Gear Selection Advice

[donmeredith74]

I'm new to the board and bikepacking so I could use a little advice on my setup. A little background first: I consider mountain biking to be my primary sport, followed by backpacking. (why didn't I combine them sooner?!) My bike is a fully rigid 29er. My backpacking gear is down to about 8lbs carried excluding food and water. I have two questions:

Packing:
I love the frame bag concept but I'd like to go a cheaper route using as much existing gear as possible. (simplification is king for me) It looks like I should be able to make a workable kit out of a 15L or 20L Sea To Summit dry bag strapped to a seatpost rack. Is any particular brand or model of seatpost rack recommended? I've found Zefal, Topeak and Delta. I don't have rack mounts on my frame so using a traditional rear rack would be difficult. Will I have issues with sway using a seatpost rack? Should I just bite the bullet and just get a frame bag?

I'd plan on getting the rest of my gear in a Camelbak Mule (bike maintenance gear, water filter, snacks, camera, etc). To save space in the dry bag I'm thinking I could strap my Thermarest PL3 short under or possibly around the top tube. For longer multi-day use I could always replace the Mule with my GoLite Ion for plenty of additional volume (~20L).

GPS:
My bike computer is dead and needs to be replaced. I'm considering replacing it with an Edge 305, Edge 705 or Vista HCx. I'm leaning towards the 305 because its hard to justify the extra cost of the 705 for mapping and longer battery life. It looks like I can get a 305 for around $200 off of Craigslist. The HCx would be nicer for backpacking and kayaking but I don't really need one now. I'm thinking: why compromise for a unit that isn't focused on cycling? I do like that the Vista takes AA batteries. On a multi-day trip I'm not sure what I'd do to recharge the 305.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[AZTtripper]

Welcome donmeredith74

Here's my .02 on your questions a rack will work but they do have down sides added weight and potential break downs in the long haul. I would say get a seatpost bag but they can be pricey. Another issue with racks is body position for down hill the rack can get in the way and stop you from getting behind the seat. Depending on what you want to ride a seatpost bag will allow you to get behind the seat similar to riding empty. So if you want to do tech rides the seatpost bag would be the best bet.

I would look for a way to put the pad on the handle bar.

As for the pack the Osprey 22 seems to be the most popular so I should think any light weight 20 something should do just fine.

I have a Legend HCx that works out great for me you should be able to get it or the Vista for about the same $200 as the 305. I haven't seen the 705 but I don't like the built in batteries I ran Lithium batteries in my Legend for the Coconino 250 and they lasted for the full trip and you can always buy more at and C-store.


 

[Gordo]

I'm new to the board and bikepacking so I could use a little advice on my setup. A little background first: I consider mountain biking to be my primary sport, followed by backpacking. (why didn't I combine them sooner?!) My bike is a fully rigid 29er. My backpacking gear is down to about 8lbs carried excluding food and water. I have two questions:

Packing:
I love the frame bag concept but I'd like to go a cheaper route using as much existing gear as possible. (simplification is king for me) It looks like I should be able to make a workable kit out of a 15L or 20L Sea To Summit dry bag strapped to a seatpost rack. Is any particular brand or model of seatpost rack recommended? I've found Zefal, Topeak and Delta. I don't have rack mounts on my frame so using a traditional rear rack would be difficult. Will I have issues with sway using a seatpost rack? Should I just bite the bullet and just get a frame bag?

I'd plan on getting the rest of my gear in a Camelbak Mule (bike maintenance gear, water filter, snacks, camera, etc). To save space in the dry bag I'm thinking I could strap my Thermarest PL3 short under or possibly around the top tube. For longer multi-day use I could always replace the Mule with my GoLite Ion for plenty of additional volume (~20L).

GPS:
My bike computer is dead and needs to be replaced. I'm considering replacing it with an Edge 305, Edge 705 or Vista HCx. I'm leaning towards the 305 because its hard to justify the extra cost of the 705 for mapping and longer battery life. It looks like I can get a 305 for around $200 off of Craigslist. The HCx would be nicer for backpacking and kayaking but I don't really need one now. I'm thinking: why compromise for a unit that isn't focused on cycling? I do like that the Vista takes AA batteries. On a multi-day trip I'm not sure what I'd do to recharge the 305.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

As for the GPS, take a look at the Garmin Dakota series.  Mapping, AA batteries, nice h-bar/stem mount, lots of memory and pretty rugged.
Seat bag and a frame bag are great ways to go.
+1 on the Talon 22 bag from Osprey.

[Rob]

Check out the JANDD frame bag.  http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FFP

I also saw someone using this Jandd handlebar bag on the Coconino loop this year.

http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FMBHP

You could attach a compression bag to the handlebars using one of the compression straps around the top of the stem and two webbing straps around the bag and handlebars.
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,440.0.html

I would also agree to spring for the Osprey over a camelbak mule, etc.  The hip support on the osprey takes a lot of the weight off your shoulders. 

[Pivvay]

The Jandd bag is good for cheap. I have one and use it sometimes.

Here is what I would do:
Don't waste money on bad parts. The seatpost rack is crap in the long run.
Buy a Jandd frame bag and a trigeek bento box for gas tank if you need one. They're cheap but quality.
Buy a compression stuff sack and strap that to your handlebars with buckle straps. Works good enough for me and the compression straps make for easy attachment to the bars. You can strap your pad rolled around this to the front too.
Your camelback will work to start with. Upgrade to another pack down the line when you have more money.
Spend money on a quality seatbag. It will mount on any bike, they don't fail like a seatpost rack and it can become a foundation piece of your kit.

I'd say get the ETrex but that's just me. I'm sure there are other quality ways to go there.

[jonesy792]

I have used my vista hcx for both bikepacking and regular riding and its worked great for both, unless you need power or HR capabilities you don't gain anything from the 305 or 705 except for a proprietary battery that cannot be replaced and is difficult to recharge on a long trip.

Also +1 for the talon 22, soooooooo much more comfortable than any of my camelbaks

[stevage]

Based on a small amount of experience:
- it's very easy to rig up a handlebar bag. I used an old sleeping bag cover that had lots of compression straps. trivial. worked well.
- it's harder, but possible, to rig up a workable seat bag. but you will probably have leg rub unless you come up with something really clever.
- it's very hard to jury rig up a frame bag that works and stays within the confines of your Q factor. I tried. I didn't get close.