Panniers or trailer?
Here are a few thoughts and what I found in internet:
Trailer (BobYak)
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Panniers (front and back)
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Pros
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Can put stuff on top.
Can carry 32kg of load.
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Easy to handle. Shorter.
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Cons
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More difficult when riding in train.
Less safe when riding downhill.
More weight to pull in total (trailer own weight without any benefits).
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All weight on bike
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It sounds to me that the disadvantages of a trailer are obvious. Then I did a little math about the weight.
Clothes
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4,7kg
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Handlebar bag
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1,3kg
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Cooker
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2,0kg
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Camping stuff
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8,0kg
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Tools, spare parts, lock chain
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1,9kg
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Bob Yak bag, silverware, glasses, rest
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3,4kg
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Total weight
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21,3kg
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My weight (with clothes and shoes)
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111kg
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Food
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7,2kg
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Water
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4kg
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Total starting weight
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143,5kg
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The Patria Terra can handle up to 160kg and with that calculated weight, I would be about 10% below the maximum. If the behavior with weight on a bicycle is similiar to a motorbike, then certainly I should go with less weight on the bike itself.So, trailer it is.
Where does all that weight come from? Here a picture of all that stuff I take with me.
Bike work
So my chain was totally worn out and it needed replacement. I also changed the cassette and then I noted that the middle front chain ring also was worn out. Of course I had not anticipated that and so I needed to wait for the ordered sparepart to come. Furthermore I wanted to change the tire of the trailer to a Schwalbe Marathon Plus and - stupid me or excited me or tired me - I ordered the wrong size. So now it’s the original one from CTS which needs to last. Due to the long distances in Lapland especially when doing wild camping, I either need to take a water purification filter with me or plenty of water. So I got some more water bottle holders and bottles. I also took off the low rider because they would only add weight and I have no use for them on this trip (abt. 500gr less).
Now I was good to go :)
