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| Bivvy equipment recommendations | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 26 2018, 02:00 PM (307 Views) | |
| Nero | Feb 26 2018, 02:00 PM Post #1 |
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Mud Lover
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I don't have any bivvy equipment, but would like to do a couple of adventures/overnighters on the bike. I've a two man tent but it's not really something I can get on the bike, so when I've wild camped a couple of times I've had to lug everything on foot and without anything designed for the job I end up with a huge heavy rucksack. What equipment have you used? And in your experience what's hot, what's not ! Along the lines of Tents/Tarps/bags/stoves/frame bags/anything ! Yes Alpkit do some lovely stuff but it's not cheap, I guess I'm ideally looking for cheap but durable left field solutions (isn't everyone) ? |
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| belugabob | Feb 27 2018, 05:34 PM Post #2 |
Mudking
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I really want to do a couple of overnighters, this year, as the last one we did was really good. I could list out my kit, but it's probably not the best/lightest/cheapest. (Considering a new sleeping bag for the SSUK weekend) A good place to start is http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/ In addition to the tarp/mat/bag, decent bike luggage helps - can you post a picture of your bivi-bike, from the side, so I can see the relationship between fork crown and stem/handlebars? Edited by belugabob, Feb 27 2018, 05:36 PM.
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| Ollie | Feb 28 2018, 07:47 PM Post #3 |
Mudthing
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I started a topic on STW this morning with the same question  https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/getting-into-bikepacking-you-could-buy-a-bike-for-that/ |
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| belugabob | Mar 1 2018, 06:53 AM Post #4 |
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Mudking
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Well, if you're stuck in the snow, you could always read this thread... https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/sick-as-a-dog-so-show-me-you-bivi-bikepacking-adventure-racing-gear/ ...that should keep you occupied |
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| Ollie | Mar 1 2018, 07:05 AM Post #5 |
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Mudthing
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Stuck in the snow?! My team of 18 engineers have had no snow days this week (yet!) although I have just told them all they can go early once they have done their jobs! Got up at bloody 5am to replan the day and keep engineers local! |
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| guy | Mar 1 2018, 09:17 PM Post #6 |
Mudking
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Ah the Bivvy kit thread....so much choice: I have a Primus Eta Power stove kit which is really good, the pan has a clever heat sink thingy underneath it and the gas is a mix of butane and propane so cooks food very quickly. Also includes some pots etc in the kit. Other options here if you want are the ubiquitous MSR pocket rocket (it's teeny weenie and therefore the climbers favourite) or Bobs homemade meths/alcohol burner made out of an old beer can. Avoid cheapo solid fuel cookers like the plague as they are truly shite...I nearly set fire to a hillside with one on my first (windy) Bivvy foray years ago with RichF Sleeping mat is an Alpkit one, thin and lightweight but pretty good, not made anymore (new ones are better) Bivvy bag: Alpkit Hunka, can't reccomend this enough, stupidly useful to keep your sleeping bag dry. Sleeping bag is an Ajungilak Telemark Thermo 3 seasons ( well, it's really 4 seasons to be honest). It's actually total overkill and a bit too big/heavy but does work in sub-zero (was tested on Breacon Beacons one very cold February years ago. However unless you want to go out in snowy weather get a good lightweight down bag. Again Alpkit is your friend here, go and look at their pipedream bags. Generally go for something that's warm and can pack down small, you can add silk liner bags as well to boost the heat rating a bit if you want Lights....Alpkit Gamma head torch and Glowe lantern. Dry bags...Alpkit again. Tarp...a Decathlon cheapo special that works really well. Cheap small groundsheet and some mini pegs from Decathlon Para/shock cord...again from Decathlon Warm, lightweight clothes. WC facilities: Bog roll and mini spade (or go before you go) Simple food to cook, Water (camelback...) Oats so simple for breakfast Mug. Tea/coffee A Spork...so simple, so cool. Something to Drink... ( first night out it was old speckled hen, later trips involved red wine.. Hip flask filled with favourite tipple Now try and fit all of that onto your bike/into a backpack...:) |
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| Ollie | Mar 12 2018, 06:48 PM Post #7 |
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Mudthing
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Well as usual, I've done way too much thinking and reading of forums/reviews, come up against the usual Alpkit 'out of stock' lottery and eventually splashed a hefty wad of cash; (with the justification of spending enough to get the right gear rather than 'buy cheap, buy twice') Hunka XL bivvy bag A cheaper clone of the Alpkit Cloudbase mat Wildcat seatpack and bar harness Rig 3.5 Tarp With the Gravel Dash looming in late May, is anyone interested in a late April/early May bivvy night shakedown? With it still being a bit chilly, I'm thinking along the lines of a pub feast followed by a ride-out to the hills? No location in mind but with the time of year, perhaps a sheltered spot is preferable to the crest of the downs (Nero - I've got a sleeping mat you can use, its an inflatable one about 800g) Edited by Ollie, Mar 12 2018, 06:52 PM.
