Questions tagged [panniers]

A pannier (pronounced /ˈpæniər/) is a basket, bag, box, or similar container, carried in pairs either slung over the back of a beast of burden, or attached to the sides of a bicycle or motorcycle. The term derives from the Old French, from Classical Latin, word for bread basket.

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What are the pros and cons of panniers vs messenger bags?

I was shopping for new panniers and thought it might be worth it to also check out messenger bags as an alternative. What are the basic pros and cons of each? I started out using just a regular back ...
Kibbee's user avatar
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27 votes
7 answers
19k views

Best practices for commuting with rack & panniers

I've been starting to commute by bike more (about 6 miles each way) and decided to upgrade from my cheap, old mountain bike to something more suitable. I just bought a used 2009 Kona Jake off ...
Voodoo's user avatar
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27 votes
7 answers
5k views

Recommendation for panniers used off the bike a lot

I'm looking for panniers. I mostly just potter around town, and am not planning any cycle touring so my main criteria is that the panniers should be easy to carry around off the bike. Built in ...
Hamish Downer's user avatar
26 votes
8 answers
10k views

Touring load weight distribution

What's the best way to load a touring bike, to increase stability and balance? Assuming a standard two-rack-and-panniers setup, where should I put most of my weight? I have a camping load, about 50 ...
Goodbye Stack Exchange's user avatar
17 votes
6 answers
5k views

How do I make my pannier bag less smelly?

Because I ride my bike everywhere, my pannier bags (Ortlieb Back Roller Classic) carry all kinds of cargo, from wrapped-up fish-and-chips to damp swimming and gym kit. I store them open whenever I can,...
Dan Hulme's user avatar
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16 votes
8 answers
4k views

Really big panniers and other baggage

Once a week I take my bike to the local supermarket to do my shopping. My panniers fill up really quickly and I always end up with bags on my handlebars (for UK people - the bags I'm talking about ...
Brian Beckett's user avatar
14 votes
6 answers
6k views

Crash-proof Laptop bags for MacBook Pro for Bicycle?

I'm thinking of getting a new bike, one with a Pannier or Cycle rack; my job requires me to travel with a Macbook Pro and there are several issues. 1). I am worried about crashing/wiping out and ...
zardon's user avatar
  • 241
12 votes
5 answers
11k views

Recommendation for panniers to carry a laptop for daily commute That's available in the UK

I've seen this question about Panniers, but as far as I can tell, the Arkel Panniers aren't available in the UK. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good laptop holding pannier that converts ...
Omar Kooheji's user avatar
12 votes
5 answers
1k views

Secure Storage for Running Errands

I use my bike to run errands on the weekends - stopping for soap and shampoo at the drug-store, a loaf a bread at the grocery store, stopping for lunch, etc. The issue is I have to haul my previous ...
eBeth's user avatar
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11 votes
11 answers
15k views

Would a backpack or cargo rack be better for commuting? [duplicate]

Right now I use a backpack to hold all of my supplies including spare tubes, pump, patch kits, tools, my change of clothes for work, etc. This is the backpack I use: It's about as comfortable as a ...
npsantini's user avatar
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11 votes
5 answers
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Is laptop safe in pannier bag during commute?

Is laptop safe in pannier bag during the commute? Specifically, if I am involved in a fall or crash is my laptop going to be damaged for sure if I put it inside a pannier? I have an expensive work ...
Lightsout's user avatar
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11 votes
4 answers
1k views

Why are most commuting panniers designed as shoulder bags and not backpacks?

I commute to work just carrying a light laptop and/or my tablet computer, my lunch, and a few papers. I'd prefer to use panniers rather than a backpack or messenger bag, but once I get to work, I ...
RoboKaren's user avatar
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10 votes
5 answers
4k views

How to prevent my bike from tipping over when using just one pannier?

I often carry gear in a pannier on my bike rack, as in the photo below (not my bike, but same pannier design. My actual bike frame is very different; I'll upload my own picture tomrrow): I have two ...
nhinkle's user avatar
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10 votes
4 answers
4k views

How to secure and transport panniers when on foot during a bike trip

Context I would like to go on a solo two weeks bike trip in Europe (mid & east). I am planning on camping (with a 2 person tent), so will not go to any hotel. This means that I will be buying ...
skirato's user avatar
  • 203
10 votes
7 answers
2k views

Recumbent, diamond-frame or trailer to move heavy things?

Heavy things can be a lot of books, full beer cans, construction woods and other misc in a place where I cannot use a car and the trip is long and suitable for riding. So which one would you favor? ...
user avatar
9 votes
8 answers
14k views

Does a hybrid pannier / backpack exist?

From reading around on the internet I understand that pannier bags are comfortable to ride long distances with on a bicycle. In my current rough travel plan I decided I also want to (hitch)hike a ...
Saaru Lindestøkke's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
983 views

Will a rack fit on these rear-facing eyelets?

