Rucksack

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jethro10

Über Member
Location
Lake District, UK
Never really toured before.
Off on a 4 day trip
Would you use a rucksack to carry the extra stuff I'd need compared to one day trips, lightest stuff in it.

Or buy bigger panniers?
A bit bothered at the comfort of even a lightly packed rucksack. not sure here.
Jeff
 
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Norm

Guest
I avoid rucksacks where possible, just in case I ever land on one. Bigger panniers would be my choice or, depending on the rack of course, can you strap the rucksack on top of the panniers?
 
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willem

Über Member
Rucksacks are awful. Get small panniers for a trip like this, or a larger saddle bag such as the bigger ones from Carradice.
 
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chris__P

Active Member
if you are only going on one 4 day trip, you have to ask whether it is worth the investment in bigger panniers. assuming you already have some small panniers, you will probably be able to fit everything you need for 4 days in them, with a rucksack placed in the middle, on the rack under a bungee cord. you will want to travel light either way, and four days isn't really that long - only take what you really need.

if, on the other hand, this is likely to be the first of many longer tours, then getting some decent panniers (ortlieb) would definitely be seen as a worthwhile investment
 
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andym

Über Member
Unless they are really really titchy, a pair of small panniers should be enough. If you need a bit of extra capacity get a dry bag (alpkit.com?) and bungee it to the back. Or even a polythene rubble bag (a black bin bag is probably a bit weedy).

I always ride with a smallish hydration backpack. Carries water, food tools and valuables, and doubles as a daypack if I want to spend the day walking or sightseeing. I'd recommend the Deuter Aircomfort system which means you have a mesh against your back rather than the back of the pack - I think Berghaus do a similar system. It's not 'awful' - it's perfectly practical and comfortable. But as with most things cycle-related it comes down to personal choice and personal preferences (even if lots of people come over all fundamentalist) - so if your instinct is not to wear a backpack then don't.
 
Arch

Arch

Married to Night Train
Location
Salford, UK
hubbike said:
don't take a rucksack. take less stuff
Click to expand...

+1 (from a habitual over-packer)

If you have small stuff you want easy access to, a bar bag is much better, if possible a quick release one you can take off to carry with you.

For 4 days, I wouldn't think you'd need much - are you camping? I'd pack one set of 'evening wear' including some other shoes if your cycling shoes are SPDs or too stiff to walk in, and wear one est of cycling gear, which can be rinsed through each night if necessary, as it's usually quick drying.

I'd probably get all I needed for 4 days in a pair of small panniers, and that would include a fair bit of extraneous 'hmmm, I might need it' stuff.
 
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andym

Über Member
At 10 litres capacity even an estate agent would say they were 'compact'. A pair of front panniers would have about 25 litres capacity between them and a pair of rear panniers about 42 litres.

If you have the money it would be worth investing in a proper pair of rear panniers as these will probably be the most useful to you in the future. You won't need all the capacity for a short trip, so you could even just take one.
 
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jethro10

Über Member
Location
Lake District, UK
andym said:
If you have the money it would be worth investing in a proper pair of rear panniers as these will probably be the most useful to you in the future. You won't need all the capacity for a short trip, so you could even just take one.
Click to expand...

Yeah, your right. It's not just about money, but about making it easy so enjoyment is more.
Will definatley get decent panniers so I'm more encouraged next time.

Jeff
 
Campfire

Campfire

Über Member
Location
near Risley Moss, Warrington
drysac + 1.
As one seasoned traveller said " make a list of what you need, from head to toe, day and night, include washing equipment & waterproofs, lay them out on the bed, then chuck out what you think you can manage without." If you buy merino you can make it last longer without getting niffy.

I will only take a rucksac if I'm on a one-base trip, in order just to get there, then leave it behind when you go out each day.
 
Arch

Arch

Married to Night Train
Location
Salford, UK
jethro10 said:
Yeah, your right. It's not just about money, but about making it easy so enjoyment is more.
Will definatley get decent panniers so I'm more encouraged next time.

Jeff
Click to expand...

And don't forget, a decent pair of panniers means you can use your bike for utility as well - shopping etc. I'd be lost without mine, even though they are relatively small.

Look for things like waterproofness, and carrying handles/shoulder straps. An internal pocket can be useful for little items,although I manage without, and some panniers can take extra add on pouches and so on. Also, look at the various ways of fixing them on - some have a simple sprung clip held mostly by gravity, some have hooks and bungies, some have a retaining clip - depends how quickly you want to be able to whip them off. Look at a few in a shop and see what you like the feel of.
 
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jethro10

Über Member
Location
Lake District, UK
Arch said:
And don't forget, a decent pair of panniers means you can use your bike for utility as well - shopping etc. I'd be lost without mine, even though they are relatively small.

Also, look at the various ways of fixing them on - some have a simple sprung clip held mostly by gravity, some have hooks and bungies, some have a retaining clip - depends how quickly you want to be able to whip them off.
Click to expand...

Thats actually a good point, removability.
Can someone give me a model that is very easily removable and say why it is so. Just so I have an example as a starting point.
Thanks
Jeff
 
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