help on choosing panniers
 

Hello,
I am going to tour for my first time this is the bike I am going to buy and use
http:// http://surlybikes.com/bikes/ogre
I think I want water proof. But is there a weight issue with them? I will have a front rack and a back rack. What should I be looking for when buying them. Heel strike etc. Thanks

Most of the waterproof ones are one big compartment and tend to be lighter than panniers with lots of pockets compartments and doodads.

Me, I like the one compartment approach and prefer to organize stuff with stuff sacks or ziploc bags. Some like lots of pockets.

I am happy to use the inexpensive waterproof ones from Nashbar or Performance. They have held up well for me on a bunch of long tours including a Trans America. I have since started packing lighter and lighter and now just use waterproof stuff sacks with no panniers. I think for me at 35 pounds or more I like to use 4 panniers, but at 25 pounds or so like to use front only ones. Much lighter than that and I go with waterproof silnylon stuff sacks.

I am one who likes a lot of pockets.Arkel GT 54,3300 cubic inches about 6.6lbs.I do have a set of Ortlieb Sport Packer Classics on the front.If you can live without pockets then the Ortlieb Bike Packer Classics rear panniers will save you a couple lbs over the Arkels.

And a couple hundred dollars.

$.02 is to not try and turn it into a LHT with a big set of panniers on the rear, bags piled high and another set of panniers on the front without first having some idea how much you actually need to carry. I'd start with one set of Ortlieb front rollers to be used front or rear then decide whether you want a front platform or lowriders.

British Made Carradice Canvas ones are another water proof classic ..
(densely woven cotton canvas swells when wet to tighten the weave further , + a bit of Wax treatment_)

A bit heavier than the synthetics..

This one, >>Ortlieb Roller Plus. Lighter than the Roller classic but with the same durable construction. I've exceeded the manufacturer's weight limits many, many times with out a single issue. If your not put off by the price, this is the one you want.

This is what I had in my bag after a trip to the market yesterday, which is typical of the kind of weight it has to indure. Plus, a roll-up style bag can carry a lot more stuff in an emergency than a bag with a strap down, lid.

6x 19oz cans of soup
6pack beer
Large bag of frozen burritos...yum!
Large bag of frozen veggies
Ulock
Tool roll full of roadside essentials
30oz jar of mayo

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...psb66cddcf.jpg

Wow,you eat good on tour and a 6 pack.

Carradice Super Cs are lighter than Ortliebs. Not that it matters since both are plenty light enough. Carradice are repairable though ;)

Ortliebs can be patched too, the technique differs ,though..

I think you haven't had a peek a the prices in a while$$$

Isn't touring on a bicycle, more about the food, anyways? :D

If you are riding an Ogre, a few grammes of pannier fabric are nothing to worry about.
For racks, it is hard to beat Tubus. I use the Tara up front and my old Blackburn at the rear.
I mix it up with panniers, some old, patched Carradice Super C at the rear and some of the fancy all-white Ortleib rolltops in the front. To avoid heelstrike, pick one with a heel cutout profile, not a simple square cut.
I use Ortleibs for food; you can rinse out leaking pesto sauce with detergent and a hosepipe. The white colour makes it easier to find stuff.
Note that quick-release, locking hooks need to envelope a single rod of metal on the rack . If the rod is dual side-by-side welded, you cant use the hooks. You may want more than 2 hooks per bag which is easy to fit onto the pannier rail. If you have fenders you don't need a solid top-plate. Open racks are more versatile for lashing bits on. A rear lamp bracket under the rack is good. You need 3 legs, preferably fully triangulated.

They've gone up that much in a year.I paid 150 per set front and rear for the Ortlieb,s new, last year and 400 for the Arkel,Gt 54s the year before.I should mention my L.B.S. loves me.

Go to Nasbar and search NA-ATP2. Great panniers. Now on sale one more day.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...ril2010001.jpg

Call Wayne at The Touring Store!! Great guy and Great service!!!

Ortlieb panniers and Tubus racks are the gold standards. They are designed to fit each other. Although more expensive than some, they are still good values when you consider their durability and quality. Also easy to resell, if you so desire.