I'm looking to get a rear rack and set of panniers for my bike. I'm only going to be commuting about 6-8 miles one way.

I don't need the top-of-the-line bags, just something that works and is reliable. I also don't want to spend a fortune.

I've been doing research myself, but I'd like to hear what everyone else likes to use; what works best.

Thanks.

https://www.treefortbikes.com/395_333...-Panniers.html I have a set of these and they are by far my favorite. Yes they are pretty inexpensive but not cheaply made and for my needs they fill the bill perfectly. Easy on and off and I haven't had any trouble with the buckles. not sure if they would be the best for long touring but for everyday commuting I like em. My wife and I rode in the rain all day last summer on Lopez Island in Washington state and everything stayed dry that was in there.

I commuted for 5 years with just a single Arkel Utility Basket. It's not cheap, but it still looks brand new despite daily use.

This will yield as many different answers as there are cyclists and their specific needs and circumstances. How much do you plan to carry? In what sort of weather do you expect to ride? Do you intend to attach and detach the panniers frequently (e.g. for shopping)?
I haul a lot of stuff to work and back, so I need a decent amount of volume. I ride year-round in Boston, so I need something reliably waterproof. I make frequent stops, so I appreciate panniers that attach and detach easily. I decided to get Ortlieb Back-Rollers, which have served me well. They're expensive, but I've seen bags fall apart, and after receiving ample testimonials from local riders about how resilient they are (I see these things all the time on the streets where I ride), I decided that it was worth the expense.

+1
The quality, design, and customer service of Arkel is 2nd to none. I have two Arkel Utility baskets, unless I want to buy two full bags of groceries, I never need more than one. They back up their stuff with a lifetime no receipt neccessary warranty, too.

It's not the distance - it's the usage. 6 miles or 60 miles each way, the majority of the wear and tear on your bag will be when you put it on, take it off, drag it around, fill it up, empty it out. Sitting on the bike while your pedaling away doesn't do much to the bag except maybe get it dirty.

If you go too cheap, whatever you buy will start falling apart in just a few weeks.

Do a search on the topic. It will provide hours of maddening contradictory reading. Your selection will depend on how you plan to use them.
I enjoy touring so I'm partial to Ortliebs. You can throw them in the lake and be assured that the contents will be dry.
You do get what you pay for.

I love my Nashbar Daytrekker Panniers for commuting. You won't be any loaded touring, but for the regular commuting stuff they are perfect.

+1 on the Nashbars. I also have a set of these and they are on another bike. Not real big but they are a good bang for the buck. I actually like the bottom attatchment method better than the Axioms

I've got the Detours Uptown.

Positives -

Waterproof: Worst deluge won't even get stuff in the outer pockets wet, never mind inside the drybag main compartment. I'd dab a bit of Goop around where the hardware bolts in if I were truly paranoid, but I never saw a leak.

Durable: 10 months of everyday use, nothing broken or frayed.

The flat, plastic base is a fantastic idea: more panniers should incorporate the design - impervious to water, sand, and general abuse. The patterns in the firm rubber-like plastic are attractive. Lets you set the bag down in a mud puddle or worse without worry... tho be careful the bag is balanced in how it's packed, or it will fall over despite the flat bottom.

External pockets: They hold a lot more than it would seem. Top outer pocket fits a raincape and gaiters, easy, and front pocket fits lights, toolkit and assorted other junk.

Negatives -

Weird mounting system: It does a good job of keeping the bag secure, but the plastic spear sticking out from the top when the bag is off the bike is awkward, and it's a pain to reset, and the hook kept getting wedged in the guide after being off the bike.

Main compartment not as roomy as it looks: Hat, gloves, mini-pump, spare innertube, notebook pc, tiny travel pillow, paperback, oops, out of room for a jacket or lunch.

No inner pockets: The removeable laptop sleeve is about it - and I wouldn't recommend removing it, as it reveals the jagged bolt ends where the mounting hardware attaches.

No place to mount a shoulder strap: The bulk of my commute is by train, and then by foot a few blocks. The little dinky loop handle does not cut it. I get around it by putting carabiners through the loops made when the top is rolled down and buckled in place on either side of the bag, and attaching an old shoulder strap to the carabiners. The mounting hardware still digs into my side, and gets tangled in my clothes.

I'm probably going to upgrade to the Jandd Briefcase or the Carradice Bike Bureau. I need more room, more compartments, and a better off-bike carry system.

