Pannier advice

veganrun

My bike has a pannier rack built in and I'm thinking of buying a pannier bag or two for it.  I'd mostly be using it to carry the shopping and maybe just for commuting to work and carrying gym gear/spare set of clothes/laptop/general stuff I carry on my backpack.

I don't want something too big and bulky and is going to mess up the balance on the bike (maybe that's inevitable).  I was thinking of a rear pannier, as opposed to a front one or front basket/holder.

Any suggestions/advice?  I saw a few in Decathlon but nothing that really grabbed me.

AndrewJRenko

Lidl and ALdi used to do them as part of their cycling specials, but I haven't seen them recently. If you are 'blessed' with big feet, just make sure the pannier actually fits and doesn't rub off your heels.

Feckofff

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Lidl and ALdi used to do them as part of their cycling specials, but I haven't seen them recently. If you are 'blessed' with big feet, just make sure the pannier actually fits and doesn't rub off your heels.

I have an old pair of aldi ones. Do the new ones a support panel on the inside near the rack. The old ones only had a flimsy panel and if you didn't have full pannier rack they would bend and rub against the wheel.

AndrewJRenko

Feckofff wrote: »

I have an old pair of aldi ones. Do the new ones a support panel on the inside near the rack. The old ones only had a flimsy panel and if you didn't have full pannier rack they would bend and rub against the wheel.

My Crivit ones don't seem to have any panel really - just the vinyl material all round. I see one of the seams is bursting now, so I should think about replacing.

Has anyone had good experiences bringing in anything like these yokes from CHina?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Good-deal-Roswheel-60L-Cycling-Bicycle-Bag-Bike-Double-Side-Rear-Rack-Tail-Seat-Trunk-Bag/32725336333.html?spm=2114.01010108.3.285.3lv0vx&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10151_10065_10150_10068_10136_10137_10138_10060_10062_10141_10056_10055_10054_122_10059_10099_10103_10102_10096_10148_10147_10052_10053_10050_10107_10142_10051_10143_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10110_10111_10112_10113_10114_10078_10079_10073_10070_10123_10124,searchweb201603_9,afswitch_1,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=44e28f80-1602-4110-ba62-d3a0d7eda9f5&algo_expid=7f79b986-28c5-43f6-b247-1625bdf46a83-29&algo_pvid=7f79b986-28c5-43f6-b247-1625bdf46a83

StGriffen

Don't waste your time with anything other than an Ortlieb pannier

Idleater

StGriffen wrote: »

Don't waste your time with anything other than an Ortlieb pannier

To add to this, the "front" panniers are smaller than the "back" but fit fine. I have used one for commuting for years.

StGriffen

To follow up, these are excellent value
https://www.ortlieb.com/en/Back-Roller%20City/

Just buy the separate shoulder strap for a tenner or so

k123456

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

My Crivit ones don't seem to have any panel really - just the vinyl material all round. I see one of the seams is bursting now, so I should think about replacing.

Has anyone had good experiences bringing in anything like these yokes from CHina?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Good-deal-Roswheel-60L-Cycling-Bicycle-Bag-Bike-Double-Side-Rear-Rack-Tail-Seat-Trunk-Bag/32725336333.html?spm=2114.01010108.3.285.3lv0vx&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10151_10065_10150_10068_10136_10137_10138_10060_10062_10141_10056_10055_10054_122_10059_10099_10103_10102_10096_10148_10147_10052_10053_10050_10107_10142_10051_10143_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10110_10111_10112_10113_10114_10078_10079_10073_10070_10123_10124,searchweb201603_9,afswitch_1,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=44e28f80-1602-4110-ba62-d3a0d7eda9f5&algo_expid=7f79b986-28c5-43f6-b247-1625bdf46a83-29&algo_pvid=7f79b986-28c5-43f6-b247-1625bdf46a83

These might catch your heel, judging by picture, and delivery from Ali, can take two months

AndrewJRenko

k123456 wrote: »

These might catch your heel, judging by picture, and delivery from Ali, can take two months

Possibly - they have other designs there also. The delivery time wouldn't bother me - the quality is the concern. Will they be usable and will they last is the real question.

Chuchote

A word also for Carradice. I've had a pair of Carradice panniers (made in thick, canvas-like cotton duck, with a strong board backing) for… let's see, it must be 30 years. One of them has developed a couple of small holes in the bottom in the last year.

