Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

I'll do an unpacking photo set when I get a moment.

Please

Thanks for link! 100 x 150cm is plenty, mate has an old Alpkit Kanga that works well (strap over bars, then round fork with holster on the front of it with a bit of plastic sheet inside to stiffen it up) probably don't need to go 1000D but useful website.

Picked up Madisons own saddle bag pack today, 'Caribou' is their sub brand for them, made by same supplier that does the 'Passport' collection of bags. Has way more rigidity than my first gen Alpkit bag from years ago, but will probably modify it a bit more to make MTB proof. Hate a saggy sack

They do mid-heavy weight X-Pac too, search "vx". Sold by the half m.

La sportiva tx2. Not cheap but great lightweight shoes.

That said my fizik ergolace are comfy. And look like trainers.

Thorn straight bladed, unicrown, bike packing, steel, BOOST through axle disc fork. Will accept 26 x 2.75 inch or 27.5 x 2.6 inch or 700 x 45c wheel / tyres.

As someone who is just starting out on the whole bike packing thing, and isn't sure it isn't just a fad ... is the Planet X gear decent enough to get started? The plan is to do a few days stopping in pensions in the middle of Spain, following some parts of the Camino Del Cid.

Specifically the PodSacs saddle bag and barrel handlebar bag, to fit on my Cannondale Synapse?

My podsacs framebag and cargo cages with drybags have been good so far. There's no point spending a lot on expensive gear until after a few trips, during which you can figure out what you need and want imo.

Use the search, lots of chat about it. Mostly negative. I wouldn't recommend the saddle bag from my experience with it.

Any other cheap options people can recommend then?

Lomo seems pretty well regarded as a budget seat pack.

https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/13l-bike-seatpack-drybag.html

http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.com/2017/12/lomo-waterproof-seat-pack-first-look.html?m=1

Depending on your sleep setup a couple of drybags and straps can be sufficient. I have an Alpkit Airlok up front which has loops to feed the straps through. Not good for awkwardly-shaped items such as cooking equipment etc however.

As above, get something like a few voile straps and dry bags - borrow or buy second hand. No need to buy cheap new stuff with a view to quickly offload (if you can avoid it).

borrow or buy second hand

Yep, my bad, definitely a better idea

Oh, hadn't seen either of those and both look good. Plus my X5s are looking a little tired now so am probably due some new riding shoes. How's the stiffness in those for an all-day road ride?

The terra? I used them for road vyt they do flex. I also used fhen for muti day stuff and theyre good.

To be clear, I like the ergolace for everything but the lace. The clima is better but a bit warm, and the velcro unneed. The design could be improved but the sole is great for walking and they're comfy. Plus I'm fussy.

I wouldn't ride the the la sportiva tx2, too thin sole and flexy. But good for walking and stuff. Not great for off road running, not enough support or cushioning. Use a tx4 for that.

....yes, I read the description myself, my point was that the clearance for 29" is poor.

Anyone have a good 2 day overnighter route out of London and back? Max 100km a day with a wild camp. Just want to get out for the whole weekend.

go out and catch a chunk of the smoke ring

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/153443

@alialias the bagman QR plate M8 threads pulled out - so was contemplating getting something different. Have bodged it with a longer bolt and a nut for now but not confident. It’s taken a lot of abuse to be fair.

I also don’t like how far forward you have to have your seatpost.

Ideally I would like a QR feature but in a different design - sandwiched rails maybe?

I believe the support is stainless but the plates are alu.

Probably just get another bagman and a support, just more faff for removing.

Have rear rack mounts so a mini rack on them that supported but still using the QR might work - I’m tall tho so saddle a long way from rack mounts.

Ooh nice, I was gonna go South but actually I could go NW (from Holloway) and that would be a nice route. Altho I would end up tryna camp somewhere near Sandhurst LOL.

Hiya,

I just posted a breakdown of the ref kit, in the snooker thread, if you're interested.

I also don’t like how far forward you have to have your seatpost.

With you on this, such a pain. I'm pretty nervy about mine now it's failed once. Hopefully that'll pass with time.

Yeh fair enough yeh. Hopefully they make a 29’er specific.

Who’s up for the smoke ring - it’s still on my to do this annoying sitting there waiting to be done. Might have a go next weekend - 2 day’er if anyone’s keen.

I just posted a breakdown of the ref kit, in the snooker thread, if you're interested.

Wow! My suggestion that you put some white gloves in a pannier wasn't going to cut.

Questions:

What are the blister plasters for?

What is the red arrow/circle at the top of the triangle for?