Commuting - panniers...any suggestions

So I am in the market for a pair of panniers and need some advice and direction. I will be using them mainly for commuting and occasionally for short trips with my better half. For commuting, I will need to bring a change of clothes and my work stuff (laptop, notepad, etc). I have looked around on the 'net and find I am more confused about panniers than I was about choosing a bike.

-Mike

Posted this in the General Cycling forum, but thought I would also post it hear.

I am in the market for a pair of panniers and need some advice and direction. I will be using them mainly for commuting and occasionally for short trips with my better half. For commuting, I will need to bring a change of clothes and my work stuff (laptop, notepad, etc). I have looked around on the 'net and find I am more confused about panniers than I was about choosing a bike.

-Mike

http://www.arkel-od.com/

These folks make awesome bags, I purchased their "Tailrider" and Map case and their construction and attention to detail are fantastic. Highly recommended and their cost are quite reasonable.

I got the $60 combo rack and panniers from Nasbar; they're working out fine. A days clothes and lunch fit in one side.
http://www.nashbar.com/profile_combo.cfm?combo=24024

They also have a front rack with panniers for $25

Visit the Arkel website and don't hesitate to call them! They are very nice and helped me choose a very nice "all-purpose" bag aptly named the Utlity Basket. Well built, great service ans the mounting system is GREAT!!! Bag never slips! Even when heavily loaded. I will buy from them again!:D (No, I don't work for them!)

Arkel, Inertia Designs, and Axiom all make some nice panniers. I know you can get Inertia designs stuff through Hawley, which is a wholesaler to many bike shops.

Inertia makes a nice laptop padded business pannier
http://inertiadesigns.com/catalog/images/products/Business_Pan.jpg

I use the campus panniers, which do the job just fine.

I have been using a Jandd commuting pannier for going to work and a pair of their grocery bag panniers for shopping. Well made and very durable. The commuting pannier will hold clothes in one pocket and lunch in another. They also have a briefcase pannier and a commuter garment pannier. More expensive than Nashbar, but better made. Not so pricey as Arkel.

Check out Ortlieb (http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/subcategory.asp?category=2), Arke (http://www.arkel-od.com/)l, and my favorite for your load is not a bicycle pannier proper but a courier bag that Osprey makes the Torque (http://ospreypacks.brownrice.com/Packs/DaytoolPacks/Torque/). Add a few carribeaners (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=236014&highlight=home+cobbled) and it is the best laptop/clothes/etc. bag out, IMO

Wow and wow! I feel like a kid in a candy store. :D Those Arkel bags are awesome. Thanks for all your quick responses.

I'm very pleased with my Carradice panniers (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=272096).

Wow and wow! I feel like a kid in a candy store. :D Those Arkel bags are awesome. Thanks for all your quick responses.

Yep, Arkel have been known to make people feel like that...
Check out their Commuter or Briefcase. I think you need not look any further.

It seems to me that most panniers are dark colored. Who makes them in bright, visible colors?

It seems to me that most panniers are dark colored. Who makes them in bright, visible colors?

These Nasbar bags come in bright yellow and are on sale for $25. They also have free shipping right now... can't beat it.

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

Try this laptop, have an monitor, mouse, usb keyboard at work.
http://www.samsung.com/uk/products/mobilecomputing/ultramobile/np_q1_v000suk.asp

I will need to bring a change of clothes and my work stuff (laptop, notepad, etc).

If you want to take work clothes with you, the absolute best pannier is the Two Wheel Gear commuter bag (http://www.twowheelgear.com). If it weren't for this bag, I wouldn't be able to commute. It's not constructed quite as nicely as the Jandd bag, but, on the other hand, I can get two suits to the office no problem, and there's plenty of space for other stuff. I carry dress shoes and laptop, and an occasional file or two.

This is the only bag that will get your clothes to work without wrinkles, and it's designed to work on bikes with any size chainstay; I don't hit my heel even when riding my MTB while wearing snow boots.

