Recommendations for pannier bags?
Peter Young
Can anyone recommend some reasonable quality pannier bags?
I don't want high quality touring bags - more commuting bags which
could handle an occassional overnight trip.
The main criterion for me are durable, easy to put on/take off, and
securely fixed while jumping gutters, potholes etc etc.
Any advice most welcome.
Thanks
Peter
p.s. my kingdom for the person who sets up FAQ for this newsgroup!
Ed Gerstner
Peter Young wrote:
>
> Can anyone recommend some reasonable quality pannier bags?
>
> I don't want high quality touring bags - more commuting bags which
> could handle an occassional overnight trip.
>
> The main criterion for me are durable, easy to put on/take off, and
> securely fixed while jumping gutters, potholes etc etc.
>
Whatever you do, _DON'T BUY SHERPA_!!!!!! Repeat, _DON'T BUY SHERPA_!
For a tour from Sydney to Melbourne down the Princes Hwy (yes, that's
sealed roads all the way) friends and I all bought Sherpa front and
rear panniers. After about two hours my friend's front pannier just
fell off, and throughout the whole trip I was constantly making stop
gap repairs to things like HOOKS (like, how hard is it to make a
piece of bent metal that works?!?!?)
The zippers suck!
The stitching WILL come undone!
The hooks will break!
The hangers will lose their shape!
They will leak!
... and they will fall off unless you're stationary!
They are cheap... but that's 'cause they're CHEAP!!! Australian
Cyclist gave them quite a good review, but I reckon that's because
they didn't go touring with them! I ride with Ortlieb panniers
now and I've never looked back... sure they're the most expensive
but they're wonderful (actually anything compared to the SHERPA
would be).
Soupie twist,
Ed G.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ed Gerstner \ "Two wheels good!
Department of Applied Physics, A28 \ Four wheels bad!"
University of Sydney, Australia, 2006 -----------------------------------
E-mail: ed...@physics.usyd.edu.au / _,o
Tel: +61-2-9351-2627 / "woooshhhh..." -- - \<,
Fax: +61-2-9351-7725 / -- (*)/(*)
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Karl Nissen
Peter Young wrote:
>
> Can anyone recommend some reasonable quality pannier bags?
>
> I don't want high quality touring bags - more commuting bags which
> could handle an occassional overnight trip.
>
> The main criterion for me are durable, easy to put on/take off, and
> securely fixed while jumping gutters, potholes etc etc.
>
I would still go for the better touring bags. I have had a set of WE
Supertours that get used for this (not enough time to go touring...)
for around six years and have had no problems. The difficultly with the
cheap panniers is that they are generally not too good for light day to
day use. The better units will give you:
Waterproofing (if you commute in the rain)
Stay on the rack (better hook designs)
Stronger (will carry lots of fruit when shopping)
More robust construction (4 mm ply panel in the WE's means that the
bag doesn't flop into the spokes)
Touring (if you ever do it you have got the right gear)
I would have no hesitation in going back to WE or other comparable bags
(Bunyip, MacPac) even if I didn't intend to go touring (I'll get around
to it one day....)
Karl
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Karl Nissen Phone: (+61 6) 249 4613
Department of Geography, SRMES Fax: (+61 6) 249 3770
The Australian National University e-mail: ka...@dart.anu.edu.au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg Harmer
you...@gil.com.au (Peter Young) wrote:
>Can anyone recommend some reasonable quality pannier bags?
>I don't want high quality touring bags - more commuting bags which
>could handle an occassional overnight trip.
>The main criterion for me are durable, easy to put on/take off, and
>securely fixed while jumping gutters, potholes etc etc.
I and my partner have been using a pair each of Campro bags daily for
about 2 years now. I have been very happy with mine. At time of
purchase the only consideration was cost and these were the cheapest
around.
They attach to the rack via two hooks at the top and an elastic band
with hook at bottom. They expand easily to hold great volumes of
stuff and also have a side pocket with a bit of reflective tape sewn
on which is handy for keys, sunscreen etc. They also have a thin
inside pocket against the backing board which is large enough to hold
vanilla folders.
I'm much wiser on touring matters now but these panniers still do the
trick. They are starting to wear along the fabric where the
drawstring pulls along the nylon at the top of the bag but that
shouldn't be too hard to fix in a year or so when it finally wears
through.
