awfulwaffle 

Hi all,

Hoping some of you experienced tourers/loaded commuters can help me out. I recently picked up a Cannondale ST400 to use as a commuter, and am now looking at a set of rear panniers so I don't have to strap a stuffed backpack to my rack with bungee cords every morning. I usually carry a laptop, several textbooks and notebooks and various smaller items when I go to class or work (same location). Also, my riding partner and I are planning out a 5 day tour of the Kettle Morraine this summer. As such, I'd like to get something with decent capacity.

Looking around, I see many thumbs up for the reputable brands such as Ortlieb and Avenir, but nary a peep regarding the cheap Chinese panniers you see on eBay. Do they just suck compared to the name brands, or what? If so, what is the difference? To my inexperienced self, it seems pretty difficult to screw up stitching a bag together. $30 for a pair of panniers is a very attractive price, but I've experienced Chinese quality control before and don't want to get something that'll come apart at the seams with all my stuff in it. In case someone has experience with this exact model, the bags I'm looking at are these:

New Black 28L Cycling Bicycle Bag Bike Rear Seat Bag Pannier with Rain Cover | eBay

10 Wheels

Used these for 5 years.

Nashbar ATB Panniers - Normal Shipping Ground

awfulwaffle 

I had completely forgotten about Nashbar as a source for this kind of thing. The capacity looks great too. I suppose these also qualify as Chinese panniers too , glad to hear you've had no issues with them. Oh, and nice bike!

Cyclebum

As it sounds like you will be using the panniers to haul stuff daily, better stick with the reputable brands. OTOH, not much money lost if the eBay bags fall apart. Maybe they won't.

My first panniers were designed exactly like those shown. Worked just fine. Replaced with Axioms for more capacity for a long tour. Before I learned to pack light.

10 Wheels

On Sale Today...

Papa Tom

I think I am in the minority, but I have used many "cheap" panniers with great success over the years.

About a year ago, I got the bug to invest in something better. After shopping for several months -- and after trying and returning endless models by Ortlieb and others -- I decided that, for my purposes (commuting and light touring), the cheap stuff is just fine.

Right now, I am using a $25 set sold at Walmart under the Schwinn brand. It's a "trunk" style bag that converts to a double pannier. Probably too small for you, but my point is that there is nothing "wrong" with cheaper cycling accessories. They're just not suitable for everyone.

fietsbob

just depends on the way they were sewn together .. cold cut pieces depend on the PU coating to hold them together ,
once that begins to fray , the seam comes apart , and you have to sew them back together again .. probably by hand ..

spinnaker

I have used only one set of bags over the years. How much have all of those bags cost you in total?



OP,

Please see my post int this thread:

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/94...-panniers.html

It is what cheap bags can get you.

Doug64

I replaced my previous panniers about 10 years ago. I bought Ortlieb rear panniers because of the length of the trip and their reputation. At the last minute, I wanted to also use front panniers, although I was really uncertain about how well I'd like a loaded front end. Consequentially, I bought a set of Nashbar front panniers that I used on several trips, including a ride across the U. S. I use the Nashbar panniers daily on my around town bike, and they are still waterproof. I've had to replace the mounting bungees and hardware which was an improvement, but not a big deal. Rather than go super cheap, I'd suggest something like the Nashbar panniers. They can be used singly or as a pair, and are reasonably priced and durable. I have since replaced the Nashbar front panniers with Ortlieb panniers, once I realized that I really like the weight distribution with front panniers.

They are used daily, and just stay on the bike most of the time.

]

On sale right now at Nashbar for %50 off!Nashbar Waterproof Rear Panniers - Bike Panniers/ Rack Trunks/ Handlebar

I've upgraded a lot since this picture, but those are spanking new Nashbar front panniers.

saddlesores

howdy! in china now, living the, um, dream. hard to get real bike stuff, so do most
of my online shopping on taobao (chinese ebay). have had a wide range of experience
with chinese crap. some is just plain crap, some is truly crappy, and other stuff is
amazingly crappy. of course, things sold domestically are of lower quality than the
stuff made for export.....

quality control is unheard of. really. they don't even pay lip service to "quality is
job one." substandard labor using substandard materials to making substandard designs.
chinese crap. it's counterfeit. it falls apart. don't count on it!

so....you wanna carry a laptop? do you like your laptop? do you care whether the
stitching holds together? that the bag leaks? that the mounting clips break off?

if you're gonna carry something valuable, or if you're gonna go touring where you
must depend on your bags holding together.....get the real deal.

if you're just tooling around town, carrying sneakers to the gym.....save a few bucks
and go chinese.

