Touring With Packs, Not Panniers- Why?
Question:
>I’ve noticed that it is quite accepted to tour >with backpacks on mountain bikes. I’ve ridden with a >heavily-laden daypack while commuting for a time, >and found it infinitely less comfortable than panniers. >You sweat, it throws your balance off, and there is much >more pressure on your shoulders.
With panniers you can’t throw the bike around as much and carrying it is really hard. With a backpack you can strap the bike to your back and hike if you have to. The trick is to not overload the back pack and buy light equipment. eg. I have a Goretex Bivvy tent, 1250 grams. Light sleeping bag, small trangia meths stove etc. If I dip into civilization every now and again (easy in the UK), a small pack is enough for a weeks cycle. >Why do MTBers tour with packs? Is the only question >side clearance? I can see that some people might >argue that panniers change the handling of the bike, >but compared to 8kg sitting on your back?
Not weighed everything together for a while but 8kg sounds a lot. Getting your back used to weight is important. I cycle with a pack full every now and again to get my back built up for longer rides. — Micro Focus Ltd, Newbury, UK. | www: http://www.mfltd.co.uk/~scm/
Response:
>Why do MTBers tour with packs? Is the only question >side clearance? I can see that some people might >argue that panniers change the handling of the bike, >but compared to 8kg sitting on your back?
Well, I mainly ride with panniers. But then I’m a touring kind of guy. If I’m going out in the bush for a day to muck about, I’ll wear a daypack instead. I reckon a bike is a lot more fun to ride on technical stuff if the bike is as light as possible. (I’m talking say 2-10kg water, food, clothes etc, not titanium spoke nipples). But, (and for me, its a big but) riding with more than about 10kg on my back is a pain. It becomes "touring" in my mind, and I want that weight down off my body. Once you’ve got panniers on, the bike is stable, easy to handle, but nowhere near as agile. Also, you can’t move the weight around, or lift it off the bike to clear obstacles. Some people swear by bush touring with full (but lightish) bushwalking packs. They definitely have an easier time of it when you have to get off and push. But I reckon they’re mad, for the other 99% of the time. In summary: personal preference. Each has upsides and downsides. I like to carry heaps of gear, and tend to go on long (weeks) rides. Hence panniers. Others ride differently, have different bodies, different priorities. Hope this helps, just one view from the trenches, Cheers, Gary. Gary Barnes Gorman House Arts Centre 61 06 249 7377 (Phone) Canberra, ACT, 2612 61 06 247 7739 (FAX) Australia
Response:
I’ve noticed that it is quite accepted to tour with backpacks on mountain bikes. I’ve ridden with a heavily-laden daypack while commuting for a time, and found it infinitely less comfortable than panniers. You sweat, it throws your balance off, and there is much more pressure on your shoulders. Why do MTBers tour with packs? Is the only question side clearance? I can see that some people might argue that panniers change the handling of the bike, but compared to 8kg sitting on your back? Curious,
Response:
Several possible reasons. 1. They are masochists. 2. They never heard of panniers. 3. They cannot afford panniers 4. The are teenage Ninja mountainbikers. 5. The are German paratroops blown off course during the Crete landings. 6. (Unlikely)…all of the above.
Response:
The rougher the trail the more body english is required. The heaver the bike the more body english is required. Couple a rough trail with a over-loaded bike and you may just find yourself pushing – not riding, due to the limiting factor of simply not being able to lift a wheel over the 2 inch bump that stops you dead in your tracks. This fact was made so clear to me that I no longer try to load-up my bike for a camping trip. I just make a base camp, and do day hikes (bikes). Flailer – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’ve noticed that it is quite accepted to tour > with backpacks on mountain bikes. I’ve ridden with a > heavily-laden daypack while commuting for a time, > and found it infinitely less comfortable than panniers. > You sweat, it throws your balance off, and there is much > more pressure on your shoulders. > Why do MTBers tour with packs? Is the only question > side clearance? I can see that some people might > argue that panniers change the handling of the bike, > but compared to 8kg sitting on your back? > Curious,
Response:
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