It’s hard to believe I’ve now spent more than a decade exploring the planet on a bicycle. In that time, I’ve visited over 100 countries and cycled more than 170,000km.
Today, I’ll be showing you the bike touring gear list for my open-ended bicycle trip. This is all the gear I need to live and work in any country in the world, and it’s optimised for both liveability and durability.
In many ways, my bicycle journey is the ultimate test bed for equipment. Few people use their gear day-in, day-out for years at a time, let alone in weather conditions from arid to monsoonal, in temperatures ranging between -20C to +50C, and at altitudes spanning -400m to 6,000m elevation.
As a result, I’ve broken more gear than you can imagine!
Whenever I break something, my personal policy is to replace it with something tougher. This has put me in a position where breakages are now highly unusual. The gear you see laid out below has well and truly proven itself in the field.
The total weight of all my gear is 24 kilograms or 53 pounds, and that includes the clothes and shoes I’m wearing as I type this. This might sound like a lot, but I use everything, am comfortable, and can trust my gear in remote pockets of the world.
Despite the weight, my average cycling speed is still perfectly adequate. I often find myself exceeding 100km (62mi) per day if the roads are not too rough or mountainous.
A few final notes on my gear. You’ll notice I’m carrying many items that are shared with my partner Laura. I simply carry more weight than her to balance out our cycling speeds. Our gear also changes depending on the season. When it’s cold we carry the appropriate clothes and shoes for the conditions.
Right, let’s take a close look at everything in my bags.
Please note: I may earn a small commission if you purchase gear through the links in this article. This directly supports CYCLINGABOUT.com and allows me to continue providing high-quality cycling information to you!
Bike Touring Gear List: Electronics
Electronics Highlights:
My electronics setup has changed a lot over the last decade.
I’ve been lugging around Apple Macbook Pro laptops for the majority of the time. These computers have been exposed to endless off-road conditions, as well as extreme temperatures (-20 to +50 Celsius). I’m always surprised that they survive through all the sudden impacts on trails, as well as through bumpy road corrugations. One laptop even survived a 30-metre (100ft) fall off a cliff in Peru! Macbooks are more rugged than you can imagine, are powerful enough for video editing, and have a great battery life.
I’ve previously used high-end camera equipment that allows for incredibly cinematic films – think DSLR cameras, big zoom lenses and drones. However, while I was stuck in Mexico during COVID, my YouTube channel pivoted to more of a tech focus (rather than travel documentaries). As a result, I’ve pared back my camera gear.
I’m using a Canon SX740 HS camera with a big zoom for animal and landscape video. My iPhone 13 Pro is what I use for mid-distance, and I have an Insta360 X4 camera mounted to the handlebars for point-of-view shots.
I’m still working out the 360 camera but I think I’m onto something here! You can record in all directions, and later choose the direction(s) you want to export the footage in. It also allows you to record interactions with people without shoving a lens in their face.
I use an old iPhone SE for navigation, as I don’t want to have an expensive phone mounted to my handlebars (theft, dust etc).
| Product | Link | Description | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laptop | Apple Macbook M3 Pro | Amazon | 512GB model, including charger | 1837g (4.0lb) |
| Zoom Camera | Canon SX740 HS | Amazon | 40x optical zoom camera for wildlife, including charger | 414g (14.6oz) |
| Action Camera | Insta360 X4 | Amazon | A 360 action cam with selfie stick (must have) and 256GB SD card | 453g (1.0lb) |
| Camera Mouth Mount | Pro Standard Grill Mount 3.0 | Amazon | POV mount better than chest or helmet mounts! | 19g (0.7oz) |
| Battery | Insta360 X4 Extra Battery | Amazon | An extra battery, just in case | 52g (1.8oz) |
| SD Card Reader | Insta360 to iPhone | Amazon | Quickly gets the footage onto my iPhone for editing | 16g (0.6oz) |
| Wind Muff | Insta360 | Amazon | Stick-on muffs for outdoor audio | 2.0g (0.1oz) |
| Tripod | Joby Podzilla Flexible Medium | Amazon | Bendy tripod with a smartphone mount | 266g (9.4oz) |
| Microphone | Rode SmartLav+ | Amazon | Lavalier mic | 17g (0.6oz) |
| Primary Phone | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Amazon | Photos, videos, social media | 200g (7.0oz) |
| Navigation Phone | Apple iPhone SE | Amazon | Navigation, podcasts, music | 150g (5.3oz) |
| Backup HDD | ADATA HD710 Pro | Amazon | 2TB waterproof, shockproof, dustproof hard drive | 226g (8.0oz) |
| Powerbank | Anker | Amazon | 20,000mAh, 87W laptop charge | 440g (1.0lb) |
| Headphones | Apple AirPods 3rd Generation | Amazon | Bluetooth headphones | 45g (1.6oz) |
| SD Cards (2) | Sandisk Extreme Pro | Amazon | 2x 128GB spare cards | 6g (0.2oz) |
| Total Weight | 4.1kg (9.0lb) |
Camping Gear
Camping Gear Highlights:
I’m really happy with my camping setup. Laura and I camp 150+ nights per year, so we need our shelter to be durable, good for all weather conditions and spacious.
