Is it me?

I've tried two different brands of grocery panniers on my bike. I most recently sprang for nice expensive Breezer panniers. We have pretty messed up pavement on a lot of our streets, and they always bounce off. Do I just smash the hooks closed with pliers and hope for the best? Other people must be able to use these things without such a hassle.

I go over cobblestones every day with panniers and have never had a problem with either Ortleib or Arkel panniers. Both these companies use a retaining system on their hooks.

If you have just plain old hooks and a bunji cord circa 1979 the best I can say is good luck.

Multiple strongish zip ties if you can might help keep them from hopping.
I just got some grocery panniers and was very dissapointed to see that they didn't have anything but two hooks and a bungee.

Is it me?

I've tried two different brands of grocery panniers on my bike. I most recently sprang for nice expensive Breezer panniers. We have pretty messed up pavement on a lot of our streets, and they always bounce off. Do I just smash the hooks closed with pliers and hope for the best? Other people must be able to use these things without such a hassle.

I use extra bungees around the outside on the REI grocery getter panniers. Another thing I did was twist the lower spring to make it more taught so it would put more downward force on the upper hooks. The Ortliebs do it right.

I use extra bungees around the outside on the REI grocery getter panniers.

Using bungee cords around spinning wheels, and cranking chains is a recipe for disaster.
Web straps are much safer (not the clip kind).

You could always get an Arkel hook kit to replace the retaining system on your breezer bags or the bags you first tried... http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/accessories/hookkit.asp?fl=1&site= It's a little spendy at $44 bucks for two, but they just might do the trick...good luck!

Multiple strongish zip ties if you can might help keep them from hopping.
I just got some grocery panniers and was very dissapointed to see that they didn't have anything but two hooks and a bungee.

That's how I have the folding baskets anchored to my bike. I tried with the hardware that came with them and the nuts just kept working their way off. Heavy duty zip ties doe the job even under a moderate (basket full of groceries) load.

My old C'dale panniers fall off sometimes, so I use a carabiner on the handle/strap. I doesn't keep them from popping off the rack, but it keeps them on the bike till I can stop and put them back in place.

Using bungee cords around spinning wheels, and cranking chains is a recipe for disaster.
Web straps are much safer (not the clip kind).

Yes. You have to be careful. I've had bungees come loose and had stretchies break and get all tangled in the spokes and chain and wheels. It was never a disaster but in the right traffic situation it could have been.

I have a pair of Novarra grocery panniers, which tend to pop off if the elastic cords that hook on the bottom are loose. Added security I put one of those carabiner/key chain things and clip it to the rack rail. That way I can still take off the panniers quickly when I want to.

Get better panniers. I had REI panniers at first, but they weren't up to the task, and I regret being too cheap to get something decent. Now I have Ortliebs. They're very expensive, but worth every penny, especially if you're totally carfree.

I'm completely addicted to Ortlieb. They really are fantastic panniers. I've never had a problem with their retaining hooks popping off.

Tighten the bungie/hook that holds them. Mine have only ever popped off once, and that was when I hit an 8" deep pothole hard enough to taco my rear wheel. *grimace*