Hi lucille
I been travelling (Laos,Thailand,Cambodia) with only panniers (5 ortliebs),theres no problem the bike handle is good and you can carry everything I carry about 50kg on very bad roades and the bikes didn t suffer.My next trip to the Argentinian Andes I will be tasting for the 1 time a carry freedom y large trailer,we are taking a trailer because need to carry more stoff(like water and food) the distance are longers and there no many supplys between the villages.Conclusion for Europe panniers
Saludos