Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Backpacks for LD rides

I was wondering if any of you guys and gals use a backpack for long-distance rides where you might need to carry sleeping gear.

Thanks

Attaching the weight to your body will make you tired and ache much more quickly than will attaching the same weight to your bike. Using a backpack will also make your back sweat a lot in warm conditions. There are many ways to put weight onto your bike even if you don't have rack braze-ons, explore all of those first before thinking about using a backpack for long distance rides.

I know of two good reasons to use a backpack when cycling:
1. A lot of MTB'ers use back-packs, and they tell me that this is because, when riding in technical terrain, putting the weight onto the bike makes bike handling more difficult, and it is therefore better to have the weight on their bodies.
2. Many people who commute by bike need a bag that can be carried on and off the bike easily, and a backpack is reasonably good at this. However, I think that a messenger bag is better because it doesn't make your back so hot. Even so, I always use a pannier bag with a shoulder strap for commuting and find this to be best for me.

Neither of these reasons apply to long distance riding on the road, so I would heavily advise against using a backpack in this situation.

I'm moving to lighter / faster (*for me) touring / long rides... back to back to back 200k's (self supported and self inflicted) on the calendar for next year. These will include camping (bivy or hammock) and require the ability to carry extra water...

I've got one of these on my wish list: (http://www.wingnutgear.com/product_details.cfm?product_id=116) (although I'm debating going larger and moving up to the enduro size...)

http://www.wingnutgear.com/images/products/_HyperLite%203.0.jpg

I won't be loading it up with sleeping gear though - that will ride in my Epic bags, along with most of the other kit. The backpack will be for clothing, food, and H2O...


The bikepacking (http://www.bikepacking.net/) folks also seem to like the Ergon (http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/product/bd2-team-edition) and the Osprey Talon.

http://www.bikepacking.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/ergon-bd2.jpg

http://www.bikepacking.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/talon22.jpg


...and I see plenty of folks on longer brevets utilizing a hydration or small backpack... so there is no 'blanket' rule as to what is 'acceptable' or not. some of the go fast guys and gals run small seat packs, carry CO2, water bottles, battery lights, and camelbacks on their carbon frames...

I haven't done the backpack camping thing, but I have wanted to. I commute plenty with it, and have a pretty small bag and Hennessey Hammock. Just haven't had an excuse to do it yet. Thanks for the reminder, I need to get on that.

I know a lot of people will say to get weight off of your body. I don't think they're wrong exactly, but I look at it a different way. Up to a certain point, I would rather have the weight on my body, providing that I have a good fitting pack. The reason is that it feels more natural to balance weight that is on my shoulders. I like the feeling that the bike is light and nimble under me when I stand. I'm sure there's a point where the amount of weight on your shoulders becomes too much, but I don't know what it is.

I'm also one of the guys that wears a camelbak on brevets.

Steve

I wouldn't want to ride long distances with anything heavier on my back than a Camelbak.

You can easily get a small rack (e.g. Tubus Fly) and a waterproof stuff sack, for a light and easy carrying solution.

I wouldn't want to ride long distances with anything heavier on my back than a Camelbak.

You can easily get a small rack (e.g. Tubus Fly) and a waterproof stuff sack, for a light and easy carrying solution.

ditch the rack.
tie the waterproof stuff sack to the saddle / seatpost, and another to the bars.
or pick up some epic bags (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=595914).

even with a 2 bag system, it may be necessary to carry a small load on the body - mainly depending on season, temps, how small your sleep kit compresses, availability of water / food along route, etc.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0jkA5M3PGcY/StvHYCI2HYI/AAAAAAAANvA/b2UCTMtMcA0/s800/IMG_9474.JPG

for a summer trip with the addition of a frame pack or small backpack i could carry everything i need for a long weekend out to a week (fast, light, not carrying the kitchen sink) - depending on access to food and water...


also - camelbacks are heavy for the volume / gear they carry. there are other, lighter and more comfortable options.
the wingnut stuff actually shifts the weight lower - down to your hips.... hoping to pick up one similar to the lower pic this winter.

and most of the folks doing the tour divide (http://tourdivide.org/) carry some sort of pack. 2700 miles in 19-21 days? lots of climbing...

