Commuting - Best bicycle panniers that are affordable?

I am looking for a nice set of panniers that must be affordable(under $100 is best). For now I just strap 2 backpacks on my bicycle and that works, but I want more capacity when going to work or to the store. I was thinking of the Axiom Dutch Shopper pannier set ($62.96 online) but I just am not sure. I am looking for something tan or brown. Thanks!:thumb:

Axiom makes good stuff and their products offer great value. I have their waterproof panniers: Monsoon and Typhoon, as well as set of touring panniers. They're great.

Adam

I have the Axiom Kootenays. They are more capacity than I need so I usually strap a backpack to my rack. Otherwise I heard the nashbar panniers are pretty good. You can also use kitty litter pails. I was browsing the Pics section and I was like wow, what a great idea.

What you use or make will really come down to what you are carrying and how are you going to organize it.

+1 on the Axiom Typhoons I have them for the wetter part of our year here in the Seattle area. I also have the Axiom Seymours which are not watterproof but they are CHEAP and will carry a lot of stuff. I'm not thrilled with the outside pockets but they are serviceable for sure. Easy to attach too. Lots of folks swear by Ortleib and they are great but you wanted inexpensive and good so I like the Axioms. IMHO only

I've been running the Avenir Metro III Panniers for over a year now. They're fairly roomy and holding up great, surviving a very icy and snowy winter commute with no issues. Some of the black has sun faded to a dark brown, but they still look good.

$36 shipped on Amazon. Hard to beat for that price, even if I have to replace them ever few years (which at this rate I'm not expecting.)

Not sure if this might be something you'd like, but you can get a pair of Wald Folding Baskets and the matching brown liner they sell for it for under $100.


http://waldsports.com/files/WaldSports/582BL_and_3558BRBAG_250px.jpg

Not sure if this might be something you'd like, but you can get a pair of Wald Folding Baskets and the matching brown liner they sell for it for under $100.


http://waldsports.com/files/WaldSports/582BL_and_3558BRBAG_250px.jpg

I have a pair of those baskets on another bicycle I own and hate them. The bottoms fall out with over 5kg of stuff in them. I was on my way back from aldi and heard a pop. I stopped and found the bottom on one had failed. lukily my groceries were wedged in and did not fall out. I ended up using a bungee cord to hold it together. I guess for lighter loads they would be fine, just not for me.

my wife has a set of axiom seymour panniers that have been GREAT for well over a year now, and i have a set of the smaller nashbars that i have had for about 9 months. both have seen very heavy use in all weather, as we are car-free. it really just does not take alot of money to carry a load on a bike.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?457884-New-Hard-Sided-Panniers

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?457884-New-Hard-Sided-Panniers

I said 'affordable' not homeless :lol:. Nice idea though, and definitely very affordable!


Guess I should have also pointed out I want to stick with dutch style bags simmilar to the 'Axiom Dutch Shopper pannier set'.

I have a set of these. http://www.rei.com/product/800388 They are no Ortlieb (my favorite) but for the price at $59.93 a pair they are very good water-prof panniers for commuting.

my wife has a set of axiom seymour panniers

+1

I have the same panniers. I think they were $40 on Amazon. I got them for father's day from my kids and I've been using them daily for commuting.

Editted to add: I have no idea how they deal with rain, as I've been overly lucky this summer with not getting caught in any downpours.

+1 on the Axiom Typhoons I have them for the wetter part of our year here in the Seattle area.
Same here. I borrowed a friend's Ortliebs for a long time until he started commuting to work again, and bought a pair of Axiom Typhoons to replace 'em. The mounting isn't as nice on Axiom's bags, but they get the job done well -- and have plenty of room.

I've had the Deuter Rack Pack Uni set for about 3 years and they have been great. The cost is around $90 now. Not waterproof, but water resistant. They also have useful pockets on the top and side.

Depending how important "affordable" is - it's really hard to beat Nashbar(best) or Performance sale prices ------ sometimes (frequently)75% off. Make your choice, and watch for a good sale price - anything 66% or better off, is a very good price.

Surprisingly, for the money, they are decent bags.

Nashbar has some Waterproof bags too ..

Depending how important "affordable" is - it's really hard to beat Nashbar(best) or Performance sale prices ------ sometimes (frequently)75% off. Make your choice, and watch for a good sale price - anything 66% or better off, is a very good price.

Surprisingly, for the money, they are decent bags.

+1 on the Nashbar panniers, under $30 and perfect for my needs.

Axiom Appalachian. Not tan or brown. Water resistant (in my experience) - but not water proof.

http://greenfishsports.com/product/425_435_437-bike-packs/4270-axiom-bike-bag-axiom-appalachian-rear-panniers.html

I ended up buying the bags I originally was looking at in my first post. Those were all great suggestions, just not what I was looking for.

So I ended up getting Axiom Dutch Shopper Pannier Set
http://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup.asp?IGPK=2126177632
169255
I will be putting them to the test over the next week and post what I think of them. So far I can say the build quality is superb! Super thick walls with removable plastic inserts. lined and removable bottom panel. High quality, heavy duty plastic latches. Mounting it to the bike was a little bit of work, so it is not a slip on and off thing but doable.

I just bought these. They are highly functional and seem durable. I'll try them for real on Monday. The colors and pattern had to grow on me but the number of pockets and inside elastic straps to hold things sold me. Plus, they have reflective tape built in and definitely will be visible to drivers :) 172154

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Basil has a 40L pannier called the Cote D'Azur Double Bag at Amazon for $94.00. Its a respected Dutch cycling bag manufacturer. I liked the Kavan II but I can't justify $200.00 for it at the moment.

