panniers?

[Meredith]

Hello,

I just read the messenger bag vs. backpack discussion, but I'm wondering if anyone else out there has decided that panniers best suit their needs?

I started commuting to work fairly regularly this spring. Before that, I would only do it once in a while because my messenger bag's strap would always a) leave a strap-shaped sweat "sash" across my shirt and b) force the underwires in my bra to dig into my chest so that it felt like someone was installing drywall screws in my sternum. Both of these outcomes would make me a little grumpy from my commute, which is the opposite of the effect I was looking for. Also, I couldn't fit all the stuff I truly wanted to carry in the bag or the backpack.

So, now I have a rear rack and giganto panniers. I LOVE them! In one side, I can fit my entire Timbuk 2 Pee Wee (filled to the brim). It goes in on its side (end-to-end), and I can place my daily fruit selection on top of it, nestled in the strap that gets shoved to the top of the pannier -- it keeps my fruit from bruising! In the other side, I can fit a bike lock, small pump, emergency jacket, my lunch, a thermos, a bunch of file folders, a pair of running shoes, and still have room for other stuff. Then, if I want to go to the gym on the way to work, I can put work clothes, shower stuff, work shoes, etc. in my Dirt Rag messenger bag and bungee it *across* the panniers and rack.

Another benefit is that when I step off my bike, I don't have to extract myself from a messenger bag or backpack. And I seem to get less sweaty not being "strapped in."

Anyone else feelin' the love for panniers?

[Divscotty]

Just two weeks ago I changed over from a backpack to panniers. They are great. Hold plenty and much less sweaty getting to work. Mine have a cool little pull over that is bright yellow with a reflector stripe that will be real nice when they change the time pretty soon. I still wear my reflector vest over whatever. I got a highway workers vest with lots of reflectors I got it too big so it fits right over my winter clothes.

Divscotty

[rs3o]

I've just started to look around for the Jandd grocery bag panniers because I hate going to the grocery store on my bike and carrying everything in my messenger bag--all the fruit gets pummelled! Then I started thinking about all the other stuff I can carry and got really excited. So, in addition to a decent light, panniers are on the top of my buy list.

[dave66]

Well in my case - i only ruled out panniers as I am the Imelda Marcos of commuter bikes [i have 3 different beaters for the purpose - as usually one if out of commission ] and I needed a solutiomn that was portable.
Otherwise, I think panniers are the hands down winner. The added bonus?
Nothing pisses off racer poseurs like getting dusted by panniers - especially if it is an SS!
/Dave

[FishMan]

Those backpack/messenger bag users are FOOLS!

I converted over to pannier commuting about four years ago and I'll never look back! Some days I ride my MTB to work/school so I can hit the trails before it gets dark and it totally sucks riding with a backpack, I'll never go back.

I use an Arkel Ladybug for every day commuting (on my city or touring bike), converts to a backpack for any serious amount of walking off the bike. They make a briefcase too as does Ortleib.

For grocery shopping, skip the grocery bag holdin' panniers, get some big huge honking model (like the Arkel GT-54 or Jandd Large Mountain), and fill em to the brim! You can carry two weeks worth of groceries. Once I carried everything for a four day, six person canoe trip in one load, 70 lbs of groceries! Occasionally I would shop on my touring bike with the GT-54's in back and GT-30's in front and never bought more groceries then I could carry.

Right now we're down to a pair of Arkel T-42s for groceries, but we're only three blocks from the grocery store so we (wife and I) don't mind suffering through using a backpack from time to time in addition to these large (but not huge) panners. Supose we could slap the front racks back on the touring bikes and whip out the GT-30's again if we were smart.

some links:
Arkel: www.panniers.com
Ortlieb: www.ortliebusa.com/
Jandd: www.jandd.com

In my opionion these are the best pannier brands out there (in that order). There are other good ones, (cheeper ones!) but value wise, these are the best.

[riderx]

I've got Arkel panniers on my townie single speed. Combined with the Paul's flatbed rack and my Timbuk2 messenger bag, I can haul a lot of groceries/beer/etc.!

[jhl99]

I use a little of both.

I have a homemade, smallish pannier permanently attached to the derrailure side of my rear rack. That pannier always contains the toolkit, spare tube, shock cords. Optionally, it may also include a 32oz Nalgene water bottle, leg/arm warmers, cable and lock, food, mittens and wind breaker. I always ride with tool kit and spare tube. I figure that the bike stuff ought to stay on the bike so that it is there when you need it.

Stuff related to my job goes in a small backpack... lunch, socks and whatever I need for work.

In general, I don't know why racks don't seem to that popular. ( I have a rear rack and front low-riders on my bike). It's funny the reaction you get when you race with a rack and low-rider equipped bike!

[JoeRider]

I use a Camelbak Hawg for my commutes, mostly because I wanted to keep the weight off the bike. My commute is uphill on the way home.

Not sure why I have the impression that weight on my back is better then weight on my bike.

