Bike Touring - panniers/bikepacking bags. Advice for my bike?

[emzyflea22]

Hi,

I have just booked a 9 day trip on the Alpe Adria later this year (thanks to everyone's suggestions on my earlier post). I am a complete novice when it comes to cycle touring so am trying to navigate all of the options for luggage. I will have very minimal 'stuff' to take with me, we won't be camping so it's literally a few t-shirts, jacket, pair of flip flops, snacks, suncream...you get the picture. I've attached a photo of my bike, unfortunately don't have a better photo of it. I was looking at bikepacking bags rather than panniers as they look a bit more streamlined and lightweight but honestly don't know where to start. What will fit on my bike, what combination of bags should i take, where will the water go... Absolutely clueless.... I do like the idea of an easily accessible handlebar bag though for the camera etc.

Any kind of advice would be really appreciated, as easy as it is to look online, i'm struggling to know what will fit and work well with my bike.

On a totally different note, I've had this bike for years and love it but have only ever used it for leisurely day cycles and never had a problem. Last year however, I went on a 4 day trip with it and after a couple days kept feeling like what I can only describe as it didn't 'fit' me quite right. I kept sliding forwards on the saddle, I actually bought a longer handlebar stem before we left as felt a bit like they needed to be further away, adjusted the saddle various ways but nothing really helped. It was suggested in a bike shop that it might be a bit small for me but without paying loads of money for a bike 'fitting', how on earth do you know? I don't have the money or really the desire either for a new bike but am also aware that I don't want to spend 9 days on a bike that doesn't feel quite right. Any ideas?

TIA

[Jdsk]

...
On a totally different note, I've had this bike for years and love it but have only ever used it for leisurely day cycles and never had a problem. Last year however, I went on a 4 day trip with it and after a couple days kept feeling like what I can only describe as it didn't 'fit' me quite right. I kept sliding forwards on the saddle, I actually bought a longer handlebar stem before we left as felt a bit like they needed to be further away, adjusted the saddle various ways but nothing really helped. It was suggested in a bike shop that it might be a bit small for me but without paying loads of money for a bike 'fitting', how on earth do you know? I don't have the money or really the desire either for a new bike but am also aware that I don't want to spend 9 days on a bike that doesn't feel quite right. Any ideas?

I suggest adding some photos or videos of you riding it: side-on, seated, hands on bars.

Jonathan

[Jdsk]

...
I have just booked a 9 day trip on the Alpe Adria later this year (thanks to everyone's suggestions on my earlier post). I am a complete novice when it comes to cycle touring so am trying to navigate all of the options for luggage. I will have very minimal 'stuff' to take with me, we won't be camping so it's literally a few t-shirts, jacket, pair of flip flops, snacks, suncream...you get the picture. I've attached a photo of my bike, unfortunately don't have a better photo of it. I was looking at bikepacking bags rather than panniers as they look a bit more streamlined and lightweight but honestly don't know where to start. What will fit on my bike, what combination of bags should i take, where will the water go... Absolutely clueless.... I do like the idea of an easily accessible handlebar bag though for the camera etc.
...

We use Ortlieb handlebar bags with top opening lids for valuables. And they come with us whenever we leave the bikes. It can be tricky to fit them along with lights, computers etc.

Whatever you choose do make sure that you have time for a couple of shakedown rides before the trip.

Jonathan

[emzyflea22]

Thanks, I'm always the one with the camera so there's just about none of me! It's not at home at the moment but I will remember to take one next time I'm with it!

[Pendodave]

Hi there. Your bike looks similar to an old mountain bike I sometimes tour on. Mine is a bit small for me (I got it at short notice during covid when it was tough to buy stuff), because I had to raise the saddle up to give my legs enough room, the angle of the stem made me a bit far away from the bars for comfort. Also perched a bit too far forward on the saddle for comfort. I bought a seat post with an angle on it which brings me further forward and makes everything work better. Here (hopefully) is a picture :

It's also an opportunity to suggest that even on a lightweight tour, panniers are often the best choice. They are not as fashionable as bikepacking bags, but they pack really easily, are very easy to get on and off, are waterproof and generally really good.
It's amazing how much stuff you need - waterproofs, food, spare clothes, tools, books, toiletries....

