What's the difference? And which one suits you better. By watching this video you'll learn all about the differences between the two types and find out which one is right for you.
As someone who has done a lot of commuting and touring with a pannier setup, bikepacking rigs seem like a nightmare to me. They seem very kludgey and impactical. If I'm going to be camping, I'm running panniers.
People want the newest hot trendy stuff and eating miles by the hundreds per day so they can brag about it. People should calm down a bit. Touring for me.
To be fair there is a Bike) packing channel and he goes all over the world incredible distances, and he said the solution that he’s found is to have a back rack with a waterproof rucksack of about 50 L strapped on with ski straps. Therefore, you have the best of both worlds.
Great video! For someone new to travelling with their bike, this gives a great startingpoint as for which mindset to approach the riding and packing situation with. Coming from the hiking world, my preferences gravitate towards bikepacking in regards of sleeping comfort, route choice etc. After some years of experimenting, I've ended up with a combined setup of bikepacking bags and small panniers. I like to ride fast and be able to venture into a forest or similar, but also prefer the easy access and packability of panniers. there is also (to me at least) some challenge in seeing how little I can bring and still enjoy the trip greatly Thank you for a great video
Great info and questions, Mike - thank you! I've actually been asking myself these types and other questions to decide whether to just use my vintage hardtail mountain bike for bikepacking AND road touring, or trade/sell some of my other mtbs and a road bike for a proper road touring bike; and, I really like the Kona Sutra a lot. I'm just in the planning/deciding stage right now for a multi-day trip in the summer. Cheers!
So, given those definitions, I got myself a 'touring' bike, converted from my XC bike. Not only I've changed and added parts, like panniers and a rigid fork, but I also invested on good bags that can double as work bags, whenever I'm called to the office. For the bags, I got 2x 24 L pannier bags, 2x 6 L fork bags, a small triangle frame bag (limited since I'm using a ladies' bike), and a repair pouch.
I've recently added a fork frame( Passport Lug-Cage) to my bikepack set-up. It can carry tent, or similar shape kit bag, secured with straps. It's proved sturdy and stable on trails. Enjoyed your vid, as it points up the different/difficult choices, when reducing carrying capacity.
Great video. Another option which I really enjoy is to use a trailer like a Bob Yak. We got one when we were touring with 2 toddlers when we needed panniers and extra space - one child was on a seat attached to the frame, suddenly we had a 4 man tent. As the trailer is attached via the rear axle it gives you more flexibility of what bike you can use. It's also a bit more stable than 4 heavy panniers - I typically still use two but can put the heavier things in the Yak.
There's no rules, both terms describe a bike with some bags or packs attached to it... Just avoid putting too much bags, because you could be temped to fill them. Some people try to make a distinction but it's just to sell you more useless stuff. I do a lot of off-road and I use a traditional bike with a customized handlebar to change the position of my hands and two rear paniers (only one in summer). The tent is strapped on the rear rack with a tensioner. Just make sure everything is protected from the rain. If your bags are not water proof, just use a plastic bag inside for the things you want to protect. Unless you never cycle when the path is wet, you should get some mud guards, otherwise your back will get wet and dirty. Unless you get some joy from wasting your money, don't buy expensive bikes or gears.
I use both as I have a problem with my leg & getting it over a saddle bag is difficult for me , So I mainly use a full frame bag & front panniers ,as well as a bar bag ,I will use rear panniers if I was going for a long trip .I use a Surly Ogre with 29x 2.25" tyres & I can go pretty much anywhere . Thanks for the great videos .
Good job Mike...I started out with a bikepacking set of AGU consisting of saddlebag, framebag, steeringrol and upper bar and snack bag....didn't work out for me. Currently trying the Ortlieb gravelpanniers on the Ortlieb quickrack, framebag 4L, Ortlieb handlebar bag wich I use also as snackpack and until now I'm satisfied with it....the bike is a medium Ridley KanzoAdventure. ...Grtz from Flanders....👍🏻👍🏻
Bikepacking for me, using a gravel bike, with a saddle and handle bags (AGU) and, as you mention it, I do use lots of shock cords. I would carry a waist bag (minimal). I´m a recreational tourer, I do sleep in hotels/airbnb, eat at local restaurants and carry energy food. Also I don´t ride long distances at a time, more like sightseeing/bike friendly routes. :)
spot on Mike! I maxed out my Surly LHT's tire clearance to 1.75" with the Schwalbe Smart Sams which makes the touring bike much more off/bad road capable...and more comfortable too!
Thank you thank you thank you . I have been going down a wormhole just trying to figure out which bike to buy . At least now I am certain of which style I need.
Great video. I’ve been wanting to go on a bike tour for a long time. Now i finally have a good bike, so I’m looking a bit into setups. But first i want to get used to my new bike.
