Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

I just ordered something similar on Amazon as a possible fix

Mount the light on the bars? With a harness like that, that's what I do.

Depends if I can get a supernova bar mount in a week. Actually, it seems there's a mount for Ritchey stems too which would work

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-racks/bike-rack-accessories/halfords-essentials-retaining-straps-146526.html?

Basic cinch straps instead of a Voile? ie. those things you'd see on a backpack

You can get velcro and non-velcro ones.

Something like: https://alpkit.com/products/dual-straps-grey

Check that the weight of it isn't pushing cables together or squashing onto the headtube. The grrl wore through her gear cable outers and some headtube paint during the An Turas Mor ride. We also ended up using the groundsheet as a backing protector for the drybag we'd put the tent in. Lots of bounce = lots of rubbing = holes

restrap just dropped this with lots of harness options, might cut out some of that rub
https://restrap.com/collections/cages-mounts/products/bumper-bar

That could be useful. Sent it on.

If I had my way though, I'd retrofit Di2 to her bike to eliminate the gear cables from the setup altogether.

I'd also get her a dynamo front wheel and dynamo light on the fork perhaps but that will likely cause other issues with a front harness.

i hear you but why not

If you're using that as a bumper you're losing your bar space. If you're using it to hold stuff then it's not working as a bumper?

but it can act as both? I mount my light and wahoo on that and use as a bumper. Lots of adjustability, tenner.

That bumper bar is a plaster over a wound, not actually fixing the wound.

I will ONLY buy Tailfin if I commit to Torino Nice thankuverymuch

tailfin rack is the st george's cross of consumerist bikepacking

Maybe. But if you've already got a cheap front bag/harness then it could save buying another.

which is a logical conclusion of the Amey story!

I'll get you a custom one in st george flag colourway so you can represent.

Slightly off topic but what is a good lock for bikepacking with two bikes? Had a mini keyring combi lock but had to break it at was 5am during badlands as it wouldn't open.

There was chat about small locks recently. Was it in the Generic Touring thread?

Yeah a couple of pages back:

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/238436/?offset=2475

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/366187/

Got a mount from r2-bike (very fast delivery); thanks for the suggestion. Roll is a bit big but it’s a full tent, quilt and mat so that’s to be expected. Shouldn’t hit the wheel either.

1 Attachment

Any recommendations for a cannister-style bar bag around 32cm wide? My VEL Air Flow TRV pump is lovely, but a wide lad.

Final shake down ride today before 5 days in France (stage 4&5) then to Oudenaarde and Ypres. I opted for the rear rack and waterproof bag strapped to it. It’s very stable and secure. Front left fork for tent and sleeping mat, front right for cooking kit and food for first night. Sleeping bag in the bar bag. On the rack are some off bike clothes and change of on bike clothes, towel and a down jacket. The frame pack has the tent poles and other odds and sods.
Pretty sure I’ve got too much of most things.

2 Attachments