They're expensive, always were, but very solid and hold vast amounts of shopping or touring gear.

No pannier is likely to pull your bike off balance; I regularly put a slab of Saskia water (9kg) in one and cycle home no problem, and I'm not particularly strong or fit. Panniers tend to stabilise the bike because they pull the weight balance downwards, lowering the centre of gravity.

Avoid the cheap ones in nylon, because the seams rip.

http://www.carradice.co.uk/bags/panniers/originals-kendal-panniers-pair

(These and the other ones Carradice are now doing aren't as good as mine, which were more modern than the ones Carridice is now defaulting back to. Mine have adjustable clicky straps, and a bright orange viz lozenge on the back pocket of each. We have, somewhere, a Carradice saddle bag with leather straps - it had a tendency to bulge and spill stuff because the buckled straps weren't as adjustable as the clicky kind.)

Chuchote

Yeah, it depends what you're carrying. I have a padded one for laptops and the like - an Altura Urban. It has a lock-on clip so it can't bounce off the back carrier, and a shoulder strap and a zip-on flap to cover the clips so you can carry it and have it look smart with your business suit. Inside, there's a lightly padded removable zip bag for the computer, papers or whatever.

http://road.cc/content/review/143346-altura-urban-dryline-briefcase-15

RebelButtMunch

I need to buy a the whole kit, a frame and bags. Would I be better off heading to a cycle shop with the bike to ensure a good fitting? I don't fancy ordering online only for the thing not to fit the frame.

Moflojo

StGriffen wrote: »

Don't waste your time with anything other than an Ortlieb pannier

I'd second this. I got a pair in Cycleways on Parnell St. last year and their prices were competitive (cheaper even) than anything I could find online. They can also order specific colours if the ones you want aren't in stock.

The pair I bought last year were a gift for someone else. The original pair I bought >6 years ago are still going strong. 100% waterproof. No issues with any of the attachments. Total peace of mind. Worth every penny.

Ich liebe Ortlieb.

mr spuckler

haven't tried any others tbh but am delighted with my ortliebs, been using them daily for around 2 years at this stage and not a single issue. i'd often carry work clothes, work laptop and gear for soccer at the same time in a single pannier with no issues and water has certainly never gotten near the laptop.

Chuchote

Read back three posts

mr spuckler

that's dublin 1 surely :pac:

Chuchote

mr spuckler wrote: »

that's dublin 1 surely :pac:

OK, by 100 metres!

Dublin 4 http://www.fitzcycles.ie/m/142/ortlieb
Dublin 2 http://www.greenaer.ie/product-category/accessories/baskets-bags/
(Thank you, Mr Google.)

MB Lacey

I was very excited to notice a hole in the frame of my road bike which looks like it might be used to attach a carrier for panniers.
Could someone please check and confirm?
If it's not for panniers, what's the hole for? Mudguards?
There's no corresponding holes in the seat stays which suggests the hole could well be just for mudguard attachments :-(
Thanks

Idleater

The hole at the bottom looks like a mudguard or pannier rack. Is there corresponding holes at the top of the seat stay?

MB Lacey

That's what I thought, but the second photo was to show no holes in the seat stays

MB Lacey

or maybe my bike doesn't need holes in the seat stays as some carriers have main attachment to seat tube?

cdaly_

MB Lacey wrote: »

I was very excited to notice a hole in the frame of my road bike which looks like it might be used to attach a carrier for panniers.
Could someone please check and confirm?
If it's not for panniers, what's the hole for? Mudguards?
There's no corresponding holes in the seat stays which suggests the hole could well be just for mudguard attachments :-(
Thanks

You'll mount a carrier to those points also. You just have to attach the upper mount to the brake caliper bolt.

Idleater

You have a corresponding hole on the bottom of the non drive side stay? Are they 4mm threaded? If so you can definitely put "proper" mudguards on, or fit panniers with pclips.

MB Lacey

cdaly_ wrote: »

You'll mount a carrier to those points also. You just have to attach the upper mount to the brake caliper bolt.

I am very excited - this means I can go touring on my road bike!
Thanks for photo of your set up.

Idleater wrote: »

You have a corresponding hole on the bottom of the non drive side stay? Are they 4mm threaded? If so you can definitely put "proper" mudguards on, or fit panniers with pclips.

