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I've got a Dolan GXT gravel bike which is regular commuter, occasional gravel ride and even more occasional tourer. Currently I use a messenger bag for commuting and been meaning to get a pannier set up for this purpose, which will then double up for touring use.
Because my commute is sometimes driving and sometimes riding, I've decided best setup is a single small rucksack with all work gubbins in and then, when riding, I'll drop it into a simple pannier. Pannier will stay attached to bike, when I get to work I'll just lift work bag out and job is jobbed. So, my set up needs to be:
Rack than fits, would be good if easy to remove but not essential. Ideally it looks decent but function over form. Would like to take mudguards as well if possible.
Waterproof pannier, doesn't need rucksack style straps as I won't be carrying it off the bike, just nice and secure and waterproof. Probably 30lt. Single compartment.
That's it really, should be simple. Does Decathlon have anything that fits this? I don't really want to spend more than £150 but can do if necessary.
Hmmm - £150 is not a lot. tubus and Ortleib are the gold standard but ortleib are very easy to remove from the bike. Carradice do a waterproof huge pannier that is very secure on the bike - indeed tricky to take off
Any half Decent rack should do for commuting. Merlin doing Tortec Tour Rear Pannier Rack for £23.50.
On my pub bike I have a cheap waterproof pannier off eBay. Brand is WEST BIKING. Mine is smaller but they do a 25l version. £20
Waterproofing is fine. Attachments are crap but as I was also not planning to remove it from the bike I have cable tied it to my rack in a few places. Sorted.
On a similar budget I managed to buy a new ortlieb quick rack - highly recommended - and an ortlieb bag to go on it second hand / brand new unused. It’s quality stuff and the rack can be taken off under a minute. I recently bought the mudguard that goes with it but frankly that’s pants.
£150 should be easy enough I reckon. These Brae panniers leave 60 quid for the rack. Loads of choice on SJS cycles under that price.
Do you need a pair, or would one do for the sort of touring you do? You can get the panniers in singles too. I'd probably find a way to zip tie panniers on for commute use, unless you have secure bike parking. Even then it's a risk.
I've got a pair of used Ortlieb panniers for sale.
Black ones, very good waterproofing, very easy to remove but still secure
I just never got on with them, I didn't like the weight over the rear axle, it made my bike handle funny, so I've never even bothered fitting a rack to my new bike.
Also, rack for sale. Not sure what kind but works well enough.
There's a pair of similar panniers on eBay for £80 plus a fiver postage, I'd be happy with £80 posted including the rack? Or I'm in the Tweed Valley area for collection. PM me if you would like some photos or other details.
I've recently fitted an M-Part Summit Rear Pannier Rack from biketart for £33 and an altura thunderstorm bag for £40. No experience with other kit but they both work well and easy to fit.
Ortlieb quick rack and a used Ortlieb office bag. The QL3 system is excellent. But get the large one to ensure heel clearance on all bikes. I have the smaller compact rack that only works on one bike with my Downtown pannier, which is annoying.
good offer from andrew
I have used racks and panniers for many years. The only racks that I have not broken are tubus. I have broken numerous cheap ones like tortec ones. ( I have not tried OMM )
Some topeak pannier racks have a mount (also available to purchase separately) that lets you securely slide on one of their rack top bags. Their rack top bags are supplied with a shoulder strap.
For panniers, the Ortlieb high vis are extremely bright. Afaik, the largest size is 20 litres. They’re waterproof, and large enough to stash a rucksack.
This reminds me to put my ortlieb bags and associated tubus rack on the classifieds !!
I bought a set of vaude panniers in 1997. I've commuted for 15 years since then. They are still waterproof. Bit battered, but the reflective and three bits of gaffa tape to reinforce some of the wear areas.
The second hand bike I bought in 1997 had an old man mountain rack. That's still in use as well. Currently I've got a Topeak rack on. That came on another second hand bike. It does its job with no fuss.
So that's my recommendations.
I'd be messaging therevokid.
I d buy the ortlieb on offer here, mine are 30 years ago and still going strong. I suppose as there's nothing to break being roll top. They haven't even been nicked off the bike at gym, shops etc.
I just put tote bags inside to carry stuff so ortlieb live on bike.
Waterproof pannier, doesn’t need rucksack style straps as I won’t be carrying it off the bike, just nice and secure and waterproof. Probably 30lt. Single compartment.
30L is huge for a single pannier - Ortlieb back rollers are 20L each (a pair is 40L) and a rucksack isn't going to fit inside particularly 'efficiently'. Also, personally I've never liked riding a bike with a single pannier, especially if it's heavily loaded, as it does affect the handling. Far better to have two smaller panniers more evenly loaded - I used a pair of front rollers on the back for my last commute job. (25L together)
Different option. £100 cost at the moment -
Specialized Coolcave which are an open plastic pannier designed to drop bags into. Loads of places have them half price at the moment £22.50
https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/shop/accessories/bags/2022-coolcave-pannier-127611/option/
You could buy the purpose designed drybags as well - half price at £30 each here - and drop the dry bags in a rucksack or
https://www.alpinetrek.co.uk/specialized-fjaellraeven-cave-drybag-20l-stuff-sack/?