Juha

OP, the main problem I would have with the panniers you linked to is, it seems you cannot separate them. Carrying two joint bags with you off the bike is PITA. Also, no way to just take one if you don't need both. The mounts may not be very good as the canvas running across the top is designed to carry the bulk of weight (heck, there may not be mounts at all, just a couple of velcro straps to stop the pannier sliding off the rack). Depending on the width of your rear rack they may or may not sit well on the rack. Etc.

I know this because... well, because my first panniers were a cheap, one piece set. I got by, but replaced them pretty soon with better design. You don't have to jump all the way to newest most expensive Ortlieb model either (unless you want to). I've seen decent PVC type panniers (Ortlieb Bikepacker copies) around, and there are always cheaper brands such as Arkel.

--J

jwa

Back in the day, one sewed one's own panniers from a Frostline kit. Or convinced one's mother to do so.
Got several thousand miles from mine....

prathmann

Back in the mid-70s I bought a cheap Nashbar (was 'Bike Warehouse' back then) imitation of Cannondale panniers. I was rather disappointed by the quality - much thinner material than the genuine Cannondale ones, but they did hold up ok on many trips plus grocery runs. I've had to make some repairs but they're still in use after 40 years. A few years ago I supplemented them with Nashbar's current rear 'Waterproof' model panniers - partly so I could lend one set to touring companions - and those have been doing fine so far.

fietsbob

Oh and the way they attach to the rack .. Not expecting the locking hooks to open up and needing to go back and pick the Ortliebs
up, off the road behind me.

bungee and j hook mounted bags can bounce off the rack on bumpy roads ..

but you can add a strap and buckle rigid pull down scheme to prevent that , on your own.

awfulwaffle 

Thanks for the replies everyone, certainly food for thought. Heck, if I wasn't a college student on a budget I'd be inclined to buy a nice set of panniers and be done with it, but alas I don't have that luxury yet. Methinks I'm staying away from the eBay special bags, some very good points in here regarding the value of the items I want to carry, as well as the long term value of the panniers themselves. The one-piece vs individual bags point is also something to think about, though right now I can't afford to have convenience be one of my primary deciding factors. My main concern remains whether or not the panniers I buy are going to burst at the seams and spill forth my cargo.

Spinnaker, that is quite a story! I wonder, however, if that's something to be overly concerned about or just a freak accident. It seems like most of the folks on here think the Nashbars are at the very least passable, and some have certainly been getting years of trouble-free service out of them. The price is definitely attractive, and I find a little comfort in buying them from a reputable US seller instead of factory direct from China.

Perhaps I should trawl CL for a used set of nice bags.

cyccommute 

My thoughts exactly. Ease of mounting is worth the cost. Those bags would be difficult to mount and difficult to carry around.

Ortliebs are wonderfully waterproof but the mounting system outshines that feature by far. They snap into place and stay there no matter how much you bounce the bike around. That alone is worth the cost.

veganbikes

I have a friend who got the Nashbar ATBs and I was thinking about getting a pair for when I get my front racks because I have a set of Arkel mounts that I got with my GT-54s for this very reason. Yes I would have loved to get a full GT kit from Arkel but I could only afford the rears so now I can have the great mounting system with cheaper panniers I can more easily afford.

I wouldn't go non-brand ones. Nashbar seems to have decent ones that people like but crap shoot eBay cheapies are no bueño because it is a gamble.

As far as Ortlieb they make great stuff but the problem with waterproof panniers is when water gets in them, it stays in them. You notice pretty much all if not all backpacking backpacks are non-waterproof, for that very reason. Plus it allows wet stinky gear to breathe and maybe become less wet and stinky.
I have heard of people having to poke holes in the bottom of their waterproof panniers to let the water drain out making them not waterproof. Granted yes plenty of people have used them on tour and haven't had major problems but I am leery of using a system like that where I might have to do the hokey pokey ; )

Steve0000

Over the years, I have worn out a number of cheap panniers and had a set of joined rear panniers. As others have mentioned, a PITA to carry. They all did OK for a few years each until they wore out but they all were not waterproof and stuff needed to be packed into plastic liner bags to stay dry.

