Original Design Panniers

[Zenroad]

Greetings, all.

I am now experimenting with some new panniers of my own design. I'm in the preliminary stages of getting the model just right before fabricating the prototype. If all goes well, I will begin field testing them during the next year in preparation for my Florida to Kyoto, Japan, excursion next summer (2014). If field testing yields good results, I may try to offer them for sale. Would anyone be interested?

I know that you all have your own good gear, but I'm hoping to address some issues that I consider common to all panniers. My panniers will offer waterproofness, toughness, ease of use, flexibility for modification, and simple repair or replacement of parts in the field in the event of damage by accident or normal wear. What I envision is a highly usable and affordable pannier for the common man. In a phrase: a better mousetrap.

Your feedback is welcome!

 

[MarkF]

Good luck, I'd love to see the finished panniers.

I use Altura, they are fantastic, if anything they are too durable, too heavy, I only do 2 week to 1 month tours. I'd prefer lighter panniers and am currently having some made out of recycled rice sacks.

 

[Zenroad]

Good luck, I'd love to see the finished panniers.

I use Altura, they are fantastic, if anything they are too durable, too heavy, I only do 2 week to 1 month tours. I'd prefer lighter panniers and am currently having some made out of recycled rice sacks.

Excellent! I'm aware of the rice sack thing. Good idea.

I have a question for you and all others reading this:
Whose panniers (that is, the actual bag containing your gear) attach directly to your racks? If you answer YES to this ("Yes, mine attach directly"), it most likely means that there is a stiff, internal backing plate sewn in to the bag itself, right? And it probably contains some kind of hooks or clips that allow for the attachment to the racks, right?

I would really like feedback to this question. Most (all?) panniers I've seen have these backing plates. I guess they're necessary for attaching the bag (the pannier) to the rack. Anybody have panniers without them?

 

[MarkF]

Well, all my decent ones have had a stiff back plate. I had a cheap pair with a cardboard "plate", this deteriorated and the pannier started to collapse though the rack towards my spokes.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I have carradice overlanders...couldn't afford ortliebs.
The week point I guess is the clamp that attaches to the rack. I've had one break on my on tour and there is no way bike shops carry replacements let alone outside the uk...so I carry a spare...but ..

The rigid internal back board is fine but I've often wondered why...when they would easily pack inside each other without one for flying etc.

I thought about redesigning both rack and pannier bags....the rack would have a simple 'pole' so that the 'loops' on the pannier would slot over it...so lifting off easy and staying on firmly while riding...negating need for clips. ...think windbreak pole with canvass slotted over the pole...or a tent pole with the tent sliding over the pole type arrangement.. Its easier to carry a sewing kit than a set of replacement clamps.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Well, all my decent ones have had a stiff back plate. I had a cheap pair with a cardboard "plate", this deteriorated and the pannier started to collapse though the rack towards my spokes.

...good point...I wonder if my idea above of ' poles' on the rack (part of rack) would stop this if stretched far enough apart?...or use three?

 

[Crankarm]

There are lots of excellent affordable panniers on the market. It is a crowded and very competitive market. Why try and re-invent the wheel? Spend your time doing something more productive is my advice.

 

[TheDoctor]

That's very nice, Crankarm. Gives me a warm glow inside.
Tp reply to the OP - it does sound rather as if you might be re-inventing the wheel, but I'd be interested to see if you have something new and better, or even just different. Panniers are something of a mature product, but there's always scope for something novel.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Glow In the dark.to match the helmet?

Just kidding.

 

[Zenroad]

That's very nice, Crankarm. Gives me a warm glow inside.

You Brits are hilarious. I love it. But seriously, folks...

