Originally Posted by
cyccommute
45 liters is a huge amount of capacity! I use Ortlieb front and rear Rollers and seldom fill the rear (40 l) bag beyond half capacity. The only reason that I use the rear ones is so that I have more space for bulky, but lightweight, items. The heavy, denser stuff goes in the front bags as I've found through many years of experience that the 60:40 front/rear split results in a bike that handles better. In some instances I'll go with a set front of bags only if I'm not carrying enough to justify the rear bag.
The Relevate bags work for their intended purpose of off-road bike packing. I have a full set but I don't know that I would use them for a tour that is on pavement or is mostly on pavement. They are a compromise at best off-road with the load being very high and they make the handling a bit squirrelly and the space is severely limited.
snip . . .
I think 45 liters is a large amount of capacity as well. What I should have said is that you don't need 4 bags if you want to carry 45 liters and if touring offroad, you might want to borrow ideas from the bike packers.