Tack Mike. I like to mix and match, my Tailfin rack is versatile for both situations, although I did bend it a bit when I crashed off my MTB. Much Love Ed
I've heard about those. Never tried one though. Seems like a good option if you want to alternate between having/not having something to attatch your panniers to. Would be great for my wife that uses one of my panniers on her commute to work. Take care!
Thanks for this video and previous videos. They are a great source of information and will help me to choose the right products for a trip I'm planning for next year. 👍
Hi Mike, thanks for your informational videos. Because of your insight, I bought a Kona Sutra SE, and I love it. Now I am stocking up on items for longer travels. Because spokes, chain and innertube seems to be most vulnarable on the long run, which spokes, chain and innertube do you recommend for this bike?
A cross between a traditional touring and bike-packing setup is what I run. I like comfort, operate on a slim budget, ride a lot of mixed-surface day rides or the stray overnighter (waiting for Late May/June for the first big trip and most of the trails to be open again) and like the option of meal flexibility. The Salsa Anything racks bolt to my fork legs with the related dry-sacks and i have a full-sized front rack. Running a mid-sized rear pannier/top-box pack (Roswheel) hugely helps as does the full-sized frame-pack. Bike-wise I've found that my alt-flat bar, overlanding modified, rigid 27.5+ trail-bike works perfectly for all the roles/terrains it traverses. I'd be as slow and nearly as heavy as any loaded touring rig on a trip. Also run a tiny front chainring (28t) with a 10spd 10-48 rear cassette; plenty of low gears (!). I still want to find some micro-panniers for the front rack to further spread the load around (Any suggestions?). Bike plus racks alone is thirty-three pounds... Lastly, just my two-cents worth on more rigidly defined bike-packing vs. touring setups, is that a hybrid approach is the most reasonable and comfortable. The best of both worlds without the limitations a stricter, more literalist implementation would impose is the end result.
Well it was an old Ellsworth Epiphany a very good bike until I stupidly smashed the rear suspension. I found a Kona frame I think it is called Blast? Stripped everything off the Ellesworth including the Fox front forks and now I guess its a Kona Chimera? Great for forest trails and the like.
One big advantage of a carrier is you can buy things late in the day (food) and just strap it on the rack without worrying how heavy it is. Those bikepacking rear bags are stressing the saddle already so adding tins or water weight is not ideal. I would go with a carrier and either saddle bag or rear panniers every time. But I prefer roads and hate complicated packing so this suits me specifically. Ride safe everyone!
Would love a review of the new Ortleib Gravel Panniers, lots smaller, but perhaps a good compromise with a burrito bag or a Agnes that mounts to front handlebar to save space. Thoughts?
That's what I do. Ample room in my polish Crosso front panniers on the rear rack, and a frame bag and some other goodies I collect for attatching. All fits well and still light on my old 90s mtb.
Why everyone, that is bikepacking always make the most expensive setups. Why not do it on budget. You gotta think creative. My setup is very simple. On the rear rack I have 80 liter backpack and on my frame I attach two shoulder bags(each around 25 liters). I attach them by putting the shoulder strip around seat post and a special ring I made on my steering tube. They lie next to frame and no, they don't make it hard to peddle for me(btw I'm huge 6'3 or 196 cm) And there are three huge pluses for me, why this is the best. Firstly, they are everyday items, so I can use them each day, not only when I cycle. Secondly, I can easily remove them from my bike and go, for example, to shop. I put my backpack on shoulders, one shoulder bag around shoulder and second shoulder bag also funkcions as duffle bag, so I can cary in my hand. Thirdly, it wasn't expensive to get into this. I only needed to buy the backpack, when I started bikepacking.
I´d like to add another crucial advantage for panniers. I learned that during my motorcycle trips: safety. And by that I mean safety to the bike :) With 2-wheelers, be it with or without engine there is one thing for sure. At some point you will drop or crash the bike. And - rumour has it - 99% of the time the bike will land on the side, potentially not only damaging the handlebar or the frame, but when in uneven terrain also fork and disc brakes. With Panniers in comparison to seat-, handlebar- or frame bags you have that additional protection (buffer) to both sides that in case of a crash help reducing thee damage done to your bike
or you can buy a Santos Cross Lite which can do both 🙂 it is a mountain bike frame, but with the options to mount a front and rear rack and tyre width possible from 35 to 60 mm
Thanks for a great video. I have an electric bike that I’m in the process of setting up for bike touring. It has a rear rack on it and I recently mounted BarYak’s and the front fork so I could carry small bags up front. I also got a waterproof duffel for the rear rack over the panniers. Now I just have to get up and go. Keep up the good work 😎
A slight niggle: You can't convert almost every bike into a touring bike. There are a lot of lightweight frames, which can't handle heavy weights. Often only a driver + few kg.