Our Mont Dragonfly tent fits the bill perfectly. It’s a roomy 2-person tent with big nylon panels that keep you warm when it’s cold, and they can be zipped away to reveal breathable mesh for warm conditions. The floor is notably durable, and it’s green, which allows us to hide pretty well in the foliage. The only downside is the door zips, which we have worn out in less than six months in gritty desert conditions – we simply replace them when they no longer work perfectly.
I really like my Marmot Trestles sleeping bag. It’s durable and warm for its weight. It uses a synthetic fill so it’s easy to machine wash (my last down bag was SUCH a hassle), it’s better in humid conditions, and there are no escaping feathers. Laura has the same bag that allows us to zip together when it’s cold.
My Sea To Summit Comfort Plus mat is nothing short of incredible. Sure, it’s way bigger and bulkier than most, but my previous mat lasted over 1000 nights of use over six years. It’s also the most comfortable mat I’ve used, it’s warm (4.0 R-value), it isn’t saggy, and it doesn’t make a crunchy sound when you roll over. It has two separate air chambers, which allow you to run the bottom chamber firm but keep it soft and supple on top if that’s what you like. The dual air chambers also give you a redundancy chamber if you puncture one side.
I prefer foam pillows. They are super soft, machine washable and not able to be punctured. The Exped DeepSleep pillow is a thickness I like, and I use a compression strap to keep it together.
The Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 chair is a new addition. Again, it’s not small or light, but it’s comfortable and I can take it off my bike and sit in it in 10 seconds flat! We primarily use them throughout the day while taking breaks, but we also use them inside the tent (which you can’t do with tall chairs that have legs). We place them under our mattresses when the ground is a bit thorny and use them as changing/showering mats. These chairs are great!
| Product | Link | Description | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tent | Mont Dragonfly | Mont | 2-person, 4-Season, zip-away mesh panels, 25,000mm floor | 2501g (5.5lb) |
| Tent Dry Sack | Sea To Summit Evac Compression Dry | Amazon | Keeps a wet tent sealed away | 115g (4.1oz) |
| Sleeping Bag | Marmot Trestles Elite 30 | Amazon | Summer bag, synthetic fill, very durable, light for the warmth | 918g (2.0lb) |
| Sleeping Mat | Sea To Summit Comfort Plus Insulated Large | Amazon | Like sleeping on a cloud, quiet, wide, warm, stable, durable | 1074g (2.4lb) |
| Pillow | Exped DeepSleep Foam | Exped | Soft, comfortable, thin, with strap | 194g (6.8oz) |
| Eye Mask | Alaska Bear | Amazon | Great for day naps, or when camping under lights | 26g (0.9oz) |
| Headlamp + Battery | Petzl Tikka + Core Battery | Amazon+ Amazon | 100-hour battery life at 6 lumens, rechargeable, stealthy red light | 82g (2.9oz) |
| Camp Chair | Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 Longback | Amazon | 5-second setup, layback design, works inside tents, doubles as a changing mat | 640g (1.4lb) |
| Total Weight | 5.5kg (12.1lb) |
Clothing
Clothing Highlights:
The best cycling underwear I’ve found is the Uniqlo AIRism Ultra Seamless. They are lightweight, breathable and have no seams on the butt, which is important when you ride without padded cycling shorts. Yep, I cycle without a chamois! This is possible when you use an adequately soft saddle with a shape that suits your riding position, and hip bone width.
