Pannier Recommendations ?

[Lard Armstrong]

I'm starting a new job and planning to commute, so I need your suggestions & recommendations for luggage. I am fitting a rack and considering an Ortlieb Rack Pack with either a side pannier(s) or a messenger bag.

I need to accommodate the usual cycling essentials, plus lunch, suit/tie/shirt stuff. I am a bit in the dark about how many litres of storage I might need, etc.

What do you suggest ? All help greatly appreciated !

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Doubt you need the Rackpack with 2 rear roller-classic panniers. that (plus handle bar bags) is all my OH & I took on a 2 week camping tour and equates to the same size as a large rucksack for multi-day long distance walks - if that puts it into perspective (20L each rear pannier, plus 30L rack pack = 70L = larger rucksack/bergan)

I commute with 2 front panniers on (but at the rear) so 25L in total. I don't need all of it and could use one, but I prefer to cycle with 2 panniers.
My OH commutes with a single rear pannier which is 20L in size and that includes his work laptop, lunch, clothes, shower stuff and work clothes plus usual bike parts.

Edit: 2 rear panniers & rackpack fully (ish) packed, look like this... http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/pic/?o=8S&pic_id=858971&size=large

 

[SquareDaff]

Ortlieb Classics - before my bike was stolen I could fit all my work gear (suit, shirt, tie, underwear, shoes, gym kit, lunch and various electronic bits and pieces) in one and during the winter a bariety of winter clothes, tool kits, spares etc. in the other. As SatNav says - with 2 side panniers you won't need a top bag!

 

[Herzog]

Another vote for Ortlieb...the best, not cheap, but the best!

 

[Lard Armstrong]

How about a rack pack only, across the rear rack, without panniers ?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

How about a rack pack only, across the rear rack, without panniers ?

needs the panniers for anchorage and support. Not possible (and i have considered it).
It is possible to get a trunk bag I think they are called, but you won't get much into the ones I have seen and nowhere near what I used to commute with, but would manage with what i currently commute with.

 

[Lard Armstrong]

Good point SATNAV, trunk bags are quite small and I wasn't sure if it would work having a rack pack transverse, i.e. across the rack.

Anyone views on messenger bags ? My instinct and experience leads me to want to keep everything on the rack (comfort, low centre of gravity, etc).

 

[Sara_H]

I've a vareity of panniers, but if I had to choose only one it would be my Ortlieb Back Rollers.

I only need one to fit all my work stuff in (uniform, shoes, packed lunch, files etc). They're completely waterproof. I'd go as far as to say they're bomb proof.

I use them for everything - touring, shopping, work etc

Now at this point I ususally start talking about matching them to my outfit........

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Buy cheap buy twice is the old maxim. Certainly seems to be true of bike luggage. Ortlieb or Vaude are the only brands I can recommend form personal experience along with pointing out the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-Op Revolution own-brand luggage is made for them by Vaude and is used by good effect by my touring buddies.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I've a vareity of panniers, but if I had to choose only one it would be my Ortlieb Back Rollers.

I only need one to fit all my work stuff in (uniform, shoes, packed lunch, files etc). They're completely waterproof. I'd go as far as to say they're bomb proof.........

not quite bomb proof but close if OH-proof counts...my OH tried cycling through an obstacle on a bridge rather than round it, in Denmark... pannier needed spares after that. I think he was trying for the "if you hit something hard enough, often enough and fast enough you will eventually succeed in going through it" approach but the problem is that you rarely succeed on the first attempt and he did not.
His panniers faired less well than mine , but even mine have numerous patches in/on them.

Good point SATNAV, trunk bags are quite small and I wasn't sure if it would work having a rack pack transverse, i.e. across the rack.

Anyone views on messenger bags ? My instinct and experience leads me to want to keep everything on the rack (comfort, low centre of gravity, etc).

It won't go along the length either - I have tried that (was trying to work out how to transport a pilates mat on a bike....)
Using normal panniers will keep the centre of gravity lower than putting something on top of the rack.
If you are not likely to ever want to consider touring then the messenger bags may be OK, but I came from a touring background and there the roller back classics really are the best you can get. You can also purchase them in singles as well and last time I checked, if you did not mind the colour you could pick up one for £45 I think it was...

 

[SquareDaff]

Now at this point I ususally start talking about matching them to my outfit........

Don't get her started...there really is no end to THAT conversation

 

[SquareDaff]

Good point SATNAV, trunk bags are quite small and I wasn't sure if it would work having a rack pack transverse, i.e. across the rack.

I currently use a trunk bag -space is at a premium but they are useable. I have the advantage of having a locker at work so can leave bulky items like shoes and the suit there. I can transport a 10 inch tablet, waterproofs, shirt, tie, underwear, lunch and a few spares for the bike in mine. If you're after moving much more than that then they wouldn't be fit for purpose!

 

[Crankarm]

Buy cheap buy twice is the old maxim. Certainly seems to be true of bike luggage. Ortlieb or Vaude are the only brands I can recommend form personal experience along with pointing out the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-Op Revolution own-brand luggage is made for them by Vaude and is used by good effect by my touring buddies.

Of the two I would say Vaude are better as 1) I have been able to use and compare them both side by side 2) I have seen too many pics of Ortlieb roller classics on long round the world tours falling apart, quite literally. No so with the Vaude Aqua range. They are far more robust which is my bag of choice.

 

[slowmotion]

I have Ortlieb Back Roller Classics and a Tortec Expedition rack. I think they are very good. I think they come with a five year guarantee, but I may be wrong.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Of the two I would say Vaude are better as 1) I have been able to use and compare them both side by side 2) I have seen too many pics of Ortlieb roller classics on long round the world tours falling apart, quite literally. No so with the Vaude Aqua range. They are far more robust which is my bag of choice.

We are 180 degrees apart in opinion as I'd say vice-versa.