I want some. Actually, I think one is just fine, but you may tell me why it’s not.
After a few trips to work and back with a tiny back pack (maybe 12 l), I am convinced that panniers:
Will let me do my daily grocery shopping on my bike, which is super important to me as I shop and cook every day
Won’t drive me crazy because something is poking through the back (ok, that’s fixable; the first reason is the most important one)
So I’m in the market for a rear rack and a pannier that goes with it. As I may have mentioned before, I have a nice store credit at Performance bike, so if they have something good I want it from there. If they don’t, that’s fine too, I can use that store credit for gloves, nutrition, tubes and tires, etc.
The setup goes on my Fuji Cross Comp, which has eyelets to attach fenders (already bought, though may change them) and rack.
For ortleibs, I’d say it depends on the model. I have the back rollers and they hold a huge amount of food because you don’t need to close them/roll them up if you’re just getting food. I would guess you can fit about 60-70L in each.
I’ll second the vote for old man mountain racks.
If you want something cheaper and have a bike with no eyelets, I’ve known a couple of people who have had good luck with the Axiom Streamliner.
timbuk2 has a nice pannier that can be used as a briefcase. I think the larger size has typically Timbuk2 unprofessional colors but it is waterproof and well thought out.
I use Topeak racks and have yet to have a problem with them. Being that I use several different sizes and makes of panniers, they are an individual choice. The larger bags used are a pair of Louis Garneau purchased from Nashbar some years ago. They hold large loads and are quite sturdy and most importantly, they were not expensive.
+1 for nashbar panniers. I had the cheapo waterproof ones for years and they were great.
But for putting something on and off the bike quickly the Topeak system is the best. Slides on easy, has zip out panniers that are fairly roomy. The only drawback is waterproofing because you have to purchase a separate baggy to go over your gear.
X3 on the Nashbar Panniers. I’ve had mine for 5 years. I has to resow one seam last year, but other than that they work great. I live in LA and don’t ride in the rain, so I bought the $40 set.
+The only drawback is waterproofing because you have to purchase a separate baggy to go over your gear.
While I try not to ride in the rain (Frenchmen are made of sugar: we just melt), waterproofing is supposed to matter in sunny Seattle, so a waterproof system would be quite convenient.
as always, head on over to roadbikereview’s touring/commuting forum for an appropriate audience.
I like cheap panniers. My rear has one that is open on the top, sort of a big bag with a drawstring/strap on the top. I drop my backpack (man purse) in this one. I have an inexpensive backpack cover from REI to go over this if it rains. It resembles a big black bag with the top of my backpack sticking out while riding.
The other side has a collapsible “box style” (trek, I think) pannier with a draw string top. In this pannier I place my clothes and lunch, and it’s relatively waterproof. When not being used, it collapses flat against the rack, just like the above “bag” style pannier. Looks like a big box while open.
I like this system very much, been doing this a long time, in multiple states, with different bikes. Evolution has brought me here.
I like cheap panniers. I drop a nice REI backpack in one, rolled up clothes/lunch in the other. Works fine and didn’t cost much.
Also, for when it really rains, I have a Tubus Tara front low-rider rack, and connect cheap waterproof Nashbar front panniers if it’s wet out. Good system, I think. Fork blades need to be drilled for this rack, however.
I’ll check out roadbikreview. Is your bike the one with the huge yellow/orange things in front? What are those? Mitts?
I see “grocery panniers” and also a “grocery bag pannier” such as this one: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1023647_-1___ Is that a bad idea? It seems that I want a pannier for groceries and a smaller, waterproof one for my laptop and the odd pair of shoes/shirt I’d need to carry to work (stuff is usually in a locker and I can make a car trip once a week and deal with changes then).
I’ll check out roadbikreview. Is your bike the one with the huge yellow/orange things in front? What are those? Mitts?
I see “grocery panniers” and also a “grocery bag pannier” such as this one: http://www.performancebike.com/…10551_1023647-1___ Is that a bad idea? It seems that I want a pannier for groceries and a smaller, waterproof one for my laptop and the odd pair of shoes/shirt I’d need to carry to work (stuff is usually in a locker and I can make a car trip once a week and deal with changes then).
At my job I carry a backpack since I’m relatively mobile, so I drop my backpack in this pannier. I have an REI backpack cover to go over this in the rain. It works for me as I can take the backpack out relatively easy, plus it rests flat against the rack when empty. It’s really all about what YOU want to carry. If a backpack wasn’t a big part of my job, I would just have two “normal” panniers.
My bike on that thread is the SOMA leaning against the bathroom, with Albatros handleblars. You can see the “boxy” pannier in those photos, which also folds flat. I use this one because I pulled it out of a bike shop’s dumpster.
Thanks Tiki. And your grocery pannier will hold the whole paper bag and close, right? It looks like Performance’s has to be fully open when the bag is in it.
I may try a Timbuktu Shift (waterproof liner) though I don’t think I ever need the messenger format http://www.timbuk2.com/...ke-pannier-messenger but I can get one for ~$50. Then I’ll just need a good grocery pannier too.
Another q. Does this seem like a decent rack? The price is right for me ($50), load is okay (40 lbs—should be fine on a daily basis) and while I don’t think I’ll have panniers with hooks (I’m looking at the Timbuktu Shift and then a true grocery pannier, maybe from Arkel (http://www.arkel-od.com/us/all-categories/laptop-bicycle-pannier.html) I like to be able to use hooks if I ended up with those. I’ll also probably first just the messenger bag and see if that works for both laptop plus one-day-at-a-time shopping.
Thanks Tiki. And your grocery pannier will hold the whole paper bag and close, right? It looks like Performance’s has to be fully open when the bag is in it.
Mine is definitely bigger than the Performance model you’ve linked. I can put my medium sized backpack (REI Osprey) in it and probably 6 inches of backpack sticks out the top.
That rack looks fine. Typically it helps if you can really rotate the rack away from your feet, to try and minimize any chance of your feet hitting your panniers. It also helps to be able so slide the panniers away from your feet as well. You’ll never really know until you get everything installed…
Another thing…
I cut holes through the inside of both panniers around the chainstays and rear rack, then ran heavy zip ties through the holes and around the stays/racks, for two reasons. The bags don’t move, bounce, or slide, and also a thief would have quite a time trying to remove the bags. So my panniers really aren’t coming off, and they are very secure.
