Quick and Easy 10L or 20L seat pack / harness

[isignay]

After some trial and error on strap placement, I made a little harness for my 10L or 20L bag for the back of the seat.  It's not exactly even, but after a test run it works great.  I'm not sure how the fit would be minus the adamo seat I have on there since it has that extra rear area on it, but it fits great and stays put.  The strap in the very back does not serve any function in keeping the bag in place, but I can put a pair of shoes/sandals on top of the back and strap them down which is nice.  This was an accidental feature as I thought it would be a functional strap but ended up being useless...The orange piece near the seat post is a piece of 1/2" thick foam that I sewed in to prevent wear, and it helps push the bag away and back / up more.

[bumbler]

Cool. Looks like it could use some refinement, but if it works then I can't complain.

[isignay]

Yeah the original idea didn't pan out as i wanted and i didn't want to start from scratch so I had to make modifications.  The 2.0 will be improved

[ascar_larkinyar]

i am pursuing a similar design and found out i can just use long straps to hold on a stuff sack.  but it has to be really tight.

[isignay]

Yeah I only used 3 straps.  It works well so far.  One Day I'll probably buy a seat pack, everything else is easily doable at home... After trying to re create a seat pack I realized it is a worthwhile investment to just buy, unless you have patience and better sewing skills, both of which I lack.

[acleese]

Hey, you're picture's not showing...I would love to see it. I've noticed that many pictures on the threads in this forum are not showing...what gives?

I'm hoping to make a seat pack and handlebar harness soon and pictures really help with the process.

[fotooutdoors]

Hey, you're picture's not showing...I would love to see it. I've noticed that many pictures on the threads in this forum are not showing...what gives?

Try refreshing the page.  Photos hosted on the site don't show up if you aren't logged in, so if you load a page before logging in, the photo won't show.

[acleese]

Hmm, I just tried logging in and refreshing a couple of times, but no picture in this thread appears.

Nevermind, I got it to work. The problem was on my end.

[afie]

Sweet!

Any other pics?

[isignay]

After doing a 3 night trek w/the bags I made some tweaks to the positioning of the straps, now it sits snug and holds a 20L bag too, going to play with the front a little bit to get it back a few inches so that the bag doesn't rub against my legs on the pedal strokes, but other than that minor neusance I'm happy, I'm thinking about going a little ghetto and just taping a foam block behind my seatpost to start, and maybe getting a little fancier if I venture to the Lowes PVC piping Isle to see what I can brain storm...



*Post post update, I added a 4th stap to the bag and will hopefully be adding a little mesh webbing up top so it can fit a 3L bladder without too much headache.

[isignay]

To anyone who care, i finally stopped fiddling with the bag.  I tried using the 20L bag, but it's just way too much gear.  I figure if I need to carry 20L worth of gear behind my seat I should be using panniers instead so that it's easier to access things that I need without digging and tearing through a bag repeatedly.  I tried using a foam block to keep the bag from hitting my legs when I rode but it didn't work.  The first 20 miles the foam block worked, but after that the foam started to indent which caused the bag to sag.  It was frustrating that the system i sewed up didn't work.  I had to keep fiddling with the straps during my last over nighter.  I think I finally found a solution. 

I ditched the 20L bag and went back to the 10L bag.  There's enough room in the bag for a couple days worth of clothes, warm weather gear, and my tent poles and some extra food for the evening.   The zip lock bag pictured will be replaced by something more durable, but it holds my rain pants and rain jacket.  The velcro on top is used to hold my 3 L bladder. 

The key to making this work and not having the bag rub on my legs was solved by this plastic cardboard like material.  I'm not sure what it's called.  My gf was throwing away a dresser, and I snagged the clear plastic pieces. They're light enough yet durable enough to work under stress.  I wish i knew what the technical term other than plastic like cardboard was, but I folded it up, and taped it to the seat.  Now the bag won't recess into my legs after many miles since the plastic is infinitely stronger than the foam block.  I think sign shops  / printing shops sell the material, they'd probably know what it's called.

It's not the prettiest rear pack, but it finally works (knock on wood).  After reading countless ride reports and from my own personal experiences over the last couple overnighters I took I really wanted to shed weight so I could enjoy the riding more.  I realized on a bike trip you're either riding, eating or sleeping.  I don't need 3 pairs of bike shorts, and 3 shirts etc etc etc, sacrifices needed to be made in order to enjoy the riding.  At first I didn't realize what the light weight craze was all about as my only experiences had been in essence pannier fully loaded touring (NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, I'M not a pannier / road touring hater).  But now I realize the more weight I shed the better the riding.  I think with this set up I found a balance of comfort on the trail for an extended period of time and light weight to enjoy the riding.  On the CT this summer I'll be out there for 2 weeks so I'll be going with a 20L bag up front and a 10L bag in the rear along with other small bags, I'll post a gear list prior to departing. 

This "bikepacking" concept is an addiction of constant fiddling, tinkering, and never being satisfied with how your gear is set up, I feel like this forum has given me OCD.

[afie]

Twin, Twinwalled, corrugated plastic board?

[isignay]

Yes!!   

[trebor]

Yes, fiddling is now your lifestyle. Embrace it.

[wahday]

Fiddling is a way of life!

I'm no bikepacking expert (I've done 5 S240s total) but I can say I have yet to use the same setup twice. Always tweaking, always improving. Plus different trips, times if year and terrain call for different gear.

Good luck on your adventure!

Btw that material is also called "coroplast" Election signs are another good free source-might as well turn all that rancor into something useful.

This guy made an entire seat bag out of the stuff. I've seen panniers as well. I would worry about long term durability but I admire the work and ingenuity! And for around town it's probably great: http://www.palespruce.com/myog-coroplast-seat-bag/

[isignay]

Fiddling is a way of life, true statement....

Pic. of the Final set up of the bag..

 I just realized the posts original title was quick and easy seat pack harness... Given all the time I've spent adjusting and messing with the damn thing it's anything but quick.... Knowing how to make one now, I think the next one will be quick n easy.