I just use a bit of pipe insulation for the little bit that needs to strap to the top of the seatpost
My Topeak DP mount worked well for a couple of trips, then snapped.
I use the Wolf dropper-reducer and a standard seatpack, no issue with wear nor weight - it's an MTB, if you're bothered about a bit of wear, try a different sport 🙂
One thing though I'm blessed with that Alex is not are long legs, consequently even loaded I've still got 100mm of dropper left and plenty of tyre clearance. Don't try and run the pack too close to the rear tyre, it will catch and quickly wear a hole in the pack, even just one descent...
Rucksack, nope - nothing worse IME. If I'm using my full frame bag I'll take my Evoc 1.5l bladder waist pack.
One thing though I'm blessed with that Alex is not are long legs
Very true, I'm mostly a dwarf from the hips down 😉
I do have a small 4l waist pack. That could come into the 'packing equation'. Still I was also considering carrying my HipLock.
Anyway my mechanically minded mate is back from hols, so we're going to do the mech hack. He might have some ideas on retaining the dropper but it's probably just going to either not drop or get swapped.
Thought I'd come back to this thread if anyone else searches for similar.
After further dithering, I ended up with a discounted backloader 10L from ToPeak to go with their dropper solution. It works well, I get all the drop without hitting the tyre, it comes back all the way most of the time, sometimes needs a bit of help for last 20mm. It's a sealed cart in those droppers tho so no chance of adding any air.
In use, I can't feel it really, I'm not loading it with any heavy stuff nor filling it completely. Plenty of space even when I added some extra stuff to test it on a ride. Hopefully the mount won't break or the seatpost explode. I'll let you know in 10 days or so time!
Oh I couldn't get my old Alpkit bag to fit, the straps are a bit flimsy and without the exo-rail it's a bit of a whale out back. Might have been a solution but when I saw the TP pack on offer, I decided that was a SIGN 🙂
I started bikepacking a 3 years ago on the cheap. I got the bug so an constantly changing my and reducing the amount I take. Here is what I have learnt: You need to reduce the amount of kit you take. We all take too much to start with. I do not use my dropper much when bikepacking but would 't be without it. Small paniers work well , I used ortleib gravel ones. If you have rigid forks its a good place to mount things. Custom made frame bag from Beer Babe is well made and good value. My current set up is:- stove/ mug in a ortleib fork bag, sleeping bag in another fork bag. Tent and mat on a 'jack the rack' which mounts on the bars. Snacks etc . in an Alpkit Possum frame bag. Tools in a keg in bottle cage. Everything else in Tailfin rear bag mounted to their rack. Very expensive but very very good. Hope this helps.
Final update: dropper adaptor worked well. The ToPeak bag is excellent as well. Just pulling out the dry bag at the end of the day was a nice solution.
My riding pal had a Tailfin setup on his FS MTB and it was brilliant. If I was doing a lot of these trips, I'd definitely invest in one of those tho. Just faff free and totally solid. I didn't get much noticeable "waft" off the seat pack but it does move about especially on lumpy descents.
The dropper survived just fine. Did need some help to get the last 20mm, but didn't get any worse during the 4 days.
