Touring - What size pannier should I get?

I’m getting ready to start touring this summer. I have read all about panniers in the old posts, and the Arkel bags look most appealing to me, but I am unsure about the size that I need. Can some of you advise me?

I’ll start with a few weekend tours. I may build up to 4 day tours but it is unlikely that I will ever go on tours that are longer than one week. I’ll be camping but not cooking. I’ll pack a rain jacket and pants, a pair of low sneakers, toiletries, small first aid kit, and a max of 4 shorts 4 jerseys and 4 socks. (My tools are in my under-saddle bag.)

I am torn between the t-42 (2550 cu.in.) and the gt54 (3300 cu.in.). I’m guessing that the t-42 would be large enough but I don’t want to invest in it, only to find that it is too small.

Another question – on the gt-54 – the tubular compartment looks like it would be great for the sleeping pad and tent poles. Does it work as well as it looks like it should?

I have a friend who has the larger Arkel panniers, and they look like a nice piece of equipment. Well built. I'm thinking about a set for myself when my old C'dales give up the ghost.

FWIW, I would go with the smaller size. Large rear panniers used alone have a serious effect on the handling of the bike. If you feel you need more room, get a set of front panniers and a low rider front rack. Much better weight distribution, and vastly improves the handling of the bike. As for the tubular compartments, since I've never done it, I can't speak to that. But, when you load the bike up, you want to try to center the load over the axel. The whole weight distibution / handeling thing.

As you spend more time touring, you'll be amazed at how little you really need. When you have more room, you'll tend to try to fill it up. The last thing you want to do is carry any more than you have to. On most of my tours, I go with 2 days change of clothes.... one set to wear while the other is drying. Do a wash in a sink at the end of the day. Cuts down on the stuff you take. Jeans are heavy.... I found a pair of nylon hiking pants that have zip-off legs to convert to shorts a couple of years ago, and they are the cats meow.

You're going to enjoy touring. I know I do. Just don't get enough opportunities to do it!

Hope this helps.

Happy Trails!

Karl

Thanks for the advice, trailhound.


FWIW, I would go with the smaller size. . . .

. . . .

You're going to enjoy touring. I know I do. Just don't get enough opportunities to do it!
Karl I think that I will - I just cant leave my family for too long. The grass needs to be mowed once a week so my wife will want me back by then. :)

[Amongst Arkel's bags...]
I am torn between the t-42 (2550 cu.in.) and the gt54 (3300 cu.in.). I’m guessing that the t-42 would be large enough but I don’t want to invest in it, only to find that it is too small.

Another question – on the gt-54 – the tubular compartment looks like it would be great for the sleeping pad and tent poles. Does it work as well as it looks like it should?


Simple things first: the tubular compartment of the GT-54 is said to be good for a 3/4 size Thermarest with tent poles. I fit tent poles in mine but can't fit the entire tent (well, maybe I could, with brute force), and I haven't tried the full-size Thermarest in it.

As for which size you need, I use the T-42 in front (they fit the Blackburn lowrider rack) and the GT-54 on the rear rack. But I have toured with a child on a Piccolo trailercycle, so I need to carry stuff for both of us. I also don't have an underseat tool bag nor a handlebar bag (yet).

My requirements are fairly similar: camping, cold-stuff eating (salads, cold cuts and the like), but I also want to have comfortable clothing for all weather and appropriate tools for the road. You may need a bit less space if you know a bit more about the weather you will face (typical for 2-4 day tours).

As others have said, for any decent load, it's better to have 4 panniers than 2. A good combination for solo riding is T-42 behind and GT-30 in front, plus maybe your tent and sleeping bag on top of your rear rack. Place bulky stuff behind and dense stuff in front and you should be OK. On the other hand, the GT-54 would allow you to carry everything in panniers, for a slightly neater look.

As I hinted above, the T-42 fit well on a front rack. They are a little bit more "squarish" (but not lower) than dedicated front panniers like the GT-30, so that could be a problem for offroading, but certainly not for on-road touring. Such an option would allow you to buy the T-42 first, then buy the GT-54 if you feel you need more space.

BTW, after doing 4 tours (7-12 days each) plus a number of shopping trips, my GT-54 still look brand new. My T-42 look very worn but are still solid; however, they have been used daily for 5-6 years for commuting, shopping, day rides, etc. And I tend not to travel light...

The GT54's are great bags and will last longer than you do. They are quite large and probably bigger than you might need for any credit card tours.

As for the tubular piece I was not so impressed with it. I slip my poles and tent in, but have a full length thermarest and I got it in there once and only once. Also, there is a side detachable pocket bag that has a strap to be used as a fanny pack. I found this utterly useless. You can fit in a toothbrush and that's it. It just won't close right with anything else in it.

