Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

Has anyone had any experience with ‘Three Trees’ bags? It looks to be a handmade one man affair operating out of Worcester, possibly eBay only. They look to be good quality and relatively unbranded which is what i’m after.

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Waxed-Canvas-Roll-Top-Handlebar-Bag-with-Removable-Waterproof-Liner-Bag/112803953647?hash=item1a43a3bbef:m:m9C6I_X8SW93SRvQuAYZniA
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bicycle-Canvas-Saddle-Roll-Top-Tool-Bag/112789621720?hash=item1a42c90bd8:m:mysxCIbC5kwARFn4SUpAXzA

Before I add onto the main classifieds section. I have a Apidura 14L expedition handlebar bag. I only used it once but didnt have enough clearance on the front wheel so the wheel rubbed on the bag. I have reinforced the area with tenacious tape but as a result have not used it since and bought the smaller version.

https://www.apidura.com/product/expedition-handlebar-pack-14l/

Looking to sell now, £50 including postage due to the above. I'll post some more photos later.

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Thinking of small framebag options for my Equilibrum. I want to keep everything by the HT, I pedal with my knees very close to the top tube and anything too far down will rub.

Something like the Restrap small framebag, but to suit a longer (massive) HT?

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Custom? I could sew you one but it would be my first frame bag

You could ask Alpkit. They make full frame bags to custom size for £75 so could probably do a smaller one. Not sure if it would be cheaper mind. Mine has been great so far.

Custom Restrap

£? How do I order?

You could also get one made up that's very narrow at the top rear quarter i.e. only as wide as your top tube. With compartments and stuff so nothing slides around resulting in the knee area bulging out. Would give you more storage albeit only for small flat items. That'd obviously be full custom though.

Where do you knees reach on that frame? Deuter Front Triangle bag is skinny and matches that. I used mine for PBP:
https://www.deuter.com/DE/en/bike-accessories/front-triangle-bag-3290417-black.html

Revelate half bag (https://www.bike24.com/p297134.html) goes along whole top tube and can be made skinny where you need it so might work with your knock knees.

Where do you knees reach on that frame?

I should probably measure.

I've seen the Deuter, problem is my HT is so long that it'll be suspended somewhere between TT and DT?

Have you tried a framebag?

I did worry about my knees but in practice it was fine. Happy to lend you one if you want to give it a go for a while.

I used mine on PBP without the downtube strap connected, so it just kind floated on the toptube. I think I did this to clear bottles.

If you're worried about hitting your knees, is a fuel tank bag or one of those little roadrunner handlebar bags an option?

Email sales@restrap.co.uk

They were about £100 last time I asked. That was for a full frame bag though, not sure if size dependant.

Looking for a handlebar solution that isn't massive (got an Alpkit dual whatever the fuck but my headtube's so short the bag touches my front wheel so I'm gonna have to get rid of it).

I have a few Mack Workshop bits and absolutely love them, so thinking of getting the bar bag: https://www.mackworkshop.com/products/bar-bag but before I buy it was wondering if anyone has any other solutions that would fit my bike... The Mack Workshop bag would fit, I reckon. Obviously I know this isn't going to fit loads of gear (it's for audaxes and an upcoming lightweight hotel-based LEJOG trip) but I do need something to put some extra bits in as I'll only have an 8 litre bag at the rear.

Had the same problem on mine using a revelate sweetroll, switched from the large to the small and all is good.

I've had one of thos mack bags, nice but it won't fit a huge amount of stuff in

I have an older version of this.

1. It doesent have webbing for velcro straps so can't customise where I want it tied on the bars.
   
2. the velcro straps provided are REALLY short makes it a pain to install
   
3. I once stuffed 70% of a 10" pizza in it and ate it cold on the road side of col d'izoard before the pros passed, this combined with a top tube bag is plenty for audaxing I think.
   

If you are concerned about size, Mack made me a custom one of these. It does the job but as it's bigger loses it's shape when not full. Would adjust the design/material if doing again.

ornot sell one that looks more robust, has more pockets and will hold it's shape better but costs much more.

I have the ornot one. it is lovely.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lomo-4-5L-Dry-Bag-Bike-Frame-Bag-Bikepacking-Cycling-Triangle-Bag-Black-/182975672348

Run this backwards?

Why did they use such a poorly-fitting frame in the example picture?

Question for the bag makers / bike pack fabricators etc:

I have an idea for a kind of saddle bag mount type thing I want to try out (would be cordura and webbing mainly) and I also fancied having a pop at a carradice style saddle bag myself. What kind of sewing machine would I need to handle that sort of thing? I currently only have a very lightweight one which struggles with denim and stuff of that sort of weight/thickness.

Cheap way to go might be a 50s or earlier Singer found at a garage sale or wherever you find your second hand goods.

A carradice barley on the bars works a treat.....I also use a north face sport hiker bum bag strapped on there. Both are 9 litres and both can be squished down if not full.

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Funnily enough my wife just reminded me we have an old singer in the loft. If it’s weight it’s anything to go by, it should sail through cordura.