Cycling Guides

Extrawheel cycling guides help you choose a luggage system that matches your bicycle, route and amount of equipment, then fit and pack your panniers correctly. Here you will find specific guidance on capacity, rack compatibility, weight distribution, protecting luggage from water and preparing your equipment for a day ride or multi-day bicycle tour.

We focus on bicycle touring and practical problems associated with carrying luggage by bike. Each guide answers a specific question: how to select suitable equipment, check compatibility, attach it to the bicycle and use it in a way that reduces the risk of movement, overloading or the pannier coming into contact with the wheel.

How should you prepare your bicycle and luggage for a trip?

Before setting off, check four things: compatibility between the mounting system and rack, the total weight and volume of your equipment, balanced load distribution and access to items needed while riding. Place the heaviest items low and close to the inner wall of each pannier, and distribute the weight as evenly as possible between both sides of the bicycle.

A pannier set with a total capacity of 25–30 L is usually sufficient for commuting and shorter trips. For a multi-day journey with clothing, food and camping equipment, a 40–50 L set is often more practical. The final choice also depends on the type of bicycle, rack design, planned accommodation and opportunities to replenish supplies along the route.

Choosing, packing and using bicycle panniers

• Choosing panniers – our guide to choosing the right bicycle panniers compares capacity, materials, closure methods and mounting systems for different types of riding and trip lengths.
• Packing luggage – we explain how to pack bicycle panniers properly, distribute weight, organise equipment and keep essential items accessible while riding.
• Fitting and use – our guide and FAQ on panniers, dry bags and handlebar bags answers common questions about mounting, closing, cleaning, storage and equipment checks before riding.

You can compare the parameters discussed in these guides in our bicycle panniers category and in the specifications of individual models. Before buying, check the rack tube diameter, hook spacing and adjustment method, total set capacity and the requirements for closing the panniers correctly.

Knowledge from a bicycle equipment manufacturer

Extrawheel has been developing bicycle touring equipment since 2005. As a Polish manufacturer of bicycle panniers and cycling accessories, we explain how to choose and use panniers from the perspective of product design, manufacturing, quality control, servicing and the replacement of worn components.

Our publications distinguish general usage principles from recommendations for specific models. When an answer depends on rack tube diameter, hook spacing, the rack’s permitted load or the pannier closure method, we advise checking the relevant parameters in the product and bicycle documentation.

We distinguish technical data and information obtained from external sources from experience gained through designing, manufacturing and using cycling equipment in practice. This makes it easier to determine which recommendations are general and which apply to a particular product or mounting system.

Guides, technologies, routes and bicycle tours

This category focuses on instructions and decisions concerning the selection and use of equipment. Information about fabrics, welding and product construction is available under Materials & Technology. Detailed trail descriptions are published under Cycling Routes, while travellers’ reports and first-hand experiences can be found under Bicycle Touring.