http://www.rosebikes.com/article/vaude-qmr-hook-attachment-system-for-bicycle-bags/aid:791093
One set has so far survived four years of overloading abuse on my right-side pannier.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
bags and panniers
(96 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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Nice. No pocket for keys is not a small gripe as keys and tools create wear and tear. Ortliebs are not indestructible, I have personally destroyed three, well two and third one on way out. I guess there will pe a padded pouch type product out there for keys and tools and this will help locate such items in the bag and also protect the bag.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I have to keep my keys in a wee leather key-pouch thing to stop them spiking through my pockets too quickly; it also stops keys falling through small holes in pockets which pre-date the device. I've started keeping my tools carefully-arranged in the triangular frame bag I briefly used to carry my cable lock whilst waiting to find time to fix my saddlebag; I previously kept my tools wrapped in a series of the thick polythene bags in which bicycle shops send things through the post.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Worse, my Ortliebs have those irritating net things which are the only sensible place to put keys but which the keys always get tangled up in.
a padded pouch type product
Hmm, I am sure I can find some sort of pouch type product lying about. I knew I read this forum for a reason..
Posted 8 years ago # -
Interesting timing; I was looking at Ortlieb Back Rollers in the co-op but to me they look better for touring rather than the commute, due to the aforementioned lack of accessible pockets/partitions for keys, phones, tools, etc.
For time being I'll stick with the Revolution Adventure ones, which have 3 external zip pockets plus a mesh bit. 5 years and going strong. Not as waterproof as the Back Rollers I'm sure, but my gear tends to be in plastic bags inside the pannier anyway.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Finally invested in ortleib vario backpack/pannier.
https://www.ortlieb.com/en/Vario/
quite like it so far.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@snowy I switched from ortlieb for that reason to your ones. Ortlieb do have internal pocket but keys rip it
Posted 7 years ago # -
for commuting, i prefer my timbuktu, which is easier to organise. but i went back to ortleib for the ability to eg chuck a pair of wellies in for our next cyclocross race.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Ortliebs I have retained for the weekly shop. However, this is their downfall you sure can over fill them
Posted 7 years ago # -
Just giving the new ortleib its first tryout - cycled to the station with pannier, detached, added straps and helmet net thing, and converted to backpack. so far so good. the helmet strap thing was much trickier than attaching the backpack straps.
Posted 7 years ago # -
One of the hooks snapped off my Altura Urban 20 pannier on the way home from work the other week (slightly delaying my arrival to the pub for the CCE meet) after eight years of regular use, primarily for commuting. I've been using one of my pair of Sustrans-branded Ortlieb panniers as a replacement (previously reserved for weekend trips). I'm missing the accessibility of the Altura (I'm finding the Ortlieb particularly difficult to close when attached to my bike) and its selection of interior partitions, but at least I know that the rain is unlikely to soak through it.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I have a Blackburn pannier, which I mainly chose for the colour and reasonable price. Within the first few weeks both clips broke in a single day (it was winter... I guess the plastic wasn't up to Edinburgh weather). The hooks are still intact but the bag just jumps off unless I secure it with Velcro straps.
Posted 7 years ago # -
That reminds me. I clearly need to adjust the clip (I hope that I'm using correct terminology) on my Ortlieb pannier because it keeps coming loose from the rack, allowing the pannier to 'flap' laterally while hanging from its hooks.
I'm sure that a combination of the cobbles and speedbumps on the canal towpath are responsible for this, for causing the hook on my Altura pannier to even break at all and for causing its plastic mouldings to gradually gouge through the aluminium upright struts of my various pannier racks.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I love my Ortlieb pannier; smart, waterproof and takes everything for my commute. Fit on my Blackburn rack is the only downside; could be better balanced.
https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ortlieb-commuter-bag-ql3-1-pannier.html
Posted 7 years ago # -
Our 'normal' ortleibs (Back rollers) never fit any of our racks very well (blackburn + various small frame ones). so we've never made use of the bottom hook bit. usually panniers too heavy to flap....
