Commuting - Panniers what is needed?

I saw these on Nashbar. Not too expensive, with bright colors. Would they suffice for a commute of under 10 miles? plus, how would I fit my rack on the back of it? would I use bungee cords since I cant velcro my current el-cheapo bag with that one. If I should consider something else, Im open. Ill probably have to drive to work a couple days, so I can leave clothing and all my shower gear there and wont need to carry it along.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=&subcategory=&sku=6983&brand=

Sure they look fine. If you are going to be new to panniers, you'll never go back.

Can't tell from the pics or description exactly for these. Most panniers have an attachment mechanism for hooking the bottom and top of your rack and a way to cinch them on tightly. Someone here must be using these.

I have cheapo Performance panniers (same company) and am very happy with them. These Daytrekker panniers are joined together to make them a little more convenient to carry, but it does prevent you from putting things on the top of the racks easily.

I would rather get the "ATB" panniers which are larger and the two halves are separate, allowing you to bungee or strap something else to the top of the rack: http://myxo.css.msu.edu/danimal/gallery/markwedding/P7310528 ... they're still only $40.

Most of the cheaper panniers use hooks and a cinch strap to attach to racks. These are easy to put on, but take a few seconds to remove because you have to reach around the back to loosen the strap. I actually prefer this style because they are more reliable than the quick-release system used on more expensive panniers... which sometime come loose or break.

These panniers are pretty good, but they're a little tiny. I bring a change of clothes to work and the panniers fit pants, shirt, underwear, socks and a jacket snugly.

<snip> I actually prefer this style because they are more reliable than the quick-release system used on more expensive panniers... which sometime come loose or break.

I recently got Trek Interchange panniers because my LBS gave me the rack for "free" with my bike. They are very nice and quick to put on and take off. We'll see how long they hold up. I already hear the siren song of Arkel and Ortlieb....

I am going for the ATB panniers too. $39.99 and use coupon code cmps3 to get a 10% discount on that price. I liked the looks of the water-proof standard type panniers but the price is higher and the wife decided to get the ATBs for my birthday. I commute 12.5 miles to work and those day-tripper panniers just would NOT work.

I recently got Trek Interchange panniers because my LBS gave me the rack for "free" with my bike. They are very nice and quick to put on and take off. We'll see how long they hold up. I already hear the siren song of Arkel and Ortlieb....
My coworker has the Arkel Bug, the convertible backpack-pannier. Frankly, I was underwhelmed by it. It's well-made, but kind of silly looking and not very big. The Nashbar convertible is only $50, and I know it's not as well-made but looks like a normal backpack at least.

I feel that the cheapo panniers have plenty of small pockets for keys and things, and they look more "normal" so that you will get fewer weird looks when walking into restaurants and such.

Gotta say, the features on the Trek Interchanges that has been most useful to me is that a) they are sided, so one pannier is always your "right" pannier and b) they have key pockets. To get into my building I need to find my key card. Though I had a 50/50 chance of picking the right pocket, with my old non-sided panniers, I seemed to be wrong 80% of the time. Now I know my card and keys are in the key pocket of my right pannier.

It's the little things...

I use Trek Interchange trunk bag, and the earlier version of the trek panniers. The price is not too hard on the pocketbook, and they refuse to die so I can upgrade.

The interchange trunk is so easy to take on/off i dont think I would go to a regular mounting system again.

Damn you Jarery!! I think it's partially because of you I'm sitting here frustrated that my Showers Pass coat hasn't shown up.

I was also leaning towards getting the interchange trunk bag for weekend rides. I presume you have the smaller, non-pannier trunk bag.

FYI, my older Trek Panniers, with the hook and clip mechanism, sort of died. The rope broke.

While you're at it, anything else I should get?

i've been using the nashbar atb panniers for about 2 years. They're roomy enough to hold my laptop, lock, lunch clothes (no shoes) and shower stuff in a single pannier. they work good but carrying them kinda sucks. I've even used them on a couple of short tours. They're not waterproof and don't come with raincovers. The performance transit ones come with raincovers. something to think about if you are planning to ride in the rain.

i'm now using a topeak trunk, the MTX DXP. It holds all that stuff and more with it's fold down panniers. Plus it comes with a shoulder strap and easier to carry. The rack/bag combo is much more expensive though.

Damn you Jarery!! I think it's partially because of you I'm sitting here frustrated that my Showers Pass coat hasn't shown up.


LOL :D

Ya i can see the rope breaking on the old treks, but so far their doing ok.
My trunk bag is the non pannier model, if i want that much space, i put on my real panniers.
The trek trunk had about 50% more space than an arkel tailrider, and was half the price. It suits my commuting fine during the summer. Fall/spring are the worst since I really need 2 sets of clothes, morning cold and afternoon hot. If i can get 2-3 years service out of it, i'll be wantign to upgrade to a newer model by then anyways.

