Looking for pannier bag recommendations

Specialized Needs

Hi

Looking for some recommendations for pannier bags; have trawled through the search feature and found one thread of interest but thought there might be more info to be had. The criteria I want to meet (and if you think I might not have considered some aspect - please say) are:

1. rain proof/resistant
2. quick release/but would also be good if they had a secure connection to the pannier rack.
3. about 20 litres per bag (I am guessing that is what my other panniers are, but I may be going a bit big here). Don't worry - I'll be going for a pair
4. facility to attach a shoulder strap for when carting them to and from the bike.

5. not a killer option, but would prefer if they were a lurid/visible colour; e.g. orange, yellow, etc... for visibility (any views on this?)

Not too fussed about budget (using a ride2work scheme which is also quite flexible as to which/how many shops I purchase from, so I'm effectively paying 2/3rds), but hoped for under £100 for a pair.

Hope you can help

Stuart

prj45

I'll give you a suggestion, don't let a pannier anywhere near your bike unless you absolutely have to!

dazzawazza

Panniers are brilliant, but only if you have more than one bike (the un-cool utility bike).
I wouldn't worry too much about having bright colurs. Black panniers with a reflective strip and LED mount on the back are fine. You can always wear bright clothing if it's a major concern. Altura is a good range to look at if you're on a budget.

Specialized Needs

Hmm

Well, I am carrying a change of clothing/wash stuff, and other bits to work (and home) 15 miles each way (following roughly the A20 into London). Just recently started cycling to work and have done half the rides with a rucksack and half with some second hand (originally cheap) panniers I got off freecycle. I want to progress from 'fair weather' commuting to something more regular.

Given that I have little option about carrying those items, I have found using panniers much preferable to a rucksack (easier to come out of my saddle, less bum pain, more enjoyable experience riding, soooooo less sweaty ...). So I suppose that comes into the 'unless you absolutely have to' category.

Absolutely agree, though - even more enjoyable cycling without baggage But that also might have to do with pushing a 16 year old rockhopper which I've only recently dug out of the garage and put semi-slicks on. Ah well, getting a hybrid soon.

Stuart

Specialized Needs

Thanks dazza

Not on too much of a budget - would prefer to 'get it right' first time, if possible, rather than ending up more by having to go back and buy a better pair later.

Off to the 'tour de Hackney' now, so no responses for a bit

Stuart

prj45

duncedunce wrote:

Given that I have little option about carrying those items,

You can't leave a set of clothes and your wash bag at work?

I have suit/trousers and pressed shirts at work, I only carry in pants and socks, I've got a little rack bag that sits on my seat post.

GyatsoLa

No real need to look beyond Ortlieb. Simple, waterproof, tried and tested. Pricey but they last for years. A pair of front-rollers total about 25 litres so they should fit your purpose. They are selling them at a small discount on wiggle.

RufusA

I'll second the Ortlieb recommendation.

I flirted with the Altura Urban Dryline 15:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Altur ... 360029306/

It is waterproof, it does have a carrying strap, reflective strips etc. Seemed perfect to me.

BUT:

1) The quick release clips dig in to your side when using the shoulder strap, so had to stuff with a "metro" to protect me.
2) It's suprising unroomy inside - not really enough room for a small laptop and clothes, let alone a waterproof, charger, cycle shades etc.
3) The quality of the zips were very poor - I'm on my 3rd now, and switched to the 17 version as the zips are a bit more protected from the rack.

Someone in a similar position to me (also suffering from broken zips) switched to the Ortlieb Office and Classic roll-top and loves it. When my Altura breaks (and it will) I'll cut my losses and go Ortlieb.

HTH - Rufus

fuddymox

Lidl are doing panniers as of this Thursday 21st, for £14.99 the pair. Don't look too bad at all.

BUICK

I got Ortlieb panniers in red with big reflective panels, with that sort of capacity. Well worth looking at.

AndyManc

I've got these ..........





http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/dhb_Marsden_Rear_Panniers/5360033204/

Specialized Needs

prj45 wrote:

You can't leave a set of clothes and your wash bag at work?

