Hi All
I have just bought a new bike for commuting to work and would like advice on a rack to buy and advice on bags for transporting things... Today in the bike shop I got shown a great rack bag that sits on top at the back of the bike and has fold out pannier bags. I have also seen the pair of pannier bags that clip onto the side of the rack.
I have just done a search on CR for pannier bags and found a few people use them, but no mention what type they are or how useful they are. I don't want to spend too much on the rack and bags, but think that they would be handy for transporting food and clothes to work and even going shopping at the markets in the city.
Sorry for all the questions recently and thank you for your help
FnH
Full Version: Advice On Pannier / Rack Bags For Commuting
CoolRunning Messageboards > Specific Running Categories > Triathlon, Cycling, Swimming, CrossTraining etc
I'll be keeping an eye on this thread... I too wouldn't mind a rack and some panniers BUT I dont have a heap of money to spend (would appear that all my money is going on running related stuff!)... carrying EVERYTHING in a backpack is nigh on impossible...
Panniers, I love 'em.
I have a very good quality pair, Sherpa. Cant remember how much they were but remember at the time of purchase thinking they were expensive. I have had them about 15 years and have treated them with disrespect the whole time. They are still 100% despite that fact.
There isnt much that can go wrong with panniers anyway. You dont have to buy the most expensive pair. I bought good ones as I used to do a lot of touring. Many days and nights spent up the Mawson Trail, three weeks cycling around Tasmania too. Nowadays I just use them for taking stuff to work. I prefer using panniers to having a pack on my back.
What do they want for a good set these days FnH?
I have a very good quality pair, Sherpa. Cant remember how much they were but remember at the time of purchase thinking they were expensive. I have had them about 15 years and have treated them with disrespect the whole time. They are still 100% despite that fact.
There isnt much that can go wrong with panniers anyway. You dont have to buy the most expensive pair. I bought good ones as I used to do a lot of touring. Many days and nights spent up the Mawson Trail, three weeks cycling around Tasmania too. Nowadays I just use them for taking stuff to work. I prefer using panniers to having a pack on my back.
What do they want for a good set these days FnH?
QUOTE (Colsy @ Jul 27 2008, 01:55 PM) 
Panniers, I love 'em.
I have a very good quality pair, Sherpa. Cant remember how much they were but remember at the time of purchase thinking they were expensive. I have had them about 15 years and have treated them with disrespect the whole time. They are still 100% despite that fact.
There isnt much that can go wrong with panniers anyway. You dont have to buy the most expensive pair. I bought good ones as I used to do a lot of touring. Many days and nights spent up the Mawson Trail, three weeks cycling around Tasmania too. Nowadays I just use them for taking stuff to work. I prefer using panniers to having a pack on my back.
What do they want for a good set these days FnH?
I have a very good quality pair, Sherpa. Cant remember how much they were but remember at the time of purchase thinking they were expensive. I have had them about 15 years and have treated them with disrespect the whole time. They are still 100% despite that fact.
There isnt much that can go wrong with panniers anyway. You dont have to buy the most expensive pair. I bought good ones as I used to do a lot of touring. Many days and nights spent up the Mawson Trail, three weeks cycling around Tasmania too. Nowadays I just use them for taking stuff to work. I prefer using panniers to having a pack on my back.
What do they want for a good set these days FnH?
Well Colsy I bought my bike from Standish Cycles on Henley Beach Rd if you are still interested in a new bike and they were very helpful, but their racks were around $50 and then the panniers started from $100 and just went up from there.
Hi FnH (I love your handle)
It depends on what you want to use them for and how much wear they will get. For commuting I have a pair of Tioga panniers, probably worth around $100 for the pair. They are not particularly sturdy and the mount is not great so sometimes they bounce off, but generally they are fine for daily use. They would probably not be suitable for heavy duty touring.
I also have a pair of Knog panniers which were a gift. They look cool, are waterproof and very sturdy. They have a clever mounting system that locks on, so they can't bounce off, but the mounts are fixed, so they won't fit on certain racks. Its important to make sure your bags and your rack go together before you buy.
I have always coveted a pair of Ortlieb panniers, and have heard they are bomb-proof, but they are very expensive.
Two good things to look for if you are commuting are rainproof covers and reflective strips on the back.
It depends on what you want to use them for and how much wear they will get. For commuting I have a pair of Tioga panniers, probably worth around $100 for the pair. They are not particularly sturdy and the mount is not great so sometimes they bounce off, but generally they are fine for daily use. They would probably not be suitable for heavy duty touring.
I also have a pair of Knog panniers which were a gift. They look cool, are waterproof and very sturdy. They have a clever mounting system that locks on, so they can't bounce off, but the mounts are fixed, so they won't fit on certain racks. Its important to make sure your bags and your rack go together before you buy.
I have always coveted a pair of Ortlieb panniers, and have heard they are bomb-proof, but they are very expensive.
Two good things to look for if you are commuting are rainproof covers and reflective strips on the back.
Thanks for all your advice, but haven't done anything as I didn't want to spend anymore money, but hey back to looking again and I found these ones, which I am considering:
\
Has anyone had any experience with these?
