Bikepacking: try out an assortment of bike bags before you buy

Bikepacking involves carrying your luggage as close to your bike as you can, transporting as little weight as possible without the use of large bike bags. Maybe the combination of a fork bag and saddle bag is the right solution for you? Or possibly you need more space and want to add a handlebar bag? These are the kinds of questions you can find the answers to at our bikepacking stations.

You can pop by our Markthalle Bern and Zurich Europaallee stores with your own bike and put our range of bags to the test. We’ve got all kinds of items, like shoes, gas stoves and tents, for you to fill the bags with. Head off on a test ride to get a sense of how this changes the feel of your bike. Just bring your ID with you.

Find the perfect bike bags

We’d be more than happy to help you choose your bike bags. With every bikepacking tour that you do, you’ll get a better idea of what you need – and what you could have left at home. The perk is that there are so many ways to pack your bike that you can tailor it to your personal preferences. Lots of customers start with a saddle bag or a frame bag, which have space for lots of stuff. Saddle bags offer slightly more room.

You can choose between bags attached directly to your bike or bags clipped onto a holder. Plus, there are also fork bags, handlebar bags or smaller upper tube bags, where you can stash your mobile phone, for instance. After all, there are probably a few bikepacking apps you’ll need fairly frequently for navigation or for the weather forecast.

That said, you can also put your smartphone or GPS device in a special holder or a bag with a transparent upper compartment. Traditional bike bags are available for bikes with luggage racks.

The right packing strategy for bikepacking

The more centrally – in other words, the more closely to the middle of the bike – you pack your bike, the less you’ll feel the weight when riding it. In addition, having a lot of weight on the handlebars can impact how you cycle and restrict your view of the ground. We recommend affixing heavy items near the saddle or stashing them in a frame bag. Lighter luggage is best nearer the front or back of the bike. If you’re going to be hitting the trails, frame bags or saddle bags are the best bet.

As well as thinking about weight distribution, you also need to consider what needs to be easily accessible during the day. You’re best off putting tools and spare parts in your frame bag. After all, the handlebars on some gravel bikes and racing bikes will prevent you from having easy access to the bag. Also make sure your drinking bottle is to hand – which can be a tricky task, depending on your frame bag. However, there are various holders that can help.

How to save weight when bikepacking

It’s worth packing as little as possible, especially if you’re going to be away for multiple days. You can optimise your equipment itself: clothing made from high-quality material is light and packs down to a small size. And you’ll likely be able to make do with less than you’d imagine. Ideally, lay out everything you’re considering and comb through it all. Do you really need it all? Be strict.

Don’t cut corners when it comes to your health and your bike’s functionality, though. In other words: a first aid kit and tools always need to come with you. Alongside good sunscreen and protection in case of bad weather, you need to have space for enough food and drink. Don’t forget to consider where you’ll be able to refill your water and whether you might need a water filter.

The bike bags you choose can also have an impact on the weight. The bags available at our bikepacking stations are all waterproof and can be cleaned with just a bit of water. The material used by some brands is a bit more robust – that’s the case with Ortlieb. Others, like Apidura, aren’t as easy to clean, but they weigh less. Together, we’ll find the right bags for your needs.