Panniers Advice

[wiredued]

I have a Topeak Mtx rear rack and I'm looking for Panniers that will work with my trunk bag. The ones I looked at at the LBS were Enertia designs express that hook on the sides so I could get the trunk bag to slide on to the track but it was more difficult because the hooks are fairly thick. The bugee hooks on the bottom didn't seem to hold the lower half firmly in place either... I looked at Enertia designs web site and the excursion model says it has the lock down design which sounds good but will it interfere with the trunk bag? Is anyone familiar with this model, or aware of something better. I am aware of topeaks trunk bag panniers in one unit but there are times when I will be pulling my kid's trail-a-bike that attaches on my seat post and will not want the trunk bag on but will want the panniers.

 

[geoffs]

Ortleib


Cheers

 

[captn willard]

Go with Ortlieb

 

[lugger]

How about Carradice Super C? They seem bigger than all the Ortliebs and lighter than some. Check out http://www.wallbike.com/content/panniercomparison.html.

Are Jandd good? Less expensive. I saw them at http://aebike.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=30&Category=3&Brands=All&type=T.

And for a handlebar bag, how about Gilles Berthoud? Those look sturdy and convenient, but maybe not very waterproof? And some models seem to sit on the front rack. http://www.gillesberthoud.fr/anglais/accessoires/resultat.php

 

[geoffs]

We toured in France for five weeks and had perfect weather.
We toured in Austria for 6 days and had 6 days of rain.
It's so nice to look at the bike all loaded, sitting out in the rain while taking a break in a cafe and not even contemplating about worrying wether water is leaking into your panniers

Cheers

Geoff

 

[stokell]

I have a Topeak Mtx rear rack and I'm looking for Panniers that will work with my trunk bag. The ones I looked at at the LBS were Enertia designs express that hook on the sides so I could get the trunk bag to slide on to the track but it was more difficult because the hooks are fairly thick. The bugee hooks on the bottom didn't seem to hold the lower half firmly in place either... I looked at Enertia designs web site and the excursion model says it has the lock down design which sounds good but will it interfere with the trunk bag? Is anyone familiar with this model, or aware of something better. I am aware of topeaks trunk bag panniers in one unit but there are times when I will be pulling my kid's trail-a-bike that attaches on my seat post and will not want the trunk bag on but will want the panniers.

Yes, quite a quandry! Each person makes their choice based on experience and perceived need. I've bough 4 sets of panniers over the years. I still have the first ones I bought. I soon found out they weren't waterproof. I use them for commuting. The second ones wer far too flimsy. The third ones had every feature known to humanity and they were cheap. They were disappointing. There were not waterproof, but came with a rather impractioal waterproof cover.

Since then I've put on thousands of kilometres and decided that when talking panniers there are several maxums:

1. There is a difference between waterproof and water resistant. I don't want waterproof. It's like storing your things in a rubber boot. I use waterproof compression bags anyway. My things are in manageable size containers and if I wish I can throw them on the ground.

2. Having access to your packed things is more important. If you have to stuff everything in from the top and retrieve it the same way, you spend half your time throwing things on the ground. A zipper on three sides is very useful.

3. People don't want to steal your stuff. They already have dirty underwear. Why would they want yours? Don't spend extra on security devices.

4. How well engineered are the panniers? Good panniers should be useful on many levels and above all be pragmatic.

I now have Arkel's. I start out with one of their over-engineered handlebar bags several years ago an recently bought the GT-54 and so far the pragmatism out-weighs the lack of waterproof. As an example; I can store valuables such as passport, cards and digital camera in part of the pannier and remove that part and wear it as a ***** pack leaving just the dirty underwear.

 

[MidBunchLurker]

I've used karrimor front and rears for quite a few trips. They're not waterproof, but the come with rain jackets which you can take out at a moment's notice, and they do work.

For me the most important criteria in buying panniers was the build quality. They're expensive and you don't want to be replacing them all the time.

 

[geoffs]

I've used karrimor front and rears for quite a few trips. They're not waterproof, but the come with rain jackets which you can take out at a moment's notice, and they do work.

For me the most important criteria in buying panniers was the build quality. They're expensive and you don't want to be replacing them all the time.

The first set of good panniers that I had were a set of Karrimor Iberian's which I bought for my first tour in '89. They were definately the worse for wear by the end of the trip and required a bit of work with the needle and thread to repair some seams. I did between 11 and 12,000kms in 6 months so they so a bit more use than the average. All up I would have used them for about 30,000kms of touring but they were a bit like grandfathers axe in that everything has been replaced. I've still got them tucked away as I get bear to through them out and they are no good to anyone else.

I don't understand Stokells statement:
"1. There is a difference between waterproof and water resistant. I don't want waterproof. It's like storing your things in a rubber boot. I use waterproof compression bags anyway. My things are in manageable size containers and if I wish I can throw them on the ground."

I think what is being said is "I don't want waterproof as it's like storing your things in a rubber boot so I use waterproof compression bags" Huh??

We use clear ziplock bags to organise small things. All our valubles are in the handlebar bag which I carry everywhere.

People don't want to steal your dirty underwear but they might be very interested in things like a $600 tent, lightweight down sleeping bags, MSR stove and cooking gear, gore-tex jackets etc. These things are replaceable should they get stolen but it will take time which could really stuff up a short tour.
We never eat in a restaurant or cafe where we can't see the bike. If the cafe people don't like this we will eat elsewhere but this has only happened twice in all the time I am touring. People always seem to go out of their way to help if asked politely. We have left our tandem under someones eye numerous times when we have gone in for a tour of somewhere and never had a problem. We do carry a cable lock and always use it just in case.

Happy New Year to all

Geoff

 

[harryschwartzma]

Jandd makes excellent, well constructed and smartly designed panniers. I've used their mountain panniers and their economy panniers and they hae held up beautifully. They are NOT waterproof bags like the Ortliebs, but they won't mell like your sweat after the third day of touring. Pack everything in ziploc bags and you should be fine, plus they have many lash points so that you can secure laundry for drying... something I find the waterproof bags need but don't have.

I recommend these: http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FMP

 

[skunderwood]

Ortlieb all the way.