Pannier requirement

[J-Lo]

Hi guys,

Been buying the kit I need for cycle touring, and one of the last things left is panniers. I was just wondering how many litres people would recommend having for say a weeks camping? Im not over fussy - but I like abit of luxury now and again when pos!

Ive got two rear panniers atm which are altura's, giving me 32 litres in total. Ive also got a front rack fitted, so thought I might get 2 small panniers for that, 1 to stick food in etc and bits in other.

I owe alot to this site for the bril advice ive had

Cheers!

 

[vernon]

The rear ones should suffice to be honest.

I could still carry all that I needed after i ditched my front panniers.

 

[MontyVeda]

I've got 35 ltr on the back and 25 ltr on the front. Back ones are loaded with a 2 man tent, sleeping bag and downmat with a bit of space to spare.

so far i've got a Trangia copy stove, food, toiletries and clothing to go in the front and although not gone touring yet, I reckon i've got plenty of space and could bring some souvenirs back.

 

[Je ta Dawes]

I've done multi-week tours with 32 litre rear panniers and a bar bag - I just strap the tent to the top of the rack - only problem is when you have to carry several days food or bulky cold weather gear.

 

[MontyVeda]

I've done multi-week tours with 32 litre rear panniers and a bar bag - I just strap the tent to the top of the rack - only problem is when you have to carry several days food or bulky cold weather gear.

Once the front ones got delivered i figured I'd too much room, but I'd rather have the option of extra space and being able to put some weight upfront (for those steep slow uphills). plus on top of the 60ltrs pf panie space, I've still got the tops of the racks for I dunno, a Ming vase found in a remote car boot sale, a scale model of a galleon al la Top Gear's tour of Vietnam on scooters

 

[J-Lo]

So anyone know how much weight you can get on your front pannier rack (each)? It says on my rear rack 25kg, but cant find any markings on my front one (blackburn custom lo-riders).. cheers

 

[MontyVeda]

if it doesn't say on the packaging I've no idea, If they get too heavy they'll try to twist as you lean the bike, so maybe use that as a gauge?

 

[middleagecyclist]

It really depends how much you want to take and how lightweight/small it all is.

Packing everything in rear panniers and strapping to the top of rack is fine but does make the front relatively light. You might have some loss of front wheel grip going uphills as well as finding the handling a little compromised generally. The nice thing about front and rear panniers is being able to spread the load around the bike - 60% rear and 40% front is a good ratio. It does depend how much you want to carry though and nothing is right or wrong.

When I am cycle touring and camping for more than a night or two I use a set of Ortlieb Back Roller Classics and a set of Front Roller Classics + bar bag all as pictured here.

Rear left: tent, additional groundsheet, sleeping bag and a pillow (I am middle aged!); assorted tools, tube, puncture kit and pump.

Rear right: various clothes, sandals, toiletries, small towel, cable lock and a small tripod.

Front left: trianga stove, fuel, plate, cup, spork, swiss army knife, pan scrubber, etc and I keep my wet weather jacket here as well.

Front right: electronic stuff such as chargers, cables, GPS, maps, paperback, second lens and also a bag with any dried foodstuff.

Bar bag: camera with zoom lens, money/credit card, phone, sunglasses, notepad, pen, sunblock and keys. My current map goes on top of the bar bag in a waterproof case.

I can squeeze my inflatable mattress in a rear pannier but normally strap this to the rear rack. This means no bag is totally full and I can fit in fresh food/drinks, etc depending where I am going and even have room for that elusive Ming vase if I come across it!

If I am just having an overnight I would manage with just the rear panniers. I don't take as much clothing, don't bother with cooking gear, all the electronic gubbins and dried food.

I alway use my bar bag which is very, very handy to keep small, quickly needed or valuable items in and can be taken off and carried in seconds when you have to leave the bike.

Anyway, hope that helps a bit. Good luck with the touring.

 

[J-Lo]

Thanks for the replies! I was origionally thinking about getting some altura dryline 56 litre rear panniers, obviously I would not need the froint panniers with this. However I was put off because I thought that if the bag is long it might knock the rear mech, is this likely to happen?

 

[Amanda P]

If you have a front rack, I think you're better off using it with a second pair of small panniers. The bike will be better balanced and much easier to manhandle than if all the weight is at the back.

Mrs Uncle Phil used to use a pair of humungous rear panniers only, but struggled with the loaded bike constantly falling over when propped up, struggled to wheel it around in stations and so on, had difficulties with the panniers' hooks breaking and the bags were always overloaded and about to burst at the seams.

Spreading the weight around is the way to go. Just beware of taking stuff just because you can - it is handy to have some spare capacity for extra water, food, souvenirs etc.

 

[HelenD123]

I agree with UnclePhil. My bike handles so much better with weight both front and back, both being ridden and when being wheeled round or parked.

I have the same Blackburn front racks I have had loads of weight in them so you'll be fine. Just try not to run into a gate and bend them like I did .

 

[psmiffy]

I use 44 or 56 on the front - generally half full of gear so that I have somewhere to accumulate food and 56 on the rear

Thanks for the replies! I was origionally thinking about getting some altura dryline 56 litre rear panniers, obviously I would not need the froint panniers with this. However I was put off because I thought that if the bag is long it might knock the rear mech, is this likely to happen?

They do not knock the rear mech - but tend to limit the movement of the cable and its outer - doesnt seem to affect anytrhing in practice

 

[J-Lo]

Thanks psmiffy, so there not going to damage anything (thats the important thing!)? I'll still be able to use my gears too lol