touring europe pannier and packing

sillybilly

Hello

planning a three week cycle tour around europe.

No idea what size pannier bags to buy.. any recommendations

Should i get one 40L ortlieb.. or say 2 x 20 L..

is it better to have one or two...

or actually what size will i need..

how many kg is reasonable to carry... not a very experienced cyclist, but will be cycling mainly flat...

SomeFool

Two 20l each side will give you far more stability than 40l on one side only and will carry all you might need for a long trip with a couple of trips to a laundrette along the way. A bar bag is worth investing in too, great to have the camera, map, phone handy without poking through a pannier bag.

sillybilly

thanks for that.. any recommendation on good 20l bags?

SomeFool

sillybilly wrote: »

thanks for that.. any recommendation on good 20l bags?

Really depends on your budget I suppose, I have Altura Arc and would recommend them but would also suggest you put anything of value, camera etc, in a waterproof bag like sealine or equivalent.

sillybilly

thanks for that...

and for like a three week tour, no camping equipment required..

do you reckon 2 x 20 l would be enough room?

any recommendation of a handle bar bag?

SomeFool

Does me with my sleeping bag included, I usually find a hostel/hotel or whatever will do a load of washing if really needed! As for a barbag, it really depends on your own handlebars as to what will fit but Ortlieb and Altura both do good models, decathlon do a good one too.

sillybilly

great thanks!

GreyEagle

It's all about weight really. Aim for max of 12-14kg evenly balanced between 2 panniers. IMHO, Ortlieb are best because they are completely waterproof. A barbag with a waist strap is great as well for walkabouts. A pouch on a neckband tucked inside your jersey for passport, cards and cash and you're good to go. Post some pics as you go so we can drool.😄

sillybilly

Great thanks greyeagle...

The ortlieb bags I have seen are 40 L each.. I reckon if i fill them both I will be way over 14kg, do you think?

Or I suppose I just don't need to fill them!!

GreyEagle

Lay out all your stuff and share it between the bags. You'll be surprised how quickly they fill. Take out everything you don't need and repeat. Plan to wash stuff every few days so carry the minimum. Specialist clothes from Rohan (http://rohan.co.uk/Category/Detail/Mens) are light but durable, worth the extra if you plan to do a lot of touring.

Morgan

sillybilly wrote: »

Great thanks greyeagle...

The ortlieb bags I have seen are 40 L each.. I reckon if i fill them both I will be way over 14kg, do you think?

Or I suppose I just don't need to fill them!!

If you're looking at these ones (or similar):
http://ortlieb.de/_prod.php?lang=en&produkt=backrollerclassic

it's 40 litres for the pair, not each.

I've had a pair of these for nearly 20 years now and they're still going strong - highly recommended. Their handlebar bags are also excellent. Two rear panniers and a handlebar bag should definitely be sufficient if you're not bringing camping gear.

sillybilly

fantastic, thanks so much rohan.

Greyeagle.. yep need to buy new cycling gear too, where sell rohan gear in dublin?

Planet X

Most of the big stuff.....

Vaude Hogan Ultralight 2 man, Footprint and Pegs (excluding tent poles which go on rack) all stuffed into a 12L. Ortlieb PS 10 Dry Bag (inside Pannier)
Deuter Treklite 300 down sleeping bag.
Thermarest Neo Air.
Long Trekking trousers, half zipped. (Not the lightest but TKmaxx bargain)

4.5kg. incl. pannier weight.



.....other pannier will hold clothes food whatever. Loads of room. No need for 4 panniers etc. IMO.

Seaswimmer

I am hoping to do 10 days in Europe (1000kms) using a Carradice Super C saddlebag with support bracket (23 litres) and a Topeak bar bag (7 Litre).

I am going to pack it up this weekend to see how everything fits. We are using road bikes so want to travel light. No camping gear or sleeping bags. Hoping to wash cycling gear every couple of days and get away with shorts/sandals/light shirts for evenings.

GreyEagle

The short days of winter are with us so it's time to spend some time planning your 2014 cycle tour. LD Ferries are offering Rosslare Gijon in northern Spain via St Nazaire in France, see http://www.thejournal.ie/spain-france-ireland-1219174-Dec2013/

I think Gijon would be perfect for a tour of the Picos de Europa, watch out for the bears!, while St Nazaire would be ideal for Brittany or a trip down the west coast.

I did the west coast from La Rochelle to Bordeaux via Ile de Re and Ile d'Oleron last June. Next year I think I'll start from Perigueux in the Dordogne and cycle south east for a week or 10 days.

Planet X

That's. ......kin excellent news!!!

The Ging and I

I have a spare pair of original roller classics 40l. If you are interested in buying them pm me.

Seaswimmer

Planet X wrote: »

That's. ......kin excellent news!!!

The journey times are extremely long. 37+ hours. You would want to be going for a few weeks to make it worthwhile over flying however a welcome development none the less..