Bikepacking MTB : the complete guide to planning, equipping and living your adventure

You're ready to ride an electric MTB for hours on end. Why not try longer outings, over a weekend or even several days?

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Except that to cope with obstacles, the unexpected and stay in shape while traveling by bike, you're entering the small world of bikepacking MTB. Here's everything you need to know and our advice on how to equip yourself at the handlebars of your off-road electric bike.

This Anglo-Saxon term is a play on words, mixing "backpacking" and "bike". In short, it means a cyclist's equipment.

Bikepacking, however, is an adventurous activity, which differentiates it from cycle tourism. Cyclotourism is a tourist trip by bike, on asphalt routes or at extrema sur chemin between different cultural or historical sites, whereas bikepacking implies getting off the beaten track.

Originally, bikepacking was practiced on all-terrain bikes. However, for those wishing to venture far from the greenways or trails, more suitable and robust equipment is required. For this, a VTTAE, or all-terrain electric bike, is more legitimate than a VTC or gravel bike.

The electric gravel bike is in fact derived from the road bike, for riding in an active position (low handlebars/race, or dropbar), but with tires able to handle different surfaces, and able to accommodate heavy bikepacking equipment. Rarely seen, it sometimes has a suspension fork.

Before equipping yourself, it's important to know where you'll be riding and how to prepare for your trip. Here are our recommendations.

Bikepacking MTB suggests a longer distance than a simple Sunday outing. Getting out of your comfort zone doesn't mean going off the beaten track. You need to stick to known routes. Many sources exist:

• French Cycling Federation (FFC);
• France Vélo Tourisme ;
• Tourist offices ;
• Bicycle applications such as Komoot, Alltrails or Strava.

You can follow the route the old-fashioned way via PDF or paper. Better still, because we're in the 21st century, you can consult the route on a bike application via a GPX file.

Finally, for your own safety, it's best to be accompanied, either in pairs or in groups. If you like to go it alone, make sure you're geolocated via an app in case of trouble, and that your phone is fully charged with a back-up battery. In fact, some MTB electric bikes include a USB socket or induction charger!

While bike touring is accessible to everyone, MTB is a sport that varies according to the type of terrain. Even if electric assistance relieves the physical effort, you need to practice a minimum of short trips before going bikepacking MTB. You'll need a minimum of endurance, and to get used to riding your VTTAE.

Knowing your mount will limit the risk of surprises, and you'll know the limits not to exceed. The same applies to your equipment. Learn from a few trips with your panniers to understand how your bike behaves with a higher weight.

But which equipment? That's what we're going to tell you.

By choosing an electric MTB rather than a gravel bike with a rigid fork or a VTC, you are already making a sacrifice in terms of weight and equipment options. In fact, a VTTAE is generally heavier, even with a carbon frame, because of its suspension and beefier wheels on rough terrain, while the fork can't carry any panniers or fork cage.

That's why you need to weigh up the pros and cons between the two main types of off-road bikes: semi-rigid (one suspension fork) and fully suspended (additional rear shock absorber). Double suspension brings extra comfort and capacity, but also impacts on the weight of an electric bike. As a result, your performance on the flat is penalized.

Also, some people don't like the rebound effect on long-distance bikepacking. Limit the travel to between 100 and 140 mm, which is more than enough, as it's designed for pure performance. Note that the rear shock absorber reduces the space inside the frame, and therefore the possibilities for bikepacking MTB, in particular for frame bags, but also for saddles that can touch the rear wheel due to the travel. A telescopic seatpost can also restrict space for a saddlebag.

In terms of geometry, trail bikes are the most suitable, compared with DH or downhill or country-cross bikes.

And of course, check the VAE's capacity. It's best to have a battery that can be removed from underneath the frame, leaving space for a bottle cage or pannier. Also look at the number of attachments for your equipment and whether it's possible to install additional saddlebags and handlebar bags. For your choice of model, don't hesitate to consult our selection of the best MTB electric bikes.

When it comes to bikepacking, a gravel bike is the most suitable to receive equipment, as it has no front suspension, where you can add fork bags. However, a wide range of MTB electric accessories are available, not forgetting the rider, sleeping bag and repair kit.

When you're out and about, there are some things you need more than others on the handlebars of your MTB electric bike. For a snack, an energy bar, a spare map, your wallet, or to unhook your powerbank, handlebar bags are the most appropriate.

It's the largest possible for your VTTAE. The frame bag may be narrow, but it's big enough to hold your clothes and larger items. However, be careful not to overfill the frame bag, so as not to impede pedaling.

Its volume is small, as it is attached to the saddle by an overhang. Access to it is from the front, so you need to organize the storage space well, with the least useful items, such as food, at the bottom. Leave easy access for the most urgent items, such as an inner tube in case of a puncture.

It's rare, but some MTB models have rear bag-holders. It is also possible to install one to increase your equipment, by means of bulky bags, preferably balanced between right and left.

Note : straps or small panniers can be fitted to the suspension fork, which is very light in weight.

Helmet and gloves are recommended for safer off-road cycling. Since you're riding an electric sport bike, you'll want to wear clothing that's suited to the weather and the season. Always carry a change of clothes, in case of rain for example, and several overalls for long trips or when the weather changes. For your feet, we recommend MTB shoes, compatible with walking on all terrains, automatic or flat, depending on your preference. Avoid hot backpacks, even if they are an ideal solution for accommodating large objects such as an inflatable mattress.

Don't forget that your cycling adventures last several days. In addition to several items of clothing, you'll be carrying minimal camping gear: a light sleeping bag, food with light cutlery, two water bottles and a few toiletries.

When riding off-road, you're never safe from a puncture. Whether it's rocks, branches or even metal objects left behind by hikers, there are many things that can bring your journey to a halt.

To avoid being immobilized, you should always have a spare inner tube with the bicycle pump, or even a spare tire . The same goes for links in the event of chain damage, and don't forget a bike multi-tool, the cyclist's Swiss Army knife.

If your VTTAE is of the mule type, i.e. with different wheel sizes, you'll need to double your equipment. Complete the package with a first-aid kit, since the risk of falling is even greater off-road.

Finally, don't overload your bike, especially with an unnecessary additional battery weighing several kilos. A VTTAE that's too heavy will be much less manoeuvrable and therefore less fun to ride. On the other hand, don't leave the charger at home!

Finally, don't overload your bike, especially with an unnecessary additional battery weighing several kilos. A VTTAE that's too heavy will be much less manoeuvrable and therefore less fun to ride. On the other hand, don't leave the charger at home!

In addition to paying for expensive equipment, accommodation and maintenance, the VTTAE itself is expensive to buy. Don't let bikepacking MTB add another burden to your budget. If you want to ride more economically and even more ecologically, why not invest in a MTB electric Nakamura refurbished. Upway has a wide range of tried and tested models to get you out on the road without a second thought.