Commuting - Cheap, sturdy panniers

Anyone know a good pannier and rack set that is inexpensive that I can haul a bunch of heavy books in? I'm a college student (pre-med, so a lot of big books), and I am getting sick of the nasty sweat marks of my backpack. I need something sturdy and easy to pop off and take to class.

I use Deuter panniers, they satisfy the sturdy (one of then got run over by a car with no damage done) and easy to remove criteria. However, the cheap aspect could be a problem. I think the best thing to do is shop around. When I bought my last set, I saved $60 by walking two blocks across Brisbane from one bike shop to another.

Nashbar panniers, best deal around; if...you want cheap.

Corsaire

Go to www.bikechina.com and look up Paul Woloshansky. He made a gorilla strong rack and used army surplus bags into an impressive setup. Cheap and strong (but not real pretty).

Go to www.bikechina.com and look up Paul Woloshansky. He made a gorilla strong rack and used army surplus bags into an impressive setup. Cheap and strong (but not real pretty).

Link Here (http://www.bikechina.com/tb1.html)

Panniers, by and large, are not the best suited for hauling heavy things (like 4" thick 14 pound medical textbooks).

How about a basket? For about twenty bucks, you could get a cruiser-cool remove-able wire front basket that could easily carry all of your stuff. Top it off with a net-bungee and you're good to go.

Or, if you've got a LOT of stuff (say all your books, your laptop, and two bags of groceries), you could go for the wire double-rear baskets. Even more dorky than the front one, but very utilitarian.

If it were me, I'd go for the front one. Then, you can just drop your backpack in the backet, pull the net over the top, and roll. Cheap, easy, and if it's been a particularly long day, you can always wear the backpack so that there's room in the basket for beer.

Or you could get a standard pannier and one (or two) of those folding rear baskets, and drop a backpack into it. You still have the other side for a standard pannier if you choose. Plus, having the load low and behind you will be more stable.

There used to be a company called Cobbworks that made panniers out of five-gallon square buckets with lids. They were at http://www.cobbworks.com , but the site is down now. There's a guy here in Madison who makes 'em out of cat litter buckets and the like, but AFAIK it's just for friends. You might wanna try fabricating something similar.

Personally, I use a set of rear folding baskets. I considered panniers, but decided baskets where more useful for me. On my work commute I just put a backpack in one of the baskets. I often stop by the grocery store on my way home, load up both baskets with groceries and put the backpack on my back.

Thanks for all the replies, I think maybe I will look into the baskets.

Another cheap solution: Do you have either a backpack or an attaché case you would use if you were walking to school?

Then, how about a milk crate on top of your rear rack. You need a strong rear rack, a sturdy crate, and quite a few zip ties, metal pipe clamps... to attach the crate to the rack. As an added bonus effect, the rear end of the crate is a good place to attach a rear reflector and taillight.

Thanks for all the replies, I think maybe I will look into the baskets.

Can't vouch for the quality but Performance has a basic set of racks and panniers I believe for 50% off right now, combine that with a 20% coupon that they have, it's a good deal for a basic set of panniers/rack..

Jay

Can't vouch for the quality but Performance has a basic set of racks and panniers I believe for 50% off right now, combine that with a 20% coupon that they have, it's a good deal for a basic set of panniers/rack..

Any chance you'd share that coupon code? ;)

I'm this close to ordering a rack and trunk.

Michel Gagnon- do you know where people get milk crates? I think I want to get one.

Check out the "hot deals" forum here, or directly this

thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=51324)

Regarding milk crates, I have one because I used to work in a small grocery store but if you want a milk crate, just go behind any place that sells milk (WaWa, Quick Check, 7 eleven, etc, KwikieMart) and usually they'll have packs of them stacked up. Prefereable go in the middle of the night with nobody around :)

Or you could buy a milk crate lookalike at many kitchen appliance stores.. Bloodbath and Beyond..(I mean bed, bath, & beyond), Linens and Things, etc.

Jay

Check out the "hot deals" forum here, or directly this

Thanks! I'd never visited the Market Place section of BF. I'll check there before ordering next time.