markjenn

Hi, I'm planning a two-week backroads mostly-pavement tour for the upcoming summer and I need some luggage. The bike has a nice sturdy Blackburn rack, so getting a compatible set of rear panniers is my first thought. I want something lightweight for hotel "credit card touring"..... just enough space and weight capacity to hold a change of street clothes/shoes, personal kit, rain gear, cold weather gear, snacks, and the usual bike tools/spares.

Most of the pannier options (e.g., Ortliebs) seem oriented towards heavy loads and camping. This seems like overkill for my needs and adds weight and bulk.

I have a generous tailbag that mounts to the top of my rack and I could supplement this with perhaps a frame triangle bag and/or a handlebar bag, but last time I loaded the tailbag for an overnighter, I was surprised how top-heavy the bike became and how the handling deteriorated. So I like the idea of rear panniers to keep the weight lower and as far forward as possible.

I'm sure there are other options, but this bag set seems to be oriented towards sport touring and is what I'm thinking of. Kinda pricey for what they are though. The attachment system, while simple, looks less than robust to me.

Hermosa UL Panniers ? Bedrock Bags

Anybody used these? Any other suggestions? Thanks,

- Mark

gerryl

You might want to look at Arkel Dry lite panniers.

Machka 

Check out my tour story in the Short Tours thread ... you'll see photos of what Rowan and I used for a 5-day credit card tour.

CreakingCrank

I use a pair of front panniers on the rear for shorter trips

redbagsrambler

I use these for short tours. Lot less expensive than the Hermosa bags, even with paying extra for rain covers.
https://lonepeakpacks.com/index.php/...iers/p099.html

saddlesores

waterproof front bags:

Nashbar Waterproof Front Panniers - Bike Nashbar

smaller/lighter frontsies:

https://www.bikenashbar.com/cycling/a...t-na-atpf-base

really small bags....12 liters/pair:

Nashbar Daytrekker Panniers - Bike Nashbar


nothing says you have to use both panniers.

seeker333

It looks that way to me too. In fact they tell you in description these bags are not intended for rough use. I've never heard of Hermosa before now. The fabric they are made from is used for pricey UL backpacks. If they really weigh ~600g for 25l capacity that is very light (so are the Arkel Dy Lights).

Ortlieb sells a not-well-known-in-the-USA economy version of their Roller Classic called Roller City (front rollers are now called sport rollers). Sport Roller City lack some features of Roller Classic and consequently weigh and cost less (1200g, 25l).

The reason Ortliebs weigh more than Hermosa or Arkel is they have a plastic stiffening panel on the back to keep bag rigid for loading/unloading, keeps bag from interfering with rotating wheel (spokes), and makes the clever attachment system feasible. Ortliebs are made of a tough waterproof material with welded seams. They have a locking attachment system which makes taking bags on and off from rack simple, just grab and lift. Ortlieb rack mounts adjust for width and rack tubing diameter, so they fit most any rack. Note the Hermosa bags have a fixed, specific width requirement for rack compatibility, so measure twice if you don't want to be disappointed.

Cost considered, Hermosa would be my last choice between Arkel, Ortlieb and Lone Peak. Note that Lone Peaks require $30 rain covers to keep them dry. The Hermosa will probably leak in hard rain - note their description as "weather resistant".

Ortliebs are well known for being waterproof, tough, long-lived and easy to use, so they're easy to recommend without reservation. If you decide you don't like Ortliebs after the tour, due to their popularity they can be easily resold, recovering half your cost or more.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...s.php?id=52420

indyfabz

You could always use something like Ortlieb Sport Packer panniers on the rear rack. Not large, good attachment system and waterproof.

pdlamb

Another vote for the Ortlieb Sport Packer or similar panniers. They're sold as front panniers, but they should be big enough for anything short of 7 pound leather hiking boots. Waterproof, so one less thing to worry about while riding. Expensive? Yes, this year; but if you continue to ride and tour, in five years they'll still work like new and you'll join the "cheap over the long term" choir.

Tourist in MSN

If just loading the stuff you need for an overnight stay in a motel in your rack top bag made the bike feel top heavy and that the handling deteriorated, I can't think of any options that you will like.

