Tips for keeping grocery panniers from popping off?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sonoma County, California
Posts: 56
Bikes: Moots; Calfee Luna Pro; Co-motion Carerra
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Tips for keeping grocery panniers from popping off?
Is it me?
I've tried two different brands of grocery panniers on my bike. I most recently sprang for nice expensive Breezer panniers. We have pretty messed up pavement on a lot of our streets, and they always bounce off. Do I just smash the hooks closed with pliers and hope for the best? Other people must be able to use these things without such a hassle.
I've tried two different brands of grocery panniers on my bike. I most recently sprang for nice expensive Breezer panniers. We have pretty messed up pavement on a lot of our streets, and they always bounce off. Do I just smash the hooks closed with pliers and hope for the best? Other people must be able to use these things without such a hassle.
#2
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I go over cobblestones every day with panniers and have never had a problem with either Ortleib or Arkel panniers. Both these companies use a retaining system on their hooks.
If you have just plain old hooks and a bunji cord circa 1979 the best I can say is good luck.
If you have just plain old hooks and a bunji cord circa 1979 the best I can say is good luck.
#3
Thread Killer
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Marfan Syndrome-Clyde-DFW, TX
Posts: 1,845
Bikes: Fuji Touring Xtracycle, Merlin Road, Bacchetta Giro 26 (Sold), Challenge Hurricane, Cruzbike Sofrider
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Multiple strongish zip ties if you can might help keep them from hopping.
I just got some grocery panniers and was very dissapointed to see that they didn't have anything but two hooks and a bungee.
I just got some grocery panniers and was very dissapointed to see that they didn't have anything but two hooks and a bungee.
#4
Biker
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DC
Posts: 1,917
Bikes: one Recumbent and one Utility Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Is it me?
I've tried two different brands of grocery panniers on my bike. I most recently sprang for nice expensive Breezer panniers. We have pretty messed up pavement on a lot of our streets, and they always bounce off. Do I just smash the hooks closed with pliers and hope for the best? Other people must be able to use these things without such a hassle.
I've tried two different brands of grocery panniers on my bike. I most recently sprang for nice expensive Breezer panniers. We have pretty messed up pavement on a lot of our streets, and they always bounce off. Do I just smash the hooks closed with pliers and hope for the best? Other people must be able to use these things without such a hassle.
#5
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ogopogo's shoreline
Posts: 4,082
Bikes: LHT, Kona Smoke
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I use extra bungees around the outside on the REI grocery getter panniers.
Web straps are much safer (not the clip kind).
#6
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 44
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
You could always get an Arkel hook kit to replace the retaining system on your breezer bags or the bags you first tried... https://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/acc...asp?fl=1&site= It's a little spendy at $44 bucks for two, but they just might do the trick...good luck!
#7
Back after a long absence
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 603
Bikes: 1974 Schwinn Speedster 3-speed, Raleigh Super Course
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
That's how I have the folding baskets anchored to my bike. I tried with the hardware that came with them and the nuts just kept working their way off. Heavy duty zip ties doe the job even under a moderate (basket full of groceries) load.
#8
*****es love tarck
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Sandy, UT
Posts: 3,301
Bikes: so many
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My old C'dale panniers fall off sometimes, so I use a carabiner on the handle/strap. I doesn't keep them from popping off the rack, but it keeps them on the bike till I can stop and put them back in place.
__________________
#9
Biker
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DC
Posts: 1,917
Bikes: one Recumbent and one Utility Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes. You have to be careful. I've had bungees come loose and had stretchies break and get all tangled in the spokes and chain and wheels. It was never a disaster but in the right traffic situation it could have been.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,819
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a pair of Novarra grocery panniers, which tend to pop off if the elastic cords that hook on the bottom are loose. Added security I put one of those carabiner/key chain things and clip it to the rack rail. That way I can still take off the panniers quickly when I want to.
#11
bragi
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: seattle, WA
Posts: 2,911
Bikes: LHT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Get better panniers. I had REI panniers at first, but they weren't up to the task, and I regret being too cheap to get something decent. Now I have Ortliebs. They're very expensive, but worth every penny, especially if you're totally carfree.
#13
Crankenstein
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Spokane
Posts: 4,037
Bikes: Novara Randonee (TankerBelle)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Tighten the bungie/hook that holds them. Mine have only ever popped off once, and that was when I hit an 8" deep pothole hard enough to taco my rear wheel. *grimace*