while i never bother with bottom hooks on panniers at all (they often don't fit on racks for 20" wheels).... never lost one either.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
bags and panniers
(96 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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Go old school with a pair of Karrimor panniers. They were great.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Just got another Concept Living Fold-a-Tote. Slightly cheaper (I think this may be remaindered stock)
Has stiffened bottom and folds down to 15 cm x 15 cm appx
Washable but not waterproof
Has reinforced eyelets to get attachment detail for rear rack?
Posted 9 years ago # -
It was a Karrimor Iberian which leapt off on Morrison St when its bungeehook failed. Fine with locking rail-hooks and a rigid lower hook (and a bit of wood on the inside for rigidity) since.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I used my rucksack for the first time this morning. It was very secure on my rack.
I'm not sure why it is sold as a left-side pannier; it can be used on the right as well (unless I'm using it wrong)
Posted 9 years ago # -
agree with stickman. I used mine on pannier and as a rucksack (unexpectedly after I decided to dump bike at cycle service).
definitely tight attachment. in fact, so tough that I might not use it very often.
back pack is comfortable. has waist and chest straps in addition to shoulder straps (are they really necessary for such a 'city' like bag?).
but its just too complicated!
Posted 9 years ago # -
Of course, you can always go deluxe:
http://www.arkel-od.com/en/bug-cummuting-bag.html
Arkel stuff really is good, but the price is steep. Arkel's fixing system is brilliant, since it has auto-locking/unlocking top hooks and a strong bungee cord lower hook, and they sell it as a separate item if you ask nicely.
For half the price though you can buy the Carradice Carradry Rucksack Pannier:
http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=type&product_id=108
Posted 9 years ago # -
There's also the Carradice Bike Bureau. It's a nice bag. I have an earlier version which features webbing and plastic clip-buckles rather than leather and chromed steel as in the current model.
http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=64
Posted 9 years ago # -
so far what i like best are the little expandable packets on the front into which I can squeeze my gloves or ankleband. all of my other panniers have smaller pockets only on the inside, so once you close up your bag, then you have to open it up again after you've locked your door or whatever. so much handier to have 'stuff' bags (and a bigger zipper one) on the outside.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Yes, this ^^^ !
Could never understand why more panniers didn't have little stuff pockets. The shoulder bag has an additional pocket on the front, with two compartments. Sounds like the backpack is even better.
Posted 9 years ago # -
My backpack fell off the rack last night. The pannier attachment wasn't clipped in to the pack properly. The clips remained securely on the rack though.
Fortunately on a quiet road and no damage done.
Hopefully just a mistake on my part, but I'll be keeping a close eye on it....a warning to others!
Posted 9 years ago # -
Two ancient Carradice panniers for sale on Gumtree £10 from Corstorphine. Just add a pair of dry bags.
Posted 9 years ago # -
if further evidence were needed that the panniers are too complicated - I've only now just found the 'expansion panel' because i thought i should have another look at the documentation before i recycled it.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Is anyone else having problems with their Union 34 pannier?
The pannier fitting on mine isn't secure and works its way loose when going over rough roads. It's fallen off once and I don't trust it to stay securely on.
Looking at some online reviews I'm not the only one to have this problem.
EDIT: I'm guessing the manufacturer has gone bust: I can't find any trace of them and their Facebook page has gone.
Posted 9 years ago # -
One has fallen off once, though I had it stuffed ridiculously full and heavy. The other no problems. Still using without concern.
Posted 9 years ago # -
mine came off once too (presume I'd not actually attached it properly), but has been very secure every time since. normally the problem is actually getting the blasted thing off.
have had one zipper handle thing fall off.
still really like the outside pockets - now I always know where my gloves and ankleband are.
discovered when I tried to ride with it as backpack that it blocks my vision for shoulder checks.
i thought the d-lock pocket was silly, but have now used it a few times and its really handy.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@SRD:
My problem isn't the hooks (which like you say are very tight on the rack). It's the whole bit that slides into the bag. It slides off in use - the wee catch isn't quite big enough I think.
Annoying, as I really like it otherwise, but if it doesn't work as a pannier then it's not worth it.
Posted 9 years ago # -
ah. got it. i've found that if I push the lever down when swapping the gizmo in/out it is secure.
but can see how that might be a weak point.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I passed a guy this morning who could have done with a pannier. He was cycling along with an A4 sized bulky padded envelope clutched in his teeth!
Posted 9 years ago # -
I love the challenge of collecting an unexpectedly* large parcel from the post office and still managing to pedal home.
*Amazon sent me a PC keyboard in a 1-meter-long cardboard box. At least that one could be opened on the spot and excess packaging disposed of.
Posted 9 years ago # -
If I have things to post on the way in in the morning then I usually stick them in my camerashoulder bag for easy access, whereupon I forget about them until I'm at my desk.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Tried attaché as pannier yesterday, worked well. Very high up so no heel kick. Remembered not to pull it off via handle. The strange wrap around bit largely pointless, if supposed to protect from dirt. It gets dirty, but you can wipe it. Inside the wrappy bit the bag still gets dusty
Posted 9 years ago # -
(reminded to post by 'spotted')
Mine finally came off catastrophically in June. The actual nut and bolt mechanism that attached hooks to slider that attached to bag came undone.
Need to find time to see if I can replace bolts and use locktite or something to prevent similar. luckily I was cycling on a quiet road with the 3 year old. could have been worse....no damage to laptop or other contents of the bag.
Posted 9 years ago # -
SRD - I think your mistake was keeping a three year old in the pannier. Anything over two and they get too heavy I found.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@morningsider - I'm sure you're right. especially since he is actually 4. far too big.
Posted 9 years ago # -
SRD, look for Loctite 242 or 243 threadlocker.
Loctite 222 is purple and is low strength. Loctite 242 is blue and is twice the strength of 222, and 243 which is also blue is twice the strength of 242, 'permitting' disassembly with hand tools. You often find blue on brake retaining bolts.
I bought a little pot via Amazon (boo hiss) mainly because it was too difficult to find exactly the one I wanted in a shop in Edinburgh.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Okay, got my 243 and have applied it to the original and a replacement bolt. noticed a small blue patch on the original one....
will keep you posted on how it holds up.
Posted 9 years ago # -
not the right thread but... I also finally mended the hole in the thumb of my endura leather full finger gloves. only took me 18 months or so....
Posted 9 years ago # -
and replaced the batteries in my rack light. such accomplishments.
Posted 9 years ago # -
one of the clips on my Union34 pannier finally broke.
guess I'll have to give it up now. pity, as the rest of it was really quite a good design. Back to the indestructible timbuk2
Posted 9 years ago #
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