Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

I've got my sleeping kit in a roll on the handlebar, and a jacket/hat/tools/battery/cables/shorts/shoes in a saddlebag. But what do people do about phone/wallet/food? I'm likely to be wearing baggie shorts and tee shirt on this weekend's trip so won't have jersey pockets.

Also, does packing a saddlebag get easier? Seems to be a right old faff.

Also, also, how do people fit a sleeping bag in when kipping in colder weather? I've got a silk liner, bivvy bag and very thin and uncomfortable sleeping mat packed in my handlebar bag - nothing else would fit in. I doubt I could even get my sleeping bag in there on its own.

I use a frame bag for food and stem cell bag for valuables as it can be removed quickly and carried inside when stopped at shop/pub/cafe/campsite etc.

Rapha cargo bibs! Or frame bag, stem bag, tt bag etc.

Thanks for the dry bag recommendations peeps, have ordered the s2s ones.

I'm still undecided whether I'll take a sleeping bag or just a liner and cover and my RAB 4seasons down jacket.

So my question is, is there a non expensive (sub £60.00 sleeping bag that packs down small that will keep me vaguely warm)?

snugpak jungle bag is the only thing that suits probably, will keep you going with a liner until you get to warmer climes in the balkans https://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/jungle-bag

It's not particularly light, but packs down pretty small

Having shoes in a saddlebag is always going to be a faff, you want things which can be easily compressed and squeezed into it's shape. If you got rid of those i'm sure you'd fit a down sleeping bag in there.

That would be a trick.
Sporks are awful to hold and usually shorter than they need to be (awkwardly held, closer to a hot pot).
I just find that a spoon and knife works best for me.

That should do! Thanks very much!

Yeah, I have lots of chopsticks already, the spoon is really the bit I'm after.

Top tube bag for batteries, maybe a cable or two.
Other cables go in framebag.
Only really put soft stuff (clothes, sleep kit) in the saddle bag, sometimes spare tubes too.

The more expensive the kit, the smaller the pack size, so this gives you more scope for getting more stuff on the bike. So it depends what the pack size is of your items.

My wallet is almost always on me, phone is either on me or on the bars.
Sometimes both may go into the thin side pocket on the framebag.

Top tube thing for phone/wallet, etc.

Handle bar bag = fleece blanket, mat, clothes, towel/anything made of cloth. When cold, sleep in all of the above and resign yourself to waking up shivering at 3am.

Seat bag = tent + tools + everything else you need. That's very back heavy, but it doesn't bother me too much.

Photo is my set up for 1 month+ of touring - although the length of time you go for doesn't really make a difference, so this would work for anything from a weekend to all of eternity.

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Just ordered one! Look forward to seeing your upcoming adventures!

I got the super plastic water proof one, fantastic alternative to a rucksack for commuting

Has anyone else had a slight issue with shifting when they have a bag strapped tightly to the bars? Occasionally yesterday I’d have to shift down two and up one to get where I wanted to be, presumably because the cable housing was under pressure. Not a massive issue but wondered if there was a clever fix?

It’s a common issue. Lots of bar bag makers have mounts that hold the bag away from the bars to allow cables to run as normal - some use foam spacers - I just run my cables very long so they can move around / behind 2 on top of bar bag as required without being wedges at angle that buggers free inner cable movement.
Ive also experimented with a flexible v brake noodle where the rear gear cable meets the down tube boss - does help prevent pinch point there I think but not perfect

I had that problem with brake housing being pressed against the bar. Can't remember if I removed a bit of bar tape and ran the straps under cable or used a DIY spacer either side of the housimg to move the strap off it in the end but either should work.

Definitely used two pencils taped to top tube as a spacer to keep gastank off exposed brake inner along TT of my old Crosscheck.

Phone goes in an annoying topeak phone holder on stem or in Jersey pocket. Sometimes in toptube bag.

Bought a silk safety wallet/small pouch from eagle creek that I carried around my neck on the side for cards etc. and liked it. I tend to worry about wallet in Jersey pockets and when I put it in the toptube bag I am about to pay I realize I left the money on the bike.

Carradice Super c SQR Slim - has anyone used this for carrying a laptop? I don't love how floppy my bike feels with the front carrying clothes, lunch and laptop to work

Has anyone else had a slight issue with shifting when they have a bag strapped tightly to the bars?

Yup.

End up going for the Specialized Burra Burra that actually kept the cockpit nice and clear while still being able to offer great stability.

Too tired to think now, but this is a cracking route. I advise people to try it if they’re in the area. Although my GPX will be riddled with errors so grab a fresh version. Definitely a learning curve with the saddle bag and handlebar bag. That cradle looks good Ed - pricey?

https://www.strava.com/activities/1705380014

That cradle looks good Ed - pricey?

Very, don't know if it's worth it but I got it in trade, and was happy with it for the entire duration of my tour.

Yes, I’ve got an HP something. It does sit flat but rather corner to corner and is longer than the main part of the bag but no problem with it coming out at all. I put my clothes for the day underneath to at least have a little protection. No issues or damage and I’ve done it for a year now.

Thanks. How do you find it deals with the weight? I'd be afraid of it swinging side to side as my pack is ~7.5kg