Pannier use

"Peewiglet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've just bought a pair of panniers, which I plan to use initially for
commuting to work. I'm wondering about the weight issue. I could fit
all the necessary kit in one pannier, but is it better to spread it
out between both of them for balance? If it's ok to use one, is there
any received wisdom on whether I should have it on the nearside or
offside?

You may have missed the recent thread on this :-)

One is fine, and quite a few of us stick it on the offside to look 'bigger'.

cheers,
clive

On Sun, 03 Jul 2005 11:48:23 +0100, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I've just bought a pair of panniers, which I plan to use initially for
commuting to work. I'm wondering about the weight issue. I could fit
all the necessary kit in one pannier, but is it better to spread it
out between both of them for balance? If it's ok to use one, is there
any received wisdom on whether I should have it on the nearside or
offside?

Unless you intend to carry some very weighty stuff, then you should be
fine throwing it all into the one pannier. That's the benefit of a
rack and pannier system, with the bike taking the strain you really
won't notice the load while you're riding, on one side or t'other.
Besides, for commuting it's more convenient with just the one bag to
manage/carry around.

There's nothing critical about deciding which side of the bike you
hang it. Personally I carry singles on the left, just because that's
the side I usually mount/dismount from, so that's where it gets hung.

Other people like to carry a single pannier on the right, on the basis
that it makes the bike look a little bigger on the road side, and
therefore may encourage drivers to give you that bit more room, but I
think that's marginal.

Just sling it where it's most convenient for you.

"Bob"
--

"I will refuse to register for an ID card and will donate £10
to a legal defence fund but only if 10,000 other people will
also make this same pledge." Phil Booth, NO2ID

Join the Pledge !!

http://www.pledgebank.com/refuse

http://www.pledgebank.com/faq

Email address is spam trapped, to reply directly remove the beverage.

Peewiglet said:

I've just bought a pair of panniers, which I plan to use initially for
commuting to work. I'm wondering about the weight issue. I could fit
all the necessary kit in one pannier, but is it better to spread it
out between both of them for balance? If it's ok to use one, is there
any received wisdom on whether I should have it on the nearside or
offside?

I don't have any difficulty riding with a single pannier, even
when full of work clothes, the tools etc I carry with me, and
possibly (indoor, 5-a-side) football kit.

I always use the right side pannier when doing this. The rationale
is that you are usually passed on the right, and will tend to make
people pass further out. At night, the reflective strip on the back
will also be out to the right, which again might encourage safer
overtaking.

I would never attempt to ride with a single front pannier.

Simon

Peewiglet said:

I've just bought a pair of panniers, which I plan to use initially for
commuting to work. I'm wondering about the weight issue. I could fit
all the necessary kit in one pannier, but is it better to spread it
out between both of them for balance? If it's ok to use one, is there
any received wisdom on whether I should have it on the nearside or
offside?

Put different stuff in each, and take the one that contains the stuff
you need that day.

If you always use the same one, guess what? It'll wear out first, and
then you'll have to use the other one!

Colin McKenzie

"Peewiglet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've just bought a pair of panniers, which I plan to use initially for
commuting to work. I'm wondering about the weight issue. I could fit
all the necessary kit in one pannier, but is it better to spread it
out between both of them for balance? If it's ok to use one, is there
any received wisdom on whether I should have it on the nearside or
offside?

Many thanks!

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

Many\most panniers attach to the carrier with a plastic clip. After years
of use, and being attached and reattached, these weaken to the extent
that the pannier can fall off, inbeknowned to the user. ( And at
a time when they're possibly carrying the empty spare inside as
well)

Please don't ask how I come to know this.

In view of which, it might seem to make sense to rotate the panniers
to even out wear on the clips.

michael adams

....

"Peewiglet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've just bought a pair of panniers, which I plan to use initially for
commuting to work. I'm wondering about the weight issue. I could fit
all the necessary kit in one pannier, but is it better to spread it
out between both of them for balance? If it's ok to use one, is there
any received wisdom on whether I should have it on the nearside or
offside?

Many thanks!

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

Many\most panniers attach to the carrier with a plastic clip. After years
of use, and being attached and reattached, these weaken to the extent
that the pannier can fall off, inbeknowned to the user. ( And at
a time when they're possibly carrying the empty spare inside as
well)

Please don't ask how I come to know this.

I should perhaps add that the rack was attached to a road frame
and that the bracket to take the hook on elasticated chord at the bottom
was a bodge job. Otherwise I would presumably have been dragging the
pannier along the road.

