Panniers or saddle bag?

[Harry]

I am planning some "credit card touring" in Europe next year and, ideally, I would like to use
my Trek 5500 to get where I'm going as fast as poss. I'd like to keep loads as low as I can
hence no camping.

I reckon I have two options for carrying what might be no more than 25lb of assorted smalls and
deodorant. Either I get a rear rack and panniers - last year's 5500s have dropouts drilled to take
a rear rack
- or I get one of those giant Carradice saddlebags. The thingy you clamp to the seatpost is a non
starter, I think. The seatpost has enough problems supporting me without putting a loaded lever on
it as well.

When commuting, I use a light backpack and have occasionally used a bar bag on Audax type rides.
I've never ridden with panniers or a heavy, high saddlebag. Can anyone comment on the relative
effects of these bags on bike handling? Anyone got strong preferences for one rather than the other?
Anyone got any other thoughts about how to carry a lightish load on a carbon frame?

Thanks

Harry

[Simonb]

harry wrote:
> Can anyone comment on the relative effects of these bags on bike handling?

You'll find standing up and swinging the bike uphill quite difficult.

> Anyone got strong preferences for one rather than the other? Anyone got any other thoughts about
> how to carry a lightish load on a carbon frame?

Front panniers?

Simonb

[Simonb]

Another Option:

http://www.sjscycles.com/store/item6312.htm

[Chris French]

In message <3f4bd8d6$0$329$bed64819@pubnews.gradwell.net>, Simonb
<sbennettatwiderworlddotcodotuk@?.?.invalid> writes
>Another Option:
>
>http://www.sjscycles.com/store/item6312.htm
>
You'll not get much in an 8 ltr saddlepack.......
--
Chris French, Leeds

[Simonb]

chris French wrote:
> In message <3f4bd8d6$0$329$bed64819@pubnews.gradwell.net>, Simonb
> <sbennettatwiderworlddotcodotuk@?.?.invalid> writes
>> Another Option:
>>
>> http://www.sjscycles.com/store/item6312.htm
>>
> You'll not get much in an 8 ltr saddlepack.......

Sorry. thought it was this (16ltr)

http://www.sjscycles.com/store/item3693.htm

[Chris French]

In message <jtinkvce2sd1jvriktnd49u3o89n5n76nl@4ax.com>, harry <henry.b@ntlworld.com> writes
>I am planning some "credit card touring" in Europe next year and, ideally, I would like to use my
>Trek 5500
>
>I reckon I have two options for carrying what might be no more than 25lb of assorted smalls and
>deodorant. Either I get a rear rack and panniers - last year's 5500s have dropouts drilled to take
>a rear rack
>- or I get one of those giant Carradice saddlebags.

Depending on volume then a Carradice Longflap saddlebag might suffice - the stated volume is 24
litres, but the flap gives extra capacity - I'm not sure in what state the 24 litres is measured. a
lot depends on exactly what you want to pack - used with a barbag will give you extra capacity. If
you pack it into that lot then that's what I would do.

If you go for a Saddlebag then I'd recommend Carradice's SQR fittings for attaching it to the bike -
it's a quick release fitting that attaches to the seat post. The fitting is very secure and makes it
very easy to put on and take off the bag. The suggested maximum weight for the SQR fitting is 10 Kg.

You can also get specific SQR fitting bags which are a bit neater than the saddlebags

The saddlebag option will probably be lighter as well.

Otherwise I would go for a rack and panniers - you have the scope for more volume here of course. Me
I'd use panniers cos I'm not that light a packer

>When commuting, I use a light backpack and have occasionally used a bar bag on Audax type
>rides. I've never ridden with panniers or a heavy, high saddlebag. Can anyone comment on the
>relative effects of these bags on bike handling? Anyone got strong preferences for one rather
>than the other?

Well I rarely ride without panniers or a saddle bag so maybe I'm not the one to comments. I guess if
you normally ride unladen then you would notice the load, and might find the bike handling a little
different. I don't think it's a case of it being a 'problem' just a bit different.

For an equivalent load I guess the higher load of the saddlebag will make a greater difference, but
the amount you can really carry in the saddle bag (for normal stuff) limits the effect. I Can't say
I ever notice the When heavily loaded there can be a little way in the saddlebag which I do notice
sometimes, but this is normally if I've gone shopping and stuffed it full of heavy things - for
clothes and things I don't notice it even if it's full to bursting.
--
Chris French, Leeds

[Tony W]

"harry" <henry.b@ntlworld.com> wrote in message news:jtinkvce2sd1jvriktnd49u3o89n5n76nl@4ax.com...
> I am planning some "credit card touring" in Europe next year and, ideally, I would like to use my
> Trek 5500 to get where I'm going as fast as poss. I'd like to keep loads as low as I can hence no
> camping.

snip

Well, a good place to start might be to lay out on your bed everything you think you will want to
take. Then add a bit for stuff your Mum would want to remind you about at the last minute (an extra
woolly, lean knickers, DJ & bow-tie etc.)

