Single pannier: which side do you mount it?
08-28-14, 12:33 PM
#1
bill nyecycles
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 3,328
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 789 Post(s)
Liked 350 Times
in
190 Posts
Single pannier: which side do you mount it?
If you commute with only a single pannier which side do you mount it on? Drive side or non? Is there a reason why you pick that side?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Personally, mine goes on the non-drive side because it's the side I mount/dismount on, so it's right there for me to mount/access/remove. For the record I'm right handed if that matters.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Personally, mine goes on the non-drive side because it's the side I mount/dismount on, so it's right there for me to mount/access/remove. For the record I'm right handed if that matters.
08-28-14, 12:39 PM
#2
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
Same here.
08-28-14, 12:51 PM
#3
apocryphal sobriquet
I usually switch-up from time to time to keep the wear on my panniers about even. That said, non-drive side is easier for me to manage for the same reasons stated so I prefer it this way but drive-side means I'm less likely to inadvertently lean the bike against something that will damage the rear derailleur.
08-28-14, 12:59 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Bay Area, Calif.
Posts: 7,239
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
I agree both for convenience as stated but also since it makes the traffic side of the bike look wider and I think passing motorists leave a bit more room.
08-28-14, 01:13 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Nanaimo, BC
Posts: 2,014
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Non-drive side.
The side I mount and dismount on.
Road side for perception of drivers having better visibility. I put an extra flasher on the pannier strap in the dark/wet months.
If I have one on the front it will be non-drive side as well. That is only based on balance.
I am left handed, I noticed @the sci guy mentioned that. That may only play a role for my front pannier through.
I was presented with mounting on the drive side the other day and I did not like it at all; felt weird, cumbersome, awkward and I ended up just switching sides anyway to mount.
The side I mount and dismount on.
Road side for perception of drivers having better visibility. I put an extra flasher on the pannier strap in the dark/wet months.
If I have one on the front it will be non-drive side as well. That is only based on balance.
I am left handed, I noticed @the sci guy mentioned that. That may only play a role for my front pannier through.
I was presented with mounting on the drive side the other day and I did not like it at all; felt weird, cumbersome, awkward and I ended up just switching sides anyway to mount.
08-28-14, 01:24 PM
#6
Senior Member
08-28-14, 01:43 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Chicago Western 'burbs
Posts: 1,065
Bikes: 1993 NOS Mt Shasta Tempest, Motobecane Fantom Cross CX, Dahon Speed D7, Dahon Vector P8, Bullitt Superfly
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
On the drive side, but not for the reasons already mentioned, but because it's the opposite side of the kickstand, and the bike is less likely to fall over.
08-28-14, 02:23 PM
#10
Banned
This , Again?
I put 1 inside the other fill them with groceries and then both are on there for the return.
the NDS is against the wall in the entry where the bike parks..
I put 1 inside the other fill them with groceries and then both are on there for the return.
the NDS is against the wall in the entry where the bike parks..
08-28-14, 02:28 PM
#11
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 263
Bikes: 1984 Cannodale full touring bike, Giant full carbon dura ace, Belinsky frame Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Driver side for reflector tape on the pannier at night and cars see a wider bike and give you more room (my observation). Also I have mounted a blinkie on the rear pannier, which gives drivers a better distance perception with 2 separate and distant red lights on the back.
08-28-14, 02:37 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Kent Wa.
Posts: 5,332
Bikes: 2005 Gazelle Golfo, 1935 Raleigh Sport, 1970 Robin Hood sport, 1974 Schwinn Continental, 1984 Ross MTB/porteur, 2013 Flying Piegon path racer, 2014 Gazelle Toer Populair T8
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 396 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
Drive side for the reasons mentioned.
08-28-14, 02:55 PM
#14
******
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 949
Bikes: Specalized Tri-Cross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If it's going to have expensive stuff (laptop), the side I'm less likely to ditch on, if it's just for clothes, then the side I'm more likely to ditch on. Which from personal experience seems to be more likely to ditch on my left side.
__________________
In the words of Einstein
"And now I think I'll take a bath"
In the words of Einstein
"And now I think I'll take a bath"
08-28-14, 03:08 PM
#15
The Recumbent Quant
This is what I do and why. But putting it on the left side (in us) to make bike look wider makes sense to me, too.
08-28-14, 03:33 PM
#17
bill nyecycles
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 3,328
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 789 Post(s)
Liked 350 Times
in
190 Posts
Driver side for reflector tape on the pannier at night and cars see a wider bike and give you more room (my observation). Also I have mounted a blinkie on the rear pannier, which gives drivers a better distance perception with 2 separate and distant red lights on the back.
i searched using the term "pannier" and on a skim down the list didn't see anything that looked similar.
08-28-14, 03:45 PM
#18
commuter and barbarian
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Potomac, MT, USA
Posts: 2,494
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I can say that it was within the last 5 years. Maybe fietsbob's memory is better than mine and he can enlighten us?
08-28-14, 04:00 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Nanaimo, BC
Posts: 2,014
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
From the thread @scroca linked.
This is an interesting point which may make me reconsider sides.
But this also makes sense and goes with my other idea of being wider to the cars on the left.
Same side as your "landing gear". Most cyclists prefer to put down one foot over the other at a stop. This is what I call the "landing gear" side.
When carrying heavier loads, this keeps the bike leaning towards you at a stop, rather than trying to fall away from you. This also meansthat when starting again, your first pedal stroke is opposite the weight of the pannier--easier balance. When running two panniers, keep the heavier of the two on the "landing gear" side.
When carrying heavier loads, this keeps the bike leaning towards you at a stop, rather than trying to fall away from you. This also meansthat when starting again, your first pedal stroke is opposite the weight of the pannier--easier balance. When running two panniers, keep the heavier of the two on the "landing gear" side.
08-28-14, 04:51 PM
#22
curmudgineer
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Chicago SW burbs
Posts: 4,417
Bikes: 2 many 2 fit here
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 263 Post(s)
Liked 112 Times
in
70 Posts
What's a kickstand? 
Drive side for the sole reason that it is easier to reach into for loading & unloading, when bending over the bike from the NDS. This works especially well, versus the NDS, when you have your kickstand-free bike leaning against your body while you do this.
Drive side for the sole reason that it is easier to reach into for loading & unloading, when bending over the bike from the NDS. This works especially well, versus the NDS, when you have your kickstand-free bike leaning against your body while you do this.
08-29-14, 12:18 AM
#23
contiuniously variable
If i'm gonna carry something heavier, i tend to keep it on the left, because kickstand is on the left, and the bike wants to lean towards the weight - otherwise its on the other side for easier access to kickstand & glance checking tire inflation while rolling.
Edit: I should add that mine are side specific, and cannot be put inside each other, its a choice i gotta make before i set off. If it's a work trip i usually keep both on, if its not, i may take both off. Really depends on the purpose of he trip.
- Andy
Edit: I should add that mine are side specific, and cannot be put inside each other, its a choice i gotta make before i set off. If it's a work trip i usually keep both on, if its not, i may take both off. Really depends on the purpose of he trip.
- Andy
Last edited by TransitBiker; 08-29-14 at 12:52 AM.
08-29-14, 08:15 AM
#25
Tractorlegs
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times
in
42 Posts
I would mount it on the non-lean side so I could open it up. I usually lean my mike against stuff on the same side, so I would mount a single bag on the side where it's easier to get to.
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Trikeman