Commuting - Day trip pannier recommendations

Hi all,

I'm looking for some small day trip type panniers, I guess this is the best place to ask (although a search on "panniers" in Commuting shows too many false positives to sift through).

I have a superb set of Louis Garneau Grand Touring panniers which are just the business for touring, but even one of them is complete overkill for commuting and day trips.

What are you guys using for this kind of application? Can you recommend some smaller utility panniers?

Cheers,
Al.

I commute with a set of Nashbar Daytrekker panniers. They're pretty small, and they're pretty cheap.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=66&subcategory=1004&brand=&sku=6983&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Panniers

I got Limited Edition Gray ones with a free rack in a promotion thay had early this year.

They are a bit different from other panniers in that they must be used as a set and they don't let you use a rack trunk at the same time.

I am surprised how much I can cram in 'em when I need to. No small pockets, just bags.

Overall, thumbs up for 'em.

I have used the Jandd Commuter Briefcase Pannier shown here:

http://www.jandd.com/search_results.asp?txtsearchParamTxt=&txtsearchParamCat=3&txtsearchParamType=ALL&txtsearchParamMan=ALL&txtsearchParamVen=ALL&txtFromSearch=fromSearch&iLevel=2&subcat=11

I have used it for the past 3+ years both for bike commuting and mass transit. It has proven to be waterproof in everything but virtual hurricane conditions. I've never had it fall off my bike and it can be pretty quickly changed over to carry as a soft sided briefcase. It is quite large and I have never had trouble fitting clothes, lunch and whatnot into it. Since it has some outer pockets like a briefcase it is very easy to keep things organized and separated rather than one big jumble in a pannier. I have even carried 4 fifths of alcohol (don't ask) in the thing with no damage done, so it is tough.

On that same page is their commuter pannier which is slightly larger. While I have never used one, I have seen a couple of other commuters with these and they seem equally solid and well made. Jandd is expensive, but the stuff seems to last and last so you'll have one of their bags for years.

I really like my Trek interchange pack/panniers. But it was a bit pricey and requires their rack.

They fold up when not in use. But will carry everything you need for a day trip.

For those in Canada, Canadian Tire has these panniers (http://tinyurl.com/yd9kf6)

I have used them for 3 years now on my daily commuter.
They have held very well considering the price of them ($19.99 CA). Lots of room for folded clothes, lunch, lock, tools etc.

http://aebike.com/images/library/catalogs/soc/p350X350m/BG0508.jpg

Couldn't pass up the opportunity at $49.99.

Unfortunately, I think I got the last ones, they're unavailable at this point.
http://aebike.com/page.cfm?action=details&Affiliate=1&PageID=30&SKU=BG0508

1+ on the Trek Interchange. Not too big, but can carry plenty of stuff for work (lunch, clothes, papers). They really are ideal for commuters, though, though because of how quickly you can get them on and off.

I've got a nice set of REI commuters panniers. They work well, cost less than 100$, and since there REI, if you don't like them just bring em back

Detours Transit (http://www.detours.us/site/commuting_frames.html) bags are very good and relatively inexpensive. Their attachment to the top of the rack is first rate. The lower attachment isn't as good. I replaced the bottom connectors on mine with the QL-1 mounting bracket from Ortlieb,

The question has to be, what kind of day trip? Is this is a ride around all day, hop off the bike to take some photos type of day trip or will you be stopping in multiple places, going into shops, restaurants, etc. and such?

If you're planning on stopping somewhere you may want to get some type of multi-use solution. With all of its minor flaws the Arkel Bug (http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/backpack/overview.asp?fl=1&site=) really is the best solution out there. Once locked into place I can assure you, your bike will rattle apart before this thing will come off a rack. And you can carry it easily with you off the bike into a store, etc. The backpack straps are quite functional and the helmet carrier is actually quite useful as well.

I bought a bunch of other Arkel goods while I was at it. For a longer ride where I'm not carrying a full pannier's worth of stuff I use an Arkel Tail Rider. That's enough to keep some rain gear, snacks, camera, and other stuff that doesn't fit into the seat bag. I've also got a set of their Samurai panniers. I generally will just add one of those to the Bug if I need to carry more stuff than the Bug can hold comfortably.

The Trek looks interesting... the Arkel is just cool, but very pricey.

Someone asked what I meant by day trip... well, I mean something relatively small. I've got panniers for loaded touring and the stuff I'd need on a day trip would fit in the outside pockets of one pannier... overkill.

The Trek looks interesting... the Arkel is just cool, but very pricey.

Someone asked what I meant by day trip... well, I mean something relatively small. I've got panniers for loaded touring and the stuff I'd need on a day trip would fit in the outside pockets of one pannier... overkill.

I understand about the cost. I'm not going to think too hard about how much all the Arkel panniers cost me..

That being said if you're looking for a cheaper modular solution I think going with a Topeak rack and pannier would be an excellent solution. I have the Topeak Explorer rack (http://www.topeak.com/2006/products/racks/explorer.php) which isn't as nice as an OMM or Blackburn but it's cheaper. Plus the MTX system allows you to pair it with something like this MTX Trunk Bag DXP (http://www.topeak.com/2006/products/bags/mtxtrunkbagdxp.php). It has an expanding top so it'll rival the carrying capacity of the Arkel Tail Rider. The panniers are pretty small but expand and should fit your size specifications and tuck away when you don't need them.

The advantage of the MTX system is easy on/off which will make it good for commuting.

Arkel also have a GT18BP ( http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/gt18/features.asp?fl=1&site= ) - looks very similar to the bug. Ok, you have me considering them... :)

I'm not a fan of that Topeak design. I'm looking at the Tortec ( http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=Manufacturer.aspx&W=0&Cat=cycle&Manufacturer=TorTec&CategoryName=Racks ) - I particularly want the extra stay which prevents larger panniers from pinching the back of the wheel (not a concern for commuting I guess).

Day trip panniers. I love my Arkel tailrider. It holds quite a few items, tools, camera, CD-player, food. For longer rides or rides where I need to haul more I use the Arkel T-22. They are the smallest Arkel makes yet they are more than adequate for my needs. They are extremely well constructed and have held up great. They are designed to use on the front, but I use them on the rear and they are solid.

http://aebike.com/images/library/catalogs/soc/p350X350m/BG0508.jpg

Couldn't pass up the opportunity at $49.99.

Unfortunately, I think I got the last ones, they're unavailable at this point.
http://aebike.com/page.cfm?action=details&Affiliate=1&PageID=30&SKU=BG0508

Also available elsewhere, though at a much higher price than you paid:
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm?stylepkey=15321&style_id=010%20KNOVP6&detailName=Knog%20Valore%20Twin%20Bag&dept_id=2&deptName=Accessories&sub_id=24&subName=Bags&lprice=74.98&hprice=74.98

I ended up buying these (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=13690) for $29 delivered. I'll post a review when I get 'em, but for that price they just need to look somewhat similar to the photo to satisfy me:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Full/13690.jpg