Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

podh

no evidence of our adventure.

Silly question - have an Alpkit Koala. It's white. Could i just chuck it in the washing machine?

Would probably ask Alpkit for their best bet. That said, 40 degrees with some tech wash would be my strategyt. It's just cordura and Velcro.

Cross-post alert I'm selling my Revelate Tangle framebag - size small

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/291719/#comment13172495

Very pleased with the Revelate Tangle bag (thank you @KT_Bee)! You need a bit of practice to learn how to fit it in a timely manner, but very good sturdy fixing, as well as easy to open zippers. Could definitely do with a bigger size, especially for the left side small pocket (could barely fit passports), but it wouldn't fit this frame.

Unrelated, I started taping the frame with electric tape to save the paint from being polished away by the rubbing of the Apidura bags (both saddle and handlebar), I tape it and remove it every time I go away for few days. Anyone else is having these issues? Other solutions?

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Buy a long strip of helicopter tape from eBay, should last much longer and is clear so can leave it on without worrying too much about aesthetics.

Trans Am Trail Race June 2017. If TD wasnt long enough for you!

I was eagerly following the swallows when they recced that route last year, it looks incredible.

http://www.bikepacking.com/plog/trans-america-trail-tat-1500-mile-update/
http://www.bikepacking.com/plog/trans-america-trail-tat-high-elevation/
http://www.bikepacking.com/plog/trans-america-trail-high-desert/
http://www.bikepacking.com/plog/trans-america-trail-end-of-an-odyssey/

wicked, I think I'll do it, why not train for something properly!

not quite for bikepacking (yet) but got a custom bar bag made up by MackWorkshop for some commuting duties. Chose all the dimensions, strap locations, etc. chose a boring colour to be discrete but it's ace, kind of like a big pencil case.

https://www.mackworkshop.com/

Hey guys, looking to do my first proper tour next year. Planning on riding from Calais to Valencia solo in around 9 days. Starting to look at luggage options and considering the restrap saddle bag or the mid size apidura one? Was hoping one of those and maybe a smaller frame or top tube bag would be enough? Would be great to know if anyone has done anything similar and what kind of kit they had.

Any advise for my limited knowledge would be massively appreciated. Cheers.

Camping or accommodation? If the former you may find you want a little more storage, if the latter you'll be fine. Half frame bag, saddle bag and some kind of bar bag is good for touring with camping gear imo, it's all down to preference tho. Could go full frame bag and saddle bag for a nice set up.

Yep, accommodation. Ok cool, thanks you.

I did London - Biarritz this summer with a wildcat saddle bag and a bigxtop handlebar bag. Plenty of space if you're travelling in summer and packing light!

O cool, I was hoping to go along the west coast as well actually and also in the summer so good to know.

West coast of France is lush.

Have you considered a full frame bag plus saddle bag ? (Camelbak in frame bag for hydration)

Nate from Restrap can do a custom full frame bag with split compartments. Tools/misc and hydration in top, clothes in bottom, tent/sleeping Mat/bag in saddle pck. I reckon it's optimal.

I hadn't really thought of a full frame bag just because thought it might be a tad overkill if I have a decent sized saddle pack? Wont be camping so can save some room there. Restrap stuff looks really nice.

Anywhere that stood out along the west coast?

There's so much good stuff but high point was ferry from Royan across the bay then wild camping on the incredible beach at soulac sur mer.

Didn't realise you weren't camping, saddle pack and standard frame bag will be perfect.

The Restrap stuff is great, me, mr Restrap and a couple of other lads rode the west coast then onto BCN this summer...

Immature write up here

https://restrap.co.uk/blogs/news/nantes-to-barcelona-boozehoundsontour

Great write up, sounds like you had fun :)

What would you expect a custom frame bag with this to cost?

I'm also just back from the West coast of France,

Did 2 weeks of bikepacking and I'm thinking about changing up my setup.

The thing that bugged me the most was having the majority of lugage weight in a saddle bag hanging off the rear, it really changed up the handling of the bike, when I would stand up to climb the whole bike swings with a pendulum effect.

I have a specialized Pizza rack out front, was thinking front panniers and a full frame bag with no sadddle bag at all.

has anyone tried this setup? - bike is surly Straggler

Sounds like a way better solution than having all the weight behind you.

Am also wondering the same thing! I know that Alpkit do them for £65 upwards (depending on options chosen) but not sure if Restrap stuff is better / more expensive / worth the extra if so...

EDIT - they got back to me and they won't do it

I just added straps and wrenched the bag tight to the frame. But I also had my bag as low to the wheel as possible. Not a big fan of too much weight up front.

With the bag tight on the frame/seatpost and saddle, there was less swing. Ymmv

I believe @Hulsroy found the alpkit stuff a bit flimsy, I have the restrap stuff its excellent quality, very hard wearing. I hear the ortleib is also very tough.