Saddle packs that clamp to seat post?

[robbie]

Hey guys looking at replacing my koala. As last time I used it I spent too much time faffing with it as it kept coming loose and swaying. So got thinking about buying something that will clamp on the seatpost. does anybody have a list of alternatives?
Cheers

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'm not sure there is anything that clamps to the seatpost unless you count things like the Bindle rack.

Not all saddlebags are created equally, some sway more than others but also, how and what you pack will make a real difference to stability.

[Mariner]

Just been wrestling with this 'problem' and it is most likely not the seat post clamping bit but the under the saddle loops.
I fixed my old wildcat harness with a double loop on the seat rails which pulls the harness up snug under the seat while you cinch down the straps.
Do the seat post strap last not first.
Dont know if the new ones are better?
Only found this out of course after purchasing and expensive alternative.

[ScotRoutes]

Ortlieb do a seatpost bag. It's not huge (largest is 4 Litres) and I've never used one but it's Ortlieb so it would likely withstand the holocaust.

As has been said above, some packs are better than others, and packing can make a huge difference.

[whitestone]

There's the PDW Bindle and the Arkel Radonneur - Cath has the latter for her fat bike as she doesn't have the space between tyre and saddle for a seat pack. The Radonneur fits to both seat post and saddle rails in the same manner as the Wildcat Tiger and Alpkit Koala (metal fixings rather than straps).

Why is the Koala coming loose? How much stuff do you have in the bag? Poor packing and/or too much stuff will cause the bag to sway. As Stu says, not all the bags/harnesses are created equal. I've heard a few tales of the Koala swaying but I've never had any problem with the Tiger even with the big Alpkit tapered Airlok stuffed full of clothes.

[Scattamah]

I've got one of those Ortliebs mentioned. You'll be lucky to get your lunch in there, but it's rock solid (clamps onto your seat rails with a special clamp).

Greetz

S.

[psling]

There's always the Bridgestreet saddlebag. The large one is surprisingly roomy at 15L. More suited to road/gravel touring than true off road stuff, not because it's not stable but because it can be a bit cumbersome for hike-a-bike compared to saddle harness type bags. Then there are always the Carradice and rack support set ups. All a bit light-touring rather than bikepacking perhaps?

[benp1]

I wouldn't fancy doing any proper off road with my Carradice SQR. It's pretty sturdy and might be OK on gravel or light stuff, but I can't imagine the rocky descents I did in the Lakes last weekend would have OK with an SQR bag

[Bearbonesnorm]

There's always the Bridgestreet saddlebag.

Ahh, good call Peter. As you say, maybe more 'gravel' than off-road but a well made bit of kit. Very stable and waterproof.

As an aside, does anyone (apart from the OP) ever really suffer the ill effects of 'sway'. I can't say that I've ever really noticed it, even when the pack has been as floppy as a floppy thing.

[Ray Young]

I too have a koala that sways. I find it impossible to pull the seat rail straps tight enough. I have resorted to adding a short bungee cord pulled very tight around the bag and attached to the seat rails. It works but you shouldn't have to resort to this sort of thing.

[Blair512]

I use a tapered Airlok with 2 pieces of Velcro round the seatpost, a strap round the rails and another strap around the very top of the post where it meets the saddle. It's absolutely solid and never moves an inch, I can't see the need for these fancy expensive harnesses when the drybag is so bomb proof on its own

[BigdummySteve]

Specialised burra burra, Arkel seat packerand porcelain rocket Albert + another PR one all have clamps/ racks

[whitestone]

I use a tapered Airlok with 2 pieces of Velcro round the seatpost, a strap round the rails and another strap around the very top of the post where it meets the saddle. It's absolutely solid and never moves an inch, I can't see the need for these fancy expensive harnesses when the drybag is so bomb proof on its own

My preference* is for the dry bag to be separate from the harness/mount. Reasons:

1. Packing off the bike is a lot easier than on and if it's raining then you can pack inside your tent/under your tarp.
2. Less abrasion on the dry bag from the bike, the harness deals with this.
3. If the bag does get punctured then it's just replacing that rather than the whole thing (this applies more to the integrated harness/bags)

*I'm led to believe/understand that there are other opinions/preferences but they are wrong

[sean_iow]

As an aside, does anyone (apart from the OP) ever really suffer the ill effects of 'sway'. I can't say that I've ever really noticed it, even when the pack has been as floppy as a floppy thing.

I've got a Koala and if I move it by hand it does move a bit but I've never noticed it whilst riding. As people have said, careful packing helps reduce the sway, heavy stuff closest to the seatpost. Having read many times about the 'sway' even though I didn't think mine did I've modified the attachment under the seat to a wildcat style. I made a short length of strap with a plastic square ring on each end. This is under the webbing ladder and on top of the strap. The straps now go from the bag, under the seat rail, over the top to the ring, then back over the top of the seat rail and down to the buckles on the side. It means taking the straps out of the buckles to fit initially.

