I’m excited to be planning my first-ever bike touring trip in the next couple of months. It’s just a quick two-night getaway, and I’ll be staying at B&Bs, so I won’t need to carry too much gear.
I’m planning to use a frame bag for my tools and snacks, and I’m looking at getting a saddle pack (like the Apidura Expedition) for my clothes.
Since I’m totally new to this setup, I’d love to get the community’s thoughts on running a large saddle pack:
Does it feel heavy or throw off the bike’s handling?
Do you notice it catching the wind or swaying?
Any tips or quirks I should know about before buying one?
Or if you have a different suggestion on how to carry my gear, I’d also appreciate the input. Thanks in advance for the help!
I use a tailfin for trips similar to yours. It’s great. Solid, doesn’t move around or throw the bike off balance. The only thing is you do feel the weight. Particularly on climbs, so try to pack as lightly as possible of course. The tailfin is particularly nice because you can remove the pack very easily to take into your room.
I’ve been trying to justify replacing my Topeak 16 litre Backloader (AUD $140ish) with an Apidura Expedition saddle bag (AUD $270ish) - primarily to be matchy-matchy with my Apidura full frame bag.
But I find the Backloader to be fantastic and realise the upgrade is just vanity (not saying I won’t do it though). It’s got a compressible inner waterproof bag so the outer can remain on my bike overnight, and the double row of bungee cord on the top is really useful for shoes, 4-packs of beer or a packed lunch from a cafe. I reckon its an underrated mid range option.
The Topeak Backloader wishbone is a great additional stabiliser, but I reckon it would work with most saddle bags.
I’ve done a fair bit of flash packing and anything between a 14 and 17 litre pack would be heaps of room (depending on location, season etc)
As to your questions - I tend to pack light and bulky items (4 packs aside) in the saddle bag so I don’t feel a significant change in handIing. I also don’t feel the bag move at all but a mate does his. He got the wishbone and it resolved his sway issue completely.
Some people get really annoyed if a seatbag moves at all, but I rsrely noticed and it never bothered me. Some are more stable than others through more structure, or totally rigid like Tailfin. Cheap ones are more likely to be floppy. Also bear in mind clearance to the rear tyre as some bags can sag/bend when fully laden, maybe not such a problem with a larger frame and higher saddle. There’s also potentially thigh interference - which I detest - and if your saddle is very forward on the rails it will be difficult to attach some bags.
The Revelate Spinelocks in either 10L or 16L are really nice. You attach a small mounting piece to the saddle rails. Then the seatpack attaches to the mount. Super secure and quick to attach and remove. The seatpack is also waterproof.
I have a Topeak Backloader as well, and found it’s a great design. Easy to pack, load and remove, and super stable. I also did two and three day lightweight packed trips and it was plenty of space along with the frame bag. It was about 50€ at Bikeinn as I recall, so much cheaper than the Tailfin or Apidura equivalents, but it’s well made - doesn’t feel cheap at all.
I have an older Apidura bag and I find it swaying only when I cram it full beyond its limit (as you do) or when riding with it for more than a 24h without adjusting the straps.
You can buy a Topeak Wishbone to stop the swaying. It’s a metal frame you bolt onto the saddle rails that fits around the bag. Designed for the Topeak Backloader, but my Apidura bag fits as well. Added bonus: you can add bottle cages to the side of the wishbone for extra hydration or storage.