Yes hole on other side too, I didn't measure them or look to see ifthey were threaded, will check this eve - thanks

cunavalos

MB Lacey wrote: »

or maybe my bike doesn't need holes in the seat stays as some carriers have main attachment to seat tube?

Your bike doesn't necessarily need them, a lot of racks and carriers will mount to the rear brake bridge

alternatively mounting points can easily be installed using a seat collar with eyelets


Apologies I see cdaly already mentioned the brake bridge option

brocbrocach

Vaude are also a really good make.
Again not cheap.

what_traffic

brocbrocach wrote: »

Vaude are also a really good make.
Again not cheap.

I would second that. I have the Vaude bag (Vaude Cycle 28) Bag I use to commute to work. Its got lots of pockets and a separate laptop compartment + rain cover + can convert into a back pack. I have the Ortliebs as well - they are great Waterproof bags but I do not use day to day as I prefer having the various pockets and compartments of the Vaude Bag. On a side note - I sheared two zips off the Vaude bag(my fault did not have proper carrier upgraded to a TUBUS rack since) and sent to Vaude in Germany to get it repaired and they replaced the bag for free.

StGriffen

StGriffen wrote: »

Don't waste your time with anything other than an Ortlieb pannier

Agree 100%, many years ago I bought a couple of bags in Lidl, one of the catches broke as I was using it for the first time, wheeling it out the door to cycle to the airport to catch a plane with my bike.
Next 10 days spent trying to tie the thing onto the bike.

AndrewJRenko

Some very low-cost yokes coming to Lidl; http://www.lidl.ie/en/Offers.htm?action=showDetail&id=55058

dealhunter1985

Going on my first cycling holiday (for 7 days) and need to get myself a pair of panniers.
I'm going to rent a bike over there rather than bringing my own.
Just have a few questions:

Do any brands of panniers come with straps so that you can wear like a rucksack?
I'll be travelling for a couple of days before I actually rent a bike, so trying to figure out the best way of carrying my clothes around in advance of getting the bike and attaching the panniers.
Has anyone seen any good deals recently on panniers ?

thanks

tomasrojo

Some panniers do come with straps (think back straps and shoulder straps). Don't have any experience, but I've read about them.

You can also turn a backpack into a pannier, if you already have the former and want to save money. Can't vouch for the outcome though, as I've never tried it.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Backpack-panniers-that-are-still-backpacks/

Chuchote

tomasrojo wrote: »

Some panniers do come with straps (think back straps and shoulder straps). Don't have any experience, but I've read about them.

You can also turn a backpack into a pannier, if you already have the former and want to save money. Can't vouch for the outcome though, as I've never tried it.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Backpack-panniers-that-are-still-backpacks/

Oyster basket panniers

https://thefrugalcyclist.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/the-classic-diy-obp-oyster-bucket-panniers/

schemingbohemia

dealhunter1985 wrote: »

Going on my first cycling holiday (for 7 days) and need to get myself a pair of panniers.
I'm going to rent a bike over there rather than bringing my own.
Just have a few questions:

Do any brands of panniers come with straps so that you can wear like a rucksack?
I'll be travelling for a couple of days before I actually rent a bike, so trying to figure out the best way of carrying my clothes around in advance of getting the bike and attaching the panniers.
Has anyone seen any good deals recently on panniers ?

thanks

I got this last week for my wife, hasn't used it yet though.

http://willex.be/catalogus/enkele-tassen/kantoortas-xl

It was €60 at a conference.

tomasrojo

The J-hooks (mentioned in Chuchote's link) would be useful. I used some old Cateye light-mount parts, but I've used all my spare ones making a lock holster for the bakfiets:


and a similar side basket for the tourer.

Chuchote

Or Sugru would work if you'd like to model your own:

https://sugru.com/

benjamin d

I didn't want to start a new thread for this so I'm resurrecting this one. I've spotted these going for a steal and I'm thinking about getting them. https://ie.sportsdirect.com/muddyfox-pannier-bag-937787?colcode=93778703

30 quid for 47l of storage with a good range of pockets sounds too good to be true. I notice it says nothing about being waterproof but is that a dealbreaker? I've never had panniers before but wouldn't mind trying a little light touring if I can get them so cheap.

Anyone with experience who could give some input?

Tigerandahalf

If they are not waterproof you are wasting your money. I have the classic ortlieb panniers plus an ortlieb handlebar bag - expensive but if touring you want your stuff to be dry.

benjamin d

Thanks guys, will give them a miss so. I'd spend €40 or so max on a set but not upwards of a hundred euro for something that will be used very rarely. Unless there's something in that bracket new I'll keep a casual eye on adverts.

