Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

Thanks but nope. It was quite a big plate in clear plastic, which mounted to fork by either anything cage bosses, or P clips (if not mounts). Then the roll top bags attached to the plate with big velcro straps.

Sounds a bit like Salsa Anything Cages?

Also nope. Clear plastic, and a flat plate.

I'm in no way endorsing these...but if it's your thing it's THESE...

They're the ones, thanks!

Don't worry I have no intent to buy them - Look like a death trap.

I'm Interested having someone fabricate some small lowrider racks along the lines of Nitto Mark's hub area/something I saw on a speedvagen custom. Then whipping up something similar to the bags myself.

Does anyone have any experience of the Topeak Backloader seatpacks?

For day to day the small one seems fine but I would prefer to buy a medium if it could be folded down to almost the same size as the small when not carrying very much.

Is that a possibility or is there something in the design that would prevent it, I've only seen photos of them on the net and would prefer the option to pack more if needed with the medium size but be able to keep it the same size as the small for most of the time.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on these, given your experience in bag making/design. Even though I can't say I have any experience with poly carbonate I am immediately sceptical of how well these will hold up, with a load, over rough terrain?

Brittle plastic held on with jubilee clips? I’ll pass on that one thanks!

Any of you bag making types made a bag to fit the Surly Moloko bar loop yet? Surly make one but £70 seems massively overpriced for something so tiny.

Might be made for a smaller loop, but how about the Alpkit drop bear?

https://www.alpkit.com/products/drop-bear

Thanks for the suggestion but not feeling that at all. Would get in the way of phone mount etc.
I like the layout of the surly bag and would work well with my dashboard arrangements but clearly I’m a cheapskate.

You could measure up the dimensions and see if https://www.mackworkshop.com/ will give you a quote

Hoping for a bit of help. Anyone know what setups one and two are below please in terms of bag brands ? Ta!

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Top one is alpkit. Can’t help on the other i’m afraid

Very helpful thanks!

What are peoples suggestions for lightweight stoves?

Depends where you're going and what fuel is available there...

Guess I would carry the fuel with me?

Looking at alcohol stoves at the moment

How does 8g suit you?

http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/shop/?product_cat=cooking

You can't take fuel on a plane and meths/butane etc isn't always available at your destination. Not a problem if you're hanging around in the UK but worth considering if you have plans further afield and you don't want to start a collection of stoves...

Not flying anywhere. Will be bikepacking in the UK

Trangia is the basis for a lot of modern/diy versions, and even though it's heavier and less efficient (measurably anyway) it still is virtually unbreakable and sealable so that you don't have to measure all your boil ups.

Can't really go wrong with an MSR pocket rocket, small and light enough, very reliable, just make sure you can recycle the empty canisters somewhere local (guide to disposal). Easy enough to pick up 2nd hand cheap too. Quicker than meths burners if that's important.

DIY meths can stoves are the cheapest option unless you pick mad expensive beer.

Plenty of info/comparisons here if you want to nerd out https://adventuresinstoving.blogspot.com/

Trangia's are great for multiple reasons and they have a mini version also.

The mini set has the same size/weight of burner, just the pots that come with it are smaller.
Trangia is definitely the best for weekend/overnighters with the ability to store fuel inside.

Yes, I bought the mini last year and am going to try it soon, having had the standard size before. I also saw a version on youtube that was created from the Trangia mess tin and the triangle they sell. That looked an interesting set-up too. The fact that they keep 90% their value on Ebay if you ever wanted to sell (a well cared for) one makes them a bargain to buy. There is something calming about using one at the end of a day cycling, for me anyway.