Suitable for light touring?

NotSoBigDave

Hello everyone, I am considering an Outer Hebridean cycle tour next year over 4 to 5 days and plan to travel light (no tent as will use B&B) and eat in pubs/carry local bought food etc. The two questions I have is what would you suggest I use to carry the necessary clothes etc, panniers vs seat pack or frame bag and is my Giant Defy 3 from 2010 be suitable in terms of weight chatting capacity https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/defy-3-2010? I weigh around 85kg.

All advice welcome.

cougie

You won't be needing much ? I think just about any bike could cope if you only need clothes to carry.

I'd look at this or a frame bag - Altura Arran Expanding Post Pack

oxoman

Can't see why the bike shouldn't do as long as you can get some.kind of rack on it. If doing it as a one off just get cheapish light panniers and possibly a bag to go on your handlebars. Is your gearing up to the ride given the increased load you will be carrying, being mindful you will be travelling slower as touring and not racing.

redjeepǃ

Looks good to me. I did London 2 Paris last year on something similar (I rented it). I used a rear rack and a couple of 18 litre panniers partially filled.

Just check that it has rack mounts.

NotSoBigDave

Thanks for the responses - really helpful. The update is that my other half has decided she wants to come too so my brother and I get to cycle and the fairer ones drive the support vehicle (carry the food and clothes) so happy days! It also means I can take the carbon machine which should make it much more fun

Hoopdriver

I have gone for ten day tours using a handlebar bag and a Carradice saddle bag. I was staying in B&Bs and buying groceries along the way. With the vpbar and saddlebag I had everything I needed.

Nick Payne

Ditto on the Carradice saddlebag suggestion. Here's my wife's bike kitted out for a four week tour across Switzerland and France, staying in hotels and B&Bs. The saddlebag is a Carradice Lowsaddle Longflap on an SQR mount; the handlebar bag is an Ortlieb Ultimate 6 Compact:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/p2xeixgt2at72ai/DSC00209.JPG?dl=0

plodder73

I'm planning to do the Outer Hebrides this year subject to weather, I'm going fully laden as B and Bs are few and far between, and those that are there are hideously expensive.