Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

or a carradice

I got it useable by strapping it to the chainstays:

Having ridden lots with bike packing gear, and also ridden with many different people using different kit, I'm still 100% convinced the best stuff you can get it Wildcat. So much testing before it make it to market means the stuff works perfectly, and some of the design features of the saddle and bar harnesses are amazing. UK made too. Can't go wrong

1 Attachment

As a fellow bagmaker, I'm not going to go into detail as to why I disagree on this one... But in my opinion, Scott at Porcelain Rocket has been leading the way for years now, and still is.

Find it slightly amusing that you have illustrated your point with a picture that includes alpkit bike luggage. I was pretty impressed (for £10 each) with the frame and handlebar bag I got from decathlon for a week long tour recently.

I also used (and would use again) my Carradice SQR slim which while somewhat heavier than some of the seat packs, is rock solid, harder wearing, bigger and in most cases cheaper. Perhaps it is carradice who are leading the way?

Also, if we're talking about handlebar harnesses...you only need one look at the new Revelate version to see that several companies are being left behind from a design, structure, and quality standpoint.

Compared to the Wildcat...

Do you not think the way wildcat fastens between bars and fork, rather than bars and headtube is a bonus? Seems more secure and reduces contact between the bar/frame?

That said I'd take the sweetroll and jones loop kit over either (unless I make a packraft...)

I personally think it's a pretty crude way of dealing with the stability issue. From both an aesthetic view and stability wise.
I know they're not alone in handling it this way....but I prefer keeping things as close and tucked in as possible.
For me the answer is to protect the junction better where harnesses attach to the headtube or stem, rather than stretch straps between the harness and forks to keep things further forward...which only moves the contact points and friction from the front of the headtube to the crown of the forks. but this is all just my personal opinion. I actually had a little product in mind related to this discussion...but sadly I can't make anything at the moment as I'm sans workshop.
Obviously my ideal solution is my mini, curved rack to remove the harness from the bars completely...but that's just my preference. :)

Seeing as I already have that alpkit tapered drybag that sucks on its own, whats the best priced holster style seatpack?

Minimal swinging please

Heh, I didn't say it looked nice (think the photo of the wildcat you've used is a bit unfair though, you can fit them nicely...)! I had one for a bit, didn't play nice with Jones bars and it really needs spacers for drop bars or you lose a bunch of hand positions and it gets in the way of cables etc.

The old Revelate harness was a bit of a pain with the rubber blocks but it looks like they've fixed that with the new one.

From my experience, I think the majority of bikepacking luggage, no matter who makes it, gets fitted so badly that it's almost fighting a losing battle! :)

ha - id like to see the revelate fit on the bars in the second picture. As you said though, mainly to do with installation

It should fit fine as the attachment straps are about the same width apart as on the wildcats, but the foam risers would keep it away from the levers and cables... Especially as the Mary bars have a rise to them.
It's all academic to me though anyway as I don't use revelate OR wildcat. :)

I sorted my cheap alpkit seatpack with two additions:

1. Cut up an old A4 plastic ring binder and shaped it as a liner. This stops the main strap from cutting into bag and working loose.
   
2. Replaced the main strap that goes through the saddle rails with a thicker one with a metal clasp that is easy to pull tight.
   
   

It now works fine for bikepacking but I tend to fill it with stuff I will only need in the evening so I'm not undoing/doing it back up all the time.

Pics? I have the same, would be good to see someone elses setup!

Yeah im not more looking for something i can split the dry bag out of when i get to work

New handlebar bag with built in harness coming from Polaris in November?

http://www.polaris-bikewear.co.uk/Ventura-Handlebar-Bag-p/pol01-7529.htm

Is there any advantage to a handlebar harness over a front rack? Obviously not all bikes have rack fittings and I presume it's nice to be able to ditch the luggage and hit some trails but from a general touring point of view?

I ask as I'm fitting out my ogre soon with luggage. Liz has the 24pack rack on her troll and it's been freaking sweet so far.

Personally I prefer front rack, especially as with pizza rack or pelago you've got the option to add small panniers if needs be. Handlebar harnesses serve a great purpose though and ultimately it comes down to the individual.

I frickin' love my pelago rack. Their "Rasket" is even better (have one on the GF's bike).
But both our touring bikes are our daily rides as well, so the added functionality is a huge plus.

Hey guys. Urgently need a new sleeping bag. Any bargains about as much sub £100 as possible.

There's a sleeping bag thread.

Sorry!

All a bit stashed away at the moment so hard to get pics. I didn't do anything too precise. Just cut some flexible relatively thin plastic into a liner kind of shape and put it in the bag so it supports the bottom side. The different strap is just an obvious upgrade I think. It's all about tension with these things and a proper clasp is loads easier to get tight.

Mine also tends to be more up the seatpost than stuck way out the back. The further past the back of saddle it goes, the more likely its going to swing IME.

Here it is in setup mode - excuse the straps that need tucking away...