Panniers or BOB trailer???? Long post......

[annie]

Never having done any self-supported touring, this is all new to me! I am going to do a 4-5 day, self-supported ride this summer. A new kind of biking experience for me and I am so looking forward to it! I don't have any of the right equipment but have options of borrowing it, so I can try this out and see if I like it before investing in yet another bike and more stuff!

I have two road bikes and a mountain bike. Out of the three, I could only use my newest road bike, a trek 5500, because it has a triple and I will need that to carry the extra weight up hills! However, it is NOT a touring frame, it's lightweight carbon fiber and there's no way to add a rack and panniers and I don't think it would be a stable ride OR good for the bike if I managed. So if I use this bike, I'll have to take a BOB trailer.

I am not comfortable on the mountain bike for long distances at all, so I wouldn't take that, even with slicks. The other road bike only has a double and isn't set up for touring, either. I thought this was my only option, using the BOB, so no decision to make.

Well, a friend just offered to let me use her CDale touring bike. She and I are almost exactly the same size, so I am sure it would fit. If I do that, I could go with panniers. I've never used panniers or a trailer. I've heard from various people as to why they like one over the other. I'm looking for more opinions from anyone who's used either system. What did you like/not like about it and what would you prefer to use if you had a choice? I'll be carrying tent, sleeping bag, pad, plus minimum of clothing and supplies. I am riding with experienced people who have done this many times.

I am biking from home, on the east side of Iowa, to the beginning of RAGBRAI, which starts on the west side of the state. Once I get there, I'll hook up with my bike club and will have a bag of fresh clothes waiting for me. They'll also haul my stuff for the rest of the ride, if I want them to. Maybe I'll love the freedom of having my own stuff with me whenever I want it and just keep it on........... How does a touring bike handle if it is not loaded?

I've been biking for many years and now there's all sorts of new things to learn! Just like there was when I got the mountain bike. I'll never learn it all but it is sure a wonderful thing to have the opportunity to do so! I am so excited and I have to wait till mid-July for all this to happen........

[Veronica]

We did a ten day self supported tour down the coast of California - using rear panniers. It didn't change the handling of the bike too much.

Haven't done any hauling of a trailer, but for only 5 days, it seems like a lot of work to set up every day. But that's speculation, not experience talking.

Veronica

[Barb]

Veronica

You used only rear panniers? My new bike will only allow for rears, so I was a little apprehensive. I have not toured at all yet but I like the idea. I just thought that you had to go front and rear for proper weight distribution, is that not the case?

Barb

[Veronica]

We went with only rear to keep the steering more nimble. And we didn't need the space. You want the weight evenly divided left to right.

V.

[annie]

Barb,

I did an overnite trip this past weekend and used only rear panniers. I carried my stuff and a friends, so they were pretty weighty. (I didn't attempt to pack light. I need to get accustomed to the weight.) The bike did feel back-heavy but seemed to handle pretty well anyway. And there was plenty of space to take what we needed and more. However, I'll be doing a longer trip this summer and needing to also carry camping supplies. I'll need the extra room that front panniers will give me. Just got a front rack today and will put the bags on it tomorrow, throw some stuff in and go for an experimental ride. I am curious to see how differently the bike will handle. I do think the important thing is to balance the weight evenly side-to-side and front to back. I haven't done this before, so I'm not expert. I'll be learning as I go.......I'll keep you posted on the results.

annie

[Barb]

Definately keep posting. I want to do a camping trip. I don't have brazons in front so I doubt if I could find a front rack that will work. I guess I'll have to pack ulta light!

[massbikebabe]

Annie:

We have decided to keep my ole Terry for this reason. I have only used panniers in the past but have pulled a coupla kids in a bugger and to say "it takes work and practice" is an understatement!!! Let me know how it goes...

karen

[annie]

Okay, ladies, I went for my first ride with front and rear panniers today. Rode a little over 20 miles. Carried my tent, sleeping bag, mattress, camp pillow, plus a bunch of other stuff, just for weight. I carried some shoes, tools, whatever was close at hand. The bike is heavy. It's difficult to get it up the two steps to get back into the house. But I can ride it. It rolls pretty well on the flats. The hills are tougher, to say the least, but so far, so good. My main concern was how it would handle /steer with weight on the front. I have to say it feels more stable than it did with just the rear bags. I was able to corner comfortably, slowly, but that's ok. I was more afraid of the downhills than the ups, but the brakes did their job. So it's seeming more and more like this is going to be a go! I do my first actual overnight trip (just one overnight) next weekend, the 19th. I'll let you know how it goes..........

annie

[annie]

Okay, ladies, I went for my first ride with front and rear panniers today. Rode a little over 20 miles. Carried my tent, sleeping bag, mattress, camp pillow, plus a bunch of other stuff, just for weight. I carried some shoes, tools, whatever was close at hand. The bike is heavy. It's difficult to get it up the two steps to get back into the house. But I can ride it. It rolls pretty well on the flats. The hills are tougher, to say the least, but so far, so good. My main concern was how it would handle /steer with weight on the front. I have to say it feels more stable than it did with just the rear bags. I was able to corner comfortably, slowly, but that's ok. I was more afraid of the downhills than the ups, but the brakes did their job. So it's seeming more and more like this is going to be a go! I do my first actual overnight trip (just one overnight) next weekend, the 19th. I'll let you know how it goes..........

annie