Hello !
I'm about to start bikepacking. I was finally able to equip my gravel (Orbea Terra M) with bags. Here's a picture 😊
Well, I have a hard time storing my saddle bag : for now there's a mattress in the back and my sleeping bags is in the upper part but I feel like it takes up too much space 😔 any suggestions?
(I regret not being able to fix fork bags for lack of holes on the fork, would have been nice for the sleeping bag)
Have a nice trip !
by oktopus666
19 Comments
Oh my god buy a rear rack. It has worked for 50 years.
I myself bought that sadlebag shit, and regretted it immediately
I think some playing around is needed as your saddle bag looks empty at the bottom. Best way to store stuff in my experience is to just stuff it in.
I tend to put my tent and sleeping bag in saddle bag as they can be scrunched with no problems. Things that require rolling like sleeping mat usually go in my handlebar bag/harness
I get why saddlebags seem good and they’re in vogue but I’d go panniers with a rack for the slight weight and aero penalty (not going to bring up that study that shows aero does have an effect). I passed so many people with giant saddlebags on a recent trip and honestly the swaying and the protruding just looks unstable and really annoying. I also like having the modular aspect of panniers. Â
I’d swap to a rack, I don’t think you’d regret it but you are more likely to regret an oversized saddle bag (ie when it’s bad with a saddlebag it’s really bad, with panniers while they can be bulky, it’s never disastrous).
Man’s trying to take off with that sail… sorry saddle bag
Just put the sleeping bag in without it’s compression bag? It fills the available space and the saddlebag is a compression device by itself.
I am also struggling with packing my bags at the moment 🙂
If you can put cargo cages on the front just go for it (I think there are strappable cargo cages).
Or grab an aeroe spider for extra luggage space in the back.
get a tailfin if you can justify it … those saddle packs (the big ones) are crap.
You need to pack the saddle bag densely near the seat post. It needs to be rock hard to keep it stable. The kink in the bag at the back of your seat is an indication that it’s not packed tight enough.
That’s a perfect parachute, just wait for the tailwind
Few options, get a more packable matterss. Or attach your mattress to the handlebr bags with voile straps. Make sure to have something on it to keep it dry and voila you have a free saddle bag. Hope that helps
I have used gear loop straps before to attach my mattress to the fork even without the holes in the fork. They drop down and stay in place skmewhere.
Saddlebag will be fine. Just pack it correctly and you should be able to avoid the dreaded waddle. A few heavier items in tight against the front and then lighter items that you can compact like clothes, rain fly etc. But just not too much. Get the air out and roll it tight. Looks like a fast rig. Also, what I do is use my lower mount (under down tube) for a tool kit carrier. I like to think having a little weight down there helps balance the rest of the bike out. Low center of gravity? Enjoy!
There is no need to pack a sleeping bag / pad in the same bags they came from. And there is no need to fold the sleeping pad exactly as it came from the manufacturer. Explore other ways of packing to see what is best for you. For example, make a sausage roll out of the sleeping pad and disperse it around rigid items.
Also don’t listen to people who are suggesting other bags: your bags are perfectly fine and it is all doable, you will get it all with just a bit of practice.
I put sleeping pad and bag in handlebar bag
Seat tube bag gets tent poles on bottom, spare tube, food in a sack, nemo pillow, odds and ends and fits perfect. Stove on front fork.
Saddle bags suck. They are a bit more aero but the center of gravity is high.
The only reason to use one is racing or single track where you might have hike a bike.
In that case front bags (fork or panniers) and a saddle bag are the best options. But for anything else rear rack and at least a dry bag (if you really don’t want panniers).
Remember a 20L dry bag is going to hold vastly more and be easier to pack than a 17L saddle bag. I know because I use a 17L saddle bag or 13L/20L dry bag on a rack. And the 13L dry bag holds exactly the same amount of stuff as a 17L saddle bag.
Do the saddlebags work if you don’t have your seat up super high?
I have the same saddle bag and there are many ways to pack it of course. I have my matras in the handlebar bag. In my saddlebag I put my 2 pairs of socks and boxershorts in first then I roll my sleeping bag up as tight as I can and I aim for it to be thinner on the end that goes into the bag first, when the sleeping bag is in the bag I start shoving my clothes and my towel around the sleeping bag. When everything is in the bag I open the valve an press down on the bag from behind while I fold the back and close it. Hope that will work for you!
https://preview.redd.it/f98s1xeuv1gf1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16a23616cf796ba31d9daa9dd2ee960ed64e4715
How did you get the bar bag in your frame so snug. I always have a problem with it moving and hitting bottles etc
Gotta pack saddle bag tight. I mean really cram it in there! I like to put bag on the ground and make a fist and put all my weight into pressing it down. Having down/lightweight clothing helps too.