I’m a big long-sleeve cycling shirt fan. It protects my skin from harmful UV rays and allows me to use much less sun cream. I’ve used many brands over the years, but my overwhelming favourites are the Mont Venture shirt and Patagonia Self-Guided Hike shirt. They feel great on the skin and fit my long, skinny frame better than most.
I wear long cycling pants when it’s not too hot and humid. Again, you protect your skin from sun damage, keep your body clean(er), and use significantly less sun cream. The Rapha Trail Lightweight pants are breathable and last about 8-9 months before I wear holes in the butt. I just get patches sewn over the top after that.
| Product | Link | Description | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riding Shirt | Mont Venture | Mont | Long sleeve sun shirt, UV resistant, soft fabric | 195g (6.9oz) |
| Casual Shirt | Patagonia Self-Guided Hike | Backcountry | Long sleeve button up, UV resistant | 205g (7.2oz) |
| T-Shirt | KEFITEVD | Amazon | Quick dry, breathable | 138g (4.9oz) |
| Long Sleeve Fleece Thermal | Thermajohn | Amazon | Warmth layer for sleeping | 184g (6.5oz) |
| Wind Jacket | Oakley Enhance FGL | BSTN | Breathable, durable, cycling-specific | 402g (14.2oz) |
| Riding Pants | Rapha Trail Lightweight | Competitive Cyclist | Durable, zipper pockets, no seams on butt | 273g (9.6oz) |
| Riding Shorts (2) | Montane Terra | Montane | Durable, zipper pockets, no seams on butt | 326g (11.5oz) |
| Underwear (3) | Uniqlo AIRism Ultra Seamless | Uniqlo | Comfortable for biking | 159g (5.6oz) |
| Cycling Socks | Bedrock Quarter Crew Split-Toe | Bedrock | Special socks for Bedrock sandals | 55g (1.9oz) |
| Warm Socks | DG Hill Winter Thermal | Amazon | Thicker socks for cold nights | 82g (2.9oz) |
| Compression Sack | Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil 13L | Amazon | Minimises clothing volume | 66g (2.3oz) |
| Total Weight | 2.1kg (4.6lb) |
Shoes & Accessories
Shoes & Accessories Highlights:
Forget safety vests, rear vision mirrors are the number one way to cycle safely on the road. This is because you can quickly assess if passing vehicles will give you adequate space, and get out of their way if they’re coming too close.
I’ve been using Trieye sunglasses for two years now, and am impressed with the integrated rear-vision mirror. Sure, it’s not quite as effective as a large handlebar-mounted mirror, but it’s compact, doesn’t vibrate, is always perfectly adjusted, and doesn’t quite look as dorky as a clip-on sunglasses mirror. I can’t imagine riding without these sunglasses anymore!
I also love my Cleverhood Rover poncho that clips over my handlebars keeping my upper body and legs dry. Unless it’s freezing, waterproof jackets are simply not ‘breathable’ for cycling applications – you usually just end up getting sweaty inside them. Ponchos, on the other hand, are genuinely breathable as the wind blows under them, keeping you cool in warmer conditions. Just keep in mind they’re not suitable in super windy conditions!
I’m currently testing Bedrock Cairn 3D sandals with some grippy flat pedals, and so far, so good! The Cairns were picked primarily for their soles, which are notably grippy and durable. Even after a few months of daily use, I’m seeing very little wear.
