narrow double pannier?

[accountdeleted]

Hello Commuters,

Potentially a bit of a fetish / niche question... about double panniers.

I have one of these very old school, Decathlon / B'twin "Isoprotech" panniers:

I like the size of it, very slim and perfect for what I carry. One side I have: 13" Laptop in softshell case, note pad, pen case, wallet, keys, phone etc. The other side I have: 800mL bottle, change of clothes, lunch, multi tool, spare lights, wet wipes, etc.

It's also somewhat "hard-shell" so it keeps its shape. I don't know it's capacity in volume, but I'm assuming it's around 10-12L each side.

I'm on a look out for a replacement, but I can't seem to find a similar sized narrow / slim "hardshell" double pannier. The usual suspects are roll top, soft-ish waterproof, and seem to start from 20L onwards.

I searched for a rear rack "trunks" with/out extendable sides and "torpedo" saddle bags but none of them are in the right shape to fit (or securely protect) a 13" laptop. I wondered if a smaller bike-packing pannier designed for mounting on forks might fit the bill, but they seem to have a different mounting attachment?

Does anyone have a suggestion / recommendation of a slimmer, double pannier (approx 10-12L each side), please?

Happy cycle commuting.

 

[MontyVeda]

Ortlieb front rollers are around 12L each i think.... but that's the only box they tick for you.

Yours look to still be in fairly good nick though... why do they need replacing?

 

[vickster]

Spa have a decent range of panniers
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m5b0s74p0/Bags-and-Luggage/Pannier-Bags

 

[mjr]

The current https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/double-bag-100-2-x-15l/_/R-p-158320 is I think about 40 x 40 x 10 cm with rounded corners to result in the 15 litres per side. It's water-resist soft fabric with the zip under a flap to also reduce rain getting in, not anything like hard shell, but if you got a long strip of cut-able 90mm-wide bendy but firm plastic, you could line the sides and base of each one with a U-shape to make them hold their shape better (as that's what Lidl panniers used to do). I just make do with the supplied "floor" so it folds flat against the rack side when needed.

 

[accountdeleted]

Wow, thanks everyone for the replies. Sounds like my search is along the lines of people.

The current panniers are ok and still going strong 👍 The photo are the last few examples that I can find on Google (because I'm too lazy to take a photo of my own...). It's that old (or only sold in the mainland Europe?!).

"They don't make things like they used to." 😂

With any bike-related things (especially for commuting), I'd like to know an alternatives / back-up options just in case if anything breaks / goes missing when least expected. At a pinch, yes another Decathlon cheap panniers will do (thanks @mjr). Restrap Small 13L Pannier looks nice, but to get 2x of those is quite a hit on my wallet (I got the current one on eBay for £10 posted... 5yrs ago 😁).

It's the laptop. If I don't have to haul the work laptop, I'd easily go back to back-pack or consider rear trunk / saddle bag...

 

[HLaB]

Wow, thanks everyone for the replies. Sounds like my search is along the lines of people.

The current panniers are ok and still going strong 👍 The photo are the last few examples that I can find on Google (because I'm too lazy to take a photo of my own...). It's that old (or only sold in the mainland Europe?!).

"They don't make things like they used to." 😂

With any bike-related things (especially for commuting), I'd like to know an alternatives / back-up options just in case if anything breaks / goes missing when least expected. At a pinch, yes another Decathlon cheap panniers will do (thanks @mjr). Restrap Small 13L Pannier looks nice, but to get 2x of those is quite a hit on my wallet (I got the current one on eBay for £10 posted... 5yrs ago 😁).

It's the laptop. If I don't have to haul the work laptop, I'd easily go back to back-pack or consider rear trunk / saddle bag...

What backpack are you using? I've got an Altura one and I find it fine with a laptop. I'm mix modal commuting (train/bike) though, which influences me away from panniers anyway.

 

[accountdeleted]

What backpack are you using? I've got an Altura one and I find it fine with a laptop. I'm mix modal commuting (train/bike) though, which influences me away from panniers anyway.

I have a bog standard, non-cycling, non-back ventilating backpack. My commute is more like a session; 20miles a leg. So I can feel my shoulders and back ache from any backpack. And not to mention sweaty back!

I used to have much shorter commute (7miles, like you cycle-train-cycle) and that was ok with the backpack as it's much shorter distance. Once I tried panniers, I realised how easy, light, and comfortable having the luggage on the bike instead on my back.
👍

 

[HLaB]

I have a bog standard, non-cycling, non-back ventilating backpack. My commute is more like a session; 20miles a leg. So I can feel my shoulders and back ache from any backpack. And not to mention sweaty back!

I used to have much shorter commute (7miles, like you cycle-train-cycle) and that was ok with the backpack as it's much shorter distance. Once I tried panniers, I realised how easy, light, and comfortable having the luggage on the bike instead on my back.
👍

My commute just now is typically only 4.8 miles each way in winter, but its been regularly 15+ miles each way for 5 or so years regardless (its just this winter I've got lazy) and a few times recently there has been 38mile legs and in the past . I tend to carry a laptop, change of clothes and a towel in mine but it is an ventilated back. I have previously commuted with panniers but I found them to be like sails, magnets for other folk to brush up against and made the bike feel less agile, but I'm glad they are working for you, and they are definitely better than a bog standard non ventilated back pack