he-he, I did try to publish last week, but we got a RSV/Covid cocktail that found us in the hospital with my little one. That being said, Cass published his a few weeks ago (bikepacking.com/plog/editors-dozen-cass-2023-picks/), and we tend to publish a few aftter Christmas each year. Thanks for watching.
Definitely agree with adding a layer rather than slavering on sun cream. I often wear lycra sun sleeves, which offer UV protection and evaporate sweat. Seems to work well and the sleeves are lightweight and dirt cheap. Cheers
My gear revelation this year was the Jack The Rack. I put one on my cross (I MEAN GRAVEL) bike for a 5-day trip that included a fair amount of singletrack and it held a dry bag and some other stuff pretty flawlessly. I bought it on a whim when they kickstartered it and I will say it surpasses expectations.
I second this. I have my Jack the Rack mounted on an old rigid mountain bike that I use for running errands and it'll take a bag of flour or cat food without complaint. I ride pretty big frames so I rarely have issues with front mounted bags rubbing on the tire, but can see myself swapping Jack onto my kids' bikes when we go on trips to keep loads nice and tidy.
So many things on this list are now on my wishlist, great review! The products I’ve loved this year: Outer Shell 137 Basket bag & half frame bag: I love how it closes, and how easily accessible it is. I bought it and the 1/2 frame bag for my cross country trip and they’ve both stayed on my bike since. Peak Design Phone mount & case: super easy to mount/dismount your phone while feeling very secure.
My favorite shorts for trips on the bike are zip-off pants - long pants and shorts for just weight of the pants. If one wants a second pair of shorts for the trip, getting two pairs of the same zip-offs means one pair of legs works for both.
I really like my sombiocartel long sleeved shirt (vagabond). It is a great all-rounder for sun and wind cover, provides some warmth for the early morning start and evening camp setup, can handle a week’s worth of camping wear without showing dirt/sweat and is dressy enough to wear to a restaurant. Its also great for canoe tripping etc. just a good all rounder. The sleeve’s eldow is worn out after 4 yrs of wear so i’ll get it patched. Keeper. Riding the oregon-norther cal coast this april and will rely on it as my mainstay
Great recs, thanks! I use the Telesin neck GoPro mount and love it. It's won out in a lot of mounting comparison videos. What's the benefit of the mouth mount vs. a neck mount like that? Being able to quickly grab it for recording at arm's length?
Yeah, I like the fact that I can quickly pull it from my hip pack while riding and put it in my mouth to record something, and when I’m done I can throw it back in on the fly. It also does not require wearing anything which I like.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom makes sense! I'd be curious what you think of the neck mount, since it's pretty low profile and I forget about it while riding (yet always have the camera ready to go). Could make for a good comparison vid on the best ways to record a bikepacking trip!
I’ll have to try those Kenda tires. I really like the 29X2.6” Teravail Honcho tires and those Kendra’s look similar. Totally agree that Wolf Tooth needs to bring back the cool colors to the Pro version. I have the gold ano WT remote
Have you tried the Zoic Guide Short at 9 inches? They are bombproof like the Black Market short and have a belt that is removable. At 5’10 I hate long baggy shorts for gravel riding and these shorts are cheap but incredibly well made and you can use your own preferred liner.
Thanks Neil for this video and info 👍 I also loved Kitsbow shorts too and I am looking for replacement. I'll check at the club rider ones. Did you ever try the Mission Workshop traverse XC?
Racket tool looks great. The Fidlock uni base looks like a bit of a fiddle if you then have to buy their bottle and then buy another bottle to change the cap to something that works. 😐
The 1.1 liter bag is not wide if that’s what you’re asking. Otherwise, I know Andrew the Maker makes really nice top tube bags that are narrow, and he can make sure of this if you chat with him.
Thanks so much for watching. The shirt and shorts are made from recycled polyester and the Stasher Go bags are meant to reduce plastic. Two other products are metal. What Items do you have a problem with? We never recommend an item that doesn’t have a long wear life.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom Thank you for you answer! For my understanding it is the same like with motorized transport. If it is not really necessary and if there is an alternative I don't use it. As for clothes - I think there is almost always a good -if not better- alternative to plastic. And another problem is that plastic that is recycled to fabrics/cloth cant be used anymore to produce new plastic bottles or whatever from it. And the plastic used for cloths very often cant be recycled anymore at all because too often mixed sorts of plastic got used for it. So if you read 95% polyester and 5% elastane on the lable.. that plastic is not recyclable anymore - that's how I understand it.
I got all enthused about those Club Ride shorts but actually, they're USD114 and not USD70. Bit of a difference there mate, did you get them on sale or something? 😋
Shoot, I was 5usd off, looks like they are 75usd. www.clubrideapparel.com/collections/mens-bike-shorts/products/mens-rider-short?variant=40103351517255
The Tailfin rear carbon rack with matching luggage bag, and Tailfin panniers is close to $900 with tax. Yikes! As an old school road touring cyclist, my new system for 2024 is Tumbleweed's racks that fit front and rear, and Revelate's Nano Panniers. Plus, you can strap gear to the top of racks and keep all gear weight lower to the ground off your handlebars, and seat. Happy Trails!
