Bottle cage

You’re going to need somewhere to put your water bottles. Bottle cages come in a sorts of materials and shapes.

Choose one that’s right for you. For adventure riding I would recommend going for reliability rather than light weight. 

I chose stainless steel bottle cages and a shape that will hold my bottles in place, even of rough roads. I was also surprised at how light they were.

Bell

In some countries it’s the law to have a bell. If it’s not where you come from then I still recommend getting one. There were so many times I had to slow down because of people walking the wrong side on the road or on bike lanes.

When I installed a bell they quickly got out of my way without me having to slow as much. I decided to get the Trigger Bell (Pictured above).

It fits near or on the brake hood so you can use it while braking. An added bonus is that because it fitted to your hood, you don’t have to take up any precious space on the top of your bars.

There’s also a nice bright ring to it so it wont sound aggressive to pedestrians.

Fenders / Mud guards

Adventure riding will have us riding in all sorts of conditions. Sometimes a fender would be best while other times you can do without.

So when should you use fenders on your bike? If you’re from a place where it rains a lot then I suggest investing in a set of fenders. Believe it or not, they don’t slow you down.

If you’re riding on roads mostly, then fenders will stop water getting sprayed up onto your ass and into your eyes. this will allow you to ride longer. And there are the maintenance issues you can get dirt and grime getting sprayed into your gears and gear cables.

The extra weight of carrying the fenders will be saved when it stops water from soaking your bags, bike and body. Its important to stay as comfortable as possible and fenders will help with that in wet conditions.

The only time you should not use fenders is if you are riding on dirt roads. The wet dirt could stick to the inside of your fender and start clogging your wheels pretty quick. So use your own best judgment on this one.

Lights

Lights are an essential part of adventure riding. You will inevitably be riding it in the dark at some point.

Again, it will depend on where you are and how remote it is but make sure you have a way of getting power to your lights. For long remote spins a dynamo hub is essential. For rides where you can use a hotel every 2 – 3 day then power banks might be the best way to go. 

As for the light themselves, you have an overwhelming selection to choose from. There is even light that you can change the power from the bottom on the handlebars.

Don’t get a light that’s too strong. I have a MTB light that I can’t use on the road because I keep dazzling oncoming cars.

And don’t forget to get a good set of rear lights. If a car hits you at night because you don’t have any lights then it will be your fault.

Reflectors

Lights are the best but you should not neglect the power of reflectors.  Having a few cleverly placed reflectors and/or reflective tape will make you bike light up like a christmas tree. Try to put them on moving parts such as the pedals and wheels.

Aero Bar

Aero bars are used in the long distance cycling community because they offer another position. They can take some of the weight off your backside and hands, even for a little while.

Another bonus for aero bars is that it gives you more room to put your stuff, such as lights, gps, phone, trackers and anything else you might want with you.

Which type of aero bar you should get is, again, down to personal preference. I would recommend getting a set that is height adjustable. Remember, the objective is to get another comfortable position, not to get aero so a high aero bar is preferable.

Bags

I tend to lean more toward bikepacking equipment. It’s more aero the have panniers sticking out the side.

Saddle Bags

For short spins all you need to have is enough room to carry some tools, tire levers and a spare tube. I also have a gas cylinder to blow up my tires if I get a flat.

If you’re off for a bigger adventure then you’re going to need more stuff. Large saddle bags are great for this. When I did the Mile Failte 1200 I used a large saddle bag that carried everything I needed and some things I didn’t need.

The downside to saddle bags is that they can sway from side to side when they’re pack heavy. Also having all that weight height on the bike can affect handling. And finally I found it difficult to reach items I may have stashed at the bottom of the bag. You have to nearly take everything out of it to get what you need. 

This is why my next saddle bag will be a Tailfin. It connects to the back of your seat post but also has two “legs” that connect to your rear hub. This eliminates sway and also lowers the center of gravity of your load. That bag is also designed to open from the top so you can have easy access to all of your gear.

Frame Bags

Frame bags fit into the triangle of your bike. It’s entirely up to you if you get one or not and how big you want it. You can get frame bags that take up the whole triangle. This means that there is not room for bottle cages but you can get round this by using a water bladder or just keep your bottles in your bag.

Half bags are available if you still want to have easy access to your bottle cage.

Handlebar Bags

If you’re looking for more storage then a handlebar bag is another option.

Top Tube Bags

These are great items you need throughout the day, such as sun cream, chamois cream and money. 

Handlebar Food Pouch

These are great for really long rides. They can hold a lot of food that you can snack on as you travel. I’ve even stashed baguettes into them that I could eat later. It’s great to have the food right in front of you so you don’t have to waste time reaching and searching for a snack.

Bar end Tassels

Only joking… but you could if you wanted..

I hope you have enjoy my guide on how to build an adventure bike. If you feel I haven’t explained everything fully or correctly then please let me know.