| Product | Link | Description | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandals | Bedrock Cairn 3D | REI | Durable hiking sole, minimalist | 546g (1.2lb) |
| Shoe Covers | Vaude Bike Gator Short | Amazon | Waterproof rain covers for cold conditions | 107g (3.8oz) |
| Rain Poncho | Cleverhood Rover Rain Cape & Belt | Cleverhood | My favourite rainwear for warm climates | 199g (7.0oz) |
| Hat | Rip Curl Flexfit | Amazon | Great for hikes | 77g (2.7oz) |
| Riding Gloves | Pearl Izumi Select | Amazon | Gel palm, breathable | 50g (1.8oz) |
| Riding Sunglasses | Trieye | Amazon | Sunglasses with a rear mirror built-in & case | 96g (3.4oz) |
| Casual Sunglasses | Oakley Holbrook | Amazon | Less sporty sunglasses | 41g (1.4oz) |
| Helmet | Specialized Ambush MIPS | Amazon | Adjustable visor, lightweight, breathable | 308g (10.9oz) |
| Insect Head Net | South To East | Amazon | Full head net to keep biting flies off my face | 20g (0.7oz) |
| Total Weight | 1.4kg (3.1lb) |
Cooking Gear
Cooking Gear Highlights:
My MSR Whisperlite International stove needs a special mention. I’ve been using this stove since I was a teenager, and it has stuck with me through years of bike travel. It gets lit around 500 times per year, which means I’ve probably started it over 7,000 times! This stove runs on any fuel but I primarily use petrol as it’s available everywhere. It does run better/cleaner on kerosene though…
The MSR 2.5 Litre Nonstick Ceramic pot is amazing. It’s durable, easy to clean, big enough for two people, and great for salads. My last pot made it a full decade before it got a bit shabby. Just make sure to put anything nesting inside in a bag to protect the non-stick surface. The MSR DeepDish bowls are a perfect fit. They’re also a nice size for big breakfasts and dinners.
Don’t waste your time using any knife but the Victorinox Table knife. This cheap knife is unbelievably sharp for its price and will remain this sharp for years. It’s perfect for cutting everything from butternut pumpkins to tomatoes. Just watch your fingers…
| Product | Link | Description | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stove | MSR Whisperlite International & 1L bottle | Amazon | Multifuel stove, durable, primarily run on petrol | 483g (1.1lb) |
| Pot | MSR 2.5 Litre Nonstick Ceramic | Amazon | Big pot for two people, non-stick & durable | 302g (10.7oz) |
| Bowl (2) | MSR DeepDish Camping Plate | Amazon | Perfect size bowls for a big breakfast or dinner | 128g (4.5oz) |
| Cup | KeepCup Reusable | Amazon | Mid-sized lightweight plastic cup | 47g (1.7oz) |
| Coffee Maker | Airspresso – Discontinued | Amazon | Espresso maker that uses a bike pump | 206g (7.3oz) |
| Cutlery | Toaks Titanium | Amazon | 2x forks, 2x spoons, 1x wooden spoon | 76g (2.7oz) |
| Long Spoon | Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Long | Amazon | Long spoon for cooking | 7.0g (0.2oz) |
| Knife | Victorinox Table Knife | Amazon | Best kitchen knife available | 40g (1.4oz) |
| Chopping Board | GSI | Amazon | Much nicer than the back of a bowl | 71g (2.5oz) |
| Total Weight | 1.4kg (3.1lbs) |
Cooking Accessories
Cooking Accessories Highlights:
I’ve used all kinds of water filters over the years, and I keep coming back to the Sawyer Squeeze water filter because it’s cheap, simple, and durable. Well… everything but the Sawyer bags is durable, that’s why I recommend the Evernew water bags instead.
I usually fill the Evernew 2L water bag with dirty water, then sit on top of it, and let my body weight force the water through the filter into a bottle. I’ve also had success with hanging the bag and allowing gravity to force the water through the filter. If I don’t have anything to sit on, I just squeeze the bag until I’ve got as much water as I need.
The Leatherman Squirt pocket knife is pretty nifty for its 66-gram weight. I use the pliers and scissors the most, they’re useful surprisingly frequently. The bottle opener is nice too.