Nope. No cleaning facility, so I wash at the gym (nearby - I am a civil servant and it is close to the civil service sports & social club in Victoria) but can't leave stuff there, and leaving stuff at work would mean a detour before going to get washed. And believe me - I need a wash after 15 miles of cycling!

An additional reason for wanting a pannier bag is that, anecdotally, I have found traffic tends to give me a wider berth with a pannier bag than when I've got a rucksack! Odd, given that being 17-18 stone I tend to stick out a lot anyhow. I suppose I am soft and less likely to leave a scratch (they think!) if they graze me, compared with a pannier.

Stuart

AndyManc

Pannier bags come into their own in spring/autumn , I often start an early shift ( 6am ) so riding to work its often close to freezing whilst on the way home it's in the low 70's , so you need plenty room to carry ( or store ) your gear.

And yep .... traffic does tend to give more room .

Specialized Needs

GyatsoLa wrote:

No real need to look beyond Ortlieb.

Yes, I think I can see what you mean.

I took the opportunity to have a look in Evans while in town and the Ortlieb looked impressive. However, it seemed only the roll top Ortliebs had a shoulder strap or even attachments for one, and I have to say I prefer a drawstring skirt (make of that what you will) and a lid. Still, I recognise that I am likely to have to compromise somewhere and going for a roll top is a minor inconvenience. The price seems OK as it is up to £90 for a pair (from what I saw). Will bear wiggle in mind if my LBS can't source these (I already know they don't source Altura as their wholesaler stocks a rival brand), but I do like to support him if I can - but not to the point of buying different brands/spec just because he can't source it.

Stuart

Edit: typo

Specialized Needs

RufusA wrote:

1) The i]Altura[/i quick release clips dig in to your side when using the shoulder strap, so had to stuff with a "metro" to protect me.

Might this not be a problem, too, with the Ortlieb?

Thanks for the recommendation - useful to hear from someone who has a different brand.

Stuart

Specialized Needs

fuddymox wrote:

Lidl are doing panniers as of this Thursday 21st, for £14.99 the pair. Don't look too bad at all.

Yes, would go with a lot of my other Lidl/Aldi stuff However, they look as though they are attached and 'flop' over the pannier rack. But, as you say, worth a look. I just wish their website gave more information about products to save me a journey if they are not suitable :roll:

Stuart

Specialized Needs

BUICK wrote:

I got Ortlieb panniers in red with big reflective panels, with that sort of capacity. Well worth looking at.

Hi BUICK, thanks for the recommendation. Which model have you got and how do you find them for rain resistance? Do yours have a shoulder strap - if so, how well does it work in your experience?

A more general question for anyone: I see Ortlieb do two 'quick release' systems - I've only seen version 1 in the Evans shop - how does version 2 compare?

Stuart

Specialized Needs

AndyManc wrote:

I've got these ..........

Well. Certainly visible and, dare I say it, lurid I see they also comes in black

How would you say these perform? Are they rainproof? What would you say are the worst points of this bag? Obviously not the price!

Stuart

BUICK

From memory I think they were the Bike-packer plus? Fantastically waterproof for commuting and light touring and the fittings come with clip in extra bits so they can work with different types of rack. They have accessories so that you can use a strap to carry them or clip them to a panel that turns each pannier into a backpack. Cool huh?

AndyManc

duncedunce wrote:

AndyManc wrote:

I've got these ..........

Well. Certainly visible and, dare I say it, lurid I see they also comes in black

How would you say these perform? Are they rainproof? What would you say are the worst points of this bag? Obviously not the price!

Stuart

Very rainproof , they have lots of pockets, zipped , webbed , places for pens/keys etc etc .

The top rolls up then clips together before you put the flap over which also clips closed.

Bad points .... ermmmm , :? , there is nothing I can think of , I've had them 6 months and I can't fault them.

patchy

you can't really fail with ortlieb panniers.

on another note, these bags are AMAZING. i have the MTB version but this thing looks like a right wee beastie.

http://www.ergon-bike.com/en/backpacks/bc3.html

Bodhbh

The roll tops aren't too bad tbh once you get used to them. I avoided them, but ended up with some, can't remember why, eBay bargin probably. Now I prefer them to the backpack type lid, quicker to close, and if the pannier is only 1/2 full it rolls right down (probably been anal, but hate the way a saggy 1/2 filled pannier looks).

dafruk

Another vote for the roll top Ortliebs here.

