Bike Setup and Equipment European Divide 2022
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- A quick update on the bike and equipment that I'm using for the start of the European Divide Bikepacking Route.
There are som serious exposure issues in this video due to a rotating ND filter, but I chose to upload it anyway as I hope the information could be interesting despite the bad colours!
A comment which I wanted to post since months: This is the most remarkable introduction to a serious bike adventure I have ever seen: "just recovered from covid, slightly overweight, no excercise for a long time". But very soon it becomes evident what a tough guy you are! Respect! I have also watched most of your other videos. I liked especially the one where you explained how you "downsized" your live. UA-cam is full of wonderful adventures, but the background, the motiviation and how you manage to live a life full of adventures ("add more live to my time" is memorable!) is the true story. Could you tell us more on that? Thanks for your work!
Thanks for the wonderful comment!
:)
I hope to add more content, both about new adventures, motivation and adding fun and experience to my life.
@@wombat.vision Thanks from my side - looking forward to the stories to come! Especially your european divide project (northern part) ...
@@the_geargineer Yeah, I'm really looking forward to being able to spend some time on the trail again this summer!
Comprehensive review 👍
Thanks. I did an unpacking video after the trip where I go through what I used and how it worked as well.
:)
Awesome! I hope you'll be able to upload your progress! who knows we'll bump into one another on the route!
Yeah, that would be great. You can keep track of where I am her and on Instagram.
Interesting summary of your gear
Thanks!
Hi, I ditched my over-warm down sleeping bag in México in April, and I'm looking to buy a quilt or a bag that I can unzip completely. I'm going to do from Cologne to Jaén in Oct/Nov(Dec?..I'm slow) What brand is your quilt and do you recommend it? I guessit'll get cold-ish in the mountains in Nov in Spain. I'm asking because you're obviously an honest guy who doesn't do the sponsored lifestyle.
I have a Thermarest Vesper quit that I have used for 4 years, in everything from sommer to -2 degrees (C). Love it and it has worked really well. A sleeping bag is usually too warm for me and I like sticking my feet out and using only part of the quilt when it is warm. It is a little bit more difficult to stay under the quilt when it is cold compared to a sleeping bag but I have not had any problems.
There are other brands like See to Summit that make good quilts as well but I have only tried the Thermarest and as I am very happy, I haven't tried anything else.
:)
Thanks. Good to know, all the best.
Love the Riverside 920, but it sold out before I could get my hands on one 😔. Hope it did the trick. What's the rear rack?
Yeah, it's very hard to get hold of, I was very lucky to get one after waiting for several months. I wanted it to do the European Divide as I thought it would be perfect for that and it looks like I was right!
:)
The only major change I should have done is lower the gearing. I know an 11-46 cassette fits and I have one but never got around to fitting it before I left.
The rack is an original accessory from Decathlon made especially for the bike. Works great and is really solid even if it adds a bit of weight.
Can you tell, how tell what size is of bike and your height and inseam. Do yo have any problem with bike size and geometry?
The bike is Large. I am 183cm tall and have a 32-inch inseam. It fits perfectly for me!
Nice Setup! Which Tent Poles are you using?
I am using the original accessory carbon poles from Zpacks that make the tent almost self-standing. I will probably do a review of the tent later on during the ride.
Like al the blue accents. Superman bleu 😂
Hi Mats, I wondered what sleeping bag you exactly took for the european divide trail? What's the comfort / limit temperature of it?
I will also cycle the route and I doubt the sleeping bag I have at the moment might be be too warm. Maybe your choice and experience would help me making my decision
Hi!
I am using a Thermarest Vesper Quilt rather than a sleeping bag and find that it works great. It is rated at 0 degrees Celsius and I find it comfortable down to about 3 or 4 degrees. Less than that and I also use a sleeping bag liner to help keep the heat in.
I had cold nights early on in the trip and even had frost and down to below 0 degrees and really needed the warmer quilt.
But the quilt is a bit too warm now, in late May. It still works well as a quit is easier to regulate the warmth with as opposed to a sleeping bag and I can also use only my liner if it is very warm.
Hope that helps!