Panniers: how big?

I've followed the recent discussions on panniers with attention as I'm going to buy a pair for the first time soon. I consider this an important investment and I want my panniers to last a long time.

I went to MEC to check things out last weekend and I thought that most of the panniers I thought were "fine" from the online description seemed quite small when I actually saw them. I'm going to be commuting to work so I need to carry a few letter-sized documents and/or books every day. I'm also going to be carrying groceries and the like.

What size are your panniers? What use do you get of them? Did you ever regret buying yours too small or too big?

Thanks for your help!

I have Axiom Seymour panniers. Like most panniers, they don't look very big when unloaded. Each pannier can hold 10lbs of frozen chicken, plus around 4-5lbs of vegetables. I can overload my bike with them - at 45lbs, the handling gets very sketchy. (frozen chicken and vegetables aren't very dense, so other sorts of food loads can weigh more)

I do *want* bigger panniers. It is sometimes inconvenient to carry bulky items like flour or rice in mine. But I worry that bigger panniers would tempt me to overload my bike more often. I can definitely get enough food in them, but sometimes there is squashable stuff that doesn't do well.

As far as books go, mine will handle about 3 standard hardcovers each, with room for additional paperbacks.

I'm in the process of finding the answer to that still. I don't want to spend a lot of money until I'm sure, and I think I'm going to end up asking my mother-in-law to custom make some for me, but in the meantime I'm using these crappy tire ones just to get a feel for size. From using them I've learned that I want something bigger and easier to remove and I don't want a trunk bag on top. They do fit my laptop though, so I don't need to go much bigger.

I just got this one: Detours Toocan

So far it's been great. Today I commuted with a large box of baby wipes, a box of clif bars, jeans, shirt, toiletry bag, spare tools, and I still had enough room to fit more stuff in. I like it because it's a lot like a big purse, and it comes with a rain cover.

Love the photos on that web site - makes a person feel like a weenie about worrying so much over how much you can put on a bike and how well you balance the load :D

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Originally Posted by Andrea

I just got this one: Detours Toocan

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Ohhh! I like those.

I just have these ones from Nashbar:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...IL._SS400_.jpg but I can't find them on their website anymore. They hold all my clothes to work, toiletries, laptop, towel for the shower and then some just fine. If I don't think I'll need all that I just take the one.

I have Axiom panniers. They are small, but then, I like that. If I have the room, I'll fill it up.

I also have an Arkel laptop pannier for when I have to carry my laptop (not an issue anymore since I work from home).

I use the Axiom for groceries, but I don't buy very much at a time.

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Originally Posted by Andrea

I just got this one: Detours Toocan

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I'm digging that pannier- good find!

Right now, DH and I each have a set of these: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true. They seem to be reasonably well made, and the price was right (my local Performance sold them as a pair, though it's not clear on the website). At some point, I might want something better, but they're admirably doing the job for now.

They sound really huge, but I'm finding that they're about right for a pair of shoes, a full clothing change, lunch, and all the nonsense that I keep in my purse with room to spare. I could go smaller and still get all of my junk to work, but I like having the flexibility of more room for impromptu supermarket stops. I've also learned that you can stuff a 100 oz. bottle of laundry detergent into one with no problems :D

Look at these beauties
( http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/2427079550/ )
http://www.basil.nl/gb/assortment/
Of course, if you get an Xtracycle, which with gas prices will pay for itself. you can carry whole bookcases.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2028/...dd6227.jpg?v=0

Sue, I saw those lovelies. They seriously make me drool! Must NOT buy another bag for my bike. . must not!

The size of your panniers should also scale to the geometry of your bike. The larger-sized Performance panniers (I've got a pair, they're great) are marginal for heel clearance unless you've got a purpose-built touring bike with long chainstays.

1+ echidna says about the size and the geometry of your bike.

I have that problem. I'm about to get new panniers and I intend on taking my bike with me and trying them out. My last pair were really cheap and I was always hitting my heel on the bag.

Thanks anyone for the input!

Does anyone have actual cubic inches measurement (or liters if you are metrically inclined)?

That Toucan bag is pretty cool and looks really functional. What F8th867 said about buying too many bags scares me! I have a tendency to herd bags for myself (backpacks and work packs) and now I might get a bike-pannier addiction!!

I'm also going to Paris in July and am dedicating one whole afternoon at going to bike shops known for their bike bags inventory!! :eek:

Thanks for your help!

If you already have a good collection of bags then maybe modify some of them to create panniers - http://veloapocalypse.wordpress.com/...pannier-links/

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Originally Posted by kat_h

If you already have a good collection of bags then maybe modify some of them to create panniers - http://veloapocalypse.wordpress.com/...pannier-links/

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Hmm, now we're talking.

I would have to figure out the hooks properly. Thanks!!

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Originally Posted by Grog

I'm also going to Paris in July and am dedicating one whole afternoon at going to bike shops known for their bike bags inventory!! :eek:

Thanks for your help!

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Do you know these bike shops? I'm going to Paris in May and would love to do the same thing!

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Originally Posted by Grog

Thanks anyone for the input!

Does anyone have actual cubic inches measurement (or liters if you are metrically inclined)?

That Toucan bag is pretty cool and looks really functional. What F8th867 said about buying too many bags scares me! I have a tendency to herd bags for myself (backpacks and work packs) and now I might get a bike-pannier addiction!!

I'm also going to Paris in July and am dedicating one whole afternoon at going to bike shops known for their bike bags inventory!! :eek:

Thanks for your help!