Thanks for watching, but I'm a little confused by your comment, I didn't talk about the Tailfin system in this video, but rather the Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rack, which is also front and rear compatible.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom I saw the Tailfin rack and bag on your bike in the first part of vid. Since you mentioned using racks more often, I commented on the Tumbleweed racks and Nano Panniers by Revelate. Apologies, somewhat off topic. I thought about using an Old Man Mtn for the rear on my Ti hardtail that doesn't have any braze-ons. But it uses a hanger system for wheels and RD so I figured a thru-axle rack added to that might not be great. Going to try the Divide again next year with a La Cabra, racks, and panniers, at an easy touring pace. Very nice gear reviews, thank you.
All of this video appears to be one long commercial... Why do I think so? In an honest review, there is usually some criticism involved, and here just neverending praise. Don't plan on buying or even trying anything seen here
The full reviews are linked in the description…where I provide much more detailed info. That said, top products don’t usually have a lot of down sides even though I mentioned some in this video. Thanks for the comment, appreciate it. 🫶🏼
You can't post this so late in December. My family already bought me Christmas presents, and there are so much good stuff in this video 😂
he-he, I did try to publish last week, but we got a RSV/Covid cocktail that found us in the hospital with my little one. That being said, Cass published his a few weeks ago (bikepacking.com/plog/editors-dozen-cass-2023-picks/), and we tend to publish a few aftter Christmas each year. Thanks for watching.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom hope your little one is doing okay
Definitely agree with adding a layer rather than slavering on sun cream. I often wear lycra sun sleeves, which offer UV protection and evaporate sweat. Seems to work well and the sleeves are lightweight and dirt cheap.
Cheers
My gear revelation this year was the Jack The Rack. I put one on my cross (I MEAN GRAVEL) bike for a 5-day trip that included a fair amount of singletrack and it held a dry bag and some other stuff pretty flawlessly. I bought it on a whim when they kickstartered it and I will say it surpasses expectations.
I love mine too. Especially being able to easily take it off when I don't need it. And being able to swap between bikes. It also works really well.
I second this. I have my Jack the Rack mounted on an old rigid mountain bike that I use for running errands and it'll take a bag of flour or cat food without complaint. I ride pretty big frames so I rarely have issues with front mounted bags rubbing on the tire, but can see myself swapping Jack onto my kids' bikes when we go on trips to keep loads nice and tidy.
So many things on this list are now on my wishlist, great review!
The products I’ve loved this year:
Outer Shell 137 Basket bag & half frame bag: I love how it closes, and how easily accessible it is. I bought it and the 1/2 frame bag for my cross country trip and they’ve both stayed on my bike since.
Peak Design Phone mount & case: super easy to mount/dismount your phone while feeling very secure.
Thanks Neil for another years worth of cycling info's & reviews.
All the best for 2024 + looking forward to more adventures.
My favorite shorts for trips on the bike are zip-off pants - long pants and shorts for just weight of the pants. If one wants a second pair of shorts for the trip, getting two pairs of the same zip-offs means one pair of legs works for both.
Tailfin top tube bag just put it on today it just works !
I really like my sombiocartel long sleeved shirt (vagabond). It is a great all-rounder for sun and wind cover, provides some warmth for the early morning start and evening camp setup, can handle a week’s worth of camping wear without showing dirt/sweat and is dressy enough to wear to a restaurant. Its also great for canoe tripping etc. just a good all rounder. The sleeve’s eldow is worn out after 4 yrs of wear so i’ll get it patched. Keeper. Riding the oregon-norther cal coast this april and will rely on it as my mainstay
Great recs, thanks! I use the Telesin neck GoPro mount and love it. It's won out in a lot of mounting comparison videos. What's the benefit of the mouth mount vs. a neck mount like that? Being able to quickly grab it for recording at arm's length?
Yeah, I like the fact that I can quickly pull it from my hip pack while riding and put it in my mouth to record something, and when I’m done I can throw it back in on the fly. It also does not require wearing anything which I like.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom makes sense! I'd be curious what you think of the neck mount, since it's pretty low profile and I forget about it while riding (yet always have the camera ready to go). Could make for a good comparison vid on the best ways to record a bikepacking trip!
I’ll have to try those Kenda tires. I really like the 29X2.6” Teravail Honcho tires and those Kendra’s look similar. Totally agree that Wolf Tooth needs to bring back the cool colors to the Pro version. I have the gold ano WT remote
Have you tried the Zoic Guide Short at 9 inches? They are bombproof like the Black Market short and have a belt that is removable. At 5’10 I hate long baggy shorts for gravel riding and these shorts are cheap but incredibly well made and you can use your own preferred liner.
