Seizedpost

Hello all,
I am going on a 450 mile bike trip in two weeks with my Fuji S12-S LTD. I still haven't decided how I'll carry my gear.
I already have a rack I could install on the rear. I've been told that the low trail raked fork means that I can load the front without hurting the handling, so I've also considered getting a front rack and/or a handlebar bag.
I'll be going fairly lightweight, and our stops will be split between hotels and camping most likely. We will not be cooking. Here's my packing list:

A change of clothes (will probably do laundry)
Jacket
Lights
Bar of soap
Washcloth
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Flip flops
Sunscreen
Multitool
Patch kit

And if we decide to camp, a small inflatable mattress and a bedsheet.

I'm looking to see if I can do without panniers for aerodynamics. Maybe I should use a rear rack with a trunk, and a handlebar bag?
Any advice is appreciated, as I really need to make up my mind.

fietsbob

Classic: Carradice long flap saddle bag + a handlebar bag ..

why not both , low rider front pair + bar bag for snacks as you ride?

Angle tech aerodynamic front panniers? (re issue if 80's Tailwind panniers)

Angletech Techwind Panniers : Angletech/CycleDifferent

the Small are the front design.. since Aero is a listed concern ..

Squeezebox

Here's what I'm thinking. Pull all of your gear together. Get a clean 5 gal. bucket, a bit less than 20 L. Stuff you gear in the bucket. Then you'll have a good idea of what size panniers/bikepack stuff, you'll need. Ortlieb has very good panniers, Nashbar adequate. I know nothing about bikepacking stuff, but would like to know more.
Send me somewhere for bikepacking info please.

fietsbob

Bike buckets , the panniers made from buckets..The Bike Bucket - Bike Buckets

PhilPub

Whatever set-up you go with, and regardless of the overall capacity you need, I'd advise having one luggage solution that allows easy access for essentials and valuables, which can be got at on the bike, and can be removed from the bike very easily. A handlebar bag is good for this; I find it does affect the handling somewhat even if not heavily laden, but you do get used to it.

IK_biker

I have done self-supported overnighters and a 2-night trip without racks and panniers.
H/bar bag + frame half-bag + Carradice Nelson LF for a total of 27 L capacity is enough for the raingear + shelter + bedroom + cook kit + camp clothes, spare biking clothes, plus the bike repair kit (tool, tire levers, patches, spare tube and cables).

This is the usual setup, and your stuff would definitely fit in:

Seizedpost

Thanks for all the advice. I'm staying at hotels and packing light, I've checked and my total needed capacity seems to be less than 15 L. I've settled on a rear rack and I'm looking at Nashbar bags.
I can't decide if I should get the trunk and panniers (and if so which ones), or just the rear panniers.

Nashbar Waterproof Front Panniers 14L waterproof panniers
Nashbar Rack Trunk 11L trunk
Nashbar Rear Touring Panniers 18.5L panniers
Nashbar Front Touring Panniers 10 L panniers


Possible combinations:
Trunk and 10L pannier ($75, 21L)
Trunk and 14L pannier ($90, 25L)
Trunk and 18.5L pannier ($90, 29.5L, total overkill for this trip)

18.5L panniers alone plus a saddlebag I already have ($60, probably around 19.5L)
Or the 14L pannier + saddlebg might be enough, but there wouldn't be much room to spare.

So, what do you think? Should I go without a trunk? I need to decide soon, we leave on the 29th.

Edit: this is all wrong. The capacity is per pannier.

shipwreck

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl

boomhauer

I would just go with the rear panniers.
Packing without panniers can be done but it's a pain in the butt to get to your stuff quickly. (like getting to cloths, food , etc.)
Are you carrying a tent? It will even be harder to get enough space for your other stuff. Otherwise, you should probably be able to do it with a trunk bag......depending on the extra clothing for weather circumstances.

Seizedpost

Wow, I'd better edit that post. I just looked at the listings again and I realized that for the rear panniers, the 18.5L capacity is for each of them. Total 37L. Also, the waterproof front panniers are also rated by capacity individually, so total capacity is 28L. The non-waterproof front panniers don't specify, but they say 10L and I think that's each of them, so 20L total. So any of these panniers by itself would have all the space I need.

And I'm not carrying a tent.

Miele Man

You have a rear rack so if it were me I'd consider a pair of rear panniers. I don't think you lose that much in aerodynamics with rear mounted panniers that stick out not much further than uyour legs which are really churning up the airflow past passing them as you pedal. Plus you can have stuff you want right away in one pannier and other stuff in the other. A small handlebar bag is great for holding snacks and/or an extra water bottle. Also sunscreen or anything else you want to be able to get to really quickly.

