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Well I’m glad you found me! Bikepacking is great, take the paths that don’t look like paths. It’s amazing what you find 😊 Enjoy mate and thanks for watching.

Evening Roy, thanks for watching and cheers for getting in touch 😊 So I’ve just been to measure from my seat rails to where the bottom of the bag rests - 21.5cm. With that being the measurement I’d like to think as long as it’s fitted well and ratcheted up securely you should fit it on with a little bit to spare 🤞🏻 Hope that is of some help and let me know how you get on!

Hi 😊 I run pretty cold when I sleep so I wouldn’t get away with the 80. If you’re a warm sleeper you may be ok but in my opinion it has to be pretty warm for me to be heading out with the 120. I would get the 120 and you can always sleep with the zip down 👌🏻 Hope your trips go well! Let me know how you get on 😊

Thanks for that 😊 Glad it helped you out! Enjoy your adventures!

Hello 😊 Really glad it helped you out! I’m still using mine 👌🏻 Let me know how you get on with it!

No plans for a trip that way anytime soon.

Good Evening, I’ve actually stopped blowing into all together these days! I just move it around to fill it up naturally (a good breeze helps) and then pump it up that way. Saves any moisture at all! 😊

Hello! Thanks for watching 😊 I’ve actually got a trio lined up in a couple of weekends so watch this space!

It was a chilly one mate! Thanks for checking out the videos. Glad you like them 😊

Mic on the blink so you had room sound. Plenty clear enough though! Any positive feedback…? 😂

If it had a little more capacity it would be almost perfect for me. It fits to the bike lovely, grippy and snug. The access both sides is nice but this means you lose some space. All that being said it would be a 9/10 as well. One zip and another litre of storage and it would be ideal for me. Personal opinion though 😊

It’s amazing what a bike ride can do for you! People get it in their heads it will tire them out but I find it actually wakes me up / invigorates me for the day 🙌🏻

Hi Mark, glad you like the video 😊 I don’t have the accessory pack but I believe you loosen and use the 4 hooks (compression straps) and you can wrap these around the pack and the tighten up again. Enjoy the seat pack, great bit of kit!

@@thebikepackingdad thanks for getting back to me 😊 yes really impressed with the seat pack during my recent trip. It’s a great piece of kit and look forward to testing out the 9L handlebar bag for my bike packing trip to france next month.

Very jealous of your upcoming trip! I’m sure you’ll like it. Compresses down very well with the air release valve 👌🏻

Hi 😊 I run the straps and clip under the bungee cords so I can still use them. I find the back is firmer and more sturdy when strapped across itself. Personal preference though! Thanks for watching 👍🏻

Thanks for your reply. Ordered the bag today 😊

You’re very welcome. Glad I could help out 😊 Enjoy your adventures!

Hi Drew, really appreciate that. Hope it helped you out 😊

Hey 😊 It doesn’t get in the way of my pedal stroke. The only bulge is the mug and that is towards the back wheel so it’s all good 👍🏻

That’s the positivity you need for those early morning commutes 👌🏻

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment 😊 Glad I could help you out!

9L 👍🏻 They do a 15L also but I’d only recommend that for a flat bar setup 😊

100%. Very solid bags in any weather 👌🏻

Hi Steve, have you got a link to what you mean? Keen to have a look! I know you can get the additional strap that goes up and over but don’t know about these brackets! Thanks 😊

@@thebikepackingdad Regarding this issue and the comment from @stevemullin1195 . I had been watching Ortlieb reviews for the 16.5L. Seen the great design of the QR (quick release) and clip to the rails in a very secure way. Brilliant I thought to go and buy, but then realised I am looking at two different models. The QR is the smaller 13L bag. Which does beg the question as to why not use that system on the larger bag too? i.e. the larger the bag, the more need to secure the sway. Bottom line - I think it's the capacity that is important to me, so I must risk the movement and buy the 16.6L. And perhaps that QR model is what Steve had viewed as did I.

