Bike Panniers

Bike Panniers 

• • Paniers are a bike's version of saddle bags

  • Read all about Panniers here: tomsbiketrip.com/best-panniers-for-cycle-touring-expeditions 

  • Load Distribution

    • Distribute your load equally left side compared to right side

      • You'll want your bike to ride without needing to lean on straight-aways

    • Panniers sit lower than gear that may be stored on top of your rack, allowing you to distribute your load lower

      • A lower center of gravity helps with both handling when riding as well as keeping your bike upright at stops

    • Use of panniers in the front allows you to better balance your bike (road use)

      • Place 60% of your weight in the front and 40% in the rear

      • Since the front panniers are likely smaller, place heavy items in the front and bulky textile items such as clothing and sleeping bags in the rear

      • NOTE: for off road use, front panniers have notable drawbacks

        • Can negatively affect handling in thigh turns

        • Can get hung up on obstacles

  • Attachment Style

    • Hooks

      • Easy way to attach pannier to rack

      • Can get knocked off if pannier hits a tree or if your ride is too bumpy

      • Usually commercial ones are fine

      • Build carefully if making a DIY pannier 

    • Straps

      • Generally more secure than hooks

Full Size Panniers

• It's hard to beat the quality of a commercially built bike pannier.

• Examples

  • Ortlieb Panniers 

    • Great if you can afford them or get them on clearance 

    • Waterproof fabric

    • Roll closure insures your gear stays dry

    •  Back Roller Classic

      • Favorite for Bike Touring 

      • Tried and tested on so many bike tours 

      • Made from thick material designed to last for years

        • These are a bit overbuilt for BikePacking, making them heavier than other options

      • Capacity: 20 liters each

      • Weight 4.2lbs 

    • Gravel-Pack Panniers

      • Smaller bag made from thinner material

        • Better designed for BikePacking than the overbuilt Back Roller Classics

      • Capacity: 12.5 liters each

        • Same capacity as Sport-Roller (used to be used for front)

      • Weight 1.3lbs 

  • REI Link Pannier

    • No longer listed on REI website as of late 2024

      • Great bag - you may still find one used or maybe they will come back

    • Compression straps allow you to tighten up floppy cargo

    • Side pocket is a nice touch

    • rei.com/product/167661/rei-co-op-link-pannier-single 

    • Weight 1.1lbs 

    • Capacity: 18 liters each

  • Toppeak Pannier Drybag

    • topeak.com/global/en/product/1327-PANNIER-DRYBAG

    • Weight: [20L] 1.7lbs (784g)

    • Capacity: 15 and 20 liters each

  • cyclingabout.com/bikepacking-panniers-offroad-adventures 

  • outdoorgearlab.com/topics/biking/best-bike-panniers 

Bucket Panniers

• You can make your own 4 Gallon Square Bucket (kitty litter buckets) Panniers

• When setting them up, make sure your feet don't hit them

• This is a great options for a Scout group heading out for multiday riding adventures

  • Economical

  • Fun to set up

  • Customized graphics on side make them even better

• Bucket Pannier Examples:

  • fivegallonideas.com/bike-panniers

  • crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?doc_id=1841 

  • adventurecycling.org/blog/hauling-it-all-make-your-own-panniers 

  • instructables.com/Make-4-gallon-square-bucket-bike-panniers-for-less

  • thebikebucket.com/index.html

  • jandd.com/Bucket+Bicycle+Pannier+Kit/p510.html - Premium kit?

  • rei.com/blog/cycle/diy-make-your-own-bucket-bike-panniers 

• Plastic Can Panniers - aka Canniers

  • https://rackhackers.com

Backpack Panniers

• Daypacks and rucks can be converted into panniers

• Kits like these will make conversion easier

  • Ortlieb Quick-Lock 

  • pannierhooks.com

• Examples

  • Military Pouch Pannier

  • Parachute Bag Pannier - these are HUGE

  • Messenger Bag Pannier 

  • Fjallraven Backpack Pannier 

    • imgur.com/KKILFT7 

  • Backpack using Ortlieb hardware 

    • imgur.com/pzeL9yy front view of backpack pannier

  • Backpack using Vincita Bike Pannier Hooks Kit 

  • Army Surplus Bag Pannier with metal frame 

  • Messenger bag Pannier 

  • German army surplus panniers 

Mini Panniers

• Full size panniers tend to be large

• If you are accustomed to light weight backpacking, full size panniers may be a bit too much

• Mini Pannier are small and may be all that you need

  • Some were designed to be front panniers, but can be mounted in the rear

  • Some mini panniers are small enough to mount to cargo cages on the side of your forks or side of mini cargo racks

• Examples

  • Tailfin 10L Mini Panniers

  • Revelate Designs Nano Panniers

  • Bedrock Hermosa UL Pannier

  • bikepacking.com/index/panniers-for-bikepacking