Thank you. I'm new to this at 61 years. I have much to learn. Can you offer suggestion on handlebars for my hardtail MTB? I recently purchased ergon grips that have helped much but I'm still having pain in my hands and shoulders for leaning forward too much. I want to make my MTB an all purpose bicycle. Hard packed trails and asphalt. Ragbrai is on my sights again also. Thank you.
I really like both of them. It really depends on which type of trip I'm looking to make. But for me who's carrying a lot of filming gear and electronics with me the pannier setup makes everything a bit easier.
Thank you! I was supposed to add some footage of it but totally forgot. I have three different systems depending on how much space I have, how long I'm going to be away for and what type of food I'm going to bring. One small stove+steel mug (for when I'm bikepacking), a Cooke system called Primus ETA express and finally a Trangia stove. I guess I use the Primus one most of the time, but if I have space avaliable bringing the Trangia is a great treat. I'm able to do some proper cooking if I bring it.
Great bike , rides smooth ru-vid.comUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L I added a bigger spring loaded seat to it . Takes a bit of adjusting cables to get brakes and shifting to perfect . I've owned quite a few bikes in the past that were absolutely uncomfortable to ride and they always ended up as garage wall decor . I'm not seeing that with this one. It's pretty light I've only ridden it a few miles but I like it . As for the pedals falling off in the other reviews , the pedal arms are aluminum along with the pedal studs look to be also . I would not overtighten them. I can see it would be very easy to overtighten them and strip the threads right off . All in all I think it's pretty good quality besides the aluminum pedal thing .
Very good points all around. Have my touring set up good to go. Would like to play with the bike packing option but prices are out the door here for now. Have you ever thought of switching your Brookes saddle to your other bike? Thanks for the video and take care, Al
The thought of getting a third brroks or maybe installing one of the two I already have on my mountainbike has crossed my mind. I went on a three day bikepacking trip last year with the mtb and I guees that is about the maximum amount of days I'm able to sit on the stock saddle that came with it. Let's see what the future holds. Take care!
A small bike also limits the space for the handlebar roll. I've occasionally had problems with the handlebar roll touching the front wheel. I can't imagine how useless bikepacking would be if I were 150 cm tall. But I bet a 150 cm tall person can fit all four panniers!
No disrespect meant here; but surely this is all about semantics; if you go camping..using your bike to carry your camping gear; then its exactly the same, wether you use bags or panniers!? That's like saying if you use different cutlery or have a different tent; or you put your camping gear in the boot of your car or the back of a van; then it's not camping! It's not a touring bike, it's a bike used for touring, surely? Just as it's not a bikepacking bike, it's a mountain bike, or a racing bike, but basically a bike!? Putting unnecessary labels on things, just makes you prone to become a victim of marketing. Come on buddy, it's just camping..using your bike to carry the required amount of camping gear; depending on the level of luxury you want and the distance needed to be traveled!?!?
I already have four bikes, none of which are suitable for touring. I'm trying to get away with only buying one new bike to do both paved and off-road touring. Do you think a rigid mountain bike with a set of slick tyres would still be too annoying (ie slow) for a long paved tour like on the Eurovelo routes?
A lot of the EV routes are not slick pavement. I live in Portugal and have done a bit of ridong on them and there is some dirt track but even some roads here are just cobbles full of potholes, ie if you ride fast you will shake all your teeth out. Unless ypu prefer to deviate on to slick tarmac with loads of traffic.
No, they are 42s. I've said in another video that I wouldn't go bike touring with less than 37, due to all the weight you're adding on to that wheel. With a bikepacking setup 35 is ok I guess.
I'm seeing more people putting full size rear panniers on a bike packing bike. Then the spokes break and you need the wheel properly repaired. There are two channels where they set out on long tours and this happened. One had to buy a new wheel. It seems like touring bikes are going out of fashion and overloaded bikepacking is taking over.
I got away with abusing a road bike like that and eventually I broke a spoke. I relaced the wheel with heavy duty spokes. You could also use double-butted spokes, they're thicker where the stress is. You can also add a front rack and put half the weight in front.
The big advantage of touring bikes is stopping mid journey. It takes seconds to remove 2 panniers. Secure a bike and go shopping or restaurant. Also my suspicion is the aerodynamic issues are negligible with 2 panniers vs a handle bar bag. Also rolling resistance on paved roads is likely to be way better.
Hej Mike! As you said Bike touring can be tricky, I have just returned from Denmark , I was there for a 3 day bike tour and I realized that bike touring can be tricky when you have a lot of space… you tend to take with you a lot of unnecessary things, so probably a bike packing tour is suitable for a international short trip :) Also I sent you an email and a message on instagram 2 weeks ago , I will appreciate if you can reply me ! Tack !
