Buffalo Buff

When I toured the deep south last fall, I saw a group of 3 in Florida all decked out with 4 panniers + handlebar bags and stuff in the middle of the rear rack, and one had a trailer. Trailer guy was easily pushing 100lbs of gear.

Saw a group outside New Orleans with four fully loaded panniers + handlebar bags, etc. I'd guess they had at least 80-100lbs each based on how fast they rode and how their bikes handled.

Every bike tourist I've seen in person has a similar setup, hence why I made this thread in the first place. I've never seen someone else with even a 2 pannier and handlebar setup on the road, much less a single saddlebag 10lb setup like I used a few times.

That and my bike + gear generally weighs less than a lot of the touring bikes I see people using. Actual weight with food, water, bike, gear and clothes on my back for me never breaks 40lbs using my most recent setups.

Squeezebox

It was meant as a compliment, you made it through a rough night, and did the right thing.

Happy Feet

I have to question this. You've really never seen anyone tour with two panniers and a HB bag? Right off the top of my head I can think of five people I saw doing that just this summer.
Here's a still ripped from a video showing a girl with two panniers and a guy with a trunk bag and pack sack.




You also realize what that sounds like: Of all the people you have ever seen touring, you were the only one who knew how to travel light.

Doug64

On the other end of the spectrum, I can say I've probably seen a hundred 2-pannier bike tourists just doing the Pacific Coast Route.

My wife crossed the U.S. (74 days) with 2 front panniers on her rear rack, along with a dry bag for her camping gear.

2 Ortlieb Front Packers, and sleeping bag and Thermarest on top. Her running shoes are in the waterproof bags under the dry bag.


My wife and daughters, all with 2 panniers. Heck, that is 3 right there


We've used light loads a lot. Custom made small volume panniers with exaggerated taper for use on road bikes. However, I use 4 panniers when the situation warrants them. For the type of tours we do, that is most of the time.

I really don't want you to feel sorry for me and ruin your tour fretting about it. It is not an either/or situation.

Some of us started out in the 1970's with a 21 lb. road bike and 20 lb. of gear; but were thrilled when we could afford a bike with a triple that could carry 30-35 lbs. comfortably. Light and UL touring is not a new concept.

mm718

I agree. Most have 4 panniers but I have seen plenty of 2 pannier set-ups in real life and in bike journals. When I was in the dreaming and planning stages and first started acquiring gear I saw so many 4 pannier set-ups that I figured that was the way to go. I briefly considered 2 panniers but then someone said front panniers would only be aprox. 3% of one's total weight, which seems insignificant so I bought a rack and started going in that direction.

But then one day at the end of the day I added a gallon of bottled water to my load (8 lbs) and it was a completely different experience. Two panniers works just fine for me and I have plenty of room for food storage and a spacious tent. I am sure I could have gotten used to more weight but why when you don't have to? I am striving for elegance and simplicity, faster/less fiddly packing routines, less stuff to maintain/manage, and more enjoyment on the bike.

Squeezebox

I would still like to see a gear list from the "traditional tourers" / heavy packers. I just don't see the need for more than 1 set of town clothes. down jacket in July, big 5 lb lawn chair. My crocs weigh 1/2 of a pair of tennis shoes, My pillow weighs 2 oz. rolls up to less than the size of your fist, probably 1/2 of that. My kitchen weight 2 lbs, my bedroom 5 1/2 lbs.
I'ld like to hear what you bring. Trying not to accuse, I just want to know what you bring and why.
Thanks!

chrisx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY2M1-88KSI

Squeezebox

Come on folks joking aside. What's your gear list? That is not light weight?

mantelclock

If you're really curious about gear lists, go to crazyguyonabike. There are numerous lists ranging from UL to UH there. Each to his own.

bmike

https://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=12410472

bmike

Here are some more!

mm718

Why would you want to look at lists that won't be helpful to you? Shouldn't you be looking at UL lists?

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/...ategory_id=212

Buffalo Buff

Yeah that's been my experience.

And regarding your last line, I never implied that. If thats how you want to interpret it thats on you.

