Dry bags

[phil_rad]

Hi all,

got a question about dry bags. Out on the divide this year I noticed some of the racers had  a dry bag that was kind of long and fairly thin. The one  I use, sea to summit, is Short but fat. So that it rubs sometimes on the front tire on bigger hits. What kind of bag is it?

Thanks!

Phil 

[AZTtripper]

I have one from OR Outdoor Research that is longer then it is fat works good on the bars.

[Singlespeedpunk]

Good, question as I have been thinking the same as the other option is fitting super long cables to the H-Bars!

The new Alpkit Airlok Xtra is oval and might be a better bet. It also have loops on it to stop it sliding side to side (esp if the small bags are used with the Epic bar harness) I have an 8L to replace the old one so I will let you know when I have given it a try

SSP

[phil_rad]

SSP, they look pretty good, I'd like to know how they work out for you.

[pro_out]

Therm-a-rest makes a line of long and skinny dry bags.   http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/stuff-sacks/waterproof-stuff-sack/product

[PackRat]

MEC also has a bag that is fairly long and narrow.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302700593&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442329139&bmUID=1280026874945

[paxton coyote]

 I just bought a Sea to Summit Big River dry bag & it is 13 L capacity & has an oval shape to it(9"x6") x 20", with some additions of sewn on nylon webbing & some velcro I'm pretty sure I'll have a new seat bag for around $30, I'll post my results if it works out.

[phil_rad]

Therm-a-rest makes a line of long and skinny dry bags.   http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/stuff-sacks/waterproof-stuff-sack/product

Thats exactly what I had in mind. The price is ok also.
Thanks pro_out!
phil

[flatfishy]

I use the alpkit airlock XTra bag in the 8L guise with my epic bar harness and it works fairly well although to make it that bit better a couple or three inches longer would be ideal.
Diameter is spot on.
If you can't get anything else these would be fine.
Don't get the silnylon version as they don't grip in the harness!

[jimfab]

Phil

http:/southwestbikepackinggroup.blogspot.com/2010/07/handlebar-bag-tips.html

Is this what you were talking about? I had the same thing as you on the tour. Those longer / skinny bags sure did look to work well. I have since made my own and love it. CDW makes some very nice bags like that.

Cheers- Jim

[sean salach]

I've been using Camp Inn drybags for a while now. I've got their Bomber 30L and Performance 10L bags, and both have heald up incredibly well. Bonus points for being inexpensive:

http://www.campinn.com/watersports-accessories/

[Singlespeedpunk]

Just a note on the AlpKit Airlok XT bags - the strap loops on the 8L and 13L are the same spacing (ie a little narrow for an Epic Handlebar Harness, but it can still work!) The are about the right width for just using two straps to hold it on the bars hoopty-style.

I am using the 13L with out the Epic Designs front pocket as it is tricky to get into with Aero bars on the bike Held up OK on todays 40mile XC ride wtih 2Kg of clothes suffed in it. Not bad for £8GBP

Alex

[phil_rad]

I recently saw this: http://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.catalog&CategoryID=3&ProductID=10 on Eric's web site.

Looks pretty good, a little pricey maybe but if it's like his other stuff then its worth it.

[Eric]

yeah sorry, U.S. sourced fabrics, and made in U.S. in small quantities makes things more expensive. Being Alaska based does not help either

[paxton coyote]

 Doesn't seem too pricey to me considering the price of most dry bags, I appreciate the fact it's built more streamlined than most to fit on the handlebars decent.

[sean salach]

Definitely not too expensive for what it is Eric. Individually hand made in America by a dedicated craftsman who uses his own products versus cranked out by a group of factory workers in a third world country.

[phil_rad]

Thats true, I'd rather pay a little more for a product made in USA than something made in a third world country. Eric's stuff is quality. Sorry Eric for the remark about it being pricey. 

[BigPoppa]

In all honesty, you do pay a few more bucks for Revelate's stuff. It's a good thing because you get what you pay for. The stuff is made by hand, by a guy who tests his product by doing stuff like this http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,309.0.html .

If you want something made by a machine or a sweat shop worker that doesn't know what it means to rely on your gear then there are ways to save two dollars. If you want to rock gear that can handle this........   

N-M

........ then buy Revelate!!!!!

http://www.epicdesignsalaska.com/

[DoctorRad]

Just a note on the AlpKit Airlok XT bags - the strap loops on the 8L and 13L are the same spacing (ie a little narrow for an Epic Handlebar Harness, but it can still work!) The are about the right width for just using two straps to hold it on the bars hoopty-style.

I saw these things on a Dragon's Den repeat the other night:

http://www.rapstrap.com/products_2242.asp?section=products&page=2242_heavy_duty

Wondering if they might be a good luggage strapping solution for bikepacking: flexible, re-usable and with a 25kg loop strength. The version with the central bracket could attach to frame bosses to strap items within the frame triangle, and the normal ones for strapping gear to handlebars and behind saddles.

Am trying to get hold of some to try out, wondering what folks' impressions might be?

[Singlespeedpunk]

I have just ordered a LOMO dry bag as it is long and skinny (and should allow me to use the Revelate front pocket) and then after watching a Vimeo video from Juicy Fruita these were mentioned:

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/site/lateral_dry_bags.html

Nice idea...shame they are not available in the UK and quite $$$ compared to others.

The quest continues...

Alex