panniers

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I couldn't really find anything when I did a search on the forum.

Anyways, I've been a daily commuter for about 4 years now. In that time I've always eschewed panniers. I always felt that the panniers would make the bike harder to balance, especially if you only have one - am I wacko in thinking this?

Does it require a period of adjustment and getting used to having weight on my bike as opposed to a backpack?

I've seen some really cute ones on Team Estrogen (namely the Toocan tote), are there others you can recommend that isn't strictly pannier but converts to a regular bag (tote/messenger)?

I want a Toocan some day (the one made from recycled materials).
I have one pannier on my commuter. It's a Basil bag that converts to a shoulder bag. I never notice the weight of one- even when I have it loaded down. I don't ever feel off-balance or lopsided.. I think you'll LOVE getting the weight off your back. I rode with a messenger bag for about a month and when I got the pannier(s), I fell in love with them! I'm cooler, my bike doesn't feel any different, and I can carry heavier things without noticing the weight like I would on my back.
Now, when I grocery shop with the panniers, I do have to level out the weight or I feel lopsided (like with milk, OJ, canned goods, etc). That's the only time I can tell my bike is loaded is when I have heavy things. For normal work commuting- I can't tell a difference.

I commute with one heavy pannier all the time.

Though it's recommended that the pannier be on the left side, between the bike and traffic to create a visual barrier, that didn't work for me. I put my right foot down first when stopping, and having the weight on the left side of the bike made me very unstable. So I put it on the right and all is fine.

I never even notice the lop-sidedness.

I always have one pannier on the bike (left side so cars to my left better see how wide I am).

The second one (the right side) gets added if I'm doing a big grocery trip.

I've gone through a few sets of panniers. My favorites have been my Ortliebs. Expensive, but worth it to me. Absolutely waterproof. Ortliebs carry a LOT of stuff, and more than once I've gone to the store with both panniers but only needed one after all.

Never had any problem with balance, in fact I feel my balance and bike handling are much more fabulous with one pannier than with a backpack.

In an old thread, there were pictures of fabulous panniers... For about 5 years, I lived without a car and used a bike for shopping. Did not have a fancy pannier, but two cheap folding baskets. Fully loaded with groceries was a challenging ride; with the weight of a typical backpack for work, there is no effect on handling. I believe it is better than a backpack. If nothing else, your back will be fresher and happier.

Added later on: Oh, forgot the link to the old thread: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=23309

I have at least 1 pannier 98% of the time whenever I bike for all the years I've biked so far.

I've worn out 3 different sets of panniers in past 18 yrs. But then, we don't have a car.

Badger, the so-called weight imbalance is barely noticeable if you are just cycling with clothing for work. If 1 pannier is crammed with 10 lbs. of groceries plus 2 litres box of milk, well then, I do ride slower.

I am such a wuss, I forget to bring my 2nd pannier so often that I am jamming alot of heavy stuff in 1 pannier. Like crushing some raspberries as a result.

I wear a backpack when I bike...ummmm...maybe less than 5 times annually.

For certain, when it's windy with a cross-wind or I'm cycling on bridge with some wind, I feel alot SAFER, weighted down with 2 panniers. Being less than 100 lbs. in higher winds, I want more bike stability!

Are those the Wald baskets? :) That's what I have, except only one, and they're black.

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Originally Posted by Trek420

Are those the Wald baskets? :) That's what I have, except only one, and they're black.

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Don't remember the brand, but I have seen them in black, too. One of the 'fasteners' broke in mine (too much weight, I guess) and was replaced with a hose clamp!

I think this is it:

http://waldsports.qbsoft.com/index.c...ingbasket.html

I like them because I can put anything, any bag, even no bag, just toss stuff in. I'm not limited to a bag with a particular system.

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Originally Posted by Trek420

I think this is it:

http://waldsports.qbsoft.com/index.c...ingbasket.html

I like them because I can put anything, any bag, even no bag, just toss stuff in. I'm not limited to a bag with a particular system.

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Yep, I have those... Also neat: At ~$10-13 per basket, I don't worry about them when the bike is locked outside.

The Basil bag Tri Girl mentions is sold at Raincity Bikes on Manitoba at Broadway (in Vancouver) by the way.

As others have said, no balance issues and no adaptation period. Front panniers are a totally different story though...

Guess I'm in the minority, but I DO feel lopsided if I only have one pannier, especially if it's on the left side - if I only have one it goes on the right as I always unclip my right foot. It also helps counter balance when my bike is sitting there as the weight is on the opposite side of the kickstand; on the left, my bike falls over.
I typically ride with two just to keep myself balanced, and I also take a lot of stuff to work with me, so I need the space :)

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Originally Posted by pll

I don't worry about them when the bike is locked outside.

