A Pannier is a bag, basket or a container which is carried on back or is attached to the side of a bicycle.
When touring with panniers it is advised to keep the weight between 15 to 45 pounds. To make sure your bicycle maintains a balance, you should keep more weight in the front panniers, the ratio between the front and the back panniers should be 60-40. But you can experiment with weight distribution to find the best handling results for your bicycle.
Items to carry in the front pannier are: tools, spare bike parts, cooking equipment, fuel bottles, food, and on-the-bike clothing whereas light, bulky items like clothes, your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and tent are usually strapped to the rear rack
Before packing, line your panniers and sleeping bag stuff sack with heavy-duty plastic garbage bags. Try to roll your clothing and pack them vertically to identify with ease and avoid wrinkling.
Here’s a List of Everything you can Carry in our Panniers:
- Stove and Fuel Canister: There are a number of different stoves you available in the market, depending on where you are going and how long you plan to be out on the road, you will have to buy the stove.
- Sunglasses: Sunglasses are a must have for most cyclists, it gets too bright on the road sometimes and wearing a sunglass would provide the perfect view and clarity. And it also prevents from flies and insects to run into your eyes while riding.
- Battery Chargers: The best way to travel is to leave all the electronic distractions at home but in today’s lifestyle it seems a little impossible to do so. If you must bring them along, try and find a way to use AA or AAA batteries in as many devices as you can. This way you can just bring an inexpensive battery charger and use rechargeable batteries in all of your devices.
- Food: You need to leave plenty of room inside your bags for food. On any given day, you should have enough that can last for 2-3 days. A pro tip; pack up on a lot of oatmeal, it takes less space and can last for really long while being super easy to cook as well.
- Cook Pot: If you’re going to be cooking your own food while out on the road, you’ll need to bring along a pot to cook everything in. A good thing to do before you leave on your tour is to start cooking out of your pot before you leave home.
- Utensils, Fork and Spoon: If you plan to cook your own meals while out on the road, you’re going to need some eating utensils. Try to bring lightweight fork and knife and wrap them in a handkerchief and put a rubber band or two around them so that they don’t rattle.
- Lighter or Matches: You’ll also need to bring some matches or a lighter with you. Try to bring waterproof matches along with a lighter to be better prepared.
- Sleeping Bag: The type of sleeping bag to bring on tour with you is going to depend on where you are headed and what part of the year you will be traveling there.
- Bike Lock: Selecting the right bike lock is very important, but is also thick enough to prevent would-be thieves from cutting the lock and stealing your bike.
- Extra Tubes: Carry extra tubes for emergencies, if you get a flat tire while out on the road, you’ll want to have some extra tubes on hand. Don’t worry about whether or not your patch job is working. It’s a good idea to bring along a patch kit just in case.
- Tent: You need to be very crucial in selecting your tent, it will be your home on the road. If you are riding alone, a one- or two-person tent is all you need. If you’re riding a group and will be sharing a tent, a two- or three-person tent is what you want to look for.
- Bike Pump: You’ll also need to carry a good bike pump for your tour.
- Tire Levers: These plastic tire-changing tools are crucial for changing your tire in record time. They usually come in sets of three.
- Bicycle Multi Tool: A multi tool is essential to your success out on the road. These tools typically come with all of the hex wrench sizes you will need for your bike, along with both types of screwdrivers, a chain tool, and maybe even a knife.
- Chain Lube: There are a number of different chain lubes to choose from as well. Ask your local bike shop which is best for your tour. Whatever type you decide to use, be sure not to leave home without it.
- Clothes and Underwear: What you decide to bring with you is up to you, this is a very personal choice you need to make. The less the better.
These are the essentials that Spoke Herd advises you to keep in mind.
Happy Cycling!