Originally Posted by
cyccommute
Again, I have no pictures to show you but I carried my rod in front of my sleeping bag with the Relevate Design Harness. It was only slightly longer than my tent and never got in the way. I did carry it in a good case which protected it when I crashed.
I'm sure you do fine with that rod. I'm continually lightening/streamlining my touring setup. The gold bag in the photo above contains my 18" tent poles and anything longer is a PITA.
I won't have a proper case or anything else like that around it. That sort of weight/bulk is just not in the cards.
I also spend a decent chunk of time not riding the bike, but carrying it, pushing it, dragging it or throwing it over/under/through obstacles.
At 18" it's well protected by my tent poles and bar bag. If it's closer to 30 there is lots to damage/snag and it's the delicate tips and connectors that are getting beat up.