Warning: random thoughts follow, try and make sense as best you can.
What follows is my list of what I am taking and why I selected it.
My list is compiled from:
a.
www.sanjuanhuts.com (trip's web site)
b. their trip "bible"
http://www.sanjuanhuts.com/images/mtn_biker_bible.pdf
c. my own biking experience
d. my camping experience
e. google searches of a _very_ few others that have done this trip. few as is the # of people who made a web site, not as in total attendees.
FYI: the trip usually books SOLID months before the season begins.
For those that don't know, here are a few tidbits:
1. starts at telluride, co (or durango)
2. ends at moab, ut
3. there are huts stationed approx every 35 miles
4. huts are stocked with food, sleeping bags, and hopefully water
So, no camping gear is required. You just carry clothes, bike support gear, and whatever else you think you need.
0. racks
I used front and rear racks to distribute the load. If you use only a rear it makes the front end get light, light enough to wash out on loose turns. Using only a rear will shave weight and costs, but I'm going with a dual setup for now. It also has allowed me to have smaller bags which will help me fit through tight singletrack.
The front rack adds weight. Specifically, it adds to your moment of inertia of the front end. It makes it more resistant to turning, but not in a friction-type way, in a heavy-type way. I am sure that I'll adapt quickly. I adapted to the feel of all the extra weight in about 10 miles.
Final note on rack selection. I wouldn't even consider a front rack only. You are asking for death.
At one time, before the front rack got added, I was going to use a handlebar bag. It was pretty slick. It had a plastic mount and detached for off the bike jaunts. It also rotated downward no matter how tight the mount was. I ditched it after I got the front rack. This was nice, because it used the entire handlebar. I had to remove my light mount and speedometer.