V20 bag and hydration setup for aero long-distance
- Thread starter Tor Hovland
- Start date
Tor Hovland
Well-Known Member
I got a package in the mail yesterday which will let me update not one, but two threads on this forum 
I just got some promising bags so I can see how they fit, and return the ones I won't use.
The good news first: The small Zefal Z bag (1.3 l) and the expandable Blackburn Outpost (4.3/5.8 l) fit perfectly and were both easy to mount properly without having to get creative. If you can't see the Blackburn, it's because it's in camo. It was the only colour available
The SKS Explorer (4 l) bag technically fits, but it felt like wheel interference would be inevitable. Besides, there was no straightforward way to mount it to the bike.
The PRO Discover (5.5 l) looks promising:
It has a quite stiff shape and looks like it will stay away from the rear wheel.
But it is also quite wide, and definitely won't fit under the lip of the seat. That's OK, though, as long as I figure out a good way to mount the thing.
The Topeak Midloader (6 l) also looks promising:
This one has a much softer shape, and might interfere with the rear wheel if not packed full. And it also needs a creative mounting solution. It would be great if the top right loop could just attach to the neck rest there, but that puts the bag too close to the wheel.
I just got some promising bags so I can see how they fit, and return the ones I won't use.
The good news first: The small Zefal Z bag (1.3 l) and the expandable Blackburn Outpost (4.3/5.8 l) fit perfectly and were both easy to mount properly without having to get creative. If you can't see the Blackburn, it's because it's in camo. It was the only colour available
The SKS Explorer (4 l) bag technically fits, but it felt like wheel interference would be inevitable. Besides, there was no straightforward way to mount it to the bike.
The PRO Discover (5.5 l) looks promising:
It has a quite stiff shape and looks like it will stay away from the rear wheel.
But it is also quite wide, and definitely won't fit under the lip of the seat. That's OK, though, as long as I figure out a good way to mount the thing.
The Topeak Midloader (6 l) also looks promising:
This one has a much softer shape, and might interfere with the rear wheel if not packed full. And it also needs a creative mounting solution. It would be great if the top right loop could just attach to the neck rest there, but that puts the bag too close to the wheel.
Tor Hovland
Well-Known Member
I suppose I could make some slits in the seat, and pull the bag's loops through, like this:
TransAm
Well-Known Member
Here's a Trek/Bontrager bag made for their FX series hybrid bikes that I used on a recent multi-day tour on my V20C:
It's just big enough to carry a pair of running shorts and a T-shirt for après-ride (I kept a jacket in the race case). It has to mount that side out because the zipper on the other side has a shallow pocket. It mounts with screws, not straps (the Trek FX-4+ carbon frames have threaded inserts under the top tube).
I replaced it with a Cruzbike sling bag on my current racing set-up. I have one on each side of the frame mounted like saddlebags, with the outer straps across the top of the seat pan:
I keep tools and spares on one side, and my phone, wallet and supplies on the other. There's a water bladder in the dead space in the race case now.
It's just big enough to carry a pair of running shorts and a T-shirt for après-ride (I kept a jacket in the race case). It has to mount that side out because the zipper on the other side has a shallow pocket. It mounts with screws, not straps (the Trek FX-4+ carbon frames have threaded inserts under the top tube).
I replaced it with a Cruzbike sling bag on my current racing set-up. I have one on each side of the frame mounted like saddlebags, with the outer straps across the top of the seat pan:
I keep tools and spares on one side, and my phone, wallet and supplies on the other. There's a water bladder in the dead space in the race case now.
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Tor Hovland
Well-Known Member
That got me thinking... maybe I can attach the bag without drilling into my seat.
I found a strap on my Banana Racer that fit perfectly:
The strap on the rear is different (not removable), but it fit nicely under the seat, and attached itself securely to the velcro that's already there:
This looks like it may actually work:
I found a strap on my Banana Racer that fit perfectly:
The strap on the rear is different (not removable), but it fit nicely under the seat, and attached itself securely to the velcro that's already there:
This looks like it may actually work:
Flying Dutchman
Well-Known Member
I have a smaller SKS-Germany bag which sits nicely behind the seat of my Q45, however I am not impressed with the quality of the velcro straps, they are about to fail and that is within a year of usage. They are cracked at the top and about to rip completely. So unless they improved the material of the lips, I would advice against the SKS.
