Whatever bags you do get (and I'd add Arkel to this mix - check it out), make sure that you are good with the placement vis a vis your heels. If you are looking at Tubus racks, I'd recommend NOT buying any of them that are designated "evo". These racks are not compatible with the extension kit that allows you to move the rack up one inch and back one inch. You'll likely need this if your bike has short chainstays or you have big (as in normal) sized feet. Their skewer based racks, normally used for disc brakes do essentially the same thing but are pretty futzy if you have to change a tire.

J.

I went this way and am really happy. I got some front rollers I really like so I'll probably stick with Ortlieb. Now I'm looking for larger panniers for big load days - So the question is Ortlieb Rollers or Packers? I only want to buy once. any advice from those who have tried both?

I have the Topeak rack and bag, and a full set of Ortlieb rollers. For commuting, I greatly prefer the Topeak, which is expandable to carry lunch, and laptop and extra clothes, as needed. The Ortlieb bags have the advantage of being waterproof, whereas the Topeak bag needs a rain cover. The expandability and easy on/off feature of the Topeak bag is really nice. Also, not having a bag or two hanging off the side in the rear is nice for narrower areas, and the Topeak bag is definitely more aerodynamic, especially with the panniers folded up.

Thanks for all the input so far!

As for racks, I am having a hard time figuring out if the Tubus racks are really worth the price premium for me. My LBS recommend a Blackburn which would be less the half the price of most Tubus racks. Of course most cheaper ones are aluminum, not steel - any reason to go with one of the other?

Ortlieb has some nice looking products. Very interested in the Office bag and/or maybe a more traditional panier when need to carry more. Wish I could look at these at a retailer though, as its nicer to see/feel a bag then look at pictures and dimensions. Not really sure how large I need to carry things like a change of clothes and lunch.

As a Life Member of SNM-Sons of Neanderthal Man-I have found the Pletscher racks quite satisfactory on my 3 speeds
. They have a built in reflector/flashing light bracket. They come in two styles,one fastens to the seatpost bolt, the other fastens to the seatstays, a t-brace fastened to the brake bolt and the bolts on the rack will keep it from slipping.

+1 on separates, and using fronts on the back. I run an ancient pair of Cannondale fronts that I picked up for a song on Craigslist. They aren't anywhere near waterproof but I line them each with a large kitchen bag and have never gotten anything wet yet.

I keep tools, spare tube and my lunch on the right and my clothing on the left, with room to spare in each. Though I don't need it I have a handlebar bag that I use for my easy reach stuff. Having a little cargo carrying capacity to spare is not a bad thing IMO. ;)

Wow, I've never seen that one before-- I'll have to look into that! I use Banjo Brothers waterproof panniers, and I think they're great. $50 each; waterproof; and roll top, so on trips where you don't have to close the top they're HUGE. They have black, red and white, and they come with a shoulder strap.
http://banjobrothers.com/products/cu...proof-pannier/

Also check out Racktime racks. Same company as Tubus but aluminum not steel I think and much lower price point, but well made I hear. People seem to like the Addit.

Thanks for the advice! Might be a good way to stay in my budget (or save some money for other toys).

Racktime racks are good. Used them for years.

aside form my cheap panniers and a removable top bag, when I don't want to carry the top bag I throw this into my panners for "just in case"
http://www.amazon.com/Pyramid-Bicycl...bxgy_sg_text_z

I'm not the OP, but I've been trying to decide which panniers to buy. My candidates are:

Ortlieb Front-Runner Panniers
Arkel GT-18

If I go with either, I will use them on my rear rack. I need compact panniers that are waterproof.

Are there any reasons you'd choose one or the other? If so, I'd appreciate your sharing them.

I am the OP, so no expert, but I have been considering the Ortlieb Front-Runners as one option and I generally prefer front panniers as they are a bit smaller. Hadn't seen the Arkel's before, but look interesting. The BP version that can convert to a backpack looks particularly interesting for carrying off the bike. They are very different panniers - the Ortlieb is a full waterproof bag and the Arkel is a normal bag with a waterproof liner in the main compartment. This allows external compartments for organizing smaller items, but these are not waterproof. I guess part of the questions is what do you value more, waterproof or some external pockets.

Would be very curious to know if anyone has experience with Arkel products.

I have a GT-18. I prefer it for it's pockets and compression straps to reduce the profile.

J.

I own stuff from Arkel and stuff from Ortleib. Both are deserving of their top quality reputation. The differences between the two brands are clear.

Arkel appeals to those who like lots of compartments--a place for everything and everything in its place.

Ortleib appeals to those who like the flexibility of big empty space with no pesky dividers cluttering things up.

Let your own psychology decide.

I use the Topeak Super Tourist DX Disc; was under $40 on Amazon a couple months ago; now $44.72:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZKHN6Y/..._M3T1_ST1_dp_1

Reasons I like this rack:

- disc compatible (but also works with V-brakes; had one on my old bike)
- has a second set of rails on the sides below the top rack, so that even if you have something on top, you can still take panniers on/off as they're mounted a little lower
- has the MTX QuickTrack™ System which allows you to slide on your choice of MTX trunk bags along the rails and locks the bag into place without having to use bungee cords

More details here:

http://topeak.com/products/Racks/Sup...bularRack_disc

I decided on a pair of Ortlieb Front Roller Classics. I do like the fact that the GT-18 has external pockets, which come in handy as I can just throw my keys, wallet and cellphone in there without opening the pannier itself. However, the Front Roller's form factor (12.5 L x 2) was more appealing to me than that of the GT-18 (18 L x 1). The pair configuration allows me to go lightweight by using just one when I don't have much to carry. My wife and I can use one each on a weekend bike trip as well.

http://home.comcast.net/~daihard/ima...e/panniers.jpg

To be clear, there is no requirement to use two GT18's. They can be used individually. Unless I'm not understanding what you are saying.

J.

True, there's no such requirement. What I mean by "form factor" is that two Ortlieb FRs are big enough for me together and yet can be used separately - when I need them both, I can put them on both sides of the bike for load balancing, or when my wife and I go out cycling, we both can use one. Yes, I could do the same with two GT-18s, but that would be (1) too big and (2) too expensive for me. If you check the prices of the two products, you'll notice that two GT-18s is twice as expensive as two Ortlieb FRs.