Panniers

[JamieRegan]

A friend and I are doing a 4 day, 250 miles trip next year. Never done this kind of thing before.

I've got a pair of rear panniers, which I think are 2 x 15L. I don't want to go and buy another bigger set for the sake of it, so was thinking of getting some front panniers, too.

What do you guys think? And how should I try and balance the load between front and back?

i should add, we won't be camping - I'm 41 next month, so I need a comfy bed. So we don't have any camping or bedding to carry. Just clothes and whatever we need for the bikes.

 

[Soltydog]

Sounds similar to me a few years ago when I did the C2C. I took far too much, esp in the way of clothing. You dont need clean clothes every day . Also if there are two of you, make sure you dont double up on things like soap, toothpaste, tools. I reckon you could do it with 30l of storage. IIRC my old panniers were 32l total & I had them packed solid

 

[Dave Davenport]

2 x 15l plus maybe a small bar bag is loads if you're not camping.

 

[JamieRegan]

Cool. I'm glad that's the case. I'm going to double check they are 15L. I've looked online at some 15L and they look similar size.

 

[mcshroom]

This was my setup for 220 miles in 4 days in March. The panniers are 14 litres each, and as well as some winter clothing, there was also a netbook hiding in there.

 

[TobyM]

I feel underpacked! I'm doing a 5 day trip starting Saturday, and will be taking nothing more than one change of clothes (except I will be taking changes of underwear!) and some tools. I will be cycling through Wales, and have discovered from experience that it's more than possible to find food along the way. I will be staying in Youth Hostels not camping either - too heavy to carry a tent!

 

[mcshroom]

Assuming you have wet weather gear as well I'd say that sounds pretty much perfect packing!

I just pack too much out of habit really.

 

[sabian92]

Sounds similar to me a few years ago when I did the C2C. I took far too much, esp in the way of clothing. You dont need clean clothes every day . Also if there are two of you, make sure you dont double up on things like soap, toothpaste, tools. I reckon you could do it with 30l of storage. IIRC my old panniers were 32l total & I had them packed solid

You could take 3 sets of clothes - one you wear, another spare cycling set and then off the bike clothes. Just means you have to do laundry every other day but I'd rather not do 70-100 miles in bib shorts to put them back on again the next day... they'll reek!

That being said, I've got 2 16 litre panniers and I get loads in mine. I reckon you might be alright with just the rear 2 if you're not camping. Apart from clothes and toiletries, there isn't really much else you'll need. Clothes might take up 3/4 of 1 pannier, toiletries in the other side will take up half if that, and then you've got room for maps and little snacks along the way. I honestly don't see you needing 2 front panniers as well.

 

[TobyM]

Assuming you have wet weather gear as well I'd say that sounds pretty much perfect packing!

I just pack too much out of habit really.

Being Wales, and having seen the weather forecast for this weekend, I suspect I will be wearing them! I will be taking a small rucksack just in case it does get warm though.

 

[Soltydog]

You could take 3 sets of clothes - one you wear, another spare cycling set and then off the bike clothes. Just means you have to do laundry every other day but I'd rather not do 70-100 miles in bib shorts to put them back on again the next day... they'll reek!

My first tour I took clean bike clothes & off bike clothes for each day After lugging all my gear around for 2 days, I posted all my worn clothes home to save weight on the final day & iirc it was over 2kg

 

[sabian92]

My first tour I took clean bike clothes & off bike clothes for each day After lugging all my gear around for 2 days, I posted all my worn clothes home to save weight on the final day & iirc it was over 2kg

I suppose if you shower each day before you put your off bike clothes on later on or something they should be good for a few days. Taking clothes for each day like that would just weigh a ton

If you wear lycra shorts and cycle jerseys they fold down quite small and they weigh next to nothing so they'll be ok. Normal clothes weigh more but if you're only taking 1 set then it's not really a problem.

 

[Fnaar]

Rohan clothes: They're a bit pricey, but worth investing in, esp for travelling light with panniers on the bike... I can recommend the travel jeans ('jeans plus' I think they're now called), the equator or central shirts, and the microrib stowaway jumper/fleece...