New backpack ortleib came through with flying colours. Will do a blogpost when I find time. the transition between modes really is easy and feels secure and remarkably comfy on the back. It has an adjustable length hook concept, so may even start using that.
The helmet net concept felt a bit insecure.
Main downside is size. I struggled to get laptop, lock, and purse inside. if I needed to take my usual level of work stuff, I'd have to take my 'work pannier' as well.
when it's not overstuffed, it closes well. I find it much neater to roll than the backrollers. but I wonder how the velcro will hold up in the long run.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I do like the look of the rucksac/pannier crossover, need to start dropping some serious hints in the run up to the primary gifting period.
I use Ortleib rollers at the moment and my only complaint is they're a bit of a PITA to carry off the bike.
On the issue of internal storage, I found this pouch in a tool store. It holds a spare tube, repair kit, tyre levers, gloves and a multitool and just happens to fit well in the single inside packet of my Ortleib.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I have been rolling with an EBC small rear pannier [made by Vaude] on one side and bigger Ortlieb as I have been waiting on a ukelele to arrive and oh yes four red glasses for unhurt's brother (still ben the hoose).
Uke finally arrived yesterday so back to the smaller Vaude on both sides. I find with Ortlieb I use just the one as they are cumbersome. I end up overstuffing and am lopsided. So I go with two smaller now. This makes me a little more balanced.
Posted 7 years ago # -
For those of an Elephant Bike, Pashley Pronto disposition (other sturdy load bearing bikes are available), I can recommend a set of Dutch/German style panniers made from Bisonyl. The kind of panniers that stay on the bike, fixed by straps to the rear carrier, basically big bags with top rain flaps fixed by clip buckle straps.
Bisonyl is the stuff they use to make tarpaulins on lorry trailers: waterproof and very tough.
I picked up a pair from a German retailer via Amazorg two years ago for just over twenty quids slightly more now due to Brexit pound woes), and they're still going strong. Total capacity rated at 46 litres, but I've crammed more than that in. Great for shopping or ferrying produce back from the allotment.
There are of course fancier and/or more expensive panniers made from the same material that can be purchased from Dutch manufacturers. The pinnacle of such panniers has to be the enormous De Poort Newspaper Bags, with a total capacity of 80 litres and less than £60 a pair. At 48cm long, these *might* just fit on the rear rack of an Elephant/Pronto, but I haven't tried it and would worry about heel clearance. Probably more room on a longtail cargo bike e.g. Ute, Dummy, Mundo, etc.
Googol "Bisonyl panniers" or "tarpaulin panniers" to find options...
Posted 7 years ago # -
Still resisting bike packing. Mainly because the seat packs always wiggle about and it's really hard to get things in & out. But this is prety tempting (except for the being ruinously expensive thing):
https://www.arkel-od.com/en/seatpacker-15-bikepacking-seat-bag.html
Warning: it's possible to spend a REALLY long time on the Arkel website...
Posted 6 years ago # -
The Velcro strap that holds my pannier bag to bottom of the rack broke yesterday. This causes the bag to move forward clash with back of foot.
I went to decathlon to buy a new double pannier bag they have stopped making mine.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rear-pannier-bike-bag-2-x-15l-id_8248118.html
The new bags they have in stock are rubbish they have no pull cord or plastic strap clips to close the storage area, mine has pulls cords and plastic straps. Nothing has ever fallen out the pannier. The new panniers in decathlon just have Velcro to close the bag. I like to squash many things in my bag so want one with the compression type pull cords and a strap ideally.
Any ideas where has a big selection of panniers to get a similar one or where someone could fix mine. I know it only cost £25 and will cost that or more to fix but its better than the new ones in decathlon.
I dont want one that has a zip as main closure method as zips always break, i dont want Velcro as main closure method as not strong enough if squash many things in it. I want one that has pull cords and straps ideally as better and there is redundancy of closing methods.
I like to leave the bag on bike so ideally one that does not look too good.
