Handlebar Dry Bag

[Jack]

Hello. I have to admit that I'm new to bikepacking. And I have a question. What size of dry bag are people using on there bars? I was thinking a suitable size for a sleeping bag/bivyrain jacket. 8l or 13l perhaps? Some advice would be appreciated. :)

[pedalhead]

I use a 13L Alpkit bag, which holds the following with space to spare...

MLD Soul eVENT/cuben bivy bag
PHD Minimus Drishell sleeping bag
Lemon Tree silk liner
Thermarest Neoair (regular or short)
PHD Ultra Down Vest
MLD head bug net
Sleeping shorts & socks

If you just wanted it for bivy bag, jacket and sleeping bag you might get away with 8L depending on the gear.

[Bearbonesnorm]

13L here too ... although I'm not blessed woth Pedalheads gear selection

[pedalhead]

13L here too ... although I'm not blessed woth Pedalheads gear selection

Hopefully you're not blessed with my overdraft either

[chris n]

8L Alpkit Airlok Xtra will just about fit a cheap 2 season down bag, bivvy bag a silk liner. 13L will take a small thermarest too, but I find it's a bit big for my bars and obscures too much of the front wheel.

I wouldn't put anything I might need in a hurry like a waterproof in the handlebar bag - it's too time consuming to take it out.

[didnothingfatal]

I'm using a 6-10l Bikepacking.pl Double Twist.

Easily takes my shelter and sleeping gear :)

Would also recommend looking at Lomo dry bags, a narrower and longer dry bag than the Alpkit ones. I also pack my wet gear seperate to my sleep gear, I don't plan on opening the handlebar bag during the day, last thing I wold want is to stuff wet rain gear in a bag with my sleep gear.

[thomthumb]

8L in summer with a smaller sleeping bag
13L in winter with a larger down bag.

13L is very close to the front wheel; 29er, short head tube & an inverted stem mean not much clearance - it just requires careful strapping.

obscures too much of the front wheel.

you're not supposed to be looking at the front wheel though?

[pedalhead]

Yep the Lomo bags are a nice shape, and seem very tough, but definitely not for weight weenies.

Alpkit 13L = 127 grams
Lomo 12L = 231 grams

If that sort of thing bothers you

[didnothingfatal]

If weight weenie ism is your thing, silnylon, buy two of Alpkits, and make a double ended bag :)

[pedalhead]

If only I was handy with a sewing machine :D

Actually I would add that I did also get some front tyre rubbage with the Alpkit 13L bag when I used to run suspension. Now that I generally use a rigid fork, it's not an issue. I'd consider going to a bag with a rounder (less oval) profile if I had a squishy fork again.

[didnothingfatal]

What even if it weighed 104 g more

[pedalhead]

ha, I'd try & find something lighter than the Lomo, 'tis true...all those extra grams quickly add up! My name is Pedalhead, and I am a weight weenie

[didnothingfatal]

Should feel ight at home here then with the gear obsession going on (as he sits bolting more carbon fibre parts on the road bike )

[Jack]

Thanks. I was looking at the Alpkit Airlock XTR. I think, i'll probably go for the 8l. I have the Pipedream 400, Hunka Bivy and a silk liner. So they ought to fit. (can you tell I'm a bit of an Alpkit fan. )

[mollyiom]

Thanks. I was looking at the Alpkit Airlock XTR. I think, i'll probably go for the 8l. I have the Pipedream 400, Hunka Bivy and a silk liner. So they ought to fit. (can you tell I'm a bit of an Alpkit fan. )

I'm the same, I think that there kit is great value and even better customer service.

[Anthony]

As mentioned I dont like to store wet kit with sleeping stuff so keep bivvy bag/tarp elsewhere.

For summer-

All inside a 5L Exped-

HH Lifa Long Johns
HH Lifa LS baselayer
Merino evening socks
Mozi headnet
Mountain Hardwear fleece beenie
Secondary 3L drybag containing-
PHD Minin Ultra sleeping bag
PHD Minimus down vest

[Blackhound]

I have a Lomo dry bag that is about 7/8l. It is thicker than the Alpkit, which I also have. Because it is thicker I always think it is more waterproof and gives me more confidence in wet conditions.

They have a clear stripe down them as well which can help with locating items. As said above once you get to 12/13l the bags can be getting close to the front wheel if you have a squidgy fork.

All wrapped in a nice Wildcat harness nowadays.