Bicycle touring is as old as the bicycle itself, but recently, it has seen a resurgence in popularity. It’s easy to understand why: Cycling is inexpensive and relaxing, and there’s no better way to see the world. You can go anywhere you can imagine on two wheels. Camping is another great way to save money while travelling, but you need some gear to start.
And that’s an obstacle for many: you google a touring bike, a tent, a sleeping bag, panniers, a camping stove and all that stuff, and suddenly this whole bike touring thing seems like an adventure only the wealthy can afford.
I was lucky: I grew up in an outdoorsy family and didn’t have to buy camping gear before my first bicycle tour. I already had a decent bike, and my only investment had to be the panniers and a new luggage rack.
If you don’t have any gear at all, don’t lament! I’ve met people who cycled the world on a 100-euros bike or went for a month-long tour with all the stuff packed in just a backpack. I’m not gonna lie: it’s going to be more challenging and less comfortable than it would be with fancy gear. But you for sure can start bicycle touring without breaking your budget. There are many options for lightweight and affordable bike touring gear these days.
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Bicycle touring and camping gear does not have to be expensive
Your first instinct might be: “I need the best stuff.” But unless you have a ton of money to throw around (and even if you do), it’s not true. You can get good, affordable gear without breaking your budget or sacrificing comfort and safety.
Go secondhand
People sell their old camping, hiking, climbing and camping equipment on eBay or Craigslist. Facebook groups are a great place to find used gear as well. Visit Outdoor Gear Exchange UK or Backpacking Gear Flea Market, or type in used outdoor gear and the name of your town/country.
Check what’s available in your area—maybe someone will sell you their old tent at a great price. The same goes for other tour-specific equipment like sleeping bags and panniers.
Other online stores with used outdoor and cycling gear:
Borrow from friends or family
Ask your friends and family if they have any outdoor gear they won’t use for the next few weeks. Maybe your uncle has an old camping stove they used in the old days, but they don’t go camping anymore? Or your outdoorsy friend just returned from a bicycle tour and plans to stay at home for the next months? If you’re going on your first trip and are unsure yet if you’re going to keep bicycle touring, borrowing is a great option to try things out without a financial commitment.
Buy from Decathlon
Decathlon is a place to go when your outdoor gear budget is limited! I have recently met a guy who cycled around Romania for a month using cheap Decathlon gear. All he had – the tent, the sleeping bag, the panniers – was from the French retailer. I have also met people camping in Decathlon tents in the high Tien-Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan.
Here are some affordable pieces of gear from Decathlon (and other stores) that I would suggest for first-time bicycle tourists:
Tent – Quechua MH100
Who says a good tent has to cost a lot? Quechua MH100 for 49,99 USD is only 2,5 kg, waterproof and easy to set up. It is advertised as a 2-persons-tent but it’s rather small, so I would rather recommend it for solo tourers.
Panniers – Elops 100, 15 L Bike Pannier Bags
You will pay just 30 USD for a set of panniers. Yes, they are a bit small and not waterproof but I know cyclists who use them and just pack all the stuff in thick plastic bags first. So if budget is your most important criterium for the choice of panniers, the Decathlon Elops panniers will be perfect!
Sleeping bag
If you are planning to cycle only in summer, without camping high in the mountains, you don’t need to worry too much about a warm sleeping bag. In this case, Quechua Arpenaz 50° sleeping bag for only 34,99 USD should be enough.
If you are expecting some colder temperatures on your tour (for example, if you are going to camp in the mountains or if you’re going to travel in spring or autumn, you will have to spend more money. My suggestion would be the Forclaz Trek 500, 32° Hiking Sleeping Bag with a comfort temperature of 0 degrees that costs 79,99 EUR.
Sleeping mat
If you’re going to camp only in the summer, you can get a sleeping mat for as much as 10 EUR. For example, this Basic Nature Sleeping Mat can be a good choice.
If you want something that is more compact, I would recommend getting a self-inflatable mat. You can get one from Decathlon for 17 EUR.
To get proper insulation in colder conditions, you should spend a bit more on a sleeping mat. This Therm-a-Rest Mat for 60 EUR with an R-value of 3.1 will keep you warm even if the temperatures drop to around 0°C
Outdoor clothing can be expensive but doesn’t have to be
Pay a visit to flea markets and second-hand shops in your area – the latter often have a lot of high-quality sports clothing for a fraction of the original price. Rain jackets, wind stoppers, merino wear – professional outdoor clothing is pricey, so if you spot it in the thrift shop around the corner, don’t think twice!
You don’t need a touring bike for bicycle travel
The only requirement for a touring bike is that it has two wheels and moves forward. If you already have a bicycle in your garage, you don’t need to spend money on a new one for your tour. Most bikes allow you to install a luggage rack in the back. If yours doesn’t, you can always try a light bikepacking setup attaching the bags to different parts of your bicycle.
Just remember to get your old bike checked before the tour to reduce unexpected surprises!
DIY cycle touring gear
If you have some extra time on your hands and don’t have two left hands, you can make some of the bike touring gear yourself.
- Here is a tutorial on how to make your DIY stem bag/snack bag
- Watch this video to learn how to make your own camping stove from… a beer can! It’s not only super cheap but also very light and compact.
Instead of panniers, handlebar bags etc., simply use straps to attach your equipment to the bike.
Watch this video to see how you can make your own panniers out of dry bags:
If you don’t bring too much stuff, you can simply take your backpack and attach it to the luggage rack with bungee cords. Make sure to put everything inside in tight plastic bags to ensure things don’t get wet.
Super money-saving tip: use the old inner tubes as straps! You just need a few buckles, and you can make your own super durable straps instead of expensive bike touring straps. http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2010/09/diy-inner-tube-rack-strap.html
So there you have it, my top ways to save money on your first cycle touring setup. The best thing about all these tips is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on them—just some time and dedication. Enjoy your first trip and let me know about your ways to save money on bicycle touring gear!
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