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Just organising my brother's birthday present and his wife has suggested panniers - now I don't know the first thing about them so what should I look for, avoid etc? I have no idea of size or features required at this stage (I don't even know if he wants a large frame bag or conventional panniers and rack). Are there any benefits of one over the other?
Cheers.
I can only say - Ortlieb - hope you're feeling generous 🙂
Ortlieb +1. They are horrendously expensive these days, but I've not seen anything else which comes close in terms of toughness and a good mounting system.
check out Vaude
Take a look at Crosso. I have some 60 litre ones and they are voluminous.
[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crosso-Dry-Big-60L-100-Waterproof-Set-of-Two-Panniers-For-The-Rear-Rack-/321126131563 ]these[/url]
crosso here too. perfect and cheap.
So I think I have it down to two options
https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/ortlieb_back_roller_city_pannier_pair-ID_23529
or
http://www.parkersofbolton.co.uk/p-5850-2014-altura-arc-15-litre-waterproof-panniers-in-red.aspx
Does anyone have any opinion on either of these? He doesn't want anything too huge (he isn't going to be doing road trips or anything - more for local rides with pitstops at the supermarket for wine supplies!)
Any feedback would be really appreciated...
Ortlieb City Front Rollers are a great size.
[url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ortlieb-front-roller-city-panniers/ ]City Roller Front[/url]
And get an extra set of hooks .Locking the pannier in both sides for a bombproof fit to rack.
I had altura panniers before I got the Ortlieb and in my opinion the Ortlieb are so much better. The Ortlieb hold their shape and have an extra 5 litres capacity per pannier.
As mentioned above the front Ortliebs are an alternative if capacity isn't an issue.
I've got a set of Carradice Super C's. I think they're excellent. I prefer the looks, and the repairable material, along with the local construction. I've ridden with them in torrential rain, snowstorms, hail and the like and, despite what anyone might say about them, found them waterproof. Really excellent.
I used to have Ortliebs, but always found the inserts in the mounts fiddly and prone to falling out. I also found the moment you get a whole, thats it: they aren't nearly so easy to repair as the Carradice, and aren't as tough to begin with. My Carradice panniers have survived unscathed in crashes the like of which holed my Ortliebs.
I've used Ortlieb and Vaude and tbh there's really not much to choose between them.
Ortlieb back rollers here, fantastic, you get what you pay for.
We've got the Ortliebs (or a very similar model), great bit of kit. Ours stood up to Hebridean downpours the other year.
What's your brother's intended use? How much kit is he wanting to cart about? A frame bag is fine for smaller and lighter stuff but if he's intending to tour and camp then I reckon rack and panniers are the way to go. If he's in to bikepacking then stuff like Wildcat gear http://www.wildcatgear.co.uk/ is probably more use.
Another Carradice fan. The cotton duck canvas type fabric is quite ridiculous. In rain it gets absolutely saturated on the outside, yet somehow remains bone dry on the inside.
First time I got them wet I was horrified. I had expected the water to bead off, but instead it just soaks in. Opened when I got out of the weather a while later expecting my kit to be soaked through, and everything was totally dry.
It's strange, almost like they're only waterproof when they're wet. Great stuff.
Repairable, hard wearing, smart looking and locally made (if that bothers you). Really nice stuff.
I have some 'Deuter' Rack Pack II panniers which I've had for commuting and touring in pretty constant use now for 7 years and they are only just starting to show signs of wear on the fabric, zips and clip closures are all good though. Waterproofing isn't the best with a pull out elasticated cover which is only really showerproof. When I replace them I think I will get the Ortliebs simply because of this.
What's your brother's intended use? How much kit is he wanting to cart about? A frame bag is fine for smaller and lighter stuff but if he's intending to tour and camp then I reckon rack and panniers are the way to go. If he's in to bikepacking then stuff like Wildcat gear http://www.wildcatgear.co.uk/ is probably more use.
It is mainly for lugging stuff home from the shop when he is out riding on an evening - he *may* do the odd weekend away but it isn't why he wants them, so I really don't think he needs anything too big.
I've battered my Ortliebs daily for years carrying all sorts so can't really see past them tbh.
I think Spa Cycles (touring specialists) were always best on price.