I've been running 5 years now on a cheap pair of Nashbar ATB panniers. They're not waterproof at all, but a plastic bag takes care of that. I think I paid $24 for two bags. I only ever use one at a time, except on rare occasions. They will jump off if you hit a bad pothole or something, unless you fasten the velcro. Since I ride on rough gravel road daily, I always fasten the velcro.

They're not always for sale, and they're not always < $30, but they do go on sale once in a while.

I do a lot of shopping at MEC and their non touring panniers are actually really waterproof after you treat the fabric and after 5 years and some incredible mileage and near daily use have not cause me a moment of grief.

I also have a smaller front set as well that get used on their own or as my secondary bags for longer rides.

I have the Arkel commuter bag with the laptop holder. I have used them almost everyday for the last year and it still looks brand new. My laptop is secure in it, there is enough room for papers, work clothes, lunch and a few extra things, plus there is a handy pocketed flap on top that holds the rain cover and my gortex shoe covers. It was a bit on the pricey side, but it is a quality pice of equipment that will last many years. not to mention it is SUPER SIMPLE to put on and take off, I can do it one handed most days.

Ive used cheap panniers and expensive ones. Points to look for if possible are:
Locking quick-release mounts, not hooks, elastic or velcro.
Tough material that wont flap around.
Light stiffening board on back and base.
A profiled heel cutout to prevent interference.
One exterior pocket.

Some people like lots of compartments, I prefer a big space.
Zips dont like stress, overloading and are not very water resistant.

I really like the ortlieb attachment system.

My ortlieb's are going 5 years old and look like they are still new. I commute about 100 days a year. I would not use anything else

The main issue with cheap panniers is the attachment system. Most of the time, they'll use something a little fidgety or kludgy, and it'll annoy you so you don't go through the whole rigamorole every time you use them, and next thing you know your pannier went flying off and got run over by a car. The bungee cord attachment style is particularly noxious in combination with a Blackburn-type rack.

So the big thing is to poke at the attachment system, and make sure it's one you'll use correctly.

(staying outta which panniers to use, since I don't break out the panniers unless I expect to haul over 50L of stuff)

Picked up some dirt cheap panniers at Meijers. They've been doing OK so far. They even got rained on a bit and didn't leak (I was surprised - I was fully expecting 0 water proofing). For some no-nonsense panniers, they've been exemplary so far.

EDIT: re: the attatchment system, these use standard clips like are found on bike helmets or fanny packs or whatever. Seem to be OK. One thing I like, I can just unclip and pick up the whole thing and carry it like a briefcase. Comes with dividers, too.

Mine aren't that old, and I've been very pleased with them. Mine have never fallen off, and they hold an amazing amount of stuff.

Somebody mentioned once that you should either spend a little bit or a lot on panniers, and these were the ones they recommended if you weren't going to spend much.

You can find the Nashbar ATB panniers for as low as $25 for the pair if you hunt for sales. Considering the brand/price they've held up remarkably well for over a year now.

If you find some bags you really like, but are a bit unsure of the attachment system, Arkel will sell you their system and you can put it on your bags.
the Arkel attachment system is the best I've found.

I really like Arkel bags, too.....but they are a bit spendy.

Cyril

I can't agree enough with the other posters who've said that you should focus on the attachment system. I replaced the attachment system on some terrible Schwinn panniers with MEC clips and a bungee-cord-***-J-hook. The MEC J-hook probably would have worked just as well or better.

I used to get frustrated with my panniers almost every time I used them. They'd bounce loose, or fly right off regularly. Now I trust my laptop to them.

Aside from the attachment system, look for durable stitching and good solid zippers. If you're like me, you'll overstuff them often, and then a good zipper will be worth its weight in gold.

https://www.amazon.com/Axiom-40-Litre...7809215&sr=8-1

amazing panniers that have lasted me a long while.

I am really impressed with the build quality and extra hardware in case I ever break something.

I use their rack as well

https://www.amazon.com/Axiom-Streamli...809386&sr=1-11


my bike

https://www.flickr.com/photos/4416911...7623101135240/

I have the exact Axiom panniers that the second poster shows.I use 4 of them on extended tours for the last 2 years and they work as good as the day I bought them.They have almost 6000 touring miles on them.

Good quality for a simple pannier.I'd buy another set from Axiom anytime.

Yea there is little or no wear on these things and I not easy on them. Plus there rear rack is super light but can still take a full payload.