[531colin]

The cyclist has 3 contacts with the bike; handlebars, pedals, saddle.
The handlebars and saddle can be moved to fit the bike to the rider, the pedals not so much!
Pedalling efficiently requires a particular spatial relationship between pedals and hip joints; it follows that the first step in getting your bike to fit you is to get the saddle in the right position relative to the pedals. (thats both saddle height and setback)

I wouldn't recommend moving the saddle forward in order to reduce the reach to the handlebars, or setting the bike up so that you are sliding forward on the saddle.

I'm pretty doubtful about the whole bike-fitting "industry": A lot of the time the aim seems to be to get weekend cyclists to adopt the sort of riding position favoured by professional cyclists, and most of us simply can't do it.

Its easy to set yourself up on your bike, my DIY guide to bike fitting is linked below.
If you do your own bike fitting it has the considerable advantage that each and every time you go out on your bike you have your bike-fitter riding along with you; making small adjustments to riding position out on the road is no longer a problem.

Jonathan's suggestion of a "riding along" video is also a good one ....can you get a cycling companion to video you from the side as you both ride along? Preferably on a wide cycle path or a very quiet road!

[emzyflea22]

Hi there. Your bike looks similar to an old mountain bike I sometimes tour on. Mine is a bit small for me (I got it at short notice during covid when it was tough to buy stuff), because I had to raise the saddle up to give my legs enough room, the angle of the stem made me a bit far away from the bars for comfort. Also perched a bit too far forward on the saddle for comfort. I bought a seat post with an angle on it which brings me further forward and makes everything work better. Here (hopefully) is a picture :

Screenshot_20240119_182021_Samsung Internet.jpg

It's also an opportunity to suggest that even on a lightweight tour, panniers are often the best choice. They are not as fashionable as bikepacking bags, but they pack really easily, are very easy to get on and off, are waterproof and generally really good.
It's amazing how much stuff you need - waterproofs, food, spare clothes, tools, books, toiletries....

Thanks for that, I mainly feel like if the handlebars were a bit further and higher it would be more comfortable, almost like I feel a bit squashed? When i changed the stem for a slightly longer more angled one, the issue did improve but it feels like it wasn't enough. Most of the bike actually used to be my brothers and after he had harvested bits he needed I replaced them and he built it back up for me. We are exactly the same height but I have a feeling I have a much longer upper body and arms than he does!

Also really interesting to hear regarding the panniers, I am very unfashionable at the best of times so I don't really care whether it's 'in' or not, just want the most practical thing! I will do some more googling! Thanks

[simonhill]

Like Dave I think you'll find you want to take a lot more stuff than you listed. My advice would be lay out everything want to take. This will give an idea of capacity needed.

I'm also old school and like the simplicity of 2 rear panniers. Much easier to handle as off bike luggage as well. If you can go really light then the smaller 'front' panniers carried on the rear are a good bet.

To me bike packing is lots of small bags fitted wherever there's a space. Packing can't be as easy as 2 larger bags.

Panniers also useful off tour fior general carrying of stuff eg shopping.

You'll need a back rack. Maybe mudguards might be useful. That bike looks too small, but if you are comfortable then go with it.

[emzyflea22]

The cyclist has 3 contacts with the bike; handlebars, pedals, saddle.
The handlebars and saddle can be moved to fit the bike to the rider, the pedals not so much!
Pedalling efficiently requires a particular spatial relationship between pedals and hip joints; it follows that the first step in getting your bike to fit you is to get the saddle in the right position relative to the pedals. (thats both saddle height and setback)

I wouldn't recommend moving the saddle forward in order to reduce the reach to the handlebars, or setting the bike up so that you are sliding forward on the saddle.

I'm pretty doubtful about the whole bike-fitting "industry": A lot of the time the aim seems to be to get weekend cyclists to adopt the sort of riding position favoured by professional cyclists, and most of us simply can't do it.

Its easy to set yourself up on your bike, my DIY guide to bike fitting is linked below.
If you do your own bike fitting it has the considerable advantage that each and every time you go out on your bike you have your bike-fitter riding along with you; making small adjustments to riding position out on the road is no longer a problem.

Jonathan's suggestion of a "riding along" video is also a good one ....can you get a cycling companion to video you from the side as you both ride along? Preferably on a wide cycle path or a very quiet road!

Thanks that's really helpful! I've just had a read through it. I'll have to have another go and adjusting and measuring things and see how it goes. My saddle is pretty much flat and I moved it back as far as it would go to try and get more 'space' between me and the bars (which did help a bit) but I never knew about 'setback' in relation to the pedals.

