Highcyclist

I've been searching the archives, and I'm still unable to decide, so I'm asking for advice from people who have experience with these panniers, especially comparative experience. Although I will probably do some touring in the future, the most pressing need is for around town utility/commuting use. At least one of the panniers needs to sometimes carry a large (17" screen) laptop.

Arkel Commuter/Bug/Utility Basket -- Arkel seems to build the most commute specific products, with lots of pockets and shoulder straps, etc. Some people on this forum have suggested that the attachment system is not as convenient as it could be for commuting; some even suggest that the elastic cord attachment is rather outdated. Arkel products are expensive, but look good and are commonly accepted as being quite durable.

Carradice Bike Bureau/Shopper pannier -- The Bike Bureau looks great in a retro kind of way, but I do wonder about the water resistance of the low-tech material (waxed cotton). I particularly like the alleged relatively large volume. Does anyone have experience carrying a laptop in one? I'm assuming you'd need a padded sleeve. The attachment system looks as though it might be quite uncomfortable off the bike...is it secure and easy to attach to and remove from the rack? The Shopper looks wonderfully cavernous for shopping runs and such.

Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus -- Ortlieb has a bombproof reputation for more touring oriented panniers. 100% complete waterproofness is appealing here in the Northwest, but some have raised the issue of drybag-style dampness and mustiness as a result. When around town in the wet, things are going in and out of the bags a lot, so this seems a valid concern. The Ortlieb attachment system is universally hailed as far and away the most convenient, which is very attractive for commuting. Very little in the way of pockets, and I'd need an aftermarket laptop sleeve. Designed as touring panniers, so no need for new bags (at least rear bags) in the event of touring.

I'm also trying to decide on a rack. Since I'll tour eventually, and may carry heavy loads once in awhile around town, I'm inclined to bite the bullet and invest in the expensive Tubus Cargo rack, but I'm still open to other ideas.

Comments and suggestions are welcome. Thanks for reading.

fender1

I have and use the Arkel utilty basket. I carry my change of clothes (In an Eagele creek folder), lunch, thermos of coffee and a rain jacket (just incase). The bag also has a very nice flat pouch on top for keys wallet etc. The mountiing system is great. It does not rattle, move or slip. I ride 30mi round trip on my commute and once I attach, it I basically forget that it is there. I would highly reccomend it as it is a very versatile bag. It might not be the smallest or most stylish, but it does what it does exteremly well.

Also my dealing with tthe folks at Arkel have been first rate. They are very good on the custoner service end. I reccomend it if you have to carry a large amount/large size/shopping type loads.

Allen

Bruce Gordon Racks are the other Royal Royces of racks. Unlike Tubus they are made of chrome-molly instead of aluminum.

flipped4bikes

I am using an Arkel T-28 pannier for commuting, and if I need more capacity, I add the Tail Rider. Very versatile setup, and I agree with fender1, quite bombproof. I also highly recommend Old Man Mountain racks. They are made of aluminum, light but quite strong.

fender1

I have a Jandd Expedition rack. It is longer than most racks. Also heavier. It works well and is about $65. I got it because I wear a size 12 shoe and needed the extra clearance to combat heel strike. They pop up on ebay from timt to time. Never seen a used Tubus on e-bay.

Allen

I've got a set of Ortlieb Bike Shopper bags. They are very simple, durable, and waterproof. A seam-lock zipper is the closure system; they are great for errands, carrying clothes, or other non-fragile goods (I would not use them for my cameras or computer, although they would fit.

The Bike Shopper

I've also a set of Ortlieb Back Roller Classic panniers, which I use for touring, although they could be used for anything. They have a roll closure top, and are not as large as the Shopper bags, they can be cinched down for smaller loads, unlike the Shopper Bags. Like the Shopper Bags, I don't use them to carry my fragile tech.

The Roller Back Classic

And in my long search for a good camera bag (photog by trade) I have come across the Osprey Torque series. They are hands down the best camera, computer bags I have every used. A semi-rigid front keeps the top accessible, and with the addition of 2 carribeaners they are the the most versatile panniers I have ever had as well. I added some Ortlieb small parts and now they are perfect (although 2 carribeaners is all you need). I carry a 17 inch laptop regularly, and they do duty carrying a spare set of clothes as well.
Link to my post on modding the torque



The Osprey Torque

modernjess

I have only my experience with the Arkel Commuter. I really like it, It functions perfectly and is very rugged. Plenty of space for all my commuting necessities and gear inside. The attachment system you mentioned which perhaps seems low tech works really well, it's simple and tough.

I have a 14" iBook which fits with a lot of room to spare. It has a great suspension and strapping system which securely holds the laptop. I've crashed and dropped the bag with the laptop in it, no problems what so ever, and that part is removable if you need more room.

