Panniers: how big?

[Grog]

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!

[Torrilin]

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.

[kat_h]

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.

[Andrea]

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.

[Eden]

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

[F8th637]

I just got this one: Detours Toocan

Ohhh! I like those.

I just have these ones from Nashbar:
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.

[tulip]

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.

[Becky]

I just got this one: Detours Toocan

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

[Geonz]

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.

[F8th637]

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