Touring - building own panniers

I'm looking at just making my own, and was wondering if anyone has had done so. I'm planning a 2-3 week self-contained mountain touring trip, and having problems finding ones that are big enough, and fit what i need them to. Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.

Carradice Super C panniers are basically home-made by the manufacturer. They use a heavy duty sewing machine for the canvas, and a rivet gun for the mounting hardware and corrugated plastic stiffening.
Mounting hardware , such as Rixen and Kaul can be purchased separartely, with an extruded Al mounting rail. Dont bother making your own hook and elastic system.
The flatop-top style of pannier can be overloaded, so its unlikely that you would need any larger than the std size.
Have you considered using 4 panniers?

I believe that there's an article on Ken Kifer's web site on this subject. I didn't read the article, but I noticed the title in the touring section.

Ken has excellent info on this topic at:

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/touring/bags.htm

I'm looking at just making my own, and was wondering if anyone has had done so. I'm planning a 2-3 week self-contained mountain touring trip, and having problems finding ones that are big enough, and fit what i need them to. Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.

I have sewn my own from Frostline kits; if you do a search for sew it yourself camping gear you will find some plans. But sewing panniers is not for the faint of heart or inexperoenced with a sewing machine.

I have replaced my fabric panniers with plastic garbage "cans", by Rubbermaid.
I sew up a "shower cap" lid from coated nylon, with a bungie cord around the edge. I make hooks from aluminum strap I get at the local hardware store, hang them on a rear rack, and fasten the bottom with a nylon strap/velcro so the pannier does not flop. Result: a 100% waterproof set of panniers for about twenty bucks. If you want bigger, buy larger waste baskets :)

Ron

Carradice Super C panniers are basically home-made by the manufacturer. They use a heavy duty sewing machine for the canvas, and a rivet gun for the mounting hardware and corrugated plastic stiffening.
Mounting hardware , such as Rixen and Kaul can be purchased separartely, with an extruded Al mounting rail. Dont bother making your own hook and elastic system.
The flatop-top style of pannier can be overloaded, so its unlikely that you would need any larger than the std size.
Have you considered using 4 panniers?

There is a good chance I'll end up with 4, but i'm running on a very tight budget, and there is also a good chance I'll have to carry quite a bit of gear, to handle all different types of climents. Trying to find monitarily shortcuts that would not sacrific the trip.

I have sewn my own from Frostline kits; if you do a search for sew it yourself camping gear you will find some plans. But sewing panniers is not for the faint of heart or inexperoenced with a sewing machine.

I have replaced my fabric panniers with plastic garbage "cans", by Rubbermaid.
I sew up a "shower cap" lid from coated nylon, with a bungie cord around the edge. I make hooks from aluminum strap I get at the local hardware store, hang them on a rear rack, and fasten the bottom with a nylon strap/velcro so the pannier does not flop. Result: a 100% waterproof set of panniers for about twenty bucks. If you want bigger, buy larger waste baskets :)

Ron

Ive done quite a bit of sewing, so i'm quite familiar with my sewing machine. And i'll probably have a lot of free time this winter, since i work weather specific work.

This sounds like a neat idea. my question is how do they handle if they get hit or banged? would hate to be on the top of a mountain, and have one split in two.

Ive done quite a bit of sewing, so i'm quite familiar with my sewing machine. And i'll probably have a lot of free time this winter, since i work weather specific work.

This sounds like a neat idea. my question is how do they handle if they get hit or banged? would hate to be on the top of a mountain, and have one split in two.

I have had no problems with breakage. I use fender washers with nuts and bolts to fasten the aluminum hangers to the baskets, so there is plenty of support. I would add that packing by dropping a stuff sack into a waste basket is much easier and quicker than closing a bunch of zippers on an overstuffed pannier :)

You should check out this link for similar such panniers made from garbage cans.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/page/?pics=small&page_id=3317&mtime=20030619092645&term=garbage%20can&context=exact

Yesterday I picked up a trashcan, and when i get time this weekend, I'm gonna see how it works. will let you know how it goes.

Here is a link on panniers from recycled plastic industrial food containers(that you can apparently get from resturants etc. for free). They come with a top and are basically a homemade version of the cobbworks recycled oysterbucket panniers. http://members.rogers.com/bphuntley/BikeBucket.html

Here is a link on panniers from recycled plastic industrial food containers(that you can apparently get from resturants etc. for free). They come with a top and are basically a homemade version of the cobbworks recycled oysterbucket panniers. http://members.rogers.com/bphuntley/BikeBucket.html

I made myself a set of cat litter bucket panniers using the information at the above link. I've used them for about a year and they work -great-. They've carried >40 pounds each and have contained all sorts of sharp/heavy, Home Depot type stuff.

Paul

I got a pair finished, and took a test drive with my new trashcans. they rode pretty good on my test drive. Went up several steep hills, and flew down the other side. Had about 30lbs in them. Now i have to figure out what i can do on the front....