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I've just done two four-day trips off road in the Highlands.
For sometime I have been using a combo of Deuter Transalp pack with dry bags tied to a beam rack for this sort of thing, and before that I used ordinary panniers on racks. You manage but neither option really jelled with me.
SO this year I lashed out quite a bit of money on a Revelate front harness with a Saltyroll bag and a Revelate Terrapin Holster for the seat post, which I used with a Drybag I already had.
And I have to say I'm converted.
I was especially impressed with the front set up. It took the tent, sleep matt, sleeping bag and a small pillow with no problem. It stayed totally secure over all the rocks and bumps I encountered, and I could feel no real impact on the bike's handling whatsoever. And I still managed to operate a bike light effectively from the bar.
There was only one slight downside....It came with a small foam pad threaded inside the buckle which you secure to the fork. For my bike this was placed too low and there was rub damage starting on the harness and on the head tube paintwork where they touched after the first 150 miles. I improvised a bigger foam pad which totally cured the problem.
The bag at the back took my stove etc, first aid kit, duvet jacket and a bivvybag- that I knew I was never going to need so why did I pack it-well the tent might have blown down...FFS man get a grip etc etc!?
I did notice the bulk of the Terrapin with dry bag, when descending steep stuff. You'd move out back and it was mildly in the way, but not nearly as markedly as I had anticipated. Apart from that I could not feel any impact on the bike's handling.
I still used the Deuter Translate, but despite failing to resist those what-if items, I was able to keep it much lighter than I have been able to in the past, and I think I could still have packed way more stuff into the dry bags inside the Revelate harnesses.
I was using a Trance 29er and the frame has no real room for a meaningful-sized frame bag. I did manage to fit in a humble SKS bag (1.8litre!! I think)which stored two spare inners, pump, multi tool, puncture kit and two spare spokes etc.
Like loads of other folk I'm quite quick to vocalise when things don't work... so I thought I should adjust the balance and say when things do work..... I'll try not to make a habit of it tho!
The Revelate kit is expensive, I did have that minor quibble with the bit of foam on the front harness, but this kit worked really well for me.
The Trance 29er wasn't half bad either...why have they left it out of their 2015 range?
The other thing to add is that this set up seems significantly better than panniers or dry bags on beam racks, when you have to hike-a-bike it up, down or across those awkward bits, fences, locked Estate gates etc.
AS the owner of the same kit but having yet to use it I'm pleased that you found it decent stuff! Do you have any pictures of it on the bike?
I actually have the rear revelate seat bag (I have the same front harness though) and it'll easily swallow all the kit I need for a weekend away (sleeping indoors though, not camping). Will be interested to see how the front harness works out
There was only one slight downside....It came with a small foam pad threaded inside the buckle which you secure to the fork. For my bike this was placed too low and there was rub damage starting on the harness and on the head tube paintwork where they touched after the first 150 miles. I improvised a bigger foam pad which totally cured the problem
wildcat mountain lion fixes this issue. My wildcat gear is as well made, if not better than my revelate stuff.
flange - here's a Revelate harness with an Alpkit drybag on some drops
[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5587/14870568590_8702ca0483_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5587/14870568590_8702ca0483_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/oE4xXC ]P1010496[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/22384952@N02/ ]ScotRoutes[/url], on Flickr
And a Viscacha seatpack,,
[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3858/14870605119_6056a25740_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3858/14870605119_6056a25740_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/oE4JPr ]DSC_0142[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/22384952@N02/ ]ScotRoutes[/url], on Flickr
[img]IMG_1060.JYG[/img]
I have got piccies but possibly not the know how to post them...sorry
Just resurrecting this post!
Scotroutes / or anyone else: do you know how well the revelate harness would fit with very small road bars (38cm)? I've got the pika as my bike frame is tiny, but not sure how the front roll options would fit.
Any advice on alternatives to the standard rack and panniers for a very small framed bike much appreciated - there's not much info out there on lightweight touring options for us short 5' folks 🙂
Ta!
Sue. I reckon the harness will be fine on the narrower bars but you'll obviously be constrained in terms of how big a drybag you can accommodate. The Revelate Harness itself is 30cm edge-to-edge.
In more general terms I'm afraid this is one of those areas where wheelsize really does make a difference. It's fairly obvious that a tall wheel and short legs leaves little room under the saddle for a bag. There are ways you can mitigate this; stick to 26" or 650/27.5" wheels, use a short crank, choose a frame with a higher BB, choose a narrower bag (eg Pika rather than Viscacha). I also suspect that you may have to make use of other luggage options so a frame bag, fork-mounted cages etc should all figure in your options list.
Finally, do not discount panniers and a rack. Despite the current fashion for, and advantages of, the inline bag setup , they still have their place on the right terrain/trip.
Cheers Scotroutes - useful info and advice. Thanks 🙂
I've just got the smaller Pika (I measured the tyre / saddle distance so hopefully OK). This will be enough for weekend 'mini-tours' staying in hostels etc.
I'm currently undecided about what option would be best for an up-coming 11 day road-based tour round the outer hebrides, skye, mull etc. I know you've toured round there (any info much appreciated), so would you choose:
(A) touring bike with rack and panniers - heavier but bombproof (my old tricross with waterproof ortleib panniers), staying in hostels (no need for tent or bedding) but self-catering (so will be carrying some food)
(B) carbon road bike with various framebags - lightweight but maybe not enough space and concerns re ease of packing / accessing kit.
Totally undecided at this point 🙂
I'd go for the tourer. That would also give you the option of heading along the Machair Road on the west side of South Uist. This gets you off the tarmac for a wee while and lets you see the amazing beach up that side.
[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5251/5388928092_69ef13991b_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5251/5388928092_69ef13991b_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/9dcEzj ]2008-05-25 11-16-03[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/22384952@N02/ ]ScotRoutes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5173/5388323023_c2d954e431_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5173/5388323023_c2d954e431_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/9d9yH6 ]2008-05-25 11-32-07[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/22384952@N02/ ]ScotRoutes[/url], on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/sets/72157625906663678/
Otherwise, the roads are all in pretty good condition and the carbon bike would handle them fine.
Remember that, even if you take a rack, there's no need to over-pack 🙂
Ah, I saw that on google earth and wondered if it was rideable! Can you ride the full length of the island on this (it seems to run parallel to the road) or just a section?
Climbing bealach na ba on a touring bike will be an interesting challenge, but I guess it'll be good for "power building" 🙂
Cheers!