It's interesting if you look at the luggage used on the recent Transcontinental, the vast majority were using bike packing luggage. Given that many were using what is effect a TT bike, I'm inclined to think that a lot of it comes down getting the luggage into the plane of the bike for aerodynamics and balance. When you're doing what is a 3800km individual TT, any savings on aero are worth it, where as on a more casual tour, they may not be so significant.

I have a set of Ortlieb back roller classics that I've used for the last few years, but am now starting to move towards bike packing style luggage (Alpkit, Miss Grape, Apidura all on the potentials list). Getting everything into the plane of the bike really appeals, and it's also encouraging me to take less crap with me, just the essentials.

J

Fantastic, that's really useful to know.

However that entirely doesn't answer my question, or help me in anyway shape of form.

Thanks

J

Has anyone any experience of fitting front bags to drop bars that have cross top brakes? I like the look of the Apidura and alpkit front bags, but I'm not sure how they will interact with cross top brakes.

Thanks

J