A shopping bag style (open top) pannier works better for me ergonomically on the right side. Conventional panniers with a flap that opens to the outside work better for me on the left side, which is the side I mount/dismount on. Other than these ergonomics, there are no significant considerations for me.

Left side, only because that was where I first tried it and adjusted the bag accordingly. But now that I think about it, I wouldn't want it on the chain side because of the likelihood of brushing up against the chain with my pants.

Another Left Side/Traffic Side user.

I've gotten away from using my pannier(s) on the rear wheel rack since I went with the Xootr Crossrack (which conveniently places one pannier behind the seat, mounted off the seat post, in the centerline of the bike), but when I did run one conventional rack pannier, it was left side for reasons of visibility, parking (always chain wall side) and because I'm a left-foot "landing gear" guy, so it balanced better at stops.

Day Panniers

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=353370

Really surprised at how many people ride with panniers on the right!

I always use the left side so the pannier's reflective materials and additional blinker are clearly seen in traffic, and also because IMO drivers seem to leave some extra room with the pannier sticking out.

Left FTW

Left, to make my cycle look visually larger on the side that traffic will pass me on. And it also keeps it away from the chain.

Although a recumbent trike doesn't exactly need help in that regard. I don't really get treated any differently with or without panniers.

Left side. Three reasons:

1. May decrease the tendency to see me as at the position of the tires.
2. Less gunk on my pannier from the chain, cogs, etc.
3. I can squeeze between a guard rail and a rumble-strip easier at a couple key locations on my commute.

PS. I rubbed the rail with my right pannier once (carrying two) and it's amazing how little contact was needed to wear a hole in the pannier.

Interesting - I haven't tried 1 pannier yet, but I always assumed I would put it on my left so it was on the road side (for reflective material, something for cars to see, etc). Now I wonder if right would make more sense as I always put my right foot down when stopping. Will have to try it out once I get my new panniers and rack.

Most commuters don't carry enough weight in one pannier to worry about that kind of weight to effect which leg to put down, if that was a concern then the bike would be unbalanced anyway and you would need two panniers to redistribute the weight evenly. I all carry is maybe 10 pounds if that, so I put it on the left for no real reason other than to keep away from the chain side so nothing gets mucked up, but I never leave anything hanging so that could happen. My briefcase pannier does have reflective material so being on the left is ok I guess for that.

I just think people are making too big of deal out of this!!

I've used both and one on either side. I found that running one bag on the left did nothing for getting buzzed on narrow/shoulder-less roads with an equal non-effect for running a right side bag. I never worried about getting gunk on the right bag because wiping it off is a non-issue. Generally, the most significant aspect I encountered was having to counter balance heavier loads when taking off from a stop (someone mentioned above that this is nearly never an issue for most riders, but he must have forgotten those who carry groceries on their bicycles...especially when you throw a six pack in there).

I stopped running panniers at all because as I decreased weight to only one bag, I realized that I could just strap a backpack on. My bike handles better (especially when dodging potholes or tire-swallowing cracks that I didn't notice early enough to cruise around) and when I dismount my gear comes with me, sans the suitcase-carry.

Right side, if my bike goes down on that side, I hope it'll save my RDR.

Left side for both of these reasons.

Left side. I keep a fairly tall kickstand on my bike, so it is just barely off of straight. If I put something heavy in the pannier, it doesn't topple over. I use double panniers while touring (and when my name is drawn for our department's Friday breakfast). One time, while camping, I unloaded the left side first and the load on the right side pulled my bike to the ground.

(edit) For most commutes, I don't have much in the pannier, so it probably wouldn't matter. The biggest load I occasionally need to accommodate is a gallon of milk on my way home.

Left side. Mostly because it just felt right, but also because I wanted the additional reflective material on the traffic side and I park my bike with the right side up against the wall at home. As I read through the comments I realized I also 'land' on that side of the bike, which is perhaps why it felt natural.

Guess what. Doesn't matter - "Tastes great. Less filling."

J.

Left side because it just feels better to me. I put lightweight stuff in a trunk bag.

Depends on the time of year.
In winter, bringing boots/sweaters/jeans to work, plus food = need two panniers oftentimes, especially if going to the store after work.
If using one I usually use the left one because I don't want to move my repair kit, wallet, extra keys, pump, other miscellany from one bag to the other.
But I try to use the right one every so often so the wear is more even on both the bags and my rack. It's amazing what rain and grit will wear into after 1.5 years.

This is exactly my reasoning as well. I'm using kittier I made myself, so I could have put reflective material all around for mounting either side, but I decided since I always keep it on the left, I only need to put reflection on one side (reflective strips cut off a road-found hwy/construction vest and duct-taped on)

I have eBayed a 5' roll of 3M Conspicuity adhesive tape, and I plan on slicing it into an attention-getting design, which I will stick onto only the face which is rearward when left-mounted.

when I ran one I ran it in the left. not really sure why, no reason I guess. I ended up running two most of the time Amway just in case I unexpectedly needed to carry extra, and when you already have a rack, an extra, empty pannier doesn't really weigh anything.



um, I realize this probably doesn't matter unless you are carrying really heavy loads, but a properly set up kick stand will always be more stable with the heavy load on the same side as it leans, the left side.

not sure how both of you came to the opposite conclusion.

Full of groceries and liquor a pannier is not light. + my parking spot in my house it leans to the left to the wall.
so hanging the 2 panniers in one goes on the right.
\do WTF you want./

I came to that conclusion by personal experience. As far as I know, my kickstand is properly set up. I have the greenfield kickstand and cut it according to the manufacturer's instructions. As I understand it, the ideal kickstand setup will require roughly the same amount of force applied either from the left or right side of an unloaded bicycle to knock it over. I typically carry a single pannier weighing from 10-20 lbs. On the right side, the bicycle just barely stays standing; on the left, it won't even pretend to... I am open to suggestions, although I am sure the overall dimensions of the bike have a lot to do with it. I have a 60cm touring frame, which I imagine means the moment of force applied by the pannier about the kickstand is likely much greater than that of a smaller 26" frame. Not to mention the height of the BB and thus, the height of the kickstand plate from the ground...chainstay length...and other considerations.

I lean my bike on the left side at work and home, so when only one pannier is employed, it goes on the right.

I put a single pannier on the L side away from the chain, derailleurs, gears.

More recently I've switched to using an XL trunk bag with zip-out panniers. That lets me center the load better so there is less sway on my quick-release beam rack. Most of the time I can fit all my stuff in the trunk bag don't need to open out the panniers. It's enough cargo space for light commutes to work.

Right. If I put it on the left, the bike would tip over on the kick stand. On the right it's sitting partly over the wheel contact patch.

The "buffer" thing is silly - it doesn't stick out any farther than your leg and pedal do.