I’ll be honest – I don’t want to tell you what to buy. Everyone is different, everyone’s budget is different, and everyone is going on a different adventure. The only thing I can say with utmost conviction is to try and get as much previously-owned gear as possible, both for budget and environmental reasons. And I can of course provide you with some information on what to look for in gear, as well as some reviews of what I have. But remember – just because it works for me doesn’t mean it will work for you!

Bikes

Obviously, if you’re going on a bike trip, you’re going to need a bike.

If you are just trying out bike travel for the first time, almost any bike will do. Your bike, your mom’s bike, the Craigslist bike… a bike is a bike. All bikes are good bikes.

If you’re heading out on something longer-term and/or with more challenging riding, there are a few features you might want to look for in a bicycle. Here’s a list of what you might want to consider when buying a touring or bikepacking rig.

Material

There is an old adage among bike nerds – “steel is real.” And I tend to agree. Although heavy, steel has several advantages over carbon and aluminum frames.

First, steel absorbs impacts better than aluminum. This makes it more comfortable to ride over long distances and harsh terrain.