Touring - Panniers?

I'm beginning to wonder about my panniers. Are they big enough? Are they durable enough? Are they too big?

I have a set of used REI Explorer Panniers that I bought off of a friend. They are almost new and identical to the ones currently sold at REI. They have a combined volume of 2900 cu. inches and weigh about 1.1 kg empty. I use them as rear panniers. I've started looking at other panniers and wonder how they compare.

What are good all season panniers that have sufficient volume and convenient features, like built in rain covers and zip down sides? I'm just curious.


Thanks,

-Matt C.-

Uh, why don't you stuff all your stuff in there, and see if it will fit? Then you'll know if they are the right size....

Not to be a smarta$$, but only you know how much stuff you are going to take.

Peace
Anna

Tarmac,
Anna has a great idea, but if you find that all your stuff wont fit, pull it all out and look at it. Anything you really don't need?

The first time I took my SO on a tour I told her to pick out everything she wanted and put it on the bed. After she had done that I handed her a pannier and told her she could bring everything she could fit into the pannier. I thought the zipper was going to pop she had the bag stuffed so full! Getting back home after a week I told her to unpack, and place the stuff she used in one pile, and the stuff she did not use in another. The pile of unused stuff was twice the size of used stuff.

Tarmac,
Anna has a great idea, but if you find that all your stuff wont fit, pull it all out and look at it. Anything you really don't need?

The first time I took my SO on a tour I told her to pick out everything she wanted and put it on the bed. After she had done that I handed her a pannier and told her she could bring everything she could fit into the pannier. I thought the zipper was going to pop she had the bag stuffed so full! Getting back home after a week I told her to unpack, and place the stuff she used in one pile, and the stuff she did not use in another. The pile of unused stuff was twice the size of used stuff.

That happened on my first 9 day trip. About 3 days into it I went thru and took out everything I hadn't used and shipped it home. It was amazing how much stuff I shipped home. That is one of the things I love about touring on a bike is simplifying your life down to just the basics and what a liberating feeling that is.

MBD

Uh, why don't you stuff all your stuff in there, and see if it will fit? Then you'll know if they are the right size...

Also go through the list of things you're intending to take and ask yourself if you will really need each of them.

I'm beginning to wonder about my panniers. Are they big enough? Are they durable enough? Are they too big?
I have a set of used REI Explorer Panniers that I bought off of a friend. They are almost new and identical to the ones currently sold at REI. They have a combined volume of 2900 cu. inches and weigh about 1.1 kg empty. I use them as rear panniers. I've started looking at other panniers and wonder how they compare.
What are good all season panniers that have sufficient volume and convenient features, like built in rain covers and zip down sides? I'm just curious.
Thanks,
-Matt C.-

2900 cu. inches is average for rear panniers. 1500 cu. inches is average for front panniers. REI brand are good quality. Use them until they break. This saves $$$. When you start looking for a lot of extra features, bells and whistles then it costs a lot more for expedition quality panniers. I'd do what everyone else said: load 'em and think about your stuff. I'd pay attention to the mounting system. I'd check out how they behaved on your bike when you hit a speed bump. Is there any hardware you can bring that could repair your bags if they break @ the mounting points? These are some good things to ask yourself. Look @ this link:

http://www.lonepeakpacks.com/panniers.html

I'm beginning to wonder about my panniers. Are they big enough? Are they durable enough? Are they too big?

I have a set of used REI Explorer Panniers that I bought off of a friend. They are almost new and identical to the ones currently sold at REI. They have a combined volume of 2900 cu. inches and weigh about 1.1 kg empty. I use them as rear panniers. I've started looking at other panniers and wonder how they compare.

What are good all season panniers that have sufficient volume and convenient features, like built in rain covers and zip down sides? I'm just curious.


Thanks,

-Matt C.-



Matt, you might want to carefully check the stitching on your REI panniers. A friend and touring partner had the stitching fail on a brand new pair of REI panniers while touring Holland. We were able to repair them but..... I'm not slagging REI. I'm a member and shop there often. Leave everything you won"t use more than twice at home. Light is right. Have fun.

i think i've been sold on the xtracycle freeradical set up.
i think it is a really smart touring alternative.
supposedly handles a lot better, but maybe not if you portage (?).

Yeah, I've thought about if i got a 2nd road bike I'd put an xtracycle on it. It would be especially cool as a townie. You could just have your girlfriend/boyfriend sit on the back and pedal to dinner or wherever. Lala, if you get one tell us how it goes. Peace.

Thanks for the replies, all. I'll probably keep using the REI Explorer panniers until they start looking worn. I might want something a little bigger in the future. Or, I might go with a set of smaller panniers to use front mounted.


Thanks,

-Matt C.-