Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

It's not the seat post that's the problem, it's the space between the saddle and the rails. No room to get the straps through. I'd have to loosen off and move the saddle about on the rails every time I wanted to attach it or remove it.

Just detach the whole thing, seat post and seat and all . swap to alternative post and saddle when not needed.

I have a couple of little Topeak saddle packs and a huge Revelate Viscacha bag.

Is there a waterproof, 'half way house' option? I want something that will carry bulky shit like bivvy, down jacket with maybe some spare room but not too much.

Ortlieb ~3L or Restrap 8L.

Restrap 8L

Ooh, that might complement my new framebag. Cheers, I'll have a look at them both.

Viscacha is 6-14 L and the smallest Restrap is 8L so too big.

I'd like to fondle the Ortliebs to see how big they are in the flesh but the 0.8 or 3L might work. They look quite convoluted though but I guess their roll-top is better than my Specialized/Topeak's zip closure.

The 8L Restrap is 8L max, can be packed smaller. difficult call to make either way without having a look at one in person.

Didn't realize about the restrap code. cheers!

After a trip to my LBS I decided to go with a 13L miss grape saddle bag, way less flimsy than apidura and you don't need an extra drybag for water protection.

Got an alpkit duo for the bars.

Small frame bag from Restrap and my setup will be complete.

Trip at the end of may will be the true test.

Recommendations for a bar bag for long day rides to carry tools, tubes, a camera and a waterproof? Basically an alternative to a bag or overstuffed jersey pockets, so doesn't need to be as big as a proper overnight setup. On a mountain bike so needs to be sturdy.

What kind of frame? I use a frame bag for this purpose, unless your frame prohibits it I would rather frame bag over bar bag.

@r_mash sounds like a solid setup!

Standard double triangle hardtail. I'd like camera and snacks to be easily accessible on the bike ideally, hence leaning towards something bar mounted.

Down to you but I would definitely go for a large frame bag, minimum effect on the way the bike rides, out of the way etc

I like the look of this one from Mack Workshop:
https://www.mackworkshop.com/collections/bikepacking/products/bar-bag

Oh I like that. Might make myself one that kinda size for 48hr races, can carry emergency bivvy and jacket in there easy.

Alternatives to the King Universal Support Bolts?

Can't seem to be in stock anywhere..

So I kicked off my 2017 adventures with a couple of days to complete the South Downs Way. Was supposed to be doing it with a mate, but he had to pull out late in the day. Looking at the forecast, there was no way I was going to miss out too. It's nice to get some alone time too I find. I hopped on the 16:04 train from Waterloo to Winchester on the Friday evening and was pedalling by 17:15. So started two and bit glorious days of sunshine. Don’t think I saw a cloud for the whole 100 miles.

Here’s a pic of my bike set-up for the trip. Tarp, groundsheet, roll mat and sleeping bag upfront in a 13l drybag. Extra layers for the evening in the seatpack and various bit n bobs in the frame bag. The hardcase in the bottle cage had my toolkit. This meant my rucksack only really had water and snacks in which was nice. I hate having too much weight on my back for these longer rides.

Managed to bosh out about 15 miles the first evening, however as I had all weekend, I was in no rush. Had a lovely pint in the pub at Exton before pressing on to find a bivvy near Meon Springs. Managed to find a quiet little spot atop a hill. Figured it would be less cold here than in the valleys. It was still pretty baltic though as soon as the sun went down. Dinner and a beer under the moonlight and I could feel the stresses of the week melting away.

I was woken early by some seriously horny pheasants/grouse however the 5:30 start meant I was fed, coffee’d and packed up by 7am. My two luxuries, a travel pillow and Aeropress, meant I felt ready for the day ahead.

I was right about valleys being cooler; descending to cross the A3 through the Queen Elizabeth Country park was cold and really dewy. Got soaked by spray from the grass and needed the climb out the other side to warm up. As the day got going I was treated to stunning vista after stunning vista.

