Pannier Users - One or Two?
05-10-12, 05:56 AM
#26
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I'm not sure if that's the thread I'm thinking of, but the last time I saw someone making the case for symmetry, I tried to point out the flaw in that argument. All of this "asymmetrical stuff" that hangs on one side of the bike, yet we don't fall over because of it:
I'm almost there. The long pole in the tent is now rationalizing mounting a rack and pannier to a Dogma. I'm going to put some instant coffee in my feng shui situated microwave oven and hope some divine inspiration finds me.
05-10-12, 07:06 AM
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For sheer practicality I use just one. It converts to a shoulder bag, and it's less clunky to carry it up to the the elevator and then into the office. Two panniers might look more balanced, but they would be really awkward to maneuver around an office building.
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05-10-12, 07:18 AM
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When you're actually riding, there's almost no such thing as "throwing the balance off" - you will automatically compensate and not even realize it. You'd have to put something ridiculous like a load of bricks in there to make a noticeable difference.
I ride with a pannier on the right and a folding basket on the left in case I need more space unexpectedly. The pannier has my lighting battery and also my bag with lunch/wallet/phone/etc. and has plenty of room for extra clothing/rain gear/etc.
I ride with a pannier on the right and a folding basket on the left in case I need more space unexpectedly. The pannier has my lighting battery and also my bag with lunch/wallet/phone/etc. and has plenty of room for extra clothing/rain gear/etc.
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05-10-12, 08:23 AM
#30
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I run with two - one has my lunch, some tools and a windbreaker that I never use in it, the other has all my clothing. I could easily get by with one, I think that in addition to the extra cargo capacity I just like the look of two bags better then one.
05-10-12, 08:37 AM
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I usually commute with just one pannier opposite the drive side but planning on getting a donkey boxx to mount permanently.
05-10-12, 08:48 AM
#32
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I ride with two, sometimes I need to make a spur of the moment errand run/shopping trip, and it's nice to have the extra pannier for weight distribution on heavier loads. Plus I have a front rack and just add some front panniers if I need even more cargo carrying space.
05-10-12, 09:04 AM
#33
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Bike A) I stuff all 4 inside 1 rear. then I have more room if needed.
for grocery runs ..
Bike B) I strapped together 2 front bags, to come off as one.
not carrying rain gear will free up space.
[they are on the front rack of my Bike Friday,
actually makes better steering stability]
for grocery runs ..
Bike B) I strapped together 2 front bags, to come off as one.
not carrying rain gear will free up space.
[they are on the front rack of my Bike Friday,
actually makes better steering stability]
Last edited by fietsbob; 05-25-12 at 11:49 AM.
05-10-12, 09:40 AM
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05-10-12, 01:25 PM
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05-24-12, 09:11 PM
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One. It fits my nice clothes for work in the morning, my lunch, and my cold weather clothes in the pm, many times I put six refreshing beverages inside in the pm. No balance issues whatsoever. I have two panniers, but I've never used both. Try one- 97% of the time it will fill the bill.
05-25-12, 02:11 AM
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Agreed, it takes quite a bit of weight in a rear pannier to affect the bike much. Two gallons of milk, some canned food and a U-lock, and you might start to notice. Front panniers are a different story, try to load them equally. On my commuters, I start with a trunk bag, and if I need more capacity, I'll run one or both panniers as needed.
05-25-12, 06:40 AM
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05-25-12, 07:13 AM
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I'm not sure if that's the thread I'm thinking of, but the last time I saw someone making the case for symmetry, I tried to point out the flaw in that argument. All of this "asymmetrical stuff" that hangs on one side of the bike, yet we don't fall over because of it:
05-25-12, 07:16 AM
#40
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I usually rock one - timbuk2 shift messenger pannier. I have a set of Jandd Economy panniers too. Sometimes I do one of each. Depends on how much I need to carry.
05-25-12, 09:34 AM
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I use two. I carry dress clothes for work, laptop, towel, lunch, tools, lock, spare tube, etc. Sometimes shoes too although I try to keep a pair in the office. I could probably fit it all into one but it would be very tight and my shirt and tie would likely get wrinkled.
Plus I like to have some extra capacity just in case.
- John
Plus I like to have some extra capacity just in case.
- John
05-25-12, 10:35 AM
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One is just fine. Search about this forum. I got in a an argument with a coworker who worried I was "riding unbalanced" with just one, I posted here, as did he. He's a great guy, but a know-it-all with a thin skin. He was eaten for lunch here by the commuter grumps and never returned. If you can find the thread, it's mildly amusing.
Anyway, my wife rides every day with one large Ortlieb. I go with 1 or 2 of my Details depending. You'll be fine.
Anyway, my wife rides every day with one large Ortlieb. I go with 1 or 2 of my Details depending. You'll be fine.
in that thread.
05-25-12, 10:38 AM
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Addendum to my previous comment: the one time I'm really likely to notice having heavy stuff in one rear pannier, is when I try to lean the bike against my hip while I put my gloves on or something. With enough weight, it'll be side-heavy, and unexpectedly swing the front wheel and fall down.
05-25-12, 11:12 AM
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zero (just trunk bag) most days, one when I bring in clothes for the week, two when I know I'm going to be taking a bunch of stuff back home.
There's a heavy mass that goes on top of the saddle on my bike which makes any other mass balance negligible. YMMV.
There's a heavy mass that goes on top of the saddle on my bike which makes any other mass balance negligible. YMMV.
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