Well, I have been thinking about permanent panniers as a solution to my pannier woes.

I used to have a pair of Swiss military bread bags from the 70's that I used as panniers, but they opened too funky for my taste, so I returned them. Then, I tried a Bike Bag from OYB, and that did not work out, so I returned it (although, did not get my money back due to some customization I had forgotten about that I had the guy put on the bag, so there is $50 down the drain, but lesson learned, plus I got some personalized leather lashing straps from the deal, so it was okay, I guess, it was sort of my fault as I forgot about the customization to it when I sent them back ... , and now I am just toting my leather messenger bag around, but that is getting old.

However, the nice thing is that I have the ABUS u lock holder on my PDW Payload rack, so I do not have to cart my Mini Bulldog around on my person anymore, but I am still quite perplexed as to how I am going to carry the Mastiff when it comes this week, especially with the addition of the B18. I, also, have the Minnehaha Small Barrel Bag for my tools and spare lights, but I am short (5'3), so I have to keep my saddle low, so it does not fit really well under the saddle like it is supposed too.

I, also, do not like to keep things on Lola that are not bolted on (i.e. things that are bolted on her are my fenders, rack, Reelights, Monkey Lights, and I have no QS for anything), so I like to take things with me off the bike, but I am still in a state of pannier perplexidness (having an English Literature BA, I don't think that is a word, but oh well ... ).

I am considering these as a semi-permenant solution, because I can unsrew the wooden rack on my PDW, place the panniers under them, then screw the rack back on, and use a small lock to "semi-secure" them without having to take them off everytime I park Lola, and then I can just take a small purse with me in the bag, and other stuff that I need with me at the time. Although, I am not sure about keeping the tool bag in it, which is something that I would want to do, as I am not sure that I enjoy lugging them around with me.

Anyway, there is my rambling for today. On another note, I went to the Snow Show today, and bought gloves. They are very nice, and I am hoping they will work out for cycling.

They'd be semi-permanent like you say but they would not be watertight and look like they'd get quite soaked and nasty in a slight downpour while parked outside. If you felt like grabbing them and running inside with them... you can't. Looks like you'd be able to find something like that at the army surplus.

I consider a 'permanent pannier' to be something like these

the wald basket is time tested.. wont make the theft magnet fancier solutions create.


need Dry? rigid, rugged?
https://www.pelican.com/ then engineer how you want to mount them .

Motorcycle saddle bags would work for that as well. You could also get a set of open-topped grocery panniers,and zip tie them on to make them fairly secure.

https://www.donkeyboxx.com/

I with the thenomad on this one. Although your pedaling legs will break up most of the air there is still a lot of frontal area to push through the wind. Mine slow me down a lot more than just the extra weight. I take them off and on. I like the folding part and the basket part to solve this problem.

Another huge advantage those baskets have over a lot of bags, including those you're looking at, is that they don't stick above the rack when mounted. You can still strap something wide on the rack.

I wouldn't think twice about anything getting wet in baskets. The kayakers solved that problem when they came up with dry bags.

You can get the Wald basket here and here. Universal offers $2.00 shipping on most single item orders.

I have a set of suede panniers that I used to use when horseback riding. I was considering using them, but I am not sure how they will hold up to weather conditions, such as rain/snow/sleet etc, as when I used them it was always dry/sunny out.

So, I think this idea is shot to pooh-pooh.

So, back to the drawing board.

Good point nomad! Just curious, how much weight can these hold? I think I like these. Do you happen to know who makes them? I am a little worried about people being able to grab my stuff out of them if i am going slow ... any thoughts on that?

Thanks!

Good call on the fact that they do not stick out above the rack when mounted. Could further explain what you mean on the extra weight, and such, please? Thanks! Do you find that they are an issue with balance?

I'd say cargo nets combined with situational awareness... or maybe even lock your bag to the basket.

yeah, I'd doubt people snatching stuff out of the back of a passing bike is your biggest issue. Someone that bold wouldn't mind pushing you off the bike either.

I see these at large bike shops and even places like sports authority that have larger bike sections.
really minimal weight for a city cruiser especially if you use them daily

Yeah, that came out muddled. The simple non-techFred explanation:

Weight only makes a significant difference in pulling away from a stop or climbing a hill. Once rolling, the biggest thing working against bikers is air, having to push it aside to move through it.

A set of wide panniers on a bike is kinda like strapping an open umbrella to the rack, or a parachute on a skydiver.......it catches wind an will slow you down increasing pedal effort to remain at a set speed.

My panniers only weigh about 5.5lb but I have to be 2 gears lower on the trip to the store that I am without them. I can load them up and on the return trip I am still 2 gears lower than usual even though they now weigh 15 to 40 pounds. The weight isn't slowing me down---it's pushing the panniers though the air that increases the pedal effort causing me to gear down.

A solid bag will always hold you back, a basket would be almost nothing except for the contents.

These highly scientific findings are the result of seconds of worth of study to determine effort gauged by the effort expended by my calibrated 58 year old butt moving my bike at a speed determined my ultimately accurate bike computer and tires inflated to whatever they are at the time.

Balance isn't a problem. If you are carrying your feather collection and your rock collection to a friends house, put half of the feathers in each bag and leave the rocks at home. You will be fine.

Thanks for the further explanation! BTW, nice commuter!

https://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/...olding-basket/
https://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-Rear-G...ef=pd_sbs_sg_1
Or:
www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?doc_id=1841
www.instructables.com/id/KITTY-litter-pannier/

If you don't get your money, you should get your bags. Ask for them back, or at least a partial refund.

I have to agree with GNA...

Kitty litter boxes... ultra cheap and reliable!
https://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...13837603463449

Those should perfectly match her new Brooks saddle.

If you're a little craftsy and have a sewing machine, you can sew your own bags pretty easy. A nice coat of paste wax makes them reasonably waterproof.

Oh, good idea! I saw a blog post on this from one of bicycle blogs I follow. Unfortunately, I am not very crafty (except when it comes to making jewelry), I can't even draw a straight line, let alone sew one! Luckily, my Mom is very crafty, and a wonderful sewing machine, so maybe this could be her winter project.

I took your advice immediately when I saw this post, and am having him send me back the bag. He was very nice about, and sent it out (according to USPS) that day.

Thanks!

If I paint them pink they will!

Thanks for the links! Very helpful!

Or you can convert some old canvas bags, like the Etsy types: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...pannier-thread...
There are tons of projects like this, of various stages of Fredness, floating around blogs and Instructables:
https://veloapocalypse.files.wordpres...vepanniers.pdf

They match mine:

I did get the bag back, but now I do not know what to do with it. I am trying to live minimally - for personal & financial reasons - (not sure how well that is working out ... LOL ... But I'm trying/learning as I go). I think I have solved my toting things into town problem with this beautiful Po Campo Logan Bike Trunk Bag (https://shop.pocampo.com/products/logan). Again, this is the bag that I originally wanted & should have just gone with from the beginning! Oh well, since I was able to return the others and get the OYB bag back, I'm not out any money, but lesson learned for next time.

But, now what do I do with the OYB bag? LOL