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View Full Version : My homemade panniers for commuting


hoffsquared
10-30-2009, 02:27 PM
I didn't want to invest too much into panniers or rack bags until I knew quite what I wanted. So I made some of my own out of some briefcase bags I never use.

I use one bag to carry the clothes I change into at work and the other to carry lunch and mid-day workout clothes. One bag stays in the bike shower area, the other comes up w/ me to my office.

Total investment about $15.

Here are some pics.
channlluv
10-30-2009, 02:41 PM
Very clever. Great pictures, too.

I saw a bike parked in front of my local Trader Joe's a couple of weeks ago with homemade panniers made out of two white plastic Fresh Step kitty litter bins. I like yours better.

:)

Roxy
Tri Girl
10-30-2009, 02:52 PM
Excellent work!!! They look professional, too! :) Nicely done. I'm really impressed with your pannier building skills.


Where did you find the hooks and the cord setup? I looked all over for those when making my own panniers but couldn't find them anywhere.
shootingstar
10-30-2009, 04:43 PM
Just great, hoff! It's an excellent way of using such freebie bags that one gets from conferences,etc.
sfa
10-30-2009, 04:44 PM
Very nice! Thanks for the back shot to show how they attach. Did you put a solid backing inside the bag to attach the hooks?

Sarah
ginny
10-30-2009, 04:54 PM
what a great idea! You did an excellent job... slightly envious of your super cool panniers...
7rider
10-30-2009, 06:14 PM
OMG, I think I recognize those briefcases. I think our office laptop is carried in one! :rolleyes: Or, maybe I just see them on Metro all the time.
Very well done.
I, too, would be interested to hear how you made those hooks. I think I have a briefcase or two downstairs I can dust off and re-purpose! :p
MomOnBike
10-30-2009, 06:31 PM
Very well done.
Zen
10-30-2009, 09:12 PM
Come on now, stop taunting us!
Shara
10-30-2009, 09:16 PM
Oh I like them! And I'm jealous. I don't even have a rack :eek:
hoffsquared
10-31-2009, 03:46 AM
Thanks!


Excellent work!!! They look professional, too! :) Nicely done. I'm really impressed with your pannier building skills.


Where did you find the hooks and the cord setup? I looked all over for those when making my own panniers but couldn't find them anywhere.

I got the hooks and cords online from Jandd (http://www.jandd.com/search_results.asp?customSearch=1&sortOrder=ASC&txtsearchParamTxt=&txtsearchParamCat=3&txtsearchParamType=ALL&txtsearchParamMan=ALL&txtsearchParamVen=ALL&iLevel=2&txtFromSearch=fromSearch&subcat=46&PAGE=1&PageSize=24&sortBy=1).

Heavy J-Hook Stainless w/ Protector (ea)
Product ID: FWSA-HJH

Bungie Strap for Panniers Long
Product ID: WSA-BUN2

I used sides from a 3-ring binder to stiffen up the side of the bag near the wheels. They are tucked in the zipper area under the bungee.

The beige webbing was (were?) the handles from yet another old briefcase bag.

Also, the hooks are attached to a stiff plastic piece that runs along the top of the bag. These were cut from some leftover homebuilding materials by husband.

I do have to have these set all the way towards the back of the rack to avoid heel strike.

I do like the kitty litter bucket idea too. I might make some of these for days I expect to get rained on.
withm
10-31-2009, 06:12 AM
OMG, I think I recognize those briefcases. I think our office laptop is carried in one! :rolleyes: Or, maybe I just see them on Metro all the time.
Very well done.
I, too, would be interested to hear how you made those hooks. I think I have a briefcase or two downstairs I can dust off and re-purpose! :p

Arkel sells the hook kits separately. I think they are the best ones out there

http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/accessories/hookkit.asp?fl=1&site=
Jolt
10-31-2009, 10:14 AM
Very clever. Great pictures, too.

I saw a bike parked in front of my local Trader Joe's a couple of weeks ago with homemade panniers made out of two white plastic Fresh Step kitty litter bins. I like yours better.

:)

Roxy

I have a set of those bucket panniers (not kitty litter buckets though, just white square buckets I got from a local bakery)--you're right, they're not the prettiest thing, but they work!
Looeez
10-31-2009, 01:15 PM
Great job - these look very nice. I've been meaning to try this for ages but like others couldn't find the hardware.

The current panniers I use also stick out quite far at the back and I had a driver yell at me that my rear blinkie wasn't visible from the side because of them. I hadn't realised that and now I've added an additional blinkie - I see you also have one attached to one of the bags.
Tri Girl
10-31-2009, 03:37 PM
Thanks, Hoffsquared! I did searches all over online for some hooks and didn't pop up anything. The ones I managed to make work were much more expensive than that and not nearly as good quality. Thanks- I'm ordering some for the next time I make my own panniers (which I'm wanting to make cute/fancy ones next). Thanks! :D:D:D