the sci guy 

so i did a little more reading and tried some more thorough google image searching about these, and i don't like that they don't attach to the rack by clips, there are just hangars/hooks on the back that sit on the rack. it looks like some velcro straps are designed to hold it to the rack? (and these rip off) and apparently the hook at the bottom isn't affixed to the loop, and falls off regularly.

now i'm not sure I want these anymore.

puckett129

No. Maybe their rack wasn't thick enough? I'm not saying it's impossible, but I don't see how it would happen. That being said - I ride relatively smooth, paved surfaces.

Spld cyclist

I have a pair of the Nashbar waterproof panniers linked in the first post. They didn't hold up well to my commute. The handles tore off after a while, and the plastic sheet on the outside of one came off when the rivets failed. (It doesn't show up in the photo, but on the lower back side there is a plastic sheet that sort of holds the bungee hook in place and also helps to stiffen the bag). Bungee suspensions are never very good, but they would stay secure on the rack if I used the little velcro safety tabs. After the Nashbar bags started to wear out, I bought a pair of Inertia Designs panniers that have been bombproof and far more secure on the rack.

One problem with panniers that have fixed hook locations (like the Nashbar ones) is that they may not work well with all racks. The hooks might interfere with the rack structure, or the pannier might end up too far forward resulting in heel strike. Having adjustable hooks like my ID panniers and some of the other good brands can be the difference between usable and useless.

The basic bag part actually did hold together and it is fairly waterproof. I've been thinking of buying new attachment hardware from Arkel or Orlieb and putting it on the Nashbar bags. That would solve my problems (e.g. the handles are integrated into the new hardware and the hooks are heavy duty, secure, and adjustable), and I would probably would get a number of years of use out of them. However, if I was starting over, I would skip them and buy something better in the first place.

I don't have any experience with the other Nashbar panniers you asked about, but I wouldn't have high hopes....

andyprough

OK great. They'll be here in a couple of days - can't wait. I just went to the grocery with my small backpack, and my wife called me while I was there and gave me a list of a bunch of additional stuff that wouldn't all fit in the backpack. I was thinking "those panniers can't get here soon enough" as I arranged straps and bungee cords to try to tie it all down.

the sci guy 

Well, based on what y'all said, and what else I found online, I decided against the Nashbar ones.

I ended up with this instead: Amazon.com : Seattle Sports Rain Rider Pannier Bike Bag : Bike Panniers And Rack Trunks : Sports & Outdoors
Seattle Sports Rain Rider

deeth82

That pannier looks good, and so do the reviews! As you are a Guy of Sci, you will need to report back with the data on how they held up. I'd be seriously interested to know.

I can relay these pro's for the Nashbar panniers: They do keep the water out (although I don't ride in the rain too often), and they can hold a lot of stuff. They don't present any heel-strike issues for me on my crank-forward cruiser bikes.

Cons are:

◘ Floppy shape
◘ Elastic hook connection wouldn't be too reliable in the long haul, methinks. I like Spld's idea about improving the connecting hardware; there's nothing like the satisfying feeling of upgrading gear with a little DIY.
◘ Their depth can be a negative mark based on heel strike. I prefer to ride my Racers to work, and they're a size "Large" (fit my 6'1" gelatinous body well enough) with seat stays that are relatively close to the 1 o'clock position. The racks are Wald 215's which are not only aesthetically pleasing to me and can hold a lot of weight if need be, but they're much easier to connect cleanly to the Racer, unlike my Topeak Explorers...the bad part is, the Wald racks are about 1-1/2" shorter than my Topeak Explorer racks, which make all sorts of panniers inaccessible for me due to heel strike (size 12 shoes; this happens with crank arms 170mm and smaller). Even though this situation only specifically applies to me, I'm passing on this knowledge in the hope of helping others. I've used two different sets of Ibera panniers, as well as the Nashbar panniers mentioned above and the *chuckle* Nashbar suit bag, which never worked at all because you basically need an Xtracycle to rack it properly. In the end, I ended up stashing more clothes at work and just using the Avenir Excursion Rack Top Bag, which worked out better with less weight anyway.



Sorry for the TMI moment there...please do report back to this thread after you try the Seattle Sports bag(s) out!

Mr Pink57

Looks like a solid simple bag.

I am not so sure on blackburn bags, they seem to be hit or miss with most people from the reviews I have read and what I have seen on here. I do not know anyone with Nashbar panniers but I do own a few of their other items and most of their stuff is just rebadged stuff anyways. I've never had problems with their other items.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I just snagged one of these today to replace my Lezyne Rack Caddy which as been alright but is not very durable. I have a Ibera rack on my bike to so the integrated system will work great (rack fits a 29x2.35 big apple tubeless underneath it!).

fietsbob

dont tie you shoe laces together , though you can ,,


I strapped 2 Ortlieb Sport packers together to use on My Bike Friday front rack so they come off and stay together.

it works with that rack .

TransitBiker

Tell us how they work out for you!

- Andy

prathmann

So are you getting one or a pair? These look to be better quality than the regular Nashbar model but a bit smaller - and especially so if you just get one.

the sci guy 

I just got one for now. I'm just doing some like commuting to work, so all I need is a change of clothes. We have lockers and showers at work. I probably won't even change out of my sneakers on most days either so I don't have to worry about lugging around dress shoes all the time.

I'll report back on how it is. It should arrive tomorrow, and will be in use Monday!

andyprough

They just arrived today. What a steal! $15 bucks apiece. My first ride was perfect. I adjusted the allen bolts on the clips to move them back a few inches on my rack and give me plenty of heel clearance. So easy to clip on and take off, and nice and roomy. And there are two layers of protection against the rain, so as long as it's not a sideways-driving rain storm, they should be perfect for transporting a change of clothes and a laptop. Thanks again for the heads-up - feel like i just saved about $80 bucks and handled my pannier bag needs for the next couple of years.

puckett129

Glad you like em!

surfjimc

I've been commuting daily with these panniers for the last two years without any issues. They come in pairs, hang on hooks, have two velcro straps to hold them on and there is a bungy/hook to hold on the bottom. They are flimsy, but they have carried between 10-30 lbs every day for two years, gone for groceries, and even been on a few tours. They are still in great shape and I am expecting to use them for another year if all goes well. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a pair given my experience with them.

the sci guy 

It's really interesting to see all the different experiences people have had with these. It almost makes me think it's a quality control issue as they come off the manufacturing line. Some seem to be put together terribly while others work for the long haul. But, when your product has a lot of quality inconsistencies like that, I'm inclined to look elsewhere.

Rudz

On my nashbar panniers I replaced the hook that connects the bottom of the rack with a carabiner clip on both sides, and I added bigger carabiner clips to the front of each bag, to secure it to the rack.

I still use the factory velcro straps add well.

the sci guy 

Well, Day 1 with the new pannier (Seattle Sports Rain Rider) and so far so good. I like the way it attaches and it seemed pretty solid the whole ride there and back (about 13 miles round trip) and Houston roads are like riding a mountain trail with rocks and roots. It held everything I needed for a day at work (see pic). Obviously I haven't checked its waterproofness because it didn't rain today. Not much else to report.......yet.
Here's some pics




The few tools I need fit easily in the outside slash pocket - and I also stashed my lights and GPS in there once I locked up the bike at work.


All rolled up, ready to go



It attaches by hooks, but there are little clips on the inside of the them that make the hooks grasp the bar of the rack, not just sit on it. The hooks are moveable as well, as you can see.


The bottom attachment is also pretty neat. It rotates to slide behind a single bar, or two bars, depending on what your rack looks like. In my case it slide behind the two, keeping it even more secure in it's spot.