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Bar bags: Up to around 8 1/2 liters in capacity, bags which hang on your handlebars provide the perfect, easy to access space to store a camera, valuables, sunglasses, snacks and the like; the only downside is that weight at the handlebars compromises handling. Heavily loaded, they'll also cause your handlebars to swing round, so make sure there's enough give in the cable routing. The best are waterproof, easily detachable and feature a map case. Padded inserts are available for some, but if you're running suspension forks, keep the load as tight as possible.
Rack packs: Up to 15 liters in capacity, rack packs are better suited to fast riding. They're more aerodynamic and keep weight away from the handlebars, while providing enough space for lunch, spares and a waterproof top. Though well-padded, vibrations make them less suited to carrying cameras.
Saddlebags: Up to 24 liters in capacity, saddlebags are very much a British institution. A handy alternative to two small panniers, they hang below the saddle and would be best suited to a larger frame.
Front racks
Unless you're keeping to warm climes, camping tours may require four panniers, especially on a tandem. Low riders, which sit at hub level around the front wheel, help distribute weight, improve handling and plant the front wheel on steep climbs. Front racks above the wheel offer better clearance off-road but aren't as stable. If you want to tour with suspension forks, remember they're not designed for loads, so keep weight minimal.
Off the bike
Many panniers come with a removable strap to supplement handles - useful for lugging up a long flight of stairs. But for off-the-bike exploring, panniers are notoriously awkward to carry. A lightweight and foldable backpack is handy for day trips and, over an extended walk, is better for your back than a bar bag.
Security
While most panniers can't be locked, you'll find people quite amenable to keeping an eye on your bike - cafes are a good option, especially if you're giving them some business. Bar bags are handy, and pocket-less panniers offer less temptation - you can always stash your dirty underwear on top as a deterrent!
Parking
When laden bikes fall, they fall hard, so it's generally safest to lean them against something. Tie a loop of thin cord round the handlebar grip to squeeze the brake shut and stop your bike rolling forwards or backwards.
Prop stands are particularly useful when there's not a tree in sight. They also avoid scuffing your panniers -the trouble is they're not designed for fully laden bikes, so they tend to snap in time. Most are braced against the seat and chain stays at the dropout end.
Packing your kit
While two panniers and a bar bag should be ample for hostelling and warm weather tours, you'll probably need four for longer journeys, particularly if you're camping. It's better than trying to cram everything onto the rear rack; minimalists might even get away with just a couple of front panniers on the back.
Try to keep weights even on both sides of the bike. How you split the weight will depend to a large extent on your bike. Conventional packing wisdom advises a 60/40 ratio on the back/front. Some frames prefer considerably less up front, while others are better suited to an even load. Shift the weight around until you get the most predictable, shimmy-free handling.
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Everyone hones down their own preferred packing system after a few days on tour, though you should try to keep heavy items, such as tools and spares, as low as possible to improve handling. Dividing kit by type -kitchen, tent, clothes, etc. - keeps things easy to find. Mesh bags are an easy way of making sense of clothes, particularly if your panniers lack compartments - or try meshing laundry bags as a cheap alternative. However tidy you are, a couple of bungees are always useful for strapping on paraphernalia - try motorbike shops for a good range. Roll bags increase your capacity, and some are designed to clip onto your panniers.If you're using a stove with a fuel bottle, stash it away from pots and pans or you'll be tasting pasta a la petrol all holiday.
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