Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

Roughly 350 miles. We did between 40-60 a day with two days being foot tourists with only small amount of miles on the bike.

My aliexpress Roswheel waterproof bag turned up.

It feels alright, pretty well made. This is it packed with all the stuff I need for commuting.

Only maybe dodgy bit is the backpack clicky things don't look particularly sturdy. I'll give it a try tomorrow.

That doesn't look bad, I might get one of them to barely ever use.

How much was it, plus postage? I'm umm-ing and ahh-ing over this or the blackburn one, which you can get for about £50 from Tredz, with strategic use of discount codes.

£32, something like that. Used it this morning, it was fine. 28mi over crappy Herts and London roads, didn't fall apart, didn't fall off, didn't move around too much. Would recommend.

Tomo, do you have more photos, a route, and other info? I am interested in cycling in Scotland :)

That looks great! And for £32 it's a bargain.
What size is the compartment and is there places there you can strap stuff to?

Bit late to this but I've got a Blackburn Outpost saddle pack. Really solid bit of kit. Packs loads. It does swing a tiny bit but I imagine they all do to some degree. Keep thinking of ways I can add a toestrap to the rear triangle to prevent this but never actually do it.

Has anyone used the Lotus framebag?
Can't find a picture of one in use. I'd like to see how it looks on a bike. I'll mostly use the seatpack but for occasional longer rides a framebag could be good. Almost definitely gonna buy the handlebar bag too.

It's this one: http://www.roswheel.com/saddle-bag/bicycle-saddle-bag-attack.html

The seatpost end of the bag is kinda semi-rigid and quite narrow, the rest is cloth, with a waterproof lining. The inside's kinda sticky, for want of a better word. So it takes a bit of effort to shove stuff down into the bag. It's one big bag, no compartments, allegedly 10L. There's a little stringy bungee thing on top, so I guess you could strap a Ti cup to it ;)

Got it from Aliexpress - I can dig out the seller details if I find a minute.

@hp93 has the bar bag and it pretty happy with it.

That does seem like a bit of a bargain. I suppose what you're getting over that one from the blackburn is the ability to remove the storage part, to make it easier to pack (any differences in quality aside).

Haha I know what you mean about the lining. Any chance of a picture of the top?
I was considering getting the Restrap on just to match my bar bag and frame bag but the Blackburn saddle pack looks better.
Won't be getting anything for a while but this is definitely a contender!

Have you used it on a frame with a straight top tube by any chance? I've only seen photos of it put on MTBs and bikes with low top tubes/tall seat posts. Just wondering how it would fit on my straggler.

Nah, you can't remove the storage part, the liner is sewn in, you can just feel that it's a separate cloth outer and a kind of rubbery/plasticky lining. Unless I'm misunderstanding you?

I think I worded it in a weird way! I was talking about the Blackburn - not seen one in the flesh but it looks like it has a holster section, and then a dry bag that slots into it?

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Ah, I see! Hmm, whatever works, I guess :)

Yeah it works like that. Removable dry bag from the... 'holster'?

I've only used it on my Singular Swift and Salsa Casseroll. Both are huge frames as I'm tall but fairly high top tubes. Plenty of clearance to rear tyre if thats what you mean.

Thanks. Any pics @hp93? Couldn't find any on recent comments.

Yeah that's what i mean, i think - basically how much seatpost it needs, from collar to saddle.
I have about 16cm from saddle rails to where the seat stays start. Actually it looks like it'd be fine - especially as there's no brake calliper there for it to potentially interfere with.

Anyone used the Passport Lug-Cage ?

Almost a tenner cheaper than the salsa, but is it noticeably worse?

Fuck I wish I would have checked the Blackburn stuff out before I brought the restrap as it would have worked out like 50ish cheaper! However, I'm pretty certain I'm going to be happy with it (when ever it arrives)

Passport Lug-Cage

Not keen on the Blackburn outpost?
Cheaper still plus it comes in sexy black.

Charlie the bike monger does actually say they're not very good, also these come in black.