Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

Fair.

Cheers all, will get searching.

KTM 18L saddle pack

Just about to order some Alpkit stuff, the top tube bag looks pretty soft and floppy? Or this similar sized Deuter bag, also not really waterproof, but looks like it has a little more form, easier to open on the move and stuff won't fly out?

Not sure on the deuter but alpkit isnt waterproof, as it'll come thorough the zips.
It is pretty soft and floppy.

Best TT bag i've used is this one:

Super hardwearing quality, if a little small. I cut the zip loop and can open one side at a time on the go to snaffle things. The phone pocket is perfect.

Haven't seen the newer 2015 model in the flesh, but It also looks promising for when I upgrade my phone.

Damn, that thing looks pretty sweet!
Already hit the button on the alpkit one, I have a flat top tube on both mtb (hydro formed) and road (weird 6 sided section of carbon tube) so should sit a bit flatter than they do on round section tubes, hopefully, if not its not a lot of money (£18) and sure I can shift it on for a tenner if need be.

Stuff fits the road bike just fine, single ended 13l bag in the front works nicely and poss intrudes on sti space less than the double ended job?
Rear bag will need a third strap to keep it solid and a bit of protection on the frame (felt or clear Vinyl?).
But for the money the quality is absolutely fine, can't see any issues at all

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@BrickMan That setup looks spot on. What have you got stuffed into the Alpkit bags then? Going for the almost exact same setup myself, for a cheap foray into bike packing. Imagined getting the 13l Airlok Dual End though; for symmetry mainly...

Looking forward to a trip report...

Will be an MTB trip first in about 10 days time going to have a shot at the kintyre way, poss bivvy or poss hammock + tarp.

Rear bag takes summer down bag + 350g air mat + waterproof. Or 3 season down bag + 350g air mat + maybe a top? OR 3 season down bag + hammock & tarp + spare base layer?
Front bag takes cloths and cooking junk.

Should have got the roo pouch thing as seems to add more 'structure' to the front bag as well as holding the bag to the bars (single ended bags don't come with straps) and my phone is too large for the small fuel pod thing.

Just spent 5 days bikepacking through Scotland. Overnight sleeper to Inverness, few days in Cairngorms following the Cairngorm loop (the trail into Landseer Bothy was brutal but fun - about 7km of hike a bike through bog), through dalwhinnie via the distillery to Fort Augustus to Invermallie Bothy, down to Kilmartin Castle via Duror and James of the glen bothy.

Had a blast, Scotland is amazing. Midges were bad in spots but never more than an annoyance if you had a midge net and covered up. Smidge works okay - they still annoy you but not as many bites for sure.

I did it on the Pugsley with 26 x 3.8s and my mate did it hardtail. Just got some 29+ wheels made which would have been perfect if they were with me in time!

Pics on my instagram for those interested in the area (search for my user name).

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^ ace.

Semi-bikepacking, our setup for a family bike camping trip, nowt wild but v.basic site near Fairbourne after ride from Ffestiniog inc Harlech > Barmouth on the beach mean tide line.

2 bikes
4 panniers
4 drybags 2 8l, 1 13l 1 20l
1 framebag
1 zipped roll
2 rucksacks

Hard to travel light with a two year old.

First use of Alpkit Pneumo, they worked great alongside Thermarest Neoair, lots cheaper just needed topping up once each day.

Bearbones 22g stove didn't cope well trying to boil water on a windy beach.

Made a few more tin can stoves.

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Alpit airlok drybags ordered...

opens google maps...

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Has anyone used these before?

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Hard-Shell-Rear-Pannier-Bag-Double-Layer-_34179.htm

why does it exist?

A compact pannier, though if you're spending this money I guess why not go for brooks.

ortlieb city front?

A compact pannier, with an unnecesary bulky hard shell?

Can be useful for commuting from and to work? You don't want to lose your expensive electronics in an accident or crash.

Why even go for Brooks? Good set of Compact Ortliebs will last yonks.

Epic! Can't really argue with the price and value!

does @HoKe even thread title. a viable alternative to racks & panniers

get this https://www.alpkit.com/products/koala

This, though the size is very small, but I do like the idea that you can use it as a ruck sack as well.

Cool. buy me a pair too. thanks

It is an alternative, its also a rucksack ;)

I wouldn't expect much from it as a backpack. IME these kind of things end up being the worst of both as opposed to best of both.