Detailed PDF about bike Repair

If you think you know anything about bike repair, check this out:

Barnettmanual.pdf

Reducing your multitool

I just reduced another 100g of my equipment by doing a modification on my bicycle multitool:

Gross but warm - my ultralight waterindependant Jacket

In this post I want to reveal my new "invention". A light jacket (about 350gram) which is wind and rain resistant and suitable for temperatures down to -2° Celsius (28° Farenheit).

There is one downside though: You will sweat a lot and it might be gross! But hey, who said that light bikepacking has to be comfortable?

Ok here it is:

This is the inner layer which does the insulation and was made by myself. 

I made it from a Car windshield protection  and duct tape. I folded the windshield once, cut a hole for my head into it and taped the sides together. It took me about 5 minutes and 5 Euro to make it.

Inside, there is a layer of aluminum, which will reflect your body heat.

The upper layer of clothing is just a basic low quality waterproof (250g) jacket, which provides no further insulation.

I tested this solution by dressing like I would dress on a summer tour. I wore my cycling shorts, this jacket in combination with the waterproof wind jacket, my Polar Buff  and some fleece gloves.  In order to simulate a rainy day, I went under the shower and let a lot water flow on and into the jacket. Then I went outside for a bikeride. I rode about 30 minutes while  the temperature was about -1° Celsius / 30° Fahrenheit. 

After the ride, I took a slow 15 minute stroll to see if it also works with less body heat.

It was not that bad. The uncovered legs got a bit cold until they went numb, and my non-insulated arms got a bit itchy, but my body kept warm and I could imagine to be the whole day outside like this.

I think this solution is suitable for tours in regions, where coldness and rain are rare, but you want to be prepared anyways. 

A sophisticated paintjob

Redditor mountainman470 posted an interesting gallery of a nicely done frame repainting.

Link to the gallery
Link to the thread

Making your own framebag

I just found this good tutorial on Youtube. It shows each step necessary for sewing a frame bag.

Youtube Link