The Difference Between Bikepacking & Bike Touring Explained
What’s the difference? And which one suits you better. By watching this video you’ll learn all about the differences between the two types and find out which one is right for you.
or you can buy a Santos Cross Lite which can do both 🙂 it is a mountain bike frame, but with the options to mount a front and rear rack and tyre width possible from 35 to 60 mm
A small bike also limits the space for the handlebar roll. I've occasionally had problems with the handlebar roll touching the front wheel. I can't imagine how useless bikepacking would be if I were 150 cm tall. But I bet a 150 cm tall person can fit all four panniers!
Good job Mike…I started out with a bikepacking set of AGU consisting of saddlebag, framebag, steeringrol and upper bar and snack bag….didn't work out for me. Currently trying the Ortlieb gravelpanniers on the Ortlieb quickrack, framebag 4L, Ortlieb handlebar bag wich I use also as snackpack and until now I'm satisfied with it….the bike is a medium Ridley KanzoAdventure. …Grtz from Flanders….👍🏻👍🏻
Hej Mike! As you said Bike touring can be tricky, I have just returned from Denmark , I was there for a 3 day bike tour and I realized that bike touring can be tricky when you have a lot of space… you tend to take with you a lot of unnecessary things, so probably a bike packing tour is suitable for a international short trip 🙂 Also I sent you an email and a message on instagram 2 weeks ago , I will appreciate if you can reply me ! Tack !
I've recently added a fork frame( Passport Lug-Cage) to my bikepack set-up. It can carry tent, or similar shape kit bag, secured with straps. It's proved sturdy and stable on trails. Enjoyed your vid, as it points up the different/difficult choices, when reducing carrying capacity.
Hi Mike, thanks for your informational videos. Because of your insight, I bought a Kona Sutra SE, and I love it. Now I am stocking up on items for longer travels. Because spokes, chain and innertube seems to be most vulnarable on the long run, which spokes, chain and innertube do you recommend for this bike?
One big advantage of a carrier is you can buy things late in the day (food) and just strap it on the rack without worrying how heavy it is. Those bikepacking rear bags are stressing the saddle already so adding tins or water weight is not ideal. I would go with a carrier and either saddle bag or rear panniers every time. But I prefer roads and hate complicated packing so this suits me specifically. Ride safe everyone!
Thank you thank you thank you . I have been going down a wormhole just trying to figure out which bike to buy . At least now I am certain of which style I need.
I'm seeing more people putting full size rear panniers on a bike packing bike. Then the spokes break and you need the wheel properly repaired. There are two channels where they set out on long tours and this happened. One had to buy a new wheel. It seems like touring bikes are going out of fashion and overloaded bikepacking is taking over.
Great info and questions, Mike – thank you! I've actually been asking myself these types and other questions to decide whether to just use my vintage hardtail mountain bike for bikepacking AND road touring, or trade/sell some of my other mtbs and a road bike for a proper road touring bike; and, I really like the Kona Sutra a lot. I'm just in the planning/deciding stage right now for a multi-day trip in the summer. Cheers!
A cross between a traditional touring and bike-packing setup is what I run. I like comfort, operate on a slim budget, ride a lot of mixed-surface day rides or the stray overnighter (waiting for Late May/June for the first big trip and most of the trails to be open again) and like the option of meal flexibility. The Salsa Anything racks bolt to my fork legs with the related dry-sacks and i have a full-sized front rack. Running a mid-sized rear pannier/top-box pack (Roswheel) hugely helps as does the full-sized frame-pack. Bike-wise I've found that my alt-flat bar, overlanding modified, rigid 27.5+ trail-bike works perfectly for all the roles/terrains it traverses. I'd be as slow and nearly as heavy as any loaded touring rig on a trip. Also run a tiny front chainring (28t) with a 10spd 10-48 rear cassette; plenty of low gears (!). I still want to find some micro-panniers for the front rack to further spread the load around (Any suggestions?). Bike plus racks alone is thirty-three pounds… Lastly, just my two-cents worth on more rigidly defined bike-packing vs. touring setups, is that a hybrid approach is the most reasonable and comfortable. The best of both worlds without the limitations a stricter, more literalist implementation would impose is the end result.
I use both as I have a problem with my leg & getting it over a saddle bag is difficult for me , So I mainly use a full frame bag & front panniers ,as well as a bar bag ,I will use rear panniers if I was going for a long trip .I use a Surly Ogre with 29x 2.25" tyres & I can go pretty much anywhere . Thanks for the great videos .
No disrespect meant here; but surely this is all about semantics; if you go camping..using your bike to carry your camping gear; then its exactly the same, wether you use bags or panniers!?
That's like saying if you use different cutlery or have a different tent; or you put your camping gear in the boot of your car or the back of a van; then it's not camping!
