Bicycle panniers attach to racks mounted on your rear or front wheels. Touring cyclists employ them to take gear on a multi-day journey. When choosing panniers, consider their features, capacity and versatility.
Features
If you want panniers that have organizational features, look for ones that have dividers and small pockets. If you tour in inclement weather, purchase a pannier with waterproof material and taped seams. Look for panniers that have heavy-duty material and seams that won't pop with tight loads. Look for convenient access so you aren't struggling to get at your things when you need them most.
Capacity
Pannier capacity is measured in cubic inches, usually from 800 to 3,200. Smaller panniers obviously carry less but create less wind resistance. When choosing panniers, consider the total weight you want to carry and how you want to distribute it. For example, you may want to use four small panniers, two in front and two in back, rather than two larger panniers.
Connection
Panniers use a system of hooks and cams to attach to your bicycle rack. The connection system used by Arkel is a classic example of a three-point connection design. A hook connected to a bungee attaches to the bottom of the rack. The top of the pannier attaches to the rack by two spring-loaded cams. These systems are designed to not only hold you pannier on the bike but to make it easy to attach and remove the pannier. Not all panniers fit all racks. Determine whether your preferred pannier's connection will work with your rack.
Considerations
Depending on the size of your rear pannier, you may find that your heels will clip the edge of the bag. Try the panniers on your bike before purchasing. Some panniers have adjustments that can set pannier farther back. Consider whether you want side-loading or top-loading panniers. Side loading provides easy access to items in the bottom of the pannier but have slightly decreased waterproofing capacity. For front panniers, consider those that have easily accessible outside pouches for water bottles, maps, sunscreen or other items you need to retrieve often and quickly.
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