Pannier & racks

[MichaelW2]

The best combo is probably a Tubus rack with Ortlieb small or large rolltop.

The virtues of this system include a strong, very lightweight rack with quality metalwork. No adjustable legs (does your frame change size?), Strong, stiff upper stays, rear lamp bracket. If you use mudguards, go for an open frame top for extra lashing points.
The bag is strong, waterproof and the mounting system is quick release, locking.

If you go downmarket you can still find these features.

Many riders use single panniers.

 

[cyberknight]

I do like my combination of panniers + rack i got from gasp halfords as the panniers can be unclipped easily and taken into work instead of leaving them on my bike, making it easy to lock it up .
I doubt anyone would nick them as my lights stay on the bike but saves faffing about having bags inside bags .

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Maybe a bit of a daft question but could you ride with just one pannier bag? Or do you need both so the bike/weight is balanced?

Ooooooh...

 

[mjr]

A good tip is to mount the single pannier on the right - drive - side.

It gives you a bit of extra perceived road width and presence from behind.

And yet, I favour hanging a single on the left side, so it's away from any chain flick, more likely to land near the kerb if it falls and slightly easier to remove when standing next to the bike - I almost always stand on the non-drive side and park it with the chain nearest what I'm locking to. Maybe just habit.

 

[MichaelW2]

I alternate left and right side mono panniers to balance wear and tear.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Nope! Pannier on the drive side. If the bike falls, all the gubbins will be protected.

And you can lean it on a wall without the bike getting scratched.

Because I said so.

Don't argue.

 

[Nibor]

this https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/carradice-super-c-sqr-tour-£45.219726/ :-)

 

[mjr]

Nope! Pannier on the drive side. If the bike falls, all the gubbins will be protected.

There's not much gubbins on my bike, the pannier contents are probably more valuable and I try not to let the bike fall anyway!

And you can lean it on a wall without the bike getting scratched.

As true for either side.

Because I said so.

Don't argue.

Ooops

 

[cyberknight]

Nope! Pannier on the drive side. If the bike falls, all the gubbins will be protected.

And you can lean it on a wall without the bike getting scratched.

Because I said so.

Don't argue.

One on both side , i was once clipped on a roundabout and it was non drive side which i slid along the length of the car as it was wet , handlebars and pannier gave me a bit of wriggle room .

 

[ufkacbln]

Single Panniers should be an anathema to any sane rider!

 

[Tynan]

single on the right for me, for width and vis where it helps

and spend as much as you can on rack and pannier, i'm tight but it's worth it, that standard £30 rack is so ugly and common

 

[the stupid one]

By the by, I was looking for trunk bags on eBay today. I may have bought this one, had the translator not let it down so badly . . .
Bilateral article glances design, so safe for riding at night.
It can hold your kettles and many other things a lot.