Quote Originally Posted by 7rider View Post
I'm not convinced. ((shrug))

I've heard from others that they're loud and rattley on the bike. I'd rather stick with a rack and a bag I can snap on and snap off easily.
Of course they're not silent when "deployed" (though they are nearly so when folded up or fully loaded), but I just consider it part of the charm. I don't find a little rattle annoying at all. However, if that does bother you, or for example you have a particularly long commute where a little extra weight makes a big difference, I would agree that panniers would make more sense.

In my case, basically all of my trips on my commuter are under 10 miles (and the vast majority of those under 5 miles). My needs for those trips vary greatly. For me, it doesn't make sense to tie myself down "specialized" (and expensive) bags that I would always need to carry with me at my destination for fear of theft.

To each her own. I hope the OP finds a solution she loves, whatever that may be!