Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#203526 - 10/09/19 02:24 AM How to load a bike
Petro1234 Offline
member

Registered: 10/27/16
Posts: 101
Loc: engeland
I had the misfortune to go bikepacking earlier this year. It was quite fun to be honest. I used all of the equipment that I had accumulated over the years but was far to heavy for backpacking, ie 6lb tent, top mount cannister stove, solar charger, 8 inch frying pan air matress etc .

My bike weighs 35lb and my equipment weighed 35lb, loaded evenly in 2 panniers and a rucksack. I had serious problems when loaded. The bike was unwieldy and very hard work to ride, especially going uphills. Now if i ride my bike without loading its easy and dynamic, even with a rucksack with 20lbs in on the bike is not bad to ride. Yet add panniers and my ride lost all characteristics. I have seen lots of different loading systems,so how should i load ?

Top
#203529 - 10/09/19 09:47 PM Re: How to load a bike [Re: Petro1234]
JustWalking Offline
member

Registered: 01/12/16
Posts: 293
Loc: PNW
Were the panniers on the rear of the bike? If so, that was part of the problem, you need some weight up front as well. When I used to tour by bike I used four panniers, two on the front and two on the back. Worked well.

Top
#203530 - 10/10/19 01:33 AM Re: How to load a bike [Re: JustWalking]
Petro1234 Offline
member

Registered: 10/27/16
Posts: 101
Loc: engeland
Thanks for the reply. Yep panniers on the rearalong with the tent along the rack, rucksack on my back. Amazing the difference it made. I think the wobble also made a lot of difference, the weight on the tail seemed to drag the bike if that makes sense.

Like i say there was a fair bit of weight, but i cannot see any point going light if youve a bike too, nice big tent, soft bed etc. The weight up front i suppose balances the bike, what sort of ratio should I be looking at please and how should I load it.

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 170 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum