Ultralite panniers and rack?

For an example of ultralight bike touring, you might like to read 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' by Richard and Nick Crane. (You can read it on line at www.koopman.lightup.net/crane/ ) These guys were really into saving weight : they drilled holes in their cone spanner, cut their spoke key in half, carried only one tyre lever and used the handle of a 4" crescent for the other. They even dispensed with the front derailleur - they just kicked the chain down with their heel or lifted it with their fingers! (That's going a bit too far for me!)

If your gear is compact enough, you could maybe put front panniers on your back rack, with a folding bag on the rack for anything extra.

Most UL gear (tarps, soda can stoves, ultra-light sleeping bags, mini LED torches, etc) will, of course, adapt fine to a bike. The main stumbling block is, as you say, the bags - even empty, they seem to weigh a ton. A lot of UL hikers have made their own packs, based on Jardines ideas. Maybe you can adapt the same principles to make your own panniers.

And, as a bonus, you can tour with a light, fast road bike, rather than an overbuilt tourer.

Don't forget to allow for food, water, stove fuel and bike tools - don't make/get lightweight bags and overload them!

And if you're at all overweight, you've got to start there, otherwise the rest is just a joke, isn't it?

Cheers,

Bill

Take a look at Carradice saddlebags. They have a number of different sizes and models. I'm sure you can find one that meets your needs. Peter White Cycles, Harris Cyclery, and Wallingford Bicycle Parts stock them. Another option would be to look at Rivendell's saddlebags.

I like this idea of touring with the least amount of gear as possible. I clicked on the link www.koopman.lightup.net/crane/ and got nothing. My interest has not wavered and I would like to know what the more experienced might have to say about camping/touring minimalism.