Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Pannier Suggestion

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Pannier Suggestion

Old 09-16-06, 06:17 AM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Pannier Suggestion

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum.

I commute about 3 miles to work (which I know is not far). I have been using a backpack which is very uncomfortable, so I want to switch to a Pannier system.

I have been told by my local bike shop owner that front panniers are better for stability, although I know they are smaller.

I need to be able to bring a change of clothes, my NY Ulock, lunch, possibly a laptop, and still room if I need to pick up some items from a store on the way home.

I've read reviews: positive and negative about Ortlieb, some about Arkel and some others.

I only need panniers for city commuting, not mountain biking or anything.

Suggestions would be super helpful from all of you bike commuters out there!
Hairgirl is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 09:11 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts
Front panniers add stability to a heavily loaded bike with rear panniers.
For commuting, rear panniers are more useful and almost no-one uses front panniers on their own.
I use 25l carradice panniers for commuting. They are pretty empty for most journeys but the extra space is useful for shopping stops. Usually I just carry one unless I am on a weekly grocery shop.
Features to look for are
Flap top closure : quicker and more convenient than expedition style roll-tops and good for bulky items.
At least one external pocket.
Heel cutout shape so you can mount them further forward.
Quick-release locking mounts: quicker and easier then hook and elastic.
Stiffening on back and base.
Tough, stiff material with good weatherproofing.
Ortleib, Vaude, Carradice, Arkel are all premium brands that will stand years of hard use.

I put my lock on top of the luggage rack, not inside the bag.
MichaelW is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 10:33 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Bike-a-Boo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Burlington, ON
Posts: 258

Bikes: 2006 Trek 7.3 FX, 2007 Rocky Mountain Sherpa, Batavus Entrada, MEC Origami Folder

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm currently using a single rear pannier from Mountain Equipment Co-op (you can check it out here) for my commute. It works pretty well so far (I'm pretty new to this myself). My only complaints are that my clothes get wrinkled and it doesn't seem to be ideal for a laptop.

I'm considering getting this commuter bag from Two Wheel Gear. It seems like it might solve my wrinkle and laptop problems. I haven't tried it yet, though, so I can't offer feedback. Just thought I'd put it out there as another possible option for you.

Good luck!
Bike-a-Boo is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 12:04 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I also am a city commuter, to school and work. I highly recommend the Carradice panniers. I have the bike bureau which I bought from them over a year ago and I have never regretted the choice. The quick-release is excellent and totally reliable, and the bag is good-looking (I think). Here's a link to them: https://www.carradice.co.uk/index.html
They are in England, but I actually paid less buying from them - including shipping! - than I would have at any of the dealers here. Do research, though, the dollar has lost value since then.

Last edited by zafracita; 09-16-06 at 12:11 PM.
zafracita is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 02:43 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Bike-a-Boo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Burlington, ON
Posts: 258

Bikes: 2006 Trek 7.3 FX, 2007 Rocky Mountain Sherpa, Batavus Entrada, MEC Origami Folder

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by zafracita
I also am a city commuter, to school and work. I highly recommend the Carradice panniers. I have the bike bureau which I bought from them over a year ago and I have never regretted the choice. The quick-release is excellent and totally reliable, and the bag is good-looking (I think). Here's a link to them: https://www.carradice.co.uk/index.html
They are in England, but I actually paid less buying from them - including shipping! - than I would have at any of the dealers here. Do research, though, the dollar has lost value since then.
I just checked out the bike bureau on the Carradice website - looks pretty good! Do you use it to carry a laptop? How does it work for you? (I've heard laptops can't go in regular panniers because of vibrations). Besides a laptop, how much other "stuff" can you fit in there?
Bike-a-Boo is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 02:51 PM
  #6  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks!

I appreciate the info. Makes sense about the front needing to balance out the back.

Is it okay to do two different sizes on either side that hold the same amount of volume?

