Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

excuse the straps that need tucking away...

excused. :)

edit: looks great.

That looks pretty tight, here is what me and a mate have managed so far, using more seatpost does seem to help for sure, first adventure was on MTB in the Cairngorms, got a bit of plastic sheeting to double up as a mud guard and protect the bag from a bouncy rear, second adventure on the road bikes, tighter packing that time, need to get out more, excuse the wierdo with the beardo!

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Looks great! Which frame back is that?

Alpkit again. Pretty pleased for the price and custom nature of these things.

I tend to default their way as I'm always on a budget - too many bikes to keep going. To date, I've been pleased with everything. A friend however got the all singing and dancing saddle pack and that just looked like a dogs dinner. Way too complicated and less ability to just bodge it on like the simple one. Was't cheap either.

Good stuff. Looks like you're most of the way to what I did on that top pic. My plastic bit is inside, but putting it outside seems a decent shout as long as you can be sure it wont move around.

I have been thinking about getting one for a while, glad to head its worth it.

Tie wrapped it to the bag and had straps seperate, although now thinking of integrating it a bit more, protects the bag, caught it with the tyre a couple of times on some particularly lumpy bits.

Ha, you're on the full bouncer then.
I swapped to a hardtail when I got more into the adventure than the adrenaline. Bikepacking killed my old Orange sub 5 and I had a ride round the Brecon Beacons that was more akin to pogo sticking than mountain biking. Still miss the rear shock a bit when out for a general thrash around the woods though. Another bike needed!

On route to the New Forrest for a little overnighter

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Different setups used last month:

• Heavy road touring (front rack with 2x20L + tent, poles and lock on top, frame bag and saddle bag) carrying 80% pf the gear for 2ppl for 3 weeks

• Lighter gravel setup (salsa anything for tent and mat, poles strapped under handlebar, frame bag and saddle bag)

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Great rig!

Hello, after my sleeping bag advice faux pas on the previous page I thought I should contribute something relevant.

I spent the weekend touring around the Peak District. Sorry the picture is a bit out of focus.

I had my tent in one front pannier, self inflating mat + cooking bits in the other. Whiskey, sandwiches + other random bits in frame bag. Sleeping bag and a change of clothes in the saddle pack.

Amazing terrain in the peaks.

On my return I received a Roswheel Attack handlebar bag from AliExpress. I had a discount voucher so it cost about £18 delivered. It arrived 8 days after the order.

First impressions are ok. Although it's clearly very simple it seems well made. The entry point is a bit smaller than I was hoping and I can't get my sleeping bag in while rolled up but I think I will stuff it in. Might be able to get my mat and bag in there but will be a squeeze. Not bad at all for the price I reckon.

Pics,

https://goo.gl/photos/QRgUiHSUyrGr3Twg6

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roswheel-Bicycle-Bike-Cycling-Saddle-Seat-Tail-Rear-Bag-Storage-Pouch-Carrier-/263035197668?var=&hash=item3d3e1e98e4:m:mOEPYRESKA2B1rnHmD6PFLg

I've got one of these, 8L, its alright, doesn't do up tight unless there's stuff in it. When its full it seems pretty good. Used once for a single direction commute to test. A tiny scuff from the seatpost.
Anyone interested in giving me 15 quid for it?
I just really don't need it

Hows the trip been dude??

Also whats that bag under the bottle cages? Looks neat ;)

Anyone up on the South Downs today? Specifically thinking big beard and "CRAFT" top, midge bars and a road / cx bike? You had a massive smile as you said hello.

Not me, but a friend of mine, I sent him a screenshot of your message and he replied with a photo perfectly matching your description, haha.

He's doing some mega miles, plans to be up around Chester in 5 days or so (via Wales)

Interesting piece about Lee Craigie's set up.

I got this last night from aliexpress, quality seems good and is stable enough when filled.. £14 and 11 days from order to northern Ireland..

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hi all,
just got back from a 5 day trip
started from Norwich, down to the icknield way trail at knettishall heath, all the way through to a campsite at radnage somewhere just off the ridgeway. A couple of nights wild camping and a couple in proper campsites.
here is the bike at irvinghoe beacon:

Thoughts:
Kit - Topeak Mid and front loader - good and reasonably priced
Route - badly signposted and bitty
Gears - I didn't take enough!

Sounds like a great little trip. Did you do it solo?

yes, was solo.

I struggle to get my mates to go on a 2 hour ride, let alone multi-day ones.

Get new friends.

What @TM said.

Friends who don't ride are just people that stand near you sometimes.

Nice one. He was motoring some, and looking better than all the other twats I've seen on SDW on mtb's.

Send him my regards.