Originally Posted by
Newspaperguy
On my last short bike tour, just over a week, I used a Burley trailer to haul my gear. On most trips, I've used panniers.
The trailer handled admirably and I often would check to see if it was still behind me. The weight was there, but no handling issues. The trailer also meant I did not have to worry too much about balancing the load, which becomes more important when using panniers. The biggest drawback is in trying to load the trailer in a bike box. Using a trailer also requires carrying spare tubes for it, since the trailer does not accommodate the same size tires as a bike. Oh, and it's also easy to pack way too much onto a trailer.
The panniers will affect the handling a little, but then everything's on the bike. It's also a lot easier transporting the bike without a trailer instead of a bike and a trailer.
I'm interested in which option you prefer and why.
On-road, panniers...hands down. Off-road, trailer...but only because it's harder to put panniers on a suspension bike. Even off-road I don't really
like the trailer, however. I find that it tends to wag the dog. On downhills it tends to jack the back up and on corners it tends to push the bike in directions I don't want to go. But it's still better than panniers.
I have Revelate Design bags for the mountain bike but I've only used the seat bag so far. It works like a dream.