Seat Post Bags (8L+)

[HuffHuff]

Afternoon,

In an Um'ing and Ah'ing moment in trying to pick a seat post saddle bag.

Looking to do a quick solo, LEJOG in June, (Aim is for Audax time, but otherwise have 9 days if legs fail).
Will be staying with Friends/Family/B&B on way up.

Have been looking at Seatpost bags (8-15 L) and cannot decide on what to go for. Current Choice is:

Revelate - Terrapin + Drybag

Alpkit - Koala (Currently sold out) + Drybag

Restrap - Carry Everything bag system

Ruled out Wildcat, as seems too small
Ruled out Carradice as £££

Does anyone have any experience of the above (Or throw another contender into the ring)
Bike - Specalized Allez. Not going for handle bar bag, as prefer not to be front loaded.

Thanks in advance.

[Emonda]

I have an apidura saddle bag - will be using on a 12 day solo attempt in about 2 weeks.

Tested it once - a bit of an annoyance truth be told - swings about a bit, prevents out of the saddle peddling and can have a bit of a pendulum effect. On the other hand - you do get used to it.

Not used it again as it's nicer to ride without but going to have another test this weekend. Thinking of fitting a small ratchet strap around it to pull it into the saddle more and hopefully prevent or minimise the movement.

Was thinking of splitting some of the load into a smal handlebar bag - I've never used one - why do you not want to use one?

I think I need to reduce the load overall too - travel lighter!

[HuffHuff]

Morning,

I've since ruled out the Alpkit as everyone seems to say it swings a lot.

Revelate - seems a good system, but buying in the UK seems a pain.

Looked at the Apidura, and it seems a good system - lots a reviews 50/50 on the swing with some people saying its like a rock, and others like yourself who say it swings. Some advice on the web, is to cinch the saddle straps within an inch of their life.... (How did you second test go?)

On the point of no front loading - just not a fan. Will have a small cockpit bag (Alpkit do one with a hole for wires), but will prob relent if I need the space.... (Sending non cycling gear a head of me via parcel, so only need to carry essentials...)

Anyone else have any preference to seatpost bags???

[mjr]

I've since ruled out the Alpkit as everyone seems to say it swings a lot.
[...]
Looked at the Apidura, and it seems a good system - lots a reviews 50/50 on the swing with some people saying its like a rock, and others like yourself who say it swings. Some advice on the web, is to cinch the saddle straps within an inch of their life.... (How did you second test go?)

In my limited experience, stability of saddle-mounted bags depends greatly on how things are packed in them.

Even though I dislike front-loading, I prefer strapping a ~10 litre bag to the centre flatter section of the handlebars, rather than having it swinging around unseen behind me (and possibly managing to swing itself near falling off or damage before I realise). But before that, I have at least lightweight racks on most of my bikes, so my first preference is to strap bags to the top of them.

I think once you get beyond 3 litres, you've two choices in saddlebags: long tail feathers or Carradice-style transverse poles.

[Pyranha]

Evans stock the Blackburn version of this. One has just arrived here, but I've yet to see how it is in use - it was chosen in part because we had Tesco vouchers to swap for Evans voucher. Evans also stock an Altura seat pack and Ortleib do one, but I've not seen it live.

[Heltor Chasca]

Alpkit 2nd place. Stock is a constant problem.

1st place Revelate. I have a bar harness and large pocket. I use an 8l dry bag at the moment but you can go larger. VERY nice quality.

Rob at http://www.backcountrybiking.co.uk/prod ... igns-gear/ is a top fellow and knowledgable. Give him a bell...b

[daddig]

I use the Koala, only downside is its lack of waterproofing, solved by your things in a dry bag. I stopped the swing by adding an addition strap through the saddle rails. Also pack it as tight as possible!
Revelate stockist try Charlie the Bikemonger Swanage!

[HuffHuff]

Went with the Apidura sets in the end. Awesome bag - not 100% waterproof, but shower proof.

Hardly noticed it was there, and did some standing hill climbs as well. LEJOG done for this year - happy with a 6 1/2 day time, final day of headwind and fog was not on the cards, and the A99 never ends!