How to choose a bike for bikepacking?

Apr 30, 2024 9 min

While preparing for your next adventure, you might ask yourself, "What kind of bike is best for bikepacking?" Trust us. It is a relevant question because having the right bikepacking bike is crucial.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about choosing a bike for bikepacking. We will discuss bikes, the trips you plan to go on, and much more.

Why do you need the right bike for bikepacking?

which bike for bikepacking — A good bikepacking bike will make your ride much more enjoyable

A good bikepacking bike makes a whole lot of the difference

The bike makes such a difference to your trip. The right bike can make the work easy and the use the wrong bike and do not getmiles enjoyable, while the wrong bike can turn your adventure into a suffer-fest. The right bike will be comfortable, fun to ride, and able to carry all your goods.

When you start bikepacking, the incorrect bike will only cause you problems. Unfortunately, many people use the wrong bike and do not get the right experience from a bikepacking adventure.

Characteristics of a good bikepacking bike

The first step is understanding what makes a good bikepacking bike. The right bikepacking bike will have certain characteristics to make it work right for you. Here is what you should be looking for.

Relaxed geometry	A relaxed geometry will make it easier to ride because it will offer better comfort.
Durable	When carrying extra load and going on multiple terrains, a durable bike helps.
Low gearing	When it comes to adventure cycling the lower your gears go the better.
Disc brakes	Disc brakes help you stop faster with extra load and are great for riding off road.
Ability to carry	Having a bike that takes the bags or has mounts for luggage does help a lot.
Good tire clearance	Larger tires add comfort, help you go on mixed terrains, and make the bike handle well.
Reliability	Bikes which are designed to be reliable with basic components are great.

Looking for all this in a bike can be challenging. Many people choose to use gravel bikes, endurance road bikes, hardtail mountain bikes or even a touring bike. All these you will find on our website. Although there is much more to it than you might think, and we will discuss this next in how to choose a bike for bikepacking.

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What route are you going to be taking?

The next question we recommend asking yourself when discussing how to choose a bike for bikepacking or bike touring is what route you will take. We ask this because the bike has to be right for the terrain you are going on. If it is not, you are going to have an awful time.

Nobody wants to ride a road bike on a trail or sandy beach, and the same goes for a wide-tire mountain bike on a smooth tarmac. So, next, we are going to break it down into different terrains and the bikes that suit them.

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Road

When it comes to riding on the road, you will have the best experience on an endurance road bike or a road gravel bike. They are great for smooth terrain, have excellent aerodynamics, and are light without suspension components.

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To learn more about the type of bike that would suit you, come check out our article on what a gravel bike is.

Off-road

You will want to use a mountain bike, hardtail, full suspension if required, or an off-road gravel bike for riding off-road. These will help you stay in control on challenging sections and also increase comfort with larger tires.

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We also have selected the best gravel bikes for bikepacking.

You will not need the same bike to ride on gravel paths as you would on sand

Mixed

Say you are planning to do a little bit of both road and off-road riding. The best solution in this case is to use either a gravel bike or a hardtail mountain bike. They are good for all different types of terrain, and you still have the ability you need. We also have a comprehensive guide on how to choose a gravel bike.

Snow / Sand

If you are planning on some really extreme bikepacking on snow or sand, then there is only one bike that will give you a fantastic experience: a fat bike. These have large 4” tires, which help hugely on loose terrain and stop you from falling.

Bikepacking bike — Off-road gravel bikes are good for all different types of terrain

How long are you going to be away?

Next, we need to discuss the duration of the trip you are planning. You would be surprised how often bikepackers overlook the bike's ability to travel very far, be reliable and durable, and have a good carrying capacity.

Many bikes are not designed for extended trips and need regular servicing.

For example, some mountain bikes require suspension servicing every 50 to 100 hours, which might only last a week of bikepacking.

A weekend

For a weekend ride, you can get away with taking very little. If you are only planning one or two nights, you can take a minimal kit, especially if you stay in hotels. You can use a performance bike like the Rose Backroad FF, which might require more regular servicing and does not have a huge carrying capacity.

A week or two

If you are going away for a week or two, your bike will need to be more durable, be easier to fix on the road, and have a larger carrying capacity. Bikepacking is tough on a bike; weeks of it can quickly wear out components and apply much more pressure to the frame and forks it might not be used to.

Several weeks, months

If you plan on going away for months, you will want a straightforward bikepacking bike with easy-to-repair components that are straightforward to source. You will be carrying a lot more, so it needs to be very durable and able to accommodate more bags in different places.

bikepacking gear — You won't bring the same equipment for a weekend as you would for several months

What is your priority?

Next, we need to discuss your priorities, as this is important when it comes to choosing a bike for bikepacking. What will your adventure be about, and what challenges will you set yourself while traveling away? This is a very important factor in picking the right bike for you.

Speed

If you want to go fast and speed is your main priority, you need a bike that matches that. This could be a bikepacking race or event, or you might have set yourself a personal challenge to get from one place to another with minimal stops and rest.

"In this case, you will need a bike that leans more toward the racing side of cycling. You will benefit from carbon fiber and carrying only the bare essentials." Anja Benson @buycycle

Your bike will still need a certain level of comfort, but you could save up to two hours from the higher average speed you hold.

A road bike or a light gravel bike is a good option for speed

Comfort

When it comes to bikepacking, many people start thinking a quick bike ride is the best option. They think they can travel fast and spend less time on the bike.

This is very rarely the best option, and a bike made for comfort that is slower is the solution for many.

A steel bike with a relaxed geometry and a saddle prioritising comfort makes a big difference. Being able to sit on the bike longer each day means you have to work harder but often travel further. Yes, your kit will weigh more, and so will your bike, but it makes the experience much better.

A mix of both

Another option is to have a mix of both. Adding extra weight to the bike is not a problem, provided it gives you extra comfort. That heavier saddle, those wider tires, and materials such as steel or titanium with more flexibility go a long way. Comfort should always be your top priority regarding what kind of bike you want for bikepacking.

What gear do you already have?

If you are new to bikepacking, consider what you already have before buying a new bike. Many bikes can be turned into bikepacking bikes; something that will work could be sitting in your shed at home.

Is your current bike an option?

Your current bike could tick many boxes we discussed earlier, such as disc brakes, relaxed geometry, and larger tire clearance.

"It might not be ideal if it is missing a few characteristics, but it will still get you out enjoying an adventure." - Alice Huot @buycycle

Returning to the characteristics discussed earlier and seeing if a current bike will work is a good start.

Consider buying second hand

If you want to get the best bikepacking experience, you have the option of getting a second-hand bike from buycycle. You will not have to pay full retail, and you will get a great bike that is perfect for bikepacking and the adventures you want to go on. You can learn more in our comprehensive guide on where to buy a bike.

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Come check out our comprehensive list of bikepacking gear to properly prepare for your next journey.

Picking the correct bike

Now you know how to choose a bike for bikepacking, making your search much easier. A great way to find the right bike is to use the filter system on buycycle.

You might have different bikes depending on the adventure you want to do. Choosing an all-around bike, such as a gravel bike or hardtail mountain bike, is a great way to have a bike for multiple trips and adventures. You can even plan your route around the bike you have.

It must have the right characteristics. You also want a bike that you feel proud to ride and is the correct size. When it turns up, having a bike fit will go a very long way, too.

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