The wedge won out, and I was able to make it using repurposed Cordura perimeter fabric, straps, and a zipper from my old Kona Sutra frame bag I burned with an iron several years ago. Obviously, not everyone is going to have that as an option, but using an old backpack could provide the same base materials. I used the blue jeans—complete with the pocket being a non-driveside knife sheath—and some leftover X-Pac I had on hand for the side panels.
They say it provides a good cardio workout that works both legs and arms at the same time. The bike is described as simple and effective, providing a smooth, stable, and pain-free workout. Customers find the stationary bicycle has a solid construction and sturdy handles. They say it’s a substantial machine for home use, with well-protected parts. The workout is described as great and enjoyable, though tough.
This turned into a fun little side project, and I ended up with four sturdy, lightweight stakes. I cut them with a hacksaw, then clamped each one in a bench vise and hammered out a contour to prevent bending when pounded into the ground. To keep them organized, I used a rubber band made from a schwinn exercise bike piece of discarded inner tube. It worked perfectly, squishing the sleeping bag down to a manageable size that fit neatly in my basket bag. The poly material seems durable enough for now, though I imagine it might start to show some wear and tear after a month or so of use. The week leading up to the disaster, I spotted a 22” 1988 Schwinn High Sierra on Marketplace, messaged the seller immediately and arranged to meet them that Thursday in Tennessee, just over the North Carolina border.
They include great features like training wheels, baskets or number plates, fun graphics, bold colors, and more. Built for distance and speed, lightweight road bikes let you push your limits. Customers have different views on the noise level of the stationary bicycle. Some find it quiet and like a floor, while others report wind noise when pedaling, grinding sounds, and squeaking sounds. The wind can clear the floor in front of the bike, and some customers feel a need for a wind screen. Customers enjoy the workout quality of the stationary bicycle.
For me, the process behind the Build-Off was equally as rewarding. It was a means of forcing myself to consider the bikepacking puzzle from a different perspective in order to see what’s possible, be creative, and negotiate budgetary obstacles. Believe me when I tell you that it’s very hard to stay under the $500 allowance and still create something that’s trustworthy, beautiful, and interesting. Aside from the pad, sleeping bag, and a reclaimed piece of Tyvek I used as a groundsheet, the only other component of the sleep system I carried was a borrowed DIY tarp. I’ll talk more about that in the Further Budget section below, but since the tarp didn’t come with stakes, I decided to make some using leftover flat aluminum bar that Virginia had purchased to make her rack strut.
Before the bike was even in my possession, I already had ideas schwinn exercise bike brewing about how I’d build a bag system for it. Over the past couple of years, most of my bikepacking setups have included a rack-top bag, so that was a no-brainer. I opted to make my own rear rack using an OEM rack strut kit paired with scrap hardwood left over from my shop buildout. I added some “drillium” to reduce weight, and to keep things symmetrical, I decided to whip up a matching basket carrier for the front as well.
That said, I fully acknowledge the privilege of having access to tools needed to make all the components, a scrapped pack, leftover materials, and a sewing machine—not everyone has these resources at their disposal. However, I hope this kit and process inspire others to think creatively and resourcefully when assembling a bikepacking rig. Despite the fact that a solid 30 to 40 percent of the content we produce here on the website is about gear, much of it new, you truly don’t have to buy new things.
However, that’s exactly the direction I wanted to push this project. In fact, I originally proposed the series concept to the team with name Concours de Rummage, taking inspiration from the sophisticated builders challenge called Concours de Machines. However, I realized that’s just my style and approach, and there are infinite interpretations to a capable low-cost touring kit. In the end, we all found different ways and motivations to tackle this challenge, and that made it even more interesting.