Your comment about comfort (also in the reddit post), reminded me of Francis Cade's video 'Do Aerodynamics matter for Ultra Distance Bikepacking?'. His wind tunnel test said 2 side pannier (22 litres) are more aerodynamic than a front bar bag. My personal experience is that only loading the rear end can result in stability issues, that increase the faster you go. Francis' summary (in the first comment below his video): 2 bottles (750ml per side) - 3Watts @ 25kmh - 3.5mins over 200km Front Bar Bag - 8.5Watts @ 25kmh AeroPack (~20Litres) - 2.5Watts FASTER @25kmh - 2x Side Panniers (22Litres per side) - 7 Watts @ 25kmh Full setup - wedge frame bag, handlebar bag, 2 bottles on fork, aeropack and 2 side panneirs 36 Watts on - 17.5mins over 200km ride
Thanks for sharing that! Yeah I've also heard that the front bar bags aren't great, although I read another post that said it's slightly better than small panniers. Had I done it again I would have added fork bags, although probably not big ones. I agree on distributing the weight front/back, but I don't think it's as easy, and big front panniers also have the disadvantage of left-right weight distribution, which can equally add instability. I personally didn't find any stability issues, apart from it being difficult to cycle without holding on to the handle bars (nearly fell over once due to a gust of wind from the side). In terms of the AeroPack, if I were to do it again I'm pretty sure I'd go for that one. Maybe also the restrap aero bar bag and use it for items that I use less frequently, say rain gear.
Incredible what you manage to squeeze in! I would not remember in which bag most of the things were, but I assume you have a list on your phone ! Safe trip today!
How many weeks or months can you travel with a bike packing set up. And why spend 1 1/2 hours packing every morning? I have carried panniers the past 55 years. My bike is my tiny house on wheels. It serves all the same functions as my brick and mortar. Small front and rear bags. with a kitchen, bedroom, living room, bathroom, front porch, all in under 20 pounds, plus water. Fast set up in camp at days end and fast start in the morning. Aerodynamic only come into play above 16 mph. In younger days. I often made 100 miles a day with panniers. Once I traveled 1500 miles in 15 days with the traditional set up. Not bragging just saying, You don't have to be a Sparten. At 82 not so much concerned with speed and miles. Now I call myself a Half Fast biker. My reasons for going out and about are not the same as in the past.
Thank you for your insights. I think think there is a balance to be struck. Had I done it all again I wouldn't have gone as "extreme" as I did. The extra time packing up / setting up camp, and general inconvenience, each day wasn't worth it. That said I know that if I'd gone with the full pannier setup I would have packed more than I really needed, so it was a good forcing function. For me being able to go somewhat faster is part of the joy of cycling, so the aerodynamics does make some difference. I've read that air resistance and rolling resistance are roughly equal as of 12km/h, so about half of what you mentioned. It's not something I've read up on in detail. The other thing to consider is that that's a wind speed of 16mph, so even if you're only say doing 10mph, but have 6mph headwind, you still get to the point where aerodynamics matter. A better setup might have been a rear rack, plus two small fork bags. Tailfin has some nice bags + rack.
Not very much. I bought a wash cloth to wipe off sunscreen and dirt on days that I couldn't shower. I put together a short post here on my takeaways from my setup, that might be interesting: www.reddit.com/r/bikepacking/comments/1erhwo6/bikepacking_gear_review_after_3000km/
Tent: Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 Bikepack (with Footprint) -- Wouldn't really recommend this one. It's super light and surprisingly roomy, but setup took a long time. Mat: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Long -- Very happy with this one. Sleeping bag: Sea to Summit Spark SP2 Long -- Fairly pleased with this one. It kept me warm, is very compact, and doesn't weigh too much. Not being able to fully unzip was a bit of a pain on warmer days, but I found that using it as a quilt on those days worked out.
The bike is 9.4kg and the rest of the gear, without food/water, but including helmet, pedals, shoes, riding gear, etc.. is about 15kg. Not light, but I think it's hard to get under that for a longer trip and with a tent.
I was also planning on getting fenders, but the saddle bag acts as a back fender, and for the front fender I figured if it's raining I'll get wet anyway.
What a sick setup
Thank you. I was very pleased to get it all to fit in such a small space.
Your comment about comfort (also in the reddit post), reminded me of Francis Cade's video 'Do Aerodynamics matter for Ultra Distance Bikepacking?'.
His wind tunnel test said 2 side pannier (22 litres) are more aerodynamic than a front bar bag.