Or is that not advisable?
Hairgirl is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 03:18 PM
  #7  
tired
 
donnamb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 5,651

Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, U frame

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I really covet the Carradice panniers, but I've got to be realistic about my budget, since I really need to get a new saddle. So, I've been looking at these Novara Transfer panniers. They're $100 for the pair, and I can get a 10% discount through a local cycling advocacy group I belong to. Anyone have experience with these?

donnamb is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 03:30 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
I have last year's version. No complaints from me. Though, I am sick of the black and silver look.
DataJunkie is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 04:17 PM
  #9  
Urban "Dirtbag"
 
chennai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 434
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have an older iteration of the REI Panniers and had another set before these. (REI replaced the first set after about 6 years when a seam opened up.) Both sets were very good, basic panniers. I switched from a backpack to these perhaps 15 years ago, and I would never go back. I use them pretty much the way the OP wants to use panniers, though my commute is a bit longer and I carry loads of books, too. (I am amazed at how many groceries I can get in them.)

The bags are pretty water resistant, but you'll need to put dry stuff in plastic bags (I use a trash compacter bag as a liner for the whole pannier) when the weather is wet or slushy. Easy on and off. Mine have a front pocket that was just big enough to hold a u-lock and cable - that is convenient. I don't see that pocket in the picture - is it now on top? If you intend to carry a computer, make sure it will fit. My computer cannot fit inside the pannier when in the manufacturer's carrying case and some laptops wouldn't fit in the panniers at all. The REI guarantee is great.

Here's a few other things to know: 1) The ends of the compression straps can flap around and end up in the spokes if one does not tuck them someplace. This is noisy and annoying but nothing more. That little plastic hook that looks like it should secure the ends is not a solution. On the contrary, it seems to always be in the wrong place, either impeding the expansion of the bags or making compression difficult. You will probably end up not using the hook. If I have the bag compressed, I just tuck the end of the strap between strap and bag; 2) The little screw that one uses to adjust tension on the horizontal hook - you can see it in the picture - has disappeared two times - but that's over many years; 3) the backplate can bend inwards when you are carrying a small heavy load unless you use care to pack the load carefully and tighten the compression straps just right. Twice I have had the backplate bend enough so that when I was out of the saddle rocking the bike, the edge of the backplate ended up in the spokes. Each time the pannier came flying off in the middle of an intersection. Once the spokes were damaged. (That incident is the main reason I decided to try the Arkel Commuter. The Arkel backplate is not significantly stiffer but the Arkel is shaped and packs differently. My comments on that bag are here.); 4) These panniers are somewhat awkward to carry when off the bike but no more than any other standard pannier. The carrying strap is big enough for my whole hand but is just a flat piece of webbing - not painful but not comfortable. Since the handle is on the back edge of the bag, the bottom of the bag will hit your leg if you have a significant load.

I've been very happy with mine.

If I were buying another pannier, and still had the money I spent on my Arkel Commuter, I'd really like to take a look at the Carradice Bureau or A4 before I decided. There's a review of the Bureau here: https://www.etherfarm.com/synapse/arc...e_bike_bureau/
I'd like to see those hooks on the back, see how heavy those bags are, and figure out what one must do to keep them waterproof.

Last edited by chennai; 09-16-06 at 04:37 PM.
chennai is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 05:19 PM
  #10  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm thinking about getting the Arkel Bug.
Hairgirl is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 05:24 PM
  #11  
Fish'r wish'r
 
Russ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 212

Bikes: Homebuilt (vintage mtb frame)

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have a pair of Ortlieb Classic panniers. They're the only ones I've ever had, so I can't compare them with others, but I love them. Sturdy, truly waterproof, and really easy to take on and off. I usually only use one, so I'll get twice the lifespan from of them (which, based on my experience so far, will be many years).

I paid around $125 at my LBS, but I'm sure you can get them cheaper on line (probably close to the REI units). I've seen them on eBay for $50 bucks or so.