Tigerandahalf

benjamin d wrote: »

Thanks guys, will give them a miss so. I'd spend €40 or so max on a set but not upwards of a hundred euro for something that will be used very rarely. Unless there's something in that bracket new I'll keep a casual eye on adverts.

Another option would be a dry bag. Put your stuff in it and tie it to the carrier with bungee cords.
A handlebar bag is very handy though - takes phone, maps, snacks, rain jackets, coins etc - with quick access by flipping the lid.

tomasrojo

I have heard people say they prefer panniers not to be totally waterproof when touring, as the contents if packed when a little damp end up very smelly after a day's cycling in the sun.

Can't remember who said it here. Maybe it was blorg.

Tigerandahalf

tomasrojo wrote: »

I have heard people say they prefer panniers not to be totally waterproof when touring, as the contents if packed when a little damp end up very smelly after a day's cycling in the sun.

Can't remember who said it here. Maybe it was blorg.

I was cycling recently and just hung my wet shorts and tshirt off of the panniers. They were dry within a few hours.

fat bloke

A propos of the title, is it possible to get race bike panniers?

My wife commutes on a road bike, so no eyelets or extraneous fixings. But just like you can get mudguards for race bikes, is there a pannier/carrier equivalent? She's having a lot of trouble with her shoulder and would like to stop carrying a ruck sack, even though it's a lightweight one and she doesn't need to carry a laptop or anything.
I thought I'd ask here first.

Sorry I think I see some examples of same on the previous page. That seat collar thing looks cool, are they widely available? And is it skewer based mounts on either side of the rear wheel I'm looking at?

tomasrojo

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I was cycling recently and just hung my wet shorts and tshirt off of the panniers. They were dry within a few hours.

Yeah, I don't have a strong opinion on this. I just remember someone else saying it.

benjamin d

I have a comfortable hiking-type rucksack that I can happily cycle with. That's about 35l so does the job for most cases, but I like the thought of panniers as a more convenient bit of storage and in case as I say I do a bit of touring at some stage. Decathlon has a waterproof/resistant 20l pannier for €25 and a little non-waterproof commuting one for 12 quid. I might chance the €25 one and see how it goes.

I presume 50-55l of storage is loads for almost all purposes?

AndrewJRenko

Some cheapo panniers coming to Lidl soon;

https://www.lidl-flyer.com/e3a4839f-9bc9-11e8-be55-005056ab0fb6/locale/en-IE/view/flyer/page/18?_ga=2.236024071.783082409.1534608526-341238181.1534608526

I've had mixed results with Lidl/Aldi ones, they probably won't last for too long.

Tigerandahalf

tomasrojo wrote: »

Yeah, I don't have a strong opinion on this. I just remember someone else saying it.

It would be an issue alright with a wet tent. Hard to let that dry unless you stop somewhere the next day and spread it out to dry for an hour.

Tigerandahalf

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Some cheapo panniers coming to Lidl soon;

https://www.lidl-flyer.com/e3a4839f-9bc9-11e8-be55-005056ab0fb6/locale/en-IE/view/flyer/page/18?_ga=2.236024071.783082409.1534608526-341238181.1534608526

I've had mixed results with Lidl/Aldi ones, they probably won't last for too long.

I got ones from lidl before. They look different. They used to have a trio of bags - yellow, blue and red ones. Some were a shopping type. I think the yellow one was fold down top type. I got red ones that are under the bed - never used. I could always stick them on the front rack if I needed to carry a lot of stuff.

gwakamoley

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Some cheapo panniers coming to Lidl soon;

https://www.lidl-flyer.com/e3a4839f-9bc9-11e8-be55-005056ab0fb6/locale/en-IE/view/flyer/page/18?_ga=2.236024071.783082409.1534608526-341238181.1534608526

I've had mixed results with Lidl/Aldi ones, they probably won't last for too long.

The girlfriend has done 5 months worth of touring with Lidl panniers. I was sceptical myself too but they're holding strong. YMMV!

s8n

Paninis were big in the 90’s. Used to love a ham, cheese and tomato one. Wonder when they will come back

py

Another vote for ortlieb.

Worn Out

Ortleib all the way. Used one every day for the last 6 or 7 years. It will not let you down.