Definitely get the rain covers.

I also have to say they are a bit "overbuilt" in my opinion. There are some extra pockets on the inside that you are supposed to use to separate stuff on the inside. I look at it as extra weight and nylon interfering with having a large storage space. They are also really heavy empty. I'd say a couple pounds a piece.

The GT54's are great bags and will last longer than you do. They are quite large and probably bigger than you might need for any credit card tours.

As for the tubular piece I was not so impressed with it. I slip my poles and tent in, but have a full length thermarest and I got it in there once and only once. Also, there is a side detachable pocket bag that has a strap to be used as a fanny pack. I found this utterly useless. You can fit in a toothbrush and that's it. It just won't close right with anything else in it.

Definitely get the rain covers.

I also have to say they are a bit "overbuilt" in my opinion. There are some extra pockets on the inside that you are supposed to use to separate stuff on the inside. I look at it as extra weight and nylon interfering with having a large storage space. They are also really heavy empty. I'd say a couple pounds a piece.I was just offered a prety good deal on T-54s but I intend to use a full sleeping pad. Does the tublar piece come off?

I’m getting ready to start touring this summer. I have read all about panniers in the old posts, and the Arkel bags look most appealing to me, but I am unsure about the size that I need. Can some of you advise me?

I’ll start with a few weekend tours. I may build up to 4 day tours but it is unlikely that I will ever go on tours that are longer than one week. I’ll be camping but not cooking. I’ll pack a rain jacket and pants, a pair of low sneakers, toiletries, small first aid kit, and a max of 4 shorts 4 jerseys and 4 socks. (My tools are in my under-saddle bag.)

I am torn between the t-42 (2550 cu.in.) and the gt54 (3300 cu.in.). I’m guessing that the t-42 would be large enough but I don’t want to invest in it, only to find that it is too small.

Another question – on the gt-54 – the tubular compartment looks like it would be great for the sleeping pad and tent poles. Does it work as well as it looks like it should?

I highly recommend waterproof panniers - I use Ortlieb panniers, and both Nashbar and Vaude also make waterproof bags. In my experience with my Ortliebs - they don't leak at all, even in an all day driving rain. On the size front, are you the type of person who uses all available space, or are you disciplined enough to take only what you need regardless of the space that you have? If the former, you should probably get the smaller bags!

I’m getting ready to start touring this summer. I have read all about panniers in the old posts, and the Arkel bags look most appealing to me, but I am unsure about the size that I need. Can some of you advise me?

I’ll start with a few weekend tours. I may build up to 4 day tours but it is unlikely that I will ever go on tours that are longer than one week. I’ll be camping but not cooking. I’ll pack a rain jacket and pants, a pair of low sneakers, toiletries, small first aid kit, and a max of 4 shorts 4 jerseys and 4 socks. (My tools are in my under-saddle bag.)

I am torn between the t-42 (2550 cu.in.) and the gt54 (3300 cu.in.). I’m guessing that the t-42 would be large enough but I don’t want to invest in it, only to find that it is too small.

Another question – on the gt-54 – the tubular compartment looks like it would be great for the sleeping pad and tent poles. Does it work as well as it looks like it should?
The one unsupported tour I went on the panniers were stuffed. Can't imagine carrying food.If you are not frugal, I would say, basically-large.Always seemed what you wanted was on the bottom.. My group said I had to put all my stuff inside the rainflap of the rent. Racoons? They were out there.
Where, I did have a good time, I thought panniers awkard. The weight factor on the bike..unbalanced. Felt a little awkards at times, also.
I would do it again..(Unsupported, that is.) Guess, I do have a preference of sag.... But, I go unsupported, thinking of trying out a 'bob.'Weight balanced better....Then, I have heard some say bob's feel awkard? To balance the bike with bob's, someone on this forum recommended small panniers on the front of the bike, to balance the weight on the bike from the trailer.....
Think I would like the packing abilities of the bob;also.

I was just offered a prety good deal on T-54s but I intend to use a full sleeping pad. Does the tublar piece come off?


Maybe. Mines were bought in early 2001 and the tubular piece doesn't come off. If you don't use it, you should fold the bottom part into the strap so it doesn't dangle in the spokes. More recent models use a detachable tube, just like the one shown on http://www.panniers.com ; however, I don't know if they made the change in 2002 or 2003.

The 2004 models (and maybe some late 2003 models) have the hooks on a sliding track as explained in their detailed pictures of the hook system. Older models have fixed hooks just like those shown in the photos and blueprints.

