Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

I have one of the alpkit handlebar drybags.
Works nicely on a rack with the things for straps.
They also make that style with just one opening.

1 Attachment

Something like the Pronghorn dims and weight but side/top load.

I’ve done that, with a sit-mat underneath. Too wide, overhanging the rack top. My riding is extreme. I need stability.

I hope Alpkit are working on what I want as we speak.

My older one is quite narrow but never rode "extreme" with it.
Can see how you end up with a very flat thing that's annoying though.
Get some ppe or similar sheet plastic and make something?

This thing from Vaude? It's peak German rando! If the attachment is stable that could be quite good. Depending on other bags could be nice to have quick access.

1 Attachment

Thinking about it it would probably swing side to side like mad.

Exactly. It’s good though. No rickety attachment, which is a plus.

…could try that with the Voile straps over the top for stability, though. Hmm.

Super C Rackbag

Weighs 690g alone. Too heavy and too tall.

Hm, as I said, though actually it’s 750gms, 230 more than the AP20.
You may have to leave one of your crocs behind to make up the difference.

I posted without comment :)

What Voile straps are those on top pic? Are they rack-specific straps? They would be neat

For our trip we just used two really long ones right around the rack, which worked but if it was muddy, they might've got a bit close to the tyre.

they do hook-ended ones like this:
https://bathoutdoors.co.uk/products/voile-straps%C2%AE-rack-strap-20-orange

go home hippy, ur drunk

#buyer

That does seem kinda pointless - using super light drybag then having to add shit to it so it doesn't wear through?

Just use a more durable drybag (I like the Big River) in the first place.

Cheers! Looks like I get to shave off at least 2g with these straps and add a bit of clearance to the rear tyre :)

I buy all my Revelate and Voile stuff from Charlie (always tell your mummy before you go off somewhere)

https://www.bikemonger.co.uk/voile-rack-straps-21470-p.asp

I think I have 32" voile straps so I wonder what length rack strap I'd need... hmm...

So the game is: beat this price and weight with same functionality using non-proprietary parts…

(Never factor in the cost of your time)

1 Attachment

Charlie himself is no longer part of Bikemonger, in case that was part of your loyalty to them! Not that they aren’t deserving of anyone's business without him

Weight of stuff for me is meaningless. I'm >90kg riding a massive steel 29er.

My OMM rack is cheaper but weighs maybe 1-150g more than the whole setup here.

But the "pack" will depend on what you put on it. So, if you were carrying fuck all, it could be argued that my setup is lighter. On the other end of the scale, I can carry more than the Aeropack, ~30kg with the axle mounts so there's that.

https://oldmanmountain.com/product/divide-bike-rack/

The Ortlieb Quick Rack, which I also now own (ffs) weighs half as much as the OMM but doesn't have the flat top plate so you'd need to find a hard-based top loader bag or add some rigid plastic before strapping on a dry bag.

https://bikepacking.com/gear/ortlieb-quick-rack-review/

Quick access items go up front anyway so the whole top loader thing seems a bit pointless to me.

I didn't know that but I don't mind, they've still helped me out enough in recent times for me to maintain my loyalty, swapping frame bags for the Scott for no cost for example.

oh yeah they're still good – also i should add that he sold it, he wasn't ousted in some sort of coup, or kicked out in disgrace after a scandal. my original comment could be misunderstood haha

Yes, I had been assuming someone will design a lightweight frame to use the rack top as a platform. Or, make a rigid base to the dry bag thing I briefed last night. Hope the Alpkit sleuths are taking notes.

add some rigid plastic

make a rigid base

I've been waiting years for someone to come out with a minimal rack top bag that would be thin enough to work with a Tubus Airy (admittedly a niche market!). In the end I resorted to the dry bag/Voile thing and used a cut up Ass Saver as a base like this (the saddle rail bit clips to the rack struts)..

.. the cut outs mean I can also use it with (front) panniers, but mainly just with Voile rack straps and a cheap dry bag. The rest of the time it just gets left there as a shitty mudguard. Amazingly Gorilla tape has lasted >5 years.

The closest I have seen a 'proper' bag for my purposes would be one of the bigger fork leg or down tube bags (Apidura, Salsa or Revelate), some of which have a thicker base to handle the rub, plus their own straps. None are ideal though, and probably too small for most purposes.

Love to see it. Could you share a pic in use?