How To Pack Bicycle Panniers – 7 Tips
December 3, 2009 by Darren Alff
Pannier packing is an art. There are a million different ways to do it and no one was is correct, but there are a few commonly-held practices that, if you are aware of them, will help you out tremendously once you jump in the saddle and hit the streets.
I was recently asked write a guest post for the Adventure Cycling Association blog and thought it would be good opportunity to share my simple and down-to-earth pannier packing secrets. Click here to read the article and discover my “7 Secrets To Successfully Packing Your Panniers.”
One of the tips I give in the article is to leave some extra space inside your panniers before you leave home so that you can pick up additional items, if the need be, as you go along. However, the most important part of this tip was edited out (Maybe because Adventure Cycling disagrees with me on this particular point? Or maybe because the article simply needed to be shorter?)
Whatever the case, the part that was cut out stated that you should attempt to have at least half of a pannier empty when you leave home at the start of your tour. I personally shoot for having an entire pannier free if possible.
My point here is that if you leave home and you are already stuffed to the gills, you are simply carrying too much stuff. Having some free space (the more free space – the better), will really come in handy once you hit the road.
To read the full article and get some additional hints on how to pack your panniers for your next bicycle touring adventure, head on over to the Adventure Cycling blog and read my guest post titled, “7 Secrets To Successfully Packing Your Panniers.“
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5 Responses to “How To Pack Bicycle Panniers – 7 Tips”
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Good post. It’d be nice if you had a diagram or explain exactly what gear you put into each pannier, just for reference for newbies. i.e. which pannier do you put food, spare clothes, etc.
It’s also worth mentioning that if you tend to get on/off your bike on the left side, (and.or park it leaning on its right side), that you should pack items more frequently used on the left side. Also general rule is 60% of gear/weight in back; 40% in front.
Hey Jim, thanks for the comment and additional tips. I’ve actually already produced an article that shows where I recommend placing your items inside your panniers, etc. The article contains a video and a diagram. You can see it here: http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/how-to-pack-your-panniers-for-a-bicycle-tour-an-inside-look/
[...] 7 Tips For Successfully Packing Your Panniers [...]
Anyone know of any unusual rugged “hike and bike” panniers out there that allow for biking to a location, stashing the bike, converting to backpack, and then continuing on foot? I suppose I could rig something myself, but was hoping for an easier off the shelf solution. Ideas? Anything creative you’ve seen others do?
Rob, this is the best backpack/pannier I have ever used. Lone peak also makes one, but this one by Arkel is a lot more comfortable http://www.arkel-od.com/us/bug-cummuting-bag.html