Gus - bikepacking mode

[Brian Turner]

I think I've finally gotten my bikepacking setup dialed in on my Gus, and thought I'd share. My previous efforts were a bit slapdash, but I'm planning on a couple of overnighters down in Florida this winter and want to take Gus with me. After all, that's what I bought this bike for (I replaced my old Surly Troll with this Gus for off-road bikepacking).

8.5 lbs in the rear, and 5.5 lbs up front. I haven't factored in food and clothing, but this is my typical weight distribution.

All bags are supported; the rear BxB Goldback is secured to my saddle via a Carradice Bagman QR, and is primarily supported by the R14. The front Fab's Chest is supported by my makeshift "Pec Deck", which also conveniently holds my Edelux. I'm also currently working with Andy Schmidt from Lord's Luggage in Portland to design a prototype frame bag for the space behind the seat tube on Gus and Susies - more to come on that early next year!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/rGKnL3BhiXeUeZGp6

[Ryan Frahm]

What a beautiful setup! I can’t wait to see pictures from the next trip! I’ll be watching to see what the bag behind the seat tube comes out like, I’ve definitely been interested in using that space. 

Is your light mount solid on the makeshift Pec Deck? I was thinking about doing that as well but thought it might not be super stable. I have it mounted with the stock mount the Edelux came with but haven’t had a chance to test it very much. It has been studded riding for weeks and I have those on the Clem with fenders… Loving your setup!

[Luke Hendrickson]

Goddamn that’s SICK

[Eric Marth]

Nice rig, Brian! 

I'm reminded of Brendon's seat-tube bag on his Susie, this was the best picture I could find. I believe it's a repurposed top tube bag. 

[Eric Marth]

Also very curious to know a typical camping set up and pack list for the low weight you describe hauling :) 

[Brian Turner]

Thanks Eric! Yes, I was happy to see Brendon's clever use of that half-frame bag. In that case, the shortened section of fender is crucial to keep it off the tire.

Re: my camping setup, I've been bikepacking since about 2010, so I've had a good amount of time to acquire and test stuff out, and of course everything gets better and lighter and smaller each year. Over the years I've tried to whittle my kit down to the stuff that works best for me without any extraneous gear. Here's a basic setup for about 3 seasons here. Of course, things can get bulkier and heavier in the Winter, so I adjust as needed:

Saddlebag:

tent (Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 solo tent - bikepacking version with the short poles)

Thermarest seat pad

Lezyne micro floor drive HV pump

tire kit (spare tube, tubeless repair kit, 2oz bottle of sealant, digital pressure gauge)

tool kit

small, lightweight bike lock (Abus Bordo Lite 6055)

change of clothes (usually minimal)

rain jacket and/or Patagonia Nano Puff depending on weather

Handlebar bag:

Big Agnes 45 deg down bag (there's no insulation in the bottom so it works like a quilt with a sleeve for a sleep pad)

Nemo Tensor insulated inflatable pad

Nemo Fillo Elite pillow

first aid kit

basic cook kit (MSR Pocket Rocket, Snowpeak solo Ti pot, fuel canister, Opinel knife, long-handled Ti spoon)

Aeropress Go + 1-2 days worth of coffee - fits in side pocket of bag

Electronics (battery bank, headlamp, charging cables) - fits in side pocket of bag

Food (typically I go minimalist and use Good To Go meals, or similar dehydrated prepared meals)

Snacks, electrolyte tabs, and phone typically go in the stem bag or top tube bag

I think that's everything. Happy to answer any questions about specific items!

-Brian

[greenteadrinkers]

That's a really nice setup! If you don't mind my asking, what region of FL are you planning for your overnighters? I used to live in Tampa and St. Pete back in the late '90s. One of my friends mentioned there's an amazing stretch from Tampa that cuts across the state, at one time it was going to be a waterway or something to that effect, but became an abandoned project. Now it's supposedly an amazing off-road wonderland/route. There's also a ferry you can take between Tampa and St. Pete, It's the same ferry used to get back and forth to and from Martha's Vineyard during summer.

