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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Northern Virginia
    Posts
    87

    My homemade panniers for commuting

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    I didn't want to invest too much into panniers or rack bags until I knew quite what I wanted. So I made some of my own out of some briefcase bags I never use.

    I use one bag to carry the clothes I change into at work and the other to carry lunch and mid-day workout clothes. One bag stays in the bike shower area, the other comes up w/ me to my office.

    Total investment about $15.

    Here are some pics.
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    1,316
    Very clever. Great pictures, too.

    I saw a bike parked in front of my local Trader Joe's a couple of weeks ago with homemade panniers made out of two white plastic Fresh Step kitty litter bins. I like yours better.



    Roxy
    Getting in touch with my inner try-athlete.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    where the wind comes sweeping down the plain
    Posts
    5,251
    Excellent work!!! They look professional, too! Nicely done. I'm really impressed with your pannier building skills.


    Where did you find the hooks and the cord setup? I looked all over for those when making my own panniers but couldn't find them anywhere.
    Check out my running blog: www.turtlepacing.blogspot.com

    Cervelo P2C (tri bike)
    Bianchi Eros (commuter/touring road bike)

    1983 Motobecane mixte (commuter/errand bike)
    Cannondale F5 mountain bike

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Western Canada-prairies, mountain & ocean
    Posts
    6,984
    Just great, hoff! It's an excellent way of using such freebie bags that one gets from conferences,etc.
    My Personal blog on cycling & other favourite passions.
    遙知馬力日久見人心 Over a long distance, you learn about the strength of your horse; over a long period of time, you get to know what’s in a person’s heart.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    682
    Very nice! Thanks for the back shot to show how they attach. Did you put a solid backing inside the bag to attach the hooks?

    Sarah

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    403
    what a great idea! You did an excellent job... slightly envious of your super cool panniers...

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Looking at all the love there that's sleeping
    Posts
    4,171
    OMG, I think I recognize those briefcases. I think our office laptop is carried in one! Or, maybe I just see them on Metro all the time.
    Very well done.
    I, too, would be interested to hear how you made those hooks. I think I have a briefcase or two downstairs I can dust off and re-purpose!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Nebraska
    Posts
    1,192
    Very well done.
    Give big space to the festive dog that make sport in the roadway. Avoid entanglement with your wheel spoke.
    (Sign in Japan)

    1978 Raleigh Gran Prix
    2003 EZ Sport AX

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Limbo
    Posts
    8,769
    Come on now, stop taunting us!
    2008 Trek FX 7.2/Terry Cite X
    2009 Jamis Aurora/Brooks B-68
    2010 Trek FX 7.6 WSD/stock bontrager

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Nanaimo
    Posts
    85
    Oh I like them! And I'm jealous. I don't even have a rack

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Northern Virginia
    Posts
    87
    Thanks!

    Quote Originally Posted by Tri Girl View Post
    Excellent work!!! They look professional, too! Nicely done. I'm really impressed with your pannier building skills.


    Where did you find the hooks and the cord setup? I looked all over for those when making my own panniers but couldn't find them anywhere.
    I got the hooks and cords online from Jandd.

    Heavy J-Hook Stainless w/ Protector (ea)
    Product ID: FWSA-HJH

    Bungie Strap for Panniers Long
    Product ID: WSA-BUN2

    I used sides from a 3-ring binder to stiffen up the side of the bag near the wheels. They are tucked in the zipper area under the bungee.

    The beige webbing was (were?) the handles from yet another old briefcase bag.

    Also, the hooks are attached to a stiff plastic piece that runs along the top of the bag. These were cut from some leftover homebuilding materials by husband.

    I do have to have these set all the way towards the back of the rack to avoid heel strike.

    I do like the kitty litter bucket idea too. I might make some of these for days I expect to get rained on.
    Last edited by hoffsquared; 10-31-2009 at 03:48 AM.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    DE
    Posts
    1,209

    Take a look at Arkel

    Quote Originally Posted by 7rider View Post
    OMG, I think I recognize those briefcases. I think our office laptop is carried in one! Or, maybe I just see them on Metro all the time.
    Very well done.
    I, too, would be interested to hear how you made those hooks. I think I have a briefcase or two downstairs I can dust off and re-purpose!
    Arkel sells the hook kits separately. I think they are the best ones out there

    http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/acc...asp?fl=1&site=

  13. #13
    Jolt is offline Dodging the potholes...
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Southern Maine
    Posts
    1,668
    Quote Originally Posted by channlluv View Post
    Very clever. Great pictures, too.

    I saw a bike parked in front of my local Trader Joe's a couple of weeks ago with homemade panniers made out of two white plastic Fresh Step kitty litter bins. I like yours better.



    Roxy
    I have a set of those bucket panniers (not kitty litter buckets though, just white square buckets I got from a local bakery)--you're right, they're not the prettiest thing, but they work!
    2011 Surly LHT
    1995 Trek 830

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    35
    Great job - these look very nice. I've been meaning to try this for ages but like others couldn't find the hardware.

    The current panniers I use also stick out quite far at the back and I had a driver yell at me that my rear blinkie wasn't visible from the side because of them. I hadn't realised that and now I've added an additional blinkie - I see you also have one attached to one of the bags.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    where the wind comes sweeping down the plain
    Posts
    5,251
    Thanks, Hoffsquared! I did searches all over online for some hooks and didn't pop up anything. The ones I managed to make work were much more expensive than that and not nearly as good quality. Thanks- I'm ordering some for the next time I make my own panniers (which I'm wanting to make cute/fancy ones next). Thanks!
    Check out my running blog: www.turtlepacing.blogspot.com

    Cervelo P2C (tri bike)
    Bianchi Eros (commuter/touring road bike)

    1983 Motobecane mixte (commuter/errand bike)
    Cannondale F5 mountain bike

 

 

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