Best viewed in a 2-up layout
This is a story about changes - the changing world around us, the changes in ourselves, and the ever changing paths we all follow and stray from. In the last two decades, the rate of change in the world has kept blistering cadence, each period of seeming stagnation punctuated by new technologies that redefine the pace of life. Computers, once used to process data evolved into consumer goods, and consumer goods become less tangible, driven by the data, they create. Old systems are giving way to greener alternatives, and the very concept of yours and mine does the same.
For the final undertaking of my degree, I wanted to focus on something I am passionate about - bikes - the type of which changes with the frequency that is expected of my time and place in the world. Mountain bikes around the neighborhood, BMX in the streets, road bikes with gears and without, more than I can reasonably possess. To myself and others like me, the notion of only one bike can’t begin to capture the possibility they imply. The formula for how many bikes one should own is as follows:
n= number of bikes currently owned number of bikes needed = n+1
This makes for a reasonable parallel to the project. After the project proposal to explore variable flexion footwear, I couldn’t help but feel it wasn’t enough - it left more possibilities on the table. It seemed like solving that problem, as real as it is, wouldn’t involve the type of risks I’d spent the four years prior telling myself I should one day take. I want to share what I have come to understand about the potential of rapidly changing technologies' ecological double edge sword; embrace them too quickly, or not quickly enough. When I embraced the challenges creating a shoe presents, my own message changed. I set about on an unmarked path that would eventually push me to not simply create a new product, but a platform to engage users that would enable them to fulfil their own needs. The N+ platform allowed me to explore the potential of new manufacturing technologies, and consumers' changing expectations for product ownership models.
fig 2
There’s a grassroots push toward strapping bags to bikes, heading into the wild and having the best time possible. While overland travel by bicycle is certainly not a new idea, in recent years it has experienced a sort of renaissance (fig. 2) due in part to new technology and fresh interpretations of old ideas. The once nerdy touring bicycle gave way to the hip and well appointed ‘randonneur’ bike, and then a slough of form-fitting frame bags gave those cyclists the stability and control that traditional bike luggage had castrated.
This reclaimed control allowed for new experiences, and new paths were forged into the woods. Cyclists no longer worried about heavy side bags catching on the foliage. Industry trends like plus-sized tires and simplified wide range cassettes suited this style well. The emerging discipline of bikepacking allows for camping trips over an extended range with the added pleasure and convenience of mountain biking. Capable off-road bikes loaded like packhorses propel riders into the adventurous wild.
With experience comes the ability to distinguish what is essential and the shortcomings of their gear. And the element of tuning comes into play. It starts with the bike; will it be dry or muddy? That might influence the tire choice from slicker fast tires to knobby fat ones, respectively. An experienced rider might adjust tire pressure for the terrain. Maybe the planned route has lots of technical climbs, which could mean switching from clip-in pedals with special cleated shoes to platform pedals that make it easier to put a foot down. Bringing along the proper equipment ensures riders get the most from their outing. Some seasoned riders are boldly willing to customize existing gear or even make their own, tapping into the resources available online and connecting with the Make Your Own Gear (MYOG) community.
The equipment needed for bikepacking differs from other cycling disciplines. The type of bike used can vary from a trusty turn-of the-millennium mountain bike to modern carbon fibre bikes with the latest trending tire size. It’s not a race but dependability matters off the beaten path, where a mechanical gear failure can make for a long walk home. Bags mounted in the frame, at the handlebars or under the saddle require some creative packing to accommodate food, cooking gear, tent and sleeping bag, clothes for the duration of the trip, and any other small luxuries you might hope to bring along. Frame bags have been plucked from obscurity and into the mainstream. One website, Cyclingabout.com, lists over 60 Bikepacking bag makers in their far from exhaustive guide (“A Complete List of BikePacking Bag and Frame Bag Manufacturers with Prices,” 2015).
Bikepackers feel the weight of their poor packing decisions, not unlike other self-sustained wilderness pursuits. Because of the limited space, gear decisions must be intentional and the more utility one can get from each item means a lighter load and a more enjoyable journey, and that’s easier on the rider and the bicycles components.
fig 3
On a long range bike trip, often segmented by hiking sections and camp time, finding a perfect shoe creates somewhat of a paradox. On a bike, the key is power to the pedals and dampening for extended riding comfort. Bikepackers can often spend over 6 hours pedaling on consecutive days. This is achieved through a rigid shank in the shoe sole. Inexpensive cycling shoes usually use a strong plastic or fiberglass reinforced polymer, while more expensive models, like those used by professionals at the highest level, tend to use a carbon fiber matrix (Jarboe & Quesada, 2003). In sections not suitable for riding a bike, side hikes, or loafing around camp, the user needs moveable articulation and walkability. Some rides can involve hours, even entire days, of ‘Hike-A-Bike’ sections what are unpassable by bike. Pushing a gear - clad bike through these sometimes technical hiking sections can be very demanding, and the traction and stability offered by ergonomic articulation make for a more natural and comfortable hike.