I hate having stuff on my back so much that I just bought this Showers Pass Veleau 42 bike-mounted hydration system (only $29 at MEC in Canada!). Only rode it once, and felt so FREE having nothing on my back. Noticed the lid of the hydration system if I was sitting back in the saddle, but it didn't bother me. As the reviews have all said, the "gravity kit" (the magnet strapped with an o-ring to the top tube) came off on my first ride. It does not stand up well to me dismounting and standing over the top tube while waiting at lights. Fortunately (or maybe it doesn't matter) I saw it hanging there at a light and was able to pocket it. That said though, I'll just be somehow mounting a magnet or even a small piece of steel with zap straps to my top tube for a more permanent receiver for the magnetic mid-way along the tube.

Pretty sweet And nothing left to wear on my back!

Nah. Mine have a top like that. (Arkel Shopper)

It depends on what you buy. Rain doesn't bother produce, frozen, meats, deli, canned goods, or bread (in plastic). Even snack food like chips are fine, and I can leave then sticking out the top so they're not broken, even in the rain. It can be a problem for things wrapped in paper or boxboard like flour, sugar, and breakfast cereal.

In any event, I've had mine for over four years now, without ever damaging anything due to rain.

If the open top really, really bothers you, then there's the Utility Basket which closes completely. Makes it a problem to leave the celery sticking out the top, though.

Well today was my first commute with the pannier. It was definately more comfortable (althouhg I still had a pack to carry my lunch and hydration.) My back feels way better (and so does my butt.) A couple questions:

Even with the pannier all the way back against my rack, I am getting healstrike unless I bike pigeon toed. Can I move the rack pack further or is that just how I am supposed to bike?

With one Pannier with my 12lb computer in it I was walking the bike holding the handle and the bike tried to flip over on me- is this typical?

Anyway big +1 on the panniers. My speed was about the same, but the ride was much more enjoyable.

I certainly can move my panniers back and would and have , to keep my heels clearing the Bags.

Can You ? I dont know what your capabilities are, other than writing here..

I've spent years using whatever bag I happen to have and lashing it to my rear rack with bungies. Panniers are godsend, because they're so quick and easy to put on and take off.

I decided against my pannier today, and I strapped my eight-pound lock-and-chain to my rack. I was fine because I have practice, but it reminded me that it's just not worth it. I should have taken the pannier.

thank you for adding nothing to the conversation other than showing off you knowledge of grammar.

so with the help of the LBS (Rainy Peak Cycles should you ever be in Cottage Grove OR) I got it setup so it doesn't heal strike. It looks kinda funny to me with the rack adjusted so far back- I will post a picture later. But it works.

It definitely changes the handling of the bike, but my commute is pretty non technical- seven miles of MUP after going through a small town. Back in my PDX days it would have been an issue, but not now. Heading out soon to enjoy another perfect day on a bike!

Seems Odd from a mechanic's point, that visuals would be more important than function.

in a situation like this..

the other way , raising and tilting the bags , also looks different .


at least you went in person to a shop , so things that were difficult to describe were easy show and see.

If looks was more important than function than I would not have moved the rack back- seeing as I did your statement is incorrect. Saying it looks odd is indeed an observation of form, but I am firmly a function-first kinda guy. Also it is hard to be vain when you are a 300lb man on a bike.

As far as function the weight moving so far aft changes the handling of the bike, but that negative is more than offset by the increased comfort of a normal foot position provided by the extra clearence of the movement of the rack allows. The whole point of this exersize has been to do this without any additional expenditures, and the current setup works perfectly in this regard.

i have different kinds of panniers. If you have them you start riding more because a quick trip to the store is actually more convenient with a bike. I do laundry with the bike.

I commuted for 14 years with a backpack. 1-1/2 months ago I switched to a rack and bag, due to the straps on the backpack I was using causing the compression of the tendon sheath in my shoulder, which has been ridiculously slow to heal. The only way I'd ever go back to a backpack is if it had a waist belt to hold the weight.


FWIW. fietsbobs question wasn't far-fetched. There are people on this forum that don't know that Panniers can slide or that some racks have extenders that are sold seperately, which move the load even farther back.