Cycling UK Forum

Okay, I have checked the Too Good to Lose area and searched the board, and can't find the answer to my question, so please forgive me if it's been asked before!

I have a hybrid bike that I use for commuting to work and for country rides. I feel like a bit of an idiot with my handbag in my bike's rear basket when out on day-rides, and would like to get panniers instead (plus could take more stuff). How easy are panniers to fit yourself? The basket is already on a rack, so I presume the panniers could go on to this instead, so I wouldn't have to fit the rack. My technical ability is fairly low, but I can change my own brake blocks and replace tyres (just don't ask me to put up a shelf!). Could a technical dummy like me fit my own panniers?

You just er.... put them on?

Can you explain what the difficulty is? Have you already got the panniers?

The most versatile panniers are the type that clip on and off quickly, so you can take them with you when shopping. You're obviously a pannier virgin, so I think your best plan would be to have a chat with a reputable bike shop.

No, I haven't ever had panniers before! Thought there was more technical difficulty to it than just clipping them on... but if that's not the case, I'll order some now. Thanks!

Depends on the pipework on your current rack - I'd pop down to a decent lbs and have a chat.

[XAP]Bob wrote:Depends on the pipework on your current rack - I'd pop down to a decent lbs and have a chat.

Yes, don't risk ordering until you've checked.

It would be easier to help if you could post a pic of your bike, especially the luggage rack, or a link to an advert for what you have.

Once everybody knows what you are working with, the advice should be easy

thegirlfrommarz wrote:No, I haven't ever had panniers before! Thought there was more technical difficulty to it than just clipping them on... but if that's not the case, I'll order some now. Thanks!

Just think of all the people that didn't even ask - you've done them a favour.

The trikiest part of panniers is setting them up for the rack. Each pannier may have adjustments to get the two top clips and the bottom clip to fit the rack. If you don't get this correct, they may fall off when you are riding.

Once that is done, taking them off and putting them on is easy.

It might be best to take your bike to a good bike shop.

Okay, the advice is pretty much unanimously to go to a good local bike shop and have a chat about it, so I will do that - plenty to choose from in Oxford! Thanks for the help - much appreciated, especially as I am new to doing bits of work on the bike myself, but v. much enjoying the bits I've done.

Here's the closest pic I can find:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/meteor-2010-womens-hybrid-bike-ec021107?query=ridgeback%20meteor%20ladies%202008
This is not exactly my bike, as mine is the 2008 Ridgeback Meteor Women's bike in white, not the 2010 model, but unless I go down to the work bike racks and photograph the bike (which my boss might not appreciate), this is the best I can do.

If you have the rack on, as in that picture, fitting panniers is reasonably straightforward, although if you have any doubts, go to a shop.

Most modern panniers have two nylon clips at the top of each pannier which clip over the rail. There are a couple of different thicknesses of pannier rail, but decent pannier systems have inserts or adjustable clips to accommodate that. Then it's mainly a matter of positioning the clips (usually by loosening a couple of screws or similar and sliding the clips) until the panners are where you want them - the main issue being to ensure your heels don't foul the panniers (unless martian girls have size 11 feet, you ought to be OK there ) Then the bottom of the pannier has to be anchored to stop it waggling. Again there are different systems although an adjustable bar is now quite common (again, loosening screws then moving to adjust.)

I'd agree with others that if you are worried, a trip to a shop is the answer, but it's very rare to find a shop selling more than a couple of makes of pannier, so you might end up with what they sell, rather than what you need.

Budget can be an issue, because makes like Ortleib tend to be pricey. If you have the time, Id suggest checking the websites of a few manufacturers to get an idea of what you might like, and then check for their retailers. Ideally you want a shop that understands cycle touring. If you indicate your location, somebody may recommend a good local shop.

Ortlieb City Line panniers are relatively cheap and excellent. Fitting them shoud be a breeze - or have the shop do it for you.
Willem

Some of the cheap ones have 2 hook's at the top and an elastic that you attach to the bottom of the rack.
Just hook the elastic on something at the bottom the lift the bag and put the top hooks over the top rail of the rack.
If leaving the bike in some where like Oxford I would prefer the cheap type as they are easy to remove and not so interesting to thieves. I never leave my expensive Ortlieb on the rack in town.

http://www.ortlieb.de/_anleit/ql2-system.pdf

Just to show how easy it is, that's a PDF file of Ortleib's instructions. (That's a bit tongue-in-cheek, because like all instructions, they have only been tested on somebody who knows how to do it without instructions, never on anybody who really needs some guidance.)

I was having a chat about this to someone the other day and it occured to me halfway that they thought panniers were perminently attached to the rack via clips and bolt ons. This is not the case (if that is the impression you've got). Most just clip onto the bike via two u shaped clips at the top that go over the horizontal bars of the rack and have some sort of hook or velcro/ elastic to stop it bouncing off and flapping around. It's easy to take it with you. One with strap lops so you can fit a shoulder strap can be a good itdea for days out and shopping. As someone else has said, these hooks may need a little adjustment via usually a single screw on each clip.