Pannier recommendation

[flat tyre]

I'm looking for a small pannier (15-20L?) for day rides, audaxes, etc to carry a cycling jacket, lock, a sandwich or two, tools etc. Does anyone have a recommendation?

[pete75]

Saddle bag might be better - no need to fit a carrier it just hangs from your saddle loops. Something like a Carradice Nelson should do.

[flat tyre]

I don't want a saddle bag as the back of my legs always seem to rub on it, I prefer a pannier.

[iandriver]

Can't go too far wrong the with Ortleib front rollers (which fit any standard rack and are fine on the back). They roll down small if you aren't carrying a lot. I find a pair is enough for a weeks holiday in B&Bs, if travelling somewhere warm. Good for a spot of shopping too. They are hard to beat for flexibility and durability.

[NUKe]

I use an Altura Arran front/universal pannier as a rear for the same reasons as you describe for my daily commute.

[mjr]

Can't go too far wrong the with Ortleib front rollers (which fit any standard rack and are fine on the back). They roll down small if you aren't carrying a lot. I find a pair is enough for a weeks holiday in B&Bs, if travelling somewhere warm. Good for a spot of shopping too. They are hard to beat for flexibility and durability.

That's the expensive-but-good option.

Cheaper ones I've found to be good value are Basil Sport Single for about £20 (spring clips but they can be replaced if they fail) and SJS's single https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/luggage/sjs ... -15-litre/ which is on sale for £4 but the clips are crude so I've removed those and fitted https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/luggage/ort ... 11mm-e162/ for £10 (bolted through the back board with big washers, without bothering with the rail).

[slowster]

I don't want a saddle bag as the back of my legs always seem to rub on it

If you use a small saddlebag like the Carradice Barley or Pendle models, then you probably have to use the strap that goes around the seatpost to secure the saddlebag, in which case it's more likely that the saddlebag will touch the back of your legs.

However, if you use a rear rack with a larger saddlebag, like the Nelson, then you may able to dispense with the strap around the seatpost and/or use the strap to secure the saddlebag to the front of the rack, where it should not be anywhere near your legs.

Even if you are dead set against a saddlebag, assuming your rack is not one of those which has a very narrow platform a better alternative for the carrying capacity you seek would be a rack bag like the Carradice Super C Rack Bag (https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s75p49/CARRADICE-Super-C-Rack-bag). It's a lot more convenient because, like a saddlebag, it's easier to access and to root around and find things in the bag. I think a pannier is only better if you want the extra carrying capacity for picking up some shopping while you are out.

[whoof]

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/alt ... gLrV_D_BwE

I've used an older version of this Altura Arran 16 l pannier for commuting for a number of years together with a waterproof cover.
Plenty of room for tools, food and clean clothes on the way to work. It's also robust as for the past 7 years it's been mostly full of fire wood on the return journey and has stood up to this well.

[simonhill]

I use Carradice Super Cs for touring, but won't recommend them as I think they are overkill for your needs. Likewise the Ortleibs. Top quality panniers are expensive and designed to carry fairly heavy loads for many miles (years).

If it was me, I'd look around for much cheaper ones that have good fixings. As they are often sold in pairs, they'll last twice as long if you are only using one.

Sorry, can't suggest any names, but a browse of some of the cycling shop websites should give you an idea.

Then again...........maybe you want to spend lots of money.

[mjr]

However, if you use a rear rack with a larger saddlebag, like the Nelson, then you may able to dispense with the strap around the seatpost and/or use the strap to secure the saddlebag to the front of the rack, where it should not be anywhere near your legs.

Even if you are dead set against a saddlebag, assuming your rack is not one of those which has a very narrow platform a better alternative for the carrying capacity you seek would be a rack bag like the Carradice Super C Rack Bag (https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s75p49/CARRADICE-Super-C-Rack-bag). It's a lot more convenient because, like a saddlebag, it's easier to access and to root around and find things in the bag. I think a pannier is only better if you want the extra carrying capacity for picking up some shopping while you are out.

Slowster speaks wise words. I usually use a Highlander bag that I've converted into a saddlebag with some cam buckle straps, which rests on the rear rack - except in the dead of winter where I use either the above converted SJS pannier because it's lots quicker to attach/detach or an Alpkit 13 litre Airlok Xtra Dual as a rack-top bag (which isn't 13 litres once roll-closed).

[Vorpal]

I use an Altura rack pack for a similar purpose. It has expandable capacity in two small panniers that can be unzipped and hooked to the rack. Altura don't make theirs, anymore, but Topeak have some similar ones

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/produc ... unkbag-dxp
https://www.topeak.com/global/en/produc ... unkbag-exp
https://www.topeak.com/global/en/produc ... unkbag-dxp

Otherwise, maybe something like this Altura? https://www.altura.co.uk/products/detai ... le/?ng=215

[Sweep]

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/altura-arran-16-panniers-2018/rp-prod167042?gs=1&sku=sku620306&pgrid=60711842778&ptaid=pla-414518221326&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid|soyqaUU6c_dc|pcrid|309840162899|pkw||pmt||prd|620306UK&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgqWBkNS94AIVBeR3Ch1ROQR2EAQYBSABEgLrV_D_BwE

I've used an older version of this Altura Arran 16 l pannier for commuting for a number of years together with a waterproof cover.
Plenty of room for tools, food and clean clothes on the way to work. It's also robust as for the past 7 years it's been mostly full of fire wood on the return journey and has stood up to this well.

That Arran you linked to does use the cheaper R&K pressure fittings though which I don't much like.

The better R&K hooks with the lock-on red button arrangement are now rather pricey - I have a pair of old small Alturas with that excellent fitting (better than the Ortlieb fitting I think) which I swear I got for well under £60. Very nice with a front pocket - not totally waterproof but seldom a problem for my use.

[rjb]

Shameless plug here for Altura Arrans. viewtopic.php?f=32&t=128139

[foxyrider]

How about a seatpost mount bag? Pick the right one and it won't be near your body. I have an Ortlieb Post bag - self contained system and big enough for what you need.

In the pic (Austria on boxing day) it has a sturdy lock, my wet jacket, it had some snacks (before I ate them). There are a couple of pockets inside and an elastic on the top. Fitted correctly it doesn't swing about like many other post mount systems.

[RickH]

I've got a 13l Alpkit Koala which I like. With the end rolled up to its minimum size (probably less than 1/2 capacity) I can still fit tools, 2 tubes, mini pump, spare tyre (usually a 40mm Vittoria Voyager Hyper) & a waterproof jacket (or layers I've taken off because I've put the waterproof on).

I prefer it to a traditional saddlebag because of the lack of leg rubbing.

It saves weight too as it is self supporting - you don't need a rack coming in at 255g all in (although Alpkit nowl do their Exorail setup that gives additional support & an extra 195g). Mine predates the Exorail & I've never found a problem with sway.