Cant think of anything else......well except for a headsweats, shimmano sandals, sugoi resistor booties, windblocker gloves, hid lighting, seelskins socks.........:D

I wore my showerspass with a longsleeve jersey and a underarmor heatgear base during pouring rain and high 30's. Swapped in a merrino wool base (real thin one) when the temps got to low 30's :)

My coworker has the Arkel Bug, the convertible backpack-pannier. Frankly, I was underwhelmed by it. It's well-made, but kind of silly looking and not very big. The Nashbar convertible is only $50, and I know it's not as well-made but looks like a normal backpack at least.

I feel that the cheapo panniers have plenty of small pockets for keys and things, and they look more "normal" so that you will get fewer weird looks when walking into restaurants and such.
I'm going to disagree with you on this. The Arkel Bug is deceptivly large. I'm able to fit a termendous amount in mine. It's high quality, comfortable to wear, has a helmet pocket, and comes with a lifetime waranty. I love mine and would not hesitate to recomond one to a friend.

As for the Nashbar, I had one. I also gave it away as soon as I could. It's not a backpack, but rather a plastic kayak drysack in a holder with backpack straps. If you want to use the backpack function you have to unzip the pack from a mounting plate, presumably leaving the mounting plate on the bike. The attachment system is utter rubbish, two flimsy hooks and a weak, thin, rubber strap. I can say that it's one of the worst designed cycling products I've ever seen.

If you want quality and function go with the Arkel. It will last you many years an serve you well.

I saw these on Nashbar. Not too expensive, with bright colors. Would they suffice for a commute of under 10 miles? I had those a couple years ago. I used them on my rides for carrying extra clothes in the winter and extra food and water in the summer. I liked them but they only lasted about a year - and I was not using them for daily commutes - just joy rides.

Modern quick-release panniers are ideal for commuting. They use two locking hooks at the top and an anti-sway hook at the bottom. They are much quicker than old hook and elastic style or velcro attachments far more secure and very rugged.
They take a second to attach or remove, no fiddling about trying to hook onto the bottom of the rack.

Well, after all the advice, I will likely go for something a little better than the day trekkers. Ill take my time though, so I dont end up getting something ill be dissapointed in. thanks!!!

who makes the ones that are modern, quick-release?

OK, can you get a decent pair of panniers, for under $70-$80 with quick release latchs? Just something that wont fall off and can last a year or so until I can buy something better.

OK, can you get a decent pair of panniers, for under $70-$80 with quick release latchs? Just something that wont fall off and can last a year or so until I can buy something better.
Why do you want the quick release latches? I know they're supposed to be better, but I haven't found that to be the case. I have Vaude panniers with the quick releases, and the quick-release hooks are more fragile and harder to get on. Sure, they come off quicker, but it only takes like 5 seconds more with the hook-and-cinch-strap style panniers... plus I think the simpler mechanism is more reliable.

Why do you want the quick release latches? I know they're supposed to be better, but I haven't found that to be the case. I have Vaude panniers with the quick releases, and the quick-release hooks are more fragile and harder to get on. Sure, they come off quicker, but it only takes like 5 seconds more with the hook-and-cinch-strap style panniers... plus I think the simpler mechanism is more reliable.

I dont have to have quick releases. I dont know a whole lot about commuting. All I know is, I need some panniers and theres a shower at work. Im learning on the fly here, and trying to work things out. I like the idea of commuting on my bike sometimes, and Im buying stuff a bit at a time. I still need a longsleeve jersey, some tights and I have no winter gear at all. So, things will be tight financially on this, and Im just hoping I can get into this with what will pass for now, and upgrade later.

I dont have to have quick releases. I dont know a whole lot about commuting. All I know is, I need some panniers and theres a shower at work. Im learning on the fly here, and trying to work things out. I like the idea of commuting on my bike sometimes, and Im buying stuff a bit at a time. I still need a longsleeve jersey, some tights and I have no winter gear at all. So, things will be tight financially on this, and Im just hoping I can get into this with what will pass for now, and upgrade later.
Well, then my advice is to go with something cheap that has lots of pockets, like the Nashbar ATB panniers. I have the Performance Transit panniers which look to be the exact same thing. I've found the simple hook-and-cinch-strap mechanism to be very satisfactory, and the panniers are roomy and durable :)

OK, can you get a decent pair of panniers, for under $70-$80 with quick release latchs? Just something that wont fall off and can last a year or so until I can buy something better.

Detours Transits (http://detours.us/site/gear_frames.html) have a quick release on the top that's very good and they only cost $60 per pair. I've used them for a couple years now and haven't had any complaints. I did modify them however. I put a better quick release on the bottom of the bag. I got an extra QL-1 mounting bracket from Ortlieb.

