DIY panniers and saddle bags
 

Does anyone here have any DIY panniers and saddle bags? The pricing on these type of products is way to much for me. I'm curious to see how some of you McGuiver your bags/backpacks/rock sacks.e.t.c. onto your racks other then a milk crate and zip ties.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=236014

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/CP1.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/CP2.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/Tripod.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictur...e/Pellican.jpg

Not exactly what your looking for, but, I "Borrowed" this from a local chain grocery store. Fits my small cooler and change of work clothes just fine, ziptied to a rack from the LBS.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...Picture012.jpg

Sling bag from Army Surplus Store. Cost about $15.00 I think.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...k/DSC_4402.jpg

Willie and Max motorcycle panniers. $65.00

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...Panniers_1.jpg

Nice Gitzo. I have that same one with an Acratech ballhead.

Nice bike. That's beautiful.

http://wheelrevolution.blogspot.com/...ucket-diy.html

Use those cat-litter buckets with lids and you have a nice splash and mist-resistant seal, too.

word. that sure is purty. I was thinking of visiting an army surplus store to see what they have.

Nice. So i'm guesing you spent around $20 on parts, i'm basing that on the website http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/...st.asp?scat=21
Looks like i'll need the top rail,lower hook, top hooks and inserts.
The arkel cam lock hook kit also looks doable.

Do those fenders actually do anything, besides keeping the brake cables clean?

well, aside from keeping the brakes clean they also keep me busy on rough roads by rubbing on the tires, forcing me to reach down mid ride to adjust them.:crash:

Maybe I should just take 'em off? :p

That's about right.
If you have a soft sided bag, put a stiffening board inside of it. It'll keep the bag from getting tangled in the spokes.

I too was overwhelmed by the cost of manufactured panniers, especially in the size I was looking for. My requirements were that it be large enough to hold my daily commuting stuff like a change of clothes and shoes, and have the ability to carry more if I picked something up at work. I also wanted to be able to safely transport my laptop in the bag when the semester picks back up or if I needed to bring it to a work meeting. I also wanted it to have a pocket where I could shove a spare tube and some tools and my pocket's contents since riding with two sets of keys, a phone, leatherman and full wallet isn't as fun as not riding with them :p But, something commercial that fits the bill was pricey. So I got to improvising.

I was picking my rack up from a local thrift shop because it needed modification to fit my bike which lacked the rack bosses and I wasn't going to buy a brand new one to experiment with :p On the same trip I found an old luggage bag/back pack. It has a rigid back for the handle and wheels, but also has a pocket that back pack straps were tucked into! PERFECT.

http://workshopwebs.com/steve/pictur...newpannier.jpg

http://workshopwebs.com/steve/pictur...annierback.jpg

Note, in that last photo, the excess bungee cord only existed while I was experimenting with the tension. Once it was snapped into place, I zip-tied the excess up so it wouldn't swing into the wheel. Less than $5 in parts (and I have plenty spare hooks, nuts, and a spare bungee) and I had a rather large pannier. It works nearly as well as some of the store bought ones I've found and this can take a beating. If you're familiar with Michigan roads, you'll know that they're bad but I've never once had this pannier come off on me.

The total cost was just under $30 for the rack, bag and hardware. I still need to put some plastic or rubber around the hooks as they've scratched the paint on the rack, but other than that I consider it perfect for my needs. It can fit (with a little room to spare) two full changes of clothes, a pair of shoes, my laptop and power adapter, toiletry kit, camera, pocket contents, bike lock and some tools. Definitely fits my requirements. Maybe something similar would work for you.

Thats what i'm talking about.
You people are giving me some good DIY'ing ideas.

My God that's an awesome bike!

As for the pannier thing. Army surplus stores online will provide you with a ton of solutions. An ammo can could easily be zip tied to the rear rack and they're usually lockable as well as waterproof and you can get them in a lot of different sizes. Usually about 15 bucks for some decently sized ones.

Since this is DIY it might be useful to include a snapshot/explanation of the attachment mechanisms. Some nice ideas so far!

I used PVC plumbing pipe to make a support frame for your run of the mill cheap backpack.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...u/rearview.jpg
I just made the pipe frame fit the backpack and used Velcro straps to hold it to the pipe frame using the shoulder straps. No sewing required and you can always remove the backpack and use it for it's intended purpose.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...u/crazyham.jpg
See the panniers on the front rack? There surplus gas mack bags. I just sewed a couple of straps to them and removed the shoulder and leg straps.
If you don't mind other cyclists calling out "Hay Fred, to your left" as there passing you plastic bucket panniers are easy and very cheap.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...u/HPIM0394.jpg
Mounting them is super easy.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...u/HPIM0386.jpg
The aluminum angle is attached to the bucket under the support lip with 4 screws, fender washers, and nuts. Not shown is a #8 U nut for a #8 screw used to prevent the pannier from jumping up and off the rack when encountering a bump. The two longer screws are used as hooks. Here is a photo of the aluminum angle bolted to the bucket.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...zou/bucket.jpg
Note the U nut now shown on the aluminum angle. The ball bungee keeps downward pressure on the bucket. Here is a view of the inside with commuting stuff as well.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...u/HPIM0393.jpg

Here's my DIY panniers:
http://www.konradprojects.net/blog/2...t-yourself.htm

They are modified army surplus bags. Check the link for pictures and explanation.

While DIY is often the only choice for some it's possible (I did) to find
a really nice pair of panniers on e-bay.

Many folk's buy expensive bike stuff then discover you sweat when
you ride and give up. :rolleyes: So it's off to e-bay with the whole
bike idea. :thumb:

The front bags were an army surplus find. $10 dollars apeice and I just bolted them to the rack. The rear boxes get thrown away at work, so I got a couple and mounted hooks on them to hang them on the rear rack.