Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

excellent, thank for posting that, I liked the strap on the top of the bag, that actually quite useful to have.

Cheap too...

similar to Scott's price on his too (including postage).

Ed, when did you get the Revelate Designs stuff? Did you find a local seller or did you get it shipped to you directly from them?

tbh if youre looking for a storage system like this and dont want to order from the states all you have to do is buy a drybag and use three (or more) 50cm velcro straps to attach to your handlebar

tbh if youre looking for a storage system like this and dont want to order from the states all you have to do is buy a drybag and use three (or more) 50cm velcro straps to attach to your handlebar

The saddle bags are more complex as they're tapered. You can always just strap a drybag to the seat post though - works if it doesn't bump into your legs.

I think he meant the handlebar bag rather than the saddle bag, which is quite true.

I'm really looking forward to designing the custom bags for my 2O13 Tour divide bike...I have a few ideas doing the rounds in my head already....should hopefully be pretty slick, and these WILL be branded with the Black Rainbow Project name...although I doubt i'll be making them to sell...personal use only.

The whole Tour divide bike is going to be a really nice project...can't wait to see it's progression. :]

Scott, remembering what you said a while ago - you got to write it all down, blog or whatsoever, it be great to read your progression to the Tour Divide.

Dave Nice did similar blog didn't he?

Dave has his 'slower than snot' blog I think?

I'm in Rob English's official queue now for my custom frame/fork/stem, so I'm starting to finalize all the details as to what I want from the bike.
The best thing about being able to make the bags myself, and having the frame custom built is that I can look at the build as a whole package and make everything work perfectly together, based on my ideal setup....hopefully!
I know pretty much all the details already, but I have plenty of time to finalize them, and my component choices may change slightly over the coming year, but the whole process will be an interesting one for me.

I'm going to start my training properly after Christmas once I'm settled in the Bagcave.
Having never tackled anything even remotely close to the Tour divide I know I have a huge challenge ahead of me, both mentally and physically. I've never even had a passport before, let alone raced 2711 miles off road from Canada to New Mexico. :]

In for a penny, In for a pound!

Old Man Mountain and Tubus make rack for bicycle without mount, Scott design is similar to Eric's of Revelate Designs where you can buy one for £80, a framebag for £40 and a front sling for £20;

https://www.revelatedesigns.com/

£150 altogether, but totally worth it as it doesn't need a rack and still handle normal when laden.

Hell no. Just wouldn't want somebody to get their hopes up and then get a shock once the full total is added up.
It comes to almost £2OO just for the saddlebag, tangle frame bag, harness, and pocket. Once you add shipping and import, you've got to be at about £25O, which is quite different to £15O.

A well priced UK alternative for the frame bag. Is Buggy Bags.
http://www.buggybags.co.uk/pages/BikeBagOptions.htm

Pretty basic, yet robust bags.

I'm very happy with my OverBoard stuff. Very waterproof, and no fiddly zipps to fight with in the freezing cold.

In for a penny, In for a pound!

Considering the amount of input you'll have on the bike set-up, the fact that you're designing and making the bags, and then riding the thing yourself. That sounds like a fecking massive understatment.

Genuine 'all the best' wished.

A well priced UK alternative for the frame bag. Is Buggy Bags.
http://www.buggybags.co.uk/pages/BikeBagOptions.htm

Pretty basic, yet robust bags.

I'm very happy with my OverBoard stuff. Very waterproof, and no fiddly zipps to fight with in the freezing cold.

I like that Buggy also use 1OOOd cordura for their frame bags...like me. :]

A well priced UK alternative for the frame bag. Is Buggy Bags.
http://www.buggybags.co.uk/pages/BikeBagOptions.htm

How much?

Revelate-like gear from Poland: http://www.bikepack.eu/

Seriously considering their RePack WX pack for more 'audax' style riding. My jersey wont take an OS size map and I'd like to be able to carry a raincoat and a sandwich, emailed them and got a swift response they thought they'd have have one done by next week sometime if I bought it today pretty impressive. Not sure what postage is though, will keep ya'll informed when I do buy one (next week sometime)

Shipping is £15

They're copies of Carousel design works, rather than Revelate.

Brought one for my dad.

I'll be honest, even thought it got more useful feature than my Archie's, quality wise it doesn't feel that good in comparison.

I quite like the look of them and I've actually got money for one now. Shame I wish I brought an Archies before.

i wish he still make them nowadays! I saw Rosie's purple one, and it's so much better than my current one with strap on the underside (I think), mount for a clip-on rear light.

I'll end up buying a bike pack one I think.

Do you guys have one yet? Could it fit a bivi and sleeping bag?

I do have one, let me fill it up with random bags to show you the size, think I'll use an iPod to compare the sizing easily.

my archie one is still in the states.

Mine the medium, so that's fully extended;

Underside;

Top;

The new version of mine will be different again. :]

The blinky tabs on the base rarely end up facing backwards if the bag is full though, they normally point to the ground...you're better clipping them to the end strap which clips to the top...that's why I didn't bother putting them on my more recent ones.

The bungee lashing on the base is a pain in the arse too as everything pokes through the gaps in the bungee...my new version uses an expanding mesh pocket on the base with elastic compression. ;]

Sweet. So you're definitely going with the new design? Exciting.
Hope we don't have to travel up North to get them. ;)