Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

Speaking of which, blackburn cargo cages, has anyone got feedback?

That English is crazy. Mostly due to wheel size. Why would he choose that size?

Small wheels have an advantage on ascents, and also for short sprints... But both for the same reason, they have less if a flywheel effect and you need to put less energy into them to get them moving. But they also hold energy badly, meaning flats and descents are draining as you need to work all the times you could just roll along.

This is the problem I found with using Moultons to do Ventoux and the gorges... Easier going up, harder descent and cruising.

Did he opt for the small wheels just to have space for bags?

His frames are often splitable, so perhaps the small wheels mean it can go in a normal suitcase for travel? still looks ridiculous.

Yeah it does pack down, says in the link. Think I'd rather have more hassle flying with my bike to then have a more enjoyable ride at the destination than travelling with a 10 speed bmx for ease.

I have S&S Couplers on my Robin Mather.

I've uncoupled them twice. And one of those times was just to see how it is done.

Reality of such bikes:

• You aren't checking them as standard baggage anyway (because it pushes your weight allowance and number of bags over a limit and costs more)
  
• If you're checking them as sports equipment you may as well have got a regular bike box
  
• The regular bike boxes are easier to hire and use
  
• The compromises you make to the ride quality, or to the durability (including replacing parts when touring) are not worth it
  
  

In fact the only benefit I found from using the Moulton and being able to take it apart fairly quickly was this:

• You're able to hire a small/regular sized car and can still fit the bike in the boot
  
  

But then... I personally found that the savings, ride quality and all other aspects meant that I just preferred to travel with full sized bikes on planes and coaches (they just get thrown into the luggage area underneath and covered with bags). I'd also just rather hire a larger car.

I was offered couplers for the Seven bike I'm currently building... but I just don't see the point now I've had them. Give me a full sized bike bag any day.

Has anyone got a new Revelate Feed bag and would answer some questions I have? I'm trying to work out how they sew a part of them but have run into a dead end

Finally got to use my @RankinJ framebag on the commute today. It's a good fit, secure, doesn't catch my knees and it looks cool too. Would buy again

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Glad to hear, I'm just about to put another order in for fabrics if anyone would like something similar let me know in the next couple of hours.

I would be interested for sure! Seen the quality of phil's in person and its great!

PM me details and I can do a cardboard cutout or whatever to get the sizes right!

What's the dollar? I can't buy straight away, but am thinking about for next month.

^same here, I do really want one but I'm in France...

Thanks for the messages.

I think at the moment they're priced low as it's just a bit of a hobby, so I try and cover my costs but definitely not my time! I'm up to 8 people wanting them made so I'll go to a round 10 and If more people start to want things done after that then I'll probably have to have a serious look at costing it properly.

I also just made one to test some things, its 53cm long 15cm deep. Anyone interested?

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how much? quite possibly

Also interested. PM'd

Dibs

£30 collected from South Kensington or plus postage if you need it. Just as a note the straps won't fit around big alu tubes, so probably best on something steel.

Anyone own a Surly Porteur House bag? Looks interesting

@Hulsroy I can collect for you if you get it as its by my work.

My criticism is that they provide seperate draw string bags for each pocket to make it more water resistant. It would have been nice to have just made it waterproof to start with. Other than that I like it, seems well thought out. Id personally go for the ILE over it though.

PMd just incase..

Ta.

Gone

hm, yeah. Reckon you could impregnate the surface with some waterproof spray. What's the ILE?

Hard to see the bike with all that bag :-)