Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

FINE!!! I'm posting MY version then! ;]

I have the largest of the carradice saddlebags with the quick release and frame. It's ok but must weigh more than 2kg all up (empty). This weight up high is more of an issue when riding fixed as I tend to get out the saddle and move the bike around a bit.

I also notice that the SQR clamp is quite small, so the heavier the bag, the more prone it is to bump, I notice that with stonehedge's carradice as well when we were riding to Cumbria.

the beauty of Scott and other's design is that it spread the load all over the seatpost/saddle, giving it more support to keep the bag stabilised as well as closer to the seatpost, it also mean if it's half full of packed, it still be stable once strapped properly.

basically I'm echoing what scott said 2 years ago (and from my short ride yesterday).

I also notice that the SQR clamp is quite small, so the heavier the bag, the more prone it is to bump, I notice that with stonehedge's carradice as well when we were riding to Cumbria.

True. It's never popped out/fallen off or similar. It does work. The spring tensioning the release lever is (unbelievably) completely free to spring off every time you take the bag off. It would be a major PITA loosing that on a tour.

the beauty of Scott and other's design is that it spread the load all over the seatpost/saddle, giving it more support to keep the bag stabilised as well as closer to the seatpost, it also mean if it's half full of packed, it still be stable once strapped properly.

basically I'm echoing what scott said 2 years ago (and from my short ride yesterday).

The bag (above) looks fantastic. There is talk of a ride around Iceland next Summer. I'll be looking to set the road bike up for creditcard touring but also emergency camping. I may hit you up with a saddlebag order before then Scott.

I also think tribars would be good for Iceland (major winds).

I love tribars personally...but prefer them set a bit higher and closer for long rides than a regular TT set up.

I was thinking about such set-up, but decided a good bike fit may be a better answer so it'll be perfectly comfortable to ride on the hood for a longer period of time.

^^ that is pretty much exactly the thing I'm after for a 29er europe/gravel road tourer. Reasonable amount of stuff inboard the frame, under saddle & bars + a 29er extra wheel with two smaller panniers. That way I guess it would feel confident enough to take it off-piste without worry of breaking anything, and still be half fun to ride when the mood takes.

I dunno, you got through the work of adding all those bags on the bike only to be dragged by an extra wheel, I mean the concept of bikepacking is to make the bike feel livery as oppose to being sluggish.

I reckon you'll be fine with those bag alone, I don't think there's a serious need to have a 3rd wheel.

tent + bag + cloths + stove + food
'shit takes up space yo ;)

Bivvying might be fine for a few days, but a few weeks of the wind on the Icelandic interior and I won't have any skin left, all be blasted away :p
Honestly never tried a bike with a trailer so I'm unsure as to just how much it affects performance, and whether its better to load up a bike heavily, or run a bike+trailer more lightly?

For shorter things or when there is a group and it can be shared out then bike packing it all into a frame bag + saddle bag + bar bag (and no backpack, hate weight on my back for long periods of time) would be ideal.

make the bike feel livery

Racist.

I mean the concept of bikepacking is to make the bike feel livery as oppose to being sluggish.

So it'll ride offaly nicely?

tent + bag + cloths + stove + food
'shit takes up space yo ;)

get Salsa Anything Cage, get your front fork (if steel) welded for bottle cage mount and carry more stuff there;

I keep getting deja vu.

Then reply before me dammit!

I've set myself a goal to ride the Tour Divide in 2O13, which may seem a long time to wait, but 2O12 is too close and won't allow me enough time to get my bike built, get into reasonable shape, and generally save enough money to be able to do it.

It means I have plenty of time to work on my ideal bike and kit combination.
I have things worked out in my head already and should hopefully be putting down a deposit with Rob English in a few weeks time.
It is going to be a full on project as I want to incorporate some very specific things into the frame design which will work perfectly with the bags I intend to make.

I'm really excited to have this goal to work towards as In my 36 years I've never once had a passport or left the UK...so this whole experience will be completely new to me and will hopefully give me a whole new outlook on life.

Now I just need to start putting the miles in and generally getting my fitness back to a reasonable level, and of course start saving money to fund it all.

Roll on 2O13. :]

Amazing. Doitdoitdoitdoitdoit.

...and tell us about it too plz.

I'll probably be boring you all to death with every little detail of the build progress and the kit for the next 2O months or so! :]

Yes please.

Will you do a few UK events as prep?

London-Edinburgh-London?

:)

I've been meaning to ride to Scotland and use it as a chance to see my kids more too....I got a great route from Greenbank, but still haven't done it yet...But I'll be trying to get as many miles in next year as I can....Dog allowing. :]

Next bag design will have to accommodate the mutt. The BRP pooch pouch!

He's no Chihuahua!!! :]

It'd be like carrying a human corpse!

I knew the English going to be something for the Tour Divide!

I want to do the Tour Divide, not sure when though.

Going to pick up a cheap rigid singlespeed 29ers soon to go bikepacking in Scotland soon.

Luckily I have a dog trailer...if I can ever get him back in it after a rather traumatic test attempt. :]

I shall now be watching 'Ride the divide' even more often! :]