I have a gravel bike, a Nukeproof Digger, and I'd like to fit a lightweight pannier rack to it. It comes with 2 rear facing eyelets on the seatstays. Pannier racks seem to mount using eyelets on the ...
donturner's user avatar
  • 193
8 votes
1 answer
1k views

How can I attach a set of five panniers?

My ex's mother gave me her old set of five panniers. When researching it seems that they normally come in sets of two and, as I understand, they normally attached to a rack over the rear tire. Having ...
Cobertos's user avatar
  • 183
8 votes
5 answers
2k views

Patching waterproof panniers

I've managed to tear a couple holes in my panniers. Nothing enormous; they can still hold their contents, but they definitely need patching. What would be a good way to patch them, keeping them ...
Cascabel's user avatar
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8 votes
4 answers
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Can you attach front panniers to shocks?

I'm going on a bike trip and need the extra storage supplied by front panniers. But my bike has front suspension. I can replace the fork with a solid one but that will increase my costs. Is it A) ...
jon's user avatar
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8 votes
4 answers
4k views

Why don't couriers use rear racks?

I've noticed that lots of courier companies prefer their riders to use messenger bags or backpacks. When a rack does get used its often a porteur rack of the front wheel? Does anyone know why these ...
Gordon MacMorran's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
274 views

Pannier Bags for Burley Kazoo

I have a burley kazoo trail-a-bike, which my five year-old and I are really enjoying. When not trailing my 5yo, I can easily put my Arkel pack onto the burley rack, but its attachment points don't ...
John's user avatar
  • 183
7 votes
6 answers
8k views

When riding with a single pannier, does it matter which side it's on?

I read somewhere that when riding with a single pannier, the pannier should be mounted on the left side (traffic side in the US). However, the article didn't give a reason behind that. It's been quite ...
jimchristie's user avatar
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7 votes
5 answers
2k views

Will it be a problem to bike uphill with a rear pannier with books (~2lbs)

I've been biking to work ~11 mi and my back hurts from carrying books. I was thinking of buying a pannier and putting my books in it. But I'm not sure if it'll be harder to bike, as I live in San ...
user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
2k views

Why do rear pannier racks have a raised "nose"?

I am tempted to saw off the raised "nose" on my unbranded 2nd hand pannier rack because it's forcing me to lift the child seat substantially, which obviously has implications on stability. But I feel ...
pateksan's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
3k views

What does the term pannier really mean? Does how the bag is hung matter?

This question drew my attention to pannier here. I just thought that panniers are things that hung on bike. The Wikipedia definition with Google gives: A pannier is a basket, bag, box, or similar ...
user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
749 views

Can I mount a rack on eyelets that aren't horizontal?

The eyelets at the lower end of my frame's seatstays are not aligned with the dropouts (to allow attachment of a vertical rack strut). The misalignment is around 13°. Two questions: What options do I ...
Will Vousden's user avatar
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7 votes
7 answers
5k views

Options for carrying a smart briefcase on a bike (pannier or otherwise)

Situation I don't own a bike: however due to a recent change of office location, I have worked out that I could cycle in half the time as driving through rush-hour traffic every day. I'm therefore ...
Chris Melville's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
8k views

Safest way to carry luggage on my carbon frame?

I'm planning a 5 day trip on my Trek Madone 4.5. We are planning on staying motels so don't need to carry camping equipment. I need to find some type of rack that is compatible with my carbon frame - ...
Jo S's user avatar
  • 71
7 votes
4 answers
2k views

What's the maximum size for low-rider bags?

I am thinking of buying a combination briefcase/bike bag to carry a small laptop, some papers etc on my daily commute to and from work (I was thinking something like a Vaude Newport II L, 33cm high ...
Lightsider's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
4k views

Making panniers out of canvas map bags -- how to seal after the build?

I'm planning to make my own panniers out of a set of army map bags -- these are small bags, about as large as a small front pannier, with a rigid back. The hooks I'm planning to use attach to the ...
Goodbye Stack Exchange's user avatar
6 votes
10 answers
28k views

How to carry a large backpack on a bike rack?

My 3 kids ride their bikes to school and carry 20 pound back packs stuffed quite large. They won't fit in any pannier I can find. I've considered hanging them off the side of the pannier with bungies ...
Clay Nichols's user avatar
  • 1,085
6 votes
3 answers
317 views

Reducing Bulk on a touring trip

I'm doing a self contained touring trip, I have a 5 piece set of ortlieb bags (handlebars, 2 front rollers, 2 back rollers). I also plan on putting my tent on my back rack. I'm not doing this in a ...
jon's user avatar
  • 591
6 votes
1 answer
2k views

Can you put a kickstand on the righthand side?

