Non-drive side because it's cleaner. Mounting on the drive side the pannier is more likely to get soiled with chain lubricant and other nasty stuff kicked up by the rotating parts. And, if like me you carry your pannier into the office, you will probably transfer that black tarry sludge to your clothes.

A double legged kickstand will eliminate the lean issue.

Matt

I think that the non-drive side is dirtier due to road grime from cars, especially if it is wet out. Or at least equally as dirty.

Two panniers should always be used.
Using a single pannier makes the bike look unbalanced.

Yes I will ride with one completely empty pannier and then carry it inside wih me and cram it into my locker then in the afternoon put it back on still empty and ride home all in the name of balanced aesthetics.

+1. If I'm using 2 panniers, it's my non-drive side one that always has my essentials (wallet, keys, phone).

That's another advantage of folding baskets.......they fold.

Glad you agree that aesthetics trump all.

+1

Carried a gallon of milk for the first time in my trek interchange's earlier. It fit with room to spare. I was prepared to carry it in backpack. Instead, i folded up backpack & put in with reusable grocery bag in the outer pocket. At my next stop, used backpack to carry other items (3x 1 liter purell bottles) then finally put a half gallon of chocolate milk in backpack at second grocery store, before heading home.

I regretted having the pannier on the right side, as bike kept wanting to fall away from kickstand. lesson learned, i will carry both from now on. It's no biggie, as the side straps can cinch it to be very flat. Only the rain cover in its pocket really sticks out.

- Andy

what an odd shopping trip.

My thought as well.

[MENTION=369902]TransitBiker[/MENTION]
Is the Interchange a pannier? I have never had an issue putting a gallon of milk and the rest of the weeks groceries in my two panniers.

I use a Topeak trunk bag with fold-out panniers. I only need one on a normal morning commute, to carry my pants and belt. Other stuff fits in trunk bag.

My bike stays inside the house with the drive side up against the wall. For that reason, and really only that reason, I always use the NDS pannier to carry pants and belt. I find it a bit of a PITA whenever I have to use both of them. But I don't think I have ever used only the drive side one.

I have tried both sides for one pannier. Up until recently I used the left side (or road side). But because I am short and have a small frame the pannier blocked my view from my rear view mirror. I use drop bars with bar end mirror on the road side. So I switched to the right side and have found no issues at all, except that I can now see clearly out of my rear view mirror. FWIW I don't believe you are any less visible with the bag on the right side as compared to the left side.

I was out & needed more, dunno how that is odd. I usually put the milk in my backpack to reduce weight on the rack & allow space for the numerous other items i get when i do a big shopping. this was just milk.

Yes. I've never usually been able to, because as noted above, the panniers are usually full up with everything else. Milk & U lock go in the backpack on those trips. Having mostly dry goods in the panniers = lighter & better handling response.

- Andy

I put them on the side toward traffic. Big old reflective strip on the back of the pannier. Helps inspire drivers to give me more space.

I load the non-drive side first for reasons already given and one other; I have two panniers with holes in them and in both cases it's from rubbing a guard rail (my main commute has a narrow section of shoulder between a guard rail and a rumble strip.)

Maybe it's just force of habit, but I've got my basket on the drive side. Having it there seems to make it easier to hop on and off, especially when it's loaded with groceries or whatever else.

Another past thread of wisdom:

https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...e-pannier.html

Mine are side-specific, but if using only one it goes on the left side.

I'm right handed, always mount from the left, typically bail to the right (away from traffic), and have a rear mounted kickstand on the left.

I like being able to get off the bike, drop the kick stand, and have the bag there to conveniently dig through. Then again, I never reach in to my bag while stopped at a red light or anything; they are for transporting purposes only. If I need quick access to anything, I'll hook up the handlebar bag quick before I go.

It depends on which pannier I grab from the pile. If I grab the right side pannier, that's the side I put it on. If I grab the left, it goes on the left.

Since i now carry a tiny set of very basic tools (basically just for mechanical adjustments) in the right bag's small inner zip pocket, that one always goes with me. Earlier today i adjusted the brakes after my bike fell (unattended shopping cart rolled into it) because it knocked them out of position as well as the handlebars. Tire/tube tools are next on the list.

My policy now is both or none, and i am looking into a SE Tripel with fenders for rides where i don't need or want any cargo.

I do have to say, that after one quarter with this bike after living with backpacks only for 12 years it is nice to put stuff in the bags (including backpack!), especially snacks etc. The big down side is that i can feel the difference in handling, even with a small lunch or 2 bottles of water. It has taken me a bit, but i now have a good feel on how to get the thing turning, mostly by using body weight timed correctly vs handlebars alone.

- Andy

I started off with one pannier but couldnt decide which side i like so I bought another pannier and have no such problem

But when I did have one pannier, I started off on the drive side figuring if the bike falls down then the pannier will protect the rd. But then I put it on the non-drive side because I figured the pannier was heavy and if I fell down, it's more likely I'd fall on the heavier pannier side which was safer because it's away from passing traffic (UK, we drive on the left). In the end, that one pannier was too heavy so that's the real reason I bought a second one.

.

I mount it non-drive side. I'm in the U.S., and although I'm often controlling the lane, sometimes I'm riding at the edge of the lane to let cars pass, or if there is actually a big enough shoulder or a wonderful doorzone bike lane. Since the road should have some camber to it, if I mount the pannier on the drive side, I've got to work harder to counteract how much it is pulling if it's heavy and it often is.

This also makes me look a little wider to overtaking cars, hopefully giving me a little more room when they try and cut it too close, and puts the reflective elements of the bag on the side where it is more useful most of the time.