apalmer
Adventurer
Yes, three times this week.
Whats wrong with Panniers?
- Thread starter madmax718
- Start date
Yes, three times this week.
apalmer
Adventurer
My thoughts:
-you can still grab a backpack and head out, nobody is stopping you. I did that just last weekend. Brought a sandwich, jacket, and a couple of beers, then hit the road. It was a great day.
-for longer multi-day trips, *just* a backpack is not going to cut it as far as space. Sorry.
DJGoo
Too much WoW
You SHOULD be able to fit a couple days' worth of food in a reasonably sized back pack. Water is the tricky thing.
I'll do 8+ hour rides or hike+ride (if I'm downhilling) without anything more than what I can fit in my pant pockets, if that. It really comes down to how well you ate morning of and/or night before, and how well you can source food and water. I think planning is more important than how much cargo you can carry.
I'll do 8+ hour rides or hike+ride (if I'm downhilling) without anything more than what I can fit in my pant pockets, if that. It really comes down to how well you ate morning of and/or night before, and how well you can source food and water. I think planning is more important than how much cargo you can carry.
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
You'll still need sleeping gear, rain layers, a few tools, etc. It's not much, but unless you're willing to just crawl under a bush to sleep, you do need a few basics beyond the regular ride gear.
What's wrong with panniers? NOTHING. They work pretty well. They have drawbacks that have been already pointed out but they have their merits also (you already own them, they fit groceries also etc.) The biggest issue with bike packing is to not take extra crap. If you've been ultralight backpacking then you have what you need and know what not to take. Use you panniers, use 'em till you break 'em. Then figure out what you liked and what you didn't and use that info on you next purchase. Lots of amazing trips have been done with panniers and they've been around a long time. Rack less bags have their merits but also have their disadvantages (versatility, ease of loading)/ Run what you brung and have a good time doing it.
DJGoo
Too much WoW
Yeah, perhaps I'm just a kid at heart, for sure. I mean, I always carry a knife (a big one) so I can make a quick shelter to stay dry, and I'm accustomed to sleeping on the ground, so maybe my ideal packings is a bit skewed?
:ylsmoke:
I don't carry tools or anything because if I'm going far enough, I'll take a bike I trust won't break down, with goop and thorn proof tubes. I guess what you need to pack comes down to how resourceful you are and what your comfort limits are?
ANYWAY, yeah, panniers are cool. I'll see them on a bike and think, "That guy must being doing something awesome."