Now I have Ortliebs all round, front, rear, handlebar bag and rear rack pack. Waterproof, easier to carry (with shoulder strap) and durable. Far better value in the long run and no running repairs as happens with the other panniers with normal wear and tear. I have mended some holes in the panniers with plastic patches and PVC cement but these were extraordinary wear events.

dengidog

When I was deciding whether or not to get panniers, I bought a cheapie set for a trial run. Like the ones you´re looking at, mine didn´t come apart, but that wasn´t a deal breaker for me. The quality wasn´t especially high, but they only cost $47, including a "rack pack" topper. The zippers were the first to go. Still, they lasted long enough to convince me that I was a pannier gal at heart. Once I made that decision, I coughed up for a set of Ortleibs. I don´t regret my decision at all.

FWIW, you can always make your own if you´re on a tight budget. Heck, I bought some picnic tablecloth material and made some temp front bags. They held up until a bus hit me...but that´s another story. Anyway, you just have to be comfortable with your decision. Don´t worry about whether or not they´re "pretty" or a name.

Doug64

I really believe this is an old wive's tale started by Arkel before they started making waterproof panniers. Trapped moisture never was an issue in a trip with 35 days of rain, and the tent packed away wet most of those days. We've been using waterproof panniers for over 10 years and many miles with no mildew, mold or odor problems. To dry them out if water happens to get inside a towel does a good job. I accidentally left my Ortlieb rack pack open on a picnic table during a thunderstorm, and it had substantial water in it. Just emptied it out and used my towel to dry it. I also left my Ortlieb bar bag open at the same time. Same fix.

Packing anything wet in any kind of bag, does not allow those wet items to breathe. Most backpacks and non-waterproof panniers are made with a coating to repel water. The better ones even seal the seams in an attempt to keep water out. It repels it from both sides. I've made and repaired a lot of mountaineering gear made from Nylon Codura and packcloth, the same material good panniers are made from, and both are urethane coated.

I've never heard of anyone punching holes in their waterproof bags to let the water drain.

Try this with non-waterproof panniers without unloading them. Washing the mud off after riding through the recently flooded areas near Calgary, Alberta last summer.



I believe once you try waterprof panniers there is no going back.

veganbikes

No no that is fair. I don't deny your story or the picture and maybe it is an old wives tale? Who knows but I am still going to be cautious and still not use waterproof panniers. Plus the organization and luggage like opening on my GT-54s is great, superior to the Ortliebs. However like all things biking especially we will disagree and argue that our system is best and we are probably all wrong and right in one way or another ; )

Doug64

I agree with you. It is really about personal preference. The important thing is we are out there riding. I didn't mean to come across so strong. There are no best systems, they all have compromises.


Take care,

Doug

spinnaker

This scene looks awfully familiar. Looks like the same place we took refuge out of a downpour. A hot springs spa just outside of Kelso, BC.

surfjimc

For the last 2 years I have commuted about 30 miles a day using the Nashbar waterproof panniers that are linked above. I carry clothes, lunch, textbooks, and one or two laptops. Some days see them with 25-40 lb loads. They have lasted and seemed to have been a great investment. Some have had bad luck with them, but mine have been great. And not once have I had to poke holes in them to let the water drain out, although once my lunch exploded inside, and it kept it there.

When I tour I have a full set of Carradice Super C panniers that seem to be indestructible.

Papa Tom

Comment >>>>I think I am in the minority, but I have used many "cheap" panniers with great success over the years...<<<<


Reply: :::I have used only one set of bags over the years. How much have all of those bags cost you in total?:::::

Actually, I ran a bicycle recycling club for kids and the low-line bike distributors (for some reason) used to give me all sorts of gear to try out for nothing. Most of the panniers I used were no-name prototypes that would have sold really cheap at Mom and Pop bicycle stores. I still have one of them twelve years later and I still use it for light touring when the Schwinn bag I described above is too small. This particular model (not waterproof, by the way) has been through a lot and hasn't torn, broken at the straps, or busted a zipper yet. I'm not saying it's as rugged as an Ortlieb or any of the other pricey ones, but I'm suggesting to the OP that the "cheap Chinese brands" are not necessarily the crap that many people write them off as.

FYI, though...As a "light" tourist and one that does not carry a tent, laptop, etc., but DOES like to have easy access to all my stuff, I've never been happy with the Ortliebs (or comparable brands) I purchased and tried, only because they were basically one big sack with very few compartments. The cheaper brands, like my current Schwinn, may not be as durable (or as waterproof, without wrapping contents in plastic), but they seem to be a little more creative in design.