Why is ultralight touring so unpopular?
#926
Senior Member
I'd never carry CO2 cartridges because if you are worried about weight and functionality they don't make much sense. Once a CO2 cartridge is used it's trash and not re-useable. A good pump is a better solution.
#927
Senior Member
^^^^ Umm, not pertinent to the UL conversation.
#928
Senior Member
I am a bit surprised by that. I have seen quite a few, including a fair percentage of my warmshowers.org guests. A couple were at closer to 200 pounds of gear than 100. Based on what I have seen on the road an over 100 pound base is way more common than an under 20 one. Maybe it depends on the route?
Most of them were new to touring and just threw in everything they thought they might possibly need, but a couple that were around 100 pound base actually had their gear well dialed in to their wants and personal style. The overloaded newbies seemed pretty miserable, the more experienced heavy packers seemed quite happy with their choices and their trips.
Most of them were new to touring and just threw in everything they thought they might possibly need, but a couple that were around 100 pound base actually had their gear well dialed in to their wants and personal style. The overloaded newbies seemed pretty miserable, the more experienced heavy packers seemed quite happy with their choices and their trips.
#929
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If your trip involves a range from hotels, to warmshowers, to stealth camping with meal preparation, then you have to pack for the third option. While that can be done ultralight, none of my warmshowers guests have been ultralight, and have all come packed for cold, wet weather camping, even though I have provided warm dry beds.
#931
Senior Member
FWIW, I have taken what amounts to essentially most of that on a backpacking trip and still was under 14 pounds base even though I had to carry a bear canister (a requirement there). I did have a regular 4 wt fly rod with a reel instead of the tenkara and Cuban yo-yo. I don't typically read much on tour or when backpacking and when I do it is usually either an audio book or an ebook.
I don't absorb audio books well . and don't like E readers/tablets to actually on . But probably shouldn't count the book as trip weight as I carry it every where . I carry a new testament all the time ( reading it keeps me centered)
#932
Senior Member
Why not? I think CO2 is a pretty bad idea for any but short tours, whether ultralight, ultra heavy, of anything in between. A lot of mini pumps are lighter than most inflators and one cartridge. By the time you have a few cartridges they are as heavy as some pretty nice pumps.
Additionally CO2 seems to bleed out much faster than air leading to more frequent topping off.
Additionally CO2 seems to bleed out much faster than air leading to more frequent topping off.
#933
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There are pumps that probably weigh about as much as some of those little co2 canisters, and they have the advantage of being able to fill more air as long as they aren't broken.
Also don't think 'ultralight' touring is unpopular, but some people have odd definitions for what counts as 'ultralight'.
Also don't think 'ultralight' touring is unpopular, but some people have odd definitions for what counts as 'ultralight'.
#934
Senior Member
Why not? I think CO2 is a pretty bad idea for any but short tours, whether ultralight, ultra heavy, of anything in between. A lot of mini pumps are lighter than most inflators and one cartridge. By the time you have a few cartridges they are as heavy as some pretty nice pumps.
Additionally CO2 seems to bleed out much faster than air leading to more frequent topping off.
Additionally CO2 seems to bleed out much faster than air leading to more frequent topping off.
#935
cyclopath
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The thing is, it is incredibly rare for me to see other people who approach touring the same way, and I'm just kind of curious as to why? Ive seen maybe 3 or 4 people out of hundreds online post an UL rig, and I've NEVER seen another tourist on the road setup with anything less than quad panniers + more.
My current ^^ touring setup. Good for 5-7 days between resupply.
I guess it depends where you hang out online and where you ride.
Online I mostly see folks doing some form of lightweight touring. Not sure how to define UL vs. just light/minimal.
On tour I have run into others doing the same thing, but I mostly stay on remote singletrack or less used forest service roads so I don't meet a ton of people of any type.
Because I live in a popular location for fully loaded touring riders I see plenty of their rigs pass me by everyday [at least in the summer], but I have no desire to load my bike up like that and spend my time doing that style of touring any more.
#936
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I consider CO2 to be get me to the next place I can get air I have never had to use one on the trail but have use them to air up other peoples tires . Knock on wood last time I had a flat out and about was before they were common . If I were to use one , as soon as I got to some were with a decent pump I would deflate the tire and refill it with air .
#937
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My current ^^ touring setup. Good for 5-7 days between resupply.
I guess it depends where you hang out online and where you ride.
Online I mostly see folks doing some form of lightweight touring. Not sure how to define UL vs. just light/minimal.
On tour I have run into others doing the same thing, but I mostly stay on remote singletrack or less used forest service roads so I don't meet a ton of people of any type.
