Need Pannier Help
 

I commute to school, work, wherever. I have stuff that I need to carry, mainly books and binders. So far I've been using this: http://www.bontrager.com/model/08102. I used the model below this (with the draw string) but it broke off. Now this one had the same problem tonight on my ride home. The clasping mechanism is great but the point of attachment to the bag isn't. It flat out ripped off the bag. Now here's how great the mechanism is: the other clasp was still attached to the bag. Basically I was hauling about 30lbs on it and hit a bump and snap went the bracket on the back of the bag holding the clasps to the bag.

Any recommendations for a better bag? I know, I'll get two so the weight is distributed. Also something that I can carry around easily enough. I need to take the stuff in my pannier(s) with me. The handles on my previous one were not that comfy.

Just the usual- Ortlieb, Arkel, or Wald basket(s) of your choosing (+ backpack of choice to go into the Wald).

What he said.

My personal experience with the Arkel Commuter has been very positive. I recently replaced the shoulder strap as one of the clips broke after over two years of ownership (I remove and reattach it twice per day), but otherwise the bag has been rock-solid.

I have a pair of Ortlieb back rollers that I've had for several seasons. I've loaded them up pretty heavy loads: brick pavers, circular saw/percussion drill, truck brake rotors/drums (these suckers are heavy) and those small kegs you get from microbreweries (one in each pannier). The panniers haven't failed me yet and I don't think they will in the future.

I've seen quite a few older beat to all hell looking Ortliebs here in Deutschland that are still being used on their owners bikes. If you do break a piece on the pannier, parts are readily available.

It really is almost hard to go wrong with a pannier. The best advice I could give is to avoid bags made by companies that don't primarily make bags. Any company that bases their business on panniers, messenger bags, etc will have a good bag. If you are really interested in specifics, especially carrying capacity, durability, etc you might want to do a search over in the touring forum. They really get into their panniers over there:thumb:.

My other thought is to be careful to not rule out a pannier due to high or low price. There are great bags at just about any price point (I use a set of Axiom commuter panniers that I paid all of $30 for new 2 years ago).

I'm leaning towards the Arkel Bug or the Ortlieb Backroller. If I get the Ortliebs they come in a pair but don't look too comfy to carry all day. The Bug looks more to what I need but I'd need another bag for my books or laptop since both won't fit in it.

I fit both my 15" laptop and a few textbooks and binders into my Arkel bag. The Bug is listed as having a 25L capacity, which is virtually the same as my bag, so it will hold a lot of stuff.

Whats the problem?
Did the whole mounting system become detached from the bag.
Did one of the hooks break?
Did the carry handle crack?

You may be able to repair the mount or replace it with a reliable system such as Rixen and Kaul. This can just be rivetted on through a strong backing material.

The hooks on that Bontrager model require the locking mechanism to engage to enable hooking. Any breakage of the lock renders the hook inoperative. Decent systems use a proper hook that works whether locked or not.

If you have a Backpack, you can bungee it to the top of the rack. I attached a milk crate to my rack and dump my backpack into it while riding. I can also throw in a few bags of groceries when I go shopping. A few DIY'rs have also made their backpacks into panniers.

Otherwise you I have the Axiom Kootenays. They are nice and big, but I don't use them much (would hate to have to keep taking them on and off). The other option I can think of is the Nashbar waterproof or ATB panniers.

The plastic frame of the bag detaged from the clasping mechanism. Basically both clamps were attached to the rack but the rear-most one that was riveted to the frame broke off. So I've got my bag dangling by one riveted clasp while the other clasp is still attached as well to the frame (both are connected via a sturdy plastic beam)

I took it to the lbs where I got it. The guy apologized, drilled some holes in the two rivets that broke off (center and far right ones) and put in some bolts, washers, and screws. Should be working better than before given the better holding materials. Either way I'm getting an Arkel Bug and keeping this one for light stuff like locks, clothes, etc.

This bag can take a beating let me tell you. It's got 2000 cubic inches of space and it has fallen off a rack (wrong rack design, didn't hold 100%) and clicked right back on. It has broken off and held for a bumpy ride with one rivet detaching then finally 2 rivets detaching. I could have ridden home on one clasp but my heel kept hitting the side. And it's pretty water resistant. Only downside is the rivets used to adhere the clasping apparatus to the bag's back. That seems easily fixed though.

I think I was just putting too much weight in it. I was putting about 30lbs in it and if a rack can hold 50lbs, with 2 panniers and a rack-top bag that's 20lb/pannier. I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did.

And exile, I don't have a backpack but I do have a messenger bag that looks professional. I'm planning on getting the bug for easier transport. The milk crate would work but with all the bumps in the road and long commute stuff falls out. Yes taking my bags on and off is a pain but I do what I have to do. Btw what does ATB stand for?

Nashbar ATB panniers.

The Arkel Utility Basket can handle your 30lbs and then some. Mine is still going strong and looks basically new after 7 years.

Those look rather cheap.

I've narrowed it down between 2 options.
1. Arkel Bug - all-in-one plenty of room for my laptop and accessories and I can use my current grocery-style bag for the lighter stuff and binders. Downside is the ridiculous price of $150 including tax and shipping.
2. Ortlieb Back Roller Classic with Carrying System for Panniers - I get 2 panniers for what is essentially the price of one Bug. And they match as well as allow me to use them as regular touring panniers. The $40 I'll spend on the carrier will allow me to use one as a backpack and one as a hand-held bag as I go from class to class. Downside is the carrying attachment is external and will take up space but having 2 large panniers instead of just one makes up for it?

I'm really leaning towards the Ortlieb due to money for the space but the back-pack design of the Bug looks better and more comfortable.
As mentioned on the earlier review of the carrrier http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=backpack the author notes they felt clumsy.

Should I just go ahead, suck it up, and buy one actual back-pack pannier to avoid the hassle of attachments?

I'll be ordering one or the other Thursday. Please help!