So this seems like a reasonable pannier to pick up at under $100.00.

If you live in L.A., Coco's Variety bike shop in Silverlake has some of those in stock if I'm not mistaken. They also have the Home Sweet Home ones which are quite nice.
Basil has a 40L pannier called the Cote D'Azur Double Bag at Amazon for $94.00. Its a respected Dutch cycling bag manufacturer. I liked the Kavan II but I can't justify $200.00 for it at the moment.

So this seems like a reasonable pannier to pick up at under $100.00.

I ended up buying the bags I originally was looking at in my first post. Those were all great suggestions, just not what I was looking for.

So I ended up getting Axiom Dutch Shopper Pannier Set
http://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup.asp?IGPK=2126177632

I will be putting them to the test over the next week and post what I think of them. So far I can say the build quality is superb! Super thick walls with removable plastic inserts. lined and removable bottom panel. High quality, heavy duty plastic latches. Mounting it to the bike was a little bit of work, so it is not a slip on and off thing but doable.

Nice panniers. We'll see how long they last compared to my 2 yr. old, less costly, "homeless" panniers.;)

http://www.meijer.com/s/m-wave-single-commuter-bike-bag/_/R-151633 $20 each, so a pair would be $40 shipped. Not exactly top of the line, but I don't like to go too fancy on commuter accessories anyway, since expensive stuff is more likely to disappear if I stop at the store on the way to work. They seem to have quit carrying the set I have, but other sites should have more variety in the M-Wave stuff.

http://www.amazon.com/M-Wave-Double-Tripper-Bicycle-Pannier/dp/B001NGD4UI

I have these, also M-wave panniers. Hunt around a little bit, I found them for almost 20 bucks shipped somewhere. They're surprisingly good and seem like they could handle a little rain.

I have a full set of Avenir Excursion panniers (2 large rear panniers, 2 small front panniers, a handlebar bag and a rack top bag - all told, 4500 cubic inches). The whole set cost me $180, which is amazingly cheap. They work well (the only problem is the rack top bag which is a pain in the arse to get on and off) and seem well made.

http://www.amazon.com/M-Wave-Double-Tripper-Bicycle-Pannier/dp/B001NGD4UI

I have these, also M-wave panniers. Hunt around a little bit, I found them for almost 20 bucks shipped somewhere. They're surprisingly good and seem like they could handle a little rain.

That's the set I have. Meijer had them briefly for $16, but they're not listed anymore. I did add a loop to the left side for a blinky, and I'd really prefer a bungee hook rather than the buckle setup for the bottom attachments, but I usually just bag my stuff so I can leave them attached to the bike rather than carrying them in.

I have a full set of Avenir Excursion panniers (2 large rear panniers, 2 small front panniers, a handlebar bag and a rack top bag - all told, 4500 cubic inches). The whole set cost me $180, which is amazingly cheap. They work well (the only problem is the rack top bag which is a pain in the arse to get on and off) and seem well made.

How hard is it to remove the panniers? I'd like a good touring setup that can double as a commuting set, since I'll probably give my M-Waves to my wife for her commute as soon as I have something with more versatility.

Am pretty fond of my MEC bags and now have three different sets... mine are black.

http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/CyclingBags/5008912t_v1_m56577569831006786.jpg
43 litres... have had mine for 5 years and they are still like new.

http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/CyclingBags/5008910t_v1_m56577569831006784.jpg
21 litre... good for lighter commuting or as front bags on my touring bike.


http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/CyclingBags/5008914t_v1_m56577569831006788.jpg
40 litre World Tour bags... works front and rear and will serve as front bags on my touring bike with the 43 litre bags and my blackburn handlebar bag.

Like everything MEC sells they are unconditionally guaranteed... forever.

I have a set of Nashbar ATB panniers that I bought nearly 5 years ago for $28 for the pair. I've used them every day since. they're starting to get a little ratty looking but I sure as heck got my money out of them even if they fall apart today. I have had a couple of seams pull apart so one of the outside pockets isn't really usable now, but I still use them, just not that pocket. And it took 3 years for that seam to open up, and I could easily fix it if I weren't so lazy.

Nashbar doesn't always have them in stock. But they do have them right now, and they're on sale, $29.99 for a pair. Hm, maybe I should pick up a new pair.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_165648_-1_201511_10000_200350

Got myself this "pannier" last weekend at REI... Timbuk2 Bullitt Pannier Messenger

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QJ5lPaLXguA/TLJwXtxARdI/AAAAAAAAHAM/A7W-v6dSYfI/s800/DSC_5113.JPG

It is $65+tax vs. $100 MSRP on Timbuk2.com.

This bag is exactly what I have been looking for: An affordable (after the discount), quality, waterproof, easily detachable bag that is styled for on/off bike use.

I'm happy with it thus far. I can fit my Macbook, 2x 1in. binders, a book, a jacket, my 13 year old Ti-83 calculator and few pieces of academic supplies. It's not noisy at all, and offer quite a stable ride.

A more detailed review coming up after I spend some more time with it.

I am going to chime in here late and haven't read all the post (my bad:( )
If you haven't looked at the sale going on right now at REI I suggest you do the Ortileb Pannier's are on sale for a steal very cheap check it out .
The sale ends Sunday. http://www.rei.com/category/4500129
I have nothing to do with REI and I am just a happy customer. :) :)