panniers 101

[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

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?...&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/...tegory_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...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.

Surg - I commuted last year with a Camelback Mule. (Thankfully, it was on sale. ) 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. 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. 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.