Looking for the right cycling saddle bags for a bike tour. Bike touring can be pretty demanding on you, your bike and your gear. Therefore choosing the right cycling saddle bags is important and it includes getting the right bike rack, the right cycling saddle bags and more. This short video from a guy at Expert Village and YouTube do a really nice job of giving you a lot of information packed into a short video.
He goes into nice detail about the racks and the types of features you want form the rack and also from your bike. For example, he rightly talks about the low rider front rack for stability. This is for sure hitting on the cycling saddle bags and needs for touring. This goes along well with my short article on Cycling Saddle Bags also.
Thinking About Bicycle Touring Check Out This Bicycle Cargo Trailers
Here is a great Bicycle Cargo Trailers
Here is a great video showing how a Bicycle Cargo Trailers can be quickly and easily added to the bike. This one in particular looks super awesome because they come with a full pannier or saddle bag set. They are big enough to hold everything for longer trips yet as you can see form the video they stay right with the rider even on single track at speeds. Incredible.
The Bicycle Cargo Trailers Video
More On Bicycle Cargo Trailers
This is just one video but there are many options for bicycle cargo trailers and also many different uses. Of course if you are planning on doing touring and long distance bicycling you might opt for the traditional saddle bags or panniers. However, these bicycle cargo trailers are great because you do not need to worry about balance on the bike as much and they have more cargo space for carrying your camping and equipment essentials.
Other Options
Even if you are not planning on doing any bike touring or long distance bike riding a bicycle cargo trailer that is more suited to your needs might be perfect. For example if you want to carry recycle materials that you have collected, or you are a bike commuter and want to make sure you have a change of clothes and essential items for your work a bike trailer can be just the thing. Even for the average bicycle rider that is trying to use their car less a trailer can be great for stuffing groceries in. Another option is to get a trailer that will fit your sporting equipment like a kayak or a surfboard. Do you need a bicycle cargo trailer?
The Ortlieb bicycle panniers line of products or just the bicycle saddle bags are one of the best known for long distance bicycle touring especially if you plan on getting wet or dealing with any rain or bad weather. These are most known for being complete water tight and bombproof panniers. This is a nice video where he explains the bags in great detail. Again this is for the serious touring freak and not the commuters out there.
And Now The Ortlieb Bicycle Panniers Video
So What Do You Think Ortlieb Bicycle Panniers Or Something Cheaper?
What did you think. I know the video was a little cut short and I thought to myself I would like to see more. Honestly I use Avenir saddle bags and not the ultra cool ortlieb bicycle panniers. However, I am not a hardcore bicycle touring kind of guy I am more a commute to work and use a smaller set of bicycle panniers or saddle bags and that is why the Avenir work well for me they were pretty inexpensive and I did not need the waterproofing of the ortlieb bicycle panniers that was kind of over kill. Especially since I am a wimp and when it rains I just take the care. I am embarassed to admit but it is the truth.
The thing that you can learn from all of this is buy your saddle bags be they aviner panniers of the ultra cool waterproof Ortlieb bicycle panniers buy what fits your needs and budget. Don’t go for broke and then never use them. Instead go with what you are doing now and use them all the time. You can always buy more if you decide in the future that you need it. So if you are going to use them go for the Ortlieb bicycle panniers.
When conducting a bike tour, place essential materials in the handle bar bags in order to maintain steering stability. Pack the handle bar bags efficiently with tips from a bike tour guide in this free biking video. Expert: Aaron Phillips Bio: Aaron Phillips teaches at the University of Utah and has lead several bike tours. He’s also logged multiple wins as a cross-country racer. Filmmaker: Mike Phillips
If you are planning on taking a long touring bicycle trip then you will definitely want a set of good bicycle saddle bags. There are several things you will need to know to make sure you purchase the right ones for you and your situation. How and where you are planning to travel. How long your trip is and how much weight you will be carrying.
Bicycle Saddle Bags For Shorter Rides
For a shorter ride you really don’t need a whole lot of extra space. For the easy trips that can be completed in one day and average around 70 miles or so you can get away with a simple bicycle saddle bags that goes under or behind the seat. In it you will only carry a few essentials like a cell phone, bike tire, multi tool and maybe a small pump. You can always add a pack to your back if needed and carry a few extra food items in your bicycle jersey. So you honestly do not need a huge over stuffed bag that just adds weight. Think light and fast.
A good behind the seat bag will sit right behind the seat and just attach the seat itself. A good handlebar bag can also work.
Under The Top Tube Bag
These are a great option for day trips also. It will carry essential items detailed in the paragraph above. The benefit of a under the top tube bag if it also functions as a shoulder padding or strap when carrying your bike.
Bicycle Saddle Bags For Longer Tours
You will be carrying much more gear and weight. Trying to carry all of the things you will need in a behind the seat or handle bar bag will often end in disaster if they are over stuffed. Therefore you will really want to look into a good set of bicycle saddle bags or panniers. These attach to the back of the bike on a small frame and also can go on the front fork again on a frame. They help distribute the weight evenly across the bike for a balanced ride. These allow you to carry the weight much more safely.
In the end deciding which bicycle saddle bags you need is really a question of how much weight you will be carrying.
http:www.BicycleSaddleBags.net In this video we talk about how to choose the right bicycle saddle bags to fit your unique needs.
So what bicycle saddle bags will you choose and what is right for your situation?
