Bag for a mountain biker

G'day!

I will be purchasing my 400D soon, and I am just wondering what kind of bag would be suitable for mountain biking.. it has to be dust/sand/water resistant

At the moment I have quite a small Fluid Hydration bag, though I don't think this is a good idea as it has a hydration pack in it for drinking which could pop if I land on it...(bladder full of water)

What other options are there? If I go for a bigger bag, I will need to fit the hydration pack in there somewhere too, as I can't really carry two bags while riding.

I'm hoping there's a solution out there for hikers/riders that are also into photography. If not, I think I will have to drop the idea of getting a DSLR, as I won't be able to transport it safely.

I've been looking for a messenger style bag for use while light road riding, but I couldn't find anything that was designed like a bicycle messenger bag, which was kind of frustrating. You may want to look into backpacks...I think I remember seeing one backpack that had a hydration system built in, but I can't remember the name.

Yeah, that would be the way to go...... it's going to be pretty costly though, I'd imagine.........

maxwolfie wrote in post #5574125
Yeah, that would be the way to go...... it's going to be pretty costly though, I'd imagine.........

In photography the term "costly" is quite relative . If you have a digital rebel series camera with the kit lens, sure, a $150 bag is pretty expensive. But if you have even a single L series lens, well then, that $150 bag isn't so expensive anymore...

I found the bag I was talking about though. The link below will go right to that bag's review, but cambags.com uses frames like it's still 1999, so you won't see the whole website unless you go directly to cambags.com and search for the Lowepro Dryzone Rover.

http://cambags.com …_dryzone_rover_​frames.htm

Ah, that's more like it

That hydration bag is tiny though, I think I'd drink that in about 30 minutes (and be very thirsty for the next 3 hours of riding)

AND it's about $350? Sheesh, it must have golden lining!

maxwolfie wrote in post #5573134
G'day!

I will be purchasing my 400D soon, and I am just wondering what kind of bag would be suitable for mountain biking.. it has to be dust/sand/water resistant

At the moment I have quite a small Fluid Hydration bag, though I don't think this is a good idea as it has a hydration pack in it for drinking which could pop if I land on it...(bladder full of water)

What other options are there? If I go for a bigger bag, I will need to fit the hydration pack in there somewhere too, as I can't really carry two bags while riding.

I'm hoping there's a solution out there for hikers/riders that are also into photography. If not, I think I will have to drop the idea of getting a DSLR, as I won't be able to transport it safely.

if i were to carry a dslr kit on my bike i'd install a rear rack.

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #5577449
if i were to carry a dslr kit on my bike i'd install a rear rack.

ed rader

I actually did that. It takes the weight off your back and just make sure you never take your eyes off the bike.

I have Ortlieb Panniers which are nice, but I imagine you gear would get quite rattled in them as they can move around a bit on the rack.

My friend has a topeak system; the bag slides onto the rack on top and does not move around one bit. This would be way better for hauling around camera gear, plus the bag is on top of the rack, not the side, so if you bite it you and your bike don't end up landing on your gear.

Here is a shot of the Topeak system I found on the web.

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Hmmm.. Id reckon I'd shake that thing loose pretty quickly

Lowepro make some good bags that will fit your requirements. For long days out on rough trails the Lowepro Toploader should carry your camera safely and give you quick access at the same time. I went through this a few years back, and I found this type of bag is by far and away the best to carry a DSLR on a mountainbike. A rucsack can be a pain to get the camera out of, so I wouldn't reccomend this type of bag.

I don't want to put you off carrying a DSLR, but when I carried a 10D round Bali on a mountain bike I found it a bit of a liability on a lot of singletrack. I'd have thought you'd be better with a decent P&S? Far less camera to carry and far less camera to break, particularly if your carrying expensive 'L' glass. I enjoy the mountain biking more when I'm not worried about the camera.

My 2 pence worth

Jim

Yes, I was thinking this already and I think you've convinced me just with that - I am now looking at a high-end P&S with a broad range of manual settings

maxwolfie wrote in post #5586495
Yes, I was thinking this already and I think you've convinced me just with that - I am now looking at a high-end P&S with a broad range of manual settings

G9?

Yep - seems to be the only sane choice!

.... unless someone can prove otherwise?

I use my LowePro DryZone Rover for mountain biking and hiking, nice bag although a little big. B&H has them for $229.

G9 is perfect choice. I used my G7 in New Zealand in Feb, and apart from when I wanted a lot of control or a very wide angle, I didn't miss the DSLR at all. I'd take the G7 everywhere with me now, but the wife has taken possession, so I'm going to have to get a G9. It also does fabulous videos going downhill!

Jim