Which panniers and rack?

[Twizit]

Hi

So having recently started commuting more and more on the bike, I'm getting limited on the days I can commute owing to the need to take home my laptop over the weekend. Am presently using a small beam rack and bag which is fine for carrying a few tools / clean shirt / underwear, but am thinking a rack and pannier system would be my best bet if I'd like to be able to carry the laptop too.

Rucksack is out - I hate wearing one whilst cycling - too sweaty and aching back!

So, I'm thinking something like this:
Tortek rack and probably some Ortleib classic panniers since they seem to come out best in all reviews!


Bike is a Specialized Secteur - am pretty sure it's got all the right connecting points for a rack but happy to be corrected.

Any suggestions other than the above? I guess really it's advice on the rack I'm after as I really don't know what I'm best looking for

Cheers in advance. Nik

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Budget?

FWIW I use a Tubus Fly and Ortleib Classics.

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op do some very ortleib-esque own-brand 'Revolution' panniers, made for them by Vaude, see here, which a couple of colleagues rave over when they are teamed up with one of EBC's own brand racks, as a bargain commutter combo.

But you might find a carradice saddlebag does the job just as well during the summer.

 

[TheBoyBilly]

If you want a purpose-made laptop bag then Topeak make a decent one (with rain cover) that is compatible with their MTX racks (which in turn fit very nicely on a Secteur) With a bit of online searching you should be able to find both for around £85 in total.
That said, if the EBC rack fits, Greg's suggestion is a sound one as those Vaude bags will be very nice I would think.

Bill

 

[Twizit]

Thanks guys.

No fixed budget as such, but I don't want to spend an absolute fortune. Knowing what the Ortleib panniers cost, then I guess if I can bring it all in at around £100 - £125 then I'd be happy. Not going to quibble on a few £ either way though.

I'll check out the ones you've mentioned.

Cheers

 

[Tynan]

if you afford it, tubus rack and ortleib pannier(s) are the standout choice

smart, hard wearing and excellent design

the ortleibs are utterly waterproof without the need for covers, £125 should do it, well worth the money for something you;ll use every day and I'm bloody tight

 

[MossCommuter]

Topeak make a decent one (with rain cover) that is compatible with their MTX racks

My laptop comes home with me in a Topeak MTX EXP. I put it in a cushioned neoprene folder thingy from Tesco (not the full size laptop bag) and have a spare power pack at home.

I manage to get a day's clothes, lunch, waterproofs, tube-change kit, lights and various other odds and sods in too, no bother.

 

[MacB]

I have, and rate, the Ortliebs as for the rack, yes the Tubus are very nice but about 3 times the price of the Topeak or Tortec offerings. If you're planning some serious expeditions then I'd go Tubus, if it's just for commuting then I'd go with one of the others. I prefer either the Topeak Super Tourist or the Tortec Expedition as both have a lower side bar for pannier mounting. At the same price point there's also the Madison Summit rack which is very good.

 

[HLaB]

The rack I took off my Sirrus before I converted it seen many a mile without problem, it was a Bor Yeugh (I think it was a BY-305). My Ridgeback has a slightly heavier but almost identical Ed Co Op rack and I can't fault it. Perhaps if I was doing more miles I would have seeked out the lightest rack but the Bor Yeugh was the best value/ to weight I tried in the shop and a friend had recommended a rack with three legs; and the Co Op one was one of the best priced that time. I also second, or third, or fourth Ortlieb I got hold of a catalogue though and ordered in the ones I wanted (sports packers plus) they were a bit smaller and had a small mesh pocket outside. I also ordered a insert pocket for the inside as they can be a bit cavernous.

 

[evilclive]

The rack I took off my Sirus before I converted it seen many a mile without problem, it was a Bor Yeugh (I think it was a BY-305). My Ridgeback has a slightly heavier but almost identical Ed Co Op rack and I can't fault it. Perhaps if I was doing more miles I would have seeked out the lightest rack but the Bor Yeugh was the best value/ to weight I tried in the shop and a friend had recommended a rack with three legs; and the Co

Bor Yeuh do perfectly adequate blackburn-clone bike racks at a very keen price. I like them :-)

 

[Bluebell72]

+1 for the Ortlieb's.

They're easy to click on and off, one or both, and I get everything I need in - I also have laptop in a tesco skin (£7-ish) no problems.
I got the panniers from Wiggle, I think £95 for the two last year.

 

[Twizit]

Many thanks for all the replies. Really useful info. Seems like Ortleib will be the way to go on panniers. Thinking about it, since I already use a Topeak beam rack with bag that slides and locks onto it, it would make sense to get a full Topeak rack that I can also use the same bag with when I'm not using the panniers.

Cheers
N

 

[dellzeqq]

The rack I took off my Sirrus before I converted it seen many a mile without problem, it was a Bor Yeugh (I think it was a BY-305).

I wouldn't use that one. The rear member doesn't follow the line of the pannier. The advantage of the http://www.evanscycles.com/products...ium=affiliate&utm_campaign=awin&promo=Content Torkek is that it does - and reduces the rotation of the panniers when you thumping down on the pedals

 

[GrumpyGregry]

^ someone has hacked dellzeqq's account for sure. No way would he encourage someone to fit a rack!

 

[Twizit]

LOL. I just want to know how he knows I thump my pedals though

 

[evilclive]

I wouldn't use that one. The rear member doesn't follow the line of the pannier. The advantage of the http://www.evanscycl...n&promo=Content Torkek is that it does - and reduces the rotation of the panniers when you thumping down on the pedals

I'd rephrase that as "The arrangement of the stays lets the panniers swing into the rear wheel" :-)

The BY311 has the dogleg rear stay, which works well.