Compressing things to fit in frame bag?

[AndersM]

Hi,

I'm refining my setup for this summers trip with my road bike, and I plan to go from handlebar bag, small frame bag and seat post bag to no handlebar bag, full frame bag and a larger seat post bag to make it more aero.
I have had my sleeping bag, sleeping mat and tent(~2kg in total) in a handlebar bag, but I want to put this in a full size frame bag instead.
Does anyone have any good solutions for how to compress for example a sleeping bag to fit a narrow frame bag? I have a 400g down sleeping bag, but the normal compression sack is still too wide for a good fit in a frame bag. Are there any compression sacks that compress things more in one direction for a good fit in the frame bag?
I could of course throw it in the saddle bag, but I would use that only for clothes and such. This way I would only have to bring in the saddle bag if I check in to a hotel.

Thanks!

[Lentamentalisk]

The saddle bag is literally a compression sack already. As is a handle bar bag. I would 100% recommend putting the stuff that needs to be compressed into one of those 2 bags. Since you are eliminating the handlebar bag, that only leaves your seat bag. Clothes can be neatly rolled up and packed into a frame bag really efficiently. I know you are trying to solve other problems, but it seems like this swap is causing more than it solves. Just my 2c...

[bakerjw]

There are always a lot of variables. Sadly, something has to give is something else is going to take. Just part of the experience. Like normal cycling gear, weight, durability, price... Pick any 2.

You might consider a small backpack for holding clothes and put the tent in the seat bag. I just got an Outdoor Research 10 ounce backpack. It is light and has a remarkable amount of room and pocket options.

Another option might be a Thule Pac-n-pedal on the front forks. Align your gear so that it is in line with the bike. A bit more weight but wind resistance might be a bit less.

Since you're going with a full frame bag, where will your water bottles be kept?

It is all about compromises. Hope you find something that works.

[wahday]

In the last few years I have started leaving the sleeping bag stuff sack behind and just cramming the bag loose into whatever bag I am carrying it in. This is a common backpacking technique, packing the sleeping bag among the nooks and crannies left in the pack once everything else is in there. Plus, that's one less stuff sack to keep track of.

So, you might be able to carry the sleeping bag in the frame bag this way. I am more careful with my shelter and typically fold and roll it into its sack before packing.


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[Lentamentalisk]

There is also the question of weight distribution. This is less important on a road bike than a mountain bike, of course. The main triangle is a really great place to put all your super heavy stuff like water, tools, food, cook kit, shelter, densely rolled clothes, etc. Way out back, wobbling around, is a place you want to put as little weight as possible. My sleeping bag comes in a little over a pound, but takes up as much volume as 3-8lbs of other stuff. So I shove the super light bulky stuff (sleeping bag, down jacket) in the seat bag where it will have minimal effect on handling. That also makes it a great piece of gear to go in a handlebar bag, which is even worse when it comes to wobbling and ruining handling.

But this brings me to my real question. How bad is a bar bag for "aero". I can't imagine it is actually that bad. A nice slim one like Apidura makes MUST be pretty darn aerodynamic, though I agree that it is probably marginally worse than just a frame bag and seat bag.

[fxpose]

I also don't use individual stuff sacks.    I cram my hammock, top quilt, underquilt, and rain fly (when dry) in a single compression sack.   I strap that on the front end of my bike.

[AndersM]

Thanks for the replies guys!
Skipping the stuff sack for my sleeping bag might be an option, but I think I would have to go for a dual compartment frame bag to have a "clean" and "dirty" compartment. I have done some testing with my sleeping bag(400g down summer bag) and the supplied stuff sack, and I can actually get a pretty narrow profile of it with a bit of persuasion. I want to keep the tent as low as possible for handling, even if it is a light one(http://www.helsport.no/ringstind-superlight-1-2 dual skin, under 1kg). The tent packed is shorter than the down tube, so I think I'll be able to fit it in there as well.

About water, I'm thinking a camelback or similar instead of bottles. Takes up a lot less volume for the same amount of water, and a lot of frame bags comes with a hole for the tube as well.

I'm still waiting for my new bike that's lost in shipping somewhere it seems. When I get it I'll get a better idea if I can fit what I need without a front bag.