I used to commute 27km every day (have now moved closer to work) and
even in Winter rain (Adelaide) I never noticed any water intruding
following the 45 minute ride. On the few times I was worried I
wrapped clothes/files etc. in placcy bags. For longer wet rides they
will probably let water in - there aren't many bags that won't.
I've never noticed any problems with them bouncing around, however I
weigh 95kg and I don't think my standard hybrid 700c rims/spokes could
stand me hopping kerbs.
Greg.
K.A. Moylan
On Fri, 22 Nov 1996, Karl Nissen wrote:
> Peter Young wrote:
> > Can anyone recommend some reasonable quality [commuting] pannier bags?
> > ...
> >
> Peter,
> I would still go for the better touring bags. I have had a set of WE
> Supertours that get used for this (not enough time to go touring...)
for touring.)
> for around six years and have had no problems. The difficultly with the
> cheap panniers is that they are generally not too good for light day to
> day use. The better units will give you:
>
> Waterproofing (if you commute in the rain)
> Stay on the rack (better hook designs)
> Stronger (will carry lots of fruit when shopping)
> More robust construction (4 mm ply panel in the WE's means that the
> bag doesn't flop into the spokes)
> Touring (if you ever do it you have got the right gear)
> Karl
> ...
In addition to Karl's good points, you should consider the cloth the
pannier is made from.
Canvas is good for touring as it will always be waterproof.
Cordura is better for commuting, as it isn't bothered by the scrapes &
abrasion that occur during day-to-day use. Just don't expect it to be
waterproof after a year or 2.
Hope this helps,
K.A. Moylan
Steve Green
I can highly recommend Summit Gear panniers. Very rugged, well made,
water resistant and made in Australia!
Steve Green
Peter Neish
Avance Panniers are fantastic. I went on an eight month tour around
Victoria and New South Wales going up and down some of the worst
four-wheel drive tracks I have ever seen (I even managed to break a
blackburn rack) and the Avance panniers held up beautifully. They have a
unique method of attaching which is extremely secure (I have never had
one come off), while still being very easy to put on an take off. They
are made in Australia and come with a lifetime warranty. I got mine at
Christie Cycles in Melbourne, I don't know if you can get them anywhere
else.
Peter
Benjamin Roberts
If you can get a good deal, i.e. last years model that hasn't sold (this
is what I got ) get some OrtLieb panniers. They appear to last very
well, and they are air-proof (ie. air can't get in or out), hense
water-proof. They attach really well, and are very tough, I ran one into
one of those cyclist obstacles on a bike path, the plastic protector on
the pannier then went into my spokes, and it is still alright.
--
Benjamin Roberts
Cognitive Laboratory
Psychology Department
University of Western Australia
MY REAL ADDRESS -> benj...@psy.uwa.edu.au
Peter Young
Thanks all for your advice to date - the marvels of the internet have
brought me in contact with a kind cyclist selling some Bunyip
panniers.
Has anyone had good or bad experiences with these panniers? I'd
welcome any feedback.
Peter
Ed Gerstner
I know friends who've toured with these and are quite happy with them. The
advantage with Bunyips are that they are made of canvas and so as well as being
quite sturdy, can easily be repaired with needle and thread (or dental floss?!?)
BRENNAN Thomas Alexander
Peter Young (you...@gil.com.au) wrote:
: Can anyone recommend some reasonable quality pannier bags?
:
: I don't want high quality touring bags - more commuting bags which
: could handle an occassional overnight trip.
:
: The main criterion for me are durable, easy to put on/take off, and
: securely fixed while jumping gutters, potholes etc etc.
The problem with 'reasonable quality' panniers is that they are NOT good
quality. You are bound to have problems with them. If you think you
will be using them for a number of years, then I would go for the top
quality ones even if it means paying more. There have been too many
times when I did not buy the best, and regretted it in all sorts of
little ways afterwards.
I had to buy front panniers while touring, and while they seemed like
good panniers, all sorts of little things went wrong. They cost $120,
about half the price of the top of the range ones, but it was definitely
false economy.
For my money Ortlieb or WE Supertour are the best, Ortlieb a bit better
unless you have a desperate need for pockets on your panniers. They are
both around $270, but in the long run they are worth it.
Ortlieb are basically indestructible in my experience. They have come off
once - when I crashed doing 50. They are waterproof, airproof, roadproof
roomy and easy to get on and off. What more would you want? Pockets, I
guess.