A also think it's helps to have the pack more upright if that makes sense



I've fitted it so that the seatpost straps are low down on the seatpost which makes the pack more vertical and stick out less at the back so there is less lever-arm for any sway to affect the bike. Note that the wife might of been out when I took this picture as a) the bikes in the kitchen and b) I'm packing the bike instead of taking the recycling out

[rudedog]

I use a tapered Airlok with 2 pieces of Velcro round the seatpost, a strap round the rails and another strap around the very top of the post where it meets the saddle. It's absolutely solid and never moves an inch, I can't see the need for these fancy expensive harnesses when the drybag is so bomb proof on its own

I use the same and agree, its lighter cheaper and more stable than a full harness. Takes all of 2 minutes to re-attach to the bike and as long as its packed well, its always rock solid.

Regarding the durability, I've had it a couple of years no signs of excessive wear yet. When it does wear out, I'll just buy another :D

[GregMay]

Mr. Fusion would be my suggestion. https://porcelainrocket.com/collections ... -fusion-v2 When they come back into stock. Scotts work is excellent.

Had a fondle of an Albert (Fnnar fnarr) a while ago and it's on my future purchase list for the CRT and other events where I want a dropper in place.

As with others, have used the Ortlieb ones that clamp to seat rails - nice to a point. Lacking in space, but actually waterproof. Really depends on what you want to go in them. Eventually the male clamp wears out and they start to rock a bit, then fall off. But, you can replace those sections.

[whitestone]

Greg, you used the Ortlieb saddle pack on the TD, does that use the same/similar seat rail mounting mechanism as the smaller saddle bags? I've the large (4 litre) version of the latter and while it's fine for commuting along the canal bank you'd have to be ultra-minimalist to consider it for a long event. The bit that clamps on the saddle rails with the smaller bag is plastic so I can see that wearing over time.

The Arkel Radonneur uses a similar clamp but it's aluminium rather than plastic

[Blair512]

I use a tapered Airlok with 2 pieces of Velcro round the seatpost, a strap round the rails and another strap around the very top of the post where it meets the saddle. It's absolutely solid and never moves an inch, I can't see the need for these fancy expensive harnesses when the drybag is so bomb proof on its own

My preference* is for the dry bag to be separate from the harness/mount. Reasons:

1. Packing off the bike is a lot easier than on and if it's raining then you can pack inside your tent/under your tarp.
2. Less abrasion on the dry bag from the bike, the harness deals with this.
3. If the bag does get punctured then it's just replacing that rather than the whole thing (this applies more to the integrated harness/bags)

*I'm led to believe/understand that there are other opinions/preferences but they are wrong

1. I pack it off the bike and strap it back on again, takes all of 30 seconds

2. 18 months of use and it still looks brand new apart from some muddy stains on the bottom

3. If it gets punctured its only £20 to replace rather than £70 for a Koala (or a patch of gorilla tape either side of the hole)

Each to their own though, what works for me could be a ball ache for someone else!

[GregMay]

Greg, you used the Ortlieb saddle pack on the TD, does that use the same/similar seat rail mounting mechanism as the smaller saddle bags? I've the large (4 litre) version of the latter and while it's fine for commuting along the canal bank you'd have to be ultra-minimalist to consider it for a long event. The bit that clamps on the saddle rails with the smaller bag is plastic so I can see that wearing over time.

I did. My rear bag has around 7,500km on it now.

No, it does not attach with the same clip system. It uses an over under system similar to Revelate/Apidura/Etc. that works fine. Despite the naysayers it hasn't worn or snapped.

[godivatrailrider]

Ortlieb do a seatpost bag. It's not huge (largest is 4 Litres) and I've never used one but it's Ortlieb so it would likely withstand the holocaust.

As has been said above, some packs are better than others, and packing can make a huge difference.

I have an Ortlieb seatpack and it's vaguely exciting. Holds very tightly round the seat post with rubberised straps and doesn't move at all.
Mitch has just bought the Alpkit Big Papa seatpack and that seems very stable and well supported too.

[Mbnut]

I have an Arkel Seatpacker 15 on order.

It is heavy, expensive and out of stock but I have combed through dozens of reviews and videos and reckon it is the one that best suits my needs.

I imagine I shall have many years use from it so cost wise I can live with it. It is going to work with the full suss I will probably use on the rough trails and it is a minimum fuss, no wag option... Hope I love it now.... did I mention it was expensive.

[whitestone]

I think the seat packs that don't wobble/sway have some variant on the "from central point, go outwards *under* the rail, back inwards over the top of the rail, through a loop then back over the top and down to a buckle". The ones that sway just have a simple loop going from inside over the rail and down to the buckle. The sway comes about because no matter how tight you cinch things down, the rail can move side to side within the slot between the strap and the bag.

[robbie]

Maybe I just need to experiment with a different strap set up! Mine kept creeping from under the seat and the bag would get lower and lower no matter how much I readjust it. The strap on the seatpost would just get higher and higher. Eventually it would end up touching the tyre.
Are there updated straps?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Are there updated straps?

I do recall something about Alpkit changing straps but that might have just been the seatpost strapping arrangement?

[sean_iow]

I think that was just the material of the seat post straps. Mine is an early version and my wife's is later with a 'grippier' strap.