Since I usually use a handlebar bag, four panniers and a bag on top of the back that has dedicated straps to attach to the bike, I strap very little stuff on the bike.

The only things I regularly strap to the bike are:

- rain gear is often strapped on top of my front roller panniers with the pannier strap that goes over the top of the pannier because I like to have my rain gear handy and that strap is perfect for the task,
- maybe a spare water bottle or two,
- tent pole bag to top of rear rack if the poles are too long to fit in another bag,
- an article of clothing that I shed but did not bother to open up a bag to stow,
- on one occasion I had too much food from the grocery store to fit in my bags, put it in a big stuff sack and strapped on top in back.

For those times that I do strap things on, I have used bunge cord, bunge nets, velcro straps, webbing straps, and leather toe clip straps. Never used rope or cord. I usually bring some long webbing straps along for emergency, but usually do not use them or if I used them it was as an extra reinforcement to keep the load from shifting. My last trip, I gave away most of my extra straps to people that clearly needed them more than me. Since anything I strap on is usually quite small, a velcro strap is usually perfect for the task. I usually keep a few short velcro straps wrapped around a rack for that purpose.

If unsure about your packing, after you pack up your bike grip the stem with one hand and your saddle with the other hand and robustly shake the bike side to side several times to see if everything stays on tight. Anything that shifts or sways should get reinforcement.