panniers 101

[surgtech1956]

What do I need to know about buying panniers? I see you can buy just one, or two, two plus and rear trunk bag, some are waterproof. Do any of you carry a laptop in one? Thank you

[DebW]

My laptop fits perfectly in an Ortlieb Front Roller pannier, which is waterproof. I plan to tour with 2 sets of front panniers and a trunk rack.

[shootingstar]

No I don't carry a laptop. But parttner does.

But I've used panniers heavily for past 17 yrs. Since we are car-less, this does mean carrying alot of different things inside. My panniers aren't completely waterproof but that problem can be easily solved to carry things inside plastic blag.

Make sure the hooking system does truly fit on your back rack. Some systems are more difficult to wrench off the bike. Helps to have an inner pocket within the the pannier itself, so the pocket is abit hidden.

Do try on the pannier on your bike rack before you buy it. Prefer to buy just a bit bigger, not much smaller. You will thank yourself later, if you choose to do some multi-day bike touring.

Good to have reflective striping on bag if available.

If you use your pannier often enough several times a wk. for functional riding (work commuting, visiting friends or shopping), consider throwing in at least 1-2 bungie cords --for unexpected big pkgs. that must sit on top of bike rack.

If

[surgtech1956]

Should you use 2 panniers? I see you can buy just 1, wouldn't this be awkward riding?

[KnottedYet]

I've used just one for about 20 years. No problem.

Sometimes I use two if I'm getting a lot of groceries or a couple bags of dog food.

My laptop is just fine in my Ortleib Back Roller Classic. The Ortliebs are my 3rd set of panniers, and my favorite. (I've also had Nashbar and REI panniers)

[shootingstar]

If you think you won't be cycling to get to work, to do shopping several times each wk. maybe 1 pannier would be fine.

I frequently ride with 1 pannier and just ride with a very stuffed, overweighted pannier because ...I'm just lazy to carry around 2 panniers. It's fine if you are a regular rider. I don't leave my pannier(s) on bike rack. I know others do.

But having 2 panniers won't make you hesitate to cycle with heavier loads and to go on trips!

so think about the type of riding and for the different purposes of cycling in your life...once you've finished eyeing your favourite pannier line.

[auntiebobo]

I have the Trek Interchange rack and panniers as well as the bag that sits on top of the rack. I love the versatility of having all three pieces to swap out as I need. I use the two panniers for commuting with my laptop in one side and my change of clothes in the other. They snap in and out very quickly and are very secure when clicked in. The panniers have yellow rain covers which I've never used since I'm a rain riding wimp. They can be pricey but I found a set a 'last years' model at a lbs and got a pretty good deal.

[tulip]

surgtech, what are you going to be carrying in your panniers? How far are you going to be going, and what type of surfaces--city streets, country roads, single-track (!)?

I commuted for years with my laptop in an Arkel laptop pannier. It's very nice, but some folks complain about heal strike. I placed it as far back on my rack as I could (the pannier adjusts). When I needed to, I had another pannier for clothes, but they typically fit into the Arkel. This pannier suspends the laptop, which keeps it from getting too much vibration.

Ortlieb and Arkel are probably the best panniers out there, in my experience. I had no trouble balancing with just one pannier while I was riding, but walking my bike up my front stairs was a bit more challenging because of the weight on one side.

[surgtech1956]

Commuting to work and running errands - city streets, country roads - no gravel roads, not more than 30 miles round trip. Do you take the panniers off when you leave your bike or are there some that have a strap - I've noticed some of the rear trunks have a shoulder strap. I'm almost thinking that maybe a rear bag might work - I don't have to carry clothes(I wear scrubs).

[withm]

I am also looking in to panniers and or a trunk bag.

For riding to work in the past I have a very small lightweight backpack that I could carry on the rack with bungy cords. I could stuff whatever I needed to carry to work, including a thermos of coffee, lunch, a clean shirt and underwear, clothes, jacket, arm warmers, whatever layers I might need for the ride home. And bare minimum = small wallet, glasses, phones (personal cell, and work cell). It fits but as the weather got cooler and the clothes a little bulkier, it was harder to stuff the stuff into the backpack. I can wear jeans or khaki pants for work every day, and usually a polo shirt - w/company logo. So I keep some at work and when I drive I can swap out the clothes at work.

So I've been looking at rack trunks and some might be big enough. I don't carry a laptop so it might work. I've found some with drop down panniers - sort of like elephant ears that you could put extra stuff, esp if you stopped at the store on the way home. Trek has one like that, and so does, oh I forget, but it might have been on the REI website, or Jaand maybe. I will probably buy an expandable trunk bag and see how that goes for work. Then for grocery shopping I'll get a set of real panniers I think.

I need to query the participants for the C&O Canal trip about what to be packing for that, or if we can con someone into accompanying us in a car to carry our gear for us.

It looks like Ortleib and Arkel make some pretty nice stuff, but none of the LBS near me have anything like that in the store.

[Zen]

I am also looking in to panniers and or a trunk bag.


It looks like Ortleib and Arkel make some pretty nice stuff, but none of the LBS near me have anything like that in the store.