In view of which, it might seem to make sense to rotate the panniers
to even out wear on the clips.

michael adams

....

Clive George said:

You may have missed the recent thread on this :-)

Apologies - I did miss them...

Quoted message said:

One is fine, and quite a few of us stick it on the offside to look 'bigger'.

Many thanks!

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

Thanks to all for the help with this 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

If you double the number of bags, you double the number of pockets. Can
you have too many pockets?

~PB

michael adams said:

Many\most panniers attach to the carrier with a plastic clip. After years
of use, and being attached and reattached, these weaken to the extent
that the pannier can fall off, inbeknowned to the user. ( And at
a time when they're possibly carrying the empty spare inside as
well)

Please don't ask how I come to know this.

I should perhaps add that the rack was attached to a road frame
and that the bracket to take the hook on elasticated chord at the bottom
was a bodge job. Otherwise I would presumably have been dragging the
pannier along the road.

In view of which, it might seem to make sense to rotate the panniers
to even out wear on the clips.

AFAIK most of the "decent" brands of pannier also sell replacement
clips. The Rixen + Kaul system that is used on the Altura ones (And EBC
ones) is definately available as spares, and the Karrimor ones are still
available. As long as the bag itself is fine, the clips could (and
should) be replaced.[1]

Jon

[1] Unless you are using "My pannier has broken" as an excuse for buying
some Ortleibs. ;-)

Response to :

Quoted message said:

[1] Unless you are using "My pannier has broken" as an excuse for buying
some Ortleibs. ;-)

My excuse was that, errrr, my panniers had broken ;-) - but they were
old Argos panniers, had had a hard life, and were effectively
unrepairable. Damned good for the money, and perfect for convincing me
that panniers really are worthwhile; but after a longish period of
keeping them going by e.g. faffing with cable-ties, Ortliebs were a whole
new world.

--
Mark, UK

"Common sense, to most people, is nothing more than their own opinions."

"Jon Senior" <jon_AT_restlesslemon_DOT_co_DOT_uk> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

michael adams said:

Many\most panniers attach to the carrier with a plastic clip. After

years

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

of use, and being attached and reattached, these weaken to the extent
that the pannier can fall off, inbeknowned to the user. ( And at
a time when they're possibly carrying the empty spare inside as
well)

Please don't ask how I come to know this.

I should perhaps add that the rack was attached to a road frame
and that the bracket to take the hook on elasticated chord at the bottom
was a bodge job. Otherwise I would presumably have been dragging the
pannier along the road.

In view of which, it might seem to make sense to rotate the panniers
to even out wear on the clips.

AFAIK most of the "decent" brands of pannier also sell replacement
clips. The Rixen + Kaul system that is used on the Altura ones (And EBC
ones) is definately available as spares, and the Karrimor ones are still
available. As long as the bag itself is fine, the clips could (and
should) be replaced.[1]

Jon

[1] Unless you are using "My pannier has broken" as an excuse for buying
some Ortleibs. ;-)

Karrimor as it happens. All a bit too late in the day I'm afraid. This
happened on the way to work. At work, no pannier in evidence, thus no
second pannier, spare inner tubes, allen keys, waterproofs bananas apples
anything. Retraced the route, no use. Fortuntely nothing irreplaceable
was lost. A better solution I found is to leave a pannier permanently in
situ. It's possible to drill holes through the internal stiffener and secure
them with wire to the rack sufficient to deter casual thieves. Not that an
empty pannier would probably be a target in any case. And have an inner bag
which can be removed. This cuts down on any wear on all the attachments -
the clips and the elastic on the bottom etc which is no longer critical.

michael adams

"michael adams" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Many\most panniers attach to the carrier with a plastic clip. After years
of use, and being attached and reattached, these weaken to the extent
that the pannier can fall off, inbeknowned to the user. ( And at
a time when they're possibly carrying the empty spare inside as
well)

Please don't ask how I come to know this.

Tee hee.

IME the clips break one at a time, and I've noticed every time this has
happened (to my Karrmior panniers).

cheers,
clive

Following on from Peewiglet's message. . .

Quoted message said:

I've just bought a pair of panniers, which I plan to use initially for
commuting to work. I'm wondering about the weight issue. I could fit
all the necessary kit in one pannier, but is it better to spread it
out between both of them for balance? If it's ok to use one, is there
any received wisdom on whether I should have it on the nearside or
offside?