[emzyflea22]

Like Dave I think you'll find you want to take a lot more stuff than you listed. My advice would be lay out everything want to take. This will give an idea of capacity needed.

I'm also old school and like the simplicity of 2 rear panniers. Much easier to handle as off bike luggage as well. If you can go really light then the smaller 'front' panniers carried on the rear are a good bet.

To me bike packing is lots of small bags fitted wherever there's a space. Packing can't be as easy as 2 larger bags.

Panniers also useful off tour fior general carrying of stuff eg shopping.

You'll need a back rack. Maybe mudguards might be useful. That bike looks too small, but if you are comfortable then go with it.

Thanks! Another vote for panniers then I am a very light packer (generally) and as there will be two of us we can share the tools/spare tubes etc. Maybe smaller sized panniers are a good way to go then.

[531colin]

............ My saddle is pretty much flat and I moved it back as far as it would go to try and get more 'space' between me and the bars (which did help a bit) but I never knew about 'setback' in relation to the pedals.

Something I forgot to mention; your bike has an "in line" seatpost....this means the saddle is right on top of the post.
You can also get "layback" seatposts where the saddle is a bit behind the seatpost, like these 2; its obvious that all layback seatposts are not created equal, the black one in my photo has more layback than the silver one. I'm not suggesting you rush out and buy one right now, its just a "heads up" to say such things are available.

seat posts 002 by 531colin, on Flickr

[emzyflea22]

............ My saddle is pretty much flat and I moved it back as far as it would go to try and get more 'space' between me and the bars (which did help a bit) but I never knew about 'setback' in relation to the pedals.

Something I forgot to mention; your bike has an "in line" seatpost....this means the saddle is right on top of the post.
You can also get "layback" seatposts where the saddle is a bit behind the seatpost, like these 2; its obvious that all layback seatposts are not created equal, the black one in my photo has more layback than the silver one. I'm not suggesting you rush out and buy one right now, its just a "heads up" to say such things are available.

seat posts 002 by 531colin, on Flickr

Thanks, good to know! Slowly educating myself

[cycle tramp]

Admittedly most of the bikepacking luggage which clips, straps or is otherwise fixed directly to your bike looks waaaaaaay cooler than a set of panniers...

..however despite the additional weight of the rack itself, I'm a pannier person.... the simple joy of unclipping the panniers, taking them off the bike at the end of the day and either throwing them inside your tent or on your bed is definitely overlooked, as is the relative ease which panniers can be filled and simply clipped back on the rack each day...

..when I did lejog over 21 days (not camping) two panniers & a saddle bag held everything I needed.

. .it looks like your bike frame has mounts for a 4 point mounted rear rack, which would make for a very rigid rack.

[cycle tramp]

Having attempted to find my ideal riding position - i feel I should warn that it can turn into a bit of 'rabbit hole'.... 2 and a bit years after starting, and 4 handlebars, 5 stems, 2 seat posts and 3 different types of grips later, I think I've found it.... 'think' being the word as I've not fully tested it on a days ride yet..

..however what I would say is don't overlook the details, even something like raising the nose of your stable by five degrees can have an impact (such as stopping you from sliding forwards on the saddle, and making the handlebars seem a little further away)...

..you might also want to photograph your bike evetytime you try something new as reference point... yes, it sounds a bit sad when I say I out loud, but it gives you a direct reference as to what you've tried, without having to rely on memory. Certainly, if I hadn't have been taking photos of mine, I would have missed a couple of details, which turned out were important.

[PH]

Plenty of good advice above, a "bit uncomfortable after a couple of days" is a pretty good starting point, suggests to me a bit of tweaking rather than a re-think. Saddle to pedals then bars to suit, seems to be the order that works. On the subject of bars, a pair of bar ends can greatly increase comfort, partly for a more ergonomic hand position, but mostly just the ability to vary it. Even if you get everything spot on, a bit of discomfort each time you push yourself further than before, might be inevitable. The more riding I do, the more comfortable I get, and there's always a price for any extended period of not cycling.
For luggage, I'd fit a light rack and a bar bag. Then either small panniers, or a rack-top bag. Even cheap panniers are fine, if not 100% waterproof just use plastic bag as a liner. If they work for you, a decent set is a good investment, the main advantage is their better fixings and ease of use.