I use my Arkel T42's for commuting and recreational riding, also were excelleng when took my bike car camping last year for carrying food, rain gear etc.. for the family day rides

they are the best things since sliced bread

I bought a pair of cheap Nashbar ATB bags for $25 or so 3 years ago. I really only use the left one. It's getting a bit beat up these days but it still functions OK. In another 3 years I may give up and use the right one instead for another 6 years.

I do use the right one maybe 3 or 4 times a year when I have extra crud to carry. But it still looks like new.

If I were touring, I'd think about some high end waterproof ones. For commuting, if it's gonna rain, I just shove my stuff into a plastic grocery sack.

Useful features in a commuter pannier:
Quick-release, locking mount rather then hook and elastic for rapid and secure mounting.
A good, lightweight stiffening board on the back and base.
Tough, heavy duty fabric. Lightweight fabric wears rapidly and flaps in the wind.
Heel cutout profile for more forward mounting without clipping the bag when pedalling.
Large rear reflective patch.
External pocket.
Flap-top designs can be more easily overloaded compared to zip or rolltop designs esp if they have an expanding collar like Carradice Super-C. Useful for large, light items such as bread and 8-packs of toilet roll.
Flap tops are quick to dive into for stowing or retrieving waterproofs. You dont even need to open the bag.
I prefer few zips and compartments but others may prefer them.

Here's a newbie question:

If I get the rak n bak messenger/pannier combo (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BA409A01-Knog+Seatpost+And+Pannier+Type.aspx ), but only one of them and put them on one side of my rack when I ride, will it screw up my balance? Will I end up riding in circles?

Here's a newbie question:

If I get the rak n bak messenger/pannier combo (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BA409A01-Knog+Seatpost+And+Pannier+Type.aspx ), but only one of them and put them on one side of my rack when I ride, will it screw up my balance? Will I end up riding in circles?
Not badly. You notice it most when you are trying to get on and off your bike. Once you are moving you won't notice much of a change to your center of balance. Be careful bombing around sharp curves on steep descents, but in general you'll be fine.

I recommend Wayne at the Touring Store (http://www.thetouringstore.com/) and the Lone Peak brand of panniers (made in Utah!). I have matching pairs of the P-500 and P-100. I have been using the panniers for over a year and have been very happy; plus I really like the red color!

6 months ago I retired the Timbuk 2 messenger bag and bought the Arkel "Commuter"

6 months later, two thumbs up. I will not go back. I love it. I'm so happy to have the weight off my back, It carries my laptop really well (when I need to), has plenty of room for clothes, easy on and off the bike, and built really well in Canada.

I hereby endorse the Arkel Commuter

After toting one of these rear panniers (http://www.xxcycle.com/wb-raid,,en.php)into a couple of meetings recently I've begun coveting this thing (http://www.wallbike.com/carradice/bikebureaunew.html), cheaper than arkel briefcase lists at, at least (haven't looked to see what the arkel briefcase actually sells for though)

I'm very pleased with my Carradice panniers (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=272096).

The Carradice Bike Bureau (http://www.wallbike.com/carradice/bikebureaunew.html) seems really nice. I am a little concerned about how it will fit on my bike, more specifically will my heel clip up as I pedal. My basic prob is that the LBS cater more to MTB riders and have a very limited selection of bags for me to see and feel.

If you want to take work clothes with you, the absolute best pannier is the Two Wheel Gear commuter bag (http://www.twowheelgear.com). If it weren't for this bag, I wouldn't be able to commute. It's not constructed quite as nicely as the Jandd bag, but, on the other hand, I can get two suits to the office no problem, and there's plenty of space for other stuff. I carry dress shoes and laptop, and an occasional file or two.

Does your laptop and files fit snuggly or do they have a tendency to move around?

I'm very pleased with my Carradice panniers (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=272096).

Hey thanks for the link to that thread. I'm going to be in Portland in a month or so, will have to see what the co-op has in stock.

