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. :)

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.

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

s8tannorm wrote:13L here too ... although I'm not blessed woth Pedalheads gear selection

Hopefully you're not blessed with my overdraft either

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.

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.

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?

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

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

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.

What even if it weighed 104 g more

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

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 )

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. )

Jack wrote: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.

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

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.