Russ
Russ is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 05:26 PM
  #12  
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
 
Tom Stormcrowe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 16,057

Bikes: Techna Wheelchair and a Sun EZ 3 Recumbent Trike

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times in 17 Posts
I use these for commutes


Now Banjo did send them to me for free to evaluate, but I do like them. I've used them for both commutes and short tours.
https://www.banjobrothers.com/products/01090.php
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
Tom Stormcrowe is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 05:30 PM
  #13  
tired
 
donnamb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 5,651

Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, U frame

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Funny, what I really want is the Carradice bike bureau. Looks really good for bringing into work meetings. It seemed a bit small, which is why I thought getting the 2 Novaras for a little less would be prudent. The review makes it seem like it holds more than my impression from Carradice's web site. I'm still thinking I'll end up needing 2 for when the weather gets really bad, and I'd like to distribute the weight more evenly on my bike. I can afford the 2 Novaras right now, but i will be a while before I can afford 2 Carradices, and then there's my saddle dilemma. Man, the first year of bicycle commuting can be spendy. Decisions, decisions.

Now as to fastenings, both Novara (this year's at least) and Carradice use the Klick-Fix system, so I wasn't thinking there was a difference there. Am I off the mark?
donnamb is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 08:46 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: south jersey
Posts: 1,207
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
i,also, have a 3.2mile ride each way!
i use bikenash top loading rear panniers (about 2200cu/in total), +/-$35.00. i double (or tripple) plastic bag inside contents like briefcase etc) when it rains, gear does stay dry!
i do have a rack-pac too for lunch, tools and nite lights.
i would NEVER attach any gear to my back!
enjoy pannierism on your commutes!
tomg is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 09:05 PM
  #15  
Prefers Cicero
 
cooker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 12,870

Bikes: 1984 Trek 520; 2007 Bike Friday NWT; misc others

Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3939 Post(s)
Liked 112 Times in 87 Posts
Originally Posted by Hairgirl
I appreciate the info. Makes sense about the front needing to balance out the back.

Is it okay to do two different sizes on either side that hold the same amount of volume?

Or is that not advisable?


You certainly can do that if you want. However it might not look stylish to have mismatched panniers, so think about that.

Be sure to try them out on the bike before you buy, to be sure you have heel clearance. Poor heel clearance is one of the commonest complaints about panniers. Also, on some the bottom rear corner sometimes curls in and starts clicking on the spokes. I had to put a plastic coat hanger inside the lining on the inner side of the cavity in one of mine to prevent that. I also had to raise the rack up...some racks have adjustable length in the struts. I've also had panniers that jumped off the rack when I went over a bump, so they need to have really tight elastic cord on the hook that holds them down, or some kind of locking clips up top.
cooker is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 09:10 PM
  #16  
Prefers Cicero
 
cooker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 12,870

Bikes: 1984 Trek 520; 2007 Bike Friday NWT; misc others

Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3939 Post(s)
Liked 112 Times in 87 Posts
Originally Posted by sharrison
My only complaints are that my clothes get wrinkled and it doesn't seem to be ideal for a laptop.
Try laying your clothes flat and then rolling them snugly from the bottom up. Or take some extra clothes and hang them at work and maybe they'll straighten out in a day or two.
cooker is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 09:52 PM
  #17  
Real Human Being
 
wild animals's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ottery St. Catchpole
Posts: 936

Bikes: Sleeping Beauty: 2008 Jamis Aurora

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
donnamb, did you know citybikes sells the bike bureau?
they have the old version for something like 65 bucks, and the new cotton duck version for 98 dollars. the nylon version of the new style is a little less expensive. they probably have lots more styles of carradice (they're one of the only carradice dealers in the US) that cost much less than the prices you find on the net. for me at least! all the prices i saw were 20-60 dollars more than citybikes' quoted prices.

now nobody buy them out of bags because i still have to get mine!
wild animals is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 11:33 PM
  #18  
tired
 
donnamb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 5,651

Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, U frame

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I know it. I want the newer one, as I don't think the older setup would work as well for me. Still, the $98 Bike Bureau plus a Carradice of another variety is going to hover around $200 even from Citybikes, which is $100 more than the 2 Novaras. I might have just gone for it, but I also really, really need a new saddle, and I've got my eye on a B-67. My sit bone span really limits what I can use, my current saddle hurts my rear if I ride more than about 5 miles at a stretch. Not fun. Anyway, enough whining...
donnamb is offline  
Old 09-16-06, 11:47 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
eibeinaka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 152

