Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

That look amazing, is there's enough room to put a tent pole in, or just strap it between the top tube and bag?

What you mean by rough? like the edge is sharp or something?

Very jealous of you two.

think my MSR Hubba (snap Ed!) poles are too long. Will need to have a play about and see how I can make it work.

By rough edges I mean they're not finished in any way - just snipped with scissors, and not in a straight line!

Is there's enough room for the fuel tank to sit on top? I tried mine but couldn't as the velcro got in the way.

Yeah I was wondering if the fuel tank will work with the alpkit. We'll see in a couple of days :)

My top tube is about 54cm long, and I just managed to stick it in (inside the bag it come with it), just the edgy part on the front to stop it rubbing on my thigh.

Your Surly look longer than mine.

Is your bag the full length of the top tube? Surly is 58cm.

Just the poles, not the whole bag.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh167/edscoble/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Edward%20Scobles%20MacBook%20Pro/Screenshot2013-05-16at132722_zpscda87dc8.png?t=1368707280

By the way, if anyone need a smaller framebag, Jandd sell some decent one at a good price, $42 4L;

http://www.jandd.com/search_results.asp?txtsearchParamCat=3&iLevel=2&subcat=5

So glad I hadn't got round to ordering mine now after seeing yours! I was stuck between full frame or using both bottles will now get something similar to yours, it looks great

I have recently taken receipt of an Alpkit Stingray frame bag (£100 with extra pocket & divider) for my Surly and am awaiting the imminent arrival of a Bikepack Fuel Tank (£24) from Poland.

I havent had a chance to fill it up yet, or ride the bike with it attached but once I have I'll be back with a detailed review. First impressions are good and Alpkit were quick with the fabrication and delivery.

The only thing I'd say is that the ends of the velcro straps are not 'finished' and are pretty rough, but maybe this is done on purpose as they expect that you might want to trim to suit your bike?

Anyone got a lightweight tent and sleeping bags my brother and I can borrow this summer (15ish - 22 July)?

We're cycling to Paris and watch the last stage of the tour. Hoping to do it with as minimal kit/cheap as possible and wild camp when able.

Will repay in beers, monies, or karma.

Thanks

May have something, but not strictly lightweight, although weight can be shared with the two of you (two man dome tent).

Will check it out tomorrow morning and let you know.

Wicked. Thanks

Sorry to hijack this but I'm trying to fulfill my three beginner's posts.

I'm looking for a roadbike in the 52cm range for a short tour at the end of June. Ideally something steel, simple, in good mechanical condition. Can leave a deposit and I'll be doing very gentle riding with limited gear (B&B touring). I only weight 130 lbs.

Might be worth asking in any question asked topic for a wider audience.

But being a newish members, I'm sure you'll understand that people eer on the side of caution when it come to lending you a bicycle.

Saying that, check out the Jamis Satellite, their budget offering will do you well.

Might be worth asking in any question asked topic for a wider audience.

But being a newish members, I'm sure you'll understand that people eer on the side of caution when it come to lending you a bicycle.

Saying that, check out the Jamis Satellite, their budget offering will do you well.

Thanks, I plan to post a real thread once my membership has been fully activated. I'm not interested in anything like the Jamis Satellite. I'm here trying to avoid renting something like a Trek roadbike.

Buy it, ride it, and sell it, sometime it work out well in the long term, especially on a budget bike (and potentially better value than a hired bicycle).

Any luck ed?

Right, my French trip is about a month away and I've got sod all sorted, and no budget to do it with due to replacing a bike last month unexpectedly.

Courtesy of the company I have flight in and out of Bordeaux and ten days in between. 2 days have to be spent in Bordeaux tasting wine and feasting, then I want to head for the Pyrenees and 2 days watching Le Tour, followed by several more days of we getting back to Bordeaux via the west coast.

Planning on traveling extremely light: tarp, light sleeping bag, bivvi and mat and clothes. Apart from that just essentials like pump, spares tubes and tools, oh and toothbrush.

Clothes will be: touring shoes as I'm going clips and straps so no need for two pairs, 1 pair bib shorts, 1 pair Rapha fixed shorts, 2 baselayers, 2 jerseys, rain jacket, arm warmers, socks and boxers.

Since I had to spend the money I had earmarked for this I need very cheap options. First and best will be if someone lends me a decent frame bag and saddle bag. Second option is to rig up some DIY ting: dry bags with compression lashed to saddle/post and/or handlebar. Third option is to backpack it, as I have a 25L Gourdon (actually noticed someone looks like they just lashed a packback to the saddle and post earlier in the thread, Aches and Pains I think, wondering if my Gourdon would work).

I have a therma-rest which is bulky but perhaps needed, so another thought is to wrapp that around the top tube and compress with straps/bungees.

Have read the thread and really want some of the kit but also read an article Scott linked to about any bike being a touring bike. It's France in July so the conditions shouldn't be too challenging, so I reckon I may be able to bodge it, looking for advice how best to achieve it and on a shoestring budget.

If you're short of time, borrow some of the critical stuff. It's a good way to decide if you really want/need those goods.

So we haven't left enough time to by bikepacking saddle bags, are there any others that are very similar, bar the revelate and wildcat mentioned on this page?
Need it by end of June

been looking at it this evening and I reckon compression/dry bag/straps is very doable to rig up your own. Still after a frame bag however

Didn't notice if this was already here: http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/xtreme-frame-bag-easybag-xl-635691/aid:635693 cheap as chips, and it takes a nice amount of stuff.

So we haven't left enough time to by bikepacking saddle bags, are there any others that are very similar, bar the revelate and wildcat mentioned on this page?
Need it by end of June

this carradice i have used for a tour and is actually very good.

http://www.carradice.co.uk/products/type/sqrtourhttp://www.carradice.co.uk/products/type/sqrtour

Didn't notice if this was already here: http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/xtreme-frame-bag-easybag-xl-635691/aid:635693 cheap as chips, and it takes a nice amount of stuff.

Think I may grab that

Back again
Which Carradice bags can be used without saddle bag loops, Wiggle isn't very clear and the one laner recommended is sold out until July
Thanks

Lockside, i have bikepack.eu saddlebag that i could be tempted to part with, if you don't mind buying it at the price i paid (ended up using a BRP saddlebag for my tour so it's in new condition)

one of these

Thanks for the offer laner, luckily we've found a, somewhat cheaper, alternative, as we'd need three. Thanks though