On road trip - packing/loading advice

[JamesA]

Hi all,

I am planning an on road trip and after some advice. I am going to use a pannier rack/panniers for first time and have my freeload rack for the front but what is the best way to load the bike? All on the rear? Split between front and back?

I was thinking of just using my bikepacking stuff but like the idea of using the panniers and not having to take a rucksack at all

I will apologise in advice for it not being off road related but I am still riding my hardtail!

Thanks.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Split the weight ... it'll handle like a pig on a skateboard otherwise. I'd even suggest trying a 60/40 weight bias towards the front.

[JamesA]

Thanks, useful stuff - best get a bigger dry bag for the freeload then! (Was planning to put everything on the back!)

Any other tips? I am getting some less knobbly tyres, considered a rigid fork (but don't think it's worth the investment as only a couple of days trip and will return to 'normal' trips next!)

[Blair512]

I used Schwalbe city jets on my rockhopper for a 350 mile road tour a couple of years ago and they worked a treat. This was before I had discovered soft luggage so everything was on a pannier rack at the back, made for some interesting frame flex when cornering! Would definitely split the weight up as much as possible

[HaYWiRe]

Sorry if this sounds obvious but why go for panniers for a road tour?

While there's no rough terrain or tight tracks to worry about I still think soft luggage has considerable benefits on tarmac too, its just a case of paring down your kit enough that it matters not what you ride or where you go as it all adapts so well.

One option I did like myself though before I went fully rackless was using 2 ultralight front panniers on a stripped down rear rack, about 10l each. Was nice to take all the gear off in seconds for stops, though it probably only worked because the weight was so low I didn't need to worry about weight distribution.

[ScotRoutes]

Weight on the front seems to work really well. I'd put compact/dense stuff there if possible.

[ddraver]

Definitely find some skinny slick tyres (if you have a 29er you'll have a wealth of options)

The only real benefit I have found to racks and Panniers over bikepacking bags is that you can carry much more stuff and when you do it's nice and low down, How much you need that space (and weight) is up to you obviously. I did a 2 week tour with rear panniers only on my old roadie and it was ok (the carbon fork was terrible, hilariously so). When you have front and rear panniers and a tent across the back though you can really carry a shed load of gear. The first tour I did as a student I had a ridiculous amount of crap with me!

[Bearbonesnorm]

Sorry if this sounds obvious but why go for panniers for a road tour?

While there's no rough terrain or tight tracks to worry about I still think soft luggage has considerable benefits on tarmac too, its just a case of paring down your kit enough that it matters not what you ride or where you go as it all adapts so well.

This did cross my mind too, especially if you're only going for a few days ... to a degree, bikepacking is a state of mind and it doesn't have to stop once you reach tarmac

[ScotRoutes]

I often go bikepacking with panniers and touring with soft bags...

[JamesA]

Sorry if this sounds obvious but why go for panniers for a road tour?

While there's no rough terrain or tight tracks to worry about I still think soft luggage has considerable benefits on tarmac too, its just a case of paring down your kit enough that it matters not what you ride or where you go as it all adapts so well.

This did cross my mind too, especially if you're only going for a few days ... to a degree, bikepacking is a state of mind and it doesn't have to stop once you reach tarmac

To be honest it's a good point, I think the panniers were just cheap and I got carried away! However it will be good to not have a rucksack on my back (I don't have a massive one normally anyway but none will be better. My 7 year old daughter is also keen on a wild camp this year so I will have to carry her stuff as well so the extra space will be useful, oh and panniers and racks look really cool (joke).

It's a only a couple of days but thought the extra space would be nice and maybe take some spare clothes so not as stinky for the pub visit!! Good advice though.

Have got some slicker tyres on order (not proper slicks though, couldn't do it to the bike!).

[HaYWiRe]

Riding with a rucksack is a pain in the back....riding drop bars with one is just ridiculous! So I know your situation, waist pack was my compromise and getting kit down enough that I could ditch the backpack was the best thing id done.

Carrying someone else's kit leaves you in a tough situation but all the more reason to try and par things down more. On the touring side clothing choice will be paramount and embrace light, technical and easy care clothes, its still possible to look smart for a meal and travel light!
I've spent a week on holiday out of a 14l bag, that included dress clothes and hiking clothes, its the camping side I normally struggle.

Another tip is to get her to carry some of her own stuff, keep it extremely light but it'll make her feel more like you with a bit of kit on the bike and encourages a bit of "self sufficiency" without actually burdening her down with weight and more effort

[fatbikephil]

I tend to use my bikepacking kit on the fargo for road tours as the bike handles much better than with panniers - usual frame, bar and seat bags plus a pocket, gas tank, 2 fuel pods and bottles on the forks takes everything leaving my back free. As well as the usual I can get a change of clothes and a towel and such luxuries as my kindle, towel and even a change of shoes in this set up so never felt the need to go back to panniers.

[retirementbeckons]

I have only recently come to bikepacking from road bike use / audaxing and am new to posting here

I adapted my Trek madone to take panniers for long distance self supported travel by road to places like Madrid / Mt Ventoux etc - Carbon fibre bike no attachments for the rear rack but a Tubus axle adapter with lugs allowed me to attach the bottom part of the rack to the axle and a seatpost clamp with lugs permitted firm attachment of the rack to the seatpost.

Here is a photo in the middle of Spain in March (cold+++). The bar mitts were a god send but obscure the small bar bag I had.