Ortlieb Roller panniers Front Plus
I've a set of what I reckon is these in red.

Totally waterproof after several years use in Scotland.

I find the roll top is actually more convenient than a tie/clip. Also you don't need to worry about the cleats digging in your back as just flip it over! The shoulder strap isn't the most comfortable, but unless you're carrying it around all day it does the job fine.

Used to get some strange looks when people didn't realise they were panniers and thought I just had a weird bag.

alfablue

duncedunce wrote:

BUICK wrote:

I got Ortlieb panniers in red with big reflective panels, with that sort of capacity. Well worth looking at.

Hi BUICK, thanks for the recommendation. Which model have you got and how do you find them for rain resistance? Do yours have a shoulder strap - if so, how well does it work in your experience?

A more general question for anyone: I see Ortlieb do two 'quick release' systems - I've only seen version 1 in the Evans shop - how does version 2 compare?

Stuart

The QL1 fitting system is on the "Classic" models (these have shiny fabric rather than the "cordura" like fabric of the "Plus" models). The two main differences between QL1 and QL2 are QL1 requires an allen key to adjust the hook position on the rails, QL2 don't need tools (as you probably only set them up once this is not much of an issue, you are unlikely to do "on the road" adjustments), and the QL2 system allows you to fit the accessory steel cable so you can lock them to your bike when you lock up.



As for rain resistance, Ortlieb are the ultimate! totally waterproof fabric. The roll top "roller" models would be theoretically more waterproof, the lidded "packer" versions, less so, but in practice both are 100% reliable unless dropped in a 30cm deep puddle! I think the roller versions are slightly more flexible when filling to the brim, the lids on the packer models can be a tight fit when very full. Either way, any of the Ortliebs are fantastic and will last for years.

beverick

Get a decent pannier rack as well. Something that will take reasonable weight without bending and flexing.

Bob

alfablue

beverick wrote:

Get a decent pannier rack as well. Something that will take reasonable weight without bending and flexing.

Bob

yep, Tubus or Tortec

BUICK

Having thought about what has been said about the rolltop panniers - although I am happy with the ones I have - I would probably go for rolltops if I was making the purchase again. Would stick with the Ortliebs though. I think the rolltops might just be more convenient and catch a bit less wind on smaller loads particularly.

Specialized Needs

alfablue wrote:

yep, Tubus or Tortec

Getting a Tortec, so it is nice to be supported.

OK, will take the hint and get the Ortlieb back roller pluses . Will be interesting to see how well they roll down when not full - not something I had considered, but could be useful.

Unfortunately my LBS doesn't stock them so it is down to finding the cheapest online place - seems to be J E James Cycles?

Thanks everyone for the comments and advice.

Stuart

alfablue

I'm afraid JE James have a tendency to show fantastic prices when searching, only to find they have no stock.

Spa Cycles have them for £88, post free, and its a good shop. If you want to save some money, get the Back Roller Classics (I actually prefer the shiny fabric, a bit tougher, more retro, £76.50). Last time I bought from them the stuff arrived very fast.

daniel_b

I bought a pair of those Ortliebs very recently, after doing a lot of research, and asking on several forums.

I bought mine from facewest, I hadn't heard of them either, but e-mail comms were good, and they arrived promptly.

http://www.facewest.co.uk/Ortlieb-Backroller-Classic.html

*The picture shows the old style QL1 fitting, but they do have the new style QL1 fittings - I checked this by e-mail before ordering.

I bought the yellow ones, and they are HIGH VIS!

They cost £70, and due to the way the website works, you get 10% off your next order - I'm due to buy another pair for my gf's bike, so I'll get those for £63 - not too shabby - postage is £1.95 IIRC.

Yet to fit them, so can't give a proper review, but the quality looks spot on, so I am confindent to start with.

Cheers

Dan

bice

what's the issue with panniers?

With my two Ortleibs I can virtually do the weekly shop and picnics with the children on MTB. Fine for old 70s racer and hybrids of all kinds for commuting.

Only road bikes shouldn't have them, surely?