BTW, I use QUALITY plasdtic gabage bags in my panniers to keep stuff dry. Cheap plastic garbage bags can give your stuff a very unpleasant oily smell.

Cheers

saddlesores

1. trunks are a pain in the butt, useful only for day rides,
nice for pickanicks with waterproof insulated 6-pack insert.

2. trunks take up the useful top of your rack and often prevent
easy on/off of panniers.

3. you can use front panniers on the rear.

4. you can get a lowrider, use front panniers,
take the weight off the rear end.

5. panniers don't need to be filled. empty space is
just empty space, good for food and/or beer you
pick up along the way.

6. get panniers with compression straps, or add
your own, to collapse the empty spaces.

7. you can tour with only one pannier if not
excessively heavy.

Cougrrcj

I traveled for three weeks on my old S-10S back in the late '70s - almost 1200 miles. I just had a cheap Pletscher rack and a canvas duffle bag bungied to that. A plastic garbage bag around the duffle in case it rained. Also a seat bag for tools. Two changes of clothes, a pair of street shoes (I was wearing my Bata Bikers), a light jacket, and a rain poncho. I didn't have a tent, sleeping bag or pad, and 'stealth-camped' alongside the road, picnic tables at roadside rests (there were many on US 6 at the time), or under bridges at night.

For later tours I had picked up a set of old-school Cannondale rear panniers, attaching them to the cheap rack with the duffle on top. Never had a handlebar bag until recently, and I only use that for camera/wallet/phone/chargers.

stardognine

I just got some Axiom Typhoon Aero waterproof panniers, and yesterday was my first test ride. These ones are 45 liters for the pair, but they roll up, to pretty much eliminate wasted space. Which is also a little annoying, to get in & out of, but not that bad. I totally agree that it's better to have extra capacity, and not need it, than wish you had more room. Especially for food, fresh fruit stands can surprise you.

John Nolan 

Yes: I can never recall thinking "I'm glad my panniers aren't any bigger", or , for that matter, "I wish I didn't have a handlebar bag".

fietsbob

The hip Seattle thing, in certain circles, is French Randonneuring kit. front mini rack under a big handlebar bag..

Premium Gilles Berthoud, preferred , touring bikes, travel bikes, road bikes, tandems : Gilles Berthoud Cycles. Makers of tandem bicycles and custom bicycles
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tyrion

A handlebar bag has the key feature of easy access without getting off the bike. I like to keep the phone, glasses, camera and some food there.

roadfix

I never liked the traditional handlebar bags. I use tactical bags and pouches that easily strap on the bars and hang nicely. In particular, I use the Condor ammo, dump, and accessory bags.

fuzz2050

I have a tendency to use a Condor MA64 as a handlebar bag. It's just big enough for my wallet, cell phone, keys, light jacket and a snack or two. Hooks easily to my bars, secure, and unhooks just as quickly. Only downside is off the bike, you're left either using it as a fanny pack or an awkward clutch.

rm -rf

I got these Arkel Dry-Lites panniers and the Arkel Tail Rider trunk bag, just like in this photo:



Panniers
The panniers are very lightweight (19oz, 540 grams!) and waterproof. 28 liters, so it's more for lightweight touring.

They don't instantly click onto the rack like the heavier touring panniers. Instead, they use some strong velcro to attach to the rack top, and a bottom hook on each bag. It's easy to adapt to most racks, and doesn't take long to attach. You have to use both bags, since they attach to each other.

The bag fabric is lightweight, but feels very sturdy. I'd be careful about packing anything with sharp corners, though.

Trunk Bag
It's actually heavier than the panniers, 660 grams. 8 liters expanding to 11 liters. It's water resistant, and a pull-out rain cover makes it waterproof.

I've used the trunk bag on some long day rides, with lunch, extra layers, tools, a U-lock, etc. It attaches with 4 velcro straps, and the top has an expandable bellows and cinch straps to really stuff it if needed. Or carry a jacket rolled up under the straps.

It's base was a little too wide for my narrow rack, and tended to squash the bottom of the trunk bag when I tightened the 4 straps. So I cut a pair of thin hardwood plates to fit between each pair of straps, to widen the base.

Salamandrine 

I guess I'm hip cuz my current ride is a randofied PX10 with an old school big rack mounted front bag, and a big saddlebag. I may add a half frame pack.

I'm mostly going this way because that's what I have while I wait for my Mercian. But it should be fine for short trips. I'll probably take it out for a weekend soon.

fietsbob

Japan has also long copied French type gear so your Nitto racks are of that type..