That way you have an idea how much space you want -- which may rule out fitting everything into a
saddle wedge ;-o

Personally, I would go for the panniers. They should be nicely balanced, have enough space for those
'essentials' you pick up on the way (straw donkeys, bottles of strange booze etc.) Good panniers
stay put whereas a saddle bag is going to swing in the breeze and have a bad effect on the bike.

T

[Lenny Taylor]

I own both. . . a Carradice Camper Longflap and a set of Arkel panniers (front and rear).

I've grown to prefer the Carradice bag for the type of riding I do. It's huge (although they make
them in several different sizes) and very well made.

The same high standard of quality is found on the Arkel panniers. They're extremely well made (and
the crew making them are really nice to deal with too. It all boils down to preference.

For me, the big loads go in the panniers and the day trip kinds of loads go in the saddlebag.

Good luck with your choice.

"harry" <henry.b@ntlworld.com> wrote in message news:jtinkvce2sd1jvriktnd49u3o89n5n76nl@4ax.com...
> I am planning some "credit card touring" in Europe next year and, ideally, I would like to use my
> Trek 5500 to get where I'm going as fast as poss. I'd like to keep loads as low as I can hence no
> camping.
>
> I reckon I have two options for carrying what might be no more than 25lb of assorted smalls and
> deodorant. Either I get a rear rack and panniers - last year's 5500s have dropouts drilled to take
> a rear rack
> - or I get one of those giant Carradice saddlebags. The thingy you clamp to the seatpost is a non
> starter, I think. The seatpost has enough problems supporting me without putting a loaded lever
> on it as well.
>
> When commuting, I use a light backpack and have occasionally used a bar bag on Audax type rides.
> I've never ridden with panniers or a heavy, high saddlebag. Can anyone comment on the relative
> effects of these bags on bike handling? Anyone got strong preferences for one rather than the
> other? Anyone got any other thoughts about how to carry a lightish load on a carbon frame?
>
> Thanks
>
> Harry

[Peter Clinch]

harry wrote:

> When commuting, I use a light backpack and have occasionally used a bar bag on Audax type
> rides. I've never ridden with panniers or a heavy, high saddlebag. Can anyone comment on the
> relative effects of these bags on bike handling? Anyone got strong preferences for one rather
> than the other?

I prefer panniers, simply because they're easier to take on and off, but if that's not an issue then
it's really not a big issue which one you go for.

You rule out an SQR bag saying the seatpost has enough to do, but of course you'll be loading the
seatpost in any case with a saddlebag... So I'd think again about an SQR bag, for what you want.

If you do get a rack then a rackpack will catch the wind less and still probably be big enough. Same
problem as the saddlebag though, and that's that (dis)mounting is a faff relative to panniers,
especially something with a good hook system like Ortliebs.

I'd try an take less than 25 lbs: that's a fair weight, and you really shouldn't need that much for
a "credit card tour". If you want something to wear off the bike then look at some light travel
clothing, which packs very small, is easy to wash and dry, and is light as well. Rohan are an
obvious place to start, but aren't the only game in town. If you're just on the bike, change or two
of shorts, spare jersey, windproof, waterproof. And IMHO deodorant smells worse than plain sweat, so
that's some more weight to save...

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

[Arthur Clune]

Peter Clinch <p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk> wrote:

: You rule out an SQR bag saying the seatpost has enough to do, but of course you'll be loading the
: seatpost in any case with a saddlebag... So I'd think again about an SQR bag, for what you want.

I'd second the vote for an SQR. If you have a super light carbon or similar seat post then why not
replace it for the duration of the tour with a cheap and heavy but strong one?

[Jay]

On Wed, 27 Aug 2003 00:23:41 +0100, "Tony W" <tonyREMOVE@chapmore.co.uk> wrote:
>Well, a good place to start might be to lay out on your bed everything you think you will want to
>take. Then add a bit for stuff your Mum would want to remind you about at the last minute (an extra
>woolly, lean knickers...

^^^^^^^^^^^ Can we swap mum's? Mine makes me wear fat knickers.

jay

[Tony W]

"Jay" <jay@furnessvale.com> wrote in message news:dbgpkvkobo8uivtendnpemb59lkahdl68c@4ax.com...

> Can we swap mum's? Mine makes me wear fat knickers.

Well, if the **** fits

; o

Clean & lean was, of course, what was meant. You can never have too much clean underwear -- you
never know when that bus is going to run you down.

: )

[Anonymous]

Would recommend panniers to keep weight low. However light you pack, you'll need more room for the
bits of food and drink you want day by day, plus maybe the odd paper/books. I like rolltop
waterproofs with quick release mounts, like Vaudes. Once you've ridden dung-laden country roads in
the rain nothing else will do. Plus consider a removeable handlebar bag for bits and as place for
map under plastic cover on top.

[Greyfox10025]

Hi Harry, I have been touring Europe for at least 30 summers, sometimes camping sometimes not. More recently not. I use small panniers, the size most often seen on low riders on the front wheel. When camping they go on the front wheel, when hoteling they may go front or rear. Two small bags can easily carry all that you may need. Unless you want to carry dirty clothes around with you you need to do a wash every night anyway so why take more than you need? www.todmoore.net