Hello, I'm new to bikepacking, even though I've already given it a lot of thought.
On the photo there's only my sleeping bag (in blue). Now that I've got the tent, it'll fit over the handlebars with a handlebar harness, but it might take up all the space… I'm reluctant to put my sleeping bag over the handlebar harness (and therefore the tent) but the sleeping bag still seems too bulky, and will be too high up on my handlebars.
The volume of this sleeping bag is 8L, I can compress it all the way and save a bit but it's still too wide or not flat enough… I thought about putting it on my saddlebag with straps, but I'm not convinced, especially if it's rocking. (it can't fit inside the saddlebag)
Without thinking of buying a new sleeping bag, do you have any solutions or advice?
Thanks for your answers đŸ˜‰
by Hour-Compote-5755
6 Comments
Do you have attachment points for another bottle cage on your down tube? You could get an everything mount. Like a salsa, or widefoot and strap your sleeping bag to it. Or maybe remove the big water bottle and put the tent in there. I think having it on your bars would be fine as well.
Underneath or on top of your sleeping bag
Your sleeping bag should be stuffed loose into your seat pack, it’s the very first thing that goes in there followed by the rest of your clothing
Edit: I also recommend getting a larger frame bag and replacing those two water bottles with a hydration reservoir. That’ll add a ton of extra space to your setup
I personally would buy a smaller sleeping bag and put it in the saddlebag without the compression bag. Just put it in with the rest of your stuff and compress the saddlebag.
You could also get some relatively cheap Versacages from Topeak and put them on your fork, i did exactly that the first 2 years i was packing.
And tent on the handlebars.
I like low-rider front panniers. Some nice small ones are made by several people these days.
Geez, don’t suffer. Get some panniers and be comfortable. A tent slightly larger than minimum will be luxury on a long tour…moreso if you are stuck in the tent for weather, sickness, etc.