Plans this year mean I need some bikepacking bags!
I've already got a 6L Topeak backloader which I think is great - straps up really tight and nice and I really like the loops to mount rear lights on. Therefore I'm going to get a 15L version.
I'm concerned without any extra support the sway from a full one of these will make handling a bit spicy when out the saddle. Topeak make a wishbone system themselves but reviews I can see online seem mixed to bad.
Has anyone used this wishbone or has anyone used this saddle bag with a different support system they think is better?
Thanks as ever.
I've got a 15l Backloader. It swings a bit out of the saddle, but it's manageable.
The sway on the 15l backloader is a bit of a pain climbing out the saddle although I did find I could eventually adjust my own climbing technique to minimise it.
That said, I'd like to try something like the Alpkit Exorail first - just seems a more elegant solution and would also help with stopping the bag sagging if you haven't packed it perfectly.
Or you could look at one of the ebay equivalents for a 1/3rd of the price? 'Bike Saddle Bag Stabiliser' throws up a few.
Thanks both for this. I'll wait for the 15l to arrive then fill it up and go ride up some hills to see how bad it is first. My mates got an exorail which is cheaper than Topeaks own solution so will see if I can get that to work with the back loader if needed, then can pop over to alpkit to get one if it's a goer.
I did consider the cheap imitations but I came to the conclusion that they're cheap for a reason - and I'd rather not have it fail on me somewhere remote if I need to rely on it!
FWIW I have one of the cheap versions (which were actually available before the Topeak. My bag is a Revelate Harness so doesn't suffer from sway anyway so I can't say if it helps in that way. I really bought the support for the additional bottle placement but I find that doesn't really work as the bottles get in the way of my arse (and definitely not the other way round 😂). I've recently adjusted (bent) the bottle cage holders to see if that helps but not tested it yet.
No haven't tested yet, work and job interviews have been getting in the way. I'll try and post back when I've had the chance.
Finally got round to trying the exorail today. After a lot of swearing getting it to work with my seatpost I tried to fit it to my bag and I think it made things worse! The bag and the rails weren't mating together at all so leaving a gap and actually preventing me from pulling the straps tight which meant there was a lot of sway.
I filled the bag with a load of heavy clothes, fitted it and cranked up a steep climb out the saddle - I barely noticed the bag was there. So happy enough to crack on without any extra support I think.
Mate and I both have the 15l Toploaders. 2 years ago before a Transalp I got a similar, no brand bracket that does the same job as the wishbone. At the end of the first day he ordered one and got it delivered to our rest day hotel 😄
I definitely recommend them.
Bagman and a Nelson Longflap. It’s been the way for generations 🙂 . Or Topeak Beamrack works well too. Bike packing predates the recent trends in luggage all over a frame.