Pannier bags
Ive been looking at these pannier bags from decathlon, each are about 70 euro for a pair. Does anybody have experience with them? Or any better suggestions in the same price range?
Im planning on doing about 1500 km in Europe from the Netherlands to northern Italy mostly on paved roads and some sections of gravel roads.
My biggest worry would be if the rack mounting is decent enough quality so that they wouldn't break. Any help or advice is appreciated.
Links to products:
https://www.decathlon.ie/p/350987-290982-540-waterproof-double-pannier-rack-bike-bags-2x20l.html
https://www.decathlon.ie/p/338362-370288-20-l-waterproof-bike-bag-for-pannier-rack-500-beige.html
by notbigdog
9 Comments
Buy once cry once….. Buy Ortliebs….
Buy second hand Ortliebs if limited by budget.
Anything other than Ortliebs are a copy / clone.
My Ortliebs are [26 years old.](https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycletouring/s/48HNUO8mma) I doubt other types will outlast them, out waterproof them or handle the rough and tumble of being clipped/unclipped hundreds of times.
I’ve got one of these in yellow. Not had any leaks so far in 12 months.
Ortleibs are great and all but I don’t use them anymore, they’re heavy and stiff and just generally overbuilt. I use four micro panniers now and line them with thin plastic bags so that the pannier itself doesn’t have to be waterproof.Â
I would not buy knockoff Ortleibs, either get the real thing or go with a different setup.Â
Ortleib or bust bro
Those will work. Especially because in most countries you travel through you can find a Decathlon. So if you have defect you just go to one of their shops and get it fixed or replaced.
I can’t find the video now but I saw a guy complaining about that Vario system, he claimed that on bumpy roads you can lose the pannier.
With the 540, I’ve ridden more than 1,500 km and have been completely satisfied. I use the 500 for commuting. If I had to choose just one, I’d probably give a slight edge to the 500. The fabric feels nicer to the touch, and I prefer its closure system.
On the other hand, being able to carry both panniers by a single handle is also a major advantage. That said, both versions are simple, durable, waterproof, and quite lightweight. I own other panniers too, both cheaper and more expensive ones, but I would pick these from Decathlon without hesitation as the best.
The only thing I miss is a shoulder strap on the commuting bag.
Crosso bags from Poland are great. Great build. Mine are like 10 years old and still going strong.
I have the double Decathlon ones that I bought more than 7 years ago (so may be an older model). They have been on a number of multi day/week cycling tours stuffed to the brim, as well as countless work commutes. They are still going strong.
The only thing you may not like is that they come as one unit, so you’re always lugging two bags around with you off the bike, but they are pretty resilient. Make sure your rack is the right width – on another bike I could only attach one side of the bag, but it still managed great.