Cycle Touring Setups: An Overview

There is no better way to see the world than by bicycle and ever since its invention, riders have been pushing the limits on what can be done on it. Bike touring is a wonderful example of this. Whether it’s a weekend adventurer or touring pro gone for months at a time, we all have to carry gear with us. 

As the bike touring craze has gone through its ups and downs, the tech around touring specific bikes and equipment have continued to evolve. With the rise of cyclocross and bike-packing in recent years, the options for loading gear on the bike has become almost endless. Let’s look at some of the most popular ones, along with their pros and cons.

Traditional Road Setup

Traditionally, a road touring setup consists of two large panniers in the back and sometimes two small panniers and handlebar bag up front. Most large and heavy items go in the back while reserving small light items for the front. This is still one of the most popular setups for road touring, and for good reason- rear racks can haul a lot and fit pretty easily on most bikes.

Pros: For riders just getting started in touring, specifically road touring, this is a great option mainly because it's simple and cost effective. Most bikes have mounting points for rear racks, allowing riders to use their existing bike. Rear racks are also affordable, sturdy and come in many different shapes and sizes. For the most part, a rear rack can be loaded up without fear of breaking it. This setup also allows for pretty easy access to all your stuff and is easy to use- just mount the pannier to the rack and go.

Cons: Just like with a car, weight distribution plays a big part in the handling and maneuverability of a bike. Looking at a bike with just its rider, most of their body weight is hovering over the rear wheel. Adding more rear weight through a rack and panniers increases this uneven weight distribution, negatively affecting the bikes handling. Adding small front panniers can help, but it’s usually not enough to offset the weight. Another side effect of rear loading is possibly compromising the rear wheel. Rear wheels are generally weaker than the front because of the dishing needed to accommodate the rear cassette. Adding even more weight to this wheel can result in broken spokes and the possibility of having to end a tour early. 

Front-Loading Setup

Front-loading usually consists of two panniers, a basket or bag up front, and saddle bag in the back. This setup is becoming more popular with riders for its handling capabilities on different road surfaces like gravel, dirt, and tarmac.

Pros: As previously stated, uneven weight distribution can adversely affect the bikes handling. As a majority of the riders weight sits in the back, adding panniers to the front of the bike can evenly distribute weight across the bike, improve handling, and can promote even tire wear. Also, as the front wheel is more robust than the back, it will be less prone to broken spokes. Front-loading also keeps the drivetrain open and accessible so its easier to fix flats and make adjustments/repairs on the fly.

Cons: This setup needs a cross/touring specific bike. These bikes are made for hauling gear and provide the lots of rack mounting options including fork mounts which are crucial for front-loading. Also, it can be hard to find the right front rack. Although more and more high-quality front racks are popping up on the market, it can still be a bit tricky to find one that fits. 

Bike-Packing Setup

This setup uses bike-packing specific bags and usually consists of a frame, saddle, and handlebar packs. Popular with mountain bikers and ultra-endurance racers, these packs keep the bike light and agile all while keeping gear secure.

Pros: These bags are perfectly designed for mountain bike touring [bike-packing], but they can also be used in other bike applications. For example, we are starting to see more frame and saddlebags on touring bikes. Frame bags especially have great advantages over panniers by holding gear weight in the center of the bike, keeping handling intact. A lot of bike-packing bags are a go-to for some ultra-endurance athletes allowing them to stay light and go fast.

Cons: These bags can be a bit hard to pack and only have room for the bare essentials. Full-frame bags only work with bikes that don’t have down-tube shifting, [which is usually only a problem on older bikes] and you have to find other places for water bottles. Not a huge deal but still worth noting. Also, there more than likely won’t be room for anything that’s not ultralight so a bivy or tarp will most likely be the sleeping accommodations. 

So which setup is the best? Ultimately it comes down to personal preference, gear, riding style, and budget. You might prefer a traditional setup over a bike-packing one and that’s totally fine. Heck, some guys even combine all three ideas and create their own mix & match setup. Everyone has different needs which therein lies the beauty of touring…there is no wrong setup.