Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

They seem to have a lot of holes in there already, maybe too many standards to accommodate? Or just late to the game.

Last minute break-down of the front wheel on the rigid Inbred (literally 15 minutes before the train was leaving) led to me going camping like this earlier in the week. 3x8 Deore XT group, all original since circa 1993 (including front brake pads, except rear brake).
Worked well with hybrid bikepacking / rack + drybag solution, although as you can probably guess a bit unbalanced front/rear.
I hope this can inspire someone else to pull out their old rigid 26er and just go for it.

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so clean...

Team, I need something to push my bar bag away from my frame to stop it rubbing on the head tube. Kind of like a decaleur. Any suggestions?

Couple of old doughuts, cake not yeast style.
You will have to remove everything for installation though.

A spare light with rubber strap around head tube? (eg. Lezyne Femto/Zecto)

Cheap & functional.

This is actually a pretty good shout! Nice one.

My mate clamps an old extra stem on there - has worked well for him

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That's a really clever idea. Two old stems could probably support quite a heavy bag and keep it nice and level. That's a lot cheaper than a lot of the fancy solutions currently for sale out there.

In addition to @larmen above, two old-school bar-end grips mounted onboard and under the bag adds a decent amount of rigidity/stability to any bag. Saves on some bar space as well, as the clamps are a bit less wide.

Edit: like this https://images.app.goo.gl/6iT2Yw5iX5wEyKRo7 but bar ends angled down and under the bag to support it

Yes!
I’m going to try that out next time - I reckon you could even put a couple of straps in-between and attached to the barends for a “bag hammock” of sorts.

old doughuts

You'd rather expect them to fall down before they get old. :)

Not the cakey ones, they just get hoary.

That is so simple! And I've definitely got some old stems around. Nice one.
As @Sparky says the solutions around are pretty expensive for what they are.

This is great shout too. Probably would prefer this to an old stem solution but I don't have any bar ends already. Thanks.

Planet-X bikepacking bundle currently £50 for today only - https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/ZXPIBUN/pack-it-bundle

Anyone used these?

I have the handlebar and saddle bag. I'm by no means an expert bikepacker but I really can't see what spending extra would get you. They've been brilliant value for money for me. The frame bag I can't comment on, but it does look a bit small.

Spam alert...
Before I create a specific sales thread is anyone interested in an Alpkit Tapered drybag? I bought it off here a few months ago but I prefer my carradice. £10 posted. Picture below.

Edit: Sold.

.

I really can't see what spending extra would get you

Personally it's peace of mind that the kit will deliver on the stated quality (e.g. waterproofness) in the worst conditions I might potentially use it in. To a lesser extent the marginal gainz from thoughtful design, knowing you're supporting small businesses, and the looks too tbh.

But, as you said, this seems like brilliant value for money, so I hope it does just well for people getting into bikepacking or not planning on taking themselves and gear to extremes. Net positive outcome of more folks enjoying the sport imo.
Lookup a FB bikepacking group of a less rich country than the UK - almost nobody is talking/selling/buying Revelate. AliExpress kind brands seem to flourish there.

Yeah, I think you're right, but having ridden in the rain using these bags they're certainly miles better than the alpkit ones I had before, and I think correctly used they're totally waterproof. Like I said, I was very impressed.

(but support your local bag maker of course)

That is incredibly cheap.

I think @si_mon628 is using some!

Yep, got the seat pack and handlebar bag. Been very good so far, solidly made and very waterproof. Need to make sure the seat pack is tightened up well to keep it from swinging around but it's not really noticeable when riding, even getting 2 inches of sick air last weekend...

My friend has the seatpack and I have the Miss Grape seatpack. I prefer mine but I'm sure either would do most of us fine.

Fuck off and get a pannier