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| Nero | Mar 13 2018, 08:33 AM Post #8 |
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Mud Lover
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Thanks all for the info/recommendations. Bob, I would/intend to use my drop bar gravel bike much like Ollie's. As I thought, Alpkit is worth paying for, if I only had (any) money ! Ollie, I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the Hunka XL sizing wise. I have looked at this and their sleeping bags and I just don't know how they size up. At 6ft I'm on the changeover but I guess a bit more room in the XL wouldn't go a miss. I think you're roughly the same height as me? I assume you'll carry the sleeping bag on the bars in a dry bag? Most other stuff in the seatbag? I'm glad you've done lots of research Ollie, so I thank you for that because I'm yet to ! |
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| belugabob | Mar 13 2018, 01:58 PM Post #9 |
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Mudking
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Ollie, I've also been eyeing up the Hunka XL, so maybe Marc and I should try yours for size (one at a time, obviously) Marc, I may be able to help you with mounting a dry bag on your bars, as I've devised a low budget (but tested and effective) solution. It does depend on the angle of the line from your bar tops to your fork crown, and the routing of your cables, but you need to try it, to find out. As Ollie has ordered a wildcat bar harness, he may want to return my prototype harness, that I gave him? May also be able to loan a seatpack. Interested in the April/May Bivi, depending on weather Edited by belugabob, Mar 13 2018, 01:59 PM.
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| Ollie | Mar 13 2018, 08:42 PM Post #10 |
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Mudthing
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Of course Bob, I completely forgot I had it! I originally went for the Hunka XL as I wanted to put my mat inside it, and also as a few people said that when the opening is cinched up tight, the hole isn't in the right place as you approach 6'. (I'm 5'11") However, I'm now leaning towards keeping the mat outside as its meant to be much easier to move around/get in and out/make a coffee in your sleeping bag if the bivvy moves around freely as a second cover. It also means you can sit on the mat when trying to get in the sleeping bag/bivvy, as there is no zip down the side. I'm thinking we could set a date, and then if the weather is looking a bit crappy a few days before, re-consider and get another date in mind
Edited by Ollie, Mar 13 2018, 08:42 PM.
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| belugabob | Mar 13 2018, 09:43 PM Post #11 |
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Mudking
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OK - set a date and we'll go from there. Been sorting out my sleeping bag & airmat and practicing some knots for my tarp. |
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| Ollie | Mar 14 2018, 05:30 PM Post #12 |
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Mudthing
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Some of my stuff arrived. Seem to have found a fairly good method, windy today and this arrangement seems to provide shelter and after some messing about, found a way to stop it flapping up and down!  Edit: I reckon the Hunka XL is a good choice, doesn't seem huge and you've got a chance of pulling on an extra pair of socks without having to be a contortionist! When you cinch down the drawstrings around your face, there is a bit of up and down wiggle room to get the opening over your mouth/nose. Edited by Ollie, Mar 14 2018, 05:49 PM.
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| Ollie | Mar 14 2018, 07:10 PM Post #13 |
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Mudthing
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Nero! DING DING! LAST ORDERS FOLKS..... It's looking like the entries will be closing in the next few days. We only have 10 spots left for the 50/50 overnighter. We also only have around 30 spots left for the 100 mile one dayer. Any of you who are sitting on the fence now is the time to jump on board before the last spaces fill up. Things are coming together here at the Surly Gravel Dash HQ and heating up to make this the best event we have put on yet. Campfire menus and other treats to be posted here soon... http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/events-308-c.asp |
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| belugabob | Mar 14 2018, 08:30 PM Post #14 |
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Mudking
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Looking good, Ollie. Is your mat in or under your Hunka? So, do you reckon the Hunka would fit me? Are you sleeping outside tonight? |
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| Ollie | Mar 14 2018, 08:53 PM Post #15 |
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Mudthing
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Thanks Under, but tried it 'in' as well. Not sure what I prefer, depends if I stay on the mat, or prefer to be able to sit up in the sleeping bag and deal with slugs all over the mat Hunka XL, definitely. Roomier than expected. Tempting, but no. My living room has tunes blasting out and I'm about to enjoy an omelette and roast sweet potato I've even got the heating on for once!
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| belugabob | Mar 14 2018, 09:09 PM Post #16 |
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Mudking
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Forgot to ask - which sleeping bag do you have? |
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| Ollie | Mar 14 2018, 09:32 PM Post #17 |
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Mudthing
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Its an old Snugpak Chrysalis...probably well past its best as I've stored it for years in its stuff sack with compression straps, so the filling is probably knackered! |
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| belugabob | Mar 15 2018, 08:31 PM Post #18 |
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Mudking
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That's pretty much a summary of mine, too - the suppliers don't seem to mention how to store your bag (hanging up, opened out) and you are left to find this out via camping forums.  Hunka XL on it's way,, though May look at a new sleeping bag soon. |
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| belugabob | Mar 18 2018, 05:05 PM Post #19 |
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Mudking
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Marc, It turns out that somebody else has - independently - come up with a very similar bar harness to mine... http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=11107 ...the main thing to watch is the bag rubbing your headtube paint away (or vice versa), so some heli-tape is required. |
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| Baby_Gixxer | Mar 18 2018, 05:52 PM Post #20 |
Liberally Covered
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The Alpkit bags come with two stuff sacks, a tiny strong one for when you’re out and about, plus a large thin breathable one 5x the size for long term storage. The large soft cotton sack makes a good pillowcase, which you can stuff any clothing into for added comfort |
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