Bikepacking or cycling to work? Many more people are choosing to travel on two wheels because of the health, financial and lifestyle benefits. But packing things safely on your bike is essential to maintain your safety on the roads or trails. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best ways to pack your bike, no matter the terrain or destination.
Cargo rack
Cargo racks are handy pieces of kits that can sit above one or both wheels on your bike. These provide a platform to lay bags and other things on and can be secured with bungee cords or straps for extra stability.
This equipment is lightweight, cheap and simple to use, so it’s perfect for cyclists of all kinds. Racks also have no impact on your bike if you’re not using them, so you don’t have to worry about taking them on or off.
Panniers
For a sophisticated storage set-up, panniers offer more space to pack clothes, equipment and whatever else you need. They hook onto cargo racks and sit on the side of the wheel, meaning you have to be careful with balance.
Two even loads on either side of the wheel provide good stability, but a heavy load on one side may throw off your balance completely. With panniers attached, the handling of your bike depends on the size and type, so it’s best to try these before you buy.
Tube, frame, saddle and handlebar bags
There seems to be no limit to where you can attach a bag to a bike these days. Saddle, frame, tube and handlebar bags come in a range of sizes to help store whatever you need. Each can impact the ride differently, so it’s best to see which suits your style of cycling.
Frame bags tend to offer the most space and sit between your legs, whereas saddle bags are more compact and stay out of the way more neatly.
Cycling kit with added pockets
If you only need to pack the bare essentials, you might not even need additional storage on your bike. Cycling jerseys and kit with added pockets give you secure spaces to keep keys, phones, energy gels and anything else you might need on your route.
Alternatively, if you’re not worried about maximum aerodynamics, a rucksack can be a reliable and accessible option when you’re not packing too much weight. Which is your preferred method of packing things on a bike?
