You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Some time ago I bought some Altura Sonic 15s to use for commuting:
They're ok bar a couple of really minor niggles and one major one, which is that the attachment system is bollocks. I mean, it's nice from a quick-release point of view, but no matter how hard I try I can't stop it rattling even on rural tarmac, let alone bridleways.
I'm used to my old and tired (and completely not waterproof) Agu panniers that have a hook on a strap, which holds them tightly onto the bottom of the rack when you tighten the strap. They take ten seconds longer to attach and release, but they're quiet. But most panniers these days seem to have these rigid plastic brackets, and from the look of them I guess they're all similarly susceptible to a bit of movement.
Any top tips for a waterproof pannier of a similar size (15l or so, needs to take a 15" MBP and a change of clothes and no more) that can be snugged up tight? Needs to be properly waterproof; bonus marks if it also has compression straps and/or external pockets of some sort.
Ta.
I have used these for about 8 years.
just perfect really
https://cyclesense.co.uk/m60b0s74p13926/CROSSO-Dry-60L-(Pair)-Rear
available in smaller sizes. and the strap system sounds like it is same as the agu
Thanks. That's the sort of thing I had in mind. How do you find the metal hooks at the top?
The problem with panniers has always seemed to me to be that they have to work out how they're going to attach to all sorts of different rack dimensions.
Last time I looked at Ortlieb I noticed they now sell their own rack. It has some custom fixing system that fits some of thier bags and presumably has been tested to work really well with all their other bags.
https://www.ortlieb.com/us/rackthree
How do you find the metal hooks at the top?
both me and the wife have them. never had a problem.
bit of insulating tape on the rack and it is a nice snug fit.
The problem with panniers has always seemed to me to be that they have to work out how they’re going to attach to all sorts of different rack dimensions.
Well, quite, which makes it particularly curious that they mostly decided on rigid bits of plastic rather than adjustable straps and hooks.
Have you tried putting insulation tape around the rack where the clips sit?
Also the rubber inserts in the hooks can be swapped around for different sized racks. Have you tried this?
The hooks at the top are fine, it's the lack of tensioned support at the bottom that's the issue: that side-facing clip just won't grip the rack, and it's not the rack rod diameter that's the issue, it's the profile of the gap that it sits in.
That said, no, I've not tried hacking it. I'm doubtful it'll work, but it's worth a punt.
Have a look at the Decathlon 500 pannier here. Very simple in design and so far have proved rattle free and very solid. The attachment mounts can be adjusted and it holds in place very well.
Have I think Tioga waterproof panniers the attachment looks similar and there are plastic inserts for smaller diameter racks ....so they don't rattle...I recall glued them in as sometimes dropped out when lifting panniers off ... are you simply missing these?
That said, no, I’ve not tried hacking it. I’m doubtful it’ll work, but it’s worth a punt.
I added Sugru to my rack/clips to stop rattles - seems to have worked but not sure how long it will last. The other suggestion I've been given is self-amalgamating rubber tape
That Decathlon bag looks like a potential option… ta. Shame the black ones are £5 more expensive, but hey 🙂
Axiom make good waterpfroof pannier bags, they hook on the bottom is bungee-fied so it's always under tension when mounted and adjustable for diffeent racks. I used them on a couple of long distance tours and they are excellent.
I've actually taken my panniers off now in favour of a bike packing style setup so I can't confirm this, but I don't ever remember my Ortlieb panniers rattling. Looking at your pic in the OP the mounting system seems similar with the QRs at the top, the bottom clip on the Ortlieb though is on an arc rather than straight which maybe allows to you get a better fit to the rack (Tubus Disco).
That Decathlon bag looks like a potential option… ta. Shame the black ones are £5 more expensive, but hey
Go hi-viz yellow, that's what I have done. Mine are on a commuter bike and looks are much less important that being seen.
I did a tour last year with a guy using the Decathlon 500 ones - they fell off three times when things got bumpy.
The top really locks on so it doesn't rattle.
Mine are on a commuter bike and looks are much less important that being seen.
Meh. They'd go on a bike with reflectors all round and lights on 24/7. If someone can't see it they're not looking.
I have the Decathlon 900 pannier … The top really locks on so it doesn’t rattle.
Hm, but it's the bottom clip that's my issue, and in that regard it looks identical to the R&K one on my Altura.
What's the resistance to Ortlieb? I've always taken them to be the go-to brand for waterproof bike luggage. I picked up their brompton bag and it's so much better made/designed than any others we've had.
Particularly if your main thing is carrying a laptop one of their 'office' bags are a much better shape than panniers. The large one comes with their 3.1 mount system that looks like it might be rattle free.
https://www.ortlieb.com/us/office-bag
They make outer pockets, mesh pockets, water bottle holders you can attach to some bags (maintaining the waterproofing). Gets expensive but it's good stuff and you can sometimes pick it up at a big discount (my Brompton bag was about half current list) - the office bag from about £74 in some versions here www.backpacking-united.com
I've found the Ortlieb attachment system just does its thing without any fuss, year in, year out. Fits to pretty much any rack, secure, doesn't rattle and really easy to clip on and off.
Apart from minor tweaks to the way the brackets are fixed to the bags, I don't think they have really changed it for about 20 years, so it's pretty tried and tested.
What’s the resistance to Ortlieb?
I don't think I expressed any resistance to Ortlieb… 🙂
That Decathlon bag looks like a potential option… ta. Shame the black ones are £5 more expensive, but hey
I've ditched my decathlon one, it fell off a couple of times, the second being on Wandsworth common in London so hardly the rough stuff. The top clips bounced off, the bag fell and ripped the velcro strap with it, made it completely unusable from that point on. Was good up until that point though so might be worth a punt.
I find Ortleibs do rattle - as the OP its the bottom mount mainly but a bit from the top mounts.
I also have carridry panniers - the front ones are pretty small, the rear huge but they rattle a lot less but are fiddly to get on and off the bike
I had a similar problem with my axiom bags rattling around. Got old inner tube, cut into 4 strips and stick to the rack where the bag clips on. No more rattling 🙂