Commuting - How do you secure panniers even better?

Got a pair of panniers recently. The ones that just hook onto your rack with a rail from the top and a longish metal hook on the bottom.

It fell off during my commute once and now I can never really bike knowing that it *might* fall off if I hit a hard bump. Are there any homemmade/aftermarket securing solutions I can take a look at?

Zip ties work great, atleast if you don't plan on removing the panniers often. For increased security all also have two minilocks to lock the zippers together so that they can't be opened without a key (or knife).

Operator,

Take a look at the Arkel hook kit ($20). They have a swivel lock.
http://www.panniers.com/panniers/accessories/hookkit.asp?site=

Areles

Sounds to me like it's just not tight enough. There should be a way to tighten the nylon strapping between the bottom hook and upper rail. Mine never move.

Sounds to me like it's just not tight enough. There should be a way to tighten the nylon strapping between the bottom hook and upper rail. Mine never move.

Yep i've tightened them even more now. That arkel system looks interesting with the swivel lock thing.

I can also attest to the security of the Arkel suspension system. Your suspension sounds like the Performance Epic panniers I had. It was extremely difficult to get the hook strap cinched up tight enough. I don't remember exactly, but I seem to recall that because the strap was behind the pannier I couldn't seem to get the right angle to get all the slack out of the strap. I eventually sent them back.

hook and elastic is so 1970's. Modern systems (like the Rixen and Kaul clickfix, or Ortleib)use hooks at the top with a locking mechanism and and anti-sway hook that looks like a kind of doorhandle. These clip-on systems enable you to fit or remove panniers in seconds without having to fiddle around behind the bag.
If you do have a hook and elastic system, then you can shorten the elastic with a knot. Check your rack to see that you are hooking into the most effective mounting point.

Got a pair of panniers recently. The ones that just hook onto your rack with a rail from the top and a longish metal hook on the bottom.



I too recommend the Arkel hardware kit. It's *solid*, and easy to install on any other panniers.

It's good you're asking about this, too. I wouldn't ride with panniers in the condition you describe. You're asking for trouble. I assume these panniers are in the rear. If they're in the front, you're in a *very* dangerous situation!

I have the Jandd grocery sack style pannier and it fell off a few times, which is quite scary. What I did is bolt the thing on to the rack. I drilled holes in the stiff plastic stuff (ruined the drill bits, man that stuff is hard), then I bolted it in place using these U shaped bolts that have a nut on both ends.

It's not pretty but gets the job done exceedingly well. That thing ain't coming off.

have you seen the pannier bags that Biria makes? They have twp security clips that locks in the pannier onto the rack rails, so it cannot fall even on bumps. Real nice. See the pannier bag on this page http://www.biria.com/parts/bags/. It comes with an attahced rain cover too. You'll like it. And they even sell it individually.

I have a set of Carradice Super Cs and they are a little like the Arkels in that the hooks that go along the rail go completely around the rail so there is no way they can fall off. They can only rotate around the rail or slide back and forth depending on the lower hook..

Short of buying new panniers or replacing the connections, you can always try some small bungee cords or zip ties for a more permanent solution.

Jay

I'm probably going to either buy that arkel system
or get new serratus panniers from MEC.

$30 vs $100.

Bungee cords. Cheap, reliable, and ghetto-fabulous.

Had the same problem with the performance panniers that RainmanP had. Left my laptop on the road a few to many time. I switched over to Arkel utility basket with their security locking system and have not had a problem since.

A small piece of wire?
EZ on EZ off.
Sorry if this is too simple, but this comes from a guy with a simple mind?

Ditto, I had one fall off when I stood to pedal hard once and now just use one bungee horizontally across the bag. Havent had any troubles since. Nice too in case you find something sweet along the road and have to strap it to the rack, you have a bungee you can use.

I have some Transit Epic panniers (from Performance) that are largely a good set for credit card touring. However, even when tightened as much as possible, a good bump will knock one or the other loose-very frustrating especially given how difficult they can be to install or remove. I secure mine with a tie wrap or two placed diagonaly or criss-crossed over at least one of the top hooks (usually it's the front that comes loose). Although this system works, it's not practical if you remove them daily, of course over 4 day of touring I never remove them.

I love my arkel panniers for commuting. I didn't know panniers could come off when you ride if that is any testament to how well the hook system works. I also jump off of curbs and stupid stuff like that with both rear panniers loaded and they never give me any trouble. Good luck.

I love my arkel panniers for commuting. I didn't know panniers could come off when you ride if that is any testament to how well the hook system works. I also jump off of curbs and stupid stuff like that with both rear panniers loaded and they never give me any trouble. Good luck.

What type of Arkel pannier do you have?

Arkels are the bomb for panniers. I would run a single T-42, a Bug, or that grocery basket thing. http://www.panniers.com is the arkel site.

I tie a braided piece of shock cord between the top handles of my old '85 C-dale panniers (w/square knot): should a bag somehow come off (they never have), the other bag would keep it on the bike - cheap insurance!

How about these?

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442618082&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693397&bmUID=1216956730106

Or these?

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441776589&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693397&bmUID=1216956730105

I just bought the first ones, I'll let you know how they work.

I have that problem with Trek Interchange panniers (which suck BTW . . . no one should ever buy those things). I use a bungee and a carebiner (sp?). I have a bungee strapped to my rack at all times in case I bring something extra with me (e.g., running shoes, beer). Clip the carebiner to a loop on pannier (add a tie to a zipper if necessary) and then to the bungee. Easy and costs a couple bucks.

This may not stop the pannier from coming loose, but it won't fall off.

I use my ginormous handlebar bag on my rear rack as a pannier all the time with the velcro loops. I don't see why putting 2 or 3 velcro loops on panniers as backup attachments wouldn't work.

How about these?

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442618082&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693397&bmUID=1216956730106

I just bought the first ones, I'll let you know how they work.

I've got the first ones as well, and they've been good to me. They're a little tricky to install, and as a result of my not-totally-clean installation job, my panniers are a little harder to put on than they used to be, but once they're on, they're never coming off. Not even when I hit a bump and go flying with my bike sailing over my head and skidding down the road.

I also have the Transit Epic panniers and haven't had any problems. I've ridden up and down curbs with a very light or no load (work clothes, rain gear) and use them for grocery shopping. They were somewhat difficult to secure and I never remove them. My new bike will be getting a quick release setup.

How about these?

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442618082&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693397&bmUID=1216956730106

Or these?

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441776589&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693397&bmUID=1216956730105

I just bought the first ones, I'll let you know how they work.
Well, after 30 minutes or so of ham fisted drilling, screwing etc, they are on.
bwinton said they are tricky to install, wouldn't say that, but you do need to think carefully about where exactly to mount them, one thing not clear from the pictures, they have a bend molded in, which you flatten out when fastening the bottom screw. This means the inner latch gives a positive connection around the rack tube, which is then pulled back when pulling on the strap connector. Obvious when you look at the thing in your hand. I positioned them to line up with the existing straps, which on my old an well used Seratus panniers means the clips now sit nicely between where the tube doubles up at the front, and where they bend up at the back. it positions the bag slightly further back out of reach of my big feet, and they don't move forward when going over bumps when heavily loaded. Seems like a successful and worthwhile mod. :)

Hardest things were drilling out the old rivets, and drilling new holes without snagging the fabric.