Loaded tourer weight

[krakatoa]

Hello,

I am about to set out on a tour of Europe.
My bike weights 12kg.
With loaded panniers, locks, bar bar and tent, it comes in at a total of 32kg.

Having never done anything quite like this before, I'm trying to find out how (in)sane this type of weight is.
The route I'm planning in long and mostly flat (along rivers).

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[vernon]

Just do it. Weight doesn't mean that much on a flat-ish route. The bike's taking the weight not you

 

[Dayvo]

You might want to tighten your spokes half a turn or something: otherwise ask a mechanic in your lbs.

 

[vernon]

My wheels have to cope with my luggage and my surplus 40kg of lard. They cope with this admirably without further ministrations of a spoke key. Wheels and spokes are far more robust than they appear.

 

[raleighnut]

Does'nt sound that heavy to me as for spokes just get a few of the correct length as spares ( you're hardly in the back of beyond but it will save a shop having to order them in) above all have fun pedal easy and don't worry about daily mileage (kilometreage) have a good trip.

 

[jay clock]

The bike sounds light for a tourer. Unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing, definitely ignore the advice re tightening the spokes and get someone who does know to check them over.

In terms of kit that sounds close to what I have carried on longer tours (inc weight of the panniers themselves). Do not overestimate how much non cycling kit you need. Mostly I can put the next day's clean cycling kit on.

 

[steveindenmark]

As you go along you will probably find things you have packed that you will not use. Possibly a lot of things.

Pack them up and post them home when you get the chance.

Steve

 

[raleighnut]

As you go along you will probably find things you have packed that you will not use. Possibly a lot of things.

Pack them up and post them home when you get the chance.

Steve

Then find out you did need them 2 days later

 

[MarkF]

20kg of luggage, are you going RTW?

I usually tour on a 2007 Dawes Discovery 501, it weighs about 14kg. To cross France I took luggage weighing about 5kg, inc 2 rear panniers, same for across Spain. For a camping tour, adding a tent (Quechua T2), bag and mat only adds another 3+kg, so a max of 9kg for fully loaded tour inc panniers.

Ps. My eating gear consists of a spork.

 

[HelenD123]

I put my loaded tourer on a truck weigh bridge a couple of times, first time 65kg second time 55kg . I tried hard to think of things to ditch but never managed to get rid of much. I think I accumulated quite a collection of spare bits of food, batteries and carried spare water for cooking in case I needed to wild camp.

Having done some short tours since and kept the weight down i'd be interested to see how low I could go for a long tour.

Krakatoa - you're a good 10kg under my average weight so noticeably lighter. Just see how you get on. You mention multiple locks. Can you reduce this?

 

[BalkanExpress]

Hello,

I am about to set out on a tour of Europe.
My bike weights 12kg.
With loaded panniers, locks, bar bar and tent, it comes in at a total of 32kg.

Having never done anything quite like this before, I'm trying to find out how (in)sane this type of weight is.
The route I'm planning in long and mostly flat (along rivers).

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

have a look at this from the CTC site; http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=85590 an interesting discussion and a good kit list on page 3. Ultimately, it is you who has to pedal the bike so take what you are happy takin: it may be too much, it may not be enough, but ultimately the only way to find out what suits you is to jump on your bike and give it a go.

 

[roundisland]

On my tour around France I took way to much stuff and suffered unnecessarily for a couple of weeks before sending lots home. Mostly unused clothes, cooking pots, heavy journal, walking boots! Touring again. In June paring down as light as possible for me. Have a great trip.

 

[Ticktockmy]

when I am cycle touring I just pack the same kit as use for backpacking plus the Cycle tools and spares normally comes out at 14Kgs including the weight of the panniers plus and food stuff and supplies I buy during the day. but I have to point out my Backpacking kit is good quality lightweight Kit, and for someone who only cycle tours, the cost weight ratio is not so important as it the bike that takes the strain, however I would thing 20 kg is not so much of a problem.

 

[willem]

12 kg is light for a touring bike. 20 kg is a lot of luggage. My bike is some 15 kg and I take about 12 kg unless I should expect cold and nasty weather.
Willem

 

[Bodhbh]

From memory my tourer is 18-19kg. It's a steel framed MTB with front and rear racks, so will be at the heavier end of things. A few years back I'd have lugged 20-25kg about, but tbh i'm not as fit as I was then and don't really want to carry stuff unless I have to. I'm guessing it's more like 15kg now.