This one sounds sort of ok but not in stock but they could get it in https://www.decathlon.co.uk/540-waterproof-2x20l-bike-bag-id_8403056.html
Posted 5 years ago # -
@ed1 - had a look at bike co-op as they had some cheap altura panniers that I bought then spotted on everyone elses's bikes. However, the most recent iteration of this bag is twice what I paid for it at £67 the pair. Not worth that. Inwould go with ordering the decathlon ones.
As a bodge, if you leave the bag on the bike can you secure to the rack with cable ties?
Posted 5 years ago # -
I got it fixed this afternoon by the dressmaker in Corstorphine. A work friend suggested i go there.
When I got it back I had to remember which side was broken before to notice as repaired side looks better than the original side. It only cost £5 and and only had to wait an hour.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Result
Posted 5 years ago # -
With things improving (?) COVID-wise I face the a semi-regular return to the office and I need to find a decent solution to getting my laptop to/from the office without getting a sweaty back from a heavy rucksack (previously I just left it in the office 95% of the time).
My aging Carradice Bike Bureau Pannier has done me well for longer than it has any right. It has external pockets for keys etc, can be ridiculously over stuffed in a vertical direction and (apparently) it came with a laptop insert - though I never used it. So the temptation is to get another one, but I think I would prefer to keep the laptop and other computer bits separate from the clothes etc.
So maybe a dedicated laptop pannier that is easy to carry off the bike, plus another one for clothes/junk etc.
Any other suggestions?
P.S. does anybody else carry a laptop in a pannier - bit worried about the lack of suspension and the beating it might get from cobbles etc.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I put my laptop into. Padded sleeve that came with the bizarrely cheap pannier briefcase that @SRD put us on to about ten years back. I still have that in the garage quite a highly designed bit of kit for the massively reduced tenner. The fitting would slide out and it could be used as a briefcase or small carry on bag but I never fully warmed to it. Sat very proud on the rack. It did have loads of padding. Union of Genius or something like that. Probably the firm went bust?
Anyway I use the padded sleeve and fill my panniers with old galoshes and bubble wrap and other detritus also clothes etc. so works well Ortlien rear rollers. Repaired with seam grip over the years. One is on last legs but the other is still going strong. I also have a yellow Sustrans one with a lid that is fine, the fixture less good. And Alttura ones that are too small and ebc ones made by Vaude also too small.
If I was asked to design a pannier it would be along the lines of an ortlieb but with two runners along the bottom to stop the fabric ever touching the ground. Padding on the inside at the bottom and a padded laptop sleeve. They would come in pairs and @Morningsider would be employed to roll the tops for me. No one rolls the tops like @morningsider. So neat.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@vladimpala, can't beat the Carradice in my opinion. Purpose built for the job.
If your existing one is past its prime, the hooks and rail can be replaced. Or get a new one.
Carradice also do this nifty Super C 'A4' pannier for commuting:
https://www.carradice.co.uk/bags/panniers/super-c-a4-pannierPosted 3 years ago # -
i shove my laptop (sometimes two) in a pannier every day, including when i commuted to London. just used my ortleib. usually with a lightly padded sleeve, sometimes both a thick ibm and mac air jammed in together. never ahd any problems.
Posted 3 years ago # -
For delicate, expensive, and annoying-to-fix things like laptops, it's best to carry them in a lightweight backpack.
Just put the laptop in the backpack. Everything else, clothes, docking station, charger, mouse, etc. can go in the pannier.
That way, the laptop is nicely cushioned, and "automatically" comes with you when you leave the bike.
YVMV
Posted 3 years ago # -
My main concern about chucking laptops in panniers is the extra weight to lug 40 miles a day. I'm not going to carry charger/docking station/mouse/cables about with me, work has been ordered to buy those for both locations.
I'd got my communte bag weight down quite nicely by leaving everything at work bar a clean shirt, and basic puncture repair tools whcih came in a bag.
I still have my >10 year old EBC pannier bags which have stood the test of time well - also only ever used 1, so brand new one spare whcih will do me till I die I suspect.
Watching with interest on laptop padding techniques.
Posted 3 years ago #
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