First post - and a rack pack question

[mrmichaelwright]

Hi

First post on cyclechat, some of you may have heard of me as Kirstie's other half

thanks for people's kind comments about my photographs in the past.

I have recently bought a Tubus Logo titanium rear rack to facilitate the fitting of a rack top pack to carry my bulky camera on tour. My LBS has loaned me an Altura Dryline Rackpack to test and i'm not happy with the velcro strap fastening system. Rixen and Kaul make a range of quick fix racktop systems but they are a little bewildering and not readily available in the UK. Does anyone have experience of quick release systems for rack top bags? I like the look of the Ortleib trunk bag but am unsure if the R&K fitting is suitable.

Bag needs to be waterproof and about 7-8L capacity. I will construct my own internal camera storage system from foam.

thanks

mike

 

[rich p]

My wife has happily used an Altura velcro fastening rackbag for thousands of miles touring. I have an R&K fixing seatpost bag which has failed once, so I wouldn't write-off the velcro system if it fits the bill in other ways.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I use a Carradice Carradura velcro fixed rack bag, never had a problem with it at all.
10 ltr and has a waterproof cover and is 75% cheaper than the one you linked to.
http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b5s75p2192

Welcome btw!

 

[hubbike]

I think a large handlebar bag will be more useful. You just stop, pull out the camera, take a photo, then carry on cycling. Having to turn around and fiddle with the back rack sounds like a drag to me.

You might want to store hundreds of lenses and accessories in the back but your camera should be up front where it is easy to get at. Plus this means when you get off the bike for a wander you can easily take the handlebar bag with (with all your valuables in it!)

 

[andym]

what about a tie-down strap or two (velcro or ratchet buckle) to add a further level of security/peace if mind?

 

[Brains]

I have a touring bike which I also use for my daily commute.

I use a Altrua Dry Line Rackpack on my daily commute - it's been in in use every working day rain and shine for the last two years or so. I have never had a problem with the velcro giving up. I leave the base plate on the bike for months at a time, and rip off the box twice a day. So far it's been fine.

I also have an Altura bar bag which is fitted by R&K.
R&K is also very good, the bar bag is 10 years old, has done numerous tours and never failed yet

I also do photography
I would suggest much the same as one of the other posters.

You stick you camera, money, glasses etc in the bar bag, it's easy to get to, easy to remove.
Ortalieb even do a camera bar bag insert - why make your own when you get get a proper one for under £15 ?
http://www.ortlieb.co.uk/index.php/bike/handlebar-bags/camera-insert.html
Most bar bags also have a clear map pocket, invaluable if you don't know the road

The other stuff, such as your sandwiches, rain gear, tools, and if needed other lenses etc are what goes in your rear rack pack

 

[Kirstie]

Mike has tried using the bar bag for his camera for two years now. Despite tightening up the mountings, the weight of the camera means that the bar bag rotates almost 90 degrees around the handlebar so that the top almost ends up facing downwards! It really doesn't work because of the weight of the camera. This is why he's going for a racktop. There is too much forwards and backwards movement in the altura one he has tried.

 

[theloafer]

have used a carradice super c bar bag for years it holds my canon400d+18-55 lens+75-300 lens has not moved at all has he got it fitted right

 

[Kirstie]

Yes it's definitely fitted right - has been fitted and refitted to try to erradicate the problem. We do a lot of off road touring so all the rattling can't help.

 

[mrmichaelwright]

the problem with the bar bag is that the bars taper in the wrong place, the clamps slip outwards requiring constant tightening. The plastic R&amp;K fitting is not strong enough. Also not a big fan of the added 'flop' that the weight being that high gives.<br><br>The problem with the Altura is that the velcro straps provide no fore/aft security as the under straps pass in front of and behind the vertical parts of the frame.&nbsp; I'd have to bodge something to make it fit properly.&nbsp; I've ordered an Ortleib Trunk Bag with R&amp;K fitting speculatively to see if it will fit.<br>

 

[corshamjim]

My RCP bar bag has the same problem - the bar tapers in the wrong place.

I've not actually used it in anger yet - I have that to look forward to this weekend!

Welcome to cycle-chat mrmichaelwright - a very good first question there if I might say!

 

[mrmichaelwright]

good luck with the bar bag, it was very very handy but sadly my kit just weighed too much for it

 

[samid]

the problem with the bar bag is that the bars taper in the wrong place, the clamps slip outwards requiring constant tightening. The plastic R&amp;K fitting is not strong enough. Also not a big fan of the added 'flop' that the weight being that high gives.<br><br>The problem with the Altura is that the velcro straps provide no fore/aft security as the under straps pass in front of and behind the vertical parts of the frame.&nbsp; I'd have to bodge something to make it fit properly.&nbsp; I've ordered an Ortleib Trunk Bag with R&amp;K fitting speculatively to see if it will fit.<br>

If I am reading this right - you might have installed the Rixen and Kaul fitting incorrectly. Specifically, it includes a short length of a steel cable that goes from the fitting over the bars on one side of the stem, underneath the stem and then again over the bars on the other side back to the fitting. It is specifically designed to prevent the clamp to slip downwards under the weight of the bag. In my experience, with that cable in place and properly installed, there is no possibility for the bag to slip downwards. Let me know if this is not clear, I will try to provide a picture. (And sorry if I misread your post.)

 

[Brains]

I was going to bring up the issue of the tiny cable on the R&K clamp.
Without it - the bar bag is able to revolve downwards
With it - I guess if you stood a fully grown person on the bar bag it would be a question of what broke first before the bag would move

 

[corshamjim]

... it includes a short length of a steel cable ...

On my cheap RCP barbag it's a short length of nylon cord.