My favourite bottles for bike touring are the Nalgene Silo 1.5-Litre bottles. They are durable, and with a wide opening, very easy to fill and clean too. Make sure to get the Humangear CapCap lids, as they have the perfect shape for sipping on your water. There is no bottle I’d rather drink from!
| Product | Link | Description | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket Knife | Leatherman Squirt | – | Love the pliers, scissors & bottle opener | 66g (2.3oz) |
| Detergent | Listerine 3oz Bottle | Amazon | A great bottle for dish soap | 47g (1.7oz) |
| Can Opener | Coghlan’s G.I | Amazon | Best can opener design! | 20g (0.7oz) |
| Lighter | BIC Mini | Amazon | Reliable, long-lasting lighter | 20g (0.7oz) |
| Dish Sponge | Scotch-Brite Zero Scratch | Amazon | Typical foam sponge | 6.0g (0.2oz) |
| Water Filter | Sawyer Squeeze SP129 | Amazon | Cheap and reliable water filtration for occasional use | 100g (3.5oz) |
| Water Filter Bag | Evernew 2L | Amazon | Strongest water bags available | 33g (1.2oz) |
| Bottles (2) | Nalgene Silo 1.5L | Amazon | Big bottles to fit my Widefoot Litercages | 380g (13.4oz) |
| Bottle Lids (2) | Humangear CapCap+ | Amazon | Must-have drinking lids for Nalgene bottles | 40g (1.4oz) |
| Tap Attachment | Sawyer – Discontinued | – | Silicone universal tap attachment | 40g (1.4oz) |
| Kitchen Bag | Sea To Summit – Discontinued | – | Bag that nests inside the 2.5L pot with the bowls and cup | 79g (2.8oz) |
| Total Weight | 831g (1.8lb) |
My Bike Luggage
Luggage Highlights:
I’ve recently made some pretty big changes to my luggage setup.
I’m currently testing the Tailfin Fork Packs instead of my usual Ortlieb front panniers. These bags don’t require a front rack, instead, they connect to some minimalist rails that attach to the 3-boss mounts on my fork. They can also be removed from the rails in just a second or two – just like a pannier.
There are two clear advantages to fork packs. Firstly, the bags give me much more ground clearance over obstacles (~20cm/8″), which is nice when you ride as much off-road as I do. And secondly, the bags do not ever rattle on bumpy roads – they’re impressively quiet.
I’ve also ditched my handlebar bag for a Tailfin top tube bag. This was primarily because I wanted to use this handlebar space to test some aero bars (which I’m also happy with).
As the Tailfin bags can’t be removed quickly from the bike, I nest a Patagonia 1L hip pack inside the top tube bag. The hip pack contains all my travel essentials (passport, wallet, phone, keys) and I can quickly pull it from my top tube bag and take it wherever I go.
| Product | Link | Description | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Panniers (2) | Tailfin Fork Pack 10L | Tailfin | Rattle-free design, high-ground clearance | 1040g (2.3lb) |
| Rear Panniers (2) | Ortlieb Backroller Plus 23L | Amazon | Reliable rear panniers | 1680g (3.7lb) |
| Rack Pack | Ortlieb Rack Pack 31L | Amazon | Waterproof bag that clips on the rear panniers and carries food | 726g (1.6lb) |
| Top Tube Bag | Tailfin Flip 1.5L | Tailfin | Stable bag with quick opening for essentials | 222g (7.8oz) |
| Hip Pack | Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole 1L | REI | Nests inside my top tube bag to quickly empty essentials | 79g (2.8oz) |
| Total Weight | 3.7kg (8.2lb) |
Travel Essentials
Travel Essentials Highlights:
The backpack I carry sits inside one of my rear panniers. This bag doubles as a sleeping bag sack, and a laptop case (the extensive foam and loose-fitting sleeping bag protect my laptop well). I use this backpack for carrying groceries in cities and for long day hikes. I like the Salomon TrailBlazer 20 backpack best as it has hip pockets and saves 270 grams (I had to settle for my current backpack in Africa).
The best travel pump I have ever used is the Topeak Turbo Morph G pump. I’ve been using these for 15+ years. It’s a mini floor pump, so you can put your body weight into pumping up your tyres. They’re valved for high-pressure tyres, which means you need to do more pump strokes for every PSI. This only makes inflation easier.
