Cycling UK Forum

Psamathe wrote: ↑17 Sep 2024, 9:42pm I don't click on blind links. Doing so is dangerous given the number of malicious players these days.

No clue as to what it is, what you might het downloaded, etc. ...

Ian

Well, you're not missing out on much it's a video of camels being herded down a road. I'm not sure what relevance it has to cycle touring?

Thanks again everyone for all of your help

In the end I settled for a Carinthia defence 1. I think I managed to get it for a good deal for €120 so it was only about €40 more expensive than a similar rated bag from Decathlon. I'm going to pair it with a silk liner from Decathlon just to keep it clean plus silk feels nice, they do offer two choices of fleece liners one in green, which has a zip on the left-hand side and another in black with a 3/4 length zip in the centre that only goes part way down. However, each were an additional €75 so for now I think I will opt for just the silk liner and look to see if I can get the fleece liner from a military surplus store instead.

Thanks everyone for all of your help and feedback does anyone here have any experience with a sleeping bag from Snugpack. I'm thinking about getting the softly elite 3. It's a synthetic bag rated down to a constant temperature of -5°C (23°F) it can be got with a silk liner for around €120 (about £110 including shipping).

Here are the specs of the bag and a link to its product page on Snugpack's website.

Weight: 1600g / 56oz

Packsize: 26cm x 22cm / 10" x 9"

Temperature Rating Comfort: -5°C / 23°F

Temperature Rating Low: -10°C / 14°F

https://snugpak.com/collections/sleepin ... 0706295980

Hi everyone Hope the weather has been better than here in Ireland and those of you in the UK and beyond have had a little bit less rain than we have been subjected to for what seems like the last 2 years.

This September, I really do want to finally get around to using my touring bike and panniers. Hopefully in September, there will be a few nice days still left in the year.

I haven't been camping in years. I think the last time I went was when I was around 16, also doing my Duke of Edinburgh award anyway. I'd appreciate if someone could recommend a sleeping bag is suitable for 3 seasons. Ideally for a side sleeper.

Also, since I'm here. Could I also get some advice on waterproof gear since I have a feeling that I might need it. Are there any good offers or products you recommend from the likes of Decathlon?

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all of your help. I've decided to opt for the Ortlieb panniers, most likely the Back Roller Plus. To be honest, this is just my personal opinion, but I'm not a fan of the looks of the non-PVC panniers. I like the shiny black, plus they might be slightly more waterproof and easier to clean. Also, I might as well get the 6.5 L handlebar bag because in terms of weight, it's not that much more than the 5 L, plus it opens up more storage space, if I need it.

Final question, I promise. Should I also go ahead and get the matching pair of front panniers? I'm concerned about having too much weight on the back of the bike. I've heard that having front panniers, even if they might be empty, can improve the stability of the bike. My bike handling skills have never been the best, so I would welcome anything that helps. Also, I do plan on doing some longer tours eventually.

Thank you to everyone for the valuable information shared. Although I'm still struggling to decide on the panniers, I've made up my mind about wanting an Ortlieb classic handlebar bag. Personally, I find them to be among the most visually appealing options available.

One concern I have regarding the Ortlieb panniers is that, if I'm not mistaken, they use a plastic fastening system when attaching to the rack. Because of this, I'm somewhat tempted to consider the Polish brand Crosso, which features a German-made metal click system.

https://crossobags.com/product/dry-60-c ... -panniers/

Unfortunately, the Crosso bags I've linked aren't available in black, which I consider to be the most inconspicuous and dirt-resistant color option. The Ortlieb Back Roller Plus bags, available where I am, are currently priced around €20 higher and offer 20 liters less capacity. However, Ortlieb does provide a better warranty, lasting five years compared to Crosso's two-year warranty.

I would greatly appreciate any advice to help me make a decision. For someone starting out with bike touring, which option do you think would be preferable?

Switching gears to handlebar bags, if I don't plan to carry camera gear or bulky items, would the 5-liter Ortlieb handlebar bag be the most suitable option for me?

Apologies if my post veered off-topic or if I should have created a separate thread to ask my questions.