It's not a touring bike, it's a bike used for touring, surely? Just as it's not a bikepacking bike, it's a mountain bike, or a racing bike, but basically a bike!?
Putting unnecessary labels on things, just makes you prone to become a victim of marketing.
Come on buddy, it's just camping..using your bike to carry the required amount of camping gear; depending on the level of luxury you want and the distance needed to be traveled!?!?
Great video. I’ve been wanting to go on a bike tour for a long time. Now i finally have a good bike, so I’m looking a bit into setups. But first i want to get used to my new bike.
The big advantage of touring bikes is stopping mid journey. It takes seconds to remove 2 panniers. Secure a bike and go shopping or restaurant. Also my suspicion is the aerodynamic issues are negligible with 2 panniers vs a handle bar bag. Also rolling resistance on paved roads is likely to be way better.
I´d like to add another crucial advantage for panniers. I learned that during my motorcycle trips: safety. And by that I mean safety to the bike 🙂 With 2-wheelers, be it with or without engine there is one thing for sure. At some point you will drop or crash the bike. And – rumour has it – 99% of the time the bike will land on the side, potentially not only damaging the handlebar or the frame, but when in uneven terrain also fork and disc brakes. With Panniers in comparison to seat-, handlebar- or frame bags you have that additional protection (buffer) to both sides that in case of a crash help reducing thee damage done to your bike
Bikepacking for me, using a gravel bike, with a saddle and handle bags (AGU) and, as you mention it, I do use lots of shock cords. I would carry a waist bag (minimal). I´m a recreational tourer, I do sleep in hotels/airbnb, eat at local restaurants and carry energy food. Also I don´t ride long distances at a time, more like sightseeing/bike friendly routes. 🙂
39 Comments
Nice One Mike, are you about to go touring again? I'm going to cycle to and in Norway next month can't wait 🙂
or you can buy a Santos Cross Lite which can do both 🙂 it is a mountain bike frame, but with the options to mount a front and rear rack and tyre width possible from 35 to 60 mm
Cool video, like the setups too.
This is very good. What cooking system do you take with the road touring bike?
What about having a good one until next time?
A small bike also limits the space for the handlebar roll. I've occasionally had problems with the handlebar roll touching the front wheel. I can't imagine how useless bikepacking would be if I were 150 cm tall. But I bet a 150 cm tall person can fit all four panniers!
USE YOUR FRONT PANNIERS ON YOUR BACK RACK, FOR A SMALLER, LIGHTER OPTION
Great presentation — thanks!
I'm going a different way I am building a custom trailer and adding a mid drive motor so I can tour in class 😜
Good job Mike…I started out with a bikepacking set of AGU consisting of saddlebag, framebag, steeringrol and upper bar and snack bag….didn't work out for me. Currently trying the Ortlieb gravelpanniers on the Ortlieb quickrack, framebag 4L, Ortlieb handlebar bag wich I use also as snackpack and until now I'm satisfied with it….the bike is a medium Ridley KanzoAdventure. …Grtz from Flanders….👍🏻👍🏻
Hej Mike! As you said Bike touring can be tricky, I have just returned from Denmark , I was there for a 3 day bike tour and I realized that bike touring can be tricky when you have a lot of space… you tend to take with you a lot of unnecessary things, so probably a bike packing tour is suitable for a international short trip 🙂 Also I sent you an email and a message on instagram 2 weeks ago , I will appreciate if you can reply me ! Tack !
I think you can have a mix of the two types. My next build will have a belt drive with a hub gearbox and the front hub will be a charging hub.
I've recently added a fork frame( Passport Lug-Cage) to my bikepack set-up. It can carry tent, or similar shape kit bag, secured with straps. It's proved sturdy and stable on trails.
Enjoyed your vid, as it points up the different/difficult choices, when reducing carrying capacity.
Excellent as usual. I use both set ups, the Kona hardtail for day and weekend trips and the Kona Sutra for longer.
Hi Mike, thanks for your informational videos.
Because of your insight, I bought a Kona Sutra SE, and I love it.
Now I am stocking up on items for longer travels.
Because spokes, chain and innertube seems to be most vulnarable on the long run,
which spokes, chain and innertube do you recommend for this bike?
pքɾօʍօʂʍ 🙋
One big advantage of a carrier is you can buy things late in the day (food) and just strap it on the rack without worrying how heavy it is. Those bikepacking rear bags are stressing the saddle already so adding tins or water weight is not ideal. I would go with a carrier and either saddle bag or rear panniers every time. But I prefer roads and hate complicated packing so this suits me specifically. Ride safe everyone!
Can we setup panniers on bike packing bikes?