I’m quite happy with the Tex-Lock Orbit lock. It’s a bit heavy, but it’s flexible enough to secure Laura and my bikes around a post. The woven textile shell and flexible design help the inner chain be resistant to hack saws, crow bars, and car jack attacks. Any power tools will, of course, cut through in no time, but the large diameter of the lock should be a deterrent. Anyway, the best way to not get your bike stolen is to be prudent with where you lock it.
| Product | Link | Description | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport | Australian Passport | – | International travel requirement | 65g (2.3oz) |
| Drivers License & Cards | Mix of plastic cards | – | Credit cards and Driver ID | 20g (0.7oz) |
| Vaccination Book | Travel Doctor | – | Book with the dates of every vacciation I’ve ever had | 10g (0.3oz) |
| Backpack | K-Way Strida 22L | Amazon | Used for hiking, shopping + laptop & sleeping bag storage | 677g (1.5lb) |
| Wallet | Yoshida Porter Dill | Amazon | Includes a ring with pen and key | 112g (4.0oz) |
| Bike Pump | Topeak Road Morph G | Amazon | Seriously, there is no better pump | 208g (7.3oz) |
| Lock | Tex-Lock Orbit | TexLock | 1-metre flex lock with decent security | 1138g (2.5lb) |
| Total Weight | 2.2kg (4.8lb) |
Toiletries
Toiletries Highlights:
My favourite item from my toiletries bag is my Linda exfoliating glove. At the end of every day, I always scrub myself thoroughly before jumping into my tent. I pour just a few drops of water into my glove, and it catches all the dust and grit from my body – making me feel 99% clean. The next day I find some running water to rinse the grit out of the glove.
I love the Philips Multigroom hair trimmer I use. I do all my haircuts in a mirror and prefer to keep my beard short. A life hack you probably haven’t heard of is that you can trim your underarm hair, and you and your clothes will smell so much less… seriously!
Another cool item is the Vaincre universal plug. This silicone plug fits over any sink hole and is perfect for handwashing my clothes.
| Product | Link | Description | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toothbrush | Hooqict Travel Case | Amazon | Plastic shell case | 34g (1.2oz) |
| Floss | Oral-B Glide | Amazon | 40-metres floss | 14g (0.5oz) |
| Toothpaste | Colgate Total Whitening | Amazon | Carry-On Tube | 40g (1.4oz) |
| Deodorant | Dove Men+Care | Amazon | Roll-on deodorant | 50g (1.8oz) |
| Soap | Matador Soap Bar Case | Amazon | Water and Leakproof | 70g (2.5oz) |
| Insect Repellant | Repel 100 | Amazon | Contains DEET | 60g (2.1oz) |
| Towel | Sea To Summit Tek Microfiber Medium | Amazon | Sizaeble quick-dry towel with a great feel | 204g (7.2oz) |
| Exfoliating Glove | Linda Baath | Amazon | Essential for cleaning off dirt from cycling | 13g (0.5oz) |
| Shaver | Gillette Mach3 | Amazon | Includes spare razers | 34g (1.2oz) |
| Tweezers | Revlon Expert | Amazon | For splinters | 8g (0.3oz) |
| Lip Balm | Lucas’ Pawpaw | Amazon | Great for lips | 11g (0.4oz) |
| Sun Cream | Nivia Sun 50+ | Amazon | 50+ UV Protection | 50g (1.8oz) |
| Vitamin B12 | Mary Ruth’s Methyl B12 | Amazon | Neccessary for vegans | 100g (3.5oz) |
| Nail Clippers | Revlon | Amazon | No dirty nails | 15g (0.5oz) |
| Hair Trimmer | Philips Multigroom Series 5000 | Amazon | Haircuts, beard trims | 170g (6.0oz) |
| Universal Sink Plug | Vaincre 5″ | Amazon | To plug sinks for handwashing clothes | 25g (0.9oz) |
| Toiletries Case | DMH Australia | – | A case for the above | 173g (6.0oz) |
| Total Weight | 1.1kg (2.4lb) |
Tools & Spares
Tools & Spares Highlights:
I carry repair kits for everything including my bike, panniers, stove, mat, and tent – as I never know how far I will be from replacement parts. It’s hard to get excited about spare parts but there are a few things I do appreciate.