TransAm
Well-Known Member
That bag looks like it belongs on the bike now. The Blackburn bag looks like crap, though. I used one of those on my first X/C ride on a DF bike.
It worked well enough, and the outside pockets are nice because you don't have to unpack and repack the bag every time you need something. If you think you need that much extra space, I would move it back by putting the front strap under the seat. You can put an extra long brake nut hanging down from the lower brake bridge as a stopper to keep the bag from rubbing the tire. You could also try putting the Blackburn bag under the seat--It might look even better there. The advantage would be that you can keep it collapsed for normal riding, and only expand it for longer trips.
I would also go with the SKS front triangle bag under the slider because you can strap the bottom to the fork to keep it from swinging. It also fits in the space better.
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Mathew Fy
GRU
I recommend using something like heavy gage wire to keep the bags from rubbing the wheel.
Tor Hovland
Well-Known Member
A little update on this.
I bought some metal clamps to start building a mount for my Radical Solo bag. But they were so heavy that it got me thinking. What if I just keep things simple and make something from a sheet of plastic plus some zip ties?
So I did some measurement, found an old Ikea plastic drawer, and got to work.
Due to the zip locks, I won't be able to easily take the tailbag on and off, but that doesn't matter.
Now, with all my bags mounted, it looks like this. Except for the Vaude Cruiser that will go under the boom. I'm still waiting for that.
This should be a great setup for long rides without needing to carry a sleeping kit. I did a test ride today. Extra clothes goes into a dry bag in the Radical Solo:
Tools, spares, electronics, and pharmaceuticals go into the Blackburn Outpost:
Each of the PRO Discover bags can carry a water bottle, and there's plenty room for a kilo of sugar plus food.
All the bags have room to spare, so this is looking promising.
I bought some metal clamps to start building a mount for my Radical Solo bag. But they were so heavy that it got me thinking. What if I just keep things simple and make something from a sheet of plastic plus some zip ties?
So I did some measurement, found an old Ikea plastic drawer, and got to work.
Due to the zip locks, I won't be able to easily take the tailbag on and off, but that doesn't matter.
Now, with all my bags mounted, it looks like this. Except for the Vaude Cruiser that will go under the boom. I'm still waiting for that.
This should be a great setup for long rides without needing to carry a sleeping kit. I did a test ride today. Extra clothes goes into a dry bag in the Radical Solo:
Tools, spares, electronics, and pharmaceuticals go into the Blackburn Outpost:
Each of the PRO Discover bags can carry a water bottle, and there's plenty room for a kilo of sugar plus food.
All the bags have room to spare, so this is looking promising.
Rolling Along
Active Member
Love the setup for distance.
Is that a narrow or wide Radical bag? Is that a metal strip secured to the plastic from the Ikea drawer? Is there a zip tie fastened as the top just behind the headrest (to the metal? strip)?
Is that a narrow or wide Radical bag? Is that a metal strip secured to the plastic from the Ikea drawer? Is there a zip tie fastened as the top just behind the headrest (to the metal? strip)?
Tor Hovland
Well-Known Member
Thanks!
It's a narrow Radical Solo Aero. What looks like metal strips are actually Gorilla tape. I put it there for reinforcement around the holes I was drilling. So yes, there are zip ties at the bottom, around each neck rest bar, and then there is a third one at the top of the neck rest.
Now that I have it mounted, I can see how it could be improved. For example, the curved top is sticking out longer than necessary, potentially creating some aero drag. I could cut away most of what's above the top zip tie. Also, the very bottom part with the tape on it could have been narrower and with a less pointy shape. And, if I had a can of black spray paint, I would have used it.
It's a narrow Radical Solo Aero. What looks like metal strips are actually Gorilla tape. I put it there for reinforcement around the holes I was drilling. So yes, there are zip ties at the bottom, around each neck rest bar, and then there is a third one at the top of the neck rest.
Now that I have it mounted, I can see how it could be improved. For example, the curved top is sticking out longer than necessary, potentially creating some aero drag. I could cut away most of what's above the top zip tie. Also, the very bottom part with the tape on it could have been narrower and with a less pointy shape. And, if I had a can of black spray paint, I would have used it.
