Equipping your bike for ultra distance rides is a tricky business. Apart from personal preferences and biases, a lot depends on exactly what type of ride you are doing. Is the ride supported or unsupported? Are you going to ride through the night? How many days are you planning to ride for and what options are there for resting or sleeping?
On this page I have tried to provide provide some information which may be helpful when thinking about these questions and how to equip yourself and your bike. I have tried a number of different combinations of gear, and probably still haven’t got it totally right! But I will let you know what has worked for me, which might save you some trial and error (and expense!).
I am not a sponsored athlete and have no affiliation to any of the brands mentioned here.
I typically research any equipment I am interested in, or have heard about, before buying it. There are any number of excellent sites offering reviews for equipment and I often crosscheck a few sites before buying stuff.
Once I have made a purchase, I make sure to use it a number of times in training, prior to heading off to an event. I have seen many people having issues on ultra events simply because they didn’t know how to use their gear, or worse still that their gear hasn’t suitable for what they were trying to do.
Bicycle:
I am currently riding on a Momsen Ultra Vipa 29″ full suspension MTB
I have found the dual suspension far more comfortable on the ultra rides, especially on our corrugated dirt roads.
I like the 3 bottle mounts and the extra storage areas in the frame – it is amazing what you can hide away in them!
Lighting – for long days out
I am currently using the Exposure Revo dynamo light on long events when riding through multiple nights. This 800 lumen light is just brilliant!
I also use a small rear tail light which plugs into an output from the light, the RedEye MK2, also from Exposure.
I typically mount the light on an out-front, centered arm that extends from the stem bolts.
Lighting – for shorter events
For events where one is likely to use a light for less than about 16 hours, I have been using an Exposure MaXx-D MK 13 light.
This is perhaps a larger light than I needed (check out the Toro too), but it was the only one available at the time I was looking.
It produces an incredible 2,500 lumens and can boost that to 4,000 lumens in Reflex Boost mode.
I used this on the non-stop Sani2c event and was amazed at the way it lit up the trail, including lateral movements as one zig-zigs through single-track trail.
I also mount this on an out-front, centered mount, with the Exposure GoPro attachment but, given the size of the light, I have used a small GoPro extender arm to move it forward of the frame’s headset (see picture).
Creating space in the frame triangle
The triangular space made by one’s frame typically takes 1-2 bottles depending on where the rear suspension shock is located, and the frame’s geometry.
Using the Lyne’s clever Holy Rail and various extras, I have managed to load 2 bottles side-by-side, a spare tube, and a 3rd bottle cage. All within the triangle alongside the rear shock!
I also have a bottle cage on the front of the down tube, using a short piece of Holy Rail as well as a CO2 cannister holder.
Dynamo hub
I am currently using a Son 28 hub dynamo on both my ultra MTB and my touring gravel bike set-ups.
These can be bought separately and built into a wheel you like, or purchased with a wheelset like the Hunt wheels I am using.
These are hard to break hubs and haven’t let me down on any events, notwithstanding some awful conditions.
Charging equipment:
I have loved using the Sinewave Cycles Revolution USB charger.
It converts electricity generated by my dynamo hub to the single, waterproof USB output thus allowing me to charge USB-powered devices while riding.
I plug a Cinq5 smart battery into the Sinewave USB port and this allows me to charge the battery while riding, almost irrespective of the varying speeds I ride at. The Cinq5 smart battery allows me to charge my phone, or head unit, while it is also being charged. This is important on long days out as many devices don’t like being charged with the varying power coming directly from a dynamo, and many battery banks can’t discharge while being charged.
Saddle
I often get asked about how I deal with saddle sores.
Since I started using Brooks saddles, I have haven’t found saddle sore developing. Time on the saddle helps too…
My preferred model is the C17 Carved, from Brooks’ Cambium range of saddles made from natural rubber, which weather the elements well and require no treatment, unlike the iconic Brooks leather saddles.
Long Days Out 