Originally Posted by
acantor
I have been using the same set of Cannondale panniers since 1989, and I am finally retiring them this year. They are just the right shape and size, and attach securely quickly and easily. Last week I bought a set of used Cannondale panniers for $50 on ebay. They are probably 20 years old.
The old ones were trouble free for 15 years of hard use. Once a year for the past three years I took them to a shoe repair shop to get tears in the seams fixed. I sprayed them with waterproofing goop every couple of years as part of regular maintenance.
Sadly I don't think Cannondale makes this pannier anymore!
I've had a set of Nashbar panniers (which are virtually identical to the Cannondales he speaks off. Since 1989 mine have gone countless miles, been on European tours 8 or 10 times, carried groceries. I sewed up a rip over 10 years ago, but that hasn't caused any trouble. Downside is no rain covers (we use trash compactor bags inside for waterproofing (tougher than garbage bags), and the bag soak up what seems like a ton of water. I never found water-proofing sprays to be much use on mine.
For an upcoming tour, I have just replaced these with Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus panniers. My priorities were: waterproof and a very bright color. The bright yellow was available only on-line (touringstore.com), and at a good price. Our friends have some Nashbar's just a couple of years old that are bright yellow and they are SO visible when up the road that I couldn't get a "plain" color again. Nashbar doesn't make the yellow anymore, however.
So far I've only used the Ortliebs around town. Seem like they'll be good (tho' it's hard to go to no pockets..), and the dangling straps look a little messy to me. When full, those straps won't dangle, I'm sure.
Also, no convenient way to attach a shoulder strap or snap the panniers together. Both those features are nice for carting your bags around, up to hotel room, etc. Good luck with your choice!