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Grog, if you already have a bag weakness like me there may be no hope. What restrains me from buying them is my husband going, "Another bag?!?!" May you have strength in that shop in Paris. It sounds WONDERFUL!

Totally agree with the heel-strike issue someone mentioned earlier. Mine isn't too much of an issue as it hits it lightly but if I had bigger feet I'd probably have issues. I guess I could adjust my bike too to have the longer wheelbase but not everyone has that option. :P Maybe if I say the heel-strike is an issue I can justify buying one of those bags! :D

I have a set of Axiom...I'm sorry I don't know the measurements. It's been several years.

http://jean.thecyclistwebhouse.com/V...d/image017.htm

I've been using them all the time whenever I cycle...for past 5 yrs. But the elastic is wearing out on one of them..with the hook.

The problem with the current MEC panniers..is that I have difficulty getting the panniers off the rack, the top clip-on hooks are just darn hard to get off.
I tend to carry my panniers around.

So it's gonna be another long search for ...this time...panniers (last time, it was cycling shoes....). How unfortunate that bike racks and their geometry vary...I could plead to my partner who's in Europe right now to buy me something from Paris...his last city before he returns to Canada. But that would be risky since he would be guessing on my bike rack geometry.

I carry all kinds of stuff. I use this same panniers for work commuting, bike touring, every trip. Groceries, clothing...and when I took my art course, tubes of paint, brushes, and other supplies...art supplies can be heavy...

I will carry whatever weight without falling off the bike...since we don't have a car.

and blast it all,...the geometry of my bike is such that I HAVE to carry my bulldog U-bike lock inside my bag. Can't be bothered with hassle of bunging it or whatever on top of my rack. :(

Panniers are critical for the carless.

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Originally Posted by shootingstar

How unfortunate that bike racks and their geometry vary...I could plead to my partner who's in Europe right now to buy me something from Paris...his last city before he returns to Canada. But that would be risky since he would be guessing on my bike rack geometry.

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Ya know, my husband could probably guess my size on a lot of things, but not panniers. :)

Well, kat h, get a load of this, I heard of another muscially inclined cyclist..who carried her tuba with her ..on bike. I think she wrapped the tuba around her body somehow..

Gee, can't imagine carrying around an expensive, sizable musical instrument around on bike... but then in Hawaii (California also?), they have ways of carrying surfboards via bike..without a trailer.

A few years ago in Florence I saw a guy riding a vespa while carrying an extension ladder.

One of my students was giving me flak for not bringing my own guitar on days that I bike to work. He thought that I actually lived in the town where I teach. Once he realised I was going down the highway from the city he was a lot more understanding. I probably would take my guitar for short, residential rides, but not on the highway.

Mine are (according to Axiom) 27.5L. Yesterday's load was: 1 quart pho leftovers, 1 rain jacket, bottle of prosecco, 1lb coffee can, 5lbs granola, 10lbs frozen chicken, 4 lbs frozen veggies, a bunch of flowers, my U lock, and a small shoulder strap purse. Oh, and a bungee net since I wasn't sure if I'd end up with overflow.

The jacket isn't very packable, or I could have squeezed more in.

The main downside of my panniers is I spend a fair bit of time snarling at the hook on the lower bungees. They like to have bungee sex with each other. They like to catch on grocery carts. They like to engage in exotic mating dances with my rack... I have no worries about the panniers falling off the rack tho.

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Originally Posted by Torrilin

The main downside of my panniers is I spend a fair bit of time snarling at the hook on the lower bungees. They like to have bungee sex with each other. They like to catch on grocery carts. They like to engage in exotic mating dances with my rack... I have no worries about the panniers falling off the rack tho.

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I'm almost afraid to ask what sort of offspring is the result of all this?

Thanks everyone for the information, that is most useful. I might try to make panniers out of baskets for groceries, and buy a pair of good but smaller ones for commuting...

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Originally Posted by tulip

Do you know these bike shops? I'm going to Paris in May and would love to do the same thing!

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I've got a bit of a list going, when I go back to my office I'll post a few suggestions! (I have never visited them so it's mostly based on web information. I've asked a Paris friend for advice but I haven't heard back.)

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Originally Posted by kat_h

A few years ago in Florence I saw a guy riding a vespa while carrying an extension ladder.

One of my students was giving me flak for not bringing my own guitar on days that I bike to work. He thought that I actually lived in the town where I teach. Once he realised I was going down the highway from the city he was a lot more understanding. I probably would take my guitar for short, residential rides, but not on the highway.

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I used to bike with my guitar. My flamenco teacher was speachless. ;)

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Originally Posted by Melalvai

I'm almost afraid to ask what sort of offspring is the result of all this?

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So far, nothing more exciting than minor bruises for me (I'm *clumsy*).

If they produce a spare cargo net tho, I think I'd get pretty excited *g*.

I have the Ortleib Bike-packer classics on my Volpe. I love the way they are so easy to put on and take off. When I grocery shop I take the panniers in and pack in the groceries directly at check out. Very waterproof. I use them on a Tubus (?) rack and the positioning is so adjustable (the panniers) that there is no foot-strike issue even though my Volpe is the smallest frame made.

http://www.ortlieb.de/_prod.php?lang...ikepackerclass


height:
16.5 in.
upper width:
12.6 in.
weight:
73.4 oz.
depth:
6.7 in.
bottom width:
9.1 in.
capacity:
2441 in³

But they don't carry large bags of charcoal, 30 lbs of dog food and all my other stuff. That's why I'm getting my Big Dummy;)

I have what BeeLady has.

What she said.

('cept I have a trailer for the big stuff, instead of a Big Dummy)