Pannier bags , what to choose

[cyberknight]

I have been looking to get a panier bag for my commute as a x mas prezzie but i need some information.

The ones i have seen all have tie on straps, how easy are they to get on and off as i want to take the bag with me and not leave it on the bike ?

Was kind of looking at this......

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128473&pf_rd_i=468294

or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294

 

[HelenD123]

They will be a nuisance to take on and off every day. What's your budget? You really need something with an attachment like Ortlieb or Altura panniers which you can just lift off but they are expensive.

 

[Arch]

I'd say it was more practical to get a pair that clip on and off, then you can always just carry the one if that's all you need.

Here's a pair for a similar price to those you link to. The reviews seem to suggest that cheap doesn't have to mean rubbish, either.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=13690

You can pay way more of course, and generally you get what you pay for - the more expensive ones will probably have even more easy clips on and off, guaranteed waterproofing etc.

You can easily carry one when you don't need much space, and then you don't have to carry the weight of both sides, and use the pair to go shopping or whatever...

 

[Arch]

Oh, and something those on Chain Reaction don't seem to have, but might be worth looking out for as a feature, is the ability to carry with a shoulder strap. When you carry a pannier by the handle it often tilts in towards your leg - no worry for a quick shift between the bike and home, but can get annoying carrying it round the shops...

 

[cyberknight]

Arch ,

If those ones you linked to are clip on ? they look perfect .

budget wise its from my state pensioned mother so cheap as possible

waterproof wise i can soon stick clothes in a plastic bag as long as they have reasonable capacity , i have a small rucksack with bungee cords atm and its not really big enough .

 

[WeeE]

My pannier bags are probably the cheapest and lightest ever -- a couple of sturdy supermarket shoppers with grommets in the top edge, that hook over Ikea S-hooks crimped onto the rack, and unhook for walking around shopping with...but I suppose that isn't very commutery/businesslike, is it?

My other pannier efforts are army-surplus rubberized-canvas - also dead cheap. They each have a short bit of strap on the back, and you need two large-size plastic squeeze-clips (like for rucksacks but bigger) to clip them together over the rack. (You can still use them separately with shoulder straps then). Really indestructable, but the fabric is totally waterproof: in heavy rain, if you're not careful about how you close them, you end up with a puddle inside.

 

[WeeE]

I've got household goods from this company before, and the customer service is very good -and fast. This is per-bag, so £22 in all, but they hook on by themselves. 35cmx15 and 40 long (approx 15x6x18 inches). [I don't have these myself - I'm too mean.]

http://www2.westfalia.net/shops/car...es_and_bags/622219-bicycle_saddle_bag_set.htm

 

[soulful dog]

Those ones Arch linked to look the same as the ones sold by SJS Cycles, which I bought earlier this year via their ebay shop and for the price they're pretty good. However - be aware that as per the reviews on Chain Reaction Cycles, the metal clips will scrape your rack, and although they use clips, they are not bags that will clip on and off your rack in a few seconds - they don't just lift on and off.

The metal clips just sit neatly on your rack and each pannier is secured with a velcro strap between the two clips and some bungee cord with a hook and clip at the bottom. I've found them to be reasonably secure, but I leave them on the bike all the time.

They do have a carry handle, and if you don't mind a wee bit of hassle getting them on and off your bike, at the price they are definitely worth a try.

 

[Arch]

I've had panniers with the bungy and hook type fixing, and they aren't that much extra trouble - sometimes you might get a mucky finger undoing it, because wet and grit sometimes gets thrown up from the wheel. Still loads quicker than undoing straps and stuff.

There's no doubt, the easiest way is clips that hold onto the rack, as opposed to hooks that just hook over. Some just pull off, some have a thing you pull to release the hooks - mine (small Altura ones) just pull off, and I find that handy for shopping and so on, since they come off easily with one hand.

Those I linked to seem very good value as a way into pannier using - once you've decided how much you'll use them and what for, you can think about what extra features your next pair will have.

Oh, and yes, you can ride with only one on - my Mum seems convinced I'll fall over to one side if I do...

 

[Inertia]

I got a Topeak bag that was on offer similar to this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/RX-Trunk-EX...sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1258745861&sr=1-7

The rack has a grove on it which it slides onto and a bar at the end that the bag latches onto when you slide it on, holding it in place.

http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/ExplorerTubularRack_spring

The downside is that you need the rack and the bag so its no good if you already have a pannier rack. They arent cheap though

 

[Tynan]

I tried a few variations of cheapish ones and they were all an ag in some respects and do;t wear well

I lashed out on Ortleib rollers and they're a joy to use

 

[potsy]

I have the altura arran,18l capacity so decent size without being too bulky,rack fitting is superb quick to take on and off,very secure on the move.
Think it was about £26.

 

[soulful dog]

Those I linked to seem very good value as a way into pannier using - once you've decided how much you'll use them and what for, you can think about what extra features your next pair will have.

Yep I'd fully agree with that. The step up to good quality panniers is a pretty big jump in price so these are well worth it in comparison. Despite their drawbacks, I'm pretty happy with mine, which I bought after seeing someone recommend them on here.... probably you Arch!

Edit: although in saying that, if you're not carrying too much and are happy to try a single pannier potsy's suggestion of the Altura Arran might be another option worth considering - though it's 16L capacity not 18.

Altura Arran 16L

 

[Arch]

Yep I'd fully agree with that. The next step up to better panniers is a pretty big jump in price so these are well worth it in comparison.

Well yes. And when you get into touring, you can choose fancy expensive panniers for that, and keep the cheapies for day to day stuff...

 

[cyberknight]

Thanks all

I will be looking at the brand x/ SJS cycles version as they look ok for what i need , a clip on and bungee set up will be fine as it will sure beat stopping and looking for a bungee clip that pinged off in the dark .

Price wise its always going to be the cheap end some of the top end panniers are worth more than i paid for the commuter 2nd hand ..........
When work deem to put us on full time again maybe after all the debts are cleared i will think about some thing shiny until then i am about £10 k down in the last year