Which Pannier?

jeepie1999
jeepie1999 Posts: 78
edited May 2013 in Commuting chat
After 3 years of lots of commuting both of my Altura night vision panniers have split. - Well, the seam that joins the bottom to the side has come apart. So, I'm in the market for 1 pannier about 20 litres. I like the idea of a bit of reflective on them, they've got to be waterproof, and they need to click onto the rack.

Thinking this might be good (esp. as its massively cheaper than CRC!!)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/vau ... 3#features

Which other panniers should I look at??

Comments

  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    Ortlieb. Mine are still going strong after nearly 4 years, and no indication they won't last at least as long again. Totally and utterly waterproof...
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • clickshots
    clickshots Posts: 91
    +1 for Ortlieb

    I use the 'plus' panniers. Although lighter than the standard ones I don't feel they're as durable however...BUT...the regular ones are made from PVC. I couldn't buy them because of the damage (to people and the environment) PVC manufacture causes. Probably not something most people think about, but there you go.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,334
    Ortlieb for me too... 3 years on and they are virtually new... they retain the shape, they don't bounce around, they are fully waterproof... only thing the clips tend to chew into your rack frame
    left the forum March 2023
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Carradice - the only choice! Apparently the longest lasting thing known to man after zircon.........
    Faster than a tent.......
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    Still got an Altura dryline 17 laptop pannier going strong at the moment - perfect for shirts as it turns out.
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • essex-commuter
    essex-commuter Posts: 2,188
    Orllieb classic here, I use the front one...on the back. usually use one, but use both if I have loads of stuff to take in.

    No nonsense pannier, mine are 2 years old, used virtually everyday...no wear. They just work.

    I would like to try a Vaude though!
  • davmaggs
    davmaggs Posts: 1,008
    I've been using Vaude Aqua Plus for several years. I went for them over the Ortliebs as they have a small outside pocket, which is much nicer for keys, repair kit and so on. Avoids the need to open the main compartment in the rain when you arrive at a destination.
  • mrfpb
    mrfpb Posts: 4,569
    I like the revolution range from Edinburgh Bike Co-op.
    http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/browse/ ... revolution
    I have the basic single panniers and the adventure panniers. For waterproofing I use big exped dry bags.
  • rhext
    rhext Posts: 1,639
    Another vote for Ortleib. Mine have now been used day in, day out in all weathers for 4 years with no obvious signs of wear and no leakage at all. I tend to find I only need to use one, so after 4 years and over 15,000 miles, not only is the one I tend to use still going strong, I also have a nearly-new one to replace it with in the (looking increasingly unlikely) event that it ever does wear out!
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    Its got to be Ortlieb... I've had mine for going on 5 years now, and use them occasionally on the commute, but regularly for my weekly shop. Still like new.

    Very good value for money.
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    Altura Dryline here too - 4 years on and there is some wear to the back where it rubs against the rack, which I have covered with helicopter tape and that seems to have sorted it. Other than that, they are still as new - and they are used alot, including off road and even trail centre red routes on occasion...!

    I am sure Ortlieb are very good but I am happy with mine. If I had to change, I would take a look at the Ortlieb but I would probably stick with what I know.
  • Sharkyssurfers
    Sharkyssurfers Posts: 767
    to hijack this post a bit, how many of you day to day commute with panniers and how easy it is to filter through traffic etc.. now that there are racks for disc brake bikes, i am thinking about it instead of the backpack, which currently holds a lot.
    Sorry its not me it's the bike ;o)

    Strava Dude link http://www.strava.com/athletes/amander
    Commuting, Domestic & Pleasure : Specialized Sectuer Sport Disc

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  • essex-commuter
    essex-commuter Posts: 2,188
    Sharkyssurfers wrote:
    to hijack this post a bit, how many of you day to day commute with panniers and how easy it is to filter through traffic etc.. now that there are racks for disc brake bikes, i am thinking about it instead of the backpack, which currently holds a lot.

    Every day. Not much traffic on my commute now but when there was....easy. If I go thru, me pannier goes thru....so far anyway!
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    essex-commuter wrote:
    If I go thru, me pannier goes thru....so far anyway!

    +1 - never notice mine is on the bike.
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    apreading wrote:
    essex-commuter wrote:
    If I go thru, me pannier goes thru....so far anyway!

