On Fri, Sep 23, 2011 at 4:16 AM, opa...@gmail.com <opa...@gmail.com> wrote: > I'm looking for how-to tips, tricks, guide, (good pictures would be very > helpful) for packing and securing a S24O load on my Riv. I've tried to make > out details from the tiny pictures on Riv's site but they simply aren't > close-up enough. I have an Atlantis, front Wald basket, rear IRC rack, and > a Carradice Nelson longflap. Plan on carrying sleeping pad & bag, small > tent, usual accoutrements for a one night outing.
After the latest (way fun) S24O, I've come to the conclusion that while I love my Large Saddlesack for everyday use and will continue to leave it mounted on my knock-around Atlantis, I prefer panniers for touring, even for just an overnight. The panniers are easier to pack and unpack, hold more, mount and dismount easily, and are waterproof. With the Saddlesack and a front handlebar bag, I had to just jam everything in higgledy piggledy, while with panniers, I can separate the food and cooking equipment from the clothing and camping equipment. I can put the food pannier in the food locker or hang it, and take the camping panniers into the tent, instead of having to carry out clothing, sleeping bag and pad one by one to the Saddlesack. The Saddlesack/Brand-V front bag combo was jammed with stuff just for our little overnight, and the tent had to be strapped on the top, though I just brought what for me is a bare minimum: tent, pad, sleeping bag, long pants, long shirt, wooly hat, sweater, jacket, stove, food, cup, spoon. I didn't even bring a clean pair of shorts for the next day. The next time I do an S24O, it will be colder so I'll need more clothes, and they won't fit. My Ortlieb panniers mount and dismount in seconds, whereas I pretty much have to leave the Saddlesack mounted, leaving it vulnerable to raccoon investigation. Right now I have a nice raccoon handprint on the Saddlesack, which in itself is no problem, but raccoon claws and raccoon teeth can put holes in cloth bags. The Ortliebs are completely and utterly waterproof. The Saddlesack and the Brand V bag aren't. So my advice for an S24O is to use panniers. -- -- Anne Paulson My hovercraft is full of eels -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.