Hello 😊 Thanks for the comment. I thought Steve was talking about some sort of adapter rather than a different model but I can see how it would easily be confused! You can buy a simple strap that pulls up and over the 16.5L model but truth be told if you pack it well, secure it well, it doesn’t move that much at all. If you’ve seen some of my adventures you’ll see it’s been over all sorts of terrain and stayed pretty steady 😊

Glad I could help out. It’s a great lightweight combo for a 2 season camping pack. Maybe 3 season if you handle the cold better than I do! Enjoy your trips mate 😊

A friend of mine asked me this the other day 😂 Not too long to wait. One more trip lined up in some nicer weather and then I will be putting it together 👌🏻

Hello 😊 Glad I could help out. I will be doing an updated version of this video soon! A bit more comfort and warmth for the cooler weather. Thanks for watching.

Hi Dennis, thanks for watching! Glad I could help out 😊 Really handy, especially when it’s cold, when you don’t want to be digging around in bags etc!

@thebikepackingdad please be careful if your riding below freezing temps as the fibers in the filter will be damaged and not work. Keep the filter next to your body if your below freezing. Not sure if the bladder has UV protection so keep it covered.

@@stevemullin1195 The screw on filter fits handy in a pocket which is ideal for the colder trips. Good shout!

Hi Ben 😊 Thanks for watching! Hope the video helped you out.

@thebikepackingdad Yes, thank you. I have a quick question: Are the Velcros still functioning properly for you ? I've come across a review mentioning that after a while and many removals, the Velcro didn't attach very well.

Hi Ben, mine are still working great. However, I do try and keep my gear as clean as possible and I use it all quite carefully. Over time and with use all Velcro will start to fade but so far no issues on my bags 🤞🏻😊 Hope that helps!

Hi John, that’s the 9L one. The 15L one (especially if full) doesn’t fit with the drop bars unless you’ve got some exceptionally wide bars. If you have a flat bar set up the 15L will work lovely 👍🏻😊

They are very good at what they do to be fair. Plus the material on these Ortlieb bags is very strong. You could make a trip work with dry bags and straps etc but I’d rather pay the money if I’m honest. These bags have served me well in some horrific weather!

Hi 😊 So for ease of use and capacity it’s the Restrap bag. The locking system is awesome, the dry bag goes in and out easily. However, if I was going on a long trip with extended off road sections I would take the Ortlieb as it is a lot more durable and hard wearing. The air release valve is also a great feature. Hope that helps!

@@thebikepackingdad appreciate the help thanks!

Ortlieb QR (quick release) for the win!

Thankfully not! It had crossed my mind the first time I ‘filled’ it up though. That would get annoying really quickly! It’s going to vary based on how each individual packs it.

I agree with you here. Whilst filming the video I nearly stopped to make sure I’d fitted it correctly! Anything there, even with mudguards, is going to get pretty dirty! Still, if you’re carrying a decent dry bag (which I usually do) it would allow for some soft stuff to live down there.

Not enough space on my bike. Total waste of time as i only have a 1 inch gap and have the string dangling on the back wheel.

@@cjplennon is it a smaller frame mate? Always a possibility with this design I guess. Are you able to strap up the string and use the rest of the bag as intended?

@@thebikepackingdad medium frame. I think they say min clearance should be 20mm which i have. But no way i could strap anything underneath. Ive tied the bungee away. Considering selling the restrap saddle bag and buyihg a tailfin rack that look solid but of course pricey...

@@cjplennon It's a shame they couldn't make it a bit more like the Ortlieb seat pack I have with the straps on the top. However, not sure how it would work with the magnetic closure... Let me know how the Tailfin goes if you get one mate 👍🏻

Now that is good to know! I might do a little community post to let people know about this 😊 Thankyou!

@@thebikepackingdad I just took advantage, but I also had a discount code so in the end I only paid £95 for it.