What do you think? Is there a real difference or is it some old wives tale I've heard along the way.

For what it's worth, I'm able to keep all my gear, food and cold/rain gear and have room to spare.

[tube_ee]

For huge capacity, low price, and many extra enviro-points, try Cobbworks Oyster Bucket panniers

www.cobbworks.com

Another option is a Rivendell Baggins. Rivendell / Carradice Sackville, or Carradice transverse saddlebag.

rivendellbicycles.com/webalog/baggage_racks/

Rivendell is also coming out with a new set of panniers soon. Made by the same folks who make their other bags, 16 oz waxed cotton with leather seams, $115 or so.

I have the Hoss, and I love it.

Carradices can also be had from

www.wallbike.com

--Shannon

[wooglin-at-home]

Originally posted by JoeRider
Not sure why I have the impression that weight on my back is better then weight on my bike.

What do you think? Is there a real difference or is it some old wives tale I've heard along the way. Six of one, half a dozen of another. The only reasons I use a camelback off road are because its more hands free and weight off the bike in that situation does matter (bunnyhops and such). On the road I'd rather have the weight on the bike. Lowers the center of gravity for one thing.

[hairygrump]

Originally posted by wooglin-at-home
On the road I'd rather have the weight on the bike. Lowers the center of gravity for one thing.

I've never commuted with panniers, but I'm pretty sure I'd feel pretty uncomfortable with them. I ride all my bikes like they're singlespeeds (cuz most of them are), by which I mean I'm standing up and dancing on the thing all the time. When I did that with panniers on my roadie (admittedly, a very stupid bike to put panniers on), the bike felt really... I don't know. Stupid. Balance would get screwed up. That doesn't happen to me with 45 lbs of beer on my back.

I wonder if it doesn't have more to do with the bike your panniers are hooked to. I don't like what panniers do to my snappy fixes. MTB, I could probably handle it, but I don't commute on that thing. Do most of you pannier-loving whackjobs commute with wide tires?

[Raymo853]

What about this thing from Trashbar, it is a painner/back back bag.
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=66&subcategory=1004&brand=&sku=9036&storetype=&estoreid=

I know Ortlieb made a messanger/painner thing for a while and also have seen other companies make back pack/panniers.

[rs3o]

I just came across this listing on Ebay. You have to read the description! :D I never know you could do all these things with panniers.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3636583816&category=7295

[Meredith]

Originally posted by hairygrump
I wonder if it doesn't have more to do with the bike your panniers are hooked to. I don't like what panniers do to my snappy fixes. MTB, I could probably handle it, but I don't commute on that thing. Do most of you pannier-loving whackjobs commute with wide tires?

I commute with high-pressure, totally shiny-smooth 700x35cc tires, and I feel just fine with the panniers. Sometimes I have to be a little more on top of things when I'm at high speeds (can't get lazy), but I feel completely in control.

[mudfly]

I do a fair amount of on and off road touring ,one trick to keeping the bike from feeling like it has loose bowling balls attached to it is use a hardbacked pannier such as the Vaude brand panniers which lock to the rack both top and bottom.
http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Images/hardback_desc.jpg

[bent sprocket]

I switched to panniers (Arkel Samurai) from a messenger bag when my commute went from 6 mi. to 12.5 miles when I moved.

I should have switched earlier, given that everthing is more comfortable now, especially when it's hot or when I'm carrying something heavy.

And, the Samurai are excellent. Waterproof inner bag protected by a burrito-like, bombproof expando outer shell. All black. No place to put the sword, that I can see, but still cool.

Since the Samurai are not all that big, I will sometimes add my Carradice Nelson Longflap to make up the difference. Sometimes I also use this alone. I've got it setup so that it's relatively easy to remove from behind the seat and attach to a shoulder strap for toting around town.

All of this on my fixed/free commuter running 700x38c tires in addition to my already considerable bulk. No problem.

Of course, if I'm just running a few light errands or puttering around town for the day, I still use the messenger bag so that it's easier to take it all with me when I'm off the bike. Even so, about half of the time that I do this, it's on my townie that has a Paul flatbed. I just bungie the messenger bag to it when I don't want to carry it, or I carry the bag and bungy heavier stuff (like liquid refreshment) to the flatbed. It's no coincidence that the flatbed is the same size as a case of beer.

[oatmeal]

Quote From Fishman
Those backpack/messenger bag users are FOOLS!

Now wait one minute, it all comes down to personal preferance. I started with a pack then switched to panniers then back to a pack. They both have advantages and disadvantages the trick is learning what you can and can't live with. I use one of 5 bikes, hence the reason I ride with a pack, I don't think that makes me a fool....

[Steelboy]

Panniers are key for making your bike more of a utilitarian device. I like going lite with just a bag when possible. But, getting my errands done while getting in a ride on my bike wouldn't be possible without a set of panniers. The extra weight also makes for a good burn up even small hills. I use the Jandd Grocery panniers and find their to be very functional as long as the weather is nice.