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 heather s on March 2, 2010 at 2:50pm
Pro: so much more comfortable.

Con: Makes it hard to carry your bike up the stairs. I seem to always find myself living on the third floor of a three-flat, and because of this I've decided that panniers aren't worth it. The same amount of stuff you could comfortably carry in a messenger bag feels a lot heavier when it's all on your bike.
Permalink Reply by Arrak Thumrs on March 2, 2010 at 4:12pm
There are ways to use "panniers" or "saddlebags" (bags that attach to your saddle!) work without being a permanent feature on your bike. Thus, you can detach it and it is an effective shoulder bag or briefcase depending on design. Ortleib's system is great for this, IMO. I own an "Office Bag" and think its the bee's knees. As you lift the handle, it unclasps the mounting lock. Pull up handle, swing bag (it has an adjustable hook on the back too) and off you go. Other ways include a handy quick release for saddlebags. Nitto makes a fancy one, http://tinyurl.com/yzxkkmc The benefit of that is a rack isn't necessary and you can put a mount on each bike. Of course, using the Nitto option = mucho pricey for that.

Its too bad really that most off-the-shelf bikes won't fit a handlebar bag (it attaches to your handlebars!) without a lot of fuddling with front racks and P-clamps. This would be a perfect application for one. Good size, good weight distribution, easily detachable.

There is this option: http://www.velo-orange.com/rackaleur.html which I have misgivings about. I am sure it works, but not very securely or elegantly. Plus, you've got to carry it inside at work. Not great, really.

Let us know what you decide on and how it works for you!
Permalink Reply by Weir's beard on March 2, 2010 at 4:41pm
Carradice Lowsaddle Longflap and a Brooks saddle work fine for me.

I avoid the hassle of undoing the leather straps on the 'Dice by using a Carradice hack I found here
Permalink Reply by rachel post on March 2, 2010 at 7:41pm
Panniers: helpful, rain proof, take a load off your back (quite literally) and make things like impromptu shopping and camping possible. they roll up nice.

if you think panniers are ugly, you're probably looking at the wrong ones....there cousins, saddle backs ain't too shabby either.
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on March 3, 2010 at 3:06am
Arrak Thumrs said:
... There is this option: http://www.velo-orange.com/rackaleur.html which I have misgivings about. I am sure it works, but not very securely or elegantly. Plus, you've got to carry it inside at work. Not great, really.

That thing reminds me that I saw a cool retro front rack at Blue City last week. The '82 Schwinn Voyageur SP I bought last month originally came with both front and rear racks. (Given that it is Lent I make an effort not to curse the person who removed them - but it is difficult!) This discussion may have just inspired me to get that rack. I don't reckon I'd use panniers with it though but rather just strap stuff on.

Which in turn reminds of a third way for the OP: use a rack to carry a backback (or messenger bag or whatever). I cant' stand riding with a pack on my back or hanging off one shoulder- but a set of panniers can be awkward to carry once you are off the bike. One can get the best of both options (sort of) by strapping a bag to a rack.
Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on March 3, 2010 at 4:02am
Panniers increase wind resistance which slows you down when time-trialing your commute.
Permalink Reply by Craig S. on March 3, 2010 at 4:50am
Panniers? I use Arkel T-42 touring panniers http://www.arkel-od.com/ for my commuting/shopping/hauling needs and I LOVE them.

Contrary to many of the opinions expressed about other panniers, Arkel's mount very securely. They are expensive but consider I bought mine about 11 years ago, for around the same price, and even after about 5 years of 4 season daily service, these bags look damn near new. You get what you pay for and I can't recommend Arkel enough.

Pay attention to the length of your chainstays. You may need to get an expanded rack like a Jannd Expedition http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXP so your heels clear the pannier. I have this rack on my Fuji commuter and it's bullet proof.

The Jannd/Arkel combo has allowed me to carry way more groceries from the market than I typically need, included cases of beer. The combo has carried 2 5-liter mini-kegs downtown to, umm, work, several times in the past with great aplomb. It carries my laptop, change of clothes, shoes, whathaveyou to the southside very easily whenever my job requires I travel there.

I highly recommend Arkel products.

If you're looking for multibike capability, you'll obviously either need two racks or a rack that clamps on your seat post and then perhaps an expandable trunk and hanging saddlebags. Whichever you choose, getting your gear off your back is extremely comfortable and liberating although the unsprung weight sitting on the rear wheel does take a bit to get used to, as has been mentioned previously.

