Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

Strap is just wrapped underneath the cable.

Think I have some gorilla tape somewhere so that should be fine. Cheers.

Just ordered the Expedition compact frame bag in small.
The measurement under the TT of my Bowman is 47cm but whilst the medium might technically fit at 46cm due to the Bowman's acute HT angle and slack geo, they advised I went for the small which measures 43 cm.
Have you received yours yet and if so, what are your thoughts?

I have the opportunity of adding mounts on my frame before it goes to paint (at a cost). I've seen images of super neat framebags mounted to frame bosses, like this:

Apart from the obvious permanency vs. ease-of-removal comparison against a velcro setup, is there anything else I should be considering? Is one system inherently better than the other?

looks real nice but I would imagine the stem cell would be pretty floppy and having them mounted to bosses would limit being able to use the bags on multiple bikes.

I’ve wanted to do this on a frame for a while. I ruin all of my bib shorts from the Velcro straps on the top tube. I ride with my knees quite close together

I ride with my knees quite close together

A few glasses of wine and some compliments can help...

One is usually enough

The bags are reinforced to work with bosses. The bags will be custom for a tandem, so doubt they'd fit anything else (and I won't have any other bike anyway).

In a way the permanency is quite appealing to me, if I have them attached to frame is a couple bags less to remove from the bike every night. But it costs more as well, so I'm weighing up if it's worth it or not.

They're as permanent as bottle cages essentially so even leaving the bike locked up with the bags on would be alright

exactly.

Obviously I'm heavily affected by a bout of #buyer, with this being a custom frame and all. 'Yeah, let's pay more and custom all things because CUSTOM'

You were playing hard to get that night then...

I think that if they are one bike specific and not being taken on and off a lot then go for it , it looks cool and you wont rub the paint off your swanky tandem :)

Completely sound logic. Let nobody convince you otherwise.

The more recent Restrap frame has use soft touch rubberised top tube straps now which aren’t as hungry as most.

Sounds like you've got all the perfect excuses to go for it. It does look real nice.. id go for it!

$$$

Compared to doing it yourself?

Compared to using the bag I already have with straps that shred my legs :)

Shredded rapah > new frame bag

No new frame bag > new frame bag

Bummer. Bolt-on approach was discarded. I want the stoker bag to not drop below the timing chain, which means it's 'floating' (doesn't touch the boom tube). The concern is that the bag will be too large (heavy), possibly stressing the mounts over time, which can create all sorts of issues on the top tube (bag stretching, rivets tearing, combustion). Shame, I was well into it. Velcro party it is, le sigh

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Oh, and I've been well impressed with the guys at Bedrock bags, would recommend.

Why not put some structure in the bag (you could probably play off the bolts here) and drop below the timing chain?

Edit: I thought my friends did this on their tandem but after looking at a few photos I was wrong, they're just short and tangle-style bags look bigger than normal!

So, what is go to bike touring luggage setup that will take a tent, mat, sleeping bag, food and clothing for a couple of nights?