
If I Rode The Tour Divide Again
The Tour Divide was my first big bikepacking adventure. Going into it I based most of my gear choices on what I use hiking making small adjustments here and there. Since then I have learned a lot and I wrote this post, If I Rode The Tour Divide Again, to show others what changes I would make to my set up and explain why.
To better understand the changes I would make to my set up, one should know a little about what my approach would be for my next try. My main goal would be to better my previous finishing time. To do this I would eliminate weight and bulk from all areas of my kit.
Next, I would ride more and sleep less. To do this I would need a more efficient lighting system and would spend less nights in hotels.
I would also eliminate bulk and unused gear, which would go a long way at making room to carry more food between stops. A less bulky and simpler set up should mean less weight, and hopefully equal less energy expenditure on my part. A simpler set up, hopefully would translate into less chance of things failing as well.
Hopefully this, If I Rode The Tour Divide Again post will help others with their own gear selection process and better their chances at a successful Tour Divide.
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BIKE
Item
Brand
Reason
What I Used Last Time
Bike
Giant XTC Advanced Plus (Set up 29er)
No Change.
If I did I would still use a 29er, and maybe switch to titanium (less creaking).
Giant XTC Advanced Plus (Set up 29er)
Carver Trail 490 Carbon Rigid
No Change.
If I did I would get a fork with bottle mounts on the legs like the Salsa offers.
Carver Trail 490 Carbon Rigid
No Change.
No Change.
Profile Designs T3+ Aluminum Clip-on
No Change but I would wrap them to help with the cold.
Profile Designs T3+ Aluminum Clip-on
Due to the weather on the Tour Divide a C17 would hold up better. You cannot adjust a B17 when wet and mine was wet a lot. The result was, it lost its shape.
No Change.
Generator Hub
No Change.
Maxxis Ikons 2.25″ 3C/EXO/TR (set up tubeless)
No Change.
Maxxis Ikons 2.25″ 3C/EXO/TR (set up tubeless)
42×32 Shimano
No Change.
42×32 Shimano
I felt my bike, who I call Phillip (the Trail Donkey), performed great on the Divide. Due to Giant going with a wedge style seat clamp Phillip does suffer from a creaky seat post. If I had the chance I would use a titanium or carbon bike with a standard seat collar clamp.
My body position on Phillip was great and I only had numbness in the tip of one finger during the last few days. I would wrap my aero bars so they wouldn’t be so cold in the morning.
As far as Phillip’s set up is concerned I would only change one thing. I would change the seat out for an all weather C17 by Brooks but that’s it.
Above, I mention getting a Salsa fork with bottle cage mounts, but that would simply be a convenience thing. Currently I attach my bottle cages with Velcro straps which works but is a pain to do and undo, and they are not as strong as directly mounting them to the fork.
Bags
Item
Brand
Reason
What I Used Last Time
Gas Tank
JPaks Gas Tank
The double zipper was hard to open with one hand and if you forgot to close it, things fell out easily.
Jerrycan
Defiant Jerrycan
I broke the zipper on the Revelate and had to replace it.
Nothing or I’d use the same one.
If I could trim down my gear and eliminate it I would. The goal being to lighten the front end.
No Change.
Something smaller
The goal would be to force myself to carry less with a smaller seat bag.
JPaks
I would have the pack made slightly wider than my original to increase its volume.
Custom by Defiant Pack
Under Downtube
Something custom or buy
I would move my tools from the Jerrycan to this to get some weight lower.
N/A
When it comes to bags, my overall goal would be to cut weight and to get some of the weight lower on the bike. I almost never used the tools in my Jerrycan, so a tool wrap mounted to the down tube makes a ton of sense. I could then use the jerrycan for food.
My current frame bag isn’t very wide, so my next one would be slightly wider. The goal to be able to get a few items out of the seat bag and use a smaller one. A smaller seat bag would save weight and force me to move some weight lower into the frame bag. I must say I love the removable bag on my Terrapin Seat Bag. It makes camp life so much easier than trying to load a stationary bag attached to the bike.
My currently handlebar bag is large and I found it to be a pit some times, where things got lost. It also rubs my front tire when I have a suspension fork on Phillip. A single feed bag might be a better choice to carry less and stop the rubbing.
Hydration
Item
Brand
Reason
What I Used Last Time
The dromedary bag fits in a frame bag much better and shape better molds around things.
No Change.
(2) Tall Cycling Bottles
No Change.
(2) Tall Cycling Bottles
Simple to use and clean, and small and compact.
None
Extra weight I never used.
I’d make very few changes to my hydration set up. I learned on the AZTR that a dromedary bag works best in your frame bag. The big plastic clip on the Big Zip made it hard to fit in between the top tube and down tube. A dromedary also molds around things more easily than a typical hydration pack bladder.
I might switch out my MSR Trailshot for a Swayer Squeeze as I’ve had less issues with the Swayer. I’d also drop the Aquamira, as I never used it once the first time.
Health/First Aid
Item
Brand
Reason
What I Used Last Time
A few bandaids.
Outside of crashing most all ailments can be remedy with my other items.
A few bandaids.
Pain Relief
Advil
No change.
Advil
Medicine
No change.
Tape
Good for taping joints or to help prevent hot spots.
N/A
Sun Screen
No Change.
Tweezers
One blunt end and one pointy.
No Change.
One blunt end and one pointy.
Lip Balm
Cherry flavored
No Change.
Cherry flavored
Oral Care
Tooth brush, flosser & paste
No change but adding a flosser.
Tooth brush & paste
Toiletries
Dude Wipes & hand sanitizer
No Change.
Dude Wipes & hand sanitizer
Vision
Disposable Contacts or get Lasik
Lasik would be the best option, but the daily wears are much better for my eyes than wearing normal contact for days on end like I did the first time.
Contact case / contact fluid
As you can see I wouldn’t change my health/first aid very much. I’ve added K-tape for sore joints/muscles. As mentioned above Lasik would be great but I’m in no rush to spend the money.
Conclusion
At the beginning of this article I stated my goal was to eliminate weight and excess bulk. I think my changes to my kit definitely address both. I feel with the above kit I can definitely cut time off my race without compromising too much comfort or my safety.
Just like with my hiking my gear, how much gear I need to bikepack has decreased with each mile I’ve traveled. The efficiency of that gear has increased as well. This is a result of getting to know myself and what I can and can’t deal with, and what does and doesn’t work, while on the bike. Without all the miles I’ve done I wouldn’t have the confidence I have now.
Lastly, be sure your gear reflects your personal needs and style. Do your own research, do shakedown rides, and build your trail confidence before hitting the trail. Good luck!
More Helpful TD Resources
Everything you need to plan a bikepacking trip on the Tour Divide.
Your ultimate bikepacking guide to the Tour Divide.
A detailed look at what I used on the Tour Divide, what worked and what didn’t.
In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide again.
Checkout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help.
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