Pro and Cons of Panniers........

What's everybody's thoughts on Panniers?  Good, bad or ugly?

Thinking about picking some up. 

Thanks

J

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Permalink Reply by Arrak Thumrs on March 2, 2010 at 11:20am
Need more info, like:
-for what use?
-for which bike?

Y'know, the basics :)
Otherwise there is no basis for opinions.
Permalink Reply by JFred4 on March 2, 2010 at 11:23am
I have a single speed Jamis and a trek MTB

I just need somthing to get to and from work, my lunch and change of clothes for the gym are a bit much on my back...



Arrak Thumrs said:
Need more info, like:
-for what use?
-for which bike?

Y'know, the basics :)
Otherwise there is no basis for opinions.
Permalink Reply by Glenn on March 2, 2010 at 11:43am
personally I'm all about panniers. Anything really that makes a bike even more useful then it already is, will always be a plus in my book :D

They can be needlessly expensive however
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on March 2, 2010 at 11:45am
JFred4 said:
I have a single speed Jamis and a trek MTB

I just need somthing to get to and from work, my lunch and change of clothes for the gym are a bit much on my back...

I think using panniers to carry stuff on your commute is a no-brainer. I guess there is the issue of cost, but you will be more comfortable and better able to control your bike if the stuff you're carrying is in a pannier rather than on your back.

To me, the question is not whether to use panniers, but what type / manufacturer to use. If you commute daily, year-round, think seriously about getting something that is water-proof, or at least very water resistant. If the clothes you bring to work will not stand up well to being rolled (or folded, or scrunched), consider using a garment-bag style pannier. (I have a set that does a good job of carrrying the suits I occasionally have to wear).

If you have other considerations, post them. You'll get plenty of feedback.
Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on March 2, 2010 at 11:45am
I have a pair of Ortlieb panniers that would probably survive a direct nuclear hit on the city and I love them, but for lunch and clothes they're a bit much. If you shop on your bike or need to carry anything that absolutely can't get wet they're great, but I'd look into a serious, Carradice-style saddlebag, as that might fit your needs better.
Permalink Reply by cutifly on March 2, 2010 at 11:49am
Yes I can learn something new too. I just call em saddlebags but I don't want to get banned for offending anyone either...
Permalink Reply by mindfrieze on March 2, 2010 at 11:52am
For starters...

Pro's:

-Get's weight off your back leading to less sweat and less discomfort
-Lowers center of gravity of you and bike combined
-Usually increases storage/hauling capacity (panniers only vs. bag only)

Con's:

-Becomes "unsprung" weight on the bike reducing handling or "nimbleness" of bike
-Can cause clearance issues in tight spaces
-Requires addition of pannier rack to bike - an obstacle if you regularly ride multiple bikes.
Permalink Reply by Kellie on March 2, 2010 at 11:59am
I agree. I am very much pro-pannier (aka saddlebags). And you can get some reasonably priced ones on ebay.

FatTireFool said:
personally I'm all about panniers. Anything really that makes a bike even more useful then it already is, will always be a plus in my book :D

They can be needlessly expensive however
Permalink Reply by JeffB on March 2, 2010 at 12:02pm
Be sure to check them out in the store for fit. I had to return mine because I couldn't position them to avoid my heels on each revolution
Permalink Reply by JFred4 on March 2, 2010 at 12:02pm
THANKS GUYS, I saw some over the weekend and found them online for 40-50% cheaper...
Permalink Reply by Jared on March 2, 2010 at 1:26pm
Make sure they attach securely. The type I bought have a tendency to slip off. A bungee cord helps but it's still something I have to worry about.
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on March 2, 2010 at 2:48pm
Kellie said:
I agree. I am very much pro-pannier (aka saddlebags). And you can get some reasonably priced ones on ebay.

I think it is useful to not use the term saddlebag and pannier interchangeably. I think of a saddlebag as the pannier pair which is permanently connected - like a saddlebag used by horse riders.

I could be just making this up though.

For commuting I'm currently using these Banjo Brothers saddlebag panniers. They were pretty inexpensive - like $60 or so, and have held up pretty well. I've had to get out the big needle and upholstery thread a few times, but any bag that gets used twice a day for a year and a half I expect to wear out a bit here and there.

I like the saddlebag arrangement because otherwise I'm tempted to just use one pannier. I never really know when I'll be coming home from work with a bunch of groceries or other heavy stuff and I find it a drag to have one heavy bag hanging off of one side of my rear rack. These particular saddlebags are really fast to attach to a rack - definitely less time than attaching a separate pair.

Another advantage of saddlebags is that it is super rare for them to fall off. No bungie required. The only time it has ever happened was entirely due to user error. I neglected to hook the front strap around the front of the rack.

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