Pannier position

[Ben M]

I put mine on the left, because I find that I filter down the left more often than I do on the right, so I'd rather be sticking out more on the left.

 

[ufkacbln]

Single panniers are the work of Ortlieb!

Guilty as charged y'honour - single pannier on the left. As mitigation I state that a single panniered bike is easier to squeeze through the train doors on my commute, and I don't have to pfaff taking them both off trying to mount the bike in whatever quarter-assed arrangement the chief designer of cattle-trucks has dreamt up this time.

Also, as my commuter is a Thorn ST, its pretty difficult to make it look wronger anyway.

I rest my case.

There is one way you can......


The ultimate sin.

Worse than a single pannier on the left, worse than a single panneier onthe left.......

Perhaps I should even make this a "non work safe" ....


A single pannier on the front wheel

 

[fruitbat]

I use one because that's all I need to carry

And right becasue it adds width where it does the most good and if the bike ever goes over, it protects the gears

no brainer seems to me, I always wonder why people put them on the left

I normally use only one for the same reason. If I have to carry a load asymmetrically I prefer to have the left side heavy, so that the bike tends to move towards the kerb. Another advantage is that you can access the contents of the pannier at the side of the road more easily.

 

[HLaB]

I use a single Pannier for commuting; its on the left but that's only because the majority of times what I lock against is on the right. There's a trend of thought that the pannier is actually better on the right as it may encourage drivers to pass better.

 

[The Jogger]

i'm versatile

 

[summerdays]

Work pannier is on the right with all my work paraphernalia left in semi permanently - the other is used for non work - shopping, kids stuff etc so it depends what I'm doing to which I grab.

 

[levad]

What about a top bag for the rack instead of a single pannier?

 

[fruitbat]

What about a top bag for the rack instead of a single pannier?

The reason I don't use a topbag is that mine (a Karrimor topbag come rucksack) is a lot more hassle to fit and remove. I have to mess around threading velcro flaps between the bottom of the rack and the top of the mudguard. Compare that with the Rixen & Kaul klickfix design used on many panniers where you just hook it on and click the locking mechanism into place. Maybe better topbags feature a similar system but mine doesn't, hence one pannier is much easier.

 

[Twanger]

The reason I don't use a topbag is that mine (a Karrimor topbag come rucksack) is a lot more hassle to fit and remove. I have to mess around threading velcro flaps between the bottom of the rack and the top of the mudguard. Compare that with the Rixen & Kaul klickfix design used on many panniers where you just hook it on and click the locking mechanism into place. Maybe better topbags feature a similar system but mine doesn't, hence one pannier is much easier.

Yup. And centre of gravity issues.....

 

[Arch]

I carry my single pannier on the left at the moment - I used to carry the right hand one as the single one, but it started to wear out so I swapped, and I haven't got round to adjusting the hook positions, so the left one will clip my heel if I carry it on the right.

 

[Piemaster]

The reason I don't use a topbag is that mine (a Karrimor topbag come rucksack) is a lot more hassle to fit and remove. I have to mess around threading velcro flaps between the bottom of the rack and the top of the mudguard. Compare that with the Rixen & Kaul klickfix design used on many panniers where you just hook it on and click the locking mechanism into place. Maybe better topbags feature a similar system but mine doesn't, hence one pannier is much easier.

Doesn't the Topeak rackbags come with some sort of strip that just slides into a groove on the top of the rack?
Would agree though, the velcro fastening things are a nuisance. Especially if I've ended up with slightly too much to get in the bag and have to use the fold-out pannier style bits on it that then cover up the access to them. That bag doesn't get used much.

 

[potsy]

Dress whichever way you feel comfortable with

I invariably use one on the right if am going for a lopsided look, the theory being it makes th bike look a little wider and encourages drivers to give more room when passing.

I have been using mine on the left side not really thought about it just easier to put things in it whilst it's parked at home,anyway after reading your comment moved it to the right today and within 500 yards of leaving the house some D***head clipped my handlebar mirror with their wing mirror how's that for irony.
Met my friend in Gatley then we filtered up the left at some lights only 3or 4 cars plenty of room til a passenger decided he was getting out without looking and knocked my friend into the kerb!!

 

[Brains]

"Proper" commuting bikes (and touring bikes) of course have a kick stand on the rear quarter triangle.

The Kick stand is on the left of all bikes because the chain is on the right

Hence the proper place to put a single pannier is on the left

This also has an added advantage when walking with the bike (as all regular commuters do at some point in their comute ) you walk on the same side as the pannier (to get things out), the kick stand (to stand up the bake) and the pavement side (for safety) and the lifting side (for going up stairs) and you don't get your trousers covered in chain oil.

Therefore, for commuting purposes there is only one side, the left side.

A further advantage is the pannier remains cleaner on left side as it does not get sprayed with chain oil or passing car slush

 

[Browser]

I think I just went eenie meenie minie mo and came out on the left one!

 

[HJ]

Dress whichever way you feel comfortable with

I invariably use one on the right if am going for a lopsided look, the theory being it makes th bike look a little wider and encourages drivers to give more room when passing.

Yep that the way I see it...

The most important thing to remember with pannier position is make sure the thing is far enough back that you don't catch it with your heal...