Panniers for commute

what the heck

Hi, I don't post often but hope you might be able to help me.

I cycle to work daily (around 6km each way) and currently use basket at front of my bike as I don't like having backpack on back. The issue is lights and the fact that I want to be more visible. I am in for 7/7.30 so already dark on my way in. At the moment I squash my bag down in my basket to increase light going through the basket - not ideal!

I was thinking a pannier at the back would be more practical than the basket as my front light would then be easily seen.

Could anyone recommend a decent pannier that won't cost the earth, is somewhat water resistant?

Also, I have a back carrier on my bike already (Giant Escape 3) - would a pannier be able to be attached to this or would I have to get a new rack? (I can't put my bag on the carrier as I frequently have a childseat on my bike...)

TIA!

Jawgap

If you wear a helmet you could attach your light(s) there - it also brings it higher up and into the eye-line of drivers.

I'm assuming you needs lights to be seen, rather than to see with?

El Vino

I've been using the Altura Panniers with the Night Vision reflective panels, they are waterproof and should fit any rack. Worth trying them with the bikeseat though as the leg rest may get in the way. I have found them to be really hard wearing and highly visible.

what the heck

Jawgap wrote: »

I'm assuming you needs lights to be seen, rather than to see with?

Correct... but my helmet has odd holes in it and I haven't been able to afix a light to it.


And El Vino - never thought about the leg rests... thanks for that tip!

Qualitymark

Altura are excellent; they make a specialised laptop case that locks onto the back carrier too.

You can also get a hi-viz cover for a backpack. Here's an illustration

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Respro-Backpack-Cover-High-Viz-Yellow/dp/B000NOPW2Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350646726&sr=8-1

though the camping shop in Capel Street has a different version much much cheaper.

bloomfield

I know a lot of people that use pannier bags by Basil - search for it on www.wiggle.co.uk to see what's available. They are cheap and practical, but not 100% waterproof.

reallyunique

I like the ones from Halfords. They're cheap (and now on 25% discount) and sit low enough and should flatten enough to fit under or between the leg rests.
I've used these every day for more than a year now and they are pretty hard wearing. They're big too.
The only problem is the handle, it's really hard plastic, rugged but uncomfortable. Oh, and they're not a brand so no kudos.

Qualitymark

reallyunique wrote: »

Oh, and they're not a brand so no kudos.

Oh, if it's kudos you're after you should use nothing but Carradice.

reallyunique

Actually +1 on the Carradice. You should get an extra one for people who give you advice on boards
I really want one of those.

Sagi

I recently got a set of altura fuse panniers, so far I'm hapy with them, they are easy to mount/dismount, visibility is good thanks to bright colour and reflective parts, and even with very heavy loads they stay on the rack without any problems.

i was a bit suspicious of the klick fix system, but it works better than I thought.

They are not exactly cheap but I think it's god value.

rp

If you need panniers that are absolutely waterproof (e.g., chuck them in the Liffey waterproof), Ortlieb rollers are the only option

Moflojo

I have a pair of Ortlieb, they are top notch, 100% waterproof & dustproof. Very solid bag. Most expensive option though.

My OH has Altura panniers, also very waterproof and practical. Difficult to choose between the two imo, Altura would come in a bit cheaper though.

Sagi

I had a pair of Ortlieb with my on a tour last year, I had a good amount of rain, but they kept my stuff dry mostly.
I do not think that any rear pannier will be 100% waterproof, somewhere humidity will kreep in. At least after some time of use.
they were also easy to mount and didn't cause many troubles, the only problems I had were on rocky terrain when one of the hooks kept falling of.
I think the hooks on the altura will rather brake then fall of as it is screwed on, well both sucks and you can chose what you prefer.

The quality of the altura panniers does to me not seem any worse or better than the ortliebs, bot very well built and sturdy.

I scratched the ortlieb bags a little bit when I accidentially droped my bke on the very rough concrete, but I guess other panniers would have suffered the same damage and luckily it was just the outer bag that was not waterproof anymore after that.

Anyhow, I would not go too cheap on panniers, badly built ones will be a pain in the ...

what the heck

Thanks everyone for you suggestions. My brother is going to lend me one of his to check for the leg rests on the child seat and I'll go look at the options over the weekend.

Thanks again!