Comments on: Try This On Your Next Ride-Or Not!

By: David Hembrow

David Hembrow — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:40:05 +0000

Hi Red, I should have said that I do agree about backpacks. Truly awful. I’d only ride with a backpack if I had no choice. On the other hand, the biggest problem with getting 70 lbs into panniers is that unless you’re carrying something very dense you will need rather large panniers.

The bike in the picture handles very well with weight on the back. I split the load between the rear basket and the BOB. There is more room in the BOB, so it tends to have more of the racks. In this case, I think it was six in the BOB and five in the rear basket.

I have found before with the BOB that if you overload it then it steers you rather than the other way around ! This problem tends to come with speed, so just at the worst time when you’re going downhill fast.

I use a different bike for other purposes:
http://www.hembrow.eu/personal/xtracycle.html#withtrailer

I rode it like this many many baskets, a tent, food and drink for a few days, wet willow (which is heavy) to an event 40 km away earlier this year. A bit of a beast, but once you get going it rolls along well enough.

By: Red

Red — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:19:17 +0000

David: Yes 70 lbs with panniers is doable. Though it would still be load. I wouldn’t do it with back pack. I notice in your pic that you are pulling a bob plus the basked loaded on the back. Does this cause any trouble with your front end being too light? I guess maybe it doesn’t because the rider’s weight is more in front of the rear axle than on a regular bike.

By: David Hembrow

David Hembrow — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:05:51 +0000

The word “pannier” comes from French. It was originally a basket to carry bread (”pain”), and of course baskets are also useful for carrying things on bikes.

20 lbs isn’t so much. I regularly cycle with over 70 lbs at a time of steel racks from a company 25 miles away:

http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2008/11/hoogeveen-en-weer-terug.html

By: Red

Red — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:07:02 +0000

Debateur: Do you mean you were carrying your skiis or had the skiis strapped on in place of the tires?

By: debateur

debateur — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:27:07 +0000

Honestly that does not sound like fun. Reminds me of when I tried to ride my bike with downhill skiis strapped to it.

By: RBK

RBK — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:16:23 +0000

Thank you for the explanation. I have seen this term often on your posts but was hesitant to ask and now I am glad I did as it makes complete sense. It sounds more complex than what it really is.

I agree with Liz. “Pannier” is a weird word.

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:22:54 +0000

I knew you’d say something about my balance. But the mat slides off my back to my front, which really gets in the way, so I really have to shove it back, and that totally throws off my balance on the bike.

And honestly, panniers is such a weird word, can’t they come up with a new name?

By: RBK

RBK — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:51:43 +0000

Ok this is from a complete ignoramus in your biking world who is revealing it all to everyone -what on earth are panniers?

Could you please going forward if possible define these terms for those of us to whom these are not second nature

I am certainly learning a lot by living vicariously through your bike rides.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:28:22 +0000

I would have wrapped it in plastic and used bungee cords to hold it on a rack. It would give all new meaning to rack mounted server.

Seriously though, think what it must be like to be overweight and starting out on riding a bike to get in better shape. People carrying an extra 20 pounds is nothing these days.

Makes me glad and keeps me motivated to ride.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:35:21 +0000

ah, I feel your butt . . whoops! I mean I feel FOR your butt