Guide & Objectives
Prepare and inventory all the equipment you'll need for your rides. List the storage compartments available on your bike, then assign a compartment to each piece of equipment you need to bring. No more last-minute searches or forgetting essential gear. Locate and find what you need immediately. By noting the specifications of the storage compartments and equipment, you can estimate the total weight and its distribution.
Objectives
1 - Control and locate your load. 2 - Accurately calculate the total weight (bike + bags + contents). 3 - Determine the value of your equipment.
How to use
1 - List the storage options available on your bike, including their specifications. 2 - Complete the inventory using the provided lists or your own items. 3 - Print your checklist.
Value
1 - Capitalize on your loading experience. 2 - Save time preparing for your outings. 3 - Instantly find your gear in your storage.
Preparing your ride
Preparing for a cycling event — whether a one-day sportive or a multi-day ultra — relies in part on rigorous gear management. Forgetting a critical item can be a serious handicap. Conversely, carrying too much gear adds unnecessary weight. A structured checklist is the simplest and most reliable answer to this problem, and it improves with every ride.
Mandatory vs recommended gear
For regulated events (sportives, ultras, gravel races), the mandatory gear list is set by the regulations. It typically includes: front and rear lights, repair kit, survival blanket, charged phone, food, GPS tracker, and potentially a power bank.
Recommended gear varies by conditions: weather, elevation, duration, available feed stations. There is no universal list — but a personalised checklist built from your own experience is far more effective than a generic template.
Choosing storage and thinking about item placement
Once the necessary gear is defined, it is important to establish a storage methodology. Two steps:
1 - Which storage options to choose
2 - What to put where, especially items most likely to be used
This is not trivial — it directly determines how easily and quickly you can find what you need on the road.
Weight distribution: a strategy, not an afterthought
On a loaded bike, weight distribution between front and rear directly affects descending behaviour, muscle fatigue and stability on rough roads. A few principles:
- Rear (frame bags, saddle bags): heavy but infrequently accessed items — bivouac gear, spare clothing, reserve food.
- Front (handlebars, fork): suitable for light loads — rain jacket, snacks, light power bank.
- On your body (jersey, gilet): immediately accessible items — energy gels, phone, documents.
The goal is, as much as possible, to keep the centre of gravity low and close to the pedalling axis. An overloaded rear makes the steering light and twitchy; an overloaded front weighs down the bars and fatigues the wrists.
Total weight: aim for right, not light
The obsession with minimal weight can be counterproductive. The right question is not “how do I lighten my bags?” but “does every item on this list earn its place here?”
Build and adjust your checklist below, assign each item to a storage location, and visualise weight distribution across your bike.
Bike setup
Enable the storage locations mounted on your bike, then optionally add brand, model, weight, and price for each storage location.
1. Enable available storage locations
2. Fill details for active storage locations
3. Active storage summary
Installed storage
0
Storage weight
0 g
Storage value
0 EUR
Active storage locations
Reference lists
Add a custom item
Renseignez rapidement un element, puis choisissez son rangement.
Packed inventory
Printed on
BicycleCalculator.com
Packed inventory
| Checked | Item | Qty | Unit weight (g) | Total weight (g) | Value EUR | Location | Notes | Action |
|---|
Total items
0
Gear weight
0 g
Gear value
0 EUR
Loaded total weight
0 g
Loaded total value
0 EUR
Validated items
0 / 0
Breakdown by location
Printed on
BicycleCalculator.com