The Carradice Bike Bureau (http://www.wallbike.com/carradice/bikebureaunew.html) seems really nice. I am a little concerned about how it will fit on my bike, more specifically will my heel clip up as I pedal. My basic prob is that the LBS cater more to MTB riders and have a very limited selection of bags for me to see and feel.
The Bike Bureau is designed to prevent heel strike. Let's see if these images can allay your fears...

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u94/donnambr/donnasbikemar07.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u94/donnambr/bb1.jpg

Hey thanks for the link to that thread. I'm going to be in Portland in a month or so, will have to see what the co-op has in stock.
I'd call them (http://www.citybikes.coop/) first. They've been selling briskly, as I understand. Worth it, though, IMO.

Just to add to what donnamb said, the three fixing points for the Bike Bureau are all adjustable so you can optimise the rear positioning and the restriction of forward/backward movement for virtually any rack you use. The angle at which the pannier rests means you would be unlikely to get heel strike if you didn't really think about the clip placement,anyway.

Probably the best single bike accessory I've ever bought.

About the Two Wheel Gear bag:
Does your laptop and files fit snuggly or do they have a tendency to move around?

My laptop fits quite snugly; the pockets seem to be designed for the average laptop. Mine is a widescreen, so I have to cram it in to fit side-to-side, but it has plenty of room up-and-down. I'd still suggest some sort of padded case for it, just to be safe (I just have a lightly padded envelope my wife sewed, and no problems).

The side pockets are pretty narrow: unless you have tiny feet, your shoes won't fit there and have to ride in the main pocket (where they go really well at the bottom). The pockets are about perfect for standard manila folder-sized parcels, but you can fit legal folders in as well. There's also a handy tool pocket on the top, as well as a shoulder strap for when it's off the bike (I wouldn't have believed how useful that is).

The attachment system is pretty straightforward, it has standard clips, and then d-rings that grab the hooks on the bottom of the rack, and are tightened with velcro straps. Quick and easy to get off, not quite as easy as a bungie, but much more secure.

Probably the best single bike accessory I've ever bought.
Ok, sounds like the Bike Bureau is the way to go. Can you recommend a good online store? I have found them at Harris Cyclery (http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/hub.html) and Wallingford Bicycle Parts (http://www.wallbike.com/).

Both places have excellent reputations. You might just go with price with this choice.

I have the Cotton Duck pannier, my wife has the Cordura. I prefer the Cotton Duck. It's slightly heavier, but has a nicer look and feel, and in my experience, is very tough. My wife only uses hers occasionally, so I don't know if it wears quite as well as the Cotton Duck.

Somebody ordered theirs from SJS Cycles in the UK, and thought it was a reasonable way to go.

For my lighweight commuter I really didn't need that big of a pannier system. I decided to go with the Topeak RX expandable trunk. I have never really filled it yet but it does not hold a ton of gear. I usually commute with spare tube, lunch, levers, commuter pass, wallet, ipod for train, cell phone, cliff bar, fresh work shirt, shorts for the after noon ride home, etc.. It's the perfect size for my needs. Whats really nice about this bag is that inside there is a shoulder strap so once at work with a single button I can slide the pack out of the dovetail connection on the rack and sling the bag over my shoulder like a "MAN PURSE" or use the handle instead of the sling.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/500/710473_321Prd.jpg

http://www.jesseshunting.com/photopost/data/500/topeak_rack.JPG

I love the Jandd commuter panniers. The rain cover works well, and it zips under its own cover to let you turn it into a brief case.

These Nasbar bags come in bright yellow and are on sale for $25. They also have free shipping right now... can't beat it.

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

I just bought the dark ones. They are excellent.

These Nasbar bags come in bright yellow and are on sale for $25. They also have free shipping right now... can't beat it.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...%3A%20Panniers


Very nice and great price!!

^I just got mine in the mail today. :) Can't wait to put 'em on my bike. No more taking a backpack into work for me! I got the black set.