DIY Seat Pack Stabiliser?

[flanagaj]

I have one of the 14 litre seat packs and was contemplating moving to dry bag and pannier rack for my next trip, but before I do I want to see whether I can either make or source a seat pack stabiliser that I can incorporate into my bag so as to get rid of the dreaded sway that drove me nuts on my last trip.  I have made frame bags and bar bags so am handy with a sewing machine.

I know there is the Bindle rack from Portland Design Works, but I cannot justify £80. 

Anyone have any ideas?

[the tortoise]

You can get a clamp on seat post rack and hack away at it then use what is left to wrap a strap around the seatbag to the rack to eliminate sway.

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-Alloy-Seatpost-Mount-Carrier/dp/B011NJ5S3U/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1480702496&sr=8-7&keywords=bicycle+seatpost+rack

My dream would be to have a combination fender rack setup that would clamp to the seatpost, follow the curve of the tire and connect to the rear axel or seatstay with struts. The fender top would be flat and fairly wide and would have lash on attachments so you could lash a few dry bags onto it. This would allow you to use a dropper post as well. I am not a big fan of seat bags because of my size, don't like how they load and unload, don't like the sway and how they get in the way of mounting and dismounting.

[flanagaj]

That is one option, but the clamp is fixed at a given angle.  It could potentially work though.

"don't like how they load and unload, don't like the sway and how they get in the way of mounting and dismounting." - I understand where you are coming from there.

[bmike-vt]

I plan to do the following, if I ever get around to it, and if I ever felt the swaying was holding me back, or if I could notice it...

Get a seatpost rack mount,

http://salsacycles.com/components/category/collars/post-lock


and then get some Tubus spare parts, and make a stabilizer...

https://ortliebusa.com/product-category/tubus/accessories-and-small-parts/

The struts can be bought bent, etc. or you can bend them yourself.
I used these for a decaleur for my randonneuring bike.

I'll tuck the struts inside the flaps on my Revelate Visacha...

[flanagaj]

I was also wondering whether you could adapt one of these. 

[vermont]

Don't know if this will help or not but when I made my seat bag the most useful strap on it was one I connected to the roll top closer of the bag.  It went from the roll top closer on one side around the seatpost and back to the other side of the roll top closer.  I had intended to secure this strap to a daisy chain on the bag but found putting around the seatpost next to the clamp was the most secure spot.  I never felt the bag sway.

[RonK]

You need a Bedrock Bags Railwing. I have a Bedrock Coconino bag and it works very well. Unfortunately it seems they have sold out, but its worth asking when more will be available.

[flanagaj]

You need a Bedrock Bags Railwing. I have a Bedrock Coconino bag and it works very well. Unfortunately it seems they have sold out, but its worth asking when more will be available.

Thanks.  I think I will have a go at making something along those lines.  Being based in the UK I doubt they are available over here.

[the tortoise]

I finally did it kicking and screaming but it works great. I started out bikepacking in the late 80's using racks and panniers then in the last 4 years I got caught up in the slim lightweight minimalist craze which never seemed to work out without putting a ton of shit on my back. Taller people can get away with it cause their frame bags can hold so much more and their seat bags are much bigger and not rubbing on their tires. I love to ride without anything on my back and I don't want to forgo bringing something with me cause I don't have room.
Right now the 2 person tent goes on the rack and I use an ancient Jannd pannier on one side. My sleep kit goes up front in the bedrock roll (which works sooooo much better than the sweetroll that I have with it's sticky interior). Frame bag holds my 100 ounce bladder and I have two bedrock tapeat bags off the bar. I can easily add cages to the front for more capacity and a right side pannier as well.
Flats, hiking boots, racks, and wool are cooooooool again! Sometimes in the rush to change things for the better you lose sight of what has worked well in the past.

[flanagaj]

I finally did it kicking and screaming but it works great. I started out bikepacking in the late 80's using racks and panniers then in the last 4 years I got caught up in the slim lightweight minimalist craze which never seemed to work out without putting a ton of shit on my back. Taller people can get away with it cause their frame bags can hold so much more and their seat bags are much bigger and not rubbing on their tires. I love to ride without anything on my back and I don't want to forgo bringing something with me cause I don't have room.
Right now the 2 person tent goes on the rack and I use an ancient Jannd pannier on one side. My sleep kit goes up front in the bedrock roll (which works sooooo much better than the sweetroll that I have with it's sticky interior). Frame bag holds my 100 ounce bladder and I have two bedrock tapeat bags off the bar. I can easily add cages to the front for more capacity and a right side pannier as well.
Flats, hiking boots, racks, and wool are cooooooool again! Sometimes in the rush to change things for the better you lose sight of what has worked well in the past.

