Pannier bags , what to choose

[Crankarm]

I have read a few reviews of people using Ortlieb to tour long term and they all have problems with the hooks.

Personally I have bought the Lidl "Ortleib" copy, they aren't as good but they are very watertight and very cheap.

Yes the inserts, if you need them for your rack, tend to fall out. There is a couple on CGOAB.com who have compiled a very comprehensive review of living with Ortlieb Roller Classics long term. They are not as robust as everyone seems to make out. Mind you I don't think many materials would have withstood the hammering they gave them on their touring expedition in South America. They got through an awful lot of gaffer tape where the bags split. The rails and hooks also buckled and gave way.

But Ortlieb panniers are miles better than the opposition for normal everyday commuting in the UK in all weathers. They are strong and will keep your stuff dry and well worth the money. Another make, also German, well made and waterproof is the Vaude Aqua series. They are a little more expensive as they have a hard durable plactic back unlike the Ortliebs.

But if you are cash strapped then the Altura Arrans are a good half way house. Easy to live with Rixen and Kaul hooks getting them on and off the rack, pockets, quite well made but sadly not fully waterproof. AFAIK they come with a seperate detachable cover for when it really pours. I had a pair of Altura Orkneys similar to the Arans. Excellent durable panniers but they weren't waterproof. It was a real pain stopping to put on the separate rain cover when it looked like getting wet. And the cover didn't keep the pannier totally dry inside any way. You still needed to put stuff in placcy bags inside the pannier just in case if you were likely to be riding in a very heavy downpour.

 

[Plax]

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.

Yes, I used to have the same from SJS Cycles. They are a very good set of basic panniers, but mine did eventually start to break (draw cord came off and one of the metal clips started to come away). I also found the metal clips scraped the plastic coating off my pannier rack. If you are on a budget and have a metal rack or don't mind the plastic coating getting scraped off then you can't go far wrong with those.

If you are commuting don't get the Ortlieb roller classics. I have those now and for commuting the roll top closing is a pain the the posterior. Get something like the Ortlieb sport packers instead which has the buckle closure system.

 

[Arthur]

I've been using a pair of these ones from Argos for a while now. No signs of defects yet and they've kept out all of the water that's been thrown at them.

 

[gwtitus]

Vaude Aqua for £61 a pair at Amazon if you don't mind red - not seen them cheaper anywhere else
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vaude-Aqua-...sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1258990900&sr=8-1

I think I'll have to get someone to buy me these for xmas

 

[ron4322]

I have got one of these (more than a couple of months ago so it must have been in a previous special they had) and so far like it as well, the carry handle has broken (well come un-attached at one end) but as I tend to only carry it into the office and back out again it is not the end of the world. Not 100% sure how long the hooks will last as they are plastic but seem to be holding up so far

Only niggle I have (having seen this on some of the ones linked in this thread) is that there is no reflective strip on the side of it.

I'll keep an eye on the handle and see how long it lasts. There is one thing about the handle - its a bit small and therefore not as easy to use as a bigger one would be.

 

[mark i]

I have some ortliebs used for around a year now with no problems. Stuff inside is always dry. I had one off already this winter when the local quarry did a great job of spreading mud and fines around the road and my front wheel washed out from under me. The pannier took the landing of the rear of the bike and is still fine, if a little dirty.

 

[Twenty Inch]

Why don't you ask your mum to get you a wiggle or chain reaction voucher to the extent she can afford? Then you could top up to get a decent set of panniers. Those ones you linked to are rubbish.

 

[cyberknight]

Did you read the entire thread 21?

I Havent got any spare cash to top up with......

 

[Arch]

Why don't you ask your mum to get you a wiggle or chain reaction voucher to the extent she can afford? Then you could top up to get a decent set of panniers. Those ones you linked to are rubbish.

Harsh. I expect there are people for whom they would be quite adequate - I had a similar pair of years when I was cycling to and from work but hadn't really got into cycling as a pastime. But they will be a faff to get on and off, which was Cyberknight's concern.

Cyber, it sounds like those I linked to, and others have also mentioned, will do for you. They won't last for ever, but they'll do the job. I know what it's like to be on a budget....

 

[Weegie]

Harsh. I expect there are people for whom they would be quite adequate.

+1. I'm very happy with my el-cheapo SJS ones for short commutes & shopping trips.

(From my research, I WOULD avoid buying cheap zip-up panniers. I read plenty of reviews on eBay etc about cheap zips breaking after a couple of trips)

But they will be a faff to get on and off, which was Cyberknight's concern.

Can't say I've found that to be true. With my SJS panniers, I just unclip one bungee from the bottom of the rack either side, then lift off. It honestly takes me longer to fit & remove my U-Lock.

 

[Arch]

+1. I'm very happy with my el-cheapo SJS ones for short commutes & shopping trips.

(From my research, I WOULD avoid buying cheap zip-up panniers. I read plenty of reviews on eBay etc about cheap zips breaking after a couple of trips)


Can't say I've found that to be true. With my SJS panniers, I just unclip one bungee from the bottom of the rack either side, then lift off. It honestly takes me longer to fit & remove my U-Lock.

I think we've got confused. It's the original ones Cyberknight linked to that will be a faff to get on and off, the zip up drape over sort, and it was those 20" called rubbish, I think.... The el-cheapo SJS type are no problem to get on and off really.

 

[semislickstick]

I too have a set of the SJS ones, they seem to be a popular choice around here. The bungees included are hopeless thin fabric things, I bought these ones which hold the panniers much more securely. Also (and it's perhaps obvious, but has caught other people out) - your rack needs a hooked design at the bottom to attach the bungees to. Not all racks have this.

The metal hooks on the panniers can indeed scratch your rack, but this is easily solved with a little gaffer tape. Oh, and it's also worth mentioning that the SJS panners aren't waterproof, but will survive a light shower no problem. You can always line them with plastic bags.

I use mine 2/3 times a week for trips to the local Tesco, they do the job just fine. They only take a few seconds to remove & refit.

Oooh er, really? I just looped it around the two metal down parts of the rack and hooked it through one of the two plastic D clips already on the bag! Worked ok! Maybe that's a problem if you only a one?