Light touring bag recomendations/discussion

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dvincere
Posts: 198
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:40 pm

by dvincere

I have an excellent CX bike that I'd like to do some light touring and randonneuring with. I've done both but my touring has used a significantly heavier setup and for brevets I just used a road race bike. For this, I want to do it without any racks.

What bags do people recommend for this middle ground? I was thinking a handlebar bag and a large saddle bag should give me enough space. Who makes the best light and waterproof ones? The handlebar bag needs to be unsupported, no rack.

by Weenie


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RussellS
Posts: 916
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 1:31 am

by RussellS

Can't help much with the handlebar bag. I suppose any and all will work OK. I think most of them come with racks that bolt onto the bars and the bag attaches to this rack. You do not need that extra front rack that the bag sits on. I know that is the IN thing for randonneuring. Can't recall what that rack's name is. Cannot be cool without that extra rack. No way.

For bags under the saddle. Jandd Mountaineer III wedge. Its a big wedge that unzips for extra space. And Carradice. They make several large bags that hang below the saddle. Even bigger than the Jandd bag. I don't think any of these are waterproof so you will have to put your stuff into ziploc bags.

dvincere
Posts: 198
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:40 pm

by dvincere

Thanks for the input. Carradice certainly does make some nice looking stuff. It seems odd to me bags need so much hardware.I understand it can help support things but not everyone is packing lead weights.

mattr
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Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 6:43 pm
Location: The Grim North.

by mattr

https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.c ... tegoryID=4

just bought a couple of the Viscacha bags so the wife and I can do some mtb bivvying. They look good for the money.

RussellS
Posts: 916
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 1:31 am

by RussellS

Adventure Cycling sells some bags that go under handlebar bags, on top of the top tube, and inside the main triangle.
http://www.adventurecycling.org/cycloso ... kepacking/

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mr_tim
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Location: durp durp durp

by mr_tim

I've used the Carradice SQR post bag. Bit awkward to fit with a lot of height needed. Also bit awkward for leg clearance depending on how much layback your running.

It's a nice enough bag though and the latch system although looking a bit home made does seem to work well enough and provide a secure mounting. Like most carradice stuff it's kinda waterproof but you do need to have things wrapped inside to make sure it's protected from a soaking down pour.

Depends on what you need to carry really ? It all seems to add up and it soon ends up easier to go with light rack set up vs loading a race bike with bags way up high that throw of the handling and do not offer that much capacity for actually carry stuff you might need + food / clothing options... But if you've toured already I guess you will have a good handle on what you need to stow.

Have a look at the user review of the revelate stuff : http://tramplite.com/2013/03/revelate-b ... eview.html I'd certainly go with this option if doing light touring and aiming to keep carried weight to around 5-8kg all in.

RussellS
Posts: 916
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 1:31 am

by RussellS

I know you said no rack. But consider this for the people who do not object to a rack. Even a seatpost mounted rack. These rack and bag options can hold a lot and are easy to put on a bike.

Rack and bag. Not sure how the rack mounts. Bag has zip out side panniers.
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10 ... 1___202601

Racks that mount to seatpost and have side support brackets.
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10 ... 1___202601
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10 ... 1___202601
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10 ... 1___202601

Topeak racks that do what the ones above do. Mount to seatpost and have side supports.
http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/MTXBeamRackV-Type
http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/MTXDualSideFrame
http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/RX ... rameV-Type

Topeak bags with side panniers that unzip. Good for above racks or regular rack on bike.
http://www.topeak.com/products/bags/MTXTrunkBagDXP
http://www.topeak.com/products/bags/MTXTrunkBagEXP
http://www.topeak.com/products/bags/RXTrunkBagDXP

mattr
Posts: 4671
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 6:43 pm
Location: The Grim North.

by mattr

We've got two of the seatpost racks. That's why we've bought the big saddle bags.

They are useless. Can't get em tight enough to stop them moving. Unless you get rid of almost all the padding between the clamp and seat pin. Which would mean four new frames. 2× mtb and 2× Road, just to get a suitable size pin.

jordo99
Posts: 106
Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:48 pm

by jordo99

Interesting timing, I'm currently in the process of making a set of bags for my bike out of cuben fiber (super light, but still waterproof and very durable stuff). I'm probably going to be offering them made-to-order. If you're able to wait a little bit I think you'll be pretty excited seeing these things weighing in at 1/4 what the next lightest available bags are.

The setup I'm currently working on is a big saddle bag around 10-15L, a frame bag, and a handlebar bag. I don't have plans to make rack mounted gear since having a rack defeats the purpose of the weight savings.

-Jordan

ely
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue May 21, 2013 6:45 am

by ely

I just made a large saddlebag and small handlebar bag for a cross bike, for brevets.
I'm about to finish the second set.
Heres the seat bag:
http://ruthworkssf.blogspot.com/2013/05 ... wedge.html

Or something like this:
http://ruthworkssf.blogspot.com/2012/05/black-set.html

jordo99
Posts: 106
Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:48 pm

by jordo99

As an update...I've made 3 small saddlebags now out of the cuben fiber material and they're ridiculously light.

I'm going to be moving over to the larger bags now and hopefully have a complete set by the end of the week. When that happens I'll upload some pictures.

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djconnel
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Location: San Francisco, CA
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by djconnel

Jordo99: any photos?

jordo99
Posts: 106
Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:48 pm

by jordo99

djconnel wrote:Jordo99: any photos?


Sorry djconnel, I thought I was subscribed to the thread but I guess not.

Here's a link to the thread I started around the same time you posted...I have been extremely busy the last 2 months or so but I should be picking up on my "Ultralight touring setup" very soon.

by Weenie


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