CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure

Bike-packs or panniers?

(12 posts)
  • Started 8 years ago by ivangrozni
  • Latest reply from I were right about that saddle

  1. ivangrozni
    Member

    Hi all,

    Have about 21 days to play with in June this year and am intending on doing a little tour. Last year I was away for about 14 days and found the fully laden touring quite tough going.

    I'm therefore considering frame-bags and avoiding the additional weight of racks and panniers. Does anyone have any experience with bike-packing? Reduction in weight is my primary concern but not clear whether there is any real advantage with bike packs- can any CCEers advise?

    Assuming I decide in favour of traditional panniers and racks, I then have the added complication that I cannot use the braze-ons for the rear rack (long story involving sheared bolts, broken easy-outs and dodgy drilling). Does anyone have experience with quick release axle adaptors for panniers (like this)? Can they take a reasonable load?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  2. gembo
    Member

    The apidura range of bags that strap on to the frame and stick way out the back of the saddle is really taking off with the world travellers. Not cheap. All over the bag section of the EBC website though other providers might be cheaper.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  3. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Performs best when used to carry lightweight, compressible items, such as clothing or sleeping gear – but built super strong to handle other loads as well!

    "

    https://www.apidura.com/shop/

    Long distance touring requires thought about what you need.

    Depends a lot on where you are staying (camping or not). Whether you need to carry much food and how far you expect to be away from laundrettes etc.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  4. crowriver
    Member

    If you're camping, I would suggest panniers: keeps the weight lower. Personally If I'm camping I use my Carry Freedom trailer with a large Ortlieb bag strapped to it: more stable and keeps 70% of the weight off the bike. Not ideal for riding on rougher trails off-road though. However for bivouacking or credit card touring, a saddlebag (plus maybe a bar bag for light stuff, phone, etc.) is probably all you need.

    Can recommend the Carradice long flap saddlebags. If your saddle does not have loops, you can fit clamp on loops or a QR block that fits to the seat post.

    The huge Camper Longflap (24 litres capacity):

    http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=35

    Or the slightly less huge Nelson Longflap (18 litres):

    http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=37

    Also the slightly more contemporary fastening Super C saddle bag has a very large capacity (23 litres):

    http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=33

    As well as the handy side pockets all these have D-rings on the top flaps which mean you can lash items like waterproofs, etc to the top using toe straps, bungees or leather straps.

    If you prefer a seat pack style bag, worth considering something like this Super C SQR Tour (16 litres):

    http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=type&product_id=56

    If you shop around on fleaBay you can often pick up cheaper used saddlebags or new factory seconds: I did the latter for most of my bags and really you can't tell there's anything 'wrong' with them: Carradice quality control is exceptionally good..

    Posted 8 years ago #

  5. SRD
    Moderator

    http://markusstitz.com/category/bikepacking/

    Markus used to post on here before he took off around the world, didn't he?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  6. gembo
    Member

    Yes Markus was on here, someone said he had a sister Norma? Think it was spike? Anyway, he has those apidura bags same as Mark Beaumont, whose sister just had a big baby boy.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  7. crowriver
    Member

    Also found this which shows an 'expedition' touring bike being used instead of an MTB. Useful info on luggage and what's carried where.

    http://tomsbiketrip.com/ultralight-bikepacking-a-fully-loaded-cycle-tourists-perspective/

    For a more USAnian perspective, interesting comparisons between touring and bike packing here:

    http://www.bikewanderer.com/on-the-road//touring-vs-bikepacking

    Posted 8 years ago #

  8. steveo
    Member

    Alpkit do a decent range of bike packing stuff my mate has one of the saddle bags and it looks good.

    I've used my Nelson long flap for a couple of off road tours and it works fine, it does get a bit shougly and can effect the bike handling but if you avoid anything too technical it's fine. On road it's fantastic!

    Posted 8 years ago #

  9. Nelly
    Member

    I cant speak highly enough of Carradice in its various forms.

    Mine must be 4 years old, used almost daily and still waterproof. The only issue I have had is a broken stabilisation dowel - my fault - easily replaced.

    mine is a Carradice Camper Longflap and is used (without the flap extended) in my daily commute and concur with Crowriver - it is huge.

    I used it (with SQR) on a light Spesh roadbike for a long weekend away. It carried everything with ease, and didn't put undue pressure on the wheels (no spoke issues at all).

    If I was doing it with a touring bike, I would probably use the Camper but on a rack.

    Handling with only SQR can be a bit odd until you get used to the slightly heavier rear end. If you also utilised a well packed bar bag, that would help.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  10. ivangrozni
    Member

    Hi all - thanks for the great responses!

    The prospect of a 'wagging tail' effect put me off saddle bags for the road bike so have decided to use a rear rack loaded with traditional panniers and/or drybags. Also my bike has Shimano clothes-line style cabling from the gear levers which compounds the use of bar-bags. This all has me pointing firmly back in the direction of traditional racks and panniers.

    Regarding the bike-packing gear, Alpkit seemed to have the best value I could see in the UK, having gear comparable to Apidura but often at half the price. There was also Restrap which seems to have a well-regarded saddle bag harness.

    What I will use from the bike packing toolbox are the small top-tube and handlebar mounted bags (that look like chalk bags). The convenience of being able to access my supply of jelly-babies while cycling is just too appealing.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  11. gembo
    Member

    @ivangrozni, that all seems sound reasoning, on the bento box for your jelly babies, get one that is wider than longer if poss as the one I have has rubbed and scuffed all my bib shorts.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  12. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    "how far you expect to be away from laundrettes"

    Clean tee-shirt for the pub. Cafe customers can regulate their own distance from you....

    Posted 8 years ago #

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