Hype This! Must-Haves for your Gravel Adventure
While you’ve been dreaming of bikepacking in far-flung places, we’ve come through the worst of it and the cold and dark days of the northern hemisphere are slowly coming to an end. It’s time to get out there and turn those dreams into reality! We’ve selected a few of the best products to let the adventures begin.
Revelate Designs Sweetroll, Tangle and Terrapin bags
If you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional pannier, then there’s no way of getting around the bikepacking bags from Revelate Designs. 13 years of experience have gone into the latest Sweetroll handlebar bag, which is available in three sizes from 10 to 18 L. The waterproof stuff sack is easy to compress or remove, the spacing between the bag and the handlebar is adjustable and you can quickly attach smaller items to the two daisy chains. The Tangle frame bag gets attached to the top tube and is available in several sizes from 3 to 6 L. The strong velcro straps are designed to prevent slippage even with the top tube bag fully loaded. In addition to a large main compartment with an exit port for a hydration tube, it also has a small compartment on the left for your smartphone, wallet and other smaller items. Completing the trio is the waterproof Terrapin saddlebag, with either an 8 or 14 L capacity. The drybag of the modular Terrapin can be removed and reattached in no time at all. As a complete system, the bags add up to give you almost 40 L total carrying capacity – more than enough for multi-day adventures.
Price: € 139.99 (Sweetroll), € 129.99 (Tangle) and € 209.99 (Terrapin)
Info: revelatedesigns.com
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Bikepack tent
For those who prefer a starry night sky over a five-star hotel but still want adequate shelter and comfort when they travel, this is just the thing. Outdoor specialists Big Agnes have further improved their tried and tested Copper Spur tent, upgrading it in the form of the Copper Spur HV UL2 Bikepack which is designed specifically for two-wheeled journeys. It’s spacious enough for two people with an entrance on each side and is still pleasantly light at 1,560 g. Weather permitting, you could use the free-standing trail setup without pegs and straps (1,360 g) or, even more minimalistic, only the footprint and rain fly (1,130 g). However, the standout bikepacking feature of the new Copper Spur is the newly developed Shortstik tent poles and the resulting compact pack size of only 15 x 30 cm. This should allow the tent to fit between all drop handlebars and in a lot of frame bags, such as the size L Revelate Designs Tangle.
Price: € 499.95
Info: bigagnes.com
AeroPress coffee maker
After a restful night in the tent, we’re awakened by the calling of birds and the first rays of the sun warming our cheeks. What’s missing? Right, a good cup of coffee! Don’t worry, you no longer have to ruin your mornings with instant. The AeroPress Go is a new, more compact version of the popular miracle coffee brewer. Put your freshly ground beans into the brew chamber, add boiling water, press down the plunger and your cup of black gold is ready! If you run out of gas (once again) and your only source of water is an ice-cold mountain stream, you can still serve up a tasty cup of cold brew within 2 minutes. With its compact 14 x 10 x 10 cm dimensions (including cup!), the AeroPress Go will fit in even the smallest pack and the caffeinated boost it provides easily justifies the added weight of 326 g.
Price: € 39,80
Info: aeropress.com
Fujifilm X100V camera
Your old DSLR is too heavy for you to take on your bike and your smartphone camera no longer meets your requirements? In that case it’s high time for a compact camera! With the X100V, Fujifilm have released the fifth generation of their popular X100 series and equipped it with a large APS-C BSI sensor and a versatile 23 mm fixed focal length lens (35 mm equivalent). The lens promises sharp images even in low light conditions and not even the quickest marmot should be able to escape the camera’s fast autofocus. In case you overdo it with the Dolce Vita and your repeated AeroPress coffee breaks leave you getting caught out in the rain: no problem! An optionally available adapter ring and protective filter make the Fujifilm X100V weatherproof, allowing you to take selfies as proof of your exploits, even in the worst storms.
Price: € 1,499
Info: fujifilm.com
Cascada Land Wool Shirt and Merino Base Layer
“Draw a map, take a breath and set off on your next adventure.” According to their slogan, Cascada produce functional outdoor clothing to equip you for your next adventure – all made in Italy, in the beautiful Trentino. The Merino Base Layer is available with both short and long sleeves and is meant to be worn next to your skin. A mix of polyester and wool regulates your body temperature, wicks away sweat and keeps you warm on cold days. The cozy merino wool doesn’t smell too bad even after several days away from civilisation without showers. This is a big plus for group morale and staying friends if you’re sharing the Copper Spur tent! If you want to complete the look, you can wear the Land Wool Shirt as a second layer, available in three colours. The extended shirttail and snap buttons are nice features for use on the bike, but the shirt also cuts a fine figure when you head back to civilisation.
Price: € 110 (Land Wool Shirt) and € 70-85 (Merino Base Layer)
Info: cascada.cc
iRobot Roomba s9+ vacuum robot
Do you dread returning home from your bikepacking trip only to be greeted by an army of dust bunnies? Then the iRobot Roomba s9+ vacuum robot is the perfect pet. Even if your boss was feeling generous and gave you more than two days off, it’s no problem for the Roomba. This little guy will cope on his own for up to six weeks without having any trouble thanks to the automatic dirt disposal station where the dirt he collects gets regularly sucked into a waste bag. He’s able to communicate via Alexa or the Roomba app on your smartphone and makes easy work of even the most complex cleaning schedules. With his side brushes he can clean to within a centimetre from walls and furniture and even clean in cracks and crevices. It probably isn’t presumptuous to say that with these qualities, the mighty little Roomba outshines the majority of us when it comes to keeping the house clean!
Price: € 1,449
Info: irobot.de
Vadolibero GENUS wall bracket
You’ve cleaned your bike, the robot vacuum cleaner has cleaned the apartment and you want to relax on your couch and enjoy reliving the memories and experiences of the last few days – preferably together with your partner in crime: your bike. The GENUS wall mounted bracket from Vadolibero is the perfect living room accessory to keep everything looking neat and tidy. Made in Italy from the finest wood, the 165 cm tall bracket can carry up to 35 kg and the leather-clad hook for the front wheel can accommodate almost all wheel sizes. With its tree mimicking design, there are more than enough branches to hang your gear, keeping everything within reach and stored in one place. The bracket gets mounted via two anchor plates that are bolted to the wall. From now on, you will never have to feel guilty for putting your faithful companion in the garage next to the lawn mower ever again!
Price: € 590
Info: vadolibero.com
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.
Words: Philipp Schwab Photos: manufacturers
