Need Advice on Using and Securing Panniers
 

Hi all,

I started using a bicycle to commute to school and work everyday for the last 4 months but I realized that wearing a backpack wasn't super comfortable for riding.

So I invested in some functional and beautiful american hand-made panniers from Frost River. However, I am so scared to leave them locked up with my bike for fear they get stolen. The result is that I am not using the panniers anymore because taking them on and off is a hassle.

But I don't want to give up. And have decided to ask if anyone here can advise on how to secure my panniers so I can leave them locked with my bike without getting stolen.

Zip ties? But these can be cut. Sell them? And get some wald foldable baskets?

Open to suggestions! Thanks in advance :)

Not sure how your panniers attach, but maybe replace the mounting hardware with Ortlieb or Arkel versions.

Something like this maybe? http://pacsafe.com/pacsafe-55l-bag-protector

I don't know what your panniers look like but if they have handles or something similar maybe use a cable lock or even a ulock to secure them to the bike

You could also try u clamp bolts and bolt your pannier to the rack.

The safest thing of course is to take them with you. I also don't think most people would realize the value enough to just steal the panniers.

If you want to try to bolt them down I would cut small holes through your panniers. (to reduce the risk of further tearing i would install grommets in the holes.) and then put the u bolt clamp through the pannier and attach them to the rack.
U lock clamp : http://www.ted-kyte.com/3D/Pictures/...fflerClamp.jpg

Edit: Also could you post a pic of your panniers, it'd help with thinking of solutions to actually know what your working with.

Ortlieb have an anti-theft device for their panniers. Might be usable for you or give you ideas to make your own.

http://evobike.hu/sajatfiok/kepek/fs...zkgusglxr.jpeg

Andrew

I used four zip ties per pannier to secure them to the rack. It wasn't for security reasons. I was tired of them flopping around.

My panniers are the dry bag type, so I used a cable gun lock to keep it closed. I then took a regular cable bike lock and wrapped it around both panniers, through the bike frame, bike rack and rear wheel. I then used a regular master lock on the flap to secure the flap closed and attach it to the cable lock.

You can remove this one from the rack in less than 1s

http://www.louisgarneau.com/in-en/pr...YCLING_PANNIER

Leaving a bag on a bike attract thiefs and when thiefs are interested nothing will stop them. It's better not to make them interested at start.

I buy panniers that are easy on/off with handles and straps so I can take the pannier with me. I would NEVER leave a pannier on a bike unattended.

Shoulda gone with Ortliebs or Arkels. Mass produced and easy to take on/off ;)

Mass produced?? The price doesn't tell much

You can get just the quick release clamps for bontrager interchange panniers. Don't know if you can figure out a way to adapt them to work with what you have, but take a look:

http://bontrager.com/model/07193

They don't have any fancy attachment systems. They have two leather straps with a buckle near the bottom which you attach to the bottom of the rack. The rest is left to gravity. See the dilemma? If anyone undoes the leather strap and buckle they could take the panniers easily.

The Ortlieb anti-theft device suggested above look like they might do the trick but I'll have to do some research.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=282539http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=282540http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=282541

If where you park worries you, I'd say Don't leave them On..

My touring rig OTOH, I had a very effective Beckman designed
system on bags, his, to fit Bruce Gordon's Racks.
webbing straps pull down against the Hooks.

Rather than figuring out a way to secure the panniers to the bike, I would figure out a way to make said panniers easy-on-easy-off. That way if you stash something valuable in the panniers you don't have to concern yourself with worrying that the contents will be stolen. Just take the panniers and contents with you and reduce the risk of either being stolen.

I have Bontrager Interchange panniers and they are easy enough to mount/dismount that I just take 'em with me no hesitation.