pannier qu

Rob4
Rob4 Posts: 75
edited July 2009 in Commuting chat
An idiot cyclist who'd been weaving in and out of traffic for the last couple of miles and generally behaving like a prat stopped next to me at the lights on Nine Elms recently and asked, genuinely: "Is it difficult to balance riding with just one pannier on?"

He genuinely wanted to know.

Comments

  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    A very good cycling friend of mine had the same concern once (or twice) when he lifted mine of my bike.

    Strongly urged me to get two as an ideal balance. I can see his point as it was a problem in the beginning but I don't notice the weight now.
  • toybhoy
    toybhoy Posts: 112
    To be honest, if you have it filled with light everyday items like work clothes, money, mobile or even a laptop, you dont really notice any imbalance so it shouldnt affect your handling.

    On the otherhand, if you load your single pannier with tins of beans then thats another matter.
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Speaking from experience, if you have just the one, and it's full of wine, you notice. :oops:
  • Landlocked
    Landlocked Posts: 37
    Does that mean that instead of buying one bottle of wine for the evening, you have to buy two just to balance it all out?
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Just don't buy 7 and put them all in one pannier bag.
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    But is the imbalance caused by the wine in the pannier, or in your stomach, that's the question :)
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    It's evenly distributed if it's in your stomach.

    Come on guys, get with the program.
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    But it sloshes from side to side, exaggerating any imbalance!
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Depends how big your stomach is, I suppose.
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    Sounds like some testing might be required
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    I would think that much wine sloshing around inside is seriously going to affect your balance no matter WHERE it's loaded! :shock:
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
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  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    The sloshing would depend on how much wine you have drunk - if your stomach is completely full of wine, it will slosh a lot less than if it were only half full........
    Faster than a tent.......
  • rally200
    rally200 Posts: 646
    My topeak rack bag was advertised as insulated & the perfect size for a six pack of beer - sold
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    Rolf F wrote:
    The sloshing would depend on how much wine you have drunk - if your stomach is completely full of wine, it will slosh a lot less than if it were only half full........

    So if you find yourself wobbly, you should drink some more?
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    Also if you ride with only one, swap it over each week or your muscle will get imbalanced and you'll look like a freak
    Purveyor of sonic doom

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