Originally Posted by
safariofthemind
Liquids move. Much better to split them up into 1 liter/quart quantities and spread them around in bottles on the frame. If you have to carry 5G in the back, spread them over several 2 qt bottles and spread the weight. The front panniers are to improve the handling; the weight in front, especially if it's low, helps the bike track better in a straight line. Not really an issue but it is nice on a long trip especially if you have a converted road bike. Watch out for heel strike on rear panniers. If you have big dogs (12 or so) it's common. Wind resistance is not an issue on such a heavy bike setup with 200+ lb of rider plus bike usually. Studies have shown that under 15mph or so, drag is not such a big deal. Rolling resistance either, so fat tires are ok as long as they are reasonably smooth for the road surface you are on. In touring, convenience and durability wins over weight and aerodynamics, up to a point. Read some of the journals in crazyguyonabike.com and pay special attention to the equipment lists.
Recumbents are a different story; the rider position makes climbin a pain in the behind so any little bit helps. That's why so many have specially set up luggage distribution and fairings. The reward comes in the ergonomics and flat-land speed. So, it's all about the fit between the equipment and the mission at hand.
By the way, not everyone needs to spend 500 dollars plus on Ortlieb panniers. Jandd, Eastpack, REI and others have good enough panniers for weekend trips and you can find them used at reasonable prices. That way you can test things out before deciding you are a fully-supported guy/gal rather than a credit card or light packing person instead.
Great post. Let me explain my touring ideas to help the thought process. I plan on riding the Northern Tier unsupported and alone. Stealth camping most of the time and maybe splurging for a hotel every 7-10 days tops. If possible never going to a hotel, but if the weather and such get out of control and I can't find a creek to jump in very often, I probably will get a room somewhere. I want to ride as cheap as possible, because to me that is a big part of the adventure. How cheap can you tour? This ride will hopefully lead to rides in Europe that will also be on the cheap.
I have a large waterproof blue bag that I bought for a trip down the Allagash River in Maine that took 8 days. It is a great bag that seals and floats and I put everything in it. Two of us went down in a canoe and were very lightly packed. No place to get food or water for those 8 days. Riding a bike, you don't have to plan like that since you will be amongst people much of the time, but it was a good learning experience and it seems to me, I could put most things in that bag and have that on a rear rack and the remainder on the front rack and a handlebar bag for wallet, lock and things I need fast or easy. Am I out of my mind?