In the pub near Oxford Circus I spotted a cyclist pedalling past with some very trendy looking pannier bags. Whilst the Ortlieb bags are the long loved classics they are not particularly stylish. Here’s a quick roundup of panniers that break from the classic designs.
Brooks Devon
22.5L | £224.99 – Available from Evans Cycles
Stylish touring bags designed to open like a suitcase. Very expensive!
Ostrich Panniers
13L | $145 – Available from Velo-orange.com
Made in Japan these panniers which are in high demand should fulfil most daily purposes.
Basil Memories Pannier
37L | £71.08 – Available from Evans Cycles
Water repellent twin pannier bags. Separate front pockets and space to attach bike lights.
Basil Mitre Shopper
16L | £51.99 – Available from Velorution
Available with four different patterns this small pannier bag is one of a huge range by Basil.
Knog Leading Dog Bag
£44.99 – Available from Chain Reaction Cycles
Water resistant pannier that turns into a stylish bag. Has ‘ears’ that can be tucked in to keep water out.
Rivendell Toursacks
$228.00 – Available from Rivendell Bicycle Works
Stylish panniers with zipped pockets and water resistant construction.
See also:
I agree that this is a problem.. I have an Ortlieb Shopper which I got because didn’t look sporty, to be able to take shopping. I’ve taken a picture of it on my bike here – http://i.imgur.com/w50bS.jpg
It cost £55-60, is waterproof, has 1 small internal pocket, easy to take on and off. I would like it to have a locking mechanism for when on the bike though.
Why are all the beautiful ones almost as much as a bike??!
I’ve got a selection. I love my NewLook Mondi Joy – http://www.comptoncycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m20b145s173p7925 – but the flap on the top creases a bit & then lets in water… and the bottom has got holes in it where it sits against the bike. So I tend to use it with a carrier bag in it! I went back to it after the New Look Postino (http://www.comptoncycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m20b145s173p7927) I bought to replace it kept falling off my pannier rack!!!
One day when I’m rich and famous, I’ll by a bike that would suit these panniers. Every thing I have is functional but not particularly stylish. Given I take my pannier off my bike and carry it around at work all day, I’d really like panniers like these.
Ev
Carradice have a few, like the Bike Bureau http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=64
If that knog once is actually a pannier then I’m going to buy one asap! I can’t stand riding with a satchel or ruck-sack but get annoyed when my panniers at my destination are awkward to carry.
Hi Andreas,
I love the Brooks touring bags. They look terrific, but they are rather expensive.
From Brooks I also like the Roll-Up panniers. Look stylish, too, aren’t they?
Hi,
i use Arkel pannier bags which are made in Canada and have a small selection of them for commuting, shopping and just taking on a bike run.
They don’t come cheap it has to be said but I have been using them for many years and all are still as good as the day I bought them.
They have rigid backs and cam locking onto to rack which means you just lift a handle on the bag to lock the bag on or to take it off again.
Sorry if this sounds like a commercial for them but after many years of using panniers with loose bags and belt fastenings that come undone or get tangled around the back wheel and covered in oil these Arkel bags are a godsend.
all the panniers in this blog post are hideous (IMO).
I think ortliebs look fine.
This isn’t particularly helpful for anyone in London, but I have a great pair that were hand made by Doug Thompson in Canberra, Australia. He has made an excellent business out of it, and you can always spot people on the roads with ‘Doug panniers’. They’re super robust (I have a good friend who claims to have had his for 20 years!), enormous capacity, and totally waterproof (even though they’re only canvas) and he has a great selection of fabric colours. If anyone ends up down under I would highly recommend commissioning him for a set.
Tremendous issues here. I’m very glad to see your article. Thanks so much and I am having a look forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?