Touring Equipment

Not set on anything really, I'm only after a small bag for a bit of food and to hold some directions/map, maybe a jacket.

Anybody have any recommendations?

Speak to Jordan at BIGXTOP, he's just made me a lovely klickfix barbag perfect for exactly as you suggest. Bonus is it's hand made by a young person in BROKEN BRITAIN.

Picture of it here: http://instagram.com/p/pMVndMMH20/#

How much?

I respect that if i asked for the same it might cost a bit more. But general idea.

£60-70 but that didn't include the Klickfix doohicky for your bars.

Thanks. That's fair. Does look NICE.

That's really nice. Carradice-esque bags look a bit odd on some modern bikes, and whilst bikepacking bags and stuff sacks are great in terms of weight, a rigid bag is so much better for actually getting stuff into and out of.

Man. That's seriously good. Bikepacking seatpack for the camp stuff (tent, bag, mat, stove), and that bar bag for easy-access stuff (food, jacket, camera) and map on top.

I put the map in my brain. Keeps me from looking at the map all the time even when I dont need to.

yeah that looks awesome. well done bigxtop

it's where I'm taking the company, there's a huge demand for modern style bicycle touring kit - and it's just not done here. In the states you have swift industries and offerings from some of the courier bag companies like ynot, but as far as the EU goes there's nothing.

it's pretty exciting stuff. the bar bag is ready along with a touring saddle bag made from a simliar pattern (without the rigid part). simple, light (ish) and fully weatherproof panniers are also nearly there.

after getting permission from Rixen&Kaul to use their klickfix system, they've allowed me to get the frames from them OEM. the bags will be around the 60-70 mark but that pricepoint wont be attainable until i get the frames from them.

thanks champs

what is this touring saddle bag of which you speak!?!

http://www.lfgss.com/post4297315-832.html

bikepackers!
best option for carrying 2/3 litres? as light/ aero as possible (so a saddlepack?).

money to spend.

^http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORTLIEB-BICYCLE-BIKE-SADDLE-WATERPROOF-BAG-VARIOUS-COLOURS-SIZES-BLUE-1-3-L-/400710865493?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item5d4c3a9255 possibly

Going on tour tomorrow to the Hebrides, any tips?

what is this touring saddle bag of which you speak!?!

http://www.lfgss.com/post4297315-832.html

It's more a classic style one rather than a bikepacker one, but i am thinking of putting one of those on the table. bikepacking stuff/biketouring stuff can mix, but i don't think i'll end up in the territory of framebags or handlebar drybag harnesses.

it's where I'm taking the company

Awesome awesome awesome.

I put the map in my brain. Keeps me from looking at the map all the time even when I dont need to.

Always good to have one with you. For off-road rides I'm pretty much constantly referring to it.

if you want anyone to road test a prototype...

It's more a classic style one rather than a bikepacker one, but i am thinking of putting one of those on the table. bikepacking stuff/biketouring stuff can mix, but i don't think i'll end up in the territory of framebags or handlebar drybag harnesses.

On a serious note: Titanium rubbing your teeth cant be good... You really doing this?

Bollocks, titanium dioxide is what makes most white stuff white so applying titanium direct to your teeth can only be win.

It's more a classic style one rather than a bikepacker one, but i am thinking of putting one of those on the table. bikepacking stuff/biketouring stuff can mix, but i don't think i'll end up in the territory of framebags or handlebar drybag harnesses.

I was going to ask you about doing something like this......I am on the lookout for a bikepacking seatpack, like the bikepak.eu one, or a revelate etc......is something like this likely to happen? I love the quality of your work, and have a couple of hip pouches.
Unfortunately, the first aid bags didn't materialise, as they changed the bloke who does the buying in our tech services dept......despite my whinging that they should contact you and discuss the options, they went down the off the shelf route, resulting in an inferior bag, not fit for purpose....the defib has to be rammed in at an angle. Doh

Always good to have one with you. For off-road rides I'm pretty much constantly referring to it.

Sure I bring a map, but I don't want it visible all the time.

Bollocks, titanium dioxide is what makes most white stuff white so applying titanium direct to your teeth can only be win.
Just no.

Why not have it visible all the time if you've got a handy pocket?

A clear pocket with a flap over the top, so it's hidden away but can be revealed without having to stop. Now that's a good idea.

Why not have it visible all the time if you've got a handy pocket?

I don't get why you wouldn't have this, you don't have to look at your map.

I get distracted by it. It's a personal thing really. Can imagine that others prefer their map visible at all times.

I've never really resolved paper maps for cycling. It's really difficult to have enough mappage handy unless it's really small-scale. Small-scale isn't enough detail to stop me getting lost.

I'd need a 200x300mm map pocket I think.

Paper base map and google off maps on phone is the willing combo for touring (use free wifi at McDonald to top up the off maps).

I get distracted by it. It's a personal thing really. Can imagine that others prefer their map visible at all times.

This.
I've found that always having the map in view can make me depressed if I'm going slower than anticipated, frustrated when I drive off it, or yeah, generally distracted by it.

Got a Garmin 800 but the free downloaded map I have isn't perfect, and the slow map exploring is quite annoying. Therefore, where needed, I take regional maps from tourist offices or camping receptions, and a very undetailed map of the whole country for easy reference of cities and larger villages. These maps I keep in my bar bag and I ditch the regional maps when I get out of the region.