If you’re dreaming of escaping the city with an unforgettable ride, Singapore offers surprisingly good spots for a bikepacking or gravel adventure.
From exploring Pulau Ubin’s rustic trails to rolling through the Mandai forest loops or venturing along the green corridors of Kranji Countryside, there are plenty of routes where you can test your off-road spirit.
But even the most scenic gravel journey can turn sour if you aren’t carrying your gear properly. Unlike a quick urban ride, bikepacking means bringing along supplies for food, water, tools, spare clothing, and perhaps camping gear.
That’s why the right bikepacking bags are a non-negotiable part of your adventure setup. Whether you’re planning a weekend overnighter or a multi-day trip, knowing what bags to use and where to place them on your bike will make a huge difference in your comfort, safety, and fun on the trail.
Types of Bikepacking Bags You Should Know
Bikepacking Saddlebag
Purpose: Designed to hold soft, lightweight, but bulky items like sleeping bags, spare clothes, or tents, keeping your back free and balanced.
Placement: Underneath the saddle and secured to the seatpost.
Recommended Product: Topeak BackLoader 10L (TBP-BL2B)
- Capacity: 10L
- Dimensions: 60 x 20 x 18 cm
- Weight: 480g
- Polyethylene/nylon construction
- Lightweight, water-resistant, with integrated air release valve
- Hook-and-loop fastening system
A durable and stable option for lightweight touring and weekend bikepacking trips.
Bikepacking Handlebar Bag
Purpose: Great for compressible items such as sleeping gear or spare clothing, easily accessible up front.
Placement: Strapped securely to the handlebar.
Recommended Product: Topeak FrontLoader 8L (TBP-FL2B)
- Capacity: 8L
- Dimensions: 50 x 15 x 15 cm
- Weight: 483g
- Polyethylene/EVA with anti-slip PU
- Quick-release buckles with rubber spacers
- Water- and stain-repellent
Ideal for carrying a sleeping bag or jacket on rough trails while maintaining stable steering.
Top Tube Bag
Purpose: Stores quick-access items such as power banks, phones, snacks, or multitools.
Placement: Mounted behind the stem on the top tube.
Recommended Product: Topeak Fuel Tank Medium (TC2296B)
- Capacity: 0.5L
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 11 x 6.35 cm
- Weight: 120g
- 420D nylon / PVC
- Zippered main compartment with cable access
- Stable nylon strap mounts
Perfect for essential electronics or nutrition, you want to grab on the move.
Snack Bag (Stem Bag)
Purpose: Keeps snacks, a small bottle, or a compact camera within easy reach while riding.
Placement: Connected to the stem and handlebar area.
Recommended Product: Topeak FastFuel Platform (TFF-P01S)
- Capacity: N/A (platform style)
- Dimensions: 14.1 x 4 x 1.03 cm
- Weight: 46.2g
- Polyethylene/engineering grade polymer
- Quick-access elastic cord closure
- FastFuel clip for security
Ideal for frequent mid-ride munching without stopping.
Cargo Rack System Bag
Purpose: Holds heavier items, such as cooking gear, spare clothes, or bulk food, balanced over a rack.
Placement: Attached to a rear cargo rack.
Recommended Product: Topeak Pannier DryBag 16L (TT9860B)
- Capacity: 16L
- Dimensions: 26 x 15 x 45 cm
- Weight: 168g
- Waterproof fabric with sonically welded seams
- Fits securely on standard pannier racks
- Roll closure design for easy packing
The perfect large-volume choice for multi-day bikepacking trips.
Fork Bag
Purpose: Adds extra space for water, tools, or lightweight dry goods, helping distribute weight evenly across the bike.
Placement: Mounted on fork bosses with quick-release brackets.
Recommended Product: Topeak QRFork DryBag 5.8L (TC3703B)
- Capacity: 5.8L
- Dimensions: 43.5 x 15 x 8.16 cm
- Weight: 272g
- TPU material
- Quick-release mount for fast removal
- Securely fixes to fork bosses
A great solution for expanding your carrying capacity without throwing off your bike’s handling.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the best bikepacking bag setup depends on how long you plan to be out there and exactly what you want to bring.
For a short overnighter around Singapore’s green corridors, a simple saddlebag and top tube pack might be enough.
But if you’re planning a multi-day adventure to places like Pulau Ubin or beyond, you’ll probably want a handlebar bag, cargo rack system, and fork bags to balance your load efficiently.
Don’t forget to include a quality bottle cage and a reliable water bottle, such as the Elite Fly, to stay hydrated on humid rides.
And always pack a multi-tool, tire levers, and a small pump from brands like Topeak to handle trailside fixes with confidence. With the right bags and a bit of preparation, you’ll be ready to enjoy every kilometer of your bikepacking adventure.
