Bicycle panniers

[Penfold]

Has anyone had any experience with these? Any pitfalls to watch out for.

We regularly go cycling as a family and I'm looking for a set a panniers for my MTB as I dislike wearing a daypack and my current solution which is just a seat post & top pannier is too small (looks a bit like this). They need to carry the usual collection of crap associated with kids - raincoats, fleeces, snacks, water, picnic yada yada.

There seems to be a gazillion on the market so does anyone have any experience with them and know of a good brand.

I don't know if I just go for double panniers or get triple panniers. I saw THESE ONES which looked kinda useful but probably overkill!

I also need to get a frame to carry them. I think they're pretty universal are they? Again, anyone had any good experience of them? my current one is just a seat post one but with a pannier set I'll need one which also attaches to the wheel I guess.

Thanks

[DrunkenZombiee]

I have a set on my racer for touring with a slim line lightweight rack (Pic to be uploaded later) and it took me a while to find a set that suited my needs.

It depends on your price range and capacity that you need and what your carrying. If you are only looking to ride on a good day or don't mind stuff getting wet. Altura make very nice panniers but they are also very expensive (but totally waterproof and are also often compression sacks). I have a pair of the 36 litre ones and they have served me very well.

For any large panniers you will need a proper rack. This involves mounting the rack in at least 2 places, to your rear wheels central hub skewer (outside of the frame if quick release) but before the quick release mechanism/bolts and mount to your frame (the seat stays) or possibly the seat post (not recommended). The first thing I would do it to check the bike has mounting points for a pannier, if its a MTB then it almost certainly will if its not for professional downhill racing. The type of rack that you are looking for is a bog standard one, however you can plump for a slimline one if you would like, but this means you cant balance anything on top of the rack or use a "triple" (a pannier that has a top part to the bag). The type of rack I would go for you your position would be something like this but please do go to haldfords! I am sure your local bike shop will serve you better or an on-line retailer. Keep in mind the type of frame you have the the mounting technique as some racks may not work.

To get the mounting correct on the rear wheel you may need to play about with spacers to the skewer can still tighten all the way.

As for the bags, I wouldn't for for a triple bag as there is more weight over the top of the wheel. This makes the bike handling worse and it can be a pain when getting off the bike to wheel it about without the backend wanting to pull the bike over to one side all of the time. The same can be said about the width of the rack, slimlines are better for handling and wheeling about but can carrly less and might not fit a MTB (depending on tyres). The lower and more central you can keep the weight the better IMO.

If you are going "off road" panniers are often a very bad idea that when you really need a rucksack so your body takes the impact, as there is very little give in the frame. I have seen people loose control of heavily laden bike before because of this.

Hope this helps.

DZ.

[Sn00ks]

The thing to be sure of is that you can fit a decent rack to your bike. A lot of mountain bikes do not have the threaded holes to attach a rack to. If you do have them then I'd go for a proper rack and then some standard panniers. Something like this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=32816 or this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=26972

In fact there is a large range of choices on CRC but not so much choice for panniers. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11894 You may want to look elsewhere for them.

[Penfold]

Thanks.

Someone else mentioned Altura for me so something like THIS I think could probably be fine (although drinks holder would have been nice). I think you're right about not having a third pannier.

The rack is harder. I've had a look at my bike and there are a couple of screwholes on the frame which runs from the top horizontal to the backtyre (if that makes sense). I guess I should probably go to the bike shop or take a punt and try Snooks's one.

[DrunkenZombiee]

Those are the ones I have =). Highly recommended by most people in the cycling community. Just be careful with the adjustment screws to lock the clips in place as they aren't flimsy but they certainly wouldn't want to put force on them with a screwdriver.