Best Bikes For Bikepacking

Adventures require the best equipment and the same applies to bikepacking. You will need the best bike to properly store your gear and get around safely.

Bikepacking can be an unenjoyable experience without the right equipment. The seat can get uncomfortable, the tires can get damaged, or the frame can get heavy and weigh you down. This is why finding the perfect bike is so critical.

With so many options, we have ranked the Mongoose Argus Sport Fat Tire Mountain Bike, Viribus Gravel Road Bike, and Fomas Gravel Road Bike as the three best options. They include durable tires, easy-to-handle frame designs, and upright handlebars to maximize comfort and performance.

The best bikes for bikepacking are the ones that have the most durable frames and the lightest weight. They also have wide tires for stability when carrying heavy loads over rough terrain and are easy to maneuver. This guide includes all of the best bikes for bikepacking you should consider.

There are many types of bikes that can be used for bikepacking but there are some that stand out above all others. We have tested the bikes mentioned and looked for those with features like lightweight design, durability, easy-to-carry gear capacity, and a comfortable seat.

‍7 Best Bikes For Bikepacking

Bikepacking is a type of bike touring that involves riding a bicycle with camping gear over rough terrain. The idea is to ride long distances over challenging terrains and enjoy the experience of doing so.

There is no one best bike for everyone, but there are some bikes that are better suited to certain activities than others. For example, a fully rigid mountain bike would be best suited to trail riding while a full-suspension mountain bike would be better suited to downhill riding or carrying heavy loads on rough terrain.

The best bikes for bikepacking are those that are lightweight, durable, and have wide tires. The most important thing to look for in a bike is its frame material for weight capacity. You should also make sure that the bike has enough gears so you can climb steep hills without having to stop too often.

We have put together a list of some of the most popular bikes for bikepacking that you might want to consider if you are looking for something new or different from your regular road or mountain bike.

1. Mongoose Argus Sport Fat Tire Mountain Bike

The Mongoose Argus Fat Tire Mountain Bike is a hardtail mountain bike with a rigid frame and a fat tire design. It has some amazing features that make it perfect for off-road riding and hauling gear.

Mongoose is a brand that's been around for decades. They produce high-quality bikes and have a long history of producing some of the best mountain bikes on the market.

The large aluminum frame makes it lightweight yet durable for rugged terrain handling. It also has an adjustable seat post so you can adjust the height of your seat to fit your backpack with comfort.

The bike comes with Shimano components, which provide smooth and efficient functionality. The tires are also designed to be tough and provide traction in different terrains with puncture resistance.

The bike design also uses 95 mm ID rims that provide extra riding stability for long distances to ensure you have maximum safety. This helps with handling and improves your ability to ride through bumpy conditions.

2. Viribus Gravel Road Bike

While the bikepacking trend is still in its infancy, the Viribus Gravel Road Bike offers a compelling package for adventurous cyclists. It’s lightweight, durable, and has an aluminum frame that can be easily adjusted to fit your body.

This is an extremely versatile bike that can be used for different activities. It is perfect for bike packing as it has wide tires and a low bottom bracket. The bike also has a wide range of gears that make pedaling easy even when you’re going uphill.

You have a few options when purchasing this bike too based on bike style and weight. There is a small, medium, and large design with slightly smaller tires and lighter frame material and weight.

This bike includes a set of dual V brakes to ensure accuracy when stopping at high speeds. They are located at both the front and rear, so you always can maintain control of your bike while riding.

The Viribus has an efficient design that makes for an easy time on the road. It also comes with a one-year warranty to keep you covered if any damages occur during your bikepacking adventures.

3. Fomas Gravel Road Bike

The Fomas Gravel Road Bike is a unique bike that offers an alternative to the traditional road bike. It is designed to be used for bikepacking and carrying gear for travel with additional racks for extra storage.

This bike is a great choice if you are looking for a bike that can carry extra cargo and still give you the performance you need. It can carry up to 60 pounds of gear, which is ideal for long-distance rides.

It is an excellent choice for people who want to cycle long distances with their gear but don't have the luxury of a car or truck. It's also great for carrying heavy loads on rough terrain and the disc brakes provide more stopping power than rim brakes too.

The frame design allows for carrying big loads and accommodating racks and bags and the large tires provide good traction on all surfaces. It also has a carbon fork, which makes it lighter than other bikes in its category.

