Is a lower gear required when using panniers?

[Spin City]

I'm not too sure where to ask this question but 'Commuting' seems the best place to start.

I have a fixed-wheel bike that I use for both Winter training and all year round commuting. I am thinking of attaching a rack and panniers so I don't have to use a rucksack when commuting.

My commute is pan-flat in a built-up area and about 10km each way. My current gearing is 48 x 18 which I'm very happy with. My Winter training includes any hills that I think I've got a chance of getting up and down.

I don't think I will need a lower gear for attaching the rack but there might be a chance that lower gearing will be required when I'm carrying loaded panniers.

Has anyone else done something similar and, if so, did you need to reduce the gearing you use?

The bike has a flip-flop hub so I can't easily swap between gears (and stay fixed).

 

[mr_cellophane]

No difference between carrying loaded panniers and a loaded rucksack.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

no and MTFU while you are about it

There is a difference at speed, and only at speed, when panniers weight for weight are way more draggy than a rucksack.

 

[fossyant]

No but the weight shift can be tricky first. I ride fixed with panniers and varying weight loads, but getting back on the light road bikes is a bit of a shock.

 

[clarion]

I'm not sure how draggy panniers are. I usually have just a saddlebag, but sometimes carry clothes in a pannier. I've posted some of my fastest rides with that configuration.

I can't compare to a backpack, as I'm not really able to use one. But having the weight low down makes for a steady bike when you need to put the hammer down.

 

[Tynan]

I almost always ride with a pannier, I promise it still goes quick when you try, I always try to convince myself it lies in the space behind your leg as regards drag

How about one of those saddle bags, the roll up ones?

 

[whitebait]

I almost always ride with two panniers. One with my work clothes etc and the other with locks, tube, pump etc. Last couple of days I've consolidated it into one rather heavier pannier and it does seem to have made a slight difference, hard to tell though, as the wind's been blowing the other way for the last few days, headwind where I'd expect a tailwind and vice versa.

Are two panniers better than one when you've got a tailwind though? I imagine they're a bit like sails...

 

[fossyant]

I found panniers quicker than a large rucksack for aerodynamics. Paniers are sat in the dirty air flow from the bike and your legs, where a rucksack can be a big thing on top of your back, and acts as more drag.

I used to use a rucksack, as I hate the look on a bike, but I've got used to it now as I've been forced to abandon a rucksack due to my shoulder injury.

 

[Amanda P]

I've used 48x18 and more recently 46x18 (after a crank cracked). I carry panniers most days, sometimes almost empty, sometimes lugging quite a bit of stuff. On a mostly flat run, that's fine.

BUT: with panniers on the bike, it's not so easy to lift the back of the bike to get the pedals in the right place for when you come to move off at a junction. In fact it's a right pain. For that reason, i put an 18 tooth freewheel on the other side of my flip-flop hub. It's a whole lot more practical for commuting with a load than fixed.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Depends how much you put in the panniers.

I disagree that they are the same as a rucksack, becasue you can load a hell of a lot more into quality panniers than you would dream of loading onto your bike, so with panniers you tend to make that stop-off to pick up a sack of compost/crate of beer/36 cans of cat food/etc

As its flat, I would say the answer is best asked with your legs, and they will dictate how much you cram into your panniers

 

[DrSquirrel]

If you are grinding your current gearing now, I would want to go up and spin a bit more "normally" for them times you will need to grind.

I have 13 and 12t on my fixed hub - but the difference is bugger all, and anything different (12/13 + 15t) would require a link being added, id rather walk up a hill than bother.


Do it, keep your current gearing, don't fully load them to start - and see how you go. If anything, you will probably just get fitter and end up doing everything at your previous speeds.

 

[fossyant]

46 x 16 here about 77-78". Any my panniers weigh more than the bike when loaded, way more when carrying locks.

 

[Spin City]

Thanks for all your responses. I am in the process of deciding which rack and panniers to go for.

It's been interesting to see other people's view on this topic as it's raised a few issues that I've never considered before.

I will try out the panniers for a few weeks before I buy the new chain and sprocket that's needed for my commuting bike.

 

[The_East_Stand_View]

I use two pannier bags. One bag has stayed mostly untouched until I clean bike at weekends, this contains my break down gear, wet gear. Other daily use bag contains work clothes and food. So glad I changed from ruck sack to pannier.