Hello everyone, I'm just coming back from a 10-days-trip in south of France and Spain (post coming 🫶) with my alloy gravel and 3 bags : handlebar, frame and saddle. So I could carry around 30-35 L. Bike 8kg + bags 12kg. But this time I tried with two bags of 10L each on the fork. It's cheap bags called Newboler. Bags are in good quality. But the fixation system was too weak. 😶 Only 4 strong cable ties per bag. So I tried to keep the bags light as possible, only tent and sleeping bag inside. But when you travel anything can happen. Just a little hole on the road and the right fork bag left in the wheel. I had to change the wheel. And travel without the fork bags on the fork after that -i carried it on my back, better than nothing-. So… It is not safe and doesn't work enough !
In 2026 I want to travel in Middle East for months so I want to be as light s possible with essentials. Food and cooking, sleeping stuff, clothes, vlog camera,… But I'm looking for the best setup.
Facts :
*I don't know if 35L is enough if I want to travel for a long time. Maybe add a contractable bag in option. But keeping it light.
*Change fork to get eyelets and fix more solid the fork bags
*Find a shape to add bag(s) on front in preference… And put bag(s) on it as much as I could.
I don't want to spend time and money just for more luxury space. I know the lightest I can the best setup I will.
PS : maybe for another post but I also want to know how to plan a trip for months from Europe to India, how to find the best way with diplomacy et anticipate the trail ? Is it better to plan a lot of middle points or improving as much as I can ? I want to find art residency in Turkey or around, maybe also nature spots to study sciences (maybe some association or uni ?), or music places to play music. I have a lot of ideas and opportunities so how to focus on good ones.
And is there any funds to apply to finance a bike trip ? Especially in artistic way.
by founiouk
1 Comment
There is no “one correct system”. You have to get whatever works for you. Sounds like you want ski straps and bag liners. Ski straps to help secure your bags and bag liners in case you get a hole in a bag.
I prefer panier bags on the back. Helps keep the weight lower. You get wrecked with aerodynamics, but that’s also true with bags on the fork.