I'm looking for some too, the Arkel's look very nice.
Bike Doctor has the elephant ear trunk bag in stock but it's a commuter bag, not for touring (nice though).

I got some from Performance that will probably do the job but I'm afraid they won't fit well. Besides, I've learned it doesn't pay to be cheap :o

Let me know if you find anything interesting.

[withm]

Zen,

When I was in DC a couple weeks ago I went to Citibikes in Chevy Chase, Performance, and REI in (Rockville). Citibikes had Jaand and had some really nice looking stuff. Didn't want to buy till I had seen some stuff at other shops as well. Performance did not have much in stock, and there was a small child throwing a temper tantrum and being ignored by its parents - for about 20 minutes. Finally after not getting any salesperson to help me, going crazy for the noise, and worried about being late for my concert tix I put the bag down that I almost bought and left. Sigh. REI had the elephant ear bags but they all seemed to require a special rack to slide them on. They wouldn't be big enough for the C & O trip so I gave them a pass... for now.

Yesterday I went to my favorite shop here, and talked at length to the guy about them. He didn't have much in stock, one Ortleib, but he recommends the Jaand bags. He will order some in for me to look at. Probably not a lot of touring folks around here, but that's the shop they would go to if they were in the market so even if I don't buy them, someone will. Cost is probably the same at Ortleib and Arkel when all is said and done. I think in 4-5 days we should count on rain, esp in Oct - the tail end of hurricane season. The better bags have rain covers... and if there has been rain, we'd probably want to be using them cause the path will throw up lots of mud if it's wet.

I did buy this one at my LBS - the Trek grocery pannier bag. So far I love it but the inside pocket is way too small. Should be at least big enough to slip the bills in when I go to take the mail to PO. Might have to alter it somehow.

http://store.trekbikes.com/jump.jsp?itemID=35&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C15%2C411%2C474&iProductID=35&bShopOnline=1

He said to gather up all the stuff I think I would want to take and see how much space I need to pack it all. Cause I have no idea how big of a bag I need to get? Are we talking 5 days for this little jaunt? So much planning to do. Lots of stuff on Crazy Guy to read.

[Zen]

I bought these from Performance. Are they the same ones you almost bought?
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=16436&subcategory_ID=2312
The price is right and I don't want to spend a lot for something I may never use again.
For you commuters it's a different story.

I looked at these too.
http://www.timberwolfsports.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=16&products_id=82
I don't like buying these without seeing them first. :(

Grrrr. After all this I'll probably end up keeping the Performance bags

[surgtech1956]

For occasional use, does it matter the quality? I don't know how much I will use them - just picking a few things up now and then. When I do commute to work, a backpack will suffice - but seems like I saw a thread about backpacks not being that great - I will just be carrying my lunch, pda, wallet, phone, etc...

[Xrayted]

Great advice as usual here. That's why I love coming here. I learn so much. :D

Surg - I commuted last year with a Camelback Mule (http://www.rei.com/product/733668). (Thankfully, it was on sale. :rolleyes:) Loaded with fluid, it worked out great. I could carry undies (I wear OR scrubs too so no need to pack clothes), phone, snacks,... but not enough room for a lunch too. Working at the main hospital, I just ate at the cafeteria instead of carrying food. They even have fresh sushi everyday there. :cool: I could eat for under $6/day. This year I mostly work at our clinic at the waterfront. There is 1 upscale-type of cafe in the building (way too expensive) so we all pack our lunches. Kit and I bought grocery panniers at Performance and they are a nice size but have no protection at all from the weather since they are totally open at the top. We like them though because we can sling them over our shoulder and put the groceries right in without needing other bags. Then just clip straight onto the bike and go. We use them on weekend trips (driving) to the coast and such. Very versatile but not weather proof at all.
I've been looking for some sales on a rainproof one (like Ortleib) about that size or bigger for my commute. We also want them for some touring later this year. With the addition of motorcycles in our family, we are also thinking ahead on using them that way. We see motorcycles and scooters with them more and more these days. Orlieb and Arkel, while being pricey up front, seem the most versatile and therefore the best buys. You can pop a backpack harness on too and use them everywhere you need to be.
As for riding with just one, the only time I notice it is when I've loaded the bag and then take my bike out of the rack. That was a circus. Almost dropped my bike the first time. :o I've learned to unlock my bike first, then load it so I can keep my hands on it until I back it out.
Many people have a problem with their foot hitting the bag when they pedal. Get a rack that is adjustable so you can slide them back if needed. Some are angled back to help with the clearance too.

Hope this helps.

[surgtech1956]

Thanks X - I've been looking on Performance Bike and Bike Nashbar - I like that Camelback Mule - 100oz - wow - many bathroom stops. DGF just bought us hydration packs off Ebay - so I need to use this one ;). I think I could get by with something not waterproofed. I would get 2- panniers instead of just 1. Thanks again.

[tulip]

Zen--Bikes at Vienna in Vienna, VA carries Arkel.

[Zen]

these won't suit my purpose but look like they'd be good for commuters
http://hiawathacyclery.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=30