Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

^^ my 3rd diy framebag will be for winter ss commuter. I really miss the one from my geared 'summer' bike and whilst the pdw takeout is fun & looks ok I'd like to put my hands where it is too close to the tops from time to time.

Would also champion carradice sqr, the glentress I was given is proving ace and takes just seconds to remove or attach.

People use those salsa strappy things on the forks very successfully.

Bear in mind, that any small items put into this hard case will rattle around and come out like they've been in a blender. I actually destroyed a multitool with mine! (Wore clean though the frame with some keys!)

am planning on doing some touring without panniers if i can manage it. Have already got a bikepack eu saddle bag, but am looking at getting this apidura one (regular, not compact):

Reason being is because the capacity is 17.5 litres and seems to therefore be considerably bigger than any of the alternatives. Has anyone used one of these at full capacity? @andy_k perhaps - did I read you had one?

That's correct. It is pretty big when full and requires quite a lot of seatpost.

Thanks Andy; I've got 14.5cm of seatpost to attach to - my toptube doesn't slope much. Website says you need minimum 8cm so am guessing i should be okay. Have you been happy with it then?

Yep! I've only used it a handful of times but I've been very pleased with it so far. I don't know how well it'd fit with 8cm of seatpost, reckon it'd need more than that... I'll get the tape measure out tonight and see how it compares.

I've easily fit an 8L drybag with sleeping bag/bivy, waterproof jacket, synthetic jacket, tool pouch/tubes and a few misc layers/gloves/socks etc. it got a bit heavy at the back end but held securely and there was plenty of room to spare.

Okay cheers Andy - think i'm going to go with one of these then. If you do get a chance though let me know how much seatpost you're using it with - I think i should be okay; i've got about 28cm between my rear tyre and the bottom of my saddle rails (as a straight vertical).

Popped it on the Cross Check, there's 15cm from clamp to rails. Fits but wouldn't work if I was running cantis

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anyone on here tried one of these by any chance?

I kind of like the idea being off the ground and it looks quite light and comfy

http://hennessyhammock.com/

Try in the lightweight tent thread as well, I think they have had a mention:

http://www.lfgss.com/conversations/148457/?offset=450#comment11796612

Brilliant thanks, so with 14.5cm I should just about be alright hopefully. I am running cantis but I just ordered some mini-v's yesterday to replace them too.

Cheers again for doing that - would rep!

A lot of people like and use them, but beware that bottom insulation is critical, more so than with a ground tent. I could never get comfortable in mine and sold it off.

nooooooo to hammocks!

I use a hammock....very similar to Hennessy , but a lot cheaper! Made by tenth wonder. If you email them, he is more than happy to help....its lightweight, and very comfy! I bought one with a tarp too, and it comes in at about 550 grams for my complete sleeping rig

10-20% off Revelate bits for this Black Friday thing along with some tents/sleeping bags etc.... http://www.backcountrybiking.co.uk/shop-2-bikepacking-gear/

The way I see it re: hammocks -

You can always clear some ground, or pitch a tent on a less than level surface.
But you can't just make two trees spring out of the ground in an appropriate location!

If I was to use one though, maybe on a warm trip in a coniferous area.. I'd use a system like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg0ojjDuLyM

If it gets cold you might need one of these though

Cool as fuck

^ Warm as fuck, surely?

toasty as shit

hotter than hell

Apologies, if repost.

Pack Config

^class. preparing for my own trip at the moment, i knew I was missing something - forgot my axe...

if they put a handle guard on their axes they wouldn't need a backup.

That website looks dangerously 'preppy', BN..

Was glad to learn more about adventure road bikes:

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/adventure-road-bikes-explained-148762