Panniers - Racks - Bags - Bike Luggage

Using a Carradice Nelson with a bagman QR is so effective that I’m annoyed that there isn’t an equally good option for handlebar mounting a Carradice QR.
Adding a shoulder strap makes it a more practical too. And I swapped the leather straps for some fancy fidlock buckles - which are a lot less fiddly than the leather buckles.

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Just bought some Ortleib panniers, and not super happy with the closing system, turns out Ortleib had the same idea.

Anyone got a smart idea for attaching a pair of clips to the bags themselves like this so that the clips on either side of the roll clip onto the bag themselves;

Rather than relying on a shoulder strap like this;

You don't need the strap though? I.e. you can clip the clamps on each side to each other then roll, or roll and then clamp.

I can yes, but the way the roll-top is set up is not great.

Unlike a regular dry-bag where the bit of hard plastic is the full width of the mouth, enabling a good tight roll, here the plastic doesn't go past the sides, which means it doesn't close as well and gets funny creases which I'm sure limit its waterproofing since it's not as tight a roll.

Probably not an issue in actual use but still

I've just used those bags for cycling across the USA and for the most part I rolled them shut and left the side buckles unattached, only had a few downpours but nothing got in.

I have both the Gravel panniers and the roll tops. In the garage the roll tops seem stupid but in reality you just roll it, clip the straps across the top and go.

I don't like how tight removing the strap altogether and clipping one side to the other directly was, so I just keep the shoulder strap very short and clip across that way taking care to not let excess dangle near the wheel.

One of these days I'll probably just cut the strap down to permanently shorten it.

I almost never use the bottom hook thing.

Agree the gravel packs are vastly simpler and superior... But usually much more expensive.

In the end both function well.

Ah that's great to hear, thanks

@bright yeah I didn't get the straps with these, was considering making a short one just to clip the two sides together too, but since they were second hand I'm struggling to confirm which buckles I'd need from Ortleib

i mean you could get away with just removing the buckles all together and using something like this:
https://www.aplusproducts.net/products/d-ring-1?variant=42096580133041
with this
https://www.aplusproducts.net/products/g-hook-tension-lock-1?variant=42096633577649

and some webbing.

these look intersting
https://www.aplusproducts.net/collections/magnetic/fidlock-v-buckle

Seconding that it is fine that way. Crappy picture, but I have the buckle parts on the short loops.

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yes this is the standard, non-neurotic way to go. totally normal and fine.

it's fine.

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The Jandd duffel bag would be handy for me. Is there something like that available in the UK? I saw Carradice make one but it's quite a bit longer than I need. I prefer cotton duck over cordura. Maybe I could find something like it in an army surplus?

What's the forum approved rear pannier rack. Would be for weekend mini tours. Rim brake.

tortec for less hype
tubus for hype
racktime if you can get one
ortleib quick if you want easy swap-ability between bikes

Anyone have any front/small panniers they want to get rid of?

Thoroughly recommend the Tortec Tour Ultralite.

Tubus.

Soma has a great aluminum affordable one with cargo mounts and a low bar for the panniers to hang off.

https://www.somafab.com/archives/product/rakku-2-rear-rack-aluminum

There is a steel one that doesn't have cargo mounts and is much more money.

https://www.somafab.com/archives/product/rakku-rear-rack

I put the aluminum one on a bike recently. It's great if you aren't super picky about it sitting a low as possible over the rear wheel.

I've been on a quest for a few years to find the perfect bag for my riding, an obsession my partner calls it (and they're quite right I expect!) Requirements being:

• Front bag
  
• Accessible on the move
  
• Large but not too large
  
• Easily removable
  
• Nothing to complex (decaulers etc)
  
• Functional pockets etc inside
  
• As low as possible on the front (as I have quite high bars on the AWOL)
  
• Ideally on a small rack, so if i dont take a bag i've still got a rack for pastries etc.
  
  

My latest bag, and now my favourite is the Gramm Diamond bag paired with the Allygn rack. Like a rando bag, but maybe a little more modern shape / feature wise. Meets all of the above, is really well made etc. Very very pleased. Good capacity, internal pockets etc, can open on the go (magnets etc), bungees on the top to shove a jacket and all that.

Yes, it was insanely expensive for the pair, and I do feel a bit ill at the price paid for a bag. But, it will get used loads, and will be superb for overseas trips next year, so maybe that makes me feel a bit better....

Anyway, if anyone's interested, these are my personal findings over the last couple of years. All used from day rides to week long tours :

Best Current Overall Bag

• Gramm Diamond rando bag and Allygn Rack (as above)
  
  

Best Klick'n'fix Bar Bag

• Swift Paloma (good size, well made, sits relatively flush with bars, front pocket, map flap)
  
  

Best Rackless Bar Bag

• Bigxtop Rackless Rando Bar Bag (really liked this, loads of room, front pocket. Did find it needs foam spacers to get in a good location, velcro can be a bit sticky when opening on the move, could do with a mesh pocket on the 'top flap', not the easiest to remove quickly etc)
  
  

Best Big Rack Bag

• ILE Porteur Bag (loads of room, easy on/off, can expand size etc, looks nice)
  
  

Best Basket Bag

• Honestly, there isn't a single basket bag I'd recommend over just a backpack or a tote bag etc with a bungee net. They all have too many shortcomings in my opinion. If you made me, i'd probably say a sugarloaf is top of the pile.
  
  

Best other bag / saddle bag
Carradice Super C, or the long flap Super C if you can find one.

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Haha love this post. Maybe you can help then I'm looking for a bag that's comfortable enough off the bike and that I can throw in the cargo bikes 366 by 270 plastic box when travelling. Ideally very weather/water resistant.

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Great and informative post, thanks for sharing.

Anyone got a pair of Rok Straps? I want a set to strap a load of camping gear to a Pizza Rack and am wondering if the smaller size might be too small. Don't have the option of having a look at a set so any input would be appreciated.

I have some of the tiny ones. I bought them based on the length rather than checking the width. Should probably have gone for the normal size ones.

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Ah thanks for this, remarkably hard to find images of them being used in context like this. By normal do you mean the mid-sized ones or the beefy motorbike ones?

ILE Porteur Bag

Wow, what a monster! But in a good way. I want to buy one just for supermarket shopping on foot. It would give me happy feels of one day going on a big tour.