General Cycling Discussion - Best Affordable Pannier?

Any suggestions on an affordable pannier? I usually ride with my messenger bag around town but may do a couple of longer rides this year (once my knee is fixed) and I'm looking to get something that is effective, waterproof, and not 200 dollars.

effective, waterproof, and not 200 dollars.
Remember Bontrager's quote, cheap, strong, light, choose any two.......


Pannier version would be similar!

I'm liking REI's Novara Transfer (http://www.rei.com/product/733813) panniers. I doubt they are entirely waterproof on their own, but there's a built-in rain slick that fits over them if the need arises. There are a few slots, pockets, and mesh areas, which are nice for carrying small and/or flat items. At a bit over half your budget, they may be worth a look.

My first set of panniers were a pair of Axiom Typhoons. These drybag-style panniers don't have the best mounting system in my opinion, but you can find them for about $80.

Any suggestions on an affordable pannier? I usually ride with my messenger bag around town but may do a couple of longer rides this year (once my knee is fixed) and I'm looking to get something that is effective, waterproof, and not 200 dollars.

The Ortlieb Front Rollers (http://www.rei.com/product/604990)aren't $200, just $130 at REI ;) Heck, the Rear Rollers (http://www.rei.com/product/604989)are only $150!

Okay, I know what you mean so here is a good suggestion: The Detours Touring (http://www.rei.com/product/749997) panniers. They are only $88 they are water resistant but do come with a cover. You live in Denver and don't have to worry that much about wet so they should be fine. In a pinch, you can always line them with a garbage bag. They have a pretty good attachment system but it could stand some improvement. I traded the funky strap on my Transit Cycles (http://detours.us/product_info.php?cPath=35&products_id=143) for an Ortlieb QL-1 lower attachment. The bag is much more stable now. The Transit Cycles are only $65 which are a real bargain.

Performance Bikes sells a "waterproof" (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23827&subcategory_ID=2312) bag too for $60.

Note of caution: Get the smallest bag you think you need. If you want to tour, large bags just cry out for more stuff. Small bags make you think about what you really want to carry.

I concur that REI is a good choice. I examined them while I was doing the research for my panniers. I concluded that if the REI bag were larger, it would have been my choice. I looked at the Detours online, but for some reason they don’t seem to get much press. I found only a few folks using them. I also checked out the Performance bags. If you get them on a sale and or with a coupon, they can be very inexpensive. However, I didn’t like their mounting system. Ultimately I purchased the Lone Peaks at The Touring Store.

The Lone Peaks mounted much more securely than the Performance line and were also easier to put on and remove.

Another option is to purchase the Performance bags and then purchase the Arkel attachment system, which has a good reputation. I didn’t go this route because I felt the Lone Peaks had a better reflector and strapping system.

Good luck in your decision.

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

Banjo Brothers make a waterproof pannier (http://www.banjobrothers.com/products/01110.php) for $40. I haven't used it, but have been impressed by the quality/value of all the products from them I do own -- a racktop bag, seat bag, and grocery panniers.

Has anyone used the Banjo Brothers Pannier? Forty Bones is cheap! I'm gonna throw down in the next month on one of these suggestions I just don't know which yet.

Does REI carry a cheap model that DOES have enough room in it to tour?

Does REI carry a cheap model that DOES have enough room in it to tour?

The Detours are 3100 cu. in. That's almost 1000 cu. in. bigger than the Ortlieb Backrollers.

I've done 2 multiweek tours using Backrollers and Frontrollers and never filled them completely...even when carrying several days of extra food. Don't get caught up in the idea that you need really big panniers for touring. Call it the ideal pannier law: Your stuff will expand to fill the available space. And you end up carrying much more then you really need. 4 smaller bags, with 60% of the load on the front wheel, is way better than 2 big bags.

The Performance bags aren't bad either.