(Amazingly) asymmetric loading doesn't make the slightest difference.
Stick to one if you can 'cos it's less luggage when off the bike.

Panniers have little dark corners (which may eventually turn into holes)
so things like tools and spare batteries want to be in a packet/bag of
their own. If possible I wrap up my lights in a jersey.

I also learnt early-on that elasticated pockets can chuck out heavy
items as you go over a bump (so only use for low value, low density
stuff - eg not mobile phone.).

The danger is that you end up taking the kitchen sink with you, but
panniers are my candidate for the best invention for civilised cycling.
Empty your clothing pockets and use your bag as your multi-purpose life
support system. (But remember to put the essential bits in the same
place every time for quick access.)

PS Try out in the shop before you buy. A combination of large pannier
and large feet can mean that your heel strikes the front of the bag.
Insist of fitting them on the rack in the shop and testing the
clearance.

--
PETER FOX Not the same since the deckchair business folded
[email hidden]
www.eminent.demon.co.uk - Lots for cyclists

Peter Fox said:

(Amazingly) asymmetric loading doesn't make the slightest difference.

It does seem odd! It's certainly convenient, though 🙂

Quoted message said:

Stick to one if you can 'cos it's less luggage when off the bike.

Panniers have little dark corners (which may eventually turn into holes)
so things like tools and spare batteries want to be in a packet/bag of
their own. If possible I wrap up my lights in a jersey.

Thanks for the tip.

Quoted message said:

I also learnt early-on that elasticated pockets can chuck out heavy
items as you go over a bump (so only use for low value, low density
stuff - eg not mobile phone.).

The danger is that you end up taking the kitchen sink with you, but
panniers are my candidate for the best invention for civilised cycling.
Empty your clothing pockets and use your bag as your multi-purpose life
support system. (But remember to put the essential bits in the same
place every time for quick access.)

I rode to work and back today with my panniers (hence no little
backpack) and without my helmet. It was a very different experience
from last week!

Quoted message said:

PS Try out in the shop before you buy. A combination of large pannier
and large feet can mean that your heel strikes the front of the bag.
Insist of fitting them on the rack in the shop and testing the
clearance.

I made that mistake by putting them on the wrong sides the first time
I used them. Fortunately the penny dropped before my next trip, though
🙂

Thanks for your advice 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

"Peter Fox" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Panniers have little dark corners (which may eventually turn into holes)
so things like tools and spare batteries want to be in a packet/bag of
their own. If possible I wrap up my lights in a jersey.

When I use panniers, I always have the stuff I carry in a liner in the
pannier. Rubble sacks from Morrisons are excellent for this purpose. Cheap,
tough, strong, waterproof.

Cheers, helen s

Peter Fox <[email hidden]> of 4th Ridley

Lancers said:

PS Try out in the shop before you buy. A combination of large pannier
and large feet can mean that your heel strikes the front of the bag.
Insist of fitting them on the rack in the shop and testing the
clearance.

Doesn't need large feet. A combination of small bike, small feet but 170mm
cranks will do it with my little size 5s if pannier is put on too far
forward. Other bike with 160mm cranks has no problem, despite a shorter top
tube.
--
Theology is the effort to explain the unknowable in terms of the not worth knowing.
Henry Louis Mencken
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email hidden]
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm>

Peewiglet said:

Peter Fox said:

(Amazingly) asymmetric loading doesn't make the slightest difference.

It does seem odd! It's certainly convenient, though 🙂

It is strange but true. My maxumum load has been a 10kg (22lb)bag of
flour on the right side with no cycling problems. Actually that much
weight can make mounting a bit dicey but it seems to have no
appreciable effect on cycling.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Stick to one if you can 'cos it's less luggage when off the bike.

Clip much useful stuff

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

PS Try out in the shop before you buy. A combination of large pannier
and large feet can mean that your heel strikes the front of the bag.
Insist of fitting them on the rack in the shop and testing the
clearance.

Definately. I ride with my panniers mounted 'backwards' since, for some
bizare reason, my heels hit the bags when they are 'properly' mounted
(at least as the refective tape indicates).

John Kane
Kingston

Peter Fox said:

(Amazingly) asymmetric loading doesn't make the slightest difference.
Stick to one if you can 'cos it's less luggage when off the bike.

I did, however, see a chap on Sunday with two panniers.

One on the left and one on the right.

The left one being on a rear rack and the right one on a front one.

Odd, that.

--
Dave Larrington - <http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/>
Bandersnatch? I would never have guessed.