Newbie Question: Elementary Use of Frame Bags, et al.

[GreenBikeGuy]

Thanks to all who answered my question(s) about OMM Racks (mistakenly posted in the "Bikepacking" forum).  In the course of that discussion, the topic of frame bags has come up, for it looks like I'll need one of those, as well. 

I'm curious: what's typically carried in that "zone" of the bicycle, as opposed to a seat bag?  Is the seat bag mostly used for clothes, for example?  I know that there's precedent (cited elsewhere in this forum) for carrying water containers in the frame bag, but how much variation is there among bikepackers?

[Rob]

Water bladders, heavy but small things are good to put there to keep the weight low.  I put my multitool in the bottom.  My phone goes in there as well as extra batteries.

[GreenBikeGuy]

"Heavy stuff at the bottom": I should have thought of that.  D'OH!

[neve_r_est]

My frame bag contains: food, water, batteries, multitool, tubes, pump with a few wraps of duct tape and black tape around it, zip ties, razorblade, chainlube, tp, sunscreen, maps, pot and stove(if I bring the cook kit),and spare cothing items I need immediate access to(gloves, jacket, rainpants).

Seat bag: any other spare clothes, bivy, quilt, tarp, stakes. For winter the bivy and sleeping bag go up front with the pad due to bulk and quicker deployment.

Handlebars: food, map, sleep pad(+ bivy, bag, heavy mittens, and goggles for winter)

Pack: added water carrying capacity, camera, phone, money, id, chapstick, lighter, gel flask, hankerchief, compass, fuel canisters(during winter), ability to carry sleep pad, bivy, bag, and clothes when the going gets tech.

DG