Commuting - Guys (and gals) with panniers...

:commute:I am seriously thinking of making a set of DIY panniers that are nice,CHEAP(if ever stolen not a big loss)and lockable,but as I have a fairly light nimble commuter I want to keep weight as low as possible ie;the DIY panniers are a bit heavy.So am now leaning towards some store bought panniers...SO what do you usually do as far as keeping them,and everything inside from getting stolen? Take the panniers in w/you at the store,etc or lock them up somehow???or something else all together?

havn't had anything taken from mine, i got cheap ones from nashbar. I do often run a chain through them though if they are on the bike when locking it up, with a ubolt locking the bike itself.

As a rule I take mine in with me, except for short stops. If I am going to leave them I will lock them as stathor suggests, making sure to remove anything of value from them before I go.

That's a problem for me too. I used to pack my stuff in bags and put the bags in my panniers. That way I could take the stuff out without having to take off the panniers.

www.pacsafe.com makes wire mesh, lockable pack security getups.

Wald basket(s) + the bag(s) of choice (which you prolly already own) = best of both.

For short stops I take one pannier with valuables with me. The other pannier holds dirty clothes and some extra bungee cords. On longer stops I'd take both. I also have smaller front panniers. They hold my compressed air bottle for the air horn, batteries for the lights, spare tubes, mechanics gloves and some snacks. Nothing terribly valuable. Although, I'm thinking about reconfiguring the bike so I only have two rear panniers that can be easily taken off. The oversized air bottle is a problem, but I'm not giving up my AirZound!

Some panniers can be joined together and come with a shoulder strap which makes them easy to carry around.

havn't had anything taken from mine, i got cheap ones from nashbar. I do often run a chain through them though if they are on the bike when locking it up, with a ubolt locking the bike itself.
This is what I do.

Wald basket(s) + the bag(s) of choice (which you prolly already own) = best of both.

You have a link to "wald baskets"? I can see that people have the same problems Im having,or anticapate having...Thinking on just getting a lockable trunk,or box,mount it to the rack and keep my fingers crossed.Cant say that I usually make more than 1 shopping stop per trip too often either way.I just keep stuff I dont want stolen in my pouch currently like tools,bungees,etc...

Link to Wald (http://waldsports.com/)

Oh, and what bike did you end up with again? Some bike geometries don't lend themselves to using panniers, due to short chain stays. You can get a rack with a longer platform (http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXP) to compensate by allowing you to move panniers further back, but too much weight too far back will compromise ride handling.

http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald582rearfoldingbasket.html

I am thinking of picking up a set of these as well, for my beater bike.

Oh, and what bike did you end up with again? Some bike geometries don't lend themselves to using panniers, due to short chain stays. You can get a rack with a longer platform (http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXP) to compensate by allowing you to move panniers further back, but too much weight too far back will compromise ride handling.

2010 Jamis allegro 1...
http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx23/jqcyclops/jamis.jpg

OK,this is what I came up with...started a new thread to share w/others...hope you like.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/741086-DIY-Lockable-trunk-for-rear-rack...?p=12743207#post12743207

If you ride with a backpack and want to take it with you without carrying on your back.
Get a HybridBackpack. I have it and love it. I use it every time I ride. You can leave the unit locked to your bike rack.

My pannier are bolted on to the Planetbike Escape Pod container. It''s about the only way I can use the pod and pannier on the rack. I keep the less valuable junk in the pannier and a light duty backpack with the more valuable stuff in the backpack. The backpack is store loosly inside the Pod and I take the backpack with me when I lock up the bike.

If you ride with a backpack and want to take it with you without carrying on your back.
Get a HybridBackpack. I have it and love it. I use it every time I ride. You can leave the unit locked to your bike rack.

After much deliberation,I have decided to just use my backpack and bungees...I like having my bike as lite as possible and that would give me the option of taking the bag in with me,riding with only the rack or taking the rack off all together if Im simply going riding...

I recommend Ortlieb panniers. They go on and off the bike in less than two seconds, they're waterproof, and they come with shoulder straps. I use them all the time. When I stop anywhere, I take the panniers with me, because they're easy to take off the rack, and the shoulder straps make it convenient. I don't have to worry about theft, and they're also useful as reusable grocery bags on the way home from work.

They are quite expensive, about $100 for a pair, but they're very durable and come with a lifetime guarantee. I've had mine for 6 years. I use them hard every single day, so I can't say they look like new, but they're still entirely functional, and I don't think I'll ever be able to wear them out.

Sounds like you settled on a solution, but...

I have a Topeak rack with a trunk bag/panniers that slide in and lock in place to keep it stable. It is easy to slide it off after parking the bike and it has a strap to carry it on your shoulder.

I think the whole thing cost less than $100, but that was years ago.