Being a novice I was wondering what kind of racks or equipment are available to carry our gear. I was hoping not to put it on our backs, but on our bikes. Steve Jones's Answer. The author of four mountain-biking books, Steve Jones has logged thousands of miles of trails and backroads. And, like most other things in life and biking, there are disadvantages and advantages to both.
Panniers do a great job of keeping the center of gravity low and near the wheels.
You can stow a large amount of gear inside them and keep it organized more easily by virtue of numerous pockets available on most models. Also, outfitting a bike for panniers is not cheap. But many bikers who tour self-contained for long distances swear by them. But for the kind of touring you describe, a trailer might make more sense. For about half the price, you can outfit a bike to haul the same cubic space.