Am off for a cycle tour this weekend (the Belgian Biscuit Tour, no less) and have just finished assembling three days worth of clothes and gear for point-to-point cycling and evening dining / relaxing. All the gear fits in a single pannier with a bit of space to spare.
However, I seem to remember (from my limited experience of using a single pannier for a couple of weeks commuting, before getting a rack bag) that a single pannier can make the bike a tad unweildy.
Would any more experienced pannier users care to comment or offer an opinion?
I'd say you'll be better to balance your load across two bags, you'll also have room to pick up some stuff along the way.
If the rack is solidly mounted then 1 pannier is fine.
I tend to buy crap on trips tho...
I'm hoping he's coming back with a load of chocolate for me (mrs nbt).
This is a hint 🙂
This is a hint
Ignore at your peril, NBT.
I'd go for two, but lightly loaded. As above, more room is often better, especially if you HAVE TO buy presents. 😉
Melt the chocolate and pour it down your seat tube. When home, simply heat with a candle and pour into heart-shaped mould - viola, bonus brownie points.
p.s. Never actually done this, so can't gabsolutely guarantee satisfaction.
boxelder - you are the most romantic man on STW - fact.
Flashy - men don't seem to get hints, so last night it was spelled out, slowly and using easy to understand language (read this as no chocolate on return, then no coming back into the house after trip, locks will be changed) 😉
1 will be fine. I ride most days to work with loads of crap in one big pannier and its not noticeable. Never thought of splitting it over two bags.
1 - it takes a bit of getting used to, but once you do you won't notice it. The only time I notice the balance on my commuter is when I put the second pannier on and it evens things up again.
I reckon that panniers add a fair bit of drag, so if you can get away with one, do it.
Two - assuming your paniers will pack OK half full. Its nice to have space to spare / for picnics / beer / cake
You are going on a biscuit tour, and not leaving gallons of space for biscuits? What's the point!
Will be easier to get stuff in/out if you have two, and if you encounter crappy weather you can have a dry/clean and wet/dirty side as well.
When I commute on the bike I only have one and it's fine (but fewer biscuits, and less very important chocolate).
Am going with two, I could manage with one but two will be easier 🙂
Good management of expectations via STW.
Went with two in the end, much easier for fitting my gear in and keeping the bike balanced, managed to fit in some belgian chocolates, all went fine. The ferry trip was uneventful, we didn't meet any truckers, I've never seen a plastic fist.
Too late now but much easier to carry 1 pannier around when sightseeing/shopping than 2. That's if you do such things.
When stopping in town we were mostly eating close to the bikes. The only time we left the bikes unattended was when we visited Tyne Cot war cemetery which wasn't overly busy and to be fair, probably not the kind of place I'd expect trouble