Technical > Luggage

Touring Set Up for RST - Which panniers and Racks?

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Fred A-M:
On my recent week of cycling in Southern France (report to follow), my trusty Altura panniers started to show the first significant signs of wear after 5 years of regular use and 10 or so tours.

I've also decided that the way forward is going to be camping, Sterling's devaluation and inflation meaning that credit card touring abroad has nearly doubled in cost over 5 years.   So I want to splash out on (ideally matching) sets for front and rear to ensure even distribution of load on the RST, mindful of its 12kg rear 5kg front recommended capacity.

It seems that the last great pannier debate on this forum dates back a few years I was wondering if people could be so kind as to help me with my dilemna by way of up to date opinions and recommendations

Ortleib seem to lead the way, but with one major drawback compared to what I'm used to - they don't seem to have handy pockets for tools and other useful-to-have-at-hand items.   I'm guessing the ethos is greater simplicity equals best quality.  I note that add-on pockets are available at as an extra to the already considerable cost.  By way of starting the debate, I'm quite tempted by the look of these!

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Ortlieb-Ortlieb-Back-Roller-Plus-All-Black-Rear-Panniers-4552.htm

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Ortlieb-Ortlieb-Front-Roller-Plus-All-Black-Panniers-4553.htm

I also need a front rack: I quite like the look of these as I'd imagine them to be on my RST but being a relative novice when it comes to working out appropriateness, I'm not sure whether they'd fit on the RST and be compatible with above front panniers?

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Tubus-Tubus-Duo-Custom-Low-Rider-Rack--Fit-Frames-With-Braze-Ons--Black-1192.htm

Any advice/thoughts/criticisms greatly appreciated!

julk:
My cycling family currently use a variety of pannier brands - Vaude, Altura, and Carradice, previously Karrimor and Edinburgh Coop. We have the waterproof models and find they all perform very well. If you are taken by having extra pockets then Altura are hard to beat with their Orkney models and Carradice with their Super C models.

Arkel offer even more in the way of pockets, but they cost an extraordinary amount.

I am sorry, I cannot comment from experience on the Ortliebs, but they look very similar to the latest Vaude panniers and should be excellent.

I am assuming you have steel forks with mid fork braze-ons, the Thorn RST brochure implies this is a recent change!
The Duo is a very nice looking rack and I have seen it in use.
Any of the Tubus or Thorn low riders will be strong long lasting racks.
The models with a bar over your front wheel need only a mid fork braze on on the outside, or a clamp round the fork blade. The other models need a double sided braze on. I have used both types and they performed equally well for me, the only differences are in the way the top pannier hooks fit (or not) near the front of the rack.
The Thorn and Tubus Ergo models have more vertical tubes for fixing the pannier anti sway hook onto.

I hope this helps.

PH:
On my Raven I like to spread the weight around, if anything it then handles better than unloaded and the only time I notice the weight is on long hills.  I use;
Ortlieb Classic front rollers on the rear rack, packed with all the camping gear. 
Carradice Pendle saddle bag with stuff I might need during the day, waterproofs, extra layer, tools and a bit of space for any on route shopping.
Small 18ltr panniers on the front rack, with clothes and wash kit.
Small Vaude bar bag for valuables and maps.
The only thing that isn’t bagged up is the tent poles and only then because they’re too long to fit in a pannier. That’s enough for three season camping, never too far from civilisation and I’ve never toured for more than two weeks.  I’ll carry minimum cooking kit and no more than the ingredients for a couple of meals.
On my lighter non Thorn tourer, adding front panniers makes the steering feel sluggish and the bike less responsive (hard to explain, but easy to feel)  I tend to use this for shorter camping trips and try and get everything into two panniers.
Front racks – I’ve only had the one, a Tubus Ergo, I like the hoop over the wheel and the frame to keep bags well away from the wheel.
Ortlieb panniers – the Plus is a bit lighter than the Classic and doesn’t look so industrial.  Functionally I don’t thing there’s much difference unless you have a problem with heel clearance, then the Plus are better as they can be tilted. 

stutho:
I am a big fan of Carradice - in Super C.   On my RST I have a pair of Limpets up front (My RST is a Mk1 without braze-ons!).  On the RT I have a pair of Super C universals up fount sitting on a Tubus Ergo.  The Super C cotton is just about bomb proof and is surprisingly waterproof.  Both bikes are using pleb rear panniers at present but When these eventually die I will be replacing them with Carradice rears.   

geocycle:
I use Ortlieb bikepacker plus.  They fasten like traditional panniers and have mesh pockets on the front which are handy for stowing removable accessories, bungies, plastic bags etc.  There is also a rear inner sleeve which keeps paperwork, maps etc in good order and another mesh pocket for small items.   I've used them every day for 2.5 years.  They are very good and completely waterproof.  I can't say excellent as they don't have a useful strap for carrying off the bike and I have noticed some wear where they rub against the lower bend on the tubus rack, some tape has been used to stop this rubbing through into a hole. The tubus cargo rack is strong and well designed.  Again I cannot say excellent as it has rusted quite badly where the black anodising finish has scratched and stainless steel might be a better option.

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