  Like the vote of confidence!   Annoyingly, my carbon frame foes not have eyelets and I have had to go with a rack that utilises the skewer.  Not ideal, as if you get a flat you have to pretty much unload the rear rack and then pull the skewer right out of the wheel before the wheel can be removed.  If this was not the case I think I would have already made my mind up to go the rack and dry bag option.
 

[the tortoise]

 Like the vote of confidence!   Annoyingly, my carbon frame foes not have eyelets and I have had to go with a rack that utilises the skewer.  Not ideal, as if you get a flat you have to pretty much unload the rear rack and then pull the skewer right out of the wheel before the wheel can be removed.  If this was not the case I think I would have already made my mind up to go the rack and dry bag option.
 

Well my Stache doesn't have any eyelets either so I used the clamp on adaptors for the bottom of the rack on the seatstays and a seatpost clamp on rack thingy for the other attachment points but I am going to get the salsa seatpost eyelet thingy that someone mentioned here to firm it up more. I will just take some extra clamps for the seatstay mounts cause they are pretty small and light.
I had an old man mountain rack and it was solid but the axel thing was a PITA in my opinion. Making the rear wheel more difficult to remove and replace for flats or repairs wasn't what I was looking for.

[the tortoise]

stumbled across this one: https://www.bikebagshop.com/restrap-carryeverything-saddlebag-holster-p-4215.html

[flanagaj]

What is your experience of the eyelet clips?

At first glance, I am not convinced by that restrap holster.  The forward part looks like it was designed by someone who is into bondage!

[the tortoise]

What is your experience of the eyelet clips?

At first glance, I am not convinced by that restrap holster.  The forward part looks like it was designed by someone who is into bondage!

Clips work well. Some are sturdier than others. Since they are small and lightweight I would just take a couple extra with you as well as extra bolts and nuts to fix if it should break.  If they fit a little loosely then use some old inner tube to shim them tight.

You know some people are into bondage!

[riderx]

Did a custom bag for my wife with the Porcelain Rocket idea as a starting point. Instead of a holster, this is a rolltop bag with a pocket on the bottom to slip the support in. Support is 6061 aluminum tubing I bent with a pipe bender, custom filed some cantilever brake pad washers for the bolt on portion. Used a Salsa seat post clamp for her set up, used the Post-lock version when I installed on my bike which has way more seatpost showing. Will be making a new bag for myself using this set up, it is solid. Aluminum tubing was purchased from McMaster.com

[the tortoise]

Did a custom bag for my wife with the Porcelain Rocket idea as a starting point. Instead of a holster, this is a rolltop bag with a pocket on the bottom to slip the support in. Support is 6061 aluminum tubing I bent with a pipe bender, custom filed some cantilever brake pad washers for the bolt on portion. Used a Salsa seat post clamp for her set up, used the Post-lock version when I installed on my bike which has way more seatpost showing. Will be making a new bag for myself using this set up, it is solid. Aluminum tubing was purchased from McMaster.com

Awesome!

[flanagaj]

Did a custom bag for my wife with the Porcelain Rocket idea as a starting point. Instead of a holster, this is a rolltop bag with a pocket on the bottom to slip the support in. Support is 6061 aluminum tubing I bent with a pipe bender, custom filed some cantilever brake pad washers for the bolt on portion. Used a Salsa seat post clamp for her set up, used the Post-lock version when I installed on my bike which has way more seatpost showing. Will be making a new bag for myself using this set up, it is solid. Aluminum tubing was purchased from McMaster.com



This is really great.  Just a quick question as I cannot see this from the photo.  How did you get a flat edge where the tube mates up to the seat collar? 

[riderx]

How did you get a flat edge where the tube mates up to the seat collar?

I used a set of conical washer from brake pads like the ones shown below. I filed the fat washer to fit the rounded profile of the tubing of the support.

[flanagaj]

I used a set of conical washer from brake pads like the ones shown below. I filed the fat washer to fit the rounded profile of the tubing of the support.

Very clever!  Thanks

[the tortoise]

seatclamp and rack attachment all in one. https://www.bikebagshop.com/sunlite-rack-mount-seat-post-clamp-p-1146.html