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.
Handling is definitely different when loaded, but I find that I get used to it fairly quickly i.e. after 15min.
When packing the saddle bag you’ve got the right idea with only packing it with clothing and lighter items. Packing heavy items into the saddlebag makes for a swaying and unstable ride.
It’s similar to packing a backpack:
Heavy stuff at the bottom (ideally in the framebag)
lighter items can go higher
If you stay in B&Bs you can really pare down the stuff you take with you. But consider taking a light pair of shoes for after the ride. Makes a huge difference. Sandals for any day that does not see temps below 10ºC, if that’s a bit chilly just wear them with socks. Embrace the weird, you’re the “guy that came by bike” anyway.
Also: I use the 9l version for shorter trips. Fits 2 Bibs/Jersey Rain gear and non-cycling-clothes fine. For better riding experience would definitely recommend going smaller. Maybe add a small top-tube- or handlebar-bag if you need additional space.
Regarding the Apidura Expedition: I got the older Version and I really like it. It’s bombproof, doesn’t really sway when packed correctly and tightened down. AND a big thing: it can be mounted closer to the seatpost and lower than most other saddlebags I tried which I like from a weight distribution standpoint. Don’t know if the new version is the same there, though…
I find apres-pedalling shoes a pain when flash-packing in Australia. Often the pub is the only option for dining in small country towns (and its a very good option - parma’s, steaks, sticky date pudding and beer are a fine way to end a hard days ride) and many of them do not allow open toed footware in their dining rooms. So I end up taking my running shoes as the lightest option, but they are very bulky. I don’t know if barefoot shoes would be treated as covered toes or extra-open toed shoes!
Its much easier when camping - a pair of thongs are ideal campsite footware.
Bikepacking.com is an awesome resource. The Bikepacking 101 section offers similar advice to the comments above, and more. They also have an entire section of reviews of saddlebags. Finally, advice on simple ways to try out bike packing without interesting in specialty equipment, if that’s of interest.
My experience is with an older Ortlieb saddle bag. It is excellent in terms of solid attachment, little sway, waterproofness, and an air valve to help you pack things tightly, a feature I consider non negotiable. I do wish it was more like the Topeak where you can slide the bag itself in and out of a cradle, though, and I wish it had webbing on top for things like shoes. (The updated version has this I think.)
I have had a Topeak Back Loader since 2021 and have used it for multiple trips and even for commuting. I agree with the practicality and found the buckles to be of good quality. Lots of mounting points to attach a rear light and some elastic bungee cord on top for a windbreaker vest or even a lunch box.
However, unlike other opinions I found the sway to be frankly irritating when loaded above 50%, even with light stuff. Also, the bag has no real structure and will deform over the course of the day, quite often I had to retighten the bag at every corners. It was an overall annoying experience. In fact this bag convinced me to explore the “light-rack” approach which is far more superior to any seatpack IMO.
I recently purchased a seatpack stabilizer on Ali and found the experience to be much better, I’d say it’s a total must have if you purchase one of those bags.
I’m writing you from the road with my new seat pack. I’m cycling from Mizen Head to Malin Head, Ireland. I have the Ortlieb Q-R. I’m riding 6 days straight, staying each night in hotels or Airbnbs or B&Bs. I’m riding a SuperSix EVO, with only one additional bag, a small burrito handlebar bag. The Ortlieb is great. It’s stable and doesn’t really sway side to side, only the tiniest bit, so effectively not at all. Set-up is pretty easy once you do it once or twice, and take your time reading the instructions on initial install. You can adjust the mount angle based on how much you carry. The more you carry the more you angle the bag up at the back, for leverage. It hooks on your saddle rails and has a strong Velcro strap for the seat post too. Note you can’t use this pack with carbon rails. I have titanium rails. I’m carrying about 9.5 pounds in the pack. In it I have a pair of pants, a T-shirt, some boxers, some cycling socks, small dop bag, small bag with chargers and cables, Rapha rain jacket, thin Rapha puffy, etc. On top I have my sneakers held down with the built-in bungee cords. You can’t really get out of the saddle and pedal. Only seated. But most bags of this type are like this, I think. You can stand up and stretch. Just not pedal out of the saddle. The bag is waterproof, but it is sunny and 80 F in Ireland this week. I attached my Varia to the back of the pack. I only have good things to say about the pack. It also has a nice feature that lets you release air from the bag for a tighter pack. It’s my first proper bike tour, and it’s going great. I like my setup and wouldn’t change a whole lot. I would pack fewer items, like the jackets, which I have yet to use. My gut said leave them, but my head said take them as it’s the west of Ireland and rain is typical, just not this trip. I’m slathered in sunshine and sunscreen. Good luck!
I have a few things that figured out that can prevent swaying:
same as with backpacks. Pack the heavier items closer to the bottom / seat post.
release air from the bag and compress enough that the outer fabric is taut enough to be structural.
close the bag while off the bike and attach it afterwards
I feel the handling is better when you distribute the weight/volume a bit between a handlebar bag, a frame or top tube bag and the saddle bag. Also makes it easier for organization. Handle bar bag for rain/cold riding layers and a musette to carry stuff from the shop. Top tube / frame bag for tools and snacks. And the saddle bag for everything you need after the ride. Lightest closed toed shoes I cloud find were Espadrilles (Toms Alpargata) and they fold flat. I attach them to the saddle bag withe a voile strap. Remember to bring a plastic bag to wrap the shoes if it rains.
