Only Back Panniers Safe?

[Bandini]

Thanks all - I have spent so much on cycling and camping gear that I am leaving the front ones for now, but will get some for Summer.

@ CP - we are going for three nights to Malton via back roads, then up towards Robin Hoods Bay, then back to somewhere mid way between there and then home. Hopefully: my partner has not done much cycling and is on a very mediocre hybrid (we're looking for a second hand tourer before Summer). She insists that she will be fine, but I envisage myself sitting at the top of lots of hills! Might keep a journal of some sort.

If you can recommend any decent camp sites (cheap and basic - just a shower is enough - is our preference), that would be great.

 

[HelenD123]

Have a look at http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/ Any of the campsites in Robin Hoods Bay will be fine but can get very busy so it would be best to book.

 

[Bandini]

Cheers Helen - I have used that site before, and it is pretty good, but been to some good ones that are not on it. Probably the best individual site though. Not going bank holiday weekend so hopefully not too busy - but will book anyway. Just hope Sarah makes it!

 

[jay clock]

I used to find the front end very light on my old bike (Galaxy clone) when using just rear panniers but my Koga Miyata World Traveller is fantastic whether using 2 or 4 panniers.

 

[andym]

To misquote the famous slogan from 'Animal Farm' two panniers good four panniers better or should that be four panniers good two panniers better.

'Four panniers more expensive, heavier and you probably don't need the capacity unless you need to carry food in remote places' is less snappy but probably more accurate.

 

[Bandini]

Lovely bike Jay.

Think we might be wimping out and going B and B type accommodation this time! My girlfriend was just looking out of the window miserably and talking about the sleet forecast this week!

Still, wolds on our doorstep and plenty of time to go camping in the near future.

 

[MockCyclist]

I quite like the thought of having two panniers only so I did some sums on the weight saving I might achieve.

Currently I have 40 litres of capacity in a pair of Ortlieb Back Roller Plus and 25 litres in a pair of Front Roller Plus, total weight 2.8 kg. I'd struggle to get all my kit in the rears only so I would end up with possibly Carradice Super C (2.3 kg) or Vaude Aqua Plus (2.4 kg), which are quoted at 54 litres and 51 litres respectively.

By changing to Super C I reckon I would see a net saving of 1kg (after chucking the front rack) and losing 11 litres of capacity.

Actually I possibly could manage with the two Ortlieb rears by strapping stuff to the rack but the convenience of having everything in the bags (incl. tent) and the tamed handling means I will live with the 1kg penalty.

 

[willem]

The empty weight of two front panniers and a rack is about 2-2.5 kg, and their cost is some 150 pounds. Use that money for example to get an ultralight super compact sleeping bag from PHD, and you will not need to overfill the rear pannier. The stability of a bike with only rear panniers depends on the bike and your position on it (too upright and the bike might get a bit light at the front) but also on the weight you carry on the back. My bike rides just fine with only rear panniers and a handle bar bag.
I think front panniers are often necessary on expedition style touring in the third world, but not on a trip in e.g. France.
Willem

 

[Davidc]

I've toured both ways (some years ago!) and found bikes were easier to ride with front and rear, but never had any trouble with rear only.

It's true what's written above - when you're alone getting on and off is no problem, but with rear panniers only spectators exert a strange force, governed by Sod's law, which tips both the bike and you over!

If and when you do get front panniers beware the tendency to take evrything you did before plus a full load in the front ones. I did that and found that the bike would no longer go up hills. Fortunately I found out on a one night and two days trial, not on the three week touring holiday in France I'd bought them for.

 

[Bandini]

Cheers for the advice.

I have gotten used to the 'swinging front wheel with spectators' problem whilst shopping with my panniers on!

My pannier bags are 45 litre in total, but I won't have anything too heavy in them: especially this first time, since we have wimped out on the camping

 

[ComedyPilot]

When are you going, Bandini?

 

[sleekitcollie]

In general, we've done few tours with only back panniers. I prefer the feel of weight spread across four bags but you can do it with just 2 on the back.

Hey i think a FEW tours is putting it very mildly for urself , great to find u on here

 

[Arch]

She insists that she will be fine, but I envisage myself sitting at the top of lots of hills! Might keep a journal of some sort.

Reading this, I wondered if you meant you'd write the journal while you waited at the top of the hills...

To add my 2pworth - I've never had front panniers, so it must be ok...

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

The only thing to be aware of is to keep the bike upright whilst mounting and dismounting as the weight will tend to pivot the front wheel off the ground. Of course, this happens only when there is a group of spectators!

THe other thing is not to absent mindedly move the bike with the saddle.

I did just that 15 miles into my first ever laden tour, thus rode from Driffield to Scarborough, Whitby and around the NY Moors with a wonky saddle that had popped out of one of its rails.

Everything on the back except the tent which was mounted above the front wheel since I couldn't afford proper front luggage, I adapted one of the cheap alloy "mousetrap" racks to fit the front forks.

It was wobbly but soon got used to it - to the extent that when unladen, the bike seemed wobbly to me!