If I put a 10 pound brick on the top of my rear rack I would hardly notice it and certainly would not notice bad handling, unless the rack was at fault.

And yes, I have put a ten pound brick on the rear rack a few times to test handling when I put my camping gear on a bike but wanted to also simulate the additional weight of food and water on the bike.

CreakingCrank

That's my experience too. Once moving, I don't notice any handling differences with the rear weighted down with large panniers and a dry bag. I can feel the weight while walking the bike, but not while riding.

Front panniers and handlebar bags are another story as they attach to steering components.

trailhound

Carradice saddlebag. Paired with a Brooks saddle.

Mtroup

I have the Hermosa UL Panniers and they’re pretty great. Lightweight, excellent construction, and rock solid even through the bumpy, rooty trails. I switched to these panniers from a pair of Arkel Dolphin 35s and am glad I did. The Hermosas are very snug and secure on the bike, much more secure than the traditional hook and rails on “normal” panniers. And you won’t miss all the rattling noises either. Definitely on the pricey side, but if you’re looking to slim your load down some without going to a bikepacking tail bag, I think they’re a solid investment.

If you’re looking to go even smaller with your panniers, the Revelate Nanos would be worth a look.

rifraf

I've recently had a look at the gear the bike packing crowd are utilising.
I just grabbed a couple of frame top tube bags from Relevate to compliment my panniers.
I grabbed the "Gastank" and "Jerrycan" having decided I wanted to keep my Ortlieb Ultimate handlebar bag for my camera gear only, not wanting keys etc scratching my lenses/camera.
I've seen more than a few roadies utilising this type of gear.
I'm considering the purchase of a frame bag at the mo but more to differently distribute my gear on the bike rather than to do away with my panniers per se'.
Good luck with your choices.
Others can see more bike packing type gear here: https://www.bikepacking.com/gear/bikepacking-bags/

Machka 

Yep ... that's what we used.

markjenn

Thanks for input, I'm not seeing your "Short Tours" thread in an obvious place. Pointer?

- Mark

Machka 

Right here ...

2018 - Your Short Tours: 2018 - Your Short Tours


Fourth one below yours at the moment ...

Touring Forum: https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/


.

Rob_E

I use Ortleib Front-roller classics. I always use them on rear rack. They are about the same capacity as the ones you point to. Likely not as light, but I love the Ortleib attachment system and love the waterproofness. I don't know why they would be "overkill" compared to a (more expensive) set of the same capacity.

But may be overkill in terms of capacity depending on the weather. When I went credit card touring last fall, I got the bulk of my gear into a 15 liter bag with some odds and ends stashed elsewhere on the bike. But varying temperatures can require a wider selection of clothes. Still, I could have gone with two, just-over-half-full Frontrollers, but I wanted to carry a cooler on the back rack, so I carried my clothes up front, cooler on the rear rack, stashed some ride-accessible clothes elsewhere on the bike, and let my wife use my Frontroller. With attention paid to not overpacking, and mild weather expectations, probably one Frontroller would do the trick.

fietsbob

I just use front bags , in the front, bike handling is smoothed by having that mass there..

Bike friday (2) are low trail , i'm not trying for speed anyhow.. rain gear & so forth aboard..


My Ortlieb panniers , the bigger ones, get a lot of groceries carried in them.


you can use self control on a larger rear bag ?? Fighting "the load expands to fill the available volume"

Ortlieb's back Roller Plus , is lighter than the Original Truck Tarp Classic, its a Cordura Nylon..

they order a thicker lining coating, and use that to weld the seams together....



...

jefnvk

I've got the Nashbar waterproof and Ortlieb Back Rollers refrenced here. I'd have a very hard time noticing either empty on my racks, and full I can't imagine an improvement with a pound less back there.

FWIW, I'm doing a credit card tour across France this year, and I'm more than likely taking my Ortliebs on back, unless I give a Carradice solo a go. Wife will be getting Ortliebs to replace her Nashbars, if I can find a purple or pink set...

sdotkling

FWIW, Lone Peaks are pretty damn water resistant, but not waterproof. That said, I pack my clothes into large ZipLock bags, toss them into the Lone Peaks, and have never gotten wet at all, except in the most crazy what-are-you-doing-out-here downpours.