Happy Feet

Ok, no harm no foul. It just sounds like you've never met another tourer who knows how to pack light.

I can never tell if you are trolling or just that unaware of what you are posting.
Why do you assume people are intentionally packing "heavy"? Who suggested a 5lb lawn chair or a down jacket in July? You just seem to be making this stuff up as you go along and asking for lists because you really don't know what to take on a tour - which is ok. Just accept that and ask questions without, at the same time, criticizing people for using what they use. Maybe.. just maybe.. they know what they are doing.

Some people, some times, pack just what they need - not more - not less. Sometimes they don't care. Some people go the extra step and buy specific gear, perhaps made of special material or design, to shave a few more lb's off. But in the end it's just a person with a bicycle going for a holiday. It's not a contest and in our modern culture almost of a quixotic nature. Enjoy that; most people think what we do is goofy whether we are heavy, light or ultra light.

I will go on the record as believing in using Helium in the tires. That actually does make for a lighter ride.

BigAura

Here's my light-weight gear-list for a potential tour this coming year (2016).

Highlights:

• 16.3 pounds of gear including panniers
• includes 2-person tent
• good for sub-freezing temps
• kitchen included

Packing style will be similar to this:



On this bike but with fatter tires:



to note: yes it's the same saddle & rack

FunkWheel

I've done extensive lightweight and loaded touring over the past decade. Most of the cycle tourists I meet are not purchasing entire new lightweight setups before they depart, but are building off their already existing camp gear which isn't necessarily ultralight. Plus for those new to bike travel it's simply more common to overpack for a long journey, then strip gear until the load is bearable.

For myself, I started with lightweight gear but have added onto it over the years, now I carry much more than average but I'm also enjoying myself more than ever.

Touring with an ultralight bike is fun, but for myself, part of the beauty of bicycle travel is that you're able to carry a bit of extra weight thanks to the bicycles efficiency. Extra weight isn't resting directly on your back/hips like a backpack, plus bike speed builds on its momentum and gravity. So with a proper gear ratio, a bunch of extra weight will not be a burden on downhill/flat, and will only slow you down on the inclines.

I don't work harder, just slower, and since I've weighed myself down I've gained a lot from the travel experience. Back in the lightweight days I used to cover massive distance in a day, 150-200 kms regularly, because I could, but I missed so much. It was more about the biking than it was learning and meeting new people. Now I'm forced to slow down, I needed to be forced hahah. I see so much more along the way, plus I have with me all the comforts I could ever need. I find myself far more relaxed than ever before, I'm completely independent, I'm able to store enough food and water for a week or more without services, I have all the tools I need to fix any mechanical issue that may arise, I can survive comfortably in persistent rain and cold weather.

what it comes down to is that covering distance is the least important part of cycle touring, I'd rather have the comforts and slow the f down.

ultralight is a blast for shorter tours but I would prefer the weight long term.

Machka 

Asked and answered ...

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/10...st-please.html

That's a thread you started, BTW.

DropBarFan

Impressive for light-weight/completeness combo. The stuff (incl tent & sleep bag) really fits into the front panniers & small front/rear bags?

elcruxio

LIGHTBULB!

Have you people ever heard of the internet rule that if you want correct information on something, post misinformation on the subject and someone will be along to correct you in no time? I think that is what is happening with squeezebox...

Buffalo Buff

With how much everyone here loves Ultralight discussions, I figured this should be back on the front page

mstateglfr 

Wow, you have achieved expert level very quickly.
I had exited this thread because it was such a joke, but I am glutton for punishment and had to see what more had been posted.
Squeeze is now doling out examples of how to be UL before experiencing it. Flat nylon pedals are pretty lightweight, you should try em! Maybe you will see they aren't unsafe to use too. Haha.

Buffalo Buff

True ULers only bring one pair of shoes on tour

psy

And get foot fungus standing in public showers.

djb

Come on, you make this sound like a bad thing! ;-)
Been there, done that, but I still don't worry about it that much tbh.

psy

Still, think about the other stuff strangers have washed off of their bodies that you are choosing to stand in. Ive encountered some pretty gross public restrooms.To each his own, but I hope my kids always wear shower shoes.