Bikes: Surly LHT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by sharrison
I just checked out the bike bureau on the Carradice website - looks pretty good! Do you use it to carry a laptop? How does it work for you? (I've heard laptops can't go in regular panniers because of vibrations). Besides a laptop, how much other "stuff" can you fit in there?
I've managed to fit my Toshiba Satellite (in a case), rain gear,a change of clothes, a book or two and my Cygolite Night Rover and bottle battery in my Bike Bureau fairly easily. Even with this load, I didn't feel the imbalance of weight riding my OCR2. I think the rigidity of the fastening system probably creates this stability.The Bike Bureau really is an excellent pannier.

The OP could use a Bike Bureau and a townie basket on the other side to take care of the shopping needs. Items like the lock can be carried in the basket if the weight imbalance is a worry. I'm assuming the townie basket is similar to one of the REI shopping panniers I have. Even folded up, it should be able to carry a lock.

It hasn't happened yet, but if I needed more capacity than my Bike Bureau offered, I would affix one of my shopping panniers on the other side of the rack.

Last edited by eibeinaka; 09-17-06 at 12:02 AM.
eibeinaka is offline  
Old 09-17-06, 12:07 AM
  #20  
Urban "Dirtbag"
 
chennai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 434
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Are the hooks on the Bureau a problem when you carry it with the shoulder strap?

And do you need to re-waterproof the bag? If so, how? Is the nylon version waterproof?
chennai is offline  
Old 09-17-06, 12:29 AM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 7,279
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I saw panniers today-- saddle bags, really-- in Portland that are what I'd like to have for my set-up: Bright yellow (for commuting visibility), water proof rubberized material of some kind (like raincoats), and reflsctive material on the rear. They fit like saddle bags over the rear rack. Does anybody know what these are? No manufacturers name on the bags, so I have no idea who makes them.
Blue Order is offline  
Old 09-17-06, 12:30 AM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
eibeinaka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 152

Bikes: Surly LHT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
" And do you need to re-waterproof the bag? If so, how? Is the nylon version waterproof?"

No. The top flap (which is also a pocket for rain gear) flips back over to cover the hooks. It's definitely a bit more comfortable with the rain gear in the flap(and my rain gear is permanently kept there) , but it's sufficiently comfortable on it's own.

I've just emailed Carradice about the cotton duck waterproofing issue, but I suspect at only 15 months commuting use I still have some way to go before it needs waterproofing. They make their expedition panniers from the same material. My wife has the nylon version, but she doesn't ride in the rain!
eibeinaka is offline  
Old 09-17-06, 01:32 AM
  #23  
totally louche
 
Bekologist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: A land that time forgot
Posts: 18,023

Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts
there is only one bag to consider for winter commuting season and that is the Ortliebs. nothing else even comes close.

donnaMB, we sell ortlieb back roller classics for 124.99 and would be well worth the extra 20-30 bucks to go for the ortliebs. I'd imagine you can get Ortliebs in Oregon.

Orts are the best way to go.
Bekologist is offline  
Old 09-17-06, 01:39 AM
  #24  
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Hairgirl
I'm thinking about getting the Arkel Bug.
I have a Bug and am quite happy with it. I'd purchase it again. Arkel products are very high quality and well designed. It you live in an area where it often rains you might want to consider buying the rain cover with the Bug.
Cyclist0383 is offline  
Old 09-17-06, 04:13 AM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
eibeinaka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 152

Bikes: Surly LHT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
[QUOTE=Bekologist]there is only one bag to consider for winter commuting season and that is the Ortliebs. nothing else even comes close.

Not true. I'm sure the Ortlieb is a fine bag for winter commuting, but the Carradice Bike Bureau will withstand winter commuting with flying colors. I know because I've done it.
eibeinaka is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.