What do you prefer, /n//?

To add accessories to your bike as much as possible, or to keep it as simple as you can, even to the point of removing bottle cages and even brakes in the case of fixies?

What do you think of modern bikes (and specially in "gravel"), the trend towards adding bags, in the handlebars, top tube etc, versus just throwing your shit in a backpack and calling it a day.

I can't say I like the looks of bikes with bags and all, but I do hate the lack of praticality of a bike with nothing on it at all. I dislike saddlebags as much as anyone else but I'll be damned if I ever leave the house without a spare tube.

loaded bags are more appealing to future scientists and lawyers

I've been through phases, at one point I was on a single speed without a water bottle cage or lights, and then my next bike after that was basically the homer mobile with racks, panniers, dual full length fenders, mud flaps, multiple redundant lighting systems (stvzo version and "as bright as possible" version), the inner tube wrapped around the seat stay, an actual unironic bell like a dutch piece of shit, studded tires in winter, it was a real piece of work, about the only missing meme parts were the IGH, the dyno hub, the carbon belt drive, and the anachronistic paul's boutique brakes that cost more than a base model trek

now I've got a more middle of the road setup, it's under 20 pounds, could be lighter but I can climb all day without breaking a sweat and if it looks like rain that day I just use a clip-on rear fender. tires are nice and wide so I don't need to be so paranoid about potholes and grates. but wheels are moderately deep at 45mm so while it's not "aero" it's not "not aero" either. and I have a big ass rolltop backpack for carrying stuff if I need it

moderation in all things whether it's lightness or carrying capacity or safety gear or even moderation itself

>>2038583 (OP)
Team simple here.
Nothing feels better to ride than a barebones bike. My first few rides on my first fixie where a time i wont forget. Still have it but i got some roadbikes too. I generally just run a saddle bag and thats it.

>Big rack on the front little rack on the back

>>2038593
>paul's boutique
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iySa7HTWgSI

>>2038640
I didn't think anyone would catch that one

>>2038583 (OP)
my utility bike is kitted similar to left but traditional racks and baskets not bike packing gear. looks more like an urban roadster than a grabble bike, although it's quite competent off road .
my fast bike has 2x7 gears, a saddle bag for pump and spare tube/patches, and bottle cages. but I consider that stripped down by my standards.

>>2038583 (OP)
Kek I remember that Fern build. It looked so modern and fresh at the time. Now it looks like a hipster train wreck

I think the ideal bike is aluminum frame, steel fork, geom between CX / touring, v brakes, frame bag, panniers if touring, 2x9. That's peak

>>2038583 (OP)
1 water bottle, full fenders, lights. No more, no less.

Im pretty autistic about it, i like that my bike is light as fuck. Two bottles, min maxed weight to brightness ratio front light, im considering getting a bike computer/gps but even that seems like an extra thing. I’ll probably do it tho

>>2038583 (OP)
>just throwing your shit in a backpack and calling it a day.
how long of a ride have you tried to do this for, with how much stuff? it gets old awfully fast as those two numbers go up.
>>2038583 (OP)
>the trend
this "trend" is as old as the safety bicycle, in fact istr pictures of penny-farthings with bedrolls on the handlebars so possibly older. even racers in training have historically rolled with frame pump, spare tubular strapped under the saddle, bidon. probably because it doesn't take too terribly long to realize that carrying the stuff you need for long rides on your body sucks and people had been putting bags on horses (instead of wearing backpacks while horseback) for a long time before the bicycle came about.

>>2038583 (OP)
>What do you prefer, /n/?

DEDICATED bicycle paths that are not just paint markings on the side of the road

>>2038907
Yeah but rucking backpack makes you fit af and in this day and age being fit means being a social God almost

>>2038583 (OP)
>the trend towards adding bags, in the handlebars, top tube etc, versus just throwing your shit in a backpack
its much better to carry shit on your bike, and not on you

>>2040661
It fucks up your posture and you'll be the weird smelly guy with a huge sweat stain on his back wherever you go.

>>2040667
weakass

>>2040674
think back to the days of calvary. foot soldiers had rucksacks, mounted soldiers had all their stuff on the horse.
it's for a good reason. also, >>2040670

>>2040648
nah

>>2038583 (OP)
it depends on if I have anywhere to be
>tfw frame does not have bottle cage bosses or anywhere to attach fenders or racks
desu I just want half a litre of water and somewhere to keep a rain coat / bike lock and a bunch of barely used bike tools.
plus maebe a handle bar bag to keep snacks in.

>>2040667
>backpack
sore shoulders and cant turn around and see over ur shoulder very well.
shoulder straps slowly wearing though shirt, hectic back sweat.
>carry shit on your bike
messes with the bikes handling, unsprung weight that vibrates over every little bump.
cant lock up your bike because its covered in steal able items that are annoying to haul around
so if its something I dont want shaken to death I put it in a small backpack, then anything that's more bulky than heavy goes into pannier bags.

>>2038583 (OP)
Personally I have multiple bikes, all set up for very specific roles. Each bike has whatever attachments and accessories are required for it to fulfill it's allotted role.

>Tourer? Has everything, 3 bottle cages, fenders, front and rear racks, light mounts, pump braze-ons etc.
>Pub Bike? Nothing, no eyelets or braze-ons even if I wanted to attach shit to it. Cheapo rechargeable lights that attach with rubber straps.
>Day tripper - 3 bottle cages (one used for basic tool kit), small saddle pack for spare tube, keys etc, Garmin GPS mount.

To drive my enemies before me, and hear the lamentations of their women.

Proper road cycling fashion. Only things that are necessary, or make you go faster in proper form. All items should earn their weight and position. Everything but a bidon should more or less fit in your jersey. Maybe a second bidon if you're a desert rider. Fixed is mostly for winter training, but not a substitute for a proper road bike.

OP's bike has a silly wheelset, unless that laundromat is in the basement of the velodrome. The Fern's setup looks like it would immediately choke on any actual mud, and cannot be left anywhere in most city riding because it would get culturally enriched.

>>2038607
French short trail randoneur style is what they're attempting.

>>2046067
I take it to mean you're drafting them so hard that their women think they've given up their anal treasure to you.