Weight distribution

[martmorg]

hi guys,

im heading of on my first long distance tour (to munich around 800 miles) and just wondering what peoples opinions are on the weight distribution on your equipment in the panniers?

do people prefer to have all the weight in rear panniers and a rack bag or just rear and front panniers and spread the weight?

 

[Gareth]

Over this winter, I've done a lot of short haul utility rides on my hybrid with 4 panniers and a bar bag. My preference has been about a 65% on the front, 35% on the rear split. I have a pair of front low rider panniers attached to the forks and have found this split to suit my relaxed and none urgent style of riding. Cornering has been enhanced with this low down weight distribution on the front, and has even prevented me from becoming a road rash casualty on slippery wet leaves a couple of times.

Yesterday, I set out on a 2 mile trip with my loaded trailer and panniers, filled with my no longer required excess stuff for the charity shops: a little over 58 kg on the trailer, and about 42 kg spread throughout the four pannier bags on my Bicycle. The load for the return journey home was about 30 kg of general shopping and groceries loaded into the panniers, and hauling the now empty trailer.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Most touring people recommend a 55%/45% rear/front split, and that's what I will be doing in my upcoming tour. There are countless styles of pannier/rack combination, and just as many styles of touring luggage requirements - b&b, hotel, camping, hostels, stay with friends/relatives. Obviously, camping entails taking your tent/cooking/sleeping kit with you. The rest don't need a tent/cooking, so you can replace that space with more clothes.
All boils down to preference, and just how much stuff (you won't use) that you are willing to carry.

 

[martmorg]

ah wicked think think ill get some front panniers and rack then. Im carrying a tent sleeping bag, mini stove gas ect as will be combingin camping with staying at friendly europeans who have kindly agreed the use of theri couch for the night along the way.

The weights not heavy only between 10-12kg at the moment but just feels to light at the front with it all on the back!

Thanks for your replys everyone.

 

[psmiffy]

Gareth - I do like that trailer - is it home made or a commercial one - fixed to mounting on rack?

 

[Gareth]

Gareth - I do like that trailer - is it home made or a commercial one - fixed to mounting on rack?

The trailer is home-built, I originally made it 11 years ago and refurbished it about 18 months ago, here is the link: Refurbishing my Bike trailer

The hitch is connected to a bolted on towing point that I made and then fixed at the top end of the rear triangle stays near to the seat post joint: I'll post a photo or two some time later this week.

Time for me to come clean: a similar trailer to this will be commercially available within the next few weeks. On Tuesday the 6th of April my new business: Cargo Cycles will be officially opening here in Norwich, albeit for the first few weeks we will be fabricating an awful lot of Husky dog racing rigs on a contract before embarking upon the manufacture of in-house designed cargo specific bicycles.

 

[gaz]

Time for me to come clean: a similar trailer to this will be commercially available within the next few weeks. On Tuesday the 6th of April my new business: Cargo Cycles will be officially opening here in Norwich, albeit for the first few weeks we will be fabricating an awful lot of Husky dog racing rigs on a contract before embarking upon the manufacture of in-house designed cargo specific bicycles.

Good luck with the business venture.

 

[hondated]

Martmog

I think we met recently but that is another story. Can you tell me what make tent you will be using as I am thinking of buying one so it would be interesting to know its make and weight.

 

[roundisland]

Good luck with the business Gareth, you have inspired me to carry more things on my bike than i currently do.

 

[andym]

Personally, I can get all of my stuff in two panniers and a dry bag and I've never had a moment when I felt that there was a significant problem with the handling of my bike going round corners at speed. I can see the value in having front panniers on a long trip if you need to carry food, but I'm not convinced that the benefits in handling are sufficient on their own to justify the extra weight and cost of buying front panniers and rack - if you don't need the space.