Looking for information about frame bags
 

I discovered this extensive list of frame bag manufacturers and it got me thinking how I might incorporate a frame bag into my touring gear.

At present, if I forgo camping (which I am happy to do) and cooking (I like to cook my own food), then I can get all gear into 2 front roller Ortlieb bags and a large seat pack.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z...e%2520bike.JPG

But, this leaves very little room for daily food items and no room for cooking equipment or food supplies for evening meals.

Looking over the frame bags, it looks possible that I might be able to move some/most of my clothing from the front bags to the frame bag, opening up room for cooking gear and additional food.

My question to those people who use frame bags is how much can be put in them? Can I put a set of biking clothes (shorts, jersey, socks) in one without impeding my pedaling? Can I get more in there, say a set of off-bike clothes (nylon pants, t-shirt, underwear)? What about a rolled up raincoat and pants?

I would guess that my cooking gear is roughly equivalent to a set of biking or off-bike clothes shoved into a ziplock bag. Getting both out of my front packs would likely free up enough space for my cooking gear, fuel bottle, random utensils, and extra food.

Depends on the framebag. Your frame looks like a great candidate for a custom bag, and a good candidate for the CX/Touring specific framebags from Revelate Designs.

Here's a link: https://www.revelatedesigns.com/inde...ame-bags/Ripio

In my framebag, I have enough room for one set of biking clothes in the upper pocket, and a really lightweight pair of nylon pants, shirt and jacket in the bottom. The clothes you use make a big impact.

To ward off sun and mosquitos around camp when I'm ultralight touring in the summer, I carry a pair of ripstop nylon wind pants, 4oz and $20 from Dance Company supply stores. Mine are "Body Wrappers." In person, they look like regular old pants and they only cost me $20. I pair that with a nylon windshirt (4oz.) and a "AIRism" t-shirt from Uniqlo. Total weight with socks and undies is less than a pound, and the total space of a large orange. Really, really small. In that case, I can carry three or four outfits in a framebag (I don't, but I could).

Generally, people's comfort level varies. Even when I absolutely stuff my framebag, it doesn't bother my knees. I sometimes adjust my knees slightly to avoid rub, but only a centimeter or so. It just doesn't bug me. Kelley tried a framebag and immediately said "Nope, not for me" because of rub, so, to each their own. You may have to test this out to discover your tolerance.

In sum, I would almost guarantee your bike outfit will fit no matter what framebag you use, and if you went with a full-size framebag, I am reasonably certain you can get both outfits in. If you can't, there may be more compact clothing options that will help.

I planned to make a bag, but saw a low cost one on Ebay so I rolled the dice and got the Ebay one. It did not fit well in the upper rear corner of the triangle because it was hard to get my bottle out of the down tube cage. But when I added a couple straps for the head tube and downtube, it fits perfect and I can easily use a cage on the seat tube. But every frame is different, I might be unusually lucky for fit on my frame. Cost less than $15 but I think the price now is a bit higher. Weighs 265 grams or a bit under 10 oz. I am not even aware of it when I am on the bike, fits between my knees and at roughly 3 inches wide my knees do not hit it.

Do an Ebay search for large ibera frame bag. Some of them have one zipper, mine has two, the two zipper models are a bit bigger.

I think it is about 5 liters of volume, that is a guess. It would easily hold one set of clothes, but rain gear AND one set of clothing might be a bit tight.

On a volume for weight basis, it is the best piece of bike luggage I have.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=488575 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=488576 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=488578 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=488577 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=488579

I have never tried the Revelate Designs ones, so I have no opinion on that. This is the only one I have ever tried.

It's not just the bag in the triangle, the "frame" bag. You also need a seat bag and a handlebar bag. You can probably stuff the frame bag significantly without your knees rubbing on it, as most of them are 2.5-3 inches wide and your knees are a good 6 inches apart. You can put 20-25 liters in the seat bag and at least the same in a handlebar bag. With those three--seat bag, frame bag, handlebar bag--you're carrying 50-60 liters, or 3500 cubic inches worth of food, gear and clothing. That's a lot.

My handlebar roll is almost touching my tire, and it's 14L. The largest Revelate seatbag, the Viscacha, is 6-14L. I find it to be most comfortable at between 8 and 10, to minimize sway.

A framebag is about 8 liters, maybe 10 on a big frame. So, total, you're looking at 35L of capacity, not 50-60. That's on a big bike. A smaller seat bag, smaller framebag, and smaller handlebar roll clearance could mean as little as 25L.



Besides, OP wants to run a framebag with panniers, which works just fine. Then you can hit the 50-60L capacity mark and have a more ergonomic, balanced ride. I've done this a lot, and it works great. I think the framebag serves the purpose of a handlebar bag better than a handlebar bag does; quick access, great handling, decent capacity and organization.

Here's my loadout for a tour Kelley and I did. I'm carrying most of her stuff, nearly 2 people worth of gear.

http://i.imgur.com/UPGY18x.jpg

Is that your shifter on an accessory bar?

It is a Rohloff twist grip shifter. I put it on the end of a cut down mountain bike bar-end grip, that bar end is installed on a Thorn 55mm Accessory Bar.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=488715 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=488716

I planned to put the shifter on the 55mm Accessory Bar, but I use interrupter brake levers, the shifter would not work well there due to the right brake lever. So, I looked for another option, the bar end option is working pretty well.

I almost never stand on the pedals for power, my knees can't take it, but if I did that shifter location would not work very well as it would be pretty close to my knees.

I am using the small version and I really like it. Here's a pic:

http://i.imgur.com/yg6tKRT.jpg

It held leg warmers, arm warmers, headband, hat, food, 20000mah battery and cable, plus a few smaller misc items.

Thanks T MSN, it's a neat idea.

I have a medium sized Revelate Tangle bag on a 56cm CrossCheck and 56cm 26" wheel LHT that doesn't impede pedaling. I carry a heavy 4' chain in it on one side that takes up half the space. Light thin clothes can fit in there but not all the items you mention. Maybe light rain pants and jacket, or shorts, windbreaker and socks with snack bars and small camera or phone lined up in the narrow left pocket.

I picked up a large revolt top tube bag this past summer. Don't really care for it. I was able to put a couple pieces of fruit in it and a spare tube, small first aid kit, bug repellant, patch kit and a couple other small things in it but my knees rubbed on it slightly. I that I'd try it to get rid of my trunk or handlebar bag to shed some weight. Ended up carrying all three for a while. Nice not being on tour now. NONE of the bags are on the bike!

Lots of different frame bag options out there. (Obviously), the bigger the triangle, the larger the frame bag can be. I regularly use them on both my bikepacking and touring rigs. I can stuff them full with heavy items (food, tools/repair kit, water bladder) and with items I might want throughout the ride (snacks, light, map). The bikes seem to handle better with the heaviest items low and centered on the bike in the frame bag, leaving my seat bag and handlebar roll (or rear panniers, depending on the trip) free for lighter and more bulky gear. Even when stuffed full, I haven't had any problems with the frame bag interfering with pedaling.

Some of the frame bags offer multiple pockets which can be useful for organizing and separating bits of gear, but I think these cut into the usable maximum volume of the bag. Hence, I'd prefer frame bags with one large opening that I can pack super full (if needed).

Plenty of manufacturers out there now that can whip up a custom bag to your frame specs and storage needs (pockets, zippers, hydration port, etc.). Lots of other options too for small gear/camera/snack storage on the bike like gas tank bags, feed bags, etc. Check out Revelate Designs, Porcelain Rocket, Rogue Panda or Oveja Negra (among lots of others) for some design inspiration.