Gravel bike packing, its all done wrong IMO

[Mangizmo]

I guess I am in the same camp .

https://flic.kr/p/ojMkR6

https://flic.kr/p/2jKdhuz

YAYYYYYYYYY thats the way to do it......all worked out decades ago nice one

 

[Mangizmo]

BTW I bought this for my new (to me) Super Galaxy today, they taught me all I know

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

YAYYYYYYYYY thats the way to do it......all worked out decades ago nice one

I agree, but I also see bike packing as a genuinely viable alternative. More than one way to skin a cat as the saying goes.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

In the eighties, there was a school of thought that saddlebags and handlebar bags were too loose and didn't help handling. I therefore kitted my cycle camping tourer of the time out with the newly available Blackburn rear rack (triangulated aluminium and very rigid) and 'Low riders'. Low riders held the front panniers low - adjacent to the front hub - and didn't affect the feel of the steering in the way a handlebar bag or normal front panniers would. Frame is needed for the pump and battle cage; optional bottle under the down tube. Primus stove with special brazed on clamp mounted on the handlebars so it didn't leak paraffin everywhere. Triple TA chainring 46/36/26 with 14-28 on the rear could get up most things. Worked beautifully on rough stuff. The (heavy) weight was well distributed front & rear and held firmly so the bike handled well on fast mountain descents and kept the front wheel on the ground going up Hardknott Pass. Here are a couple of pictures - one going over a drove road in the Cairngorms.

Having eulogised about the old days, I should say that I love my 1x11 set up and the availability of decent gravel tyres, and like the idea of frame bags. As long as what you are carrying is rigidly held. Some gravel bike frame builders are still catering for the rack/mudguard fraternity - e.g. the Laverack GRiT albeit with some of the bespoke options. And there is the debate over hub vs derailleur gears too, or dynamos!

Your MKM is lovely.

 

[d8mok]

Many people have no interest in touring and simply want the equivalent (but with discs/ tech) to a high end 90s mountain for fast gravel/road use.

If you add luggage mounts I’d expect the area would need to b reinforced and therefore heavier to contend with the possible added weight. Thus making the whole frame heavier which doesn’t appeal to someone simply wanting a fast/light bike. Same as someone buying a high end XC bike from the 90s.

I’d guess the majority of peoples rides don’t warrant any luggage beyond a saddlebag. All you need is a phone, tube and a small multi tool.

I see many of them on the local canal loaded up like they are travelling the world when they are doing the local 20 mile loop. It seems to be fashionable to have as many bags as possible , similar to those lambrettas you see with a million mirrors.

 

[rwm1962]

I think some of the later mountain bikes from late 90's & early Y2K's with V & disc mounts & retro geometry make great rigs for gravel or bikepacking & rougher touring. I prefer reliable, simple & effective cable disc brakes for this application rather than having to deal with brake rub from v-brakes in the event of a rim buckle or damage that may be a pain to deal with in the field. If going somewhere remote & you use a rim with a braking surface you still have the option to replace with more commonly available V brakes in the event of disc brake damage & no spares.

 

[Kingswindsor]

Your MKM is lovely.

Thanks v much. For this discussion, the crucial bit for me is that it has eyelets for mudguard and racks (rear & low rider) to attach bags securely and distributed evenly, and low at the front. To continue the Mercian theme @bagpuss , here is a picture of my wife’s well-worn Mercian similarly kitted out, but with the Mk2 Blackburn Low-riders, so she can carry as much as me with similar ease. Or she can travel light & fast, with little handicap, as she wishes - the frame geometry is suitable. And using some of the modern bikepacking bags too would be preferable to an overloaded saddlebag IMHO.

Having adapted a hard tail Cannondale headshok mountain bike from 2001 for ‘gravel’ with disk brakes, gravel tyres and 1x11 transmission (fits on a 7speed Shimano compatible hub), I can see lots of advantages from the natural evolution of things. If I had the need (i.e. I didn’t have an existing fleet of bikes that cover my requirements) I’d be tempted by the likes of the Shand Stooshie https://www.shandcycles.com/shop/bikes/stooshie/ which, interestingly, has steel frame and carbon forks with eyelets for racks/mounts - or, if not needed, don’t fit the racks and you have the clean frame for faster/lighter riding. Other alternatives are available…

 

[rwm1962]

Had to try very hard to resist a Shand - was looking at the Tam & Bahookie.

 

[brocklanders023]

Many people have no interest in touring and simply want the equivalent (but with discs/ tech) to a high end 90s mountain for fast gravel/road use.

If you add luggage mounts I’d expect the area would need to b reinforced and therefore heavier to contend with the possible added weight. Thus making the whole frame heavier which doesn’t appeal to someone simply wanting a fast/light bike. Same as someone buying a high end XC bike from the 90s.

I’d guess the majority of peoples rides don’t warrant any luggage beyond a saddlebag. All you need is a phone, tube and a small multi tool.

I see many of them on the local canal loaded up like they are travelling the world when they are doing the local 20 mile loop. It seems to be fashionable to have as many bags as possible , similar to those lambrettas you see with a million mirrors.

This is very much me, I use my gravel bike for rides from my door, usually below 40km. I just stick my phone, wallet and a snack in the top tube bag, stick on a bottle or two and set off. Not having to sort the Camelbak or pack the car to drive somewhere is the whole appeal. yesterday I bunged on a Crud Catcher and clip on rear guard but usually don't bother.

Saying all that, I'm struggling with drop bars having tried a few different styles so am considering a XC bike.....

 

[d8mok]

This is very much me, I use my gravel bike for rides from my door, usually below 40km. I just stick my phone, wallet and a snack in the top tube bag, stick on a bottle or two and set off. Not having to sort the Camelbak or pack the car to drive somewhere is the whole appeal. yesterday I bunged on a Crud Catcher and clip on rear guard but usually don't bother.

Saying all that, I'm struggling with drop bars having tried a few different styles so am considering a XC bike.....

View attachment 721589

Exactly how I use mine. Usually 40 -50 mile gravel rides from home.

Have you tried normal road bars rather than flared ones?