Originally Posted by Spreggy
Here man, check out this thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=310886
Anything on your back is a PITA. A real versatile pannier is a grocery bag style, you can toss anything in it quick, and they hold a lot. You might need a pair though with a laptop and books. Check out the cheaper panniers on Nashbar, you don't need to spend Ortlieb money unless you have some serious showing off to do.
You either don't ride much in the rain or have never tried Ortleib products. Also have you ever used Nashbar panniers? I have, and they are rubbish. Ortleib panniers don't fall of in traffic like Nashbar ones do.....