I search a bag for my Rose Reveal (55cm).
I’m new to bikepacking and want to start with long single-day, one-way trips to visit friends around the country and therefore I won’t need that much cargo volume. 4 liters seem fine given water and tools are stored elsewhere.
W.r.t. weight-distribution, accessibility during the ride, aerodynamics, frame bags seem to be the be best. So I mostly looked for them.
I’m concerned about the width of frame bags (scrubbing the knees etc.) as some bags that I saw in this sub look quite wide.
My questions are:
1. Is a frame bag a good choice as first bag or should I use another bag position given theres only one bag attached to the bike?
2. Is the width of most frame bags good or is my concern valid?
3. Is the Apidura Racing product line good for bagpacking or rather inconvenient given that I won’t do anything competition related on long distances? (Expedition line seems to have more “functions” e.g. for partitioning the cargo space, but according to their sizing tool that’s not an option as frame bag. Collides with 600ml bottles) (Link to apidura shop: https://www.apidura.com/shop/racing-frame-pack/)
4. I used the Apidura sizing tool (see attached image) and the 4l racing bag seems to fit quite well. However it still slightly collides with one bottle. Would you aim for a smaller bag to be on the safe side or does this look fine?
5. Can you recommend a specific frame bag that could match my needs?
I’ll appreciate any feedback and hope you won’t mind my newbie questions.
by SimpsonMaggie
1 Comment
I have the MAAP x Apidura version of this bag and like it a lot. I originally had the expedition bag but I found the partitioned pockets on both sides were a bit of a tight squeeze. The smaller pockets on the expedition bag were also not usable and very tight. The racing frame bag is one large pocket and I can store a lot more in it, even a whole levis denim jacket fits!
I would say a frame bag is a nice first bag to get, doesnt change your physics too much on the bike as everything is central. The width of the bag is good, but it depends how much you stuff in there. The more items, the wider it will get and the more likely you’ll rub your legs.
I have a 54CM trek checkpoint SL5 and the bag does collide with one of my bottle mounts on the downtube, but it hasnt been an issue yet, I can push the bag up and fit the bottle no problems (but I am using an apidura bottle cage adapter bracket as well)