-Scott

[Paul Clifton]

Awesome setup and perfect kit, Brian. Thanks for sharing. Where are you planning to camp in Florida? I'm always interested in spots to check out down there.

I'm  really eager to get my Gus out on an overnight sometime soon, and there's a chance I'll make it to the state park on Saint Joe Penninsula in early January, but I've barely had a chance to figure out how I'd carry my gear, and I'd have to get it all sorted by this Saturday. I had a full frame bag on my Jones, and I pack a little heavier than you, so I expect panniers might be in order, so maybe just a nice coffee outside outing around there somewhere will scratch the itch until it warms up here in the Ozarks.

Paul in AR

[Brian Turner]

Thanks for the kind words, Paul and Scott! The past two winters, my wife and I spent our Jan - Feb on a barrier island called Anna Maria Island. It's close to Bradenton / Sarasota, and basically within the Tampa Bay / St. Pete area, but you have to drive all the way around the bay to get to it. Her parents own property there, so we can take our dogs and our bikes and work remotely from there. The first year was full-on pandemic, so we kinda laid low. Last year, we made more of an effort to get out on our bikes and find places to ride. Mostly just day trips to gravel routes out on the prairie. A couple of places I found that were nice and within an hour's drive or so were Myakka River State Park, and Duette Preserve. I didn't really find any good overnight options, and would prefer to do those with others even if I did. However, this year I contacted a group out of Orlando that does monthly s24o rides and coffeeoutside events. My plan is to do a couple of rides with them, even though it's a bit further of a drive from where we are living than I would like. I'm certainly open to other recommendations if anyone familiar with the area has any!

-Brian

[Brian Turner]

Ryan, thank you! Regarding the Pec Deck, I didn't actually buy the "bag 'o parts" Ronnie was selling on his site for $75... I had enough spare rack struts and Nitto daruma bolts to make the exact same thing. The only thing I changed was upgrading to a solid 3/8" aluminum rod (from McMaster) for the cross piece (I was previously using just a long Nitto strut). As I'm sure you've experienced, the rackless support method is pretty rock solid, and I find it's no less solid with the Edelux attached. Maybe there's a slight bit more bounce to the light when riding at night, but it's honestly hardly noticeable. I'm using the standard Nitto light mount for rack struts.

-Brian

[greenteadrinkers]

Brian, here are a few places one of my friends likes to go:

https://floridahikes.com/florida-trail-croom-hiking-trail
https://alafiatrails.com/
https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/biking-cross-florida-greenway

Some of that seems a bit more intense mnt. bike stuff, but some of those areas are just fun to spend a day on the green and blue trails.

From what I gather the "Croom" area is supposed to be amazing.
-Scott

[Paul Clifton]

Thanks for the info, Brian and Scott! I'll check out those spots.

I'm really only familiar with the panhandle, and have been lucky to spend several weeks in winter at a house on Indian Pass. FWIW - if your travels ever take you to the area, Leon Sinks, near Tallahassee, is definitely worth a visit. I don't know about the camping situation there, and riding there wouldn't be a joy, unless there's a back way I don't know about. But a couple hours of hiking around and seeing the strange sink holes is a very cool.

Paul

[Arb Sklansky]

This is my Gus in bikepacking mode 

[Brian Turner]

Love it! Looks great loaded down!

-B

[Richard Rose]

Nice! What is going on with your headset? Combination of black & silver bits? Just curious.

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 26, 2022, at 1:33 AM, Arb Sklansky <sklans...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Pat Smith]

Arb, that's a great looking setup and way more akin to what my overnight setups look like. Even with a basic camp setup I never figure out how everyone else crams everything in just two bags. You should see my winter setup :-X

Smitty in DC

On Monday, December 26, 2022 at 1:33:34 AM UTC-5 Arb Sklansky wrote:

[Brian Turner]

Arb, what size Gus is yours? I really like that little half frame bag! Do you know what size it is also?

-Brian