What do you use?
I use
Bedrock Bags for my main frame bags. A Coconino saddle bag, an Entrada handlebar bag (drop bar) and a Bedrock custom frame bag. From
Bike Bag Dude I have three Anything cage bags and two chaff bags. These are further supplemented by a large and small
Oveja Negra snack bags on the top tube.
It does amount to a lot of small bags but I'm determined not to wear a backpack as many choose to do. It is rather astonishing just how much can be packed into frame bags though, as
these pictures will attest.
What is your experience?
I'm a veteran of multiple tours using a conventional touring rig with racks and panniers. But since most of my touring involves air travel I've grown weary of disassembling and packing my bike, worries about excess baggage charges and the effort of pushing a loaded touring bike over hilly terrain.
I've recently built up a Salsa Fargo and fettled it with the bags mentioned above. The Fargo is a versatile machine which when fitted with road tires is quite at home on pavement tours, but can also be fitted with wide rubber for back roads touring, fire trails or even a little single track - or something in between for mixed surfaces. These days I'm more motivated to get off the busy highways and explore than to follow the conventional routes. I have not been on a longer tour yet, that will be in April - work demands permitting. But I have been on some mini tours locally to shakeout my bags and packing arrangements. And plan another for the week after Christmas.
What´s to avoid?
Overloading. Bike packing is akin to ultralight hiking. Space is at a premium so you must be disciplined about what you carry, and what you do carry must be very compact when packed - and of course lightweight. Equipped for three seasons I expect to carry around 10kg with bike packing bags vs the 20kg I typically carried with conventional panniers.
I could go on but there is already a wealth of information on bike packing sites. I suggest a visit to
bikepacking.com will inspire and on the forums at
bikepacking.net many of your questions have already been asked and answered.