Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

The audax bike is quite wide (because I'm too lazy to finish filing down my light mount bar).
The TT bike is maybe just wider than a bidon. I don't have a handlebar roll (at least, I don't think I do)

Bike Bag Dude

US based?

A good idea but it might still foul on a standard handlebar bag. Also leaves no space for a water bottle. If you're in TT position, you don't want to be reaching for the down tube.

However, something like that about half the depth with an elasticated opening at the front would do the trick in conjunction with a torpedo bottle.

No, this is for the audax bike, not my TT bike. Ok, it IS a TT bike but it's what I'm riding audaxes on. I'm find reaching down for a bottle in the TT position.

When I said I had a handlebar bag, I meant a touring one, in the cupboard, not installed on this bike because it won't work.

FB page says he's an Aussie. The dirty bastard.

Gotcha,

If for audaxing with TT bars then no problem going with a repurposed Jones bar bag then.

Wildcat make a smaller pouch that fits in that Jones hole too.... UK based as well

http://www.wildcatgear.co.uk/shop/handlebar-systems/tom-cat/

I can speaka his language.

Straps on that are only on one side though so it would be flapping off one aerobar.

These style of bags won't work with my light bar either but then I'll probably be using a brake-mount dyno light soonish so that problem might go away.

Not very aero but plenty of capacity

Wildcat has straps at the front and rear, but it might be too narrow between the bars. However, they will stitch up more or less anything you want. They're very friendly and it's probably worth having a chat about options with them anyway, even if it doesn't lead anywhere.

My kinda style too. :)

I'll send them an email. Ta.

Search Aero hammock, it looks like they are out of production as they got a lot of poor reviews but it may give you some ideas if you know someone with a sewing machine.

I've just strapped one of these onto my handlebars which is where I'll be storing extra food. I wanted a bag that didn't need to be compressed and I could just zip open whilst cycling and pull something out rather than fiddling with a roll and clip type thing. http://www.thenorthface.co.uk/tnf-uk-en/base-camp-travel-washbag-l/p115143.html

I had also considered using a mussette bag like this and adding some extra straps and putting it parallel between the aerobars: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/castelli-musette-shoulder-bag/rp-prod147295?gs=1&gclid=CIL06e-YoMwCFcO4Gwod7PQN7g&gclsrc=aw.ds

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That kind of thing might work. I've got a feed bag I could bodge in the same spot but it's probably not accessible with the position of my front light so makes it a bit pointless.

Wildcat say 'no'.

That's a bit disappointing. Might have missed it but have you got a sketch or example of (almost) exactly what you're after?

Ideas :)

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Another option might be Mack Workshop - depending on bar width/length you could ask them to move the webbing attachment down a bit - pop one on the other side and use double-sided velcro to attach to either bar...

http://www.mackworkshop.com/products/bar-bag

DIY option, buy one of these and staple some velcro to it in the right place...

@hippy

Been thinking about a similar thing. If I ride the steel bike across to Berlin then TT feedbags won't work - rear brake cable runs outside TT. Need to check setup, though, because I think my sleeping bag / bivi will hang on the underside of the tri bars, so very limited on cockpit setup options.

If you sew yourself, then webbing and sewing awls are cheap on the auction site. There are always small camera shoulder bags, and army surplus bread bags and stuff that will fit the bill with a few extra straps.

My TT feedbags (Topeak and Alpkit) can be strapped between the brake cable and the TT allowing free movement of the cable. It's a couple of minutes faff to get it on but it works fine.

Alternatively, just cut a length of cable housing to cover the cable along the length of the TT

Yup mine's a Topeak, the lower end mesh cover. It goes almost perfectly on the Cannondale Synapse carbon... but not on ovalised steel.

Agreed it will go on between the cable and frame but it's not that pretty.

The Fullpro's oval tubes give more of a nuisance to get seated, and won't stay put so well. Add on the 1" headset and you can see where this is going... (against the knees the whole ride as it shifts side to side a little)

Thanks for the thoughts on housing the cable. Might get with of the cable slapping against the frame on really rough roads too. It's tight but there's just enough slack for pinging.

How about alpkit stem cells on the front of the bars and also on the TT bars? Been thinking of doing this but not tested yet. The XL ones are massive so you can get a lot in.