backpacking gear and bike
 

Has anyone seen a backpack frame designed specifically for carrying panniers and bike? I have many different backpacks from small to large, some have external frames that can be used by themselves to carry relatively bulky and heavy objects like a moose quarter for example. I would much prefer to purchase a frame designed to carry both panniers and a bike before trying to convert one of my external frames for that purpose.

i doubt that exists, you're likely going to have to use a packer frame.

http://sectionhiker-com.wpengine.net.../IMG_29481.JPG

I have such a device made almost 30 years ago by Robert Beckman Designs. It is a padded sheet with shoulder straps on one side and buckles and straps to attach two panniers horizontally one above the other. It is actually very comfortable and light at 12oz. but only handles two panniers which works for me as I only use two. I do not know if this item is still available.

Other options include the Luxury Lite Stack Pack and the ULA Epic .

it's EXTREMELY unlikely there's a commercially available backpack that is designed to carry both panniers AND bike.

maybe get one custom made from Dan McHale at McHale and company?

He's quite the bicyclist, and builds up a mean backpack.

www.mchalepacks.com

Sorry I missed the "AND BIKE" part of the sentence.

However I have portaged my bike with the top tube lodged between my Gregory Day and one half pack and my shoulders. My panniers were clipped to the pack's side compression straps. The distances used were relatively short such as climbing from one drainage to another in the Andes in Ecuador or to reach a refugio on a volcano in the snow. Just how far do you need to carry both panniers and bike?

Kifaru Platform Haulers may suit your needs.

I have to break down the bike similar to boxing it for transport and it has to be strapped securely enough so as not to shift and throw me off balance or catch on rocks, cliff-sides, or branches when climbing along steep narrow paths.
It looks like I'll have to bite the bullet, so to speak, and make up some straps etc. to work with one of my larger pack frames. I have to walk a few miles through some bad lands, going across several cross ditches and ravines, some with good-sized creeks in them. I am used to carrying 60-80 lbs. on properly balanced packs through rough terrain. My only alternative is to 'leap-frog' all the gear, which means making 3 trips, and only going short distances before returning each time so as not to have my panniers stolen or ripped open by coyotes or bears which are numerous is this area. Anyway I look at it, it's going to be a challenge.

I too cyclopack and have not found a suitable pack that does this well. I typically (If I am out in the back-country for more than 2 days) will bring my Gregory Palisades 80. This is an AWESOME pack for hiking, but definitely not for riding, though it is still the bag I bring most often. I just get clever with how I utilize it over the panniers while riding. If I think I will only be off the bike for a day or 2 at a time I will bring my black Diamond hollowpoint climbing pack and my panniers can clip together if I need to carry them anywhere.

I will be paying attention to this thread.
I wish they made these in a larger capacity like a 45-60 liter.
http://www.arkel-od.com/us/bug-cummuting-bag-1.html

That's most likely the most practicable way to go. Any rigid metal-framed, non-folding,or collapsible pack frame is just too long to easily carry on my bike racks. I'm going to ask someone with a machine capable of sewing canvas to sew double parallel lines across doubled canvas about 5" apart to accommodate aluminum rods, and two not quite parallel perpendicular lined 'tubes' (wider apart at the bottom) for larger aluminum rods which the pack straps will attach to. There will be many cut-outs to allow tying straps to be secured to the parallel rods. With the two perpendicular rods removed, the whole set-up can be rolled up similar to a sleeping mat and stored as such on the bike.

check out the swiss army bike brigade:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bi...rsaglieri2.jpg

Panpack makes a 41L and 60L pannier that converts into a backpack, and two sets of front panniers that attaches to the bigger ones. It makes for a heavy backpack though, and they aren't made to carry a bike.

This is true. Carrying a bike is extremely counter-productive in the woods. Unless you HAVE to to section hike through a piece of unrideable territory, it is best to find a spot to chain your bike up to a tree and come back for it. Any bike strong enough to carry touring gear is probably too heavy to want to carry with you while hiking. (Extra 20+ lbs, + tools and that's if your tricross is on the LIGHT side.)

That swiss army bike brigade is awesome. They need to bring that back. You can sneak up on a lot of **** quickly with police silent hubs. Covert Ops Cycle Corp would do some real damage.

Panpack looks like they have some great products, but that website makes it EXTREMELY difficult to even consider buying from.

I'm not concerned with the total weight, I expect it to be 70 lbs. I have a section of tree-less semi arid bad lands cut up with cross drainage's to get
through to access the second half of my 20+ day tour. If I can't figure out a practical solution, I have to go around, adding several days to the tour, and it involves going through very remote and steep mountainous de-activated and washed out logging roads, now only used by ATVs. This detour would be too irresponsible to attempt without another 2-3 riders....I am touring solo.

I was going to ask if you were going with anyone but I kind of figured you were solo. Well that makes sense. In my first response, I did not recognize that you wanted to carry the bike too. Have you thought about a folding touring bike? Not that that is any easier really.

If I strip the bike down and secure it tightly with stout zap straps, it shouldn't weight more, or be much bigger than a folding bike. I have well over 1000 miles to go on normal roads as well, so would much more prefer to use a bike set up for touring.
If you're curious about the area, go to Lillooet b.c.canada cariboo on google and scroll over to:-
It's between 51"06'50.67N 122"o2'34.93"W and 51"08'34.49"N 122"03'10.69"W

When I saw the Burly Travoy trailer I thought It was a good thing to pack your stuff
In your Back country Back pack, then secure the pack
and your Hiking Boots in the trailer.

It tows by the bike's set post.

That's a nice, light, compact unit, and ideally suited for commuting or short trips. I'm traveling a few hundred miles of gravel, dirt, and boulder strewn roads, with some sizable mud holes as well, so there would be an issue with clearance and the durability of it's light frame and plastic wheels.
On a side note, I was just informed by a Forestry officer that I might be able to hire a cowboy with a packhorse to take me through from one ranch to the other....something to check out.

Now that is something to check out. ultimately though, 70-80 lbs is a LOT of stuff on your back, if you have any climbing to do. But it's seriously somethign you can handle. You clearly have the motivation to want to even attempt it, that usually comes with follow through if it is legitimate motivation. Check that horse option out though.

20" wheel Flat Bed trailer is one I own. long made by the Burly CoOp.
when that dissolved in bankruptcy, the new owners shifted production to Asia, PI.
the trailer design changed .. 16" wheel ,somewhat narrower..

my friend just picked up the Bob yak trailer. extremely easy to dismantle into a you can strap to an EF pack and attach a dismantled bike to the sides or back of it. I was checking it out today. Very doable and the trailer is only 13.7 lbs without the flag from what i weighed.