Anybody know of shops in NYC preferably in Manhattan that stock panniers. I just mounted a rack and am interested in putting some panniers on for work purposes and possible short tours/day tours but I'd really like to see some bags in person to get a feel for how much room they have and options that I have.
I have the topeak explorer rack and Iknow that some of topeaks bags slide right in and work best with their rack.

Bicycle Habitat, Sids, Toga.
The larger shops have them but they are REALLY expensive at all.

I did well here
https://www.bikebagshop.com/

The key issues are
a) Heal clearance
b) Waterproof vs water repellant
c) Size
d) Can you strap items on top
e) How easily they remove incase you want to use it as a bag into work etc

You Do not have to buy a pair, but it helps.

yep i full expect to buy them online. I have found some decent ones for as cheap as $20 bucks but at the same time, I don't want to ahve them show up and find out that they are rinky dink and won't do the job for me.

have you checked eBay?
see: "topeak" or "jandd". these are good for startsets
a suggestion: get rear panniers of about +/- 2200 to 2500 cc
need these to be h2o resistant/proof?
what is your use? commuting, urban (grocery), tour, ...?
t

Ortlieb, Arkel, Knog, also. I bought Knog because it is more a messenger bag but it attaches to the rack like a pannier with their removable system. I use it as an everyday bag even though I only commute by bike once or twice a week (and not at all in the rain of the last week and a half). The Knog only attaches at the top though so I have to use a stretch cord to keep it secure at the bottom. The others I believe also attach somehow at the bottom. It works pretty well the way I do it but it is a bit more of a hassle than clipon/clipoff.

Consider what you'll be using it for too. If you want to carry a computer you'll want some kind of inner protective sleeve. If you want to carry groceries you'll want a big open space. I like pockets which is on knock against the Ortlieb even though they are probably the best made. If you are in need of office clothes to carry there are a few garment bag panniers that go over the top of the rack. I didn't care about waterproof as I don't generally ride in the rain, or even if it looks like rain. If I lived in Seattle it would be a different story as I'd never ride if I didn't ride in the rain. My Knog bag has a rain jacket that tucks into a zippered pocket on the bottom that you pull out and over. Pretty good but hasn't been used yet.

I've found plenty of places online to buy them cheap I was just hoping to find a retail place to see them in person and get a better feel for just how much they can hold. Primary use will be carrying around fitness equipment for teaching my bootcamp classes in central park and to bring to clients but they will also probably see some use for daytrips with my gf next spring. Since the bike they are going on isn't a true touring bike, heel strike may be an issue. I have a 42.5cm chainstay length but I also have a size 12 foot

You can't go wrong with Ortliebs, and REI has all of them on sale for 25% off right now. Better hurry. I am sure they won;t last long. You can always return them no questions asked.

this is precisely why I want to find a retail outlet where I can see them. you are saying I can't go wrong with them, however, They are all well over $100 bucks, even with discount. Why should I pay that when i can get others for $25?

I'm sure there are quality differences and seeing some in person would help me make a better informed decision so I can first hand see and feel the differences in quality. For my purposes now, the $25 ones are probably great, at the same time, if I'm going to grow into something else, it could make sense tojust pay a little bit more now. All of this would be much easier to decide if I had options to check them out myself.

$25 panniers? I don't think you'll be very happy with them. PBK had the Ortliebs a lot cheaper than everyone else, even online. But not for $25, or even 25GBP. You can't even get a decent bag for $25, never mind one that attaches to a rack.

If you're willing to venture into Brooklyn, 9th Street Cycles (4th Avenue stop on the F train) has a selection. Call before heading there to make sure they're stocked, as they do tend to run out.

there are about a dozen threads on here of people with good panniers for $25-$50 not suer what your talking about.

Sorry. I must have missed where you wrote that you were looking for the cheapest ones you can find.

not looking for cheapest per se, but certainly don't need to spend over $100 for their intended purpose at this point. just want to see how they fit on the bike I'm looking at putting them on because they could be the best quality panniers ever made and only cost $25 but if my heel is bashing them every pedal rotation that isn't a very good value is it?

Ortlieb Front Roller at PBK

While I didn't buy these myself, these are the best buy you'll find. They were cheaper when I was looking but not by much.

Your heel hitting them is a function of how far back you can mount them on your rack, not necessarily the pannier itself. A huge pannier is harder to mount far back, but a small one shouldn't give you much trouble.

These are the ones I own and I'm extremely happy with them. Other riders often stop and ask, "are those front panniers mounted on the back?" A few have expressed regret at having purchased the larger, back panniers. These can be loaded to the brim and, fully packed from Trader Joe's, I can't imagine needing (or being able to lift!) anything bigger.

go to rei, look at the size/design of Ortliebs, and see which size (CC) would fit your needs. look at all the other sizes to see which storage area will work.
after you have a concept of size needed, go to eBay (or simular) and get the size you consider appropriate! there have been used pannier sets that go for +/- $25 and additional shipping of +/- $15.
there is going to be (or was) a trade show up in NYC recently for bicycle parts and accessories.
first depermine size needed. too big can be a good start! fill it 1/2 way if too big.

UPDATE:
So I'm aparently an idiot, while my LBS of choice is small (Larry's bikes plus on 87th and 2nd) they do have everything! The bags were tucked into a cage in the corner but they had several different ones, including the TOPEAK explorer MTX DXP trunk bag with the panniers. Picked it up today and so far so good. Looks to be a good size for my needs. Going to test it out right now!