newbie needs advice.

[medicmike]

Leaving for my first trip in about 6 weeks, a friend and I are going to trek 100 miles of the Ouachita Trail in Arkansas, allowing 4-5 days.  I think that I can fit almost everything in my pack as we are trying for minimal gear. what I am having trouble packing is my sleeping bag, in the compression sack it is about 12"x8"x8".  As of now I do not have seat bag and want to avoid panniers.  Any suggestions on a large seat bag that will not break the bank?

[fotooutdoors]

Define "break the bank".  All the seat bags I am familiar with are on the order of $100-$150, which is why I am making a seat bag based on JerryW's design http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,2611.0.html "Full DIY Bikepacking Kit".  If interested in this route, check out the DIY forum; lots of useful info on it.

Alternately...you have anything on the handlebars?  If not, you may be able to strap it on; a sleeping bag is a bit too big between the brake levers with my Woodchippers, but may work with a flat/riser bar.  Alternately, you could go with a medium-light rear rack (if you are riding rigid or a hardtail) and strap your bag on there.  Not as lightweight as a seat bag, but a cheap way to check out bikepacking setup without spending as much (or any, if you already have everything) cash.

[AZTtripper]

You might try to work out a simple strap the bag to the seat rails system.

I know MadMax who did the AZT 750 last year just used old tubes to strap his sleeping bag under his seat.

Not the greatest but for a first time out it's cheap.

Or the on the bars as mentioned above.

A rack with something on top is not so bad panniers while a great way to tour on road are not that great for off road.

Have fun.

Tim

[paxton coyote]

before getting my seat bag I used a Sea to Summit dry bag that has an oval shape & rigged it up under my seat with some nylon straps to keep it from swaying, worked out alright on a budget. I now have the full bikepacking kit from Rob Roberts & it's a dream to use, carry my sleeping bag on my Woodchipper bars & it fits fine

[medicmike]

thanks for the advice, strapped to handlebars with webbing works great