When you're in the car drop the dry bags in a holdall.
i bought a single vaude aqua back to go on a topeak rack, highly recommended, plenty of room for any/everything needed to commute, (laptop, notebook, shirt box, even shoes when reqd) waterproof, quick easy secure fastening. It has a shoulder strap, but i wouldnt really want to be using it as a bag as such, if thats what you need. Id echo some of the sentiment above, about checking the fit of a rucksack into any pannier
Id echo some of the sentiment above, about checking the fit of a rucksack into any pannier
It's true actually, panniers tend to be well tapered towards the bottom for ankle clearance. A rucksack would probably fit better upside down. But then your butties would get squashed.
Based on a recommendation here, I bought an Ortlieb attachment that converts the ortlieb pannier into a backpack. Folds up pretty small.
Obvs you need an ortlieb pannier; i got mine second hand and they've had plenty of use since and are still A1. Might actual be a cost effective option as the attachment wasn't as much as a waterproof backpack.
Another vote for Ortlieb - get the QL3 rack and there’s a QL3.1 bag that converts between a pannier and a backpack. It’s the right time of year to be buying…
Because my commute is sometimes driving and sometimes riding, I’ve decided best setup is a single small rucksack with all work gubbins in and then, when riding, I’ll drop it into a simple pannier. Pannier will stay attached to bike, when I get to work I’ll just lift work bag out and job is jobbed. So, my set up needs to be:
I have this:
Specialized Coolcave Pannier box £30: https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Specialized/Coolcave-Pannier/10E04
Alpkit waterproof rucksack £33: https://alpkit.com/products/gourdon-25-dry-bag-backpack
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54232520139_43453e5b2f_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54232520139_43453e5b2f_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2qCkQNF ]Commuter[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr
- Recommend giving a basket a chance - I use one and it's great - use any bag you want and doesn't stick out the side of the bike etc
Unless your rucksack is quite small you will need a really big pannier (I suspect others have said similar).
I've got some massive CarraDry 24l panniers. They get those extra litres by being deeper (taller)/hanging lower. That makes them really difficult to mount without catching a heel. You'd be able to drop my work bag in them (just) but it's a rather unsophisticated cheap and narrow Decathlon 20l pack. They also have the advantage of a top flap not a roll down like the Ortliebs/various others.
That same rucksack wouldn't go in our 20l Ortliebs unless you leave the top open but then muck gets in.
For marginal loads I think I prefer a top flap over a roll top/dry bag style.
I quite like that Specialized coolbox thing.
The biggest panniers I found are from Decathlon at 27l each. Bear in mind if you have one big pannier on one side with a lot of weight in your bike will handle oddly. I tried that setup but ended up getting a second pannier to even the weight out. I have a backpack in each that slides out leaving the (dirty / wet) panniers on the bike. They are waterproof and durable so far - currently £39.99 per pannier.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/27l-waterproof-bike-bag-900-grey/_/R-p-339156?mc=8738479
I’m using a cheap Tortec pannier rack that bolts on with 4 bolts - I haven’t removed it since I put it on. Think it came from Tredz. Does the job alright.
The only quick to remove rack I found was the Ortlieb quick rack - which you can get a basic mudguard for that fits underneath. It probably keeps your back dry but it doesn’t have enough coverage to keep the bike / anyone following behind you dry. I didn’t go for one as it has an arm that grips your seatpost and mine is carbon which isn’t recommended together.
I have got a rear mudguard to fit - but haven’t tried to work it out yet - I’ve got a Dolan GXC and it doesn’t have seperate eyelets for a rack and mudguards at the rear dropout so they’re both going to have to go on the single bolt. I’ve got some long bolts and washers to try and get it working together when I get time.
New
£150 is loads plenty enough.
a good rack is no more than £50
and we have just bought some new Crosso panniers with the Rixon and Kaul click system. £70 a pair.
https://www.cyclesense.co.uk/m60b0s734p13926/Crosso-Bags-Dry-60L-%28Pair%29-Rear
Those crosses look good value, half what I paid for new ortlieb last year. Only downside you ll need an insert om hook so they don't rattle, just wrap pvc tape on rack or use a zip tie wrapped a few times round.
there are three options for mounting with the crosso bags.
we had their own design for 12 years. we have now gone for the click system. neither rattle in use.
if you use a tubus rack it may as the tubing is thinner than a topeak rack.
https://crossobags.com/technology/mounting-systems/click-crosso-rail/
Another vote here for the M:Part summit rack. Used with Arkel panniers. I tend towards using a large saddle bag for my commute. Fits my laptop and lunch in and a rain jacket and some boxers. I wear my commuting clothes and shoes/boots all day.
FWIW I have an Ortleib quickrack and it's ace, so another vote for that.