• Seat Pack advice please

Posted: **Wed Sep 21, 2022 9:19 pm**

Hi All

My girlfriend has a new bike and would like to use it for bike packing but being a small frame and 29'er wheels there is not a lot of clearance as you can see from the photo. Looking for suggestions for a seat pack that might fit please. Appreciate that it will be pretty small if it fits at all so will have to use other packing options to compensate. Full frame bag being the obvious first step.

Thanks for the benefit of your wisdom

Debs Bike by UKAndre60, on Flickr

Posted: **Wed Sep 21, 2022 9:26 pm**

I'd probably fit a rack and strap a dry bag to the top of it.

Posted: **Wed Sep 21, 2022 9:39 pm**

Wildcat is prety small and looks like it would fit [ i have lent it someone so cannot measure it at present
If you are north west england based i can probably arrange a borrow/try out

Alpkit dropper post metal frame thingy and strap a bag to that - possibly even on top of it as a tiny rack ?

Posted: **Wed Sep 21, 2022 9:46 pm**

Cath solved this by fitting a mudhugger mudguard and using an Alpkit seatpack. The mudguard means that the pack can't foul the wheel.

Posted: **Wed Sep 21, 2022 10:41 pm**

I'd give Keep Pedalling in Manchester a ring and speak to Shona - she has direct and extensive experience of being tiny and riding a 29er with a seatpack.

Or drop her an email sales@keeppedalling.co.uk

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 9:33 am**

Thanks all for the feedback!

I have been informed in clear terms that a classic rack is not an option

I did wonder about putting a small seat pack on top of the Alpkit rail thing or even bending the rail down to form a mini rack so a small seat pack could go on top of it and still be mostly below/level with the saddle. Thanks for the kind offer re the Wildcat but we are in the South East which will make it difficult, I'll have a look at what Wildcat have and perhaps order one to try for a fit if it looks hopeful.

Mud hugger sounds good, winter is coming after all!!

Thanks for the contact we will definitely give Shona a shout

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 9:40 am**

Inches?!?!?! Who are you, Jacob Rees Mogg

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 10:00 am**

Wasn't somebody selling a natty little rack in the classifieds recently?

Some of the smaller "race" packs might fit, thinking Restrap e5c

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 10:00 am**

Double post oops

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 10:41 am**

Cheeky Monkey wrote: ↑Thu Sep 22, 2022 9:40 am Inches?!?!?! Who are you, Jacob Rees Mogg

Salutations Mr Monkey

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:15 pm**

All the hipsters are running around with those Tailfin racks.

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:38 pm**

AndreR wrote: ↑Thu Sep 22, 2022 9:33 am Thanks all for the feedback!

I have been informed in clear terms that a classic rack is not an option

I did wonder about putting a small seat pack on top of the Alpkit rail thing or even bending the rail down to form a mini rack so a small seat pack could go on top of it and still be mostly below/level with the saddle. Thanks for the kind offer re the Wildcat but we are in the South East which will make it difficult, I'll have a look at what Wildcat have and perhaps order one to try for a fit if it looks hopeful.

Mud hugger sounds good, winter is coming after all!!

Thanks for the contact we will definitely give Shona a shout

Which part of the south east - I'm near Gatwick and have a wildcat that you could try, if near enough ?

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 2:54 pm**

belugabob wrote: ↑Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:38 pm
AndreR wrote: ↑Thu Sep 22, 2022 9:33 am Thanks all for the feedback!

I have been informed in clear terms that a classic rack is not an option

I did wonder about putting a small seat pack on top of the Alpkit rail thing or even bending the rail down to form a mini rack so a small seat pack could go on top of it and still be mostly below/level with the saddle. Thanks for the kind offer re the Wildcat but we are in the South East which will make it difficult, I'll have a look at what Wildcat have and perhaps order one to try for a fit if it looks hopeful.

Mud hugger sounds good, winter is coming after all!!

Thanks for the contact we will definitely give Shona a shout
Which part of the south east - I'm near Gatwick and have a wildcat that you could try, if near enough ?

Very kind sir, but north of London just near Stevenage

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 3:06 pm**

What's the resistance for a rear rack and drybag? I've been using a Tubus Vega with a Decathlon dry bag strapped to the top recentley following the demise of my home-made seatpack harness subframe and not having had time to remake it.
Does the rack weigh a little more? Yes, by a couple of 100g. Does it rattle? No. Does it sway? absolutely not. Does it conform to the de rigeur bikepacking easthetic? I couldn't give a flying f#ck.
What I have noticed is that because it sits more horizontal and slightly lower I'm able to shift my arse further back on steep downhill sections. It would also allow for the use of a dropper post if I had such a contraption.
As an added bonus my rear light is now firmly fastened to the bike having lost two other clip-on ones in the past year.

