[paleh0rse]

I recently picked up a Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Bikepack tent system that rolls up into a fantastic little package you can attach directly to your handlebars if you want it to. While that's convenient for days with perfect weather and no dirt, I'd personally like to place it in a waterproof bag of some sort that will protect it from the elements while I ride.

Bike: 2019 Salsa Fargo
Handlebars: Salsa Woodchipper Deluxe (44cm)
Tent system dimensions (with poles): 7.5"H x 13.5"W x 5.5"D
Use Case: Bikepacking up to 10 days, to include gravel, dirt, and singletrack.

Question: What waterproof handlebar bag and/or cradle system would work best with my setup and protect the tent system from the elements while I ride?

I'd like the solution to meet a few simple criteria:
- stable while riding gravel and singletrack
- easy to access when setting up camp
- doesn't interfere with drop brifters or hand positions
- and perhaps the ability to store a few other small items alongside the tent system. (If possible, it would be nice to add the sleeping pad or sleepingbag to the same bag)

The bottom line is that I'm suffering from setup paralysis and could really just use some friendly advice on a versatile solution for my bars. The rest of my setup is pretty well dialed in, but these bags are just too expensive for me to get it wrong. Any/all help would be very much appreciated!

EDIT: The ones I've been staring at the most are the Road Runner Jumbo Jammer bag or the Salsa Anything Cradle with their 15L Drybag. I've also been eyeing the BXB Taerdrop bag, but it's a bit expensive.

 

[jamatt]

Sea to Summit Big River dry bags are bomber. A slight drawback is they only come in oval shape.

 

[paleh0rse]

Sea to Summit Big River dry bags are bomber. A slight drawback is they only come in oval shape.

Do you happen to know how well (or not) the oval bags work with the Salsa Anything Cradle and Anything Cages?

 

[Rob_E]

This is my Revelate harness with a 20 liter, Sea to Summit compression sack. These days I just use the 14 liter (I think) Relelate bag that's made for it. Don't have experience with your tent or know how much room it takes up, but I imagine the Revelate harness would do the trick. Whether or not their bag would work might depend on the tent. I'm a big fan of the harness system because it's easier, to my mind, to pull the gear off and leave the harness in place than to remove the whole thing or to empty the bag while it's attached.

 

[paleh0rse]

This is my Revelate harness with a 20 liter, Sea to Summit compression sack. These days I just use the 14 liter (I think) Relelate bag that's made for it. Don't have experience with your tent or know how much room it takes up, but I imagine the Revelate harness would do the trick. Whether or not their bag would work might depend on the tent. I'm a big fan of the harness system because it's easier, to my mind, to pull the gear off and leave the harness in place than to remove the whole thing or to empty the bag while it's attached.
View attachment 1297947

That's a great endorsement, thank you. My biggest concern is in finding a large enough dry bag that will still fit between the drops of my Salsa Woodchipper bars and not interfere with the brifters. I'll have to take a few more measurements to dial this in.

 

[paleh0rse]

This is my Revelate harness with a 20 liter, Sea to Summit compression sack. These days I just use the 14 liter (I think) Relelate bag that's made for it. Don't have experience with your tent or know how much room it takes up, but I imagine the Revelate harness would do the trick. Whether or not their bag would work might depend on the tent. I'm a big fan of the harness system because it's easier, to my mind, to pull the gear off and leave the harness in place than to remove the whole thing or to empty the bag while it's attached.
View attachment 1297947

That's a great endorsement, thank you. My biggest concern is in finding a large enough dry bag that will still fit between the drops of my Salsa Woodchipper bars and not interfere with the brifters. I'll have to take a few more measurements to dial this in.

 

[Slbear]

I was not aware of the Roadrunner bags - great mention. I was looking at the BXB Teardrop or the Anything Cradle for my 2018 Fargo. The Roadrunner is twice the size for a little less $, but I'm not positive I need or want that volume up front. I have stem bags and was curious if they would work or not with a saddle bag also on the handlebars. Of course you still have the hoods and drops, but I worry I'll miss the flats of the bars for longer rides. I guess you could rest your forarms on all the bags like you would aerobars.

In any case I like the look and flexibility of the saddlebag style. Good luck on your decision. I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger.

 

[paleh0rse]

I was not aware of the Roadrunner bags - great mention. I was looking at the BXB Teardrop or the Anything Cradle for my 2018 Fargo. The Roadrunner is twice the size for a little less $, but I'm not positive I need or want that volume up front. I have stem bags and was curious if they would work or not with a saddle bag also on the handlebars. Of course you still have the hoods and drops, but I worry I'll miss the flats of the bars for longer rides. I guess you could rest your forarms on all the bags like you would aerobars.

In any case I like the look and flexibility of the saddlebag style. Good luck on your decision. I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger.

Sounds like we're both struggling with the same issues. Like you, I'm not sure I need all the volume up front. Road Runner makes both a Jammer and a Jumbo Jammer, though, so that's one thing to consider.

My tent system may not fit through the 12" opening on the BXB Teardrop, so that may animate that one.

At the moment, I'm leaning toward the Revelate cradle+drybag combo, but still hesitant to pull the trigger.

I think I may add some Profile Designs Aero Bars for added comfort on long rides, but I'm not sure about those yet either.

Setup paralysis is a real thing...lol

Oh well, I'm not in a rush, so I'll just keep researching until I'm confident in my selection.

 

[RFrahm]

I have a BXB teardrop on it’s way as of today. I will be having it delivered to where I will be through the new year so I won’t have all my gear to test but can take some measurements for you at least if you like.

I love playing with bags and camp gear setup! They all seem to have their place depending the trip!

 

[paleh0rse]

I have a BXB teardrop on it's way as of today. I will be having it delivered to where I will be through the new year so I won't have all my gear to test but can take some measurements for you at least if you like.

I love playing with bags and camp gear setup! They all seem to have their place depending the trip!

That's awesome, congratulations on the nice bag! I ordered a Salsa Cradle and a dry bag to start with, but I'm still very interested in reading your thoughts on BXB once you have it set up.

What bike are you using it with?

 

[RFrahm]

That's awesome, congratulations on the nice bag! I ordered a Salsa Cradle and a dry bag to start with, but I'm still very interested in reading your thoughts on BXB once you have it set up.

What bike are you using it with?

Thank you, I'm excited to get it! The salsa cradle looks nice really. I was in the fortunate/unfortunate situation of having my truck stolen and not planning to replace it so I splurged on some extra sweet bags! My tent setup is a bit smaller but I can say from a swift bag I have that your tent would fit but take up most of the space. The teardrop is only a little larger than the other seatbag I have.

I will be using it with my all city gorilla monsoon. It's my only bike for now and will likely stay that way. I am running a crust towel rack so I could fit a larger bag but don't really need it. I run a 24 pack rack if I need to take the cast iron!