Touring - Performance Pro Bike Panniers

Has anyone use these? They're the midside and costs about 79 bucks for set. I am looking for something reliable, light, and midsized, can you recommend another rear bike panniers?

Thanks in advance.

/td

I bought a set of the Perfomance Pro panniers, but haven't used them yet. I got them on sale for about $50+ shipping. I intend to use them as front panniers for light loads.

I have used my Arkel t-42 panniers for 2-day and 7-day tours. They are slightly larger than the Performance Pros (2550 vs 2480 cu inches) and have multiple pockets and, in my opinion, are sturdier and have a better attachment system. They cost $149, shipping included.

See the arkel panniers at http://www.panniers.com/index.asp

Here's a photo of my bike with the Arkel t-42s in back, Arkel small handlebar bag, and Performance Pros on the front.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=18676

Bradw, I'm going to ask the dumbest question you've probably ever been asked, but I have to know...

How the heck do you get to the bottle under your down tube? Or is that just storage and you swap that bottle out at some point?

Bradw, I'm going to ask the dumbest question you've probably ever been asked, but I have to know...

How the heck do you get to the bottle under your down tube? Or is that just storage and you swap that bottle out at some point?

I don't try to get to the bottle while I'm moving. In fact, I generally use the bottle on the top side of the down tube, and then switch out for the one on the seat tube. When things get desperate, then I stop and switch out for the last bottle under the down tube.

I found on my recent long tour that I really didn't need a third bottle, but then again I was riding a rails-to-trails that had water available every 10-15 miles.

Thanks for pointing out the Arkel panniers, they're definately nicer than the Performance one at twice the price but I learned the lesson that buy a good one a be done with it.

Any other panniers out there to consider?

/td

I own a set of Perfomance Pro panniers I used them a week on tour and they just don't hold up.So after the tour I purchased a set of Ortlieb Classics front and rear. Save the money buy quality.

http://www.xpressweb.com/~sjackson/BACKROLLERCLASSIC.html

I own a set of Perfomance Pro panniers I used them a week on tour and they just don't hold up.So after the tour I purchased a set of Ortlieb Classics front and rear. Save the money buy quality.

http://www.xpressweb.com/~sjackson/BACKROLLERCLASSIC.html

I don't get how they didn't hold up. Were you dragging them on the ground on a rope behind your bike? My wife has a pair she uses to commute with and I don't see how you could damage them in any way. The material is very tough, there are no zippers on the main compartments, only plastic clips that are used on every backpack on earth.

I found this website that reviews many panniers:

http://www.lancerushing.com/bicycling/panniers.cfm

I think I like the Arkel T42. Anybody with negative experiences with the Arkel T42? How about your favorite color? I am going to go with red for being more visible on the roads.

Thanks.

/td

2nd day on the road the top brackets were bending and the bottom hook bending as well. at one time one rear pannier came off. No matter how tight you would secure the pannier to the rack it would come loose and bounce around. I was not pleased with the quality of the hooks. the rest of the pannier was fine.