I am, in fact, trying to reinvent the wheel. A few years ago, Freeload racks out of New Zealand did it. I'm now running their stuff on my expedition bike, a Surly Troll. Dynamite stuff. In fact, it was SO dynamite that Thule bought them. Same racks and accessories, slightly lower price. Thanks, Thule! The Freeload rack system has inspired me to make a better pannier, a simpler pannier. I almost feel guilty because of its simplicity. Part of me thinks that someone MUST'VE thought of this already. I think it's a good idea. It needs field testing. TheDoctor, I'll keep you posted as it develops if the results are good. Meanwhile, keep defending me in the press.

 

[Zenroad]

... this deteriorated and the pannier started to collapse though the rack towards my spokes.

Sorry to laugh, but the image is comical. Hopefully, you were not descending the Alps.

 

[bianchi1]

There are lots of excellent affordable panniers on the market. It is a crowded and very competitive market. Why try and re-invent the wheel? Spend your time doing something more productive is my advice.

Why do people always come up with this "re-invent the wheel" crap. I've been riding bikes for a long while now and the wheels I have been using have improved no end. From the rims, spokes, hubs, bearings, materials, rolling resistance, durability, braking surface, cost...you name it, thanks to people re-inventing the wheel my life has become a lot easier and cycling a lot more pleasurable.

Are you still riding around on chiseled rock disks or have you made it to wooden hoops yet!!

 

[bianchi1]

... this deteriorated and the pannier started to collapse though the rack towards my spokes.

Sorry to laugh, but the image is comical. Hopefully, you were not descending the Alps.

One of My old panniers unclipped and half fell off as I was overtaking a caravan coming down from Andorra into Spain. Not good...

Best of luck with your project.

 

[Zenroad]

One of My old panniers unclipped and half fell off as I was overtaking a caravan coming down from Andorra into Spain. Not good...

Best of luck with your project.

Oh, no! What happened?

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Excellent! I'm aware of the rice sack thing. Good idea.

I have a question for you and all others reading this:
Whose panniers (that is, the actual bag containing your gear) attach directly to your racks? Yes

If you answer YES to this ("Yes, mine attach directly"), it most likely means that there is a stiff, internal backing plate sewn in to the bag itself, right? Yes

And it probably contains some kind of hooks or clips that allow for the attachment to the racks, right? Its an all in one, both sides and top bag design - like cowboy saddlebags, Velcro straps to attach to the rack top and a couple down the centre of the bag to affixed to the down post of the rack, or in my case around a quite taut bungee cord hooked up and over the rack, because my rack doesn't have a central downpost. It is completely solid in use loaded or empty and in pretty windy conditions.

I would really like feedback to this question. Most (all?) panniers I've seen have these backing plates. I guess they're necessary for attaching the bag (the pannier) to the rack. I would suggest that the backing is as much to stop the pannier flapping or rolling into the spokes and likely causing an accident. as being a firm mount for straps/clips

My panniers are primarily for commuting, they cost me £15 from lidl, they are big enough for food and several days full clothing, inc shoes, I have used them for day touring and overnighter camping, they are very water resistant as is and come with a completely waterproof cover, it is a matter of seconds to have them on and off the bike, the top part is removable if I need a day bag to carry off the bike -leaving trhe side pods still attached & with a yoke across the rack. they're not built to be capacious suitcases for longer tours like a lot of the high end ones, but having had more expensive branded panniers in the past, I cannot really spot significant difference and can't fault these ones. they also have the disposability factor, they're £15, they owed me nothing after a couple of weeks of use and if they last half as long as a pair costing 3x the price I'm still up on the deal.

There's always room for innovation but as with a lot of bike stuff, its a product that is relatively simple in practice and panniers have been around since before bicycles were invented. It is an extremely mature and stable market with a very established few brands at the top end and supermarket style bulk buying and selling power at the other. I've got a proper suit carrier that clips onto my bike as a niche pannier product from Altura and an Ortlieb large briefcase type one for work files. I would be quite concerned that there isn't a USP left in this sector to differentiate your product from companies with lawyers to protect their market interest or to make you enough money to retire on.