I've had 4 frame bags.

JPaks custom framepack for my Salsa Spearfish - because it was reasonably priced, could be delivered in a timely manner, was local to me, and Joe is awesome
JPaks custom framepack for my carbon hardtail - ditto, also fits 2 of my other bikes due to similar geometry
Surly Strangle-Check - fits my Crosscheck and my touring bike, was immediately available, and is well built (by Revelate Designs)
Revelate Designs Tangle Bag - immediately available, just enough space for day trips, and well built

I like all of them. Personally, unless you have an off the shelf option for your frame, I'd work with a local, well-reputed bag maker.

 

Thanks for reply. I do a lot of research before I buy and have been buying things all fall and winter long trying to get ready for Spring bikepacking in Va. I want a good frame bag that will last. I have been looking at Revelate Designs ( I have their other bags), Rogue Panda and Wanderlust (which is in Va) and make a nice bag. Friend of mine just bought one for his fat bike.

 

I have an Oveja Negra bag that was made for the Framed MN fatty and I liked it so much I've used it on my summer rides despite the fact it looks odd for those frames. I am now using it with my On-One Fatty Trail, where it is likely to stay. I would follow the advice given above, there are lots of options out there but locally sourced goods are usually best. I will be getting another bag hopefully this spring for those summer rides.

 

I personally don't run a frame bag. My frame is a little small and I prefer to run 2 water bottles vs frame bag. The 2 bottle cages work well for me on long day rides where I carry 100oz in my pack and 46oz on the bike. For bikepacking I use a handlebar bag and seatbag for my main gear. Camelbak Mule for water and misc gear. Those bags were off the shelf from Rogue Panda.

To this set-up I have added a downtube bag from Rogue Panda as well. I have not used it yet however. That will be where I put tubes & tools that normally carry in my pack on day rides.

 

The lower the center of gravity, the better. All of my heavy gear goes in my frame bag for this reason, saving as much lightweight layers, sleeping bag, etc. for handlebar and seat bags. Frame bags are inherently more stable than seat bags and handlebar bags, which have more of a tendency to move around when loaded. I consider a frame bag to be the foundation of my packing system.

I have frame bags from Revelate, Rogue Panda and Oveja Negra. I would highly recommend any of these companies. Another thing to consider with frame bags is that the zipper is the most likely failure point over time. Revelate has recently addressed this with a new zipper surrounded by a stretchy fabric that alleviates stress on the zipper when opening/closing. However, another option is to eliminate the zipper entirely and go with a 'rolltop' design, such as the one that Rogue Panda now offers. I have one and really like it.

 

I have one Salsa and one Surly, both made by Revelate. I got them because they were "off the shelf" and could get them with my discount at work. Quality is top notch and would highly recommend them, and the Ranger, if they hit your bike. The only draw of a custom bag for me is being able to make small changes to the layout and add custom touches. I actually want a customer J-paks frame bag with a Remora down tube bag, but don't quite NEED it right now.

 

the rolltop design is interesting

another useful feature can be a horizontal divider, cos items tend to move to the bottom of the bag

 

I have a Surly(revelate), Oveja Negra (super wedgie), and 2 Rogue Panda frame bags. For the money, I think the best value around is the Rogue Panda frame bags. The quality is top notch and the turn around for custom made gear is relatively short. Also, you don't have to fiddle around with trying to make a tracing of your frame, you just need to snap a few photos and send them off to Rogue Panda and a few weeks later you have a perfectly fitting frame bag.

 

Fully agreed. Can't say enough good things about Rogue Panda, the quality of their products and the ease of their custom-ordering process.

 

Another vote for Rogue Panda. Great price, great communication and a fantastic product!
Don't have frame bag from them yet as I'm getting a new bike this year.

 

Thanks for the kind words about Rogue Panda, guys. I feel self-conscious when I read stuff like this, because our communication and lead time aren't up to my standards right now. But 2017 is going to be a much better year for us in that regard.

We got rid of backorders on items other than framebags, which will help us work a lot more efficiently. And it will free up more of my time to be responsive to emails. We should even be able to reach my perpetual goal of one-week lead times for framebags, eventually - right now we still have backorders from 2016 to fill. Maybe by February we'll be doing next-week framebags.

 

Definitely custom for the frame pack, love my RP, definitely roll top for the next one.

 

With all the love for Rogue Panda, I will definitely be putting in an order this year for a framebag. Sounds like a great bag, from an awesome company, something I can truly appreciate. 🤘👍

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for the update, Nick - I'll probably be ordering a few more thing from you soon. :thumbsup:

Here's a pic of my rolltop frame bag from RP:

 

Rogue Panda makes fantastic things.
But... I am a DIY person and build all of my own frame bags.

 

I am looking hard at Rogue Panda, and I really like the idea of the bag being custom made to fit my bike. I think it can utilize space better this way. Now to deiced on roll-top or zipper? I like the idea of the roll top cause you can tighten the sides up and have less bulge. However the idea of having a divider is nice to that I would think help things from settling in the bottom of the bag and causing any bulge.

