SHOP BIKE CARGO RACKS<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\nBicycle Panniers & Touring Bags<\/h3>\n With the explosion in popularity of bike touring and bikepacking over the last decade or so, there are a ton of bike touring and bikepacking bag options out there. The key things to consider are the overall volume you need to carry all your stuff as well as waterproofness, organization, and being able to spread out the weight across the bike.<\/p>\n
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There are lots of options when it comes to choosing bike touring bags<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nPanniers<\/h4>\n Ortlieb<\/a> is one of the most popular and proven pannier and bike bag brands. Their bags are completely waterproof and very durable. I brought a set of rear Ortlieb panniers<\/a> to Europe and loved how durable and waterproof they are and how much space they provide. <\/p>\nHowever, one thing these bags don\u2019t have is multiple pockets so I often found myself digging around and having to pull a bunch of stuff out to find the one thing I was looking for. I made up for this by having a drawstring bag for small things like underwear, socks, etc, and a bag for toiletries. Packing cubes<\/a> would be perfect for this as well. Believe me, it will be worth the time and frustration you\u2019ll save when you\u2019re trying to find something while on the road!<\/p>\n\n
I used a pair of the Ortlieb Classic Panniers <\/a>on my bike touring trip through France<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nFrame Bags<\/h4>\n Frame bags fit within the triangle frame of your bike so they\u2019re a great use of space while still keeping your bike slender. There are different sizes available so you need to measure your frame<\/strong> and search for one that fits. Alternatively, some companies like Rogue Panda make custom frame bags for your specific bike. <\/p>\nOne thing to take into consideration here is whether you want to leave space for a water bottle cage within the frame. If you do, then you\u2019ll need to get a half-frame bag instead of a full-frame bag. <\/p>\n
Here are three great frame bags to consider:<\/em><\/p>\n\nRevelate Designs Tangle Bike Frame Bag<\/a><\/li>\nOrtlieb Frame Pack 4 Liters<\/a><\/li>\nRogue Panda Custom Frame Bags<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAdditional Touring Bags<\/h4>\n There are a number of other touring bike bag options depending on how much gear you need to carry and how you want to distribute the weight. Handlebar rolls are great for carrying lightweight gear like sleeping bags and down jackets while Seatpost bags are great for clothes and toiletries. <\/p>\n
Here are a few additional touring bag options:<\/em><\/p>\n\nRevelate Designs Handlebar Harness<\/a> (dry bags sold separately)<\/li>\nOrtlieb Handlebar Roll<\/a><\/li>\nOrtlieb Seat Pack Saddle Bag<\/a><\/li>\nRevelate Designs Mountain Feedbag<\/a><\/li>\nRogue Panda Top Tube Bags<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nBike touring saddles<\/h3>\n Saddle comfort really varies from person to person based on your body geometry and what\u2019s comfortable for you. But finding a comfortable seat is absolutely key to having a happy ride, especially when you\u2019re spending hours each day on your bike.<\/p>\n
Many avid long-distance bike riders swear by Brooks Saddles<\/a>. They are ergonomically designed to give and flex with your body movement plus they\u2019re durable and long-lasting. For me personally, they were just too hard. I opted for a slightly cushier saddle and was happy I did. Some say that cushier seats allow for more movement which can cause friction and resulting irritation, but I didn\u2019t experience that. The saddle I used is no longer available, but the Terry Century Butterfly saddle<\/a> is similar and designed for long rides. <\/p>\nBike seats often come in different sizes based on the distance between your sit bones (also known as your ischial variation) and what type of riding you do (athletic, moderate, or relaxed). Your local bike shop should be able to help you find the right size seat for your body and may even have seats you can test out before buying.<\/p>\n
\nGear & Clothing for Bike Touring<\/h2>\nCamping gear for bike touring<\/h3>\n For bike touring camping gear, think backpacking gear<\/a> but on a bicycle. You can afford to carry a little more weight than you would backpacking but keeping your weight low makes everything all around easier. <\/p>\nDepending on where your bike touring adventures take you, you might be getting on and off trains or buses and possibly going up and down stairs, so keep your packing to the essentials (plus, that way you\u2019ll have room for a bottle of wine or a souvenir or two).<\/p>\n
Here are some of the basics you\u2019ll need for camping while bike touring:<\/em><\/p>\n