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_SHfqdwPEWlU/SkVLrDRaaWI/AAAAAAAACo0/FIxBJfxo8so/s640/IMG_0423.JPG

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking at for two reasons mentioned: offroad riding and hydration.
Also, I currently use a messenger bag for commuting, but I feel like it limits my breathing.

I have an Ortlieb handlebar bag and saddle bag that works for rides that don't involve sleeping gear. I also have panniers for longer tour, but I'm looking for a way to fill in the gaps.

ditch the rack.
Why, pray tell?

The Tubus Fly rack is very small and light (11 ounces), and will get the weight lower (and easier to access) than either a backpack or a saddlebag. A waterproof stuff sack will be very light and should have plenty of volume, especially since he's already got a handlebar bag.



camelbacks are heavy for the volume / gear they carry
...? The CB I use is just 1.5 liters and doesn't carry much other gear; any "extra weight" is in exchange for the convenience of the CB. The larger CB's weigh about the same as any other backpack, from what I can tell.

And while preference naturally plays a part, the last thing I'd want to do is put a bunch of weight right around my hips, especially when on a bike; it'd be awful for my lower back.

A pack that sits low on the back, so that the saddle carries much of the weight, might work out. I used a fanny pack for long distance rides for many years. The advantage of this over bike-mounted bags is that the bike responds better when you sprint. A fanny pack is probably not big enough for the OP's purposes but something like the Hyper 3.0 looks promising.

Why, pray tell?

The Tubus Fly rack is very small and light (11 ounces), and will get the weight lower (and easier to access) than either a backpack or a saddlebag. A waterproof stuff sack will be very light and should have plenty of volume, especially since he's already got a handlebar bag.



yes, i know its very small and light. (had one and sold it) it also bolts on, requires panniers or another bag, and can rattle off - especially on dirt or technical riding. i don't really see a stuff sack sitting nicely on top of that rack without some cloroplast or something to give it a bit wider base.

strap the waterproof stuff sack directly to the saddle and seatpost... it eliminates 11 oz. and the bolts / rattle / mechanical connection.

the nice thing about a wp stuff sack (rack or not) is that it can change size and shape based on gear.


re: camelbacks - they are great bags, and the water in them usually is the heaviest bits. but on a volume per weight ratio, from what i've seen they are heavier than some of the other hyrdation / pack systems out there... esp if you delve into ultralight backpacking realms looking for ways to carry things... and i think the OP is asking for a pack that will carry more than just water...

And while preference naturally plays a part, the last thing I'd want to do is put a bunch of weight right around my hips, especially when on a bike; it'd be awful for my lower back.


from what i've heard about the wingnut bags is that they 'work' - as they were designed specifically for endurance mtb races / events.

i still think you need to control how you load em up... and i don't think they transfer all the weight to the hips - the belt is more stabilizer, but the load rides just above the hips.

if / when i get mine i'll report back... (sometime after the holidays...)

Carrying weight on your back changes your center of gravity, which in turn changes the ideal fore-aft position of your saddle. It's a little thing, but on a long ride the little things in fit can make a difference. If you want to ride with a pack, and don't usually do it, I'd do it on some shorter rides to get your bike dialed in again first.

Carrying weight on your back changes your center of gravity, which in turn changes the ideal fore-aft position of your saddle. It's a little thing, but on a long ride the little things in fit can make a difference. If you want to ride with a pack, and don't usually do it, I'd do it on some shorter rides to get your bike dialed in again first.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will definitely do that first.

If I ever use a pack while I am riding, it is a cmaelback pack for water. Any camping gear gets situated on either front or back rack.

ditch the rack.
.



+1 why pray tell, a small rack is a good option. Personally I'm a fan of the Carradice Bagman. Here's my long distance, CC touring setup on a 90 mile ride from Boston to Woods Hole

+1 why pray tell, a small rack is a good option. Personally I'm a fan of the Carradice Bagman. Here's my long distance, CC touring setup on a 90 mile ride from Boston to Woods Hole

sure, i've used the same setup, bagman with barley, nelson, or camper. or even a mark's rack.
it works great.

but, you can do without.
that is all.

Thanks for all the replies. I just received an Ortlieb Flight that I am going to try for commuting. My ride is short, but it will be a good way test it out

gear on back = military days (for me at least, minus the bike of course)

good on you if you want to do it, but I can't even bring myself to use a hydration system that one carries on their back.

Here's another option http://www.deuterusa.com/products/ I've got the Futura 28.