Secure bags/panniers or take them with you?

[Juliansou]

Hi all,
just after some views on what you do.
I like a bag and pannier on my bike - more often than not I’ll call in to a shop on my way home to pick up a couple of bits, and I just enjoy the extra versatility a bit of storage offers. I hate riding with a backpack so don’t! I don’t live in a particularly high crime area and have secure parking at work. I secure a cheap Amazon pannier, and not quite so cheap, top tube bag with cable ties at the moment, my thoughts being that this will deter the opportunist thief. I really can’t be bothered to ’debag’ the bike and ‘rebag’ the bike every time I park up. I’ve got some stainless steel cable ties on order just to give a little more security.
So ....... am I being reckless? Any tips on improving security? I’m fairly pragmatic about things being nicked, it’s not so much the value, but the hassle factor of having to replace things!
Your thoughts and views would be very welcome.

 

[vickster]

Slide on Topeak bags with fold out panniers are great. Depends on whether you want to pay out for the specific rack and bag (probably around £100 new). 30 seconds to remove or refit and you pack your shopping in store

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/topeak-mtx-trunk-bag-dxp/rp-prod28663
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...cks/topeak-super-tourist-dx-black-288555.html (there’s a disc version too)

i also have a rack bag that Velcro’s on, takes a minute to remove or refit

 

[Blue Hills]

Take them with you.
I'm a londoner but take them with me wherever I park up.
Anything left on a bike will attract thieves, at least for a rummage/tinker - from professionals to mischievous kids - lights, pumps, whatever.
Get some decent panniers that clip on and off quickly.
It's no great problem.
Ortliebs are expensive but will be with you for life - and I reckon pay for themselves in no time because of shopping duties, which they are well up to.

 

[Drago]

If you're happy to return to the bike and find the bags and/or their contents missing, then leave them on the bike.

If you're not, take them with you.

 

[numbnuts]

I've put small padlocks on my pannier's.....so far so good

 

[Drago]

No one would live in particularly high crime areas of people didn't leave stuff so it could be easily filched.

 

[Juliansou]

Topeak bag looks like a good system but I’m happy with my rack so wouldn’t want to swap it out. I never leave anything in my bags so it’s the bags themselves which may get pinched. Small padlocks .......... now there’s an idea I hadn’t thought of - cheers.

 

[fossyant]

Topeak is good - had the MTX for a while, but not waterproof. Switched to Ortlieb Front roller classics (used on the back) and they go on/off in seconds.

 

[annedonnelly]

My panniers each have a handle on the top. I slip a lock through each handle & then through the rack. Yes someone could rummage inside for the spare lights, tubes, empty shopping bags, etc. but they can't easily take the bags. I think anyone wanting to remove the bags is likely to be simply mucking about rather than actually wanting to steal them so I don't need a massive deterent.

 

[tallliman]

Slide on Topeak bags with fold out panniers are great. Depends on whether you want to pay out for the specific rack and bag (probably around £100 new). 30 seconds to remove or refit and you pack your shopping in store

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/topeak-mtx-trunk-bag-dxp/rp-prod28663
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...cks/topeak-super-tourist-dx-black-288555.html (there’s a disc version too)

i also have a rack bag that Velcro’s on, takes a minute to remove or refit

Do the panniers attach to the rack sides for the Topeak example?

 

[vickster]

Do the panniers attach to the rack sides for the Topeak example?

Yes, they have elastic at the bottom which hook round the bottom of the rack sides

 

[tallliman]

Cool, thanks @vickster. Been looking at this as my current trunk bag is on its last legs.

 

[vickster]

Cool, thanks @vickster. Been looking at this as my current trunk bag is on its last legs.

You do need a specific rack for the slide on ones.
eg this one, you can see the elastics in the photo
https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/rear-rack-bags/858-mtx-trunkbag-exp

They do one with Velcro fixing or similar I think
https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/rear-rack-bags/368-mts-trunkbag-dxp

 

[Gunk]

I used to cable tie them on, never had one nicked

 

[tallliman]

You do need a specific rack for the slide on ones.
eg this one, you can see the elastics in the photo
https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/rear-rack-bags/858-mtx-trunkbag-exp

They do one with Velcro fixing or similar I think
https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/rear-rack-bags/368-mts-trunkbag-dxp

Cheers again, do you have the slide on version? If so, does it stay put? my current bag slides on but also has the velcro!