Torn on which bag to get...Advice needed

[sherpaxc]

Hey all,
  So I've always either borrowed a full frame bag or just used my Jannd Frame bag for multi days.  I know I want some type of frame bag that is of higer quality than the Jannd one I have now. 

Here is my delima and see if you can give me some insight.  I commute to work on my road bike because it's quite a long commute and very hilly so I use my road bike a lot.  Right now I use my rear seatpack to put my lunch and clothes in.  It works but everything is a TIGHT fit.  I'd like to use a frame bag to distribute the load a bit.  The Revelate Tangle bag seems right up my ally. 

On the other hand, I do about 3 to 4 bikepacking trips a year and this year I'm planning on completing the Colorado Trail so I'll be using my mountain bike for that.  I don't have a ton of cash laying around, but I do have enough to either build up a full frame bag, or get a Tangle Bag and a Gas Tank. 

2 Questions
1.  Has anyone had any issues with hitting their knees on the Gas Tank (and what about a mountain feedbag?)?

2.  If you have a Tangle bag, do you wish you would have just bought a full frame bag?

Just looking for some insight.

Thanks,
Travis

[donmeredith74]

No issues with my knees hitting the gas tank. Mine is a medium and as I recall, the large is only longer.

I'm in the process of getting a new bike so my frame bag will be available. Maybe we should swap some details and see if my bag works for you. Its not very old and is like brand new. Send me an email if you're interested. donmeredith74 at gmail.com

[boddunn]

Hi Travis,
 You could always make your own bag, it's not too hard even for a total sewing novice like me plus you'll get the exact bag you need and have the satisfaction of making it yourself. If your road frame is a compact you might even be able to make it fit both your mountain bike and road bike

[sherpaxc]

Email sent.

No issues with my knees hitting the gas tank. Mine is a medium and as I recall, the large is only longer.

I'm in the process of getting a new bike so my frame bag will be available. Maybe we should swap some details and see if my bag works for you. Its not very old and is like brand new. Send me an email if you're interested. donmeredith74 at gmail.com

[sherpaxc]

I've done a fair bit of sewing in my past, but as of lately my time has been pretty limited (work, baby, family, bike rides) so it's just not a project I'm ready to take on right now.  Luckily we have some great cottage industries in our type of adventures to support.

[Rockin]

I use a Mountain Feedbag, for longer rides I will use two.  Never had a problem hitting them.

[annoying crack]

2 Questions
1.  Has anyone had any issues with hitting their knees on the Gas Tank (and what about a mountain feedbag?)?

2.  If you have a Tangle bag, do you wish you would have just bought a full frame bag?

Just looking for some insight.

1. I have used the gas tank on most of my bikes, including the mtb tandem and cross bike, never hit my knees on them. It's very versatile and moves around my stable when needed. Fits every bike (does not go well with the Jandd frame bag unless you modify the Velcro closure on it!)
2. I opted to get the tangle bag because I wanted the flexability do fit it on a number of bikes and, importantly, I still like using water bottles. They are a little hard to get out of the cages with the framebag in place but nothing I can't deal with. I have the mountain one which also fits my cross bike (specialized singlecross 58cm) fine. I can see why one would want to have a full size frame bag though. Maybe I will go that way one day. I'm still dreaming of getting my girlfriend into bikepacking and go out on adventures on the tandem. That has a lot of frame to fit bags in! Would be expensive but worth it!

Hope that helps a bit.