Cycling with loads-sometimes freaking myself out

[Eden]

With panniers you really do have to be careful when you load them..... when I was touring I had to move a pair of sandals from the left to the right pannier as I tipped over twice in a row at stops from being just a tiny bit overbalanced on my clipped in side...

It's highly unlikely that you will ever break a bike with weight.... My husband did break some spokes once, but he's a big guy (he's 6'4" and I think 210 at the time) *and* we were fully loaded for camping. At your weight, even with as many groceries as you can carry, I don't think you could really break a bike, so don't sweat it. As long as you keep your tire pressure good you shouldn't flat... that's usually only a problem if you get low and pinch flat.

[OakLeaf]

I don't recommend a 3-gallon water jug in a backpack. Even if the jug is plastic.

[Eden]

I can second that.... lots of weight on your back requires *extreme* care..... I did a rather long skid on the top of my head, I'm pretty sure, from having too much stuff in my messenger bag.... I hit a tiny pothole in the dark and the weight of my messenger bag came up over my head and carried me right over the handlebars. The helmet certainly saved my life that day- the shop guy looked at it when I came in to replace it and looked again at me (I was basically fine - somehow I escaped with just a tiny raspberry on my elbow) and said usually when someone comes in with a helmet like that they don't look too good.... I haven't stopped using the messenger bag, but I certainly take a lot of care when I've loaded it up and I always make sure that it's really well secured with the chest/stabilizer strap to keep the weight as close and low as possible on my back

[shootingstar]

Skid on your head..wow.

No way, I could ever want to carry a 3-gallon water jug in a backpack while cycling. I dislike much weight beyond regular minimal purse items on my back/side.

Yea, I couldn't break a bike frame. But sure, feels the frame, most likely it's just the back weight swinging slightly.

My partner has bent some wheel spokes. Most recently there was a long crack right by the area where the bike folds on his Dahon folding bike. He has done several different multiple wk. long bike touring trips that were self-loaded on that folding bike several in Europe. A flaw in that particular bike, but most likely it was exacerbated by weight of him (160 lbs.) + his 4 panniers. Right now, he's negotiating the warranty on that bike....

I am intrigued that some cyclists don't like hauling around any pannier weight...each to his/her own. But it does make you a different type of stronger cyclist especially doing hills, etc. on a regular basis.

[Crankin]

I don't really like riding with my pannier, but, I do it when doing errands. I couldn't do a regular grocery shopping, even with 2, at least only once a week, like I do. Too much stuff.
I totally agree with the backpack/messenger thing. I firmly believe my friend broke his hip, not just because he slid on black ice, but because he was riding with his laptop on his back.This is someone with good handling skills. I tried commuting with a stuffed messenger bag and it was bigger than me! I ended up taking the bladder out of my Camelback and using that as a backpack. I hadn't done that for a few years, when I needed to bring some stuff to change into after a group ride, I was riding to (7 miles). It was painful, and the top of the pack kept bumping into the back of my helmet.

[lph]

Trailers rock.

[DebW]

While you aren't going to break a bike from loading the panniers, make sure you have a good secure rack to hold the panniers. Check the weight limit on the rack and check how much it sways under your load. A swaying rack will make riding feel treacherous. The economy racks under $30 may not be adequate. The weight distribution on the bike can also be a factor. If the weight of the panniers is behind the rear hub, you may feel the bike sway and feel unmanagable - hence the long wheelbases on touring bikes. And too much weight on the rear wheel (especially behind the rear hub) can leave the front end too light and affect steering - adding front panniers can compensate for this. Trailers are one good solution, as LPH says.