Originally Posted by
mstateglfr
The bags my tents came with are really long an cylindrical. I use compression sacks for them to reduce volume and a tent ball sitting atop the rack platform isnt then needed. I toss it in a plastic grocery bag and into a pannier. Nothing else gets wet and the rack platform is then available for other things.
+1 However, I do carry them on the rear rack, in a nice compressed package. The total weight with miscellaneous items and poles is less than 10 lbs.
Our 2-person tent and rainfly fit in the blue compression sack, which is not much larger than a loaf of bread. Sleeping bag goes in the "green" compression sack. Thermarest is in the orange bag.
I am not an advocate of front loading a bike. I prefer the weight to be more distributed between front and rear. I also do not stuff my panniers anywhere near full capacity. I have enough room to eliminate the rack pack, but this configuration works well for using trains and flying with the bikes. I also like a bar bag for camera and valuables (wallet, spare camera batteries, passport, etc.); it stays with me on or off the bike when traveling.
This is the setup I use most of the time; it was for a 3-month tour.
My wife rode across the U.S. using a pair of Ortlieb Front Packers and a rack bag. She has started using larger panniers since that venture
