Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

This is what Tester suggested ages ago. I ended up making do with what I had left and a bit of electrical tape so I haven't ordered any to actually try it but I might get some for the new MTB (or not and just accept the battle scars)

https://www.vikingtapes.co.uk/collections/bike-protection-tape-3m-8671hs/products/bike-protective-tape-3m-8671hs-polyurethane-protective-tape-short-rolls-100mm-x-3m

Cool, thanks. Not cheap eh!

Nope. Depends how precious you are about paint. I reckon for my steel bikes I'll just leave them wear out and if I've still got them in 10 years they can get repainted (as if). If it's carbon and you're hanging bikepacking shit of it I'd be more inclined to protect, as wear could turn structural.

Yeah for a carbon frame and bags will be on for at least a week or so. I'm not usually that bothered but have found with matte frames it seems to mark the paint much worse than my normal paint ones.

You could use cheaper tape if it's not a permanent requirement. I used electrical tape on my VCLS split seatpost, for example.

I like gorilla or gorilla clear. Esssntial carbon. And gorilla if offroad as thick

This one? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gorilla-3044701-07164000719-Gaffer-Builders/dp/B00EUGCT22/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=gorilla%2Bclear%2Btape&qid=1622649377&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNkE2MTFYTEVVTVQxJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDM1NzM4MzBIRk5ZSzBQWUZDWSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjkxNjY3M1VPRkFOTUo1RVhFWCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

Looks it. Tbh original gorilla tape is better but uglier than the clear. Your call.

Ok cheers. Interesting, would have assumed the OG gorilla tape would be a bit 'heavy duty' for a frame but I'm guessing you've used it without issue.

Cleans off with little issue and lasts forever. I'd rather that, than wear through carbon.

I’ve been using the Effetto frame protection tape and it’s been fine, plenty of days of bag use though not that many fully loaded on the trot

I have a platypus bladder from about 10 years ago where you bite down on the end to open it, it looks like the model is called hoser now. I've always found it hard work to get anything out. Are they all similar or is there a recommended one?

Seabass Cycles in Peckham has a range of colours and sizes.

There are other nozzles available. I've not found anyone that's noticeably better but I'd look for bigger (hydrapak big gulp or something, I can't really remember) to allow the most fluid flow.
I've got one at home somewhere that I never used because I found you could buy spare bite bits to replace them when they eventually crack

So I have one of these I never used
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NAUX05E/

because these worked as replacements on my Hydrapak:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01BD5HSLE/

Always my favourite bit of the Divide coverage!
The bikes!

Camelbak nozles are good. Can buy them separately. The new platypus big zip nozle is okay too

Great set of bikes, clearly anything goes. A mountain bike cockpit with tri-bars and a tri-bar rig that looks so high surely it is impossible to see over it when on the drops.

Such a mix huh

Yeah it makes a really nice change to see such a mixture. I was getting bored with endless Salsa Cutthroats! 😂

I thought the same with that aero bar position! I can't imagine how it doesn't make your arms and shoulders ache MORE than not using them?

Love me some off-road aerobars :)

Me too... And I love them higher... But that's a whole other level. 😂

44/20. Good luck to ya.

Yeah, saw a few fixed gears on there. At least the race isn’t the Cross The Divide Multiple Times.