Peewiglet said:I could fit
all the necessary kit in one pannier, but is it better to spread it
out between both of them for balance?
I go along with everything everyone else has said on this subject.
However, I usually take both panniers, even if I could get all my stuff
into one, for two reasons:
1.accessibility - it's easier to get to the stuff at the bottom of the
pannier if it isn't packed too tightly. (Always pack the stuff you are
least likely to need, eg toolkit, at the bottom - but you are still
going to need it occasionally and you don't necessarily want to have to
empty your bags to get to it. For same reason, waterproof top always
get packed at the top of the pannier, or in jersey back pocket.)
2.extra capacity - I have a habit of going home with more than I set
out with, so a bit of spare capacity often comes in handy. I also carry
a couple of bungee cords to strap stuff to the top of the rack if
necessary (eg a couple of weeks ago when I was lugging home a Darth
Vader outfit [birthday present for son] which came in a large box that
wouldn't fit inside the pannier - a rare example of the Dark Side on an
upright).
d.