I'd like to see how they attach to the frame. My current panniers, a no-name prototype set that was given to me by a low-end bike distributor, have a sort of rotating blade that slips between the frame and locks into place. Unfortunately, it's their only good feature, so I'm looking to replace them, but I wouldn't buy anything that doesn't have a comparable attachment system. Someone mentioned avoiding panniers with "bungee suspension." Do these attach to the bike using only bungee cords?

The other thing I think might cause you some grief at some point would be the lack of waterproofing. Like others here, my cheapo panniers kept everything dry until one day they just didn't. I hadn't planned for it, but I suddenly got stuck in a downpour with no option to bail out. I quickly packed the contents of the panniers into the plastic bags I had kept with me for a situation like this and stuffed it all back inside. Within minutes, though, everything was soaked...ruined... beyond salvageable. I vowed then and there that my next set would be waterproof; however, I haven't found a waterproof set that meets all my other needs yet.

The model you're considering looks really tempting, as they are a great shape to stay away from your heels. I agree that, for $45, they are worth trying, as long as you come up with a way to protect the contents in a heavy downpour!

Additional thought: How easy are they to get on and off the bike, and does removing them add wear and tear to any of the parts? I want my next panniers to be easily removable from the bike so I can take them inside with me when I arrive at a location. If you have the same expectation, you should really take a close look at the mounting system.