I can't say if it would hold a 17" laptop for certain. If I were you I'd e-mail them or better yet go to a LBS that carries them and test it for yourself.

Again, I only have experience with this bag, but I can't see how you'd be dissapointed.

HardyWeinberg

Tubus Cargo is chro-moly. I haven't loaded mine up to 90# yet but I do like it a lot so far.

Allen

So they are, I stand corrected, thanks.

HardyWeinberg

I have a filson bag that is hopefully similar to the Carradice bike bureau and I would have complete faith in its waterproofness. Much more than a comparable filson coat, say.

I have a similar set of panniers to the ortlieb rollers, I never have mustiness problems, going on a couple years now of commuting through PNW rains. They aren't really available anymore, and I'm not sure I'd recommend them if they were (everything about them seems just a bit less good than on the ortliebs; also, they are just small enough that I can't always roll them down to water-proofness while toting groceries), but they would give me faith in the ortliebs. I definitely like the ortlieb attachment.

Style-wise, the carradice combo looks great, and function-wise, potentially, too (big shopper bag could be very useful, and the bike bureau would serve a really useful role in carrying work stuff around w/o jamming it into the curves of my otherwise shapeless panniers).

I guess nobody around me carries Arkel or Carradice but I would tilt toward the latter 'cause they cost less and look more like stuff I have.

Tough to say. I decided to spring for a Tubus rather than transplant a battered nashbar rack to my new bike. I do carry loads, but haven't really tested the Tubus yet. It is more versatile, more attachment points, as well as, of course, stronger than the nashbar one, but maybe that should go w/o saying at triple the price... anyway, I am happy with it.

tsl

You may want to consider the Tubus Logo (CroMo) or Cosmo (Stainless) racks. The separate rail for hanging panniers comes in really handy if you also use a rack trunk bag. On those days when I use both, it's incredibly frustrating to get both pannier and trunk bag attached to the same rail. I'm saving my pennies right now for a Cosmo.

BTW, I love my Arkel Tailrider rack trunk bag.

ComPH

I have experience only with Ortlieb and with Carradice. I always use Ortlieb handlebar bag, it is quite handy. I don't need many compartments, I use plastic bags to separate things, if necessary. On my heavier commuter (tourer), which is modified/modernized Viscount Sebring, I installed Tubus rear rack, and attach paniers and Notebook PC bag. I use this bike mainly Monday morning and Friday evening. I keep most of my clothes, shoes, PC, etc at work during the week. I still have Tubus front rack, but din't use it much, so I tookl it off. I use Ortlieb handlebar quick mount on couple of bikes, inluding this one.

During the week I use most often a modified/modernized PX-10 bike, with Ortlieb handlebar quick mount and the associated bag. I have the quick mount block for Carradice bag for little changes of clothes and other miscellaneous during the rest of the weeks commutes.

I use couple of other, more hip bikes at times, but I use these two the most, because they are very comfoirtable even on pretty difficult climbs.

I hope this helps.

jabowker

I have this combo. Both products are great but I would recommend against them together because the logo/cosmo has the narrowest top I've seen. The tailrider works best with a wide rack.

donnamb 

As many on this forum know , I adore my Carradice panniers. Here is my review of the Bike Bureau and the Shopper.

BikeManDan

Axiom Champlain!

Absolutely huge, versatile, durable and reasonable priced (comparatively to the names listed in this thread)

I upgraded from Axiom Appalachians which were also quite good

soreyes

I have Axiom Typhoon's. Drybag functionality for about half the price of back rollers. I have only had them a couple of months, but so far I am very happy -

Highcyclist

Thanks everyone for all your replies! I'm hoping to actually seem some Arkel products in a local shop tomorrow.

AllenG -- I love the Torque mod. I've always been impressed with Osprey products. I notice that the Torque has a big brother, the 'Transit': https://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/DaytoolPacks/Transit/ . This would definitely hold my laptop. Being considerably larger, do you think it could be mounted the same way? My bike (Surly LHT) has pretty long chainstays, but I'm also size 12.

bikeutah

Are these bags a courier style? or are they equipped as a pannier?

Highcyclist

bikeutah -- they're courier style, but if you look earlier in this thread, you'll see AllenG's pics of a torque modified with ortlieb attachment hardware into a pannier...looks great!

Allen

Easily the same mod would work, the only difference between the two is their size.
One advantage to using Ortlieb small parts is you can slide attach points back and forth on their rails.
{edit}
The transit is mostly larger in depth and not width. It should work fine.

Cyclist0383

I have both the Arkel Utility Basket and the Ortleib Back Roller Plus panniers. I almost always use the Ortleib panniers while commuting. They are waterproof (it's very wet here in Riga), they are very easy to attach and detach to a rack (although I haven't tried Arkel's new attachment system), and they are very comfortable to carry off the bike.