Commuting - How do you lock panniers on bike when you lock the bike up?

Ok, recently I've been thinking of getting some panniers partly to hold my Ulocks and also groceries. Now I'm no taking those folding metal baskets but the cloth panniers. I'd like to know is there a way to secure those things to the bike so they don't leave the bike and can be locked up as well? I lock my bike outside.

Thanks in advance. Any pictures would greatly help.



Zero_Enigma

I take them with me, its the safest option IMHO.

werd. Carry them with you.

I bought some u clamp bolts at the hardware store, drilled holes in the flat slate inside the pannier and then bolted them onto the rack. Mine weren't new panniers so I didn't feel like I was "ruining" anything and now you have to wrench them off which most thieves don't have the time to do.

I bought some u clamp bolts at the hardware store, drilled holes in the flat slate inside the pannier and then bolted them onto the rack. Mine weren't new panniers so I didn't feel like I was "ruining" anything and now you have to wrench them off which most thieves don't have the time to do.

What about the contents? how do you stop a thief from helping himself to what's in the panniers?

I had a pannier with the Arkel attachment system locked to my bike for a winter. I used a small padlock through the lock tab to the rack. No problems. And I didn't leave anything in my pannier except a bunji cord when I locked up. And I still have the bunji.

http://www.arkel-od.com/technical/images/detail13.jpg

Quick release locking systems such as the Arkel, Ortleib or Carradice are very convenient. I prefer the latter two, without the hook-and-elastic.
I wouldnt leave panniers unattended in town any more than I would park my backpack outside a shop.

What about the contents? how do you stop a thief from helping himself to what's in the panniers?

On each side, i just have all the stuff fit inside a cloth shopping bag. just grab the two bags out and leave panniers on the bike.

I like the U-bolt panniers to the rack idea... I just may have to do that this weekend.

I just use a long cable (http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=SA1018) and run it through the top carry loops on the bags. Not the ultimate in security and won't stop someone from stealing stuff out of them but a decent deterrent for a quick shopping trip.

Well the problem is to carry everything will cause you to be more an issue when shopping. I already carry a large bag with a leg drop for my critical stuff I keep but if I carry the panniers with me things are going to fall somewhere and it really will piss off grocers if you knock over a display with boxes/cans or worst, glass. You're pretty much cut out from many places as most places are narrow aisles unless you're in Wallyworld setting with lots of space. I tend to carry tools, spare clothing, gloves, helmet, repair kit, tire kit, flashlight, backup blinkies, waterbottle, radio, pump, spare tube, first aid, and a few energy bars. I was looking more for something that I can offload my weigh on the bike so when I'm grocery shopping on the way back I can hit all the stores I need to get my supplies then having o double back again and waste a second trip out. Perhaps panniers are not the right thing for me then. I'm looking more for a lockable solution.

Zero_Enigma