Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

Layering involved wearing a merino rather than ordinary t-shirt and a light fleece. During the day on those months I’d think ok. At night not so.

I ordered the Focus Adventure Rack when there were 10 in stock. Now all gone. Hoping that it wasn’t a stock error when I placed the order and they’ve never had any…
https://www.bike24.com/p2752049.html

super critical that your bike has same length seat stays as the Focus Atlas no?

I guess you could always extend, shorten or replace the top stay, and there should be enough flex in the bottom to fit slightly different width dropouts.

My thoughts too. I think I’ll have to fabricate a bracket for the top mount. I’ll pick up the two rack mounts on my stays and create a mounting bar. In the photos and exploded bike diagram there is a bracket to mount to existing holes on the Atlas (of course they’re not in the same place as mine) but it is unclear if this is included. If it is then hopefully it’ll be a simple right angled bracket to each of the rack mounts.
They’ve all sold now (they had at least 10 when I ordered yesterday) to clearly they’re a popular rack and one which I’m sure would be easy for other rack manufacturers to copy.
Anyways photos will follow if I can get it mounted.

Update. There must be some ability to amend the height as the bikes come in different sizes. Unless the distance between mounting points is the same on them all…

I mean where do you stop then ;)

There is only 1 solution

There is only 1 solution

Lazy ask .. but my eldest is looking to do a Norway/Sweden trip next summer and after a sleeping bag to suit.

Any forum recommended that are not crazy expensive (or worth looking out for 2nd hand?) .. he’ll have rack, panniers etc. so size and weight are not ultra-critical (10 day trip in July/Aug)

When I looked cumulus was suggested as a very good option. Happy with mine.

Have a look at Aegismax bags on AliExpress/Amazon - I've got a couple of different ones and they're very good for the money. If he's over 5'8" get a long version though, the regular lengths come up a bit short.

My Focus rack arrived the other day and I’ve had a trial fit. Not too much adjustment to the provided bracket to pick up my oddly placed rear mudguard mount…
The weight limit is 3kg per side, fitted is an 8l Alpkit bag stuffed with a jacket. I think it will need the loops for the straps to go through to feel completely at ease that they won’t slip down…

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Could you clip the drybag closure through the top bar on the rack? Or does that take it too close to the tyre?

Possibly. I could cut a piece of plastic to fit in that top section to protect the bags from any risk of tyre rub.

Really interesting rack. Recon that'd work well on my Fairlight Holt (hmm except that is boost width).

Have you got voile straps, have used a few different options now and always come back to them for securing bags.

Recon that'd work well on my Fairlight Holt

doubt it, stay length and angle totally diff to a road bike style gravel bike (Focus Atlas)

you should have bought a trek 1120

Very interesting. What are the pros and cons of this vs panniers?

I’m not sure yet. I rode this bike with panniers in the summer and I just had too much stuff.
This has a 3kg limit per side and I think they’ll be more stable when packed properly than the panniers.

Interested to know what the heel clearance is like, I imagine it can get quite tight with dropped seatstays and big flippers.

Looking at picking up one of these two tents, would in theory be happy to use the larger one, as would not be for long/fast rides; but the footprint doesn't actually look appreciably bigger than the smaller one.

Would appreciate advice, it's been a while since I've camped so if people think the slightly bigger footprint, and porch will be noticeable, or conversely to not worry about the larger space.

https://www.planetx.co.uk/products/zastrugi-deluxe-2-person-tent

https://www.planetx.co.uk/products/zastrugi-2-person-tent

I bought the standard one and am happy with it. Can just about sit up in it and there's enough room for me, mat, sleeping bag and luggage. It's been lightly rained on twice with zero issues. Easy enough to put up and pack away. And small enough to go into a large saddlebag with the inflatable mat wrapped round it. Definitely value for money.

Interesting

https://www.cyclinguk.org/route/traws-eryri-map-and-gpx-file#msdynttrid=wfCddDw4Frh5kOqVRlZUBxKzFNlw6SnAz1yPbaiwCwg

I've got a mk1 Restrap bar bag, and it's not great. However, I am loathed to get rid as it was a gift and I've already modded it over the years to suit.

The primary issue I have is that the straps that connect it to the bars always work loose, this is a constant niggle and I'm forever pulling them tight during trips.

Am I mad if I drill 4 holes to match the stem bolt pattern and then mount it direct using some longer M5 bolts/washers and sleeves to space it off a touch? Thus making the straps fairly redundant. It's either that or get some mini Voile straps. I like the idea of the direct mount as itll raise the bag up too, but have concerns over safety.

Any thoughts appreciated.

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I use voile straps for a similar bag. Works perfectly.

Carried two tubes around with me for ages (tubeless worshipper). Finally had to use them on tour and both had holes presumably from being knocked around in bag for years/months on end.
Any fool proof ways of protecting them inside a frame bag?