Bedrock Bags and Packs

[Christophe Noel]

I know a number of you guys on this forum either bikepack now, or aspire to as the spring rolls around. When I got into it in late 2005, I had a helluva time finding quality bags. I went through a few systems before finding a set of bags I liked. In case you don't check the ExPo front page, I did a little intro to Bedrock Bags and Packs.

ExPo: Bedrock Bags and Packs

More info here: Bedrock

 

[Flagster]

I see most of the bikes seem to be hard tails to allow for the frame bag...

Flounder,
How many people are running full suspension mountain bikes for bikepacking? How severely does the loss of the frame pack limit duration of the trip...
I am interested in doing more than overnights which I can accomplish with a small pack...
Should I consider a hardtail only if I want to get up to weeklong trips?

Thanks
Matt

 

[Christophe Noel]

I'd say bikepackers use the same criteria as all riders when deciding to go with a hard or soft tail bike. My buddy Kurt Refsnider is one of the most successful ultra-distance racers as of late having won the 2011 Tour Divide on a ti Salsa hard tail. He also has won several races like the AZT on his FS Salsa Spearfish. So, I think for some, it's a matter of picking the bike for the application. I mostly bikepack on a hard tail, but will likely switch to a FS bike for some rides like the CTR.

The FS linkage does limit in-frame carrying capacity and that is a mega bummer. A full volume frame bag does carry gear exceptionally well.