Tom
--
----------
Tom Brennan
s302...@pompeii.mpce.mq.edu.au
http://www-comp.mpce.mq.edu.au/~s3026672/
--
----------
Tom Brennan
s302...@pompeii.mpce.mq.edu.au
http://www-comp.mpce.mq.edu.au/~s3026672/
--
----------
Tom Brennan
s302...@pompeii.mpce.mq.edu.au
http://www-comp.mpce.mq.edu.au/~s3026672/
Peter Gordon
s302...@mpce.mq.edu.au (BRENNAN Thomas Alexander) writes:
>Peter Young (you...@gil.com.au) wrote:
>: Can anyone recommend some reasonable quality pannier bags?
>:
>: I don't want high quality touring bags - more commuting bags which
>: could handle an occassional overnight trip.
>:
>
[SNIP]
>Ortlieb are basically indestructible in my experience. They have come off
>once - when I crashed doing 50. They are waterproof, airproof, roadproof
>roomy and easy to get on and off. What more would you want? Pockets, I
>guess.
>Tom
>--
When I paid my money I bought WE canvas panniers and have not
regretted it.
A friend has Ortleib _with_ pockets. The pockets are excellent as
they are easily removable. This means that small valuble items such
as your wallet and camera can be stored in them and easily carrier
with you when you leave your bike unattended. They cost approx $60
extra in Brisbane. He bought them last January.
Peter Gordon
John Harrison
Greg Harmer wrote:
> I and my partner have been using a pair each of Campro bags daily for
> about 2 years now. I have been very happy with mine. At time of
> purchase the only consideration was cost and these were the cheapest
> around.
I haven't had such a pleasant experience with my Campro panniers. I also
commute daily and find that unless they are very full they flop into the
spokes, especially if I get up out of the saddle. This is because the
board is not stiff enough. I ususally use my D-lock as stiffening and
take care not to place any heavy items in the rear pocket. It has
happened so often the bottom stitching has failed - completely on one.
The draw-string is also so long it has caught in the cluster, if not
carefully tucked away.
I was particularly non-plussed after that verrrry wet August Sydney
(Sub)Critical Mass (only about 20 of us were mad enough to turn up). By
the end everything was soaked through. My electronic organiser could not
be revived.
I am interested to read all the other opinions as I want to upgrade for
Christmas.
Does anyone have an opinion on those box-like bags with lots of zips
which sit on top of the rear rack?
--
John Harrison
Biomedical Engineering
University of New South Wales
J.Har...@UNSW.edu.au
Ron Heard
In article <32A28F...@vmsuser.acsu.unsw.EDU.AU>,
John Harrison <p213...@vmsuser.acsu.unsw.EDU.AU> wrote:
[quote from earlier article deleted]
>I haven't had such a pleasant experience with my Campro panniers. I
also
>commute daily and find that unless they are very full they flop into
the
>spokes, especially if I get up out of the saddle. This is because the
>board is not stiff enough. I ususally use my D-lock as stiffening and
>take care not to place any heavy items in the rear pocket. It has
>happened so often the bottom stitching has failed - completely on
one.
>The draw-string is also so long it has caught in the cluster, if not
>carefully tucked away.
I commute daily and tour a bit.
I have a cheapy pair of Totem panniers, and after six months
use or so the stiffening (which was a sort of plasticised
cardboard) wasn't stiff any more. I tried several remidies,
and finally got some sheet aluminium cut to shape and put
it in the panniers, held in place with bolts and dome nuts.
The pockets ALWAYS used to catch in the spokes, so I sewed
on some velcro strips. I sewed them horizontally so I can
use them with different quantities of stuff in the pockets.
I tie a loop knot in the draw string.
I think these solutions work fairly well.
>I was particularly non-plussed after that verrrry wet August Sydney
>(Sub)Critical Mass (only about 20 of us were mad enough to turn up).
By
>the end everything was soaked through. My electronic organiser could
not
>be revived.
Ouch.
Whan I expect heavy rain, or when I am touring, I put everything
in a garbag then in the pannier. Not much extra weight, and it
keeps things dry (mostly).
>I am interested to read all the other opinions as I want to upgrade
for
>Christmas.
Despite all the modifications and re-sewing of seams many
times think the Totem bags are getting to the end of their
useful life (about 12 years). I too am looking for new bags.
Take care
Ronno