Post by Per Mare Per Terram on Jan 1, 2010 7:40:54 GMT 1
Fitting a rack, and buying panniers, can completely alter your perception of carrying loads on your bicycle. A lot of cyclists tend to carry loads in a rucsac round town, but for longer distances this will leave you sweaty backed and uncomfortable. Discover the comfort of carrying loads on the bike and you'll be loath to return to wearing a rucsac.
The further the distance you ride, the stronger the case for rack and panniers becomes, not least because it also distributes the weight much lower down than a rucsac would. At all costs avoid carrying a rucsac when you tour, unless you're the kind of person who stops to put extra rocks in their bags at the foot of large climbs.
Racks
When buying a rack look for one that is welded together (no nuts and bolts to shake loose). Racks with triangulated rear sections such as those made by Blackburn tend to be strongest. Also note how the rack fits to the bike, to avoid fouling your brakes. Tell the shop assistant what type and size of bike you have, to ensure a good fit. Knowing what type of brakes you have will also help.
Panniers
Conventional fabric panniers often have multiple pockets and compartments. This makes it easier to keep tomorrow's shorts and yesterday's socks separate. Fabric panniers can eventually get saturated in heavy rain, so we recommend organising your cargo in stuff sacs (or plastic bags) before packing your panniers. Better still, spend a bit more and opt for bike bags that are 100% waterproof such as Ortlieb's.
Loading Your Bike
For balancing a big load, we recommend distributing the weight between front and rear panniers as shown. If you can get by with just one pair of panniers, go for a rear set.
Mount rear panniers as far forward as possible but allowing clearance for your heels when pedaling. If you have a handlebar bag, keep it for light items that require access on the move such as your camera, wallet and energy bars.
Trailers
Some bikes don't readily take panniers - think dual suspension mountain bikes or dedicated road racers. Some cyclists are loathe to bolt racks permanently onto their bike, just so they can occasionally carry panniers. Some riders carry more than 4 panniers can swallow. For all these situations, cargo trailers are an elegant solution.
Other Bags
It's worth considering the convenience and security that a handlebar bag can offer. A bar bag usually has a map pocket on the top. This allows people like me, who have the sense of direction of a flea, to keep the map in sight at all times.
The bar bag is the perfect receptacle for valuables, guide book and small items you want to access on the move. A bar bag comes supplied with a bracket that you 'perma-bolt' to your handlebars. This arrangement allows you to clip the bag on or off in a second. The bar bag usually come supplied with a shoulder strap. This means it can double as a shoulder bag. That way you can keep your valuables, such as passport, cash and camera, on you all the time whenever you park your bike. A final benefit of a handlebar bag is that it helps cancel out the tendency of a loaded bike to wheelie when climbing a steep hill.
The further the distance you ride, the stronger the case for rack and panniers becomes, not least because it also distributes the weight much lower down than a rucsac would. At all costs avoid carrying a rucsac when you tour, unless you're the kind of person who stops to put extra rocks in their bags at the foot of large climbs.
Racks
When buying a rack look for one that is welded together (no nuts and bolts to shake loose). Racks with triangulated rear sections such as those made by Blackburn tend to be strongest. Also note how the rack fits to the bike, to avoid fouling your brakes. Tell the shop assistant what type and size of bike you have, to ensure a good fit. Knowing what type of brakes you have will also help.
Panniers
Conventional fabric panniers often have multiple pockets and compartments. This makes it easier to keep tomorrow's shorts and yesterday's socks separate. Fabric panniers can eventually get saturated in heavy rain, so we recommend organising your cargo in stuff sacs (or plastic bags) before packing your panniers. Better still, spend a bit more and opt for bike bags that are 100% waterproof such as Ortlieb's.
Loading Your Bike
For balancing a big load, we recommend distributing the weight between front and rear panniers as shown. If you can get by with just one pair of panniers, go for a rear set.
Mount rear panniers as far forward as possible but allowing clearance for your heels when pedaling. If you have a handlebar bag, keep it for light items that require access on the move such as your camera, wallet and energy bars.
Trailers
Some bikes don't readily take panniers - think dual suspension mountain bikes or dedicated road racers. Some cyclists are loathe to bolt racks permanently onto their bike, just so they can occasionally carry panniers. Some riders carry more than 4 panniers can swallow. For all these situations, cargo trailers are an elegant solution.
Other Bags
It's worth considering the convenience and security that a handlebar bag can offer. A bar bag usually has a map pocket on the top. This allows people like me, who have the sense of direction of a flea, to keep the map in sight at all times.
The bar bag is the perfect receptacle for valuables, guide book and small items you want to access on the move. A bar bag comes supplied with a bracket that you 'perma-bolt' to your handlebars. This arrangement allows you to clip the bag on or off in a second. The bar bag usually come supplied with a shoulder strap. This means it can double as a shoulder bag. That way you can keep your valuables, such as passport, cash and camera, on you all the time whenever you park your bike. A final benefit of a handlebar bag is that it helps cancel out the tendency of a loaded bike to wheelie when climbing a steep hill.