A question for all those pannier users...
08-12-12 | 07:11 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Thunder Whisperer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,841
Likes: 7
From: NE OK
Bikes: '06 Kona Smoke
A question for all those pannier users...
Do you ride exclusively on pavement?
My gut tells me that you probably do, but not really sure.
My gut tells me that you probably do, but not really sure.
__________________
Community guidelines
Community guidelines
08-12-12 | 07:24 PM
#2
Bicycle Commuter
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 726
Likes: 1
From: Springfield, IL
08-12-12 | 09:53 PM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Sioux Falls
Bikes: Bianchi Road bike, Nashbar Ultegra triple cyclocross, Raleigh full XT hybrid, lugged steel Schwinn, Full rigid Diamondback MTB
I tend to bias my commute to the pavement, but end up with about 5% hardpack or gravel. Whether the bike's wearing panniers or not has no influence on what surface (paved, gravel, hardpack) I choose to ride.
08-12-12 | 09:59 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs
Bikes: Borealis Echo, Ground Up Designs Ti Cross bike, Xtracycle, GT mod trials bike, pixie race machine
My old commute had a mile or two of single track that I would ride with my lightly loaded (clothes/lunch/work boots) panniers and I never had any issues with them and there were plenty of rocky/rooty sections of trail. They are even cheapy panniers from Axiom.
08-12-12 | 10:00 PM
#10
bragi
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 3
From: seattle, WA
Bikes: LHT
I usually ride on pavement, but not always. I've toured for long distances on dirt roads with panniers without even thinking about it. I wouldn't do a technical mountain bike trail with panniers, but other than that, I wouldn't hesitate to use panniers on any surface. They do look a bit dorky, true, but a hot, sweaty back is even more dorky, and not having to support the weight on your own body is way easier over any longer distance.
08-12-12 | 10:01 PM
#11
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,285
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
08-12-12 | 10:21 PM
#12
Thread Starter
Thunder Whisperer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,841
Likes: 7
From: NE OK
Bikes: '06 Kona Smoke
__________________
Community guidelines
Community guidelines
08-13-12 | 08:11 AM
#14
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 15
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
My commute includes these cobbled climbs (which become descents on the way home)...
...and a section between them that's being allowed to revert to unimproved. It goes from asphalt, to broken pavement, to gravel, to packed dirt with some loose sandy sections, and of course, mud when it's wet.
I use panniers. (And 25mm or 28mm road tires, depending on the bike.)
...and a section between them that's being allowed to revert to unimproved. It goes from asphalt, to broken pavement, to gravel, to packed dirt with some loose sandy sections, and of course, mud when it's wet.
I use panniers. (And 25mm or 28mm road tires, depending on the bike.)
08-13-12 | 09:44 AM
#17
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
MUP includes a couple planked in Rail trestles,
[so as to be able to walk/ride between and either side of the tracks]
shared with a Trolley car, used for tourist sightseeing.
requires attention to not drop a wheel in the gap in planks for train wheel flange.
And, FWIW, there are a few blocks of brick paved streets, here.
[so as to be able to walk/ride between and either side of the tracks]
shared with a Trolley car, used for tourist sightseeing.
requires attention to not drop a wheel in the gap in planks for train wheel flange.
And, FWIW, there are a few blocks of brick paved streets, here.
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-13-12 at 09:48 AM.
08-13-12 | 10:27 AM
#18
Unlisted member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 435
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
08-13-12 | 11:12 AM
#19
No
08-13-12 | 11:36 AM
#21
Old, but not really wise
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 814
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA commuting to Washington DC
Bikes: 2010 Kona Dew Drop (the daily driver),'07 Specialized Roubaix (the sports car), '99 ish Kona NuNu MTB (the SUV), Schwinn High Plains (circa 1992?) (the beater)
Not exclusively, no. On one of my regular routes, I have a 1.5-2 mile stretch of canal tow path that is dirt/gravel with large rocks to negotiate. I will say that riding this stretch on my MTB with my cheap Avenir panniers led me to seek out higher quality hardware for them, after two hooks loosened completely in as many weeks. Although I had no problems with the hardware on my regular commuter rig, I decided the tougher hardware was worth it, in the long run.
I would have no hesitation running panniers over rough stuff, though I'd be careful to inspect them regularly, lest some part fail prematurely. I do think the constancy of vibration is tougher than the occasional (or even frequent) pothole, pavement irregularity or curb hop, though this is purely based on anecdotal evidence and no science :-)
I would have no hesitation running panniers over rough stuff, though I'd be careful to inspect them regularly, lest some part fail prematurely. I do think the constancy of vibration is tougher than the occasional (or even frequent) pothole, pavement irregularity or curb hop, though this is purely based on anecdotal evidence and no science :-)
08-13-12 | 12:05 PM
#22
"Per Ardua ad Surly"
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Bikes: Bianchi Specialissima, Mongoose Hilltopper ATB, Surly Cross-Check, Norco City Glide
No. A couple of years ago did a 35km each way commute that was 90% off road with panniers. Had no problems at all.
08-13-12 | 12:25 PM
#23
always rides with luggage
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 20
From: KIGX
Bikes: 2007 Trek SU100, 2009 Fantom CX, 2012 Fantom Cross Uno, Bakfiets
Sometimes I hit the gravel roads down by the bay on the way home. It's too buggy this time of year, though. Oddly, gravel roads aren't nearly as much of a problem for my panniers as are disjointed sidewalk slabs, below-grade manhole covers, and the one time a 2x4 was across the road and I rode over it.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
08-13-12 | 12:26 PM
#24
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
Yup, I have about a mile of this...Also, I have about 3 miles of shoulder to ride that damn near qualify for "off road" status. Never had an issue with the panniers except them getting a little muddy it is has been raining.
08-13-12 | 02:51 PM
#25
"Per Ardua ad Surly"
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Bikes: Bianchi Specialissima, Mongoose Hilltopper ATB, Surly Cross-Check, Norco City Glide
Did yer have a run at the stupid geese? I don't like them.