Sorry if this gets posted twice. First time it didn't show up in thread.

 

Nick
Do you have a bag specific to new salsa mukluk?

 

Every frame bag from Rogue Panda is custom. Take a picture per instructions on the site and then send it to Nick.

 

Rogue Panda!

 

I ran across another option that's seems too good to be true. I have no idea of the quality, but the price is very nice. I may have to check it out, but it may also be that the other bags suggested here are better designed or are higher quality. Uraltour has a bikepack set that seems very reasonable. They also have some pogies, but I don't know the price on those as yet. I did find a thread here, but it included no solid reviews, just members stating they were interested. None of those that had one gave any sort of long term review. There is also an embroidery option for 10 dollars more if you want to personalize.

 

My 2 cents on the uraltour bags:

1) The fabric is burly (600D), although not as water resistant as Xpac. I wouldn't expect any fabric failures.

2) The zippers look like #8 zips. That could be problematic. We recently switched our side pockets from #8's to #10's - even for that application we decided #10 was worth it. And main framebag zips take a lot more stress than side pockets.

3) Embroidery is cool. I wonder if they have an industrial embroidery machine in-house. We've been doing some customization with heat pressed vinyl and that's been working out well.

4) Another brand using photos to design bags! I figured that would happen sooner or later, it just makes too much sense not to do it that way. I'm surprised it took this long.

 

I've got a stock Salsa frame bag for my Mukluk which was made by Revelate. I've got custom frame bags from Bedrock and Rogue Panda. All of them fit really well and are very well made. If there isn't a bag made specifically for your bike I would definitely get a custom bag made.

I would get a frame bag with a zipper because I think they are way easier to use. If I wore the zipper out then I would think about getting a roll top for the next one.

 

I use a Large Tangle Bag. I had a full size bag for a couple years, but I needed more water bottle space, just having an extra 2 liters of water means the world.

I am not one of those riders who has a home to go back to. Had my chance when I retired from the Army in 2004, but I decided to go riding instead of going home. So I live on my bike, riding around Europe, North Africa and Asia.

Sometimes there is no spot for me to get water.

The chance presented it self really well for me. I was in a Bike shop in Germany buying some new bolts for my low rider. The bike mechanic working there said he wanted a bag from Revelate just like mine. I started telling him that it you go long trips deep into the bush but with only 6 liters of water it can limit your time on how long you can stay before you need to find water.

He told me that he just does weekend trips and always stays at camp sites with water.

Out of left field he said I will trade you my bag, 2 bottle cages and 2 one liter bottles for your bag.

Well I do not like spending my money, pretty darn cheap person and I love seeing my Army retirement check grow in the bank. LOL I took that deal very fast.

I bet me and that man could have argued about who got a better deal, I certainly feel that I came out on top.

Even saw the guy again this past summer, he was doing the Camino. I decided to ride with him for a couple days. He thought that was crazy that I had nothing to do, no place to go as long I could just ride. He too thinks he got the better deal. LOL

Pick you bag for how you ride and where you ride.

 

A couple years ago I got a beautiful blue Mountain Smith lumbar pack that had the smaller zipper size 8, I returned it and got a standard black bag with the larger 10. I had an earlier lumber bag, the Cairn, that had the smaller zipper and I popped it off from over packing the bag. I've never had that issue with the larger zipper and I still over pack the bag.

Thanks for your 0.02 on the UltraTour bags Nick, that will help me make a better future decision.

 

I am waiting for my new Ortlieb frame pack ... Can't wait to come. Maybe in March. Will tell you more later.

 

Apidura full frame. Lightweight, perfect size and aesthetically pleasing.

 

I got the Revelate/Surly bag sized to perfectly fit my Troll. Like it a lot, and I now have a few other pieces of Revelate gear. Because I knew it was made with my frame in mind, I didn't really shop around at the custom offerings.

I don't know if it's waterproof. I think not, although current Revelate frame bags look like they have some waterproofing, so maybe. There's a port for a water line, but I found it to be impossible to fit the bite valve through, so it can be tricky to set up a water pouch without some spilling.

But that's my only concern. It seems very sturdy, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

 

I have two frame bags and one half frame.

1 Banjo Bros
1 Blackburn
1 Surly by Revelate

Of the 3 the Revelate has the nicest finish, but the Blackburn will surprise you, it is a clever pack when fully unzipped to fill the frame area.

 

Mr. Pink, Is that an Old Man Mountain front rack on your bike? How do you like the front rack vs handlebar bag? I'm new to bike packing (haven't been yet, first trip this summer) and debating to go with either a handlebar bag or rack. Since I've never been on a bike pack trip, just looking at all the set up's, seems most riders go with the handlebar setup. What is the steering like with all the weight on the handlebars?

Thanks for your input