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I worry about everything when the bike is outside :o but yes, very affordable and does not have that "steal me, I'm expensive bike gear" look.

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Originally Posted by divingbiker

I commute with one heavy pannier all the time.

Though it's recommended that the pannier be on the left side, between the bike and traffic to create a visual barrier, that didn't work for me. I put my right foot down first when stopping, and having the weight on the left side of the bike made me very unstable. So I put it on the right and all is fine.

I never even notice the lop-sidedness.

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I've never heard that the one should be on the left, what I've heard is the the one, or the heavier one, should be on the side you clip out so to avoid the "clip out left, fall over right" thing.

I use Wald folding baskets to carry my backpack, lunch, etc back and forth to campus. As far as weight distribution goes, I'm another one who always puts the heavier load (or only load, if I'm just bringing one bag with me) on the right side, because my right food is the one I naturally tend to put down at stops. Once, I had to reverse the weight distribution (because I lost part of the mount on the right side, and didn't want to put much weight in that basket), and then I did feel a bit unstable and "tippy" towards the left. But as long as the weight is roughly balanced or heavier on the right, I have no problems.

When I REALLY had problems were on days that I would ride another bike and suddenly have to go back to carrying all that weight on my back! Once you move to letting the bike carry your things for you, you may wonder how you ever got along before. :p

I googled basil bag, and came across the animal basket. If/when I get another dog, I'd love to train him/her to ride with me. Depending on its size, either in a basket like that, or in a trailer thingy. I recently saw this guy with one of those dutch cargo bikes, one that looks like it's got a big wooden box in front, with 2 golden retrievers in it. Looked so cool.

back to topic at hand: I guess my snobbishness was that I didn't really want to look like a commuter (I'm weird). But I've turned over a new leaf and I'll be getting it all decked out tomorrow.

And good to know about sides, I'm a lefty when it comes to feet so left side will be just fine to put my bag.

thanks for all the info!

ha, I love this cooky guy and the bag he designs

When I commute to work I use the Detours Toto Urban Pannier. These are easy on and off the rack yet ride securely. The handles make it easy to carry into work. I haven't used them in rainy conditions so I cannot attest to how they would perform in the rain. They do come with rain covers. I don't feel unbalanced with a single pannier. I use two panniers only when carrying extra items to and from work. Most of the time a single is all I need.

It's best to put the weight on the bike instead of your body, if you can... Makes for a much more comfortable ride, and a lot less wear & tear on the rider.

I usually use a pair of Ortliebs, and try to balance the load. I'm a left-foot-downer, so if there's only one pannier (occasionally, and I have a little briefcase that clips to my rack) it goes on the left side.

I'm a right-foot-downer, and have always put the pannier on the left side.

I'm a right foot put downer too. The basket is fine on the left. And did I mention that Wald baskets are made right here in the good ol' USA :)

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Originally Posted by susan.wells

I haven't used them in rainy conditions so I cannot attest to how they would perform in the rain. They do come with rain covers. I don't feel unbalanced with a single pannier.

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For the benefit of the board and this thread won't you put the lap top in the bag and take them in the shower? ;) :p

Arkel makes some nice bags for commuting, that have nice straps for carrying around off the bike.

Arkels are really well-made. Perhaps not as impervious to the elements as Ortliebs, but I'm also unlikely to be cycling in extreme conditions. Never say never, tho!

I have the Shopper for grocery trips. For commuting I use one of their front rack touring panniers on my Dahon. I put it on the left side, and I like that I can adjust the hooks to avoid heel strike.

By the way another good place to shop for not-too-pannier-looking panniers might be Bike Doctor (across from MEC on Broadway).

thanks for the link to the Arkel site, I do like the shopper bag.

I went to the Bike Doctor and looked at some bags and if I had the money I'd have bought the Ortlieb urban bag that turns into a messenger bag. I liked their shopper bag, too, but the attachments wouldn't feel good against me, and would look weird if it's facing out.

I've found some reviews of the Detours Toocan, and some of the cons are that it's heavy due to the rubberized bottom and the fact it rattles or comes off the rack easily. Same with the Toto bag, the fact it's only fastened by a magnet leaves it a bit vulnerable if it comes off or if I have the unfortunate experience of coming off a bike.

I guess I'll have to resign to the fact I won't be able to have it all, but the Ortlieb has come the closest so far.