I made a video a couple of months ago taking a first look at Lidl’s Budget Bikepacking Bags. And the response to the video was fantastic. It’s reaching 50 000 views, and a lot of people have been asking me to take the bags out for a bikepacking trip. But living in Northern Sweden makes this a little bit difficult during the months of April and May. But now the trails have finally dried up, and I have been able to take out the bags for a first test run.
I cycle to a fantastic camp spot by a mirror lake here in Västerbotten, Sweden. The lake is so still that you’re able to see and hear the perch jumping in the lake and watch the water strider run on the water surface. At the camp spot a go through all of the gear I was able to pack into the bikepacking bags.
23 Comments
Bikepacking bags really put quite some limits for gear. Fortunately some other bags are somewhat bigger so you can do longer trips with them.
Where's the food? One sandwich In the evening? Breakfast, coffee …
I use a similar set, and unfortunately food always doesn't fit.
Fantastic evening pictures.
Very enjoyable mike , I have a similar setup but still to try it out yet 😂. Some great shots and views down by lake atb Dave 👍🏻
Good to have you back and speaking! I much prefer your videos where you give a commentary like you usually do. As for bike packing bags, I am not convinced. I bought some Ortlieb bike packing bags. They are good quality, but I cannot get on with the whole bike packing set up. I find it a real PITA accessing gear compared to panniers. For me I think a better more practical set up is a rear rack with small front panniers and on the front of the bike a dry bag on the front on a Pizza rack is the best combination, certainly a lot easier to live with than bike packing bags which I think are just a marketing fad. I guess if you have no other option then you have to make them work but from my experience they don't. I guess if you are riding ultra endurance races like the TCR punishing yourself then a bike packing set up may be desirable, but it's not for me.
Btw is there a map of all the shelters in Sweden?
And when do the mosquitos start? I hate mosquitos, midges, biting bugs and insects.
Thanks for making this video Mike.
Very nice video. Really like the shots down by the lake. Bags do look small. Something to get used to. Panniers make it easy to carry a lot of things. Take care and stay safe, Al, Trek 520 Touring Bike
Thanks Mikael. ..I like cheap!…though nothing is really cheap, just some less expensive than others. You still hold my focus on that beautiful landscape…good no mosquitoes for the time being. Thanks again for a fine video…stay safe!
Great video Mike, one of your best
Mike! As usual looks like you live in paradise! Long time no see your videos. My
Wife and i just had a baby boy, is keeping us busy! Lol Look forward to seeing more of your videos! On side note i have a 2018 Breezer Bicycle 10 speed, has a disk breaks, unfortunately the front tire disk break may be bent, is making an annoying noise. Waiting on replacement part to arrive.
Great review Mike, I to would be a little concerned about the amount of equipment you could carry…I think trying to dig stuff out of the rear seat pack would be frustrating …that being said I like the stream line look… but no cooking supplies and area for food well that's a bit of a bummer:) really enjoyed 🎥stay well Mike👋🇨🇦
Great video Mike, I bet Lidl wish they'd given you the bags a week before release to review. Does it feel good to be in shorts and t-shirt again? I love the extra freedom knobbly tyres and suspension gives you, for me less comfort at night is worth the fun on the bike. I hope you made it to work on time, must have had a big smile on your face all day
I have seen you in ”Bicycle touring pro” with Darren, Kevin and others. 👍 Greetings from Finland!
Those evenings by the lakeside…magical! Budget wise…i'm still riding my '91 steel hardtail 3×7 mtb, equipped with a tubus rack and some dry bags as luggage. Absolutely no need to spend a lot of money to enjoy the outdoors.
Greetz from Belgium.
Thanks Mike for showing that bikepacking is not for many of us 😁
Hey Mike,
Just became your fan and thanks for the video. I'd love to cycle in Sweden someday soon and take care.
Cheers and happy riding!
Paul Kim from Corea (living in Italy)
Enjoyed this vlog… great info and camera work, all the best from Argentina.
finally someone normal doing bikepacking with normal people gear.. mike also looks and sounds really sweedish… hehehe
Annoyed I missed the lidl promotion in the UK. Really enjoy your content. Wishing you all the best.
Cool
in september im visiting sweden for a bike packing trip, mostly around rydaholm.cant wait
Har köpt samma väskor förutom den avlånga smala väskan. Inte hunnit testa dom än. Är dom rangliga eller sitter dom styvt fullpackade ?
Amazing views and places to be able to bikepack to!
A nice quick overnight getaway bikepacking trip. Thanks for sharing!