With cold/wet weather, and/or riding with kids, a backpack is a necessity for me.
Warm dry summer is ok for hip packs for shorter rides up to 2-3 hrs; that season feels pretty short here (4 mos?). Longer rides needs a backpack.
Bike park riding means using pockets and one-up pump stash with no packs of any kind.
Definitely gotta be flexible...
A lot of Whistler riding last summer made me re-evaluate tool choices and packing. I'm not sold on the tool stuffed in a steerer tube (yet?). I tried a pt30 tool that had the t25 bit break in use, then moved to a blackburn ratchet. I really like the latter.
The blackburn comes with a roll that also fits minimal medical supplies and zip ties. Into the pocket and it's handy to use. I have to fight the desire to be over-prepared...
April 11, 2023, 1:59 p.m. - Andy Krull
With cold/wet weather, and/or riding with kids, a backpack is a necessity for me. Warm dry summer is ok for hip packs for shorter rides up to 2-3 hrs; that season feels pretty short here (4 mos?). Longer rides needs a backpack. Bike park riding means using pockets and one-up pump stash with no packs of any kind. Definitely gotta be flexible... A lot of Whistler riding last summer made me re-evaluate tool choices and packing. I'm not sold on the tool stuffed in a steerer tube (yet?). I tried a pt30 tool that had the t25 bit break in use, then moved to a blackburn ratchet. I really like the latter. The blackburn comes with a roll that also fits minimal medical supplies and zip ties. Into the pocket and it's handy to use. I have to fight the desire to be over-prepared...