So you’ve got your bike and you now want to commute to and from the office with it. How do you get your stuff there, dry, intact and not a sweaty mess?
You need a bag.
Sounds simple enough but I’ve got some guidance you really want to take onboard if making your first purchase and give you the insights you need to make the right purchase for you! This video covers several different styles of panniers and attachments systems and leave you with some tips to be aware of.
00:00 Intro
00:17 The humble backpack
00:55 Thule Shield rolltop pannier
03:45 Ortlieb Twin City Urban messenger
06:02 Basil SOHO bicycle backpack
08:03 Ortlieb x Moustache pannier
11:02 Ortlieb QL3 mounting system
11:50 Recap and thoughts on best options
14:45 Guidance on getting a rack
16:20 EOF
Previous review of the Thule Pack n Pedal clamp on front/rear rack:
33 Comments
Thank you for the video. I carry the Ortlieb twin city similar to yours. Off bike I fold the top part of the bag over the bag hardware to cover it, so it does not look when carrying over the shoulder.
Hi mate. Thank you so much for this. I’ve recently bought a rack and now need the bags for it. This was a huge help. Mines mainly for a few groceries, snacks and a few baselayers on the odd day trip.
I’ve always been a backpack guy but yep, that hot sweaty back gets uncomfortable so decided to take the plunge with a rack and bag.
This helped me loads so cheers buddy. Much appreciated 😊
Really useful summary, thanks. Lightly loaded I use a Timbuk2 messenger. If a change of shoes is required then I use a Lomo waterproof pannier – tough, waterproof and 3 good mounting points. The Lomo also comes with shoulder strap which is a bit thin but is OK.
What rack are you using? Are most pannier bags compatible with most racks? There's not too many options to see these in person where I live so it's hard to shop for a setup. I'm doing an 18 KM commute and really liking it so far. I just have the Topeak MTX rack and bag system which works great but it's limited by it's size.
Hey mate, you should really get some bargain from Evo Cycles, – I bought two Axiom Monsoon at half price, they are excellent quality.
Ortlieb quick rack and ortlieb back rollers
Nice travel
For gods sake the Ortlieb twin city is designed to fold over the attachment part and be worn with that side out. Explore the damn bag before reviewing!!
Plastic bags stink, get some canvas type..and rain covers
North St. also has some really nice panniers, but $$$ (even just for one pannier!)
Very thorough. Thx👍
The answer is Ortlieb.
What about Topeak?
So thorough! Thank you! You greatly simplified my search!!!
for laptop try Thule Shield 17L
I have two Ibeara panniers bags on my e-bike which has a hand lever which opens them .,also I have two rollup
Panniers 20 litres.
Best bag is ortlieb vario lite. Period
Backpack pannier is the only way to go. Everything else is a waste of time.
Muddy audio and a thick accent make this video unwatchable.
I bought a nice messenger bag. One that professional messengers use. The main compartment is massive and expandable. Has a Dedicated pocket for tools. It was pretty expensive, but I've had it for a couple decades.
I’m hoping you’ll do another one of these for people who don’t eat dairy.
great thorough video
The only problem with my Ortlieb standard PVC roll-top panniers, is that I haven't been able to justify spending money on new panniers since I bought them 32 years ago … heavy use for three decades, and they're still perfect
I have an Ortlieb vario PS 20L pannier/backpack.
It has a perfect pannier and a perfect backpack but you pay with added weight and volume to allow the conversion. I have the 2.1 mounting system but of bought new I'll buy the 18L newer version with 3.1 the avoid some of the bulkiness.
Thanks for the video.
Do not wear a backpack while riding your bicycle. 1. Instant backache. 2. Sweat.
Do not put anything in or on a rear pannier that you plan to lose somewhere miles behind you. Imagine going to the grocery store with a full bag containing milk and eggs. Where is the best place to carry it safely home on your bike ? The best carrier for a bicycle large enough to carry food, and your valuable electronics is in a sturdy metal basket in front of your handlebars, over the front wheel.
I have a large bags by bird handlebar bag and caradice saddle bag (for tools and a spare tube) as my everyday set up. Ortlieb rolltop panniers that I can add for more carrying power and a trailer for everything else. 4 Ortlieb panniers let me bring home a huge amount of dirt for a beginning garden years ago. The amount of stuff that can be stuffed in them and abuse they can handle and just not care is ridiculous.
it's bæg, not behg. E minus.
dude, your audio editing is terrible. Great channel!
It's disappointing that Jandd mountain panniers were absent from this video. Solid build with few plastic parts. For waterproofing, I insert a dry bag or use pannier covers.
Ortlieb Quick Racks are axle mountable too – I've just put one on my carbon bike 🙂 The tailfin racks are pretty proprietary in terms of bag mounting but the Quick Rack keeps things generically compatible
Just wrap bags content in a garbage bag. Poof waterproof!
Ortliebs are overrated. Traded mine for Jannd and never have to empty the whole bag to find what I want.
Is the sweety that makes this video included with the bag?😜