Never travel with bikepackers, they will ask you to carry parts of their gear or food beacause their bags are already full
Thank you thank you thank you . I have been going down a wormhole just trying to figure out which bike to buy . At least now I am certain of which style I need.
I'm seeing more people putting full size rear panniers on a bike packing bike. Then the spokes break and you need the wheel properly repaired. There are two channels where they set out on long tours and this happened. One had to buy a new wheel. It seems like touring bikes are going out of fashion and overloaded bikepacking is taking over.
🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸😊👍🌻
Great info and questions, Mike – thank you! I've actually been asking myself these types and other questions to decide whether to just use my vintage hardtail mountain bike for bikepacking AND road touring, or trade/sell some of my other mtbs and a road bike for a proper road touring bike; and, I really like the Kona Sutra a lot. I'm just in the planning/deciding stage right now for a multi-day trip in the summer. Cheers!
A cross between a traditional touring and bike-packing setup is what I run. I like comfort, operate on a slim budget, ride a lot of mixed-surface day rides or the stray overnighter (waiting for Late May/June for the first big trip and most of the trails to be open again) and like the option of meal flexibility. The Salsa Anything racks bolt to my fork legs with the related dry-sacks and i have a full-sized front rack. Running a mid-sized rear pannier/top-box pack (Roswheel) hugely helps as does the full-sized frame-pack.
Bike-wise I've found that my alt-flat bar, overlanding modified, rigid 27.5+ trail-bike works perfectly for all the roles/terrains it traverses. I'd be as slow and nearly as heavy as any loaded touring rig on a trip. Also run a tiny front chainring (28t) with a 10spd 10-48 rear cassette; plenty of low gears (!). I still want to find some micro-panniers for the front rack to further spread the load around (Any suggestions?). Bike plus racks alone is thirty-three pounds…
Lastly, just my two-cents worth on more rigidly defined bike-packing vs. touring setups, is that a hybrid approach is the most reasonable and comfortable. The best of both worlds without the limitations a stricter, more literalist implementation would impose is the end result.
I use both as I have a problem with my leg & getting it over a saddle bag is difficult for me , So I mainly use a full frame bag & front panniers ,as well as a bar bag ,I will use rear panniers if I was going for a long trip .I use a Surly Ogre with 29x 2.25" tyres & I can go pretty much anywhere . Thanks for the great videos .
No disrespect meant here; but surely this is all about semantics; if you go camping..using your bike to carry your camping gear; then its exactly the same, wether you use bags or panniers!?
That's like saying if you use different cutlery or have a different tent; or you put your camping gear in the boot of your car or the back of a van; then it's not camping!
It's not a touring bike, it's a bike used for touring, surely? Just as it's not a bikepacking bike, it's a mountain bike, or a racing bike, but basically a bike!?
Putting unnecessary labels on things, just makes you prone to become a victim of marketing.
Come on buddy, it's just camping..using your bike to carry the required amount of camping gear; depending on the level of luxury you want and the distance needed to be traveled!?!?
Great video. I’ve been wanting to go on a bike tour for a long time. Now i finally have a good bike, so I’m looking a bit into setups. But first i want to get used to my new bike.
Thx 4 posting. Great video!
Can u recommend a touring bike w wide wheels, mudguards and belt drive?
Thx so much.
Bike packers are the triathletes of the long distance cycling. As in "don't offer a greeting to other cyclists". True.
you're the best!
The big advantage of touring bikes is stopping mid journey. It takes seconds to remove 2 panniers. Secure a bike and go shopping or restaurant. Also my suspicion is the aerodynamic issues are negligible with 2 panniers vs a handle bar bag. Also rolling resistance on paved roads is likely to be way better.
⚔️💪😎⚔️👌(stroke)
Those teeth… That's gross. Don't you know a dentist?
I´d like to add another crucial advantage for panniers. I learned that during my motorcycle trips: safety. And by that I mean safety to the bike 🙂 With 2-wheelers, be it with or without engine there is one thing for sure. At some point you will drop or crash the bike. And – rumour has it – 99% of the time the bike will land on the side, potentially not only damaging the handlebar or the frame, but when in uneven terrain also fork and disc brakes. With Panniers in comparison to seat-, handlebar- or frame bags you have that additional protection (buffer) to both sides that in case of a crash help reducing thee damage done to your bike
Bikepacking for me, using a gravel bike, with a saddle and handle bags (AGU) and, as you mention it, I do use lots of shock cords. I would carry a waist bag (minimal). I´m a recreational tourer, I do sleep in hotels/airbnb, eat at local restaurants and carry energy food. Also I don´t ride long distances at a time, more like sightseeing/bike friendly routes. 🙂
Great information!!! thanks
@Bike Touring Mike, what is the brand of rear panniers used at 4:01?
Thank you.
Watch out for those great big trees that jump out on you.