'Throwover' style of rear panniers?

bailout · Post by **bailout** » 11 Sep 2008, 2:23pm

I am looking for some rear panniers and have seen the one piece throwover style ones. It seems most people seem to go for two seperate panniers but I can see some advantage with the throwover style. Firstly I have a limited budget and the throwover ones must be stronger and won't have any problems with hooks breaking. This may not be such a problem with good quality panniers but if I buy a cheap set then with a throwover set I don't have to worry about cheap hook attachments.

The throwover ones aren't available in the bonded waterproof material but I think it would be easy to rig a cover for them and the fully waterproof panniers tend to be expensive.

SJS sell some really cheap ones

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-SJSC ... -12905.htm

and then there are similar ones from Agu that I assume are better made

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Agu- ... -14838.htm

and I have seen similar ones from Avenir/raleigh for about £20-30 that I imagine are somewhere between the 2 in quality.

I wouldn't expect the cheap ones to stand up to years of hard use but was thinking they may be a better option than cheap seperate panniers.

Has anyone used this style of panniers and have any comments? I assume they fix to the rack by straps and buckles that would obviously be less convenient than hooks.

neilob · Post by **neilob** » 11 Sep 2008, 3:03pm

I think your last sentence says it all! Apart from build quality issues - which becaome important over time and in bad weather - these 'one piece' things are a real bxxxxer to fit safely and securely. Look for secondhand decent ones is my advice.

lauriematt · Post by **lauriematt** » 11 Sep 2008, 3:33pm

saying that.....i have a set of ' throwover ' panniers!

and theyre brill in my opinion!

i can fit loads in them.....and the majority of the time the keep the rain out! after about a years hard use the only problem is that SOME of the stitching is starting to wear, but not a major issue

***the only downside is that if your on a train theyre more fiddly to remove!***

Russell · Post by **Russell** » 11 Sep 2008, 4:04pm

Mike Dyason used to do some - the website says new ones due soon. The one we have a a faff to fit and quite small.

Pannier Bags Double

bailout · Post by **bailout** » 11 Sep 2008, 11:14pm

Thanks for the replies. I want them for tour use and would expect to leave them on the bike most if not all the time so was thinking that it wouldn't matter too much if they are a bit of a hassle to fit.

Laurie, You sound pleased with yours, what brand/model are they? Do you use them for touring or general 'home' use? Also do you have a waterproof cover for them?

vernon · Post by **vernon** » 12 Sep 2008, 12:18am

bailout wrote:Thanks for the replies. I want them for tour use and would expect to leave them on the bike most if not all the time so was thinking that it wouldn't matter too much if they are a bit of a hassle to fit.

Laurie, You sound pleased with yours, what brand/model are they? Do you use them for touring or general 'home' use? Also do you have a waterproof cover for them?

It's easier to use bin liners as a waterproof liner for your gear than to faff about with rain covers which in my experience, quickly lost their waterproofness.

james01 · Post by **james01** » 12 Sep 2008, 10:06am

vernon wrote:[
It's easier to use bin liners as a waterproof liner for your gear than to faff about with rain covers which in my experience, quickly lost their waterproofness.

Agreed. I use ancient, leaky panniers but wrap everything in bin-liners at a cost of a few pence per annum.

Back to the main thread, my objections to throwovers :
1. As discussed, fiddly to fit & remove.
2. Top of carrier is masked, so fitting additional loads on top is less straightforward.
3. Can't carry just one pannier for occasional loads ( the fashion police on this forum would say this is a good thing

)

resus1uk · Post by **resus1uk** » 12 Sep 2008, 3:08pm

Tescos at £11, does for my work bike that sits in the open bike park. Definitely not waterproof but drysacs or rubble sacks keep most things dry

lauriematt · Post by **lauriematt** » 13 Sep 2008, 9:40am

bailout wrote:Thanks for the replies. I want them for tour use and would expect to leave them on the bike most if not all the time so was thinking that it wouldn't matter too much if they are a bit of a hassle to fit.

Laurie, You sound pleased with yours, what brand/model are they? Do you use them for touring or general 'home' use? Also do you have a waterproof cover for them?

mine are made by VISTA.....which i bough from my local bike shop. ive used them for both touring ( had them on my LEJOG and other trips ) and just for commuting!

theyre made of pretty tough hard-wearing fabric.....and have reflector strip sewn onto the back which is good!

i dont use a waterproof cover....i find with light rain its mostly the top of the pannier that gets slightly damp....everything inside is dry. with heavy rain....still its mostly just the top of the pannier that gets wet!

on my last tour i had things wrapped in carrier bags - only because i was away for 2weeks and didnt have any decent way of drying out any wet gear

i would recommend these type of panniers if your just after a cheaper bag for the back of your bike! if i won the lottery tho.....i wouldnt say no to a £100 set of panniers :lol: