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Seatpost Bag versus Panniers
Plus, a bike trip through Kyrgyzstan and Stats for the Nerds
Sam Westby
September 25, 2025
Welcome to the Bike Bulletin, taking your email on the trip of a lifetime.
This is the 45th consecutive week of the Bike Bulletin. It’s been the most consistent thing in my otherwise chaotic life. Despite traveling, finishing my Ph.D., and big life events, the Bike Bulletin has been here for me. I want to thank you for being here, too.
—Sam Westby, @samcwestby
This is a weekly newsletter about bike trips, urban cycling, and a love for two-wheeled transit. The more time you spend on a bike, the better. I share new editions every Thursday, gearing you up for the ride ahead.
Here’s what we have today.
🌍 RIDE: The Peru Great Divide
❓ QUESTION: Seat Post Bag versus Panniers
🎥 WATCH: The Road from Karakol
🚲 ARCHIVES: 1976 Bikecentennial
📰 NEWS: New e-bike infrastructure and lawsuits
ROUTE ON MY RADAR
The Peru Great Divide
Here’s what you’d be getting yourself into.
997 miles (1,605 km) with 125,000 feet (38,100 meters) of climbing
87% unpaved with a high point of 16,372 feet (4,990 meters)
Incredible Bikepacking Adventure in Peru by Mick Turnbill on YouTube
My friend Samer told me about this route today, and it has me dreaming.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Seat Post Bag versus Panniers
A debate as old as bike travel itself. What setup should you use? Here’s a quick primer.
Seat Post Bag | Panniers |
|---|---|
Looks cooler | Lots more space |
Handles rougher terrain | Simpler to pack |
Fewer parts that could break | Need rack bolt mounts or a special axle adapter |
Works with almost any bike | Better for beginners |
If you are a:
newer bike traveler
sticking to the road or smooth terrain
don’t have ultralight gear
Go for panniers. A seatpost bag will be a headache. It takes longer to pack. You’ll have less space.
Rough bikepacking terrain? Have gear that packs pretty small? A seatpost bag makes more sense.
WHAT I’M WATCHING
The Road from Karakol
In 2011, Kyle Dempster self-filmed a 2-month cycle journey around Kyrgyzstan. He carried climbing gear in a trailer and touched rocks that had never been touched by human hands.
Watch the 25-minute movie on YouTube
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Bikecentennial [1976]
The 1976 Bikecentennial was the brainchild of Greg Stiple in 1972. He imagined thousands of riders crossing the United States at the same time. Approximately 2000 riders finished the journey. Read more at adventurecycling.org.
930. The number of e-bike parking bays that Lime will add to the streets of London. With cycling booming, managing the number of bikes has been a hassle. (Zag Daily)
100. The number of e-bikes that Belfast, Ireland, is adding to its bikeshare fleet. (Irish Post)
Lawsuit. An Austin, TX, cyclist is suing delivery robot company Avride after one of their robots entered the street and caused the cyclist to crash. (KXAN)
Lawsuit. Pittsburgh businesses are suing the city. They want to stop a project that would shrink Penn Avenue to 1 lane, add a bike lane, and add parking spots. Some people just don’t like change. (WTAE)
50 million. The number of trips taken in Washington, D.C.’s Capital Bikeshare over its 15 years of operation. (DC News Now)
$6.5 million. The amount of British Columbia e-bike rebates distributed since 2023. It has reportedly generated $8.7 million in retailer revenue. (news.ubc.ca)
A Note From Sam
Feel free to reply to this email and let me know what sections you liked, topics you’d like me to write about, or interesting bike things that you’ve come across.
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