Commuting - Speaking of Panniers

Okay, so these guys (http://www.cobbworks.com) here in town make these lovely Oyster-bucket panniers. What do you all think? Personally, I think the weather-proof-ness is a huge plus in this location, but I'm worried about their bulkiness. I've never used panniers before, so I don't want to buy something I can't handle. Has anyone used these before that can comment? Speculations are welcome, too.

Also, -- a little off-topic -- has anyone ever had balance problems with just one pannier? I have quite a heavy load, so do I need to get two or is it possible with just one (assuming it all fits)?

Thanks,
Nicholas

I have never used Oyster-bucket panniers, but I did build my own set from Pickle Buckets. They worked well for daily use, you can't tear them. I have seen the Oyster-bucket panniers and there mounting system is good.

Never even thought of using something like that. Round here I see a lot of milk crates tied to racks, but never a pickle bucket. I suppose you could carry your minnows for fishing.
As far as one pannier over two, I ride with one a lot. I put my laptop in it, wrapped up in three layers of plastic and clothing. There is a big difference in the ride, like I can't no hand with it, but other than that there isn't a big problem, now if you are talking about trying to fit the gear of two panniers in one, you might have a problem, but that is why I have the other, plus a "trunk", and of course there are the front panniers when I put that rack on.

I have an Arkel Utility Basket Pannier which only comes as a single, left-side mount. It is a BIG pannier. I have often filled it with a ton of stuff, OK, not a ton, but a heavy load, and never noticed a bit of difference, even riding no hands. Your body automatically compensates for such things. The balance can cause a problem if you try to use your kickstand (if you have one). Two or three times I have stood the bike up fine with heavy load only to have a puff of breeze blow it over. Now I know in such situations to place it right up against a tree, building, fence, etc. so it can't fall.

I stumbled across the Oyster Bucket panniers a couple of years ago online and came close to buying some.

I think that the Oyster Bucket concept is great. I am all for entrepeneurship and a friend I know swears by his. However, they are a bit spendy. Go find some used square buckets and make your own pretty easily I would think.

I almost only runs a single pannier and have never experienced any problems, not even with heavy loads.

What bike is that? Nice colour.

Anders K

I have never overloaded my panniers so the bike tips over when riding. I have packed one side pretty full on a trip in to the office, but that just made the bike want to learn over to one side. Nothing anyone that has rode for a couple months could not handle.

I think a pannier is close enough to the centerline of the bike that it would be very difficult to overload one enough to unbalance the bike while riding. I know I ride with one on the rear all the time and don't even notice it.

I would hesitate a bit more about riding with just one on the front, since I can feel the difference in handling with just a couple of pounds more in one front pannier than the other.

RichC

Thank you all for your responses! Much appreciated.

As for Anders K, I have no idea... I just grabbed it from the Cobbworks (http://www.cobbworks.com/) page.

--Nicholas