Winter panniers

BenyBen

I need new ones for winter, mine are dead...

So, how do you guys go about panniers in winter?

Do you :
-buy expensive panniers, and their quality makes them widstand winters and summers to come?
-buy mid-range panniers and they're good enuf for a winter or 2?
-buy cheap panniers and discard them at the end of winter?
-panniers-shmaniers, I use a backpack/messenger bag.
-use mental powers to levitate your stuff around you as you cycle?

Thanks!

The BikeForums Team

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Ziemas

I have both a good pannier and an old POS. The good pannier is an Arkel Bug which I use with the rain cover. The old POS is an old Bushwacker which has been retro fitted with the Arkel hook system. The plastic insert is shot to hell and broken into many pieces on the Bushwacker. The Arkel is fine. One day the Bushwacker will be replaced...

Lectron

Two pairs of Ortlieb. (http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodList.asp?scat=6) Front roller plus & back roller plus. Great quality. Waterproof.

ViciousCycle

I second the praise of Ortlieb panniers. They are great year round. They keep things dry in the snow, in thunderstorms, whatever. And they can carry a lot of stuff. They are a bit more expensive than other panniers I've had before, but unlike the other panniers I've had, they don't quickly break apart when subjected to heavy use. I carry them full of groceries, heavy books, heavy locks, etc. all the time.

CBBaron

I use a Chrome messanger bag. If all my bikes had racks I'd probably use a good pannier like the Arkel Samurai or an Ortlib. I hopeing the Chrome is as durable and waterproof as it is comfortable. I spent the extra money on a Chrome vs. a cheap backpack or pannier because I wanted something that would last and I could use on all my bikes.
Craig

pinerider

My first winter riding was with $5 Norco panniers from Value Village. The salt, grit and general crap of winter riding rusted anything that might remotely rust and beat the crap out of the thin nylon material.
I've used Axiom La Salles for the past 2 winters, they seem to be holding out very well, cost me about $60 for the pair - lots of room and no problems. I plan to use these as front bags when I go touring, and buy some "quality" rear bags.
If I had really good pannier bags, I wouldn't use them in winter unless I was riding on dry salt free roads.

BenyBen

Thanks for the responses guys... It's more food for though. I think I'm gonna drop by the MEC this weekend and check out what they have. The prices they have on the Ortliebs, is it for ONE bag or for the pair? In winter I seem to always need 2 of them. 140US seems quite steep if it's just one.

Lectron

Thanks for the responses guys... It's more food for though. I think I'm gonna drop by the MEC this weekend and check out what they have. The prices they have on the Ortliebs, is it for ONE bag or for the pair? In winter I seem to always need 2 of them. 140US seems quite steep if it's just one.

The price is for a pair. The specs (volume etc.) is also for a pair.

regards

michaelnel

Two pairs of Ortlieb. (http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodList.asp?scat=6) Front roller plus & back roller plus. Great quality. Waterproof.

I have the same. I hear they are so waterproof that if you were a glutton for punishment you could fill them with water and it wouldn't leak out. Terrific attachment system, too. Trust the Germans to do it right.

michaelnel

BTW, the Ortliebs also keep the dust and dirt out of the stuff in your panniers.

BenyBen

I'm trying to buy off my LBS to keep the money in my community, he will have good panniers, but Arkel. I heard good things about them, anyone can comment?

I got my eyes on this one
http://www.panniers.com/panniers/t42/overview.asp?fl=1&site=cdn

Walkafire

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/images/products/806-210T_x200.jpg

Works great! $ 4.99

Michel Gagnon

I just trplaces a set of Arkel T-42 that were used year round for 7 or 8 years. I bought another set of T-42s.

Ziemas

I'm trying to buy off my LBS to keep the money in my community, he will have good panniers, but Arkel. I heard good things about them, anyone can comment?

I got my eyes on this one
http://www.panniers.com/panniers/t42/overview.asp?fl=1&site=cdn

Arkel panniers are top quality and very well designed. Their customer service is the best I've ever encountered. I'd buy Arkel products again without a second thought.

BenyBen

Cool, Arkel it is then.

Zin

I'm on my second year of commuting with my Nashbar panniers. Still going strong through hot, cold, wet, dry, and snow. No problems.

I guess I'm a little late on this thread.....

jakub.ner

I use plastic buckets ($10 each) with Arkel attachments ($30 for set). Works awesome. Giving up the lids this year in place of garbage bags for top covers. Here is the setup I used last winter: http://www.bicycletouring101.com/JakubsAmazingBucketBike.htm. Lasted all winter. This setup doesn't use the wonderful Arkel attachments. Just a milk crate cut in half, rubber hose clamps, and nylon straps.