Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

They are the remaining components to the handlebar harness I mentioned above, which would add structure. But I just had a crack at making one this afternoon and, realistically, I don’t have the tools to make it to the quality I’d be happy with. You’d need to get it laser or die cut. Drill and Stanley knife could do it but it’d be messy.

Ah yeah. That makes sense. I deffo need rigidity in the harness somewhere. I’ve got some Velcro on order too. Where did you source the plastic from?

Direct Plastics, but I have some spare. Slide into my DMs if you want.

Also, bungee cords for bike packing. Are all bungees created equal, or worth splashing out on?

Not sure there are many instances I'd want a bungee (i.e. stretchy) cord for bikepacking. As a general rule, you don't want any give in your straps when affixing bags to the bike, to minimise bags moving around and abrading against the bike.

I think the only exception I'd entertain is light shock-cord for holding things on to bags (e.g. having a waterproof coat easily to hand by lashing it to the bar roll or seat pack).

voile straps on everything, don't like the idea of bungees (someone I know took out an eye when one failed, one in a million stuff but still..)

Am dumb enough to use bungee and it's been fine, straps my sleeping bag. Always try to double strap anything, 2 dif systems if poss (my tent is tied to seatpost then velcro strapped twice etc.)

Glad I asked!

voile straps on everything

+1

Bungees are a nightmare when touring in my experience, go all saggy, get caught on stuff etc. Never lost an eye though...

I’ll make up some cam buckles in the meantime. £8 a strap ain’t no joke!

£8? Pfft. If you're not spending double figures, you're not doing it right.

Replace the hooks with carabiners for a bit more of a secure fit.

I'm sure this has probably been covered earlier in the thread, but does anyone have a recommendation for a light but secure lock for bikepacking? Doing a Holland tour in a couple of weeks and would rather not take the two-tonne kryptonite lock I use around town.

Best I've been able to find thus far is a Hiplok DX.

Abus Bordo folding. Heavy enough to inspire some confidence. Compact. Stuff it in a hat or buff to stop in rattling. Only downside is the length. Fine for bike racks or locking two bikes together but won’t reach round a lamp post (other street furniture is available).

Probably won't get much lighter if you want a gold secure U lock.
If you want to save a few ££, there is the abus ultimate 420.

I've not used one but Litelok look pretty decent?

Yeah, it's got to be a gold secure, unfortunately, lest I invalidate my Laka insurance. HipLok it is!

HipLok it is!

Good locks to be fair. I use my DX touring and it's been great. (I used the belt loops to slide through webbing on handlebar bag).

Good proper keys too.

Do you mean the Bordo Lite or regular Bordo?

I had a kryptonite fuggedaboutit mini - what monster!! Forgot it somewhere during a phonecall and was relieved afterwards when I returned to find that thing was gone.

Have an ABUS Granit X-Plus 54/160 HB Mini (u-lock) now. It's a mini size, but slightly wider - not the longer HB230. Their max 15 security, but way, way lighter. Like many good products, it was discontinued, so anyone finding it used would be lucky. Best lock ever.

Bordo Lite

might be into this @GoatandTricycle

Too slow :-)

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I used bungees when touring and they were fine. I've got a collection of Voile straps now but bungees are cheaper and more easy to find in service stations if you need to add straps to something. Also pedal straps or buckle straps and velcro straps can be quite handy.

Shock cord on a saddle bag are good for drying knicks - make sure the fastening is secure and you put the cord through a leg otherwise you risk your shorts disappearing off the back of the bike.

What are people's pedals of choice? I'm doing the tour on my road bike which usually has Speedplays. But I'm torn between leaving them on or nicking the SPDs off my cross bike and using them.

The float on Speedplays can only be good for my knees when riding 500-600k in five days. However, I imagine there's going to be a fair bit of getting off the bike. And I have memories of last winter and how little the cleats like being walked around in...