Originally Posted by
nodachi
I read somewhere that if you are riding with only one pannier, it was suggested to put it on the left side. The reasoning was that if there are road puddles and such that the cars will push into you, you have a bit of a splash barrier to keep crap off of your gears.
Don't really know if it makes a big difference, but I do it since I have no real preference in other regards.
After reading the replies, I've decided to move it back on the left side. It seem to make more sense. What nodachi said above is something that I never gave thoughts about but it is natural for puddle of water to accumulate towards the sidewalk. Also with gearing on the right side, sooner or later some of that mess from the chain or gear may travel it's way toward the bag. I have notice myself to remove the bag and toss it on top of the bed when I get home. Not a good thing if the bag will get more dirty from that side. Come to think of it, some of the extra weight from having the pannier on the left may even offset the weight off the gearing and chain. Hmmmmm...... something to think about but nothing to do with safety reasoning
Thanks all.