Seat post packs

[Nufab]

Hi guys,

I've had my Cannondale CAAD8 for a couple of months now, and have done plenty of trips back and forth to work on it. I'm now starting to find wearing a rucksack to carry all my work stuff pretty annoying though. It wasn't too bad previously on my MTB, probably due to the more upright riding position, but on the road bike it's pretty crap.

So, as the CAAD8 can't mount a rack (and would look awful with one, to be fair), I'm considering a seat post pack. It needs to be able to hold a shirt and underwear for work, my lunch, and multitool/tyre levers/pump/innertube in case of emergencies. Being able to hold my waterproof jacket would be a bonus too.

So far I've been looking at the Altura products...

Altura Aero - 6 litres

Altura Arran - 5 litres when expanded

Altura Night Vision - 10 litres

So far I think I prefer the Arran, as the elastic cord on top could hold waterproofs etc, but I think it might hit the saddle when expanded. The Aero probably looks the nicest.

Has anyone got any experience of these or similar packs? Do they sway about and affect the ride much? Are they very heavy? I've got about 5" of seatpost exposed on the bike so should they fit ok?

Cheers,
Chris

 

[Zoiders]

Do the shoulder straps on the daysack up tighter.

I see lot's of people using good daysack's with the straps loose and and the body of the bag hanging down near their bum and it will swing around if you do that, you couldn't move quickly and comfortably on foot with it like that let alone on a bike.

If it's a good daysack the straps should fit you tightly yet comfortably like a shoulder holster from a cop show, I use both an Alpkit daysack and an old Karrimor courier bag with the 2" wide shoulder strap and the stabilising strap and even the courier bag is designed so you can pull it up nice and tight and high up to stop it moving about.

If you really want a seat pack big enough to fit a day's worth of clothes and tools in then you might have to change your saddle to a Brooks or Rolls with bag loops for a Carridice saddle bag, the other option apart from a full rack and pannier bag that lives on top or on the side (one on it's own can be unbalanced but not that much) is a beam rack that clamps to the seat post and offers a single platform for just a top mounted rack bag.

You can get some largish seat packs that mount on the post but they are heavy enough in relation to the attachment points that they will waggle about noticeably, 5, 6 and 10 litres are a bit on the small side for folded clothes you have to wear for work with out looking like you slept in them.

 

[Moby Jones]

I too have a Caad8 and currently use a backpack. Those seat post packs look interesting. I like the look of


http://www.arkelpanniers.co.uk/uk/a...-bike-pannier-rack/arkel-randonneur-rack.html

and this, a bit pricey though


http://www.arkelpanniers.co.uk/uk/all-categories/seat-bags-trunk-bags/tailrider.html

 

[mrmacmusic]

I love how since joining these forums I'm finding out more and more stuff!! Those bags look great - I had stumbled across Topeak's products, and they have something similar, the Dyna Pack (two different sizes).

I also notice they do a "Beam Rack" which might be another viable solution.... seems to offer more flexibility and a decent carrying capacity too.

I've not decided which rack/bag/saddle-slung solution is right for me, but now I have even more options to consider!!

 

[wiggydiggy]

Have you considered the Carradice ranges? I've been struggling with a rucksack but finally took the plunge and ordered the Sport QR Release System and Camper Longflap - thats the biggest but they do smaller. Only trouble is its out of stock until Sept

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/carradice/cycle/saddle-bags/

 

[Nufab]

Cheers for the input guys!

My rucksack is just a cheapo one, not a 'daypack' as such, and is pretty uncomfortable and sweaty on the bike. I could buy a decent one, but for the money I thought I may as well just get a better solution. I have a good Berghaus rucksack for camping etc, but its about 60l IIRC, so I think i'd struggle on the bike with it!

The Topeak ones look interesting as well.. I'm not sure whether I'd need the 4l or 10l one though. I'll have to find somewhere to look at them. Its a shame they don't have external pockets, as I'd say these are a more convenient way of storing tools etc.

I've seen the Carradice bags, but they're not really to my taste TBH, and I've heard bad things along the lines of multiple bodges needed to stop them swaying about.

Small size isn't a problem for clothes though.. I work in t-shirts and they just don't need ironing.

 

[Alien8]

Why not take your rucksack with a weeks worth of clothing on Monday morning and then use a smallish seatpack for the other days (obviously you need to remember to take your rucksack home on Friday!).

That's what I do and for a seatpack I use on of these.

The large size is plenty large enough for a range of odds 'n' ends and allows me to take home my "dirties" each day as well.

 

[Evil Rabbit]

Whatever you get, check you can remove the bag easily and lock (or also easily remove) the support frame. They are obvious things to steal when cycles are parked up.

 

[Norm]

Topeak beam rack with zip out panniers, about £70 but, IMO, pretty darned perfect and large enough to take spare clothes, shoes, laptop and tools.

I can't remember the model number at the moment, though I've posted about them before.

Just make sure the rack and bag are compatible, there's 2 different designs that Topeak use.

 

[wiggydiggy]

.........

Small size isn't a problem for clothes though.. I work in t-shirts and they just don't need ironing.

Hehe I work in full shirts and I dont iron them