Panniers... quick question
 

Is there a Panniers buyers guide anywhere? or a single thread that has a list of all Panniers available. I have searched this site... but, I still don't think I am seeing everything available.


any help would be appreciated.


thanks,

The choice is simple: get Ortlieb. :)

+1 Ortlieb

they are nice... but, pricey.

Ortlieb...or something cheap. I've been riding with a Nashbar ATB pannier for 4 years now, and they work fine for me. I got them two for $28. I rarely use more than one of them.
If I ever do extended touring I'll certainly go buy Ortlieb, but for getting to work and back, a $20 pannier works for me. Add in a couple of ziplock bags if it's raining.

I know shutouts for everyone's favorite brand is not what you were looking for, but Axiom has a comparison chart on their website for their line.

If you want to spend more money, I don't think you can go wrong with Arkel, but $/lbs. I've been very happy with the Axiom bags I use.

I'm looking for something cheaper... not really wanting to spend 100+ on panniers.

I think the 2 basic choices are a one big drybag thing vs 80 gazillion little compartments and pockets. You would find ortlieb pretty much at the top of the price heap for the former, and arkel for the latter, and then price down from there.

Another axis to divide them along is whether they're designed for quick release grab-n-go from the rack, or intended to stay strapped on. Ortlieb is definitely in the former camp here, not sure about arkel. I think both ortlieb and arkel sell their mounting systems to retrofit onto other panniers.

I tried that. Got REI panniers because I figured they'd be a good generic brand.

After the second clip broke within the first 30 days, I sucked it and got Ortleib.

I had cheapo trek panniers once. I would not recommend them. They fell off the rack several times. Also, even with the rain cover deployed, they filled up with water on wet commutes. I don't want to worry about wet clothes or ruined computers on my commute. I also don't want to have to worry about the panniers coming off the rack. That is why I went with the ortlieb.

I got a waterproof pannier from MEC that has held up really well. It was about $50 USD.

I've been using the Topeak MTX trunk bag. It has panniers that unzip and drop down on each side, plus you get the storage on top. Works fine for commute to work. It does need the Topeak rack to clip into. No problems at this point. Wife got it for me because she hated the milk crate I had strapped down to my rack. That worked well also, I just tossed my backpack in and I was good to go.

Arkel has a very secure quick release mechanism as well (+ waterproof zippers & rain covers). Water will eventually work through the fabric unless you have a rain cover. As mentioned, Ortlieb is a dry bag (you could throw it in a river and it would stay dry).

Wheels4: Take a look at 'rack trunk' bags that sit on top of your pannier rack. They can store a ton of stuff and may be adequate for your commuting needs. They are also cheaper.

Sometimes I feel like I'm alone in the Arkel camp.
Threads like this don't help.
Oh well, I love my one (soon to be two) Arkel bag. You could probably give me 10 Ortliebs and my bike would still be wearing that Arkel.
-Gene-

Greg, I will take a look at those... thanks.

bob, is your trunk bag with fold out panniers waterproof too?

+1 for Ortlieb. Got it for year-round riding (waterproof), errands (groceries), touring aspirations and ease of installation. Rack clips aren't likely to break and render the back useless.

The choice is simple: get Arkel :)

I'm an Arkel man myself, but for the money I have found Banjo Brothers gear to be a great value.

http://www.banjobrothers.com/products/panniers.php

I have not used their panniers though and I'm not sure whether they have some type of mechanism that locks them on the rack rail like Arkel and Ortlieb. Frankly, I am wary of panniers that do not lock on since I have had less than satisfactory results with others.

Search the reviews on bikecommuters.com and commutebybike.com for the Banjo Brothers products. I've got the Large Backpack myself.

@the OP-How much do you need to carry? There are other options out there, like Wald baskets, hard-sided buckets like bikebins or Cobbworks oyster buckets (and the DIY cat litter/laundry soap ones), or go rackless and get something like a Carradice bag.

Arkel rocks... never actually used Ortlieb... I've regretted every "affordable" pannier I've gotten.

For cheap I don't think anything beats the Nashbar ATB ones. Not exactly waterproof but they hold up well.

i'm basically looking to carry my clothes for the work day, a towel, a tube, some tools(changing tire)... and shoes. I'm not looking to tour... just commute. oh, and i want to carry my lunch as well.

oh, and the last panniers held up fine... they were cheapies that i bought used on ebay. I think my wife threw them away on accident. yes... i could have strangled her. :)

Assuming a car doesn't run over your bag when it falls off, destroying everything inside.

Carradice saddlebags. No worry about heel strike and they have models that would hold your commuting gear with room to spare.

I use the LG front and rear panniers that I found at Nashbar and have not had a problem. I had a pair of Seattle Sport bags that I got at REI. They were great bags until the zippers broke. Had to get rid of them.

REI "Safari" panniers on clearance are a good buy, kind of a poor man's Ortleib. They are waterproof and attach fairly easily and securely, I have never had one fall off. I got a set of the small orange-brown ones for $50 in 2007, and a set of large icky looking yellow & grey ones this year for $60.

If you are paying full retail then Ortleib's are better.

Jeff, which model did you have?

Indeed. I have a friend with the poor-man's-Ortleib Safari panniers from REI. The problem is, other REI panniers are not as well constructed, so I got burned.