Panniers for Shopping/Day Trips - advice please

[newforestrider]

Hi there,

Newbie here hoping for some advice. My wife and I are casual cyclists - weekend ride in the forest with the kids or into the nearest town is really the extent of it at the mo. My wife has asked for some panniers for Xmas with the aim of carrying 1 or 2 days shopping or all the gubbins that comes with you when you go out for the day to the sea or the forest with the kids. My wifes bike is a Claude Butler Odyssey - pics here of bike and rear rack attached here. So I was looking for some advice on what make and size or pannier to buy and where best to buy them online.

In terms of capacity I don't think she is ever going to be attempting to carry a whole weeks shopping and we have no immediate plans to go touring. So it really the objective to have enough room to carry enough shopping for the next couple of days comfortably or carry the kids coats and lunches/drinks for a day out. Simplicity is important - we don't want something that is going to be a pain to fit or problematic to take on and off. We would like something that is good quality and will last a while but would be interested in options people can suggest at different price points.

I know there are a number of pannier threads on here and I have looked at them but I didn't quite get exactly what I was looking for. So any advice/links that you kind give would be really appreciated.

Many Thanks,

New Forest Rider

 

[punkypossum]

Hi, sorry I can't help with the panniers, but are you sure her saddle should be pointing up like that???

 

[Willow]

I have one basil which is a nice girly one and a pair of DHB ones which are good functional ones for my work trip. Have a look on the basil website first if its for Christmas she might like something nice, buy the practical ones later.

 

[jack the lad]

Personally I would go round the local bike shops and see what they've got at about the right size. Don't buy cheap stuff - not just panniers but with bike gear generally if it's cheap it's rubbish, you'll regret it and end up spending more in the long run. For what you want you don't need to spend a fortune either on kit for a round the world tour. Make sure they fit on the bike, are easy to take on and off, secure when on and don't catch on her heels when pedalling. You might also want to consider how easy they are to carry off the bike - some have carry handles.
I've got these http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/107902.html which are fine, but nowt special. Can't comment if they are value for money at this price as my lad worked in a trek dealer and got them at trade price.
There's a reasonable selection of decent quality kit here http://www.wiggle.co.uk/c/Cycle/7/Bags_-_Pannier/ which will show you the price/size range available.

 

[ufkacbln]

Not cheap, but seem to be ideally suited for what you are looking for:

Bike Bins

Velovision review

 

[yoyo]

I have two Ortlieb roller classics and they are ideal for a couple of day's food shopping and other bits and pieces bought while on a casual visit to the local market town. They are good quality, waterproof, easy to attach, and carry.

 

[Moose]

Pop in Hargroves next time you go past and have a word with them. Not the cheapest around, but I've found them to be helpful.

You could go in to Cyclexperience and try them also.

 

[valleyold boy]

Pop into Lidl,good starter paniers at £14.95 per pair.

 

[Bodhbh]

Ortliebs are expensive, but their 100% waterproof and their eBay resale value is silly if you didn't like them (ie close to new price, if not the same, sometiems people will pay more for single pannier than 1/2 the set).

I use a single rear pannier from the 40l Ortlieb pair to commute with a full change of clothes, tools, spare coat and room for picking up beer and shopping on the way home and it works fine.

Just be careful on the volumes quoted for panniers versus other lugguage carrying stuff - it's split into 2 panniers in practice wont be able to stuff as much into them.

 

[spandex]

I have a pair of Ortlieb as well and they are grate. One of the best things I got 7 years ago and they are still going strong you can so over load them and in doing so you get a load of space on top of the rack with just two budgies to go over the top.


Well worth the money I think

 

[Llama]

panniers

if its just for shopping etc these might fit the bill appear to have really good reviews and only £17.99

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=13690

to keep stuff dry alpkit does cheap dry bags

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16343&category_id=250

£3 up

obviously carradice or ortlieb are the best but there £80+

pays your money.....

 

[Bob G]

if its just for shopping etc these might fit the bill appear to have really good reviews and only £17.99
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=13690

After reading this thread I bought a pair of these & they arrived today. For the money, seem well made & ideal for my requirements of carrying a "nearly full" supermarket basket of shopping.
Bob