 pairs cycling boxers (padded)
    6 pairs socks
    waterproofs (top & trousers)
    travel towel
    swimming shorts
    1 pair sandals
    1 pair trainers
    money belt (travellers cheques, passport, documents)

    vango banshee tent
    sleeping bag (small down filled)
    foam sleeping mat
    msr dragonfly stove & fuel bottle
    2 x saucepan (trangia type)
    fork & spoon
    cup
    folding plastic bowl
    1 litre water bottle

    pump
    spare tube
    patches & glue
    tyre levers
    spare chain
    1 x spare gear cable (inner only)
    1 x spare brake cable + outer
    spare toeclip straps
    cable ties
    hose clips
    electrical tape
    small tube lithium grease
    small tub oil
    chain tool
    bb tool
    crank extractor
    small adjustable spanner
    allen keys
    swiss army knife (spartan)
    head torch
    led bike lights (cheapo)
    whistle
    a few paperbacks
    various maps (bought/discarded along the way)

    all this was packed into 2 small (front) ortliebs on a tourtec rear rack, with a small rucksack strapped to the rack containing food and valubles
    tent was strapped to nitto mini front rack. Hope this is relevant/helpful.

    I think I tend to get a bit over enthusiastic with taking tools, but I always take a few spare spokes, a freewheel remover and a small wide-mouth adjustable spanner for the freewheel tool.
    Not much extra weight or space taken up but it meant that I could change a broken spoke - and they always snap on the rear drive-side first, hence the freewheel tool.

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