I'm doing a three day ride round the Cairngorms in September. We're staying in hostels so won't need to carry too much. I'm planning to split what I do need to carry between a rack and a smallish rucksack (something like 25-30L). Ideally I'd like something: - that will take a water bladder
- stable - both when full and when half full (and compressed)
- low (so it doesn't interfere with my helmet going down hill)
- with decent ventilation
- with pockets on the waist band
- that can take a bit of abuse
- light
- cheap
I saw the Karrimor Sabre Hydro 30 but it looks like it's not available any more. I've also looked (on line) at the Berghaus 64zer0 but I'm not it's tough enough. Can anyone recommend anything else?
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 The more you can get on the rack the more comfortable the trip will be. So I'd look at some panniers rather than just bungeeing stuff to the top of the rack. Pete.
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.jpg) I have used my karrimor hot rock for short cycling trips, it takes a bladder and has compression straps to stabilise the load. I actually think a decent hiking pack in the 30litre size range will be better than a cycling specific pack. The important thing is to make sure all the weight is on the hip-band, otherwise it will kill your back after a couple of days. If you have a full suspension bike forget racks (those beam racks are just a waste of time). just minimise what you carry and keep it all in the pack.
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I'll be riding a hardtail with proper rack mounts (an on*one 456). I'm happy to have a trunk bag on there but don't want too much weight on the back of the bike in case it upsets the handling off road. Also, If I take panniers I'll end up filling them. Those VauDe packs look like they might do the job.
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 OMM running light 20L or classic 25litre excellent compressability when not full and uber comfy when cycling
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That's a coincidence, I have ordered myself an on one 456 this week, with the intention of building it up to do some rough stuff touring.
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 Peter's right about comfort. A largish pack and its associated weight, that you're not accustomed to, can lead to bad saddle soreness. How about an off road trailer?
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 Wingnut - they've had some coverage and rave reviews in the mountain biking press, I've just got hold of a Hyper 3.0 and the system really does work well on a bike - not cheap though.
For more conventional stuff, the OMM packs work effectively. Recently tested the Berghaus Mach 24 which is basic but has a very effective compression system.
Trailers are okay - Bob Yak or the thing the Edinburgh Cycle Company do that's similar but cheaper - but a big investment unless you can borrow one. Surprisingly capable off road though...
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Deuter are supposed to make good bike oriented packs.....
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Wingnut - they've had some coverage and rave reviews in the mountain biking press, I've just got hold of a Hyper 3.0 and the system really does work well on a bike - not cheap though. For more conventional stuff, the OMM packs work effectively. Recently tested the Berghaus Mach 24 which is basic but has a very effective compression system. Trailers are okay - Bob Yak or the thing the Edinburgh Cycle Company do that's similar but cheaper - but a big investment unless you can borrow one. Surprisingly capable off road though...
The Inov-8 horizsontal bladder system looks very similar:
http://www.inov-8.com/Products-Detail.asp?PG=PG2&L=26&P=5050973012
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Higgins, while too much weight at the back can clobber the handling a bit it will depend on what sort of off-roading if it will be a problem. Bonkers technical single track with lots of slow balancy fiddling, fair point, but if you're mainly covering cross country ground on fair sized tracks it's a bit of a non-issue to be honest. One suggestion I would make is make sure whatever goes on the rack is locked on tight. Panniers with simple hooks will just bounce off on rough stuff, and a good sized bag bungeed on has quite a bit of opportunity to move about and really fowl things up. if you're worried about filling panniers, just get wee ones, say Ortlieb Sportpackers. Pete.
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The Wingnut sits much lower than the Inov8 pack, which is why it's great for mountain biking. The closest outdoor packs I've used are the Haglofs Ace and the Gregory Reactor, which again both sit low on the back thanks to a yoke-style harness. It's not about outright weight, more about weight distribution when it comes to technical riding anyway.
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 The Gregory Iso works very well too and is a quite capacious 20 litres plus some mesh stowage pockets, including one that will take a bike helmet.
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I'm not sure the wingnut one will be big enough (but I'm not hugely confident in my cubic inch to Litre conversion either!). Otherwise I like the look of it.
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 Ahoy Higgins i use a Deuter trans alpine 30 rucksack and it ticks all the boxes except if its full the very top does touch my Helmet(ooer  ) on very steep decents. But when i filled mine up to that point i was carrying everything you mention PLUS sleeping bag,thermarest,cooking gear etc as i was bothying.I reckon for doing your trip around Hostels 20 litres would be about the max and certainly no need to fit a rack onto your 456(i also own one of these all singing dancing ht's ) Anyhoo Deuter make great bags that vent well but stay rock solid when going up and down,had mine a good few years now and it still aint showing any signs of giving up! Enjoy your trip cheers Jb
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I think the Wingnut Adventure - this thing - is about 25 litres or so. I used a Hyper 3.0 at Hit The North at the weekend and it does work really well, though it is expensive 
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I think the Wingnut Adventure - this thing - is about 25 litres or so....though it is expensive That looks like the fella for me. Just got to find what in a half price sale now!
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