Because I live in a popular location for fully loaded touring riders I see plenty of their rigs pass me by everyday [at least in the summer], but I have no desire to load my bike up like that and spend my time doing that style of touring any more.
Last edited by Happy Feet; 12-14-15 at 07:13 PM.
#938
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Geez!! why so judgemental. How about we talk about how much underwear you carry. Pumps are good, CO2 is lighter if you're willing to go there.
My guess there are few places in the US where you have to take more than 1 day's food. Sure there are some, but most tourers don't go there.
Lighten up and you will be happier.
My guess there are few places in the US where you have to take more than 1 day's food. Sure there are some, but most tourers don't go there.
Lighten up and you will be happier.
Last edited by Squeezebox; 12-14-15 at 07:14 PM.
#939
~>~
An old associate, reprobate and very experienced Audax rider just e-mailed about coming along on a wandering ride from his home in Wales to Scotland (and hopefully back) via a route including some of the best pubs on the island. Knowing my equipment and riding style his advice:
"Pack the Barley and a small H-bar bag, it's only seven days in likely pissing-down conditions on steep crappy roads but at least it's not Texas."
Sounds ideal.
"Pack the Barley and a small H-bar bag, it's only seven days in likely pissing-down conditions on steep crappy roads but at least it's not Texas."
Sounds ideal.
#940
commu*ist spy
i agree. less is more. though i did get stuck in oregon without a sleeping bag and freezing my ass off all night. aside from that exception, definitely travel light is the way to go. also probably the primary reason why i will never tour in the cold
#941
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Nice, but what do you eat for 5-7 days and where do you store it? I imagine that sort of riding will require a lot of calories. For 5 days X3 that equals 15 meals, 7 days add 6 more for 21 meals. I'm honestly curious because I've packed multi day trips and know what 21 dehydrated meals would look like.
- 6 x breakfast
- 7 x lunch
- 6 x dinner
As I'll eat breakfast at my vehicle on the first day and I'll end up back at my vehicle the last night.
Breakfast: oatmeal x 2 [I was doing tea as well, but gave that up last trip and didn't miss it]
Lunch:
- nuts
- energy bars
- jerkey
- M&Ms
- dried fruit
I graze all day long as the mood strikes me.
Dinners: 1 x freeze dried meal, but I stick with high calorie options
Food goes in my frame bag, bar bag and my backpack. I make sure my backpack gets lighter each day that way carrying it doesn't bother me. My pack is a 28L unit. 7 days of food means it's pretty full. Less than 7 days I have extra room in the pack, but I'll frequently fill that empty space with beer which gets consumed fairly quickly.
I also carry some drink mix and make dilute drinks in my water bottle for some flavour.
#943
commu*ist spy
#944
Senior Member
Some bikes have pumps some have CO2 Some have both Ollies discount had genuine innovations screw on type CO2 inflators for $4-5 with one cartridge and 4 cartridges for $4 So I have one in the seat/tool bag on every bike except my fatbike. I'm not sure it would it would do much for those big tires
Roy
Roy
#945
Senior Member
Some bikes have pumps some have CO2 Some have both Ollies discount had genuine innovations screw on type CO2 inflators for $4-5 with one cartridge and 4 cartridges for $4 So I have one in the seat/tool bag on every bike except my fatbike. I'm not sure it would it would do much for those big tires
Roy
Roy
Lezyne - Engineered Design - Products - Hand Pumps - High Pressure - Pressure Drive
#946
Senior Member
An old associate, reprobate and very experienced Audax rider just e-mailed about coming along on a wandering ride from his home in Wales to Scotland (and hopefully back) via a route including some of the best pubs on the island. Knowing my equipment and riding style his advice:
"Pack the Barley and a small H-bar bag, it's only seven days in likely pissing-down conditions on steep crappy roads but at least it's not Texas."
Sounds ideal.
"Pack the Barley and a small H-bar bag, it's only seven days in likely pissing-down conditions on steep crappy roads but at least it's not Texas."
Sounds ideal.
#948
Senior Member
Why not? I think CO2 is a pretty bad idea for any but short tours, whether ultralight, ultra heavy, of anything in between. A lot of mini pumps are lighter than most inflators and one cartridge. By the time you have a few cartridges they are as heavy as some pretty nice pumps.
Additionally CO2 seems to bleed out much faster than air leading to more frequent topping off.
Additionally CO2 seems to bleed out much faster than air leading to more frequent topping off.
#949
Senior Member
#950
Senior Member
If your trip involves a range from hotels, to warmshowers, to stealth camping with meal preparation, then you have to pack for the third option. While that can be done ultralight, none of my warmshowers guests have been ultralight, and have all come packed for cold, wet weather camping, even though I have provided warm dry beds.