The Stans tubeless sealant bottles are the perfect size/shape for pouring liquid latex into your tyres. I wrap some plastic over the top of the bottle, and screw the lid over the top – I’ve never experienced spillage. I usually re-fill them with whatever sealant I can find, but my preference is Orange Seal.
It’s also nice to have replacement tubeless valve cores. They don’t weigh much, and improve airflow compared to a bent or slightly clogged valve. I only have to change them every year or so.
Speaking of valve cores, I use nifty tubeless valve caps that have built-in core removers. These are the perfect way to pull out your valve cores and top up your tubeless sealant (if you use it).
Otherwise, I carry replacement nuts and bolts for virtually everywhere on my bike. You never know when a bolt will round out, snap, or rattle loose and fall off. The most important size is bottle cage bolts, their matching nuts and large washers. This is for when the Ortlieb pannier rails inevitably separate from the bag!
| Product | Link | Description | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi Tool | SECO-USA | Amazon | Added a T20 required for Rohloff hub bolts + chain breaker + case | 159g (5.6oz) |
| Hex Key | Piutouyar 10mm | Amazon | Necessary for Gates cranksets that can come loose | 120g (4.2oz) |
| Tubeless Plug Kit | COTOUXKER | Amazon | Bacon strip style kit | 61g (2.1oz) |
| Valve Cores (4) | Honbay | Amazon | Replacements for bent, clogged valves | 10g (0.4oz) |
| Valve Caps | Granite | Amazon | Nifty valve caps with a built-in core remover tool | 3.0g (1.0oz) |
| Tyre Levers | Schwalbe | Amazon | Strong plastic levers | 24g (0.9oz) |
| Inner Tube | Schwalbe SV21F | Amazon | Spare tube just in case | 182g (6.4oz) |
| Spare Belt | Gates Carbon Drive | Amazon | Coils up small and slots into a pannier pocket | 62g (2.1oz) |
| Presta Valve Adapter | Brass | Amazon | Presta to schrader valve, sometimes useful for tubeless installs | 8g (0.3oz) |
| Silicone Lube | Essential Values Treadmill | Amazon | Belt lubricant for dusty conditions | 58g (2.1oz) |
| Brake Pads (4) | Shimano D02s | Amazon | Sintered metal pads | 76g (2.7oz) |
| Rohloff Oil | Rohloff | Amazon | Oil kit for Rohloff gear hub | 51g (1.8oz) |
| Oil Syringe | Rohloff | Amazon | Hub oil changes | 29g (1.0oz) |
| Patches & Boots | Lezyne Patch Kit | Amazon | Tyre and tube repair kit | 8g (0.3oz) |
| Tubeless Sealant | Stans Original 2oz | Amazon | Small refillable sealant bottle | 119g (4.2oz) |
| Nuts, bolts, washers | Custom | – | A selection of spares | 200g (7.0oz) |
| Tent, Mat, Stove Spares | Custom | – | Rubber seals, repair patches, zips, pole splint | 82g (2.8oz) |
| Tape | Generic | – | Electrical + Gorilla Tape | 28g (1.0oz) |
| Total Weight | 1.3kg (2.9lb) |
Heaviest to Lightest Gear Categories
- Camping Gear – 5550g (12.2lb)
- Electronics – 4143g (9.1lb)
- Bike Luggage – 3747g (8.3lb)
- Travel Essentials – 2230g (4.9lb)
- Clothing – 2085g (4.6lb)
- Shoes & Accessories – 1444g (3.2lb)
- Cooking – 1360g (3.0lb)
- Tools & Spares – 1280g (2.8lb)
- Toiletries – 1071g (2.4lb)
- Cooking Accessories – 831g (1.8lb)
TOTAL WEIGHT: 23.741 KG / 52.3 LBS
Summary
I hope you can use my gear list to get an idea of (a) what to bring on a long distance bike tour, and (b) what equipment is proven to be the most durable over multiple years of use.
This is a reminder that you should only need to bring this much equipment if you’re on a really big trip!
For shorter trips, you can use lighter-weight equipment as it will see much less use. You can also reduce the tools and spare parts you carry, as well as the electronics. I’ve done lots of short bike tours with less than 10kg (22lb) of total equipment.
