Hello! I'm joining 2 friends on a trip across England & Scotland in a month and I have never bikepacked before.
I've bought a Toppeak Backloader 15L saddle bag online without realising clearance might be an issue, as I'm 175cm and my bike is designed for riders 174 and above (so the bike isn't too big for me, but I don't have a super high saddle either).
Is this going to be an issue? I think I have like 4-5cm clearance between lowest point of the bag and tire.
by berlinparisexpress
6 Comments
PS: I might gain 1cm by packing more smartly, this was a quick test in my garage tonight. Sorry, it’s not the most interesting post – hoping to be back with a trip report in a month!
PPS: just realized I will be touring and not bikepacking, apologies for going to the wrong sub and thanks for answering anyways
Only way to check is to load it, strap it to the saddle/post tight, and bounce the bike up and down a few times. I think it’ll be OK. Enjoy your trip!
I rode quite a bit with 5cm clearance (I think it was more like 3 anyway), it’s gonna be fine 🙂 have fun
As long as it doesn’t sag very much, you are fine. Compress everything nice and tight and enjoy. You might get some rub here and there and but that’s not an issueÂ
It looks okay, however if you ride, the straps will most likely loosen up a little bit, especially over time, which could cause rub.
I would fiddle a voile strap or Fix plus strap through the saddle rails and the lowest part of your seat tube, sinch it really tight and you should be fine
how about a rear cargo rack