This is my wife's packing method. She pulls away from me when I'm going 40+ mph on downhills without any problems. She can also shift and trim very well on her 9 speed triple:)

https://live.staticflickr.com/4595/3...3c2aca83_c.jpg


I have 3 touring bikes: Surly LHT, Cannondale T2, and a Bianchi Volpe. The Volpe is my favorite. All our touring bikes, 6 including our daughter's bike, are equipped with 22/32/44 chain rings and an 11-34 cassette.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...046205cd_c.jpg

My Ortlieb Rackpack holds pillow (orange), tent (blue), Thermarest pad (orange), and sleeping bag (yellow). The tent and sleeping bag are in water proof compression sacks. The loaded rackpack weighs 10 lbs., including tent poles, tent stakes, and ground cloth.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a706e722_c.jpg

Tent compared to water bottle for scale.

https://live.staticflickr.com/4697/4...5090d681_c.jpg

The only brifters I have used are Campy 10 speed. Thus, I am quite clueless on the ones that most people use.

Solution for smooth road riding on even more smooth tarmac ;)

After some test rides around town Im happy with how everything sits and handles now. I managed to find a triple shifter cheap and have fitted a triple crankset. Thanks to everyone for your help and guidance
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9ac45edef1.jpg

Over 50 years of unsupported touring, I've found that packing the bed (self inflating mattress, sleeping bag and pillow) in one front pannier, the tent and rainfly in the other front pannier (about 6 lbs each). A large saddlebag carries 3 changes of clothes, personal stuff and cooking gear ( 12-15 lbs). It works.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...35eea407b4.jpg
Marc

Personally (It might have already been said) would be to spread some of that weight to the front. Maybe get a frame bag made up and a top tube bag for the heavier items you might bring. There is an array of new ideas rather than sticking with the traditional x2 panniers on the back.

Stick with the principal of taking less! You'll be glad after the first couple of climbs. I've got a pizza rack on the front which allows me to attach panniers and bungee cord a few things on top, Tent (MSR x2 Hubba) and stuff it in a nearby dry bag if it rains. When you sopread the weight the bike will become more responsive, as mentioned above when its all at the back the bike will rear up a little on steep climbs.

You'll figure it all out. Pack it up, go for a ride and amend where necessary.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5ce76dbaee.jpg

Get a couple small box-o’-wines to save weight. :D

Haha. If you look closely at my pic you can see we needed to empty one bottle of wine to save on weight! :thumb:

Good point, the glass bottles are heavy.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...435ab3f5f6.jpg

Try here: https://www.cycletourer.co.uk/cyclet.../packing.shtml