My pannier choices seem to be "none" or "pannier big enough to fit a cow inside".

I can currently carry everything I need in a messenger bag, but I'm going to be doing a 23-mile-each-way commute, and I want to move that stuff off of my back.

I want to carry:
Macbook Air
Few computer accessories ( power cord, digital camera )
U-lock
T-shirt
Pair of jeans

And really that's about it. I want little tiny streamlined panniers, not one gigantic one the size of a mountaineering pack.

I'd just get something like the Arkel Tail Rider, but it (along with all the other similar bags) seems to only be about 6" wide, which isn't as wide as my laptop.

Anyone know any minimalist panniers? Or know anyone who can custom make panniers to my specs? That would be cool.

I have the same issue. One day outside REI is spotted a bike with a smaller arkel pannier that would have been perfect. However, I am not sure if it is wide enough. That and I have no clue what the model was.
Maybe it was a single T-28?
https://www.arkel-od.com/specs.asp?fl=1&site=

I use backpack and milk crate zip-tied to my rack but many people use these nashbar townie panniers:

two of those and you're set

What about the arkel samurai? Did they stop making that one?

Also, the regular ortlieb office bag: https://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/...p?pid=36&cid=2

How about this ostrich pannier from velo-orange?

I use the Metro bag from Performance Bike. It's about the size of a messenger bag and has a few pockets on the inside & mesh pockets on the outside to hold extra schtuff.

I can fit my ThinkPad, coffee thermos, U-Lock and a few tools with no problem.

It's usually on sale for around $39...

How about finding the right size bag at army navy surplus and making your own. I've done it, and if you search the threads you will find several with instruction links.

Try a standard backpack from Walmart. Put your gear in it, then place it on the rack flat (will hang over back at first). Fold the top third down so that it no longer hangs over the back. Bungee cord that down. Result: square-ish pack, that looks like a more expensive rack accessory. Another advantage: removes easily from rack, and easy to carry to the workplace / school (on your back). Ride to work without a sweaty back. Discovered this this morning, when I took slacks, dress shirt, and tie rolled and packed away, and wore a tie today for first time after a commute (showered and changed first though). Schweet.

I use a TransIt Metro Pannier from Performance Bicycle.
It's about the size of a messenger bag.

I recently got these. I like them so far. You can use both or just one.

https://www.knog.com.au/

Seems cool, but they can be hard to find in the US.

I've been happy with these https://www.touringcyclist.com/gear/model_17886.html
They've been completely waterproof in some miserable rains and aren't too bulky.

I have no experience with these but they look like a different sort of beast

https://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=72



(and as soon as I posted this link, their site dies... hope it's not a sign)

REI has those Canondale one's. They look pretty good. Waterproof and I think have hard sides. I use Trek Interchange panniers that have cinch straps to make the bags the size of the load you're carrying.

Are these too big? https://www.banjobrothers.com/products/01090.php

You may want to take a look at some Jandd Saddlebags. They WERE around 75.00 when I got them. They're NOT waterproof and they dont hold very much, but may be perfect for your seemingly minimal needs. They ride pretty high so the 'heel strike' issue isn't a factor and they've got solid plastic inserts in the 'spoke side'. Want to state again that they ARE NOT waterproof. Some sort of waterproofing spray and a couple of tightly wound plastic grocery bags does the trick for me. I bunched the stock attatchment system w/cable ties and use a couple of 8" to pull the bags in tight to the vertical rack post. Works very well. My panniers don't 'flop' at all. Good luck!

BTW, my commute is 40 mi rt. I've had these bags about 4 years. They've, also got some straps on the top part, but one is better off using bungee cords. The rack I use is the Delta Universal Mega Rack. It's fits these bags perfectly.

ANGLETECH TECHWIND™ Panniers

"These panniers, wind tunnel designed and proven, made your bike up to 7% faster through the wind than a bike without panniers."

Edit: No I haven't used them. I looked at them though and they were very nice quality. Someday maybe I just didn't think they would fit all my stuff.

anyone know if the nashbar townies are rigid on the back side? probably are huh?

That's a long distance to not carry anything in case you get a flat

I use a Jandd, which I love. It's pretty compact, but what I love most is that it has a cover that rolls down over the components, so when you're off the bike you can carry it like a regular messenger bag. I got tired of going to dinner or movies after work and having the little hook on the bottom attach to random pieces of furniture as I went by. I think its the Commuter Pannier (though mine's old, so might not be exactly the same) on this page:

https://www.jandd.com/search_results....el=2&subcat=11

I have a compact Jandd pannier, don't know the model name. I cannot quite fit my 15" laptop in it so it can be zipped closed but you may be able to get the macair in it, 13.3"? Jandd also sells a padded pannier just for laptops with pockets for accesories. You need a rack for a pannier so why not put your clothes on the rack and maybe mount a hold for you lock? There are also panniers if that's what they are called that sit on top of the rack. I could see one of these plus the laptop pannier working to cover it all in an aerodynamic way if that's what you are shooting for. Personally I'd consider a slightly large pannier. If I was commuting 46 miles round trip I might at times want the space to carry extra. But you are a MacAir guy. Gotta be sleek Peace

What about a saddle bag? With the Mac book air, and the rest got I would think a Carradice Nelson or a Cadet would work great. There are other manufacturers as well.

https://www.carradice.co.uk/

I use the Arkel commuter, you cinch it down to when you don't have much in it. And it has a great suspended laptop holder. I carry about the same amount of stuff as you with a macbook instead. The Arkel is 2 years old and it looks brand new. I ride with it year round. They're expensive, but it works perfectly and it's commercial grade tough.

+1 on the Arkel Commuter! I've used it most days over the past year, and it's been fantastic.

Yeah, they stopped making it. Not enough sales on them is what they told me. It's a bit small anyway to put in a standard sized laptop with a padded sleeve.

Most GOOD panniers have straps to help pull in any extra material that you don't fill. Although my usual load is the clothes I'm wearing at work, I went with Arkel panniers for touring (can do double duty.) When I have light days, the pannier compacts for me. I can still get up to 25mph with one pack on the left side of my bike. When I need more room, I have it.
I find that using one pannier, with a varied load, doesn't affect my biking at all.
I would say that you should get a good quality pannier, with compression straps, that can handle your maximum load (or what may be your max load.) Stick with the major players and you'll get a good pack.