What weight do you carry?

[psmiffy]

Hi there. I have a Trek Valencia hybrid with a rack and panniers on the back. May fit front panniers if needed but would rather not.

I am planning some short overnight or 3 day tours locallish with tent sleeping bag small gas cooker and some spare clothes. Will try to buy food daily close to the end of the days ride to save carrying it.

My tent weighs 1.5 kilos, havent weighed the rest yet but have ridden the bike with 12 kgs in the panniers not counting my tools pump and the panniers themselves.It rode fine and I got up a couple of steep bits no problem so I think i need to keep under about 15 kg.

Does this sound like a sensible amount of kit to carry ?

If that is what you are happy with then it is a sensible amount of weight - myself I carry a bit more but that is what I am happy with - many others will be happy with less

I'd worry less about weight and more about what is essential. Too many folk are preoccupied with weight sometimes at the expense of being comfortable when camped out.


weight has never been a consideration as the difference of a couple of kg is the equivalent of 2 litres of water and insignificant compared to my 130kg body mass.

I agree as there is about 8kg difference - about 5% - between what I carry between what I would take for a short tour and a long tour - I have never noticed that I go 5% faster - Lighter riders may notice a bigger difference - myself I am not particulaly fast by ability or nature.



Do I just stuff thing on the back - well yes

 

[Alun]

This might seem a bit dated now, but here are some tips that might help.

http://www.offroadadventures-online.com/ultralight_touring.html

 

[Banjo]

Thanks for all the replies.Sounds as if its a case of try it and see how I get on really. The tent hangs nicely under the handlebars with a couple of bungees everything else fits fairly easilly into the two panniers with a sleeping mat rolled up and tied on top.

Hoping to get away on a short tour before long so will put some pictures etc up after.

 

[RedBike]

Is the rackin the OP attached to the seatpost?

I wouldnt want to load it up with camping/touring stuff if it is.

 

[RedBike]

I would also avoid having a 'heavy' item like a tent high up on the handlebars if possible. It will effect the bike handling

 

[RedBike]

I would also avoid having a 'heavy' item like a tent high up on the handlebars if possible. It will effect the bike handling

 

[RedBike]

I would also avoid having a 'heavy' item like a tent high up on the handlebars if possible. It will effect the bike handling

 

[Banjo]

The rack doesnt attatch to the seatpopst ,it has legs down to the attatchment points on the bike frame I use it everyday for shopping/ commuting to work and its had some heavy weights on it no problem.

The tent only weighs 1.5 kg so it might be ok on the bars, if it doesnt work then have to think again,I may put the pegs and poles on the back if needed. I have a second pair of panniers so could easilly fit front pannier racks as the bike has the fittings for it but i know that if I have them I will fill them up with stuff I can probably do without so trying to avoid that if possible.

 

[vernon]

The rack doesnt attatch to the seatpopst ,it has legs down to the attatchment points on the bike frame I use it everyday for shopping/ commuting to work and its had some heavy weights on it no problem.

The tent only weighs 1.5 kg so it might be ok on the bars, if it doesnt work then have to think again,I may put the pegs and poles on the back if needed. I have a second pair of panniers so could easilly fit front pannier racks as the bike has the fittings for it but i know that if I have them I will fill them up with stuff I can probably do without so trying to avoid that if possible.

Why don't you bungee the tent on top of your panniers? That's where my tent lives when out on the road.

 

[Banjo]

Why don't you bungee the tent on top of your panniers? That's where my tent lives when out on the road.

May well have to if it feels heavy on the bars. I was just trying to move some weight forward but maybe on the bars isnt such a good idea.

 

[vernon]

To be honest, I've never worried about weight balance between front and rear. I've toured with four panniers and with two panniers and not had any issues with ride quality.

 

[Riverman]

I just need to keep telling myself that if I lose three stone (which I need to) I'll be able to carry almost an extra 20kg and it almost won't feel any different to how it feels now.

 

[Fandango]

I just need to keep telling myself that if I lose three stone (which I need to) I'll be able to carry almost an extra 20kg and it almost won't feel any different to how it feels now.

Is this actually the case? Does anyone have experience of losing a lot of weight and noticing the difference?

I carry about 30kg which I have decided is far too much, but I'm not sure I can sleep in a nylon coffin which most lightweight tents tend to be.

 

[sgw]

I carry about 30kg which I have decided is far too much, but I'm not sure I can sleep in a nylon coffin which most lightweight tents tend to be.

30KG!

Watchout Fandango, I was nearly shot for less.

 

[psmiffy]

I carry about 30kg which I have decided is far too much, but I'm not sure I can sleep in a nylon coffin which most lightweight tents tend to be.

Most long distance tourers cycle camping that I have met on the road throughout Europe have at least as much as that - A tent that you can live in in my view is not a luxury but an essential - after all you spend at least as much time camped as on the road