What size Panniers?

[cloud9]

Hi guys
I've just bought an Xmas present to myself, a Genisis tour de fer (I hope it's approved) and I want your opinions on what size panniers would best balance the bike? I've decided on ortiliebs as they work well on my sailing dingy, and are made really well, but what size (litre) pair should I go for on the front, and what size on the back? Of course I'm aware it somewhat depends on time spent away on the bike, but in general, what do you think I should opt for?

Thanks
Barry

[drossall]

The thing that matters is what type of camper you are. Some will try to go with just a saddlebag or rack pack. Some will take the kitchen sink, and add front/rear panniers and a bar bag. Many will go in between.

Work out the volume of stuff. If it's medium, take rear panniers. If it's large, consider spreading the load into front ones as well. If it's massive, largest you can get front and rear (but check first that you really need it all).

Fully laden, my bike is hard to lift (e.g. when just turning it round or something). Bear that in mind.

[gloomyandy]

Here's my Croix de Fer with my typical camping tour setup:


I use Bike-Packer classics on the rear and Sport-Packer classics on the front. With this setup I can happily carry pretty much everything (cooking gear, camping gear, sleeping bag and mat and clothes) and still have a good bit of space for food etc. with nothing on the top of the rack. I find this keeps the bike nice and balanced. I find this combination much better than my previous rear pannier only (with the tent plus other stuff on the rear rack) arrangement. Yes you are carrying a bit of extra weight but not having things crammed into bags makes it much easier to pack and to get to things like cooking kit during the day.

[drossall]

And my Mercian fully laden. You could get the wrong idea though - I was only riding 25 miles to Scout camp

[foxyrider]

Question 1 really is whether you need front bags?
Only. You can answer that but if you do well there are basic guidelines to follow for stability. An approximate 40/60 split front to rear works best and so front bags like Roller Classics come in @25litre/pr and the matching rears are @40litre/pr - both have some extra capacity and you may want to add some form of top bag at the rear and almost certainly some sort of barbag.

I can get everything for a camping trip in a pair of Back Rollers - I choose not to for a myriad of reasons.

[pjclinch]

How much stuff do you want/need that will go in bags?

However much volume that takes up, that's how big a set of bags you need. Yup, it really is that simple. The less simple bit is deciding what it is you'll really want/need. Ideally the kitchen sink and all option may be nice when you're camped, but less good while underway where less is often very much more. If you really do want to take piles of stuff then a trailer may be a thing to think about.

I have full sets of front and rears, but that's not the same as always using them. The front/universals are often used as day bags and on my hack bike, while the big rears are limited to touring (for volume shopping I use a cargo bike).

Pete.

[cloud9]

Thanks chaps, all very helpful suggestions, and nice bike setups). I'm more a kitchen sink kinda person, so will go for 25ltr fronts and 40ltr rear panniers.

[jehughes7]

You can always use the front panniers on the rear if you are travelling lighter.

Flushed down the thunderbox by my HTC_M9u using hovercraft full of eels.

[bikepacker]

Here is how I load my bike with Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus on the back and Sports Packer Plus on the front:

If you want to see my full equipment list it is here: http://www.bikepacker.co.uk/List.htm