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 4:30 pm**

Shewie wrote: ↑Thu Sep 22, 2022 10:00 am Wasn't somebody selling a natty little rack in the classifieds recently?

Some of the smaller "race" packs might fit, thinking Restrap e5c

Do you mean the Restrap rear bag that was linked to eBay? If so I have one and I wouldn’t bither with it, it’s fine for a couple of tubes and a jackets but the product is poor (good quality work(wo)manship) but the design just doesn’t quite seem to work, had to get a voile strap to properly secure it and it needs to be packed carefully otherwise it says when it’s full

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 4:52 pm**

One of these with a dry bag on top and the option for their gravel panniers/normal panniers if more space needed. Presume small frame also precludes a decent sized frame bag.

https://off.road.cc/content/review/ortl ... view-10465

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 4:59 pm**

Fit a smaller back wheel and make the bike one of those trendy ‘mullets’

Two birds, one stone

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 5:33 pm**

woodsmith wrote: ↑Thu Sep 22, 2022 3:06 pm What's the resistance for a rear rack and drybag? I've been using a Tubus Vega with a Decathlon dry bag strapped to the top recentley following the demise of my home-made seatpack harness subframe and not having had time to remake it.
Does the rack weigh a little more? Yes, by a couple of 100g. Does it rattle? No. Does it sway? absolutely not. Does it conform to the de rigeur bikepacking easthetic? I couldn't give a flying f#ck.
What I have noticed is that because it sits more horizontal and slightly lower I'm able to shift my arse further back on steep downhill sections. It would also allow for the use of a dropper post if I had such a contraption.
As an added bonus my rear light is now firmly fastened to the bike having lost two other clip-on ones in the past year.

Resistance is partly aesthetic but mostly carbon frame with no mount points its a Trek Pro Caliber flexy/hardtail

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 6:08 pm**

Given the amount of space available, I'd perhaps look at alternative carrying options to a seatpack ... it's perhaps going to be something of an expense for limited return. Fork cages perhaps?

Posted: **Thu Sep 22, 2022 7:03 pm**

voodoo_simon wrote: ↑Thu Sep 22, 2022 4:30 pm
Shewie wrote: ↑Thu Sep 22, 2022 10:00 am Wasn't somebody selling a natty little rack in the classifieds recently?

Some of the smaller "race" packs might fit, thinking Restrap e5c
Do you mean the Restrap rear bag that was linked to eBay? If so I have one and I wouldn’t bither with it, it’s fine for a couple of tubes and a jackets but the product is poor (good quality work(wo)manship) but the design just doesn’t quite seem to work, had to get a voile strap to properly secure it and it needs to be packed carefully otherwise it flops when it’s full

Posted: **Fri Sep 23, 2022 11:25 am**

Thanks All for the responses and advice really appreciated!! We are looking at alternative options assuming a seatpack is not a go'er or is going to be really small. Custom frame bag and fork cages are options to look into.

The current "plan" is I need a bigger seat pack for her stuff as well as mine and a sort out of what I carry as surely most of it is not needed

Weekend trip planned so see how what we have works...or not as the case may be.

Happy Weekend!!

Posted: **Fri Sep 23, 2022 2:39 pm**

What about a Freeload Rack?

http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co ... eview.html

Posted: **Fri Sep 23, 2022 4:33 pm**

Apidura 4.5 back country may work

https://www.apidura.com/shop/backcountry-saddle-pack/

A revelate shrew will highly likely fit, though this is even smaller than the above at 2.25l but it's great.
I have one. It fits my waterproof jacket (size xL paclite), a tube and a few tools and a big flapjack.
https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.c ... bags/Shrew

Alpkits enduro large should fit.

Evoc 3L seatpack boa may fit
https://www.evocsports.com/SEAT-PACK-BOA/100607121-L
Bit pricy tho.

All small I admit. But I love my revelate shrew. It's very useful for its size.

Much more space and I'd look at a minimalist rack.

Posted: **Fri Sep 23, 2022 4:35 pm**

voodoo_simon wrote: ↑Thu Sep 22, 2022 4:30 pm
Shewie wrote: ↑Thu Sep 22, 2022 10:00 am Wasn't somebody selling a natty little rack in the classifieds recently?

Some of the smaller "race" packs might fit, thinking Restrap e5c
Do you mean the Restrap rear bag that was linked to eBay? If so I have one and I wouldn’t bither with it, it’s fine for a couple of tubes and a jackets but the product is poor (good quality work(wo)manship) but the design just doesn’t quite seem to work, had to get a voile strap to properly secure it and it needs to be packed carefully otherwise it says when it’s full

Not sure about the ebay one, I didn't see the link sorry

That's good feedback thanks, I've thought about buying one myself a few times

Posted: **Fri Sep 23, 2022 6:43 pm**

What about one of those racks that just clamps to the Seat stays ? Aerorack spider or something I think it's called

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