Kickstands are always on the left, likely because gears occupy the righthand side. Has anyone had success with installing a kickstand on the right side? After using my left-side pannier routinely ...
Meliorate's user avatar
  • 221
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

Pannier for MacBook Pro 15 retina?

I'm commuting with a backpack, and I don't like having the weight of my laptop on my back for the whole commute (30 minutes). So I'm looking to buy a pannier that I can easily take off when I get to ...
erwan's user avatar
  • 163
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

Waterproof spray or waterproof pannier cover?

Does anyone have experience with either waterproofing panniers with a waterproof spray or using waterproof covers for panniers? Which one was best? I don't want to invest in waterproof panniers as I ...
user1170304's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
1k views

Bags for longer touring

I am planning to go on a 2 week touring trip in a few months and I'm looking for some bags/panniers to buy. What are your recommendations regarding the capacity of the bags (considering the length of ...
Razvi's user avatar
  • 229
5 votes
2 answers
524 views

Pannier rack for larger diameter seat post

I have recently purchased an old, second-hand folding (or at least collapsable) bike, a Daewoo shuttle to be precise. In order to use it for commuting, I would like to fit a pannier rack onto it. It ...
am304's user avatar
  • 153
4 votes
4 answers
3k views

(How) can a pannier rack mount on the Specialized Diverge Elite E5?

If I look at the images of the Specialized Diverge Elite E5 I see on the underside of the seat stay 2 black pieces that look like rack mounts. However, I've only seen them on the upper side of the ...
HanMah's user avatar
  • 280
4 votes
6 answers
4k views

Panniers or rack bags for photography equipment

Currently I am cycling a lot with a backpack (specifically a chrome citizen), whilst the bag is brilliant it's just not big enough for everything I'm carrying, and with a lot of weight in it it hurts. ...
Ben's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
23k views

How can I tell if a rack and panniers will work with my bike?

I have a 2012 Jamis Durango Race and am interested on fitting it with rear panniers at some point. However I want to be sure that they'll be compatible. There seem to be mounting points on the bike ...
GordonM's user avatar
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4 votes
5 answers
18k views

Will using a pannier rack mounting kit damage a carbon frame Axiom vs Tubus

I am hoping to buy one of these in the next few weeks: Specialized Roubaix SL4 Expert Disc Di2 2014 Road Bike But I will be using it for commuting and need some luggage so I need to fit a pannier ...
Roaders's user avatar
  • 483
4 votes
5 answers
220 views

Replacing elastic straps on panniers?

I have a set of Inertia Design panniers which I bought over 20 years ago. It's a simple design: 2 top clips which hang off the carrier rack and a bottom clip which uses elastic straps to hold it in ...
spring's user avatar
  • 161
4 votes
3 answers
2k views

What can I get for panniers to commute with my 17" laptop?

I have looked for a pannier that can hold my 17" laptop for a couple of years. No such thing exists. I tried contacting a couple of places to make one, but they never replied. So, now I'm trying to ...
cognifloyd's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
472 views

Rear pannier bags on touring mountain bike

Why people are not using rear pannier bags on MTB for touring? Most of reports and photos I see have a saddle bag and the rest of luggage seems to go to the front of the bike. I have done touring ...
Val's user avatar
  • 163
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Panniers for a Giant Defy 2.5 (2009)

I was wondering whether anyone had any retrogradations for a lightweight rear pannier rack and a rack bag which would go on my Giant Defy 2.5 (2009). I'm doing a 3 day cycle in a fortnight and will ...
Nick's user avatar
  • 141
3 votes
2 answers
438 views

How can I fix the hook of a weather proof pannier?

I have a pair of Mainstream panniers (msx sl 55) but the rivet that holds the hook on the bag fell off. You can see it on images outside and inside How can I fix it while maintaining it weather proof?...
Ílson Bolzan's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

Can I install a disc-brake pannier rack on a bike with V-brakes?

I have a MTB with V-brakes. 14-15 years old. I want to get a pannier rack. Will a rack suitable for a bike with disc brakes (eg Topeak Super Tourist DX) fit a bike without disc brakes? I’m not sure if ...
Lachlan Macnish's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

How to repair ripped Ortlieb pannier

I have an Ortlieb Back Roller pannier that has developed a rip about 6" (150mm) long along the lower rear inside corner – where the side/bottom joins the back (wheel side). It looks like this: In the ...
dlu's user avatar
  • 7,026
3 votes
2 answers
772 views

Rear pannier rack legs seem to narrow in width - is my rack damaged?

I bought a pannier rack but it seems way too narrow to fit on my MTB bike (in terms of the axle width), I can sort of push apart the two legs (of the rack) but even then the spacing is only 10CM (when ...
Chris Stryczynski's user avatar