    +1 - never notice mine is on the bike.
    Same here. If you think about it, even a well-loaded pannier barely sticks out more than your feet, and certainly less than the handlebars.
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • cookeeemonster
    cookeeemonster Posts: 1,991
    Sharkyssurfers wrote:
    to hijack this post a bit, how many of you day to day commute with panniers and how easy it is to filter through traffic etc.. now that there are racks for disc brake bikes, i am thinking about it instead of the backpack, which currently holds a lot.

    You want a Carradice saddlebag!!

    But I never found panniers a problem filtering when I did have them. Catch the wind a bit though (and dirt from the ground when wet)
  • davmaggs
    davmaggs Posts: 1,008
    Sharkyssurfers wrote:
    to hijack this post a bit, how many of you day to day commute with panniers and how easy it is to filter through traffic etc.. now that there are racks for disc brake bikes, i am thinking about it instead of the backpack, which currently holds a lot.

    My pannier doesn't stick out wider than the front bars (or me), they just appear to. One advantage of this perception is that it helps my the bike look wider to cars trying to pass.
  • Sharkyssurfers
    Sharkyssurfers Posts: 767
    CookeeeMonster wrote:
    Sharkyssurfers wrote:
    to hijack this post a bit, how many of you day to day commute with panniers and how easy it is to filter through traffic etc.. now that there are racks for disc brake bikes, i am thinking about it instead of the backpack, which currently holds a lot.

    You want a Carradice saddlebag!!

    But I never found panniers a problem filtering when I did have them. Catch the wind a bit though (and dirt from the ground when wet)

    which model did you go for, quite like the sqr slim or the sqr trax
    Sorry its not me it's the bike ;o)

    Strava Dude link http://www.strava.com/athletes/amander
    Commuting, Domestic & Pleasure : Specialized Sectuer Sport Disc

    Please Sponsor http://www.justgiving.com/alister-manderfield1
  • cookeeemonster
    cookeeemonster Posts: 1,991
    Sharkyssurfers wrote:
    CookeeeMonster wrote:
    Sharkyssurfers wrote:
    to hijack this post a bit, how many of you day to day commute with panniers and how easy it is to filter through traffic etc.. now that there are racks for disc brake bikes, i am thinking about it instead of the backpack, which currently holds a lot.

    You want a Carradice saddlebag!!

    But I never found panniers a problem filtering when I did have them. Catch the wind a bit though (and dirt from the ground when wet)

    which model did you go for, quite like the sqr slim or the sqr trax

    The Pendle (11 litres) with the sqr quick release.

    They got a nice tweed version if you like that sort of thing :)
  • fossyant
    fossyant Posts: 2,549
    Topeak MTX system here - 4 years so far, going strong. Using the MTX DXP rack bag with side panniers. Not as tough as ortlieb, and they do need the waterproof cover. I know a few folk with them and they are happy. I am looking ar Ortlieb City front rollers though - don't need a massive capacity and not having to put the cover on would be good.

    You do soon get used to the weight on the back. Makes weekend rides feel wierd though, with no weight swinging on the back.
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    TGOTB wrote:
    apreading wrote:
    essex-commuter wrote:
    If I go thru, me pannier goes thru....so far anyway!

    +1 - never notice mine is on the bike.
    Same here. If you think about it, even a well-loaded pannier barely sticks out more than your feet, and certainly less than the handlebars.

    Hmmmm... I started using panniers in around March this year and I'm pretty much used to them now but I have found that they brush against cars as I squeeze through gaps sometimes, it's only happened literally less than 4 or 5 times but I occasionally forget I need slightly more room at the rear when filtering through nose to tail London traffic...
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • jeepie1999
    jeepie1999 Posts: 78
    Many thanks for the clues. Fantastic quality consumer advice from real enthusiasts!

    I'm going to go for the Ortliebs - and soon as gaffer tape holding the pannier together won't last long.

    Thanks once again
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    you can guarantee opinions here, none of them right, but you'll get them.
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    rubertoe wrote:
    you can guarantee opinions here, none of them right, but you'll get them.

    That's just YOUR opinion of course....
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • small_bloke
    small_bloke Posts: 222
    I use Ortlieb Bike Packer Classic.

    You can get loads of stuff in them. Ortlieb bags also have shoulder strap. I find this useful for commuting because I have to walk between buildings at my work place. Otherwise heavy panniers can be very awkward to carry from the centre handle.

    Best Price £98 pair
    http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b4s74p99

    image_zps0bf45612.jpg

    5226bfcec120baea9ccbae4929c20aef_zpsc279c000.jpg
  • cookeeemonster
    cookeeemonster Posts: 1,991
    wow you also carrying the fridge as well as the kitchen sink? ;)

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