One last tip, take the bags off your bike when you carry it up stairs. My condo is on the top floor of my 4 floor walkup building and I wouldn't think of leaving the panniers on my bike when carrying it up the stairs.
Permalink Reply by Craig S. on March 3, 2010 at 4:51am
Very true and it's a great training exercise, particularly in swirling lakefront headwinds.

envane x said:
Panniers increase wind resistance which slows you down when time-trialing your commute.
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on March 3, 2010 at 6:10am
Craig S. said:
Panniers? ... Pay attention to the length of your chainstays. You may need to get an expanded rack like a Jannd Expedition http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXP so your heels clear the pannier. I have this rack on my Fuji commuter and it's bullet proof.

Yes, bullet-proof, but note that it does not have a lower hook, so some panniers won't work with it (without resorting to a bungie* or gravity and luck). One of my shopping panniers has a ring instead of a hook at the bottom for attaching to the lower pannier hook. The ring turns out to be a nice variant in that it does not get caught on your clothes (or other shoppers) when carrying it, or your shopping cart or whatever.

Also, on my early 80's Trek 500**, when the Jannd Expedition is fully loaded, I get a LOT of rear triangle flex when I'm off the saddle. I have not done any testing to confirm that the Expedition is the actual culprit. It may just be that the old steel Trek is too flexy back there for loaded touring/shopping.

*when shopping or on a recycling run I pretty much always secure my "shopping bag" panniers with a bungie anyway.

**I'm thinking of selling it if anyone is in the market - ~62cm
Permalink Reply by Brendan on March 3, 2010 at 7:58am
My last bike had a milk crate that was ugly but super functional. I put a collapse-able side basket on my new bike that looks nicer and is more space-efficient when storing the bike. I actually bought a set of two, but only one fits on my bike. I'd be willing to give the other half away for free (or a donation) if you're interested. Here's the model: http://tinyurl.com/yld8wsm
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on March 3, 2010 at 8:29am
Tony Adams said:
Craig S. said:
Panniers? ... Pay attention to the length of your chainstays. You may need to get an expanded rack like a Jannd Expedition http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXP so your heels clear the pannier. I have this rack on my Fuji commuter and it's bullet proof.

Yes, bullet-proof, but note that it does not have a lower hook, so some panniers won't work with it (without resorting to a bungie* or gravity and luck). One of my shopping panniers has a ring instead of a hook at the bottom for attaching to the lower pannier hook. The ring turns out to be a nice variant in that it does not get caught on your clothes (or other shoppers) when carrying it, or your shopping cart or whatever.

Also, on my early 80's Trek 500**, when the Jannd Expedition is fully loaded, I get a LOT of rear triangle flex when I'm off the saddle. I have not done any testing to confirm that the Expedition is the actual culprit. It may just be that the old steel Trek is too flexy back there for loaded touring/shopping.

*when shopping or on a recycling run I pretty much always secure my "shopping bag" panniers with a bungie anyway.

**I'm thinking of selling it if anyone is in the market - ~62cm

There is a solution to the lack of lower hooks, dropout hooks:

banjo brothers dropout hook
Permalink Reply by Craig S. on March 3, 2010 at 10:39am
Excellent points, Tony, however, peculiar to the Arkel mounting systems which includes a lower hook (which admittedly can be a pain in the ass at times), the Jannd rack works perfectly.

My Jannd rack is older than the one in the website but it's rock solid. I get the same rear flex if I stand on the cranks while full loaded but I know this is a combination of the bike frame, the rack and panniers. My Fuji dates to 1979, the frame is Tange 441 and the damn bike is so comfy, it's like riding a Barca-lounger around town.

I adjust my riding habits when my panniers are loaded, that's the bottom line.

Tony Adams said:
Craig S. said:
Panniers? ... Pay attention to the length of your chainstays. You may need to get an expanded rack like a Jannd Expedition http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXP so your heels clear the pannier. I have this rack on my Fuji commuter and it's bullet proof.

Yes, bullet-proof, but note that it does not have a lower hook, so some panniers won't work with it (without resorting to a bungie* or gravity and luck). One of my shopping panniers has a ring instead of a hook at the bottom for attaching to the lower pannier hook. The ring turns out to be a nice variant in that it does not get caught on your clothes (or other shoppers) when carrying it, or your shopping cart or whatever.

Also, on my early 80's Trek 500**, when the Jannd Expedition is fully loaded, I get a LOT of rear triangle flex when I'm off the saddle. I have not done any testing to confirm that the Expedition is the actual culprit. It may just be that the old steel Trek is too flexy back there for loaded touring/shopping.

*when shopping or on a recycling run I pretty much always secure my "shopping bag" panniers with a bungie anyway.

**I'm thinking of selling it if anyone is in the market - ~62cm

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