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Yeah I think I've realised the linked planet x one probably isn't really going be ideal for the majority the riding I do. I've got zero knowledge of bikepacking gear and hadn't realised the access issue. I need something that I can get in to easily to grab a snack etc.
My riding is as many solo rides as I can get in through the week usually all sub 40 miles. But I've recently started going on a weekly long ride with my pal who's recently got into cycling. We tend to aim for 100 miles plus on a Sunday. A Carradice bag looks like it would be the better option for my needs the long Sunday ride. Something that I can chuck all my stuff into and have easy access to a sandwich...
When it comes to actually doing a bit of overnight bike packing, I think what @platypus says is true.
I've got a young family so my options for doing any significant bikepacking are limited for a good while yet. The planet x stuff seems like good option to buy cheap if I potentially only get to use it once a year for the next few years.
TotalShanner-
Id Chuck my vote in for Carradice;
Used apidura, Blackburn and Mack workshop bike packing bags, while the frame bag I’ll be happy to use an ortlieb one the saddle bags I find to be unsuitable for me.
Carradice is boxy, means you can fit stuff in super easy, large stuff too. Also easy to strap stuff on top... like kids shoes they decide they no longer want to wear!
It’s a different style, yes, but the duck cotton is bombproof and just add some patches for uniqueness.
I won’t go back to a carrot saddlebag, just not for me! If your packing light, squishy things just for you, great. But if you want to carry food in a box, anything that you would prefer to stay flat, anything not squishy go Carradice. - also recommend the bagman qr for ease of use and stability.
Swaying saddlebags are no fun
sbbohr
My friend has one. It'll work, but it will sag and sway and be hard to pack perfectly. I have a smaller podsacs seat pack and it's pretty crap.
The more expensive stuff is better. But it's more expensive. They will both carry your gear.
Tbh I'm in the same boat as you, mostly riding hardly touring etc. But I wanted to support my local so when I went out j bought the bike bags they had in (miss grape, who you never hear anything about but I find fine) and I don't regret it.
If you feel like you can't put up with the low quality of podsacs (which is very real) then your best bet might be cruising the bay and the buy and sell. That said they aren't many huge bargains on the second hand market right now due to demand.
My opinion is that seat packs like that are actually pretty crap for long rides and that will be exacerbated by the low quality. If your use case is long rides with a bit of touring, rather than tours with a bit of long rides then get a second hand carradice (or even a new one, they aren't very dear and don't lose much value). It will be better for your use case unless you're truly shredding the single track. I have used my super c lightweight audax on credit card type tours and it has much much better access than my bike packing roll bag which is basically designed to be accessed once in the morning when you pack up and once in the evening when you unload rather than throughout the day.