A solid bag for that price! Let me know how you get on with it 😊👍🏻

That would be good! They are really good mudguards and it would make total sense for them to have a larger variety of sizes. I’m sure they would sell them!

Hello 👋🏻 Thanks for watching and I’m glad you liked the video! If you are going on a trip for a few days I would definitely suggest getting some bags to carry your gear. Wearing a backpack can get pretty sore as it’s a lot of extra weight on your bum / saddle and down your back 😩 Get some bags and let the bike do the heavy lifting 👌🏻 Have a great trip! Let me know how it goes.

All the bags are waterproof. It cannot be submerged though as it has a charging cable hole! Hope that helps 😊

That makes sense mate. I think for the price point of this bag the ease of use, capacity, and general design and quality is very very good 😊 Hope you’re doing well!

@@thebikepackingdad surviving just need to get out a bit more.

I feel the same way mate. Busy after the house move but some adventures on the horizon hopefully 🤞🏻

Hello Ben 👋🏻 Thanks for the comment. Really appreciate it. Capacity is the main thing for me. I travel fairly light but I’m useless with the cold weather so always an extra jacket somewhere! From memory I think the QR is only 13L capacity. The Ortlieb handlebar pack is pretty bombproof when it comes to to construction and materials. I’m a big fan. Again though - the Restrap one is quite a bit bigger and the ease of getting your gear on and off the bike is a lot quicker than the Ortlieb bag. Hardcore trip with crazy terrain and poor weather = Ortlieb for peace of mind. Everything else I’m running Restrap for space and ease of use 👌🏻 Hope that helps!

yeah it is 13L. i just love the secure fasteners to the rails to prevent the dreaded sway. i like the look of the restrap. i have only been overnight and stayed in b and b so size isn’t as important for one night. with that in mind im guessing you would recommend the ortlieb for peace of mind?! also the frame bag have you tried the ortlieb with a zip of just the fold over one? also do you have a favourite top tube bag? really appreciate the time you have taken to reply. so many wouldn’t. thank you.

@@benbriggs9310 Hi Ben 😊 I know what you mean about the swaying but I’ve not had too many issues. You can always use an additional strap (I think Ortlieb actually sell one specifically for this - about £7). I think if your route isn’t crazy either of the bags will do nicely. The ease of packing and unpacking the Restrap one along with not having to remove the holster is a factor you shouldn’t ignore though 👌🏻 I have a Craft Cadence top tube bag (1.2L). Good size, easy magnetic closure, waterproof, plus a cable charging port should you need it. Really handy as a snack bag! Hope that helps 😊

The ease of access and that locking system 👌🏻 Capacity is very generous also.

@@thebikepackingdad I don't mind paying the money if I think it's going to work, my only worry with it is cross winds, it's sticking out like a ship's rudder, maybe a smaller payload, I'm still tempted, maybe I I could twist it to the left or right depending on which way the wind is blowing!! 🤣😂I'm a genius, I will let you know if I buy it. Heading to the off licence now to stock up for the liverpool match today, up the reds 🍻

@@Redchilly-s2e a little sail on there as well and you’re off 😜 My view is that when I’m going bikepacking speed isn’t as important and I reckon you’d need some serious wind to do you a mischief! Enjoy the game and have a beer for me!

@@thebikepackingdad good idea! Never thought about that, cheers dad🍻

What do you carry mate?

@@thebikepackingdad I'm not an ultra light bike packer so most of my stuff is slightly bigger and heavier. Tent, sleeping bag & mat. Clothing Food, snacks gas and camping stove. With cup and pans to cook with. Coffee and sugar- enough for 2 days. I always make sure I have a few litres of water, and a couple of beers to celebrate the end of the day. I never think I'm taking much but it seems to fill everything up really quick.

@@grumpy-dad3701 that’s fair enough. I’m sure if you treated yourself to some titanium pots etc you could get away with it 😜