Tech Week 2023: Bikepacking Gear of All Shapes & Sizes
Aeroe
All the way from New Zealand, aeroe really doesn’t mess around when it comes to bikepacking, and not just the gravel road variety. The quick-load, cradle-style carriers hold down their waterproof bags with four possible locations on the bike to potentially transport up to 48 L of gear.
Are you serious about riding singletrack but have a full-suspension frame? Then check out the Spider Rear Rack. The intelligent design uses attaches to the rear triangle of the bike with simple silicone straps that tighten down over a large surface area for fast installation and removal.
In total, the stainless steel rack can carry up to three of the watertight bags; center, left and right, using the glass reinforced nylon cradles. On its own, the rack is only 641 grams and has a carrying capacity of 16 kg. Then there’s also the 471 g handlebar mounting Spider Cradle for $79, which can hold 5 kg using the same style straps and similar mounts as the rear rack. There’s also a hard-backed, quick-mount pod system for the most stable ride.
As for the bags, they come in two unique colors to easily distinguish their sizes: orange for the 8L and black for the 12L at $59 and 69, respectively. The fully welded, waterproof TPU material uses a roll-top closure with a traditional plastic buckle, plus extra loops on the face to tie down more accessories.
Best of all, aeroe offers free worldwide shipping when their products are purchased through their website and estimate arrival between 7-10 business days. To show that aeroe stands by their products, the Spider Rear Rack is covered by a 2-year warranty and has a 30-day, money-back guarantee.
Tailfin
Based in the UK, Tailfin builds racks and waterproof cargo bags that have endless mounting possibilities. Backed by a 5-year warranty, Tailfin's premium-level bike packing offers lightweight options for those gram-counters, including some eye-catching carbon components. Modularity and adaptability is the general theme with their equipment that can be bolted on almost anywhere to your bike.
Storage begins with the 1.7 L Cargo Pack which costs $55, but there are 3 or 5 L options too. The side of the packs have cutouts to weave the gear strap into and really cinch down your gear. There’s also the hook strap that pulls the excess volume snug to the top of the pack, further adding to the security. One of the neatest features buit into the 5L Cargo Pack is an air vent that can be opened and closed with the turn of a dial to compress the volume that isn’t being used.
Each of these packs strap into Tailfin's anodized alloy Cargo Cages using the coveted water bottle spacing. Available in two sizes, this system uses slots that the gear straps thread into with the larger one coming equipped with a base to vertically support the load. They are narrow enough to avoid contact with even the narrowest Q-factor setups without compromising load stability and list for $70 or 80.
If you’re looking to maximize on-bike storage, the Cargo Cage bolts to carbon or steel clamps that wrap around the fork lowers between 37 and 45 mm in diameter. At $85 per set, you’ll spend $30 more, but save 23 grams per clamp by choosing the fancy carbon clamp. Tailfin states that the loads shouldn’t exceed 3 kg per side for trail riding, or 5 kg for on road use..
The newest addition to the lineup is Tailfin’s V-Mount Pack that attaches without any fixed hardware, so if your frame doesn’t have downtube bottle bosses, you’re in luck. This option is a touch more expensive because of the mounting bracket is built into the bag. Underneath are two concave rubber pads to grip the frame without the worry of scratching up your frame and are cinched down with mini TPU straps. The smaller pack is also narrow enough to place on the top tube and keep out of the line of fire from the front tire’s spray. Those extra features do raise the price over the standard Cargo Pack to $105 or 120, depending on the 1.7 or 3L bag size, but Tailfin grants free worldwide shipping on orders over $340.
EVOC
Evoc are the masters of the bike travel bag, but they also produce bomber cargo bags for on the bike, a few of which use the lightning fast and sleek BOA dial attachment. All of the bar, frame, and seat packs are available in neutral two colors; Carbon Grey or Loam.
Starting at the front, the $150 Handlebar Pack BOA L is the larger of the two models with a capacity of 5L, doubling the capacity of the smaller version. A few details that make this bag a standout are the two BOA loops with rubberized pull tabs, the dial itself that can easily be tightened on the fly, plus the roll-top closure at either end to keep your goods totally dry.
Moving to the middle of the bike, the Multi Frame Pack M holds 1 L of goods and has enough positions for the velcro straps to find their way to all corners of the frame, depending on the suspension design. A nice touch that EVOC includes are frame protection stickers to save your paint and on the inside, a mesh pocket will ward off any rattling items. To finish it off, YKK takes care of the water resistant zipper to fully flip the bag wide open.
On short travel bikes, the space under the seat can be used for stuffing lighter items, such as a sleeping bag and extra clothing and EVOC designed an elegant solution for ratcheting down their Seat Pack BOA bags. Available in three sizes (size large shown here), the range starts at $110 and also uses the roll-top closure to reduce unused volume and make the pack watertight. Like the handlebar bag, the BOA loop has a rubber looped tab to wrap aroun the seat post and uses two additional velcro straps to grab onto the seat rails to hold your gear tightly.
Apidura
If any of those products aren’t enduro-specific for you, then the waterproof 1L Backcountry Frame Pack from Apidura could be a sleeker choice for day to day use - heck, even slap one on a downhill bike to stash some sunglasses or tools in for some park laps. If the 1L Backcountry Frame Pack, which retails for $65, isn’t enough storage, then there is also a 2L alternative for $108.
Designed to work with steep or more square top and down tube joints, the 1L pack is reversible in orientation and uses three straps to cinch down on your frame. Inside, there’s another one to lock down larger items that might rattle on descents. You’ll find a zipper on either side, as well as a port at the front, should you wish to run any cabled lights.
Tech Week 2023 is a chance to get up to speed on the latest mountain bike components, apparel, and accessories. Click here to view all of the related content.
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Must Read This Week
I really don’t trust the attachment system for that handlebar bag at all either. Seems floppy. Especially if you’re sending it with a full suspension.
Happy Bikepacking.
You are most likely not "sending it" on a fully packed bike.
You can buy the made in USA version as well. Racks can swap between bikes and I have run my Divide Rack front and rear.
Cons: axles are expensive
In the real world of bike packing hanging heavy stuff on your bike makes for a terrible handling bike . Makes hiking with your bike through narrow trails impossible.
Great for glamping and gravel biking . Thinking about a multi day bike packing adventure on lesser traveled paths?
Back pack is the answer .
By that logic you shouldn’t be bothered by a lack of water bottle mounts on a bike because there’s always Camelbaks
Yes my 60 litres back pack weighs about 20 pounds with camera gear . Funny for hiking that's very light . Same with rock climbers . I also dislike putting a kilogram of water on my bike . Water filters are cheap now .
I have done both and for me that extra momentum you call fun , I call unpredictable steering. Not fun .
All the power to you though… stay out of the backcountry if you’re going to be grumpy about it! I go there for peace!
God, canadians are hopeless idiots...
This is fun