My personal experience is that only loading the rear end can result in stability issues, that increase the faster you go.
Francis' summary (in the first comment below his video):
2 bottles (750ml per side) - 3Watts @ 25kmh - 3.5mins over 200km
Front Bar Bag - 8.5Watts @ 25kmh
AeroPack (~20Litres) - 2.5Watts FASTER @25kmh -
2x Side Panniers (22Litres per side) - 7 Watts @ 25kmh
Full setup - wedge frame bag, handlebar bag, 2 bottles on fork, aeropack and 2 side panneirs 36 Watts on - 17.5mins over 200km ride
Thanks for sharing that! Yeah I've also heard that the front bar bags aren't great, although I read another post that said it's slightly better than small panniers. Had I done it again I would have added fork bags, although probably not big ones. I agree on distributing the weight front/back, but I don't think it's as easy, and big front panniers also have the disadvantage of left-right weight distribution, which can equally add instability. I personally didn't find any stability issues, apart from it being difficult to cycle without holding on to the handle bars (nearly fell over once due to a gust of wind from the side). In terms of the AeroPack, if I were to do it again I'm pretty sure I'd go for that one. Maybe also the restrap aero bar bag and use it for items that I use less frequently, say rain gear.
Very informative. Very inspiring. Well said. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you - very interesting. Having this in order must be hugely important. Now - 3 days to go !!!
Incredible what you manage to squeeze in! I would not remember in which bag most of the things were, but I assume you have a list on your phone ! Safe trip today!
Haha, I spent so long putting the kit together and packing and unpacking. I could tell you what's in every bag in my sleep 😅
How many weeks or months can you travel with a bike packing set up. And why spend 1 1/2 hours packing every morning? I have carried panniers the past 55 years. My bike is my tiny house on wheels. It serves all the same functions as my brick and mortar. Small front and rear bags. with a kitchen, bedroom, living room, bathroom, front porch, all in under 20 pounds, plus water. Fast set up in camp at days end and fast start in the morning. Aerodynamic only come into play above 16 mph. In younger days. I often made 100 miles a day with panniers. Once I traveled 1500 miles in 15 days with the traditional set up. Not bragging just saying, You don't have to be a Sparten. At 82 not so much concerned with speed and miles. Now I call myself a Half Fast biker. My reasons for going out and about are not the same as in the past.
Thank you for your insights. I think think there is a balance to be struck. Had I done it all again I wouldn't have gone as "extreme" as I did. The extra time packing up / setting up camp, and general inconvenience, each day wasn't worth it. That said I know that if I'd gone with the full pannier setup I would have packed more than I really needed, so it was a good forcing function. For me being able to go somewhat faster is part of the joy of cycling, so the aerodynamics does make some difference. I've read that air resistance and rolling resistance are roughly equal as of 12km/h, so about half of what you mentioned. It's not something I've read up on in detail. The other thing to consider is that that's a wind speed of 16mph, so even if you're only say doing 10mph, but have 6mph headwind, you still get to the point where aerodynamics matter. A better setup might have been a rear rack, plus two small fork bags. Tailfin has some nice bags + rack.
Anything you wish you´d brought that you didn´t?
Not very much. I bought a wash cloth to wipe off sunscreen and dirt on days that I couldn't shower. I put together a short post here on my takeaways from my setup, that might be interesting: www.reddit.com/r/bikepacking/comments/1erhwo6/bikepacking_gear_review_after_3000km/
And which tent , mat etc you use?
Tent: Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 Bikepack (with Footprint) -- Wouldn't really recommend this one. It's super light and surprisingly roomy, but setup took a long time.
Mat: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Long -- Very happy with this one.
Sleeping bag: Sea to Summit Spark SP2 Long -- Fairly pleased with this one. It kept me warm, is very compact, and doesn't weigh too much. Not being able to fully unzip was a bit of a pain on warmer days, but I found that using it as a quilt on those days worked out.
What is the bike weight and the weight with all stuff
The bike is 9.4kg and the rest of the gear, without food/water, but including helmet, pedals, shoes, riding gear, etc.. is about 15kg. Not light, but I think it's hard to get under that for a longer trip and with a tent.
@ChrisOnABicycle thank you I mean with tent and all travell equipment you showed
@@hashem2086 Total weight is about 24-25kg and then 4ish kg for food and water
I believe in fendèrs.
I was also planning on getting fenders, but the saddle bag acts as a back fender, and for the front fender I figured if it's raining I'll get wet anyway.