Edit: The Detours site is a little futzy. Go to Get Gear, then the Carry stuff tab and then to Panniers.

cool, lots of good possibilities. I have done searchs and such, but it can be difficult to sort through all the sites that dont have anything in your range. I have so much to buy, at this point, that its difficult to know where to start.

I need to get panniers and a rear rack. I will need to get some pretty big panniers because I will be commuting to college, I am having to take classes like chemistry, human ap, biology, physics and such. So the books are huge and a backpack will just not suffice. Is there a certain rack I should get for optimum weight? Also how to panniers hook onto a rack?

The Arkel Utility Basket (http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/utility/overview.asp?fl=1) is a really big single pannier, not inexpensive, but very well made. Have a look at their site.

This is the one I'm using for commuting to the office. With the optional laptop pouch, the main pocket could hold a computer and a big load of books and clothes, while you'd still have the top for little things like tools, keys, spare parts, etc.

I can't help much with recommendations for a rack, since I ordered mine with the bike and it's a smaller folding bicycle. There are lots of others on the forums here who might be able to say what racks work for them.

I bought a set of Nashbar ATB panniers. They go on sale for < $30 a pair once in a while.
I used just the left one for a couple of years. It's getting pretty ratty now (it has about 11,000 miles on it) so I've started using the right one instead. If I get another 10,000 miles out of it, I'll be happy. And I could fix up the left one if I wanted to do a little patch work; it just has one seam that's opened up and a hole that's worn in the bottom from where it fell off once and snagged on a rock.

I used a rack trunk for a while before that but I didn't really like it. Too hard to get on and off, and not enough space for a change of clothes, lunch, etc. With the ATB pannier, I can put a full 8 pack of soda, my camera and phone, lunch and squeeze in a shirt. If I need a full set of clothes I can only bring 4 or 5 sodas. I don't drink that much in a day, I just like to bring a bunch in at once when I think of it.

OK, can you get a decent pair of panniers, for under $70-$80 with quick release latchs? Just something that wont fall off and can last a year or so until I can buy something better.
I like these, they have leather straps that attach & release easily to most racks plus an adjustable shoulder strap for carrying: http://www.galaxyarmynavy.com/item-glx-sbb.asp http://west.loadup.com/military/surplus/298501.html Swiss Army "Bread Bags" are the best small panniers for the $$. Available as used military surplus from several sources for $2-$30 each, but all seem to be out of stock right now. I bought a bunch from Sportsmansguide.com @ 5 for $9.95 plus shipping, check the site from time to time as they come on as specials.
edit: one on e-Bay now with full issue contents, most of which may be useful for commuting/touring http://cgi.ebay.com/Swiss-Hiking-Set-Shoulder-Bag-Canteen-Gaiters-bread-lot_W0QQitemZ120200725559QQihZ002QQcategoryZ588QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Don

I picked up a set of these on the clearance rack at Performance for 30.00
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23923&subcategory_ID=2312
They are last years model and are silver and black instead of the all black but still the same item.

To the OP are those Nashbar panniers 12L x 2 or 6L x 2? Meaning 12L or 6L per side.

I'm looking for a small pannier set of 5L per side. This is more for daily rides and for training as well by adding a little weight into the bags butI want them small as I'm not going touring with them. I likethe solid black look with the reflecto on the sides or all black look if anyone can help me find something that fits my description or close it. More selections the better.

I bought the Sunlite Traveler 2 Panniers (http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Traveler-Bicycle-Pannier-Bags/dp/B000BMUDY0) a couple of years back...

I had tried some Trek panniers. Set one lasted me through one half of my commute, set two lasted for 2 minutes of my commute. I needed something in a hurry, and I figured I'd just buy something cheap now and do some research for a better bag while I "made do". My LBS sold me the Sunlite bags for approximately $30.

Still using them, and they're holding up VERY well. I may not need a "better" bag after all.

Detours Transits (http://detours.us/site/gear_frames.html) have a quick release on the top that's very good and they only cost $60 per pair. I've used them for a couple years now and haven't had any complaints. I did modify them however. I put a better quick release on the bottom of the bag. I got an extra QL-1 mounting bracket from Ortlieb.

Edit: The Detours site is a little futzy. Go to Get Gear, then the Carry stuff tab and then to Panniers.

Wow the Toocans are awesome (I think) because you can stuff a whole grocery bag in it. It also doesn't look awkward, you could carry it into work with all your junk and it would be almost like a normal pack.

My question is, though, how do you tell what kind of rack you need for these (or any kind of pannier)? This weekend my bike should hopefully be in and I would like to get a rack at the same time, and probably order in a set of panniers, or even one of the single toocans.