Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

I share your views. I have been a customer of Lucy (Rusjan) since 2015 and most of the pieces of stuff I have got are still in excellent condition. It is a pity all the fuss about antivaxxx...

Home brew shops, hardware stores, etc
I've bought an extended Hydrapak hose from Amazon in the past.

thank you!

What sort of fork packs are people using? Was going to cargo cage and dry bag but surprised by expensive the cages are for what they. Saw ortlieb make some quick release ones that look pretty appealing.

I used Gorilla with Gorilla bags. The bad thing is the bags a tricky to get out of the straps as they both have velcro. I found them tricky to get tight because of this. If the amount of stuff you put in then varies day by day (carrying food for example) this might be more of a nuisance.
I suspect
You aren’t supposed to take the bag off the frame which I see as a bad point.

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Same experience with Gorillas as Alan_tbt but using random bags (before) (1st pic) and later Rusjan.
Perhaps, the latter had a more stiffer material providing a better tight-junction with the cages.

disclaimer: both setup were for 10-15days with >2k km.

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Any recommendations for off the bike shoes that are reasonably packable? Had a pair of Flossys previously and they were ok but they're fucked now and were still a bit bulky.

Crocs with voilee straps on your saddlebag....

If you’re touring urban environments, Toms can fold flat and slide down into a bag. The only time I’d recommend them, mind.

Crocs with Voile straps, now that's a collaboration I'd like to see.

Recently back from a week long bikepacking trip. If you're in warm climates then any kind of espadrilles are good as they fold flat and are lightweight but not super flimsy. I got some cheap Havaianias which did the trick and now live by the back door

Sportiva tx2

Sportiva tx2 or bedrock sandals

Ride flats? Then you only need one pair of shoes.

My missus has just nabbed some cheap FiveTens to try this out.

I am a total n00b, between stoves, which ones are preferred? canister or liquid fuel? MSR ones with liquid fuel pump look okay?

Depends on your use. Some places it's hard to get canisters. How long are you on the road for and how much use will it get vs. how light do you want to pack?

Both are bad for the environment. Just blow hot air on it.

oh I am not going that remote, Savoie alps, pack-size wise I have space (I think)

Just blow hot air on it.

cant cook curry like that

I'm perfectly happy with my MSR pocket rocket. The canister fits in your frame bag on its side so packs quite efficiently. For cooking I have two nesting ti pots (±110 and ±95mm one for curry one for rice) Aeropress fits inside the smaller pot and the MSR goes into the plunger. Pretty space efficient Matryoshka situation.

I would borrow a canister stove off a friendly forumenger.

Yep, not sure there is much in it between these and Flossys. Flossys bit cheaper maybe.

I’d be interested to know your packlist. I’m doing similar and can’t see how I’d get to Bikepacking mode. 2 rear 30 litre panniers and fork bags are as compact as I can imagine.

Thanks Alan.

Apologies for my lack of memory but roughly:

First of all, no cookery stuff (was cycling mostly in France (2020) and Italy (2021) so plenty of places where to eat) + both trips were in late August so no need for warm clothes.

1. Sleeping bag, down jacket, 3/4 mattress and bivvy distributed on front fork bags (they weren't the lighter gear you can buy)
   
2. tools between frame pack (mostly tubes) and 3rd bottle holder (down the frame)
   
3. saddle bag: mostly clothes: 2 bibs, 2 jerseys, 1 t-shirt, 1 shirt, 1 beach shorter, 1 swimming pant + flipflops + mug (never used but is an IG-likes-catcher, joking!)
   
4. more front top tube bag: 2 battery packs, 1 sinewave USB charger, iPod, vitamins, salts, electrolyte tablets, spare batteries for the edge
   
5. more rear top tube bag: cutlery for melons/watermelons on the road (ate dozens!), retractable cable lock abus for quick stop security,
   
6. handlebar bags are 2: fixed and a lumbar removable one (both rusjan masterpiece): on the fixed: med kit with even a tourniquet donated by bro as he's a paramedic and loves to scare me to hell, rain jacket, warm arms/legs/puff/ more food; on the lumbar ID/documents/wallet/keys/ sometimes my phone
   
   

The total weight was about 32kg and crossing the Splugen Pass on 05/08/21 at 12:20 is carved on my brain (and ass).

Not sure if this reply is helpful but feel free to drop me a DM if you struggle.

France (2020) and Italy (2021) so plenty of places where to eat

Lies! France doesn't have any places to eat. #trufax