Arkel SeatPacker 15 Saddle Bag - Another option?

[Aushiker]

Arkel have joined the bikepacking market with the Seatpacker 15.

https://youtu.be/ahzJks2DGPE

My first thought when I saw it was it is an "upside down" Porcelain Rocket Mr Fusion v2, the seat bag often considered the benchmark bag (okay maybe I am biased as I have one on my Salsa Mukluk ).



After a quick watch of the video my initial thoughts are:

(1) Not as convenient as my Mr Fusion v2. Removal of the bag for off bike packing is a very simple process with the Mr Fusion v2;
(2) Expensive. Mr Fusion V2 is CAD$185 versus CAD$239.95;
(3) Heavier ... My Mr Fusion v2 comes in at 495 grams complete on my scales;
(4) I am not convinced of the need to bolt the frame to the saddle and if this will turn out to be a pain with some saddles (looking at you Brooks B17). I am not aware of any other saddle bag manufacturer going down this path. More weight for little gain?

On the positive side I am assuming that using a frame aka Mr Fusion v2 will address of the often expressed concern of bags swaying. Revelate Designs bags for example often cop this criticism. It also has a little more capacity at 15 litres. I have mixed views on this but if one kept the weight down it might be okay I guess. Bikepacking is often considered to be about less not more.

To be honest I would if I was in the market be considering a Mr Fusion v2 or a Bedrock Coconino over the Arkel. I would also like to see some feedback from the users with experience bikepacking, e.g., Bikepacking.com

[wileydavis]

I assume the advantage of the way the Arkel mounts is that you can use it with a dropper post. That's a pretty big upside in my opinion. The Mr. Fusion looks better, though.

[Biggus Duckus]

Don't forget that PDW has a version of this bag as well.  Has my hands on one and it seemed really nice.

[Lentamentalisk]

Dropper post compatible, yes, but also compatible with less exposed seat post. My bike has very little exposed seat post, due to them keeping the triangle as large as possible for the frame bag, so there isn't really enough space for the Mr. Fusion to work properly. It still works, but the geometry isn't right. I even switched from their seat post mount to a Problem Solvers seat clamp mount to lower the attachment point an inch. I'm super excited about the possibility of the upcoming Porcelain Rocket dropper compatible bag as a solution to this, but the Arkel one may also work well.

[AugustWest]

Plus Porcelain Rocket gear is pretty much unobtainium.  Other bags you can at least get.

[Oylerz]

Hey all,

I'm resurrecting this older thread instead of starting a new one.

Looking to finally purchase my first seat bag sometime within the next couple months. After watching a friend struggle with the stability and sway of his cheap made-in-china seat bag last year on a trip I am looking for something that is going to be very stable. I've done a fair bit of research and there are lots of options that seem like they would be good, but I wanted to see if people had any thoughts on the selections I am looking at.

First candidate, and the one I am leaning towards is the Seatpacker 15 from Arkel (That's why i resurrected this thread... )
https://www.arkel-od.com/en/seatpacker-15-bikepacking-seat-bag.html
These are available at my LBS (big plus IMO) and they incorporate a short aluminum rack that the bag hangs from. It's 15L which would be lots for anything I'm planing to do in the forseeable future. The guys at my LBS all have them and rave about their stability.

Second candidate is the Porcelain Rocket Mr Fusion.
https://porcelainrocket.com/products/mr-fusion?variant=32551022727
I like the removable drybag option, however as noted above, availability might be a problem. I would have to order these from PR directly, however since I live in Canada getting this shipped from Calgary would be relatively painless so that's a big plus as well.

Third candidate is the Revelate Viscacha
https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/seat-bags/Viscacha
My concerns with this one are mainly related to stability, but this is a very popular bag that has been widely used for a long time. They are also available at my LBS.

These were my other considerations:
Ortlieb Seat-Pack - good reviews at bikepacking.com, available at my LBS
Bedrock Bags Coconino - love the railwing, but it gets tricky ordering things from USA into Canada (shipping rates/duty/taxes/etc.)

Does anyone have any experience with the Seatpacker yet? Any other suggestions or advice would also be appreciated. I'm just starting my second year of this stuff and man what a blast! Hoping to do a few more adventures this year than I did last year.

[Aushiker]

Second candidate is the Porcelain Rocket Mr Fusion.
https://porcelainrocket.com/products/mr-fusion?variant=32551022727
I like the removable drybag option, however as noted above, availability might be a problem. I would have to order these from PR directly, however since I live in Canada getting this shipped from Calgary would be relatively painless so that's a big plus as well.

I have one; lost my bag last month due to my stupidity, no problems contacting Scott to get it replaced.  Really like this piece of gear; rock solid; ideal size. Forget it is there

I have an Apidura Backcountry saddlebag on my endurance bike. Not to the same quality or design but then the price reflects this. Tends to move a bit at times. All up just not as a good design, not as stable and not as functional.

[Oylerz]

Thanks Aushiker!

I have a question for you... do you ever ride without a drybag in the holder for the PR Mr Fusion? I won't always need to have the added carrying capacity and my concern would be what would the holder do when I'm riding with it unloaded. I guess I could just remove it when I don't need it, but I'm just trying to see from all angles. I've seen the holder for the Seatpacker, and it is reasonably small and doesn't move so riding without the bag on isn't really an issue.

[Aushiker]

Thanks Aushiker!

I have a question for you... do you ever ride without a drybag in the holder for the PR Mr Fusion? I won't always need to have the added carrying capacity and my concern would be what would the holder do when I'm riding with it unloaded. I guess I could just remove it when I don't need it, but I'm just trying to see from all angles. I've seen the holder for the Seatpacker, and it is reasonably small and doesn't move so riding without the bag on isn't really an issue.

I am currently   It is fine, I just pull the straps tight to avoid them hanging and off I go.

[Oylerz]

Excellent! Thanks again!