Securing panniers

[Iainj837]

I have a a set of panniers that fasten with velcro but I am finding that the velcro doesn't hold the panniers if I have put anything heavy when I go shopping.
Any suggestions please

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I have a a set of panniers that fasten with velcro but I am finding that the velcro doesn't hold the panniers if I have put anything heavy when I go shopping.
Any suggestions please

depends largely if you leave them on the bike or frequently take them off the bike and where said velcro is. If you leave them on the bike, then cable ties. If you take them off, then I would suggest some new velcro of industrial strength, you could also consider some form of connection between the 2 panniers over the top of the rack which would take the weight off the velcro something as simple as some para cord of similar might work, but pictures would help so we can see what the issues are...

 

[sheddy]

Cable ties, but double em up, as they can fret and fail when you least expect it.

 

[Iainj837]

will post pics asap

 

[Crankarm]

Buy a proper pair of panniers. They are not that expensive and in the long run work out extremely good value. There are numerous makes (Vaude, Ortlieb, Altura, etc) to choose from who do waterproof panniers with Rixen and Kaul fixings that are extremely easy to click on and off a bike rack. I wouldn't waste my time with anything else and certainly not Velcro fastenings which sound absolutely awful.

 

[Iainj837]

Buy a proper pair of panniers. They are not that expensive and in the long run work out extremely good value. There are numerous makes (Vaude, Ortlieb, Altura, etc) to choose from who do waterproof panniers with Rixen and Kaul fixings that are extremely easy to click on and off a bike rack. I wouldn't waste my time with anything else and certainly not Velcro fastenings which sound absolutely awful.

I think I will, the one I have were only £15 from lidl

 

[Ian Smitton]

I have to second what was said above about getting clip on ones. I used velcro ones for several months, taking a few minutes each morning to fiddle around with them only for the bags to move around and, occasionally even get caught in the spokes. Much better and easier with ones that you can clip into place.

 

[vernon]

I think I will, the one I have were only £15 from lidl

Buy cheap, buy twice.

A pal of mine, despite being furnished with a list of decent quality pannier bags to consider, elected to buy a set of Lidl or Aldi panniers to use for a three week cycle camping tour. He discovered on the first day of a shakedown trial that he'd made a bad decision when the mounts on one of the panniers broke off and he had to bungee it onto the top of the pannier rack.

Have a look at what's on offer at Spa Cycles to give you an idea of robust pannier bag brands.

 

[compo]

I bought a set of Lidl panniers. I only used them once for a journey where they were heavily loaded and the performed well with no fastening issues. However I just did not like the zip locations. They were in the sides of the bag rather than the top, if that makes sense. I ended up giving them to a charity shop.

 

[Kies]

Cable tie it to the rack. I leave mine on the bike in central london. No issues

 

[BimblingBee]

Ortlieb ones are great.

The best bit are the ease of putting on and off.

If you're worried about someone stealing them when you are riding -stopped at lights and you've got laptop etc in then, then a cable bike lock can be used to keep them on bike when moving and then it can be used to secure bike when out and about.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Ortlieb ones are great.

The best bit are the ease of putting on and off.

If you're worried about someone stealing them when you are riding -stopped at lights and you've got laptop etc in then, then a cable bike lock can be used to keep them on bike when moving and then it can be used to secure bike when out and about.

You don't need a cable lock to secure them for lights etc. Just use the clip that comes down the front of them and let it go via the same rails the pannier itself sits on. the clip that holds the roll top down (assuming you get roller back ones, that is...)

 

[albion]

Velcro is a stupid idea here. (and almost everywhere else too)
Just use them with bag clips(for sandwich bags). The 5.5cm ones will do the trick.
As high as 50p per set in Asda.

Yep, Ortlieb (or Vaude) roll top panniers are great.

 

[compo]

Velcro is a stupid idea here. (and almost everywhere else too)
Just use them with bag clips(for sandwich bags). The 5.5cm ones will do the trick.
As high as 50p per set in Asda.

One to be stored away in my bloody good ideas book!

 

[Scoosh]

Ed Bike Coop do their own ones and are good value when in their sale - usually around £45 the pair.

My only beef is that they don't have any outside pockets for wallet, keys etc - it's in a zipped mesh bit inside at the top.