Thanks Neil for this video and info 👍
I also loved Kitsbow shorts too and I am looking for replacement. I'll check at the club rider ones. Did you ever try the Mission Workshop traverse XC?
No, I should, I’ve heard great things.
Racket tool looks great.
The Fidlock uni base looks like a bit of a fiddle if you then have to buy their bottle and then buy another bottle to change the cap to something that works. 😐
What bike is that beautiful hardtail with the clean finish and pinion gearbox, shown during the Fidlock review section?? What a beauty.
Which rack is this 10:41? Have you got a name and Company?
Miss Grape ILCOSCO
Do you have any recommendations for tip tube bags that don’t hit you legs while out of the saddle?
The 1.1 liter bag is not wide if that’s what you’re asking. Otherwise, I know Andrew the Maker makes really nice top tube bags that are narrow, and he can make sure of this if you chat with him.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom thanks
frayed cable on the remote.. too real haha. if ts not frayed ppl arent riding it xD
Wait, you still get Christmas presents in your 30's?
Lucky guy lol
What type/brand is the harnas for the dry bag?
ua-cam.com/video/aMWEPN9LzxQ/v-deo.htmlsi=wMYenotiDJ30il9P
That kenda looks so close to the maxxis forekaster's tread.
Why do you use an underquilt without a hammock? xD
Any leg rub with that Fidlock bottle in that location?
No, none, but I have pretty skinny legs. I do sometimes hit it when I jump off the bike.
Thanks for these recommendations. Most welcome! But it would be cool if you could stop hyping plastic products.
Thanks so much for watching. The shirt and shorts are made from recycled polyester and the Stasher Go bags are meant to reduce plastic. Two other products are metal. What Items do you have a problem with? We never recommend an item that doesn’t have a long wear life.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom Thank you for you answer! For my understanding it is the same like with motorized transport. If it is not really necessary and if there is an alternative I don't use it. As for clothes - I think there is almost always a good -if not better- alternative to plastic. And another problem is that plastic that is recycled to fabrics/cloth cant be used anymore to produce new plastic bottles or whatever from it. And the plastic used for cloths very often cant be recycled anymore at all because too often mixed sorts of plastic got used for it. So if you read 95% polyester and 5% elastane on the lable.. that plastic is not recyclable anymore - that's how I understand it.
Was that you rocking a pinon gear box and gates carbon belt drive
You bet, on the Viral Dérive, check it: ua-cam.com/video/4V1rl5I_Bdw/v-deo.html
I got all enthused about those Club Ride shorts but actually, they're USD114 and not USD70. Bit of a difference there mate, did you get them on sale or something? 😋
Shoot, I was 5usd off, looks like they are 75usd. www.clubrideapparel.com/collections/mens-bike-shorts/products/mens-rider-short?variant=40103351517255
The Tailfin rear carbon rack with matching luggage bag, and Tailfin panniers is close to $900 with tax. Yikes! As an old school road touring cyclist, my new system for 2024 is Tumbleweed's racks that fit front and rear, and Revelate's Nano Panniers. Plus, you can strap gear to the top of racks and keep all gear weight lower to the ground off your handlebars, and seat. Happy Trails!
Thanks for watching, but I'm a little confused by your comment, I didn't talk about the Tailfin system in this video, but rather the Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rack, which is also front and rear compatible.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom I saw the Tailfin rack and bag on your bike in the first part of vid. Since you mentioned using racks more often, I commented on the Tumbleweed racks and Nano Panniers by Revelate. Apologies, somewhat off topic. I thought about using an Old Man Mtn for the rear on my Ti hardtail that doesn't have any braze-ons. But it uses a hanger system for wheels and RD so I figured a thru-axle rack added to that might not be great. Going to try the Divide again next year with a La Cabra, racks, and panniers, at an easy touring pace. Very nice gear reviews, thank you.
What is the tent shown in the Vesper review? (ua-cam.com/video/KvbQRaUbmkw/v-deo.html)
It’s the SlingFin Portal 1. Review should be out early in 2024. But I’ve been very impressed with this thing, so much attention to detail.
I like that hat .what is
You can get that at our web store and there are also discounts available for members: bikepacking.com/news/last-chance-for-fall-merch-2023/
Maybe start reviewing cheaper stuff. All this gear is way out of reach of most bike packers!
Hey Peter, check out our latest video, it has super affordable items.
@@BIKEPACKINGcom Will do, really like your channel otherwise.
All of this video appears to be one long commercial... Why do I think so? In an honest review, there is usually some criticism involved, and here just neverending praise. Don't plan on buying or even trying anything seen here
The full reviews are linked in the description…where I provide much more detailed info. That said, top products don’t usually have a lot of down sides even though I mentioned some in this video. Thanks for the comment, appreciate it. 🫶🏼
Dji action camera better