The handlebar and seat are adjustable so you can find the perfect angle for comfort. This also gives you full control over the bike for your bikepacking adventure.

4. Outroad Fat Tire Mountain Bike

The Outroad Fat Tire Mountain Bike is designed to be a versatile, lightweight, and durable mountain bike that can be used for many different activities. It has a low center of gravity so you can carry extra gear without worrying about the bike getting too heavy.

It has a wide tire platform that allows you to carry extra gear without the risk of it becoming too heavy. The carbon steel frame is also lightweight but durable which makes it ideal for long rides or carrying your gear in the back.

The bike also comes with features like a front suspension fork and disc brakes that make it more comfortable for riders of all levels of experience. Outdoor enthusiasts can use this bike for a variety of purposes such as trail running, mountain biking, or road cycling.

The fat tires allow you to explore the world on two wheels and take this bike off-road too. The design also includes 21 speeds and upright handlebars for more accurate turning capabilities and bike handling.

Installation is fast and easy too. The bike comes mostly put together so you can have it ready within 30 minutes. The extra weight capacity allows you to carry your gear with ease too.

5. Gravity FSX 2021 Mountain Bike

The Gravity FSX 2021 Mountain Bike is a bikepacking bike that has all the features that avid cyclists need for long-distance traveling. It comes with a lightweight aluminum frame, disc brakes, and heavy-duty tires.

The frame is designed with an aluminum alloy frame and a suspension fork, which makes it perfect for off-road riding. The front suspension fork provides a smooth ride while the rear shock absorber offers great performance on uneven terrain.

The Shimano drivetrain offers up to 24 gears and the disc brakes provide excellent stopping power. It is a durable and lightweight bike that can be ridden on many types of terrain.

The bike has a full-suspension design, which helps absorb bumps in the road and provides traction on rough surfaces. It also has wide handlebars that are ergonomically designed for comfort during long rides.

This is a high-performance bike that comes with a lot of features to help make your ride more enjoyable. The seat is adjustable, which means it will fit all sizes of riders, from small to large.

The bike also comes with a rear coil shock for bumps and rough terrain. This feature pairs with the advanced suspension fork so you always feel stable and have enough strength to carry your gear with a rack accessory.

6. SAMEBIKE MY-SM26 Electric Mountain Bike

The SAMEBIKE MY-SM26 is a high-quality electric mountain bike that is designed to help you explore the outdoors. It has a powerful motor and an excellent battery life to handle a heavier weight capacity.

Using an electric mountain bike can give you a new perspective on bikepacking because you can pedal or use the motor to get around. This allows you to save energy on longer trips but you need to be sure to save your battery life for when you need it most.

This bike also offers a 350W 48V Motor and 3 working gear modes for your riding needs. There is a multi-functional LCD screen that helps with battery life, navigation, and riding experience too.

You can expect to get around 4-6 hours of battery life when using this mountain bike for long commutes. It can handle a maximum weight of 330 pounds, making it one of the best choices for riders with heavy gear.

The removable battery also makes it easy to carry a spare for extra lifespan or easier charging needs. If you were to head off on a bikepacking trip, a secondary battery would give you double the lifespan of the motor.

7. Hiland Aluminum Mountain Bike

The Hiland Aluminum Mountain Bike is a simple bike with highly versatile capabilities that is ideal for bikepacking. It is suited for any type of terrain and can be used in different types of weather conditions.

This bike has a great design that makes it suitable for any type of terrain and weather condition. It has a lightweight frame, which makes it easy to carry around with you when you are on the go.

It also has an aluminum fork that offers great durability and responsiveness. The Shimano drivetrain offers smooth shifting and excellent performance with solid braking distance control too.

You have a few different bike sizing options along with 5 different color schemes to choose from too. The 27.5-inch tires are large enough to provide support and durability without adding too much weight to slow you down.

There are dual hydraulic disc brakes that work exceptionally well off-road too. The 27 speeds match these brakes well so you can expect top-notch biking performance for long bikepacking rides.

Because there are many sizes, this bike works for riders of all sizes and it gives adults plenty of weight support because of the sturdy frame.

How To Choose The Right Bike For Bikepacking

There are many factors that you should consider before deciding on which bike to purchase. Choosing the right bike for your bikepacking trip is important. It should be lightweight, durable, and able to carry all the necessary gear.

