New guy pack question.

[phosphor]

Hey all,
I'm new to the forums and idea of bikepacking, but not mountain biking or backpacking on their own.  I'm purchasing my own mountain bike (after testing friends' bikes for a while) next week, and have been backpacking for almost a year.  I love both activities very much and much like a lot of you would like to combine them. 

I have a Gregory Baltoro 70L pack right now, and just for kicks am wondering if this is at all feasible for bikepacking.  I'd imagine not, given it is designed for standing, and not being more hunched over on the bike.  I'd imagine something closer to 25/30L would be more appropriate.  Does anyone use a large pack successfully?  Thanks!

[Rob]

I wouldn't want to use that big of a pack.  But you could just try and go for a long ride and see how it works for you.  Use it to hold your bulky but light stuff like clothes and maybe a sleeping bag.  Try to keep it under 15 lbs. 

I wonder if your head would keep hitting the top of the bag. 

I tried using a smaller pack than that but it was just not comfortable.  The Osprey Talon 22 that I've got and everyone here praises is really comfortable, I use it for commuting too now and I love it.

[Slim]

You should absolutely not use that kind of pack in regular backpacking style. I have ridden with those kinds of backpacks a lot, just to get to the train station or so and it is horrible even on the road, let alone off-road,.your center of gravity is so high, you get hit in the head and it is very uncomfortable with the shoulderstraps since your arms are permanently bent forward rubbing on the sides of the strap. Also the stiff frame and hipbelt want to force the pack straight up, while your back is bent.

As suggested above you might want to try loading it up very light. Take of the lid and loosen the hipbelt tension straps(the ones that go to the side of the hipbelt) also loosen the load lifters a lot. If possible remove the framestays.

If you are getting a rigid rear bike then a rack is a cheap and easy option to try bikepacking. Combine with a smaller pack, preferable something not to tall.

[phosphor]

Yeah.  I figured those responses were coming, but decided I'd check anyways.    Thanks for the input.  It'll be a while before I have enough money to get all the gear for both independent backpacking (I have yet to get a stove, tent, or any type of water treatment), and then bikepacking on top of that, but I'll keep this advice in mind.  Take it easy.

[Rob]

I think you could still do some bikepacking without that stuff. 

For a stove, make one out of a mini altoids can, put some Perlite in it, and cut out a metal screen to keep it in there, then pour some alcohol in there and you're set.

Get a cheapie tarp, some water purification tablets, some compression bags to put your sleeping bag under the bars, and other stuff behind the saddle. 

[Slim]

Yeah the good news is that ultra-light is iften also ultra cheap, after if you don't take it with you it doesn't weigh anything. There are several threads on here and Backpackinglight.com about cheap gear solutions. If you go in a mild season you don't need much for shelter and clothing.