[craig749]

After commuting for the last few years using a rucksack the time has finally come to try some form of pannier. As I only really carry food and a small amount of clothing I can’t decide if to go for full panniers or a rack top bag?

Have any of you tried either or both? If so which would you recommend?

Thanks

Craig

Topic

[smuggers]

Have used more or less every
Have used more or less every type of bag over the years..but have to say I love my Carradice super c saddlebag..You’d be amazed how much stuff you can get in them. Cant tell I have it on the bike when I ride it. Well made and last for years. Up there with my best ever cycling buys. 🙂

[Phil T]

I’ve used a Topeak MTX trunk
I’ve used a Topeak MTX trunk bag on my commute and long Audaxes for years.
Never had any issues with it. Really good bit of kit. It take a few seconds to remove the bag from the Topeak beam rack, and only a few seconds more to remove the whole rack for when I’m not carrying anything..
If I remember rightly the capacity is about 12 litres / 9kg, so I can get a change of clothes and some lunch in there.
The only thing to watch for, as someone else mentioned, is that these racks aren’t a good idea with carbon posts.

[Nick0]

forget panniers, and rack top
forget panniers, and rack top bags, get a Carradice (or similar) saddle bag if you’re not carrying much.

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=category&category_id=13

I use this seatpost mounted jobbie which uses a quick release bracket –

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&url=sqrtour

Takes my work shoes/shirt/undies inside easily, and in the side pockets I keep wet weather gear and tools/spare tube with some space left over. Can’t recommend it enough, I used to be a died in the wool pannierist – this is lighter, you can access it while on the move, and does the same job.

Did I mention that Carradice is MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN?! Something that deserves to be shouted about in this day and age of far east manufacturing.

[rxpell]

Other than the fact that the
Other than the fact that the stuff inside rattles when I’m riding, I’ve not had any problems with my Topeak Trunk DX pack – clips on and off fine, not fallen off – but remember you’ll need to Topeak DX rack to be compatible – so factor in some extra cost if you don’t have this already. I have SuperTourist racks on a cross and hybrid bikes (the rim and disk brake models of rack differ – I have one of each). The racks are sturdy and are lasting well – some paint worn off but no breakages – and I can have the Ortliebs on the side and the the Topeak Trunk on top at the same time. For the Topeak Trunk DXP when stowed, the panniers are in a side zipped part which you can stow items in – when folded down the pannier extensions are big enough to take a laptop (in a sleeve). When unzipping, anything you had stowed in there and forgotten about will, however, fall out – e.g. coins, keys … Topeak do a separate extra waterproof cover for the pack too, which I got on ebay and it keeps water out.

Off the bike, if you carry the Topeak one on its shoulder strap its doesn’t sit very well and the clips can be a bit “jaggy” … but you get a similar issue lugging panniers over the shoulder – the clips stick out and stick into you.

[gmac101]

I have a Topeak bag and found
I have a Topeak bag and found that the clip that holds the bag on (on mine its a big yellow button) became a loose and eventually it let go during a ride and left my bag on a roundabout (I managed to retrieve it). I now use a conventional pannier

[craig749]

Thank you all for the
Thank you all for the feedback, based on what most of you are saying panniers are definitely the way to go 🙂 lots of you suggested a carradice which I have heard great things about but It might be a bit small for what I’m looking for.

Le Bidon suggested a rack top bag which has optional panniers built in. I’ve been looking at these and they look like a good choice (Topeak in particular) has anyone else had experience with them?

Thanks

[rxpell]

I usually use panniers – the
I usually use panniers – the Ortlieb ones are pricey but superbly waterfproof and big capacity – you can unclip them and sling over shoulder easy too. I normally just use one of them. One warning though – they are like sails in the wind and they slow you down.

Now I also have and use a racktop bag sometimes. It is a Topeak Trunk pack that slots onto their rack. Forget exact model name, think its EXP, but it can carry all I need for a days work (rolled up t-shirt, lunch, phone, spare tube, pump, repair kit) in that (and it is easier to organise stuff in than my panniers – where I just tip everything in) – the “P” in the model name indicates it expanding side panniers if i have extra shopping to carry. That’s maybe worth a look. Negative on this one is that it is compatible with the Topeak Super Tourist DX rack, so you’d need to get one of those for the slot on/slot off to work. It also blocks the seat post off so if you use a seat mounted light / camera, you need to move it elsewhere (rear of rack). I like this one for leisure rides at weekend.

[Mombee]

I took my Cannondale (R700)
I took my Cannondale (R700) road bike round the Pyrennees with a Carradice saddle bag and an Ortlieb bar bag… worked a dream. Carradice have a quick-release frame that attaches to the seat post, so you don’t have to fiddle with strapping (and unstrapping) the bag to the saddle (or even finding a saddle with ‘old school’ bag loops).
The only thing I’d suggest caution with is if you have a carbon seat post or carbon frame, I wonder whether the strains of a loaded saddle bag may cause trouble – the Cannondale is all aluminium and didn’t have any problems.

[PonteD]

I never got on with panniers.
I never got on with panniers. I have a carradice now (pendle) and doubt I’ll ever use my panniers (or rack) again.

I rarely wear rucksacks on bikes, I hate the sweaty back you get with them, about 20 years ago I bought an Ortlieb messenger bag that is still going strong and if I really need to lug a decent amount of luggage I’ll use that. I still get a bit of sweat on the straps and lower back, but nothing like the full back I get with a rucksack.

[le Bidon]

Perhaps something that takes
Perhaps something that takes in the best of both worlds? I have a rack top bag that has smallish panniers built in. When you need the extra space they fold down the sides. Think it’s made by Topeak. Good quality too.

[Bedfordshire Clanger]

Rack and panniers. You won’t
Rack and panniers. You won’t regret it. Much nicer than a sweaty backpack.

[Shepton]

I use a pannier all the time.
I use a pannier all the time. Altura Fuse – which claims to be waterproof but isn’t. (what is?) Wrapping my change of clothes in a carrier bag inside the pannier helps as mysteriously, if water gets in on the way to work, you can guarantee there will be a huge wet patch just around the crotch of my trousers – not a good look!

[antonio]

Altura do a rack top bag with
Altura do a rack top bag with handy drop down pannier pockets. I had one for yonks ’til it wore out. It was ideal for trips in town, easily removable to carry round with shoulder strap and put back on bike and load up shopping. You get to know by experience how much shopping you will be able to carry. One drawback is it is not waterproof and a heavy shower could penetrate, I think I’ve just talked myself into getting another!

[badback]

+1 for Panniers. Got a pair
+1 for Panniers. Got a pair of Ortleib Roller Classics and they are the biz.

[brooksby]

I have a rack and a pair of
I have a rack and a pair of Carradice A4 panniers – see road.cc review http://road.cc/content/review/94677-carradice-super-c-a4-pannier – although most of the time I just use the one (non-drive side). Great piece of kit, and I can’t recommend it enough. I keep trying to go back to using a messenger bag (cos it looks cooler, innit?) but never quite manage it because a pannier is just so much better. Why ride the bike and not use the bike to carry your stuff?

[Author]

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