Below we have included some of the key factors to keep in mind when looking for the right bike. These will change for everyone, so it is important to understand their importance and how they impact your purchasing decision.

Frame Design

The frame design of the bike is most important for bikepacking. You need a durable and lightweight frame design that can support your weight, and your gear, give you a stable ride and minimize any vibrations.

You should also look for a low center of gravity to ensure balance while riding. To make sure that your frame design can handle everything you need it to, you need to know what kind of terrain you will be riding on too.

Terrain Type

Once you understand the frame design, you need to figure out whether you will ride on the road, on gravel roads, or off-road for a bike for your bikepacking adventure. This will determine what bike type suits you best.

For example, off-road bikes have large knobby tires that allow them to ride over obstacles easily. They also have low gears which allow them to climb hills easily and they can't go as fast as road or gravel bikes because of their smaller wheels.

Gear Weight

You also need to think about how much gear you will be carrying on your bike. Typically, you will have some type of rack on your bike to hold this gear or you might need to buy a specialized accessory to install to handle this.

The heavier your gear weight is the bigger your tires and bike needs to be. This includes the bike type and frame type too, making it necessary that you pack your gear before hopping on the bike.

Heavy gear works best when you have a mountain bike with knobby tires. If you travel lighter, any bike will work well like a road or gravel bike.

Tire Size & Type

The tire type and size used on your bike are also important for bikepacking. It determines the speed, comfort, and durability that you can handle on your bike along with the style of terrain you will be most comfortable on.

For example, shallow tread tires found on gravel bikes will not provide desirable stability on rocky terrain off-road. You need wider tires for this style of riding.

Suspension

The suspension type on your bike is another feature to keep in mind when finding the best bike for bikepacking. If you are looking for a bike that will take you on the roughest terrain and provide the most comfort, then a mountain bike is what you need.

While you might have the most comfortable and efficient bike, it could be too heavy or too hard to pedal if it doesn't have a suspension fork. This feature also determines the shock absorption and stability it can provide for you.

Types Of Bikepacking Bikes

There are various types of bikepacking bikes depending on the region and terrain type you will be riding in. Most of these bikes tend to have large tires to absorb bumps and make maneuvering easier in challenging terrains.

Four types of bikes are most used for bikepacking, each with unique features that make your trip easier and more enjoyable.

Mountain Bike

Mountain bikes have become the standard for bikepacking because they offer a more comfortable ride, more traction, and a smoother transition between different terrains. They are versatile and can be used in various terrains.

If you're an avid mountain biker or are thinking of getting into bikepacking, consider a mountain bike as your next purchase. They can handle the uneven terrain without having to worry about breaking down or getting damaged easily.

When you get a mountain bike, you are buying a reliable drivetrain and a set of larger durable tires with puncture resistance. They will not go flat easily, keeping you on the road for longer periods.

Fat Bike

Fat bikes are a great option for bikepacking. They have larger tires and handle well on rough terrains. They also offer a more comfortable ride and better traction than their skinny counterparts.

They are a great choice for bikepacking when you want to go off-road on trails and dirt roads. Fat bikes also have larger tires that can handle rough terrains like sand, mud, and snow.

If you value traction and road grip most, this would be the best bikepacking bike for you. The larger tires will add extra weight to your bike but this allows you to carry more gear without much of an issue too.

Touring Bike

A touring bike is another excellent option for a bikepacking bike because it has all of these features. It is durable and will last a long time without breaking down. It is also comfortable to ride long distances with its wider tires and suspension fork.

It is simple to maintain because it doesn't have many moving parts that can break or wear out. This bike can be used in different terrains because it has a wider range of gears than other bikes, but it is not an off-road bike.

If the trip will not be on-road, then you should consider getting a mountain bike or a fat bike instead for durability and better performance.

Gravel Bike

Gravel bikes are great for riding on unpaved roads and trails that have some gravel or dirt surfaces, but they're not well suited to off-road riding. This would be a good choice if you will travel far too.

They tend to be more comfortable and they have excellent durability. A gravel bike has narrower tires, disc brakes, and an easier-to-pedal frame for a lightweight feel too.

The last key feature about a gravel bike to remember is the front suspension fork and gearing capabilities. They have many speeds so you are always able to adjust based on the riding conditions.