Managed to make my way to Houghton for a pub lunch and a rest up. Not having to rush was nice. This is about halfway so every mile more was a mile less to do on the Sunday. At Devil’s Dyke I’d done about 50 miles for the day, 65 in total and so was ready to call it quits. A couple of pints at the pub were nice enough. Spectacular view, shame about all the people. I then retraced my steps a little to find a lovely spot for the night.

A better night’s sleep meant a slow start to the morning but up and going by 8. With 35 miles left and another stunning day to come, I couldn’t really believe my luck. The legs still felt fresh apart from my right knee which was slowly blowing up. It happens on road rides around the 100 mile mark but this was first time mountain biking for a while. Need to get to the bottom of it. Anyway, it’s great riding for views, not so much technically.

This all means you can just plod along and the signage means navigation is basically redundant. Great coffee in the Youth Hostel near Southease, a cracking pint and some cheesy chips at The George Inn at Alfriston before the final slog over to Eastbourne.

Cruising into the seaside town a sense of accomplishment tinged with disappointment it was over. Suddenly you’re back amongst the world a ride like this filters out. Beer on the beech seemed appropriate.

Then a train to catch home. Managed to squeeze in a decent Fish n Chips on the platform while I waited which was excellent.

It’s probably the perfect introduction to off-road bikepacking. It's so accessible from London, and really simple to get around. It's hard work though, so massive respect to anyone that does in a day. If only there were some slightly better descents it would be right up there. It was always a bit of shame to crank all the way to the top a down only to fly down the other side on a straight bridleway. Hopefully Dartmoor/Exmoor later in the year if I can find another 3 or 4 days away from the family. Just hope I can time it with weather like this!

Wildcat Tiger Wayfarer: http://www.wildcatgear.co.uk/shop/seat-systems/wildcat-tiger-wayfarer/ and one of their tapered drybags: http://www.wildcatgear.co.uk/shop/dry-bags/tapered-dry-bags/
A bit spendy but very well made and secure.

Good report, thanks! Im going to do this soon

I've ridden with so many people with wildcat seat packs, they always come loose and wiggle about all over the place.

Setup used for a quick 2.5 day ride from Oslo to Stockholm over the weekend!

Never had a problem with mine (Tiger Wayfarer + small tapered drybag) as long as drybag is packed tight and the straps are done up securely.

Cheers, probably a bit on the spendy side, given what I'm thinking of using it for.

I wonder if I could do something like JC's bike with a drybag strapped to the seatpost or into an adapted bottle cage? Lightweight, stores what I need, but no extra capacity and I don't think drybags are going to be as durable as say the cordura seat bag.

Just my tuppence worth...

I've got the Alpkit tapered drybag, which now appears sold out but I'd hope they get more in. It was £20.

It was pretty frustrating to begin with as if you had multiple items in it, the main strap round the saddle rails and under the bag would find the gap between two bits in the bag and work loose. To get it tight again you had to completely re-pack. Mega faff.

This has been solved by adding a piece of flexible plastic to the inside to line the bottom. I cut it out of half of an old A4 ring binder and shaped it a bit. Took 2 minutes. This stops the strap getting between anything in the bag.

I also added a second strap with a metal buckle that is really easy to tighten up. This means if it ever does work loose, it's 20 seconds to get it tighten again.

Bit of a long shot here.

Planning a 120mile ride Wednesday, and was just going to get a train back home. Micro saddle bag for tubes/tools and other stuff in jersey pockets.
Coincidentally an old friend has got in touch and they've offered to put me up for the night. So would like a seat pack to put some trainers/clothes in. Need to track down a shop in the Midlands that sells something like this though - a recce of Brum's bike shops has drawn a blank, it appears bike packing hasn't made it to the Midlands yet.
Any suggestions for where I could pick something up tomorrow ? I don't really want to ride with a backpack

Great write up, looks like a fun weekend. Do you think it would be possible on a cross bike?

Oh and that tarp setup looks great, where did you get it from? the wheel supports one side and the bike the other? good idea. How small did it pack up?