Regards,

Thanks to all of you for your advice. It has helped to clarify my thoughts. From what you all have said I think that the T-54 is larger than I will need unless I pack my tent in it as well. I’m not the kind of guy who would take extra stuff just because I can. One of the reasons for a tour is to get away from all the extra ‘stuff’.

Mike..My unsupported tour was 8 days..Needed a couple changes of bike clothes, street clothes, personal items, tent gear, sleeping bags, pillows, pad, jackets, rain gear, two sets of shoes for the street and the bike. I go nowhere, without a portable cd pllayer.... Have to have my music.
I admire the thought of getting away from stuff. maybe, I need work on finding all those items but in miniaturized forms. Still curious about the convenience of a trailer and how it feels compared to panniers.

Mike..My unsupported tour was 8 days..Needed a couple changes of bike clothes, street clothes, personal items, tent gear, sleeping bags, pillows, pad, jackets, rain gear, two sets of shoes for the street and the bike. I go nowhere, without a portable cd pllayer.... Have to have my music.
I admire the thought of getting away from stuff. maybe, I need work on finding all those items but in miniaturized forms. Still curious about the convenience of a trailer and how it feels compared to panniers.I've talked to people who have trailers and they love them. Since you like to have so much stuff (CD player?) it sounds like a trailer is your thing. :)

Me - I'm a minimalist and I'm also going away to get more quiet - so no CD player for me. I’m one of those rare people who will drive a car for hours without turning the radio on – and I never turn on the TV at home. I guess I am a mass market reject.

I highly recommend waterproof panniers - I use Ortlieb panniers, and both Nashbar and Vaude also make waterproof bags. In my experience with my Ortliebs - they don't leak at all, even in an all day driving rain. On the size front, are you the type of person who uses all available space, or are you disciplined enough to take only what you need regardless of the space that you have? If the former, you should probably get the smaller bags!Thanks, Dennis. I've thought about watterproof but, it doesn't seem to be very important to me because I am only going on very short tours and can pick my days. It's unlikely that I will be riding in the rain for any length of time.

There are pros and cons to waterproofness. Amongst the drawbacks of waterproof panniers:
- if there is a hole somewhere somehow, water will go in and stay in;
- if you store your stinky wet sweater in your pannier, everything will be smelly, more so than with breathable panniers.

Regards,

I've talked to people who have trailers and they love them. Since you like to have so much stuff (CD player?) it sounds like a trailer is your thing. :)

Me - I'm a minimalist and I'm also going away to get more quiet - so no CD player for me. I’m one of those rare people who will drive a car for hours without turning the radio on – and I never turn on the TV at home. I guess I am a mass market reject.\

Mike. No matter how small they can minimalize a tv -they are verbotten on my bike rides.I hate network tv! A waste of time.
. Music . That is another matter. Take away cycling , scuba; music, movies, and wine, those are my interests in life; I would be less of a person. On our one week bike tour..We went through California's Santa Barbara wine district.
Thought I would have to displace some personal items in order to carry our wine finds,to be taken to camp that night.
(-strange story, I have to tell.- wine snobs at Central coast vintners, wanted to not sell us a bottle, said the jarring of the bike would shear the tannin. Bought it anyway and it was fine.!)
A personal CD player takes up not much space at all. Lying in your tent listening to Pink Floyd or Van Morrison, with the flap open, looking at the stars,drinking wine, and admiring your bike adjacent the camp fire. Life does not get much better.
The point about a trailer, should I find it balanced; all that weight making a bike feel lop sided; seems a trailer's physics would disperse the weight a little better. Less stress on the bike, spokes and all that. I would say I carried about 50 lbs. On a week's journey. Is that unusual.?
Plus, always need a little added space for that bottle of Merlot. As long as the trailer has shocks.
ps- Congratulations on being a mass market reject. Me too ! .. I sort of think songs like 'Brick Wall' are sort of counter culture? But then, 'Comfortably Numb' is sort a a favorite- lying in the tent, relaxing the muscles with wine and music.

Thanks for the advice, trailhound.

I think that I will - I just cant leave my family for too long. The grass needs to be mowed once a week so my wife will want me back by then. :)


Hmm. Sounds like a metaphor for something, to me.....

Lying in your tent listening to Pink Floyd or Van Morrison, with the flap open, looking at the stars,drinking wine, and admiring your bike adjacent the camp fire. Life does not get much better.
ps- Congratulations on being a mass market reject. Me too ! .. I sort of think songs like 'Brick Wall' are sort of counter culture? But then, 'Comfortably Numb' is sort a a favorite- lying in the tent, relaxing the muscles with wine and music.
You paint a beautiful picture of the camp at night. I'd like to spend a quiet summer evening visiting your camp. maybe this summer I will do something like that. I do like Pink Floyd, but with starlight I prefer crickets.