I'm doing a self contained touring trip, I have a 5 piece set of ortlieb bags (handlebars, 2 front rollers, 2 back rollers). I also plan on putting my tent on my back rack. I'm not doing this in a competitive manner. I'm just looking to have some fun on a 2 week tour.
Recently, in another thread, I became aware that "bulk" can be more of a concern than weight. I'm wondering a few things,
- What exactly is bulk? Are we just talking aerodynamics?
- How would one go about reducing bulk when using panniers?
- Any tips for reducing bulk in general?
- How important would you rank bulk compared to weight, comfort, etc. (given my parameters of prioritizing fun over serious competition)