QUOTE
Tioga Waterproof Rear Panniers. Again these are great value for money panniers with 52 litres capacity. Ideal for anyone requiring waterproof panniers without the expensive price tag. Waterproof material with sealed seams and a quick release locking mechanism to enable fast, easy removal and attachment to the bike. The top weather flap locks down to enhance weatherproofing. It has reflective panels, and a carry handle. The retail price is $189, but we have a special of a FREE Tioga deluxe alloy rack (worth $48) with each set.
\Has anyone had any experience with these?
QUOTE (MissZ @ Jul 28 2008, 09:17 PM)
Hi FnH (I love your handle)
It depends on what you want to use them for and how much wear they will get. For commuting I have a pair of Tioga panniers, probably worth around $100 for the pair. They are not particularly sturdy and the mount is not great so sometimes they bounce off, but generally they are fine for daily use. They would probably not be suitable for heavy duty touring.
I also have a pair of Knog panniers which were a gift. They look cool, are waterproof and very sturdy. They have a clever mounting system that locks on, so they can't bounce off, but the mounts are fixed, so they won't fit on certain racks. Its important to make sure your bags and your rack go together before you buy.
I have always coveted a pair of Ortlieb panniers, and have heard they are bomb-proof, but they are very expensive.
Two good things to look for if you are commuting are rainproof covers and reflective strips on the back.
It depends on what you want to use them for and how much wear they will get. For commuting I have a pair of Tioga panniers, probably worth around $100 for the pair. They are not particularly sturdy and the mount is not great so sometimes they bounce off, but generally they are fine for daily use. They would probably not be suitable for heavy duty touring.
I also have a pair of Knog panniers which were a gift. They look cool, are waterproof and very sturdy. They have a clever mounting system that locks on, so they can't bounce off, but the mounts are fixed, so they won't fit on certain racks. Its important to make sure your bags and your rack go together before you buy.
I have always coveted a pair of Ortlieb panniers, and have heard they are bomb-proof, but they are very expensive.
Two good things to look for if you are commuting are rainproof covers and reflective strips on the back.
MissZ do you know what model your Knog panniers are? I'm just looking, but there seems to be a few different ones...
Thanks
FNH
That sounds like a pretty good deal FnH. The thing I like about those is the square bottom. Mine have a roundish bottom which make it a bit squiffy for putting a square lunch box and folders in. But I think the round bottoms are there to prevent contact with the heel of the foot when pedalling.
Another thing to consider is if you want to be able to easily remove the pannier from the rack to carry in to the workplace.
Another thing to consider is if you want to be able to easily remove the pannier from the rack to carry in to the workplace.
I am still looking, they are so expensive some of them and I think I need something that is easy to carry off the bike as well (like a shoulder strap or something in case I want to go shopping etc with them.
I actually rode to work for the first time today and it only 1 hr, which I was very happy with and will ride home again in about 30 mins or so. I just know when it gets warmer a back pack will be very annoying and I also found it rather heavy....
I actually rode to work for the first time today and it only 1 hr, which I was very happy with and will ride home again in about 30 mins or so. I just know when it gets warmer a back pack will be very annoying and I also found it rather heavy....
MissZ do your Knog panniers look like this?
QUOTE (Fitnhealthy @ Aug 19 2008, 05:12 PM)
MissZ do your Knog panniers look like this?
Hi, yep that looks very much like them.
Also, you said exactly what I was thinking after your original post (but forgot to say, sorry) - that its good to have a comfortable handle or shoulder strap for carrying them around, if you are going to carry them around, ie into the supermarket.
QUOTE (MissZ @ Aug 19 2008, 07:39 PM)
Hi, yep that looks very much like them.
Also, you said exactly what I was thinking after your original post (but forgot to say, sorry) - that its good to have a comfortable handle or shoulder strap for carrying them around, if you are going to carry them around, ie into the supermarket.
Also, you said exactly what I was thinking after your original post (but forgot to say, sorry) - that its good to have a comfortable handle or shoulder strap for carrying them around, if you are going to carry them around, ie into the supermarket.
How much room is in these? and also does it have a shoulder strap? I found for cheap on a US website...
If I wanted to take shoes, work clothes and lunch would this all fit in one or would you need two?
QUOTE (Fitnhealthy @ Aug 19 2008, 08:27 PM)
How much room is in these? and also does it have a shoulder strap? I found for cheap on a US website...
If I wanted to take shoes, work clothes and lunch would this all fit in one or would you need two?
If I wanted to take shoes, work clothes and lunch would this all fit in one or would you need two?
No shoulder strap on mine (Knogs).
Shoes, work clothes and lunch would all fit in one. Not with heaps of room left over mind you.
Don't forget these have a fixed mounting system so they won't work with all types of rack.
Hi All, thanks for all your help, just letting you know that I ended up going for the Tioga 100% Waterproof panniers. $110 for a pair and huge so I can fit in all my shopping and bits and pieces. Now I just need to work out where to buy shoulder straps from for the bags as they didn't come with one...
It feels a little different riding with panniers and I even managed to ride with just one full of groceries and not fall off, but will take a little getting used to, but nice not to have anything on my back. I almost feel naked
It feels a little different riding with panniers and I even managed to ride with just one full of groceries and not fall off, but will take a little getting used to, but nice not to have anything on my back. I almost feel naked
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.