Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

First time using the MTB for an overnighter. Happy with everything but will definitely need to look into a full frame bag as it's wasted space. Was nice to not having anything on the bars and made descending so much more fun ( multi day trips I will have the tent up here rather than the bivvy bag I had in the saddleback). Using Confucius bars and hoping for recommendations for ways to mount /carry drybag on the bars? My Blackburn holster (which I think is great) doesn't quite work with the bars/wide stem annoyingly.

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Surprised that weight hanging off the arse didn't bother you.

I don't mind 1.5kg on the bars, if it's in a good holster. But weight off the arse is annoying. Sadly if riding proper MTB a backpack wins, but is annoying.

MTB Bum bags are a pretty good option if you want to keep weight off the bike, particularly ones with a bladder - frees up the frame for a full bag.

I've had a bad time on the mountainbike with a backpack before because of the swing side to side, but I have trail running pack that works great. It's a BD Distance 8 which fits like a limpet and doesn't affect handling. all of their mountain running packs like the Blitz crossover pretty well for for activities like climbing and mountainbiking where you don't want to compromise mobility.

Yeah your royally right,you need a good backpack, and again not huge weight. Not like the kids DOE setup I saw Killian Bron riding with! I have some custom ones with good straps and they are rock solid. But this weigh the extra weight is put through your feet and keep COG low.

Yeah your totally right,you need a good backpack, and again not huge weight. Not like the kids DOE setup I saw Killian Bron riding with! I have some custom ones with good straps and they are rock solid. But this weigh the extra weight is put through your feet and keep COG low.

Was only 2.2kg in the seat pack so was fine, will be even better once I get the exo rail underneath the saddle to stabilise it further. Annoyingly without it the bag sagged a bit onto the dropper so wasn't able to use it. The rail should sort it out

What holsters is anyone using on mtb?

Bit of a niche query, but on the off-chance – has anybody here tried taking an ipad mini or similar on a tour to do a bit of work?

I'm daydreaming about getting a bit of a solo trip in this year but im short on holiday days, so am considering doing half a day of riding and half a day of work (marketing nonsense, mostly planning and copywriting).

Hurdles I anticipate are:

• ipad mini not being big enough to really do any work on
  
• me not wanting to do any work and then just not doing it
  
• poor signal in rural france
  
• breaking the ipad due to cramming it into a frame bag/seat pack
  

Could you use a folding bluetooth keyboard with your phone? If it's mainly typing.

... i did not know such a thing existed. That, plus a new phone [I'm still using the OG iphone SE (I like wired headphones)] could be the perfect option

Depends what you do for work. Surely and airbook or similar would be ideal.
We worked from the van on 4G for a while. Just find a cafe or campsite to charge.

Such a nice daydream though:)

That’s just what someone who wants me to buys Tailfin would say…

I hear, and tbh I have considered that, not least coz that’s what I use for work anyway. This year though I don’t want to buy any more stuff, as much as it would match my cargo cages :)

I took a tablet and keyboard on a tour to write once, ended up just connecting the keyboard to my phone and writing. It wasn't horrendous, but it also want work.

I think if the priority in your niche is to successfully work. Work out how to take your work lap top/mac book thing, I bet it will very quickly be the best decision you made to not "half arse" the important thing to the tours success.

What’s the best, minimal, tiny saddle bag? Just want to carry a stuffed jacket really. ~0.5l

I have this: https://theradavist.com/big-x-tops-mini-saddle-bag/ its quite nice and I got it for a fiver, I dont think he makes them anymore.

But maybe this? https://alpkit.com/products/enduro-seat-pack-and-harness-bundle

Or just any 2-3L dry bag and a voile strap

Not tiny tiny but a pal has this and seems to like it
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BAPODDCWSB/podsacs-daytripper-colour-waterproof-saddle-bag

Ignore those old farts ^

https://skingrowsback.com/collections/saddle-bags

Ortlieb is solid, I have larger size, think they have a micro version.

Ortlieb is solid

a HUGE yes, zero dangle

Bit of a niche query, but on the off-chance – has anybody here tried taking an ipad mini or similar on a tour to do a bit of work?

Have had similar ideas and have done a bit of work away from home but mostly in friends places with decent internet. I think having a model with USB-C makes things easier.

Using an Anker 341 hub and bluetooth keyboard/mouse, you can mount a lot of things to an iPad. Think it allows for PD pass through if you have the right cables/plug, video calls burn through the battery. It also has a HDMI port to mirror to a larger screen.

Fully regret buying a cheap keyboard (£30 logitech keys to go), sure it's light and thin but it's terrible. Would like to try again with a Logitech MX mini.

Exped lightweight 8" sleeve will keep it safe crammed into your bags.

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Ortlieb ones will be waterproof if you're talking down jacket. If you're talking about a rainshell or something then almost every bike manufacturer out there has a saddle bag.

Why do the straps go around the zip? That seems dumb. What am I missing?

I need a smaller jacket

That it has a magnetic closure and just takes 2 seconds to take off and replace under the saddle.
How often are you opening your tiny saddle pack that this is a hassle?