Looking at doing a 3/4 day trip, but using B & B's. So all the usual day/bike kit that is required, plus a few spare cloths etc
Now I will be riding a HT but I cant use panniers, so the other option is a large saddle bag and/or handlebar bag?
Plus I will have my camelbak HAWG, but I want to keep this light and simple.
A few questions....what are those racks like that attach to the seatpost, any good ?
I was thinking of getting one and just using my waterproof alpkit bag strapped onto it. I have looked at the carradice bags, look great but a bit expensive, any alternatives?
Any help/advice would be appreciated.
Seat post racks are ok for small loads but they make your centre of gravity a bit high.Why cant you put a rack on your bike for panniers?
i have this dilema at the moment too.
largish seat pack and small 12 ltr backpack or just a 22ltr rucksack for a weeks offroad tour.
i dont like weight fastened to the bike, it seems very noticable, but a bit more weight on my back is not noticed as much.
2009 Stumpy HT, no mounting bosses.
I have never been riding with a large(ish) back pack, but I have one that is 25 - 35L.
A 25-30 litre rucsac won't be a problem to ride with. Just don't take too much.
P-clips would solve the rack problem. However, I'd allow your decision to be influenced by the terrain. For roads,stick the weight on the bike without fail. Extreme off road, stick it on your back. Vary between the two depending on the severity of your riding.
I was always taught to let the bike carry the load and don't carry a bag on your back It feels horrible with a camelback never mind a bag full of kit.
[url= http://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm ]Eric will sort you out[/url]
P-clips, never heard of those, would they allow me to attach a rack to the bike then ?
The trip is the South Downs Way by the way.
i use a carradice saddle bag[img] 
[/img] and a camelbac cloud walker to carry a fair amount of kit.
I've looped a lightweight bungee through the loops on the saddle bag so you can strap your waterproof to it.
In the main compartment you can easily pack an extra layer or two, socks etc. and still have room for other stuff.(at the moment mine has a jacket a pump a gillet a first aid kit a space blanket, zip ties, and a t-shirt and there is still room for more)
You can also quite safely carry a fleece or similar under the main flap of the bag.
tube,tools and spares fit in one of the pockets on the saddle bag - snack bars and sweeties in the other.
then you've got your camelbac/day sac to carry your clothes for the B&B - couple of pairs of socks, some kecks, a pair of lightweight trousers or shorts, couple of t-shirts and a small wash kit
Only thing I've struggled with in the past has been packing some footwear for off the bike - flip flops seem the easiest and lightest option.
having the weight on the bike is noticable, but by splitting the load bewtween your bike and your back you have, in my opinion, reached the best compromise.
Have a look on here - [url= http://www.bikepacking.net/ ]Bike Packing[/url] for some more ideas
another vote for caradice