John Parsons

I used Vaude panniers on a rear rack until the nylon hooks that hold
them to the rack began to break. Other than the hooks, they are good
bags and quite waterproof, so I wanted to keep using them. I attached a
cheap fold-up wire basket to the rack with zip-ties, and now I jusr drop
one of the hookless panniers into it like a sort of waterproof insert.
I also fitted the pannier with a should strap, so I can lift it out of
the basket and it becomes a shoulder bag. Very ahndy. Also, the wire
basket fits a sack of groceries quit well.

>>> "Thom Schoenborn" 9/14/2006 12:22:55 PM
>>>

Am considering adding a rack and panniers to my commuter. Am hoping
for
advice on features to look for, "Things you wish you knew before you
bought your bags," or flat-out recommendations.

Used for:
1: Transporting business casual clothes, not shoes (a little wrinkly
is
OK), and brown-bag lunch and snacks.
2: Occasional light grocery/LBS trip
3: Rain

I occasionally take the long way home, which may include some climbing
and descending. In the dark. And the rain. Any considerations I should
know about in terms of how the bike might handle? I ask because I've
never loaded it with anything more than my tubby butt and a Timbuk2
bag.
(If it matters, I think I'm only going for a rear rack, not the
tricked
out full-touring togs.)

Thanks in advance.

TS
_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Geri Bossen

This trailer was my solution when I was living in Florida for a while. My
bike was my only transportation. I rode to my classes where I needed to be
dressed nicely and I used it to transport everything I purchased while I was
there. i rode in numerous down pours and nothing in the trailer got wet--I
cannot say the same for me. But my dry clothes were still dry.

The trailer option is really nice. It is totally water proof and lockable.
It takes a little time to learn to leave a little extra room as you go
around hazards like downed trees after the hurricane but it sure was easy to
pull. I transported my laptop, change of clothing, tools etc, lunch,
groceries and much more. I did have to allow extra slowing time when I had
it loaded with 4 bags of groceries and 4 gals of water.

I love the quick on and off of the hitch.

Tell them I sent you and I think you get a deal on the shipping.

http://www.bikefriday.com/main.cfm?fuseaction=trailer.home

Geri Bossen

----- Original Message -----
From: "Thom Schoenborn"
To:
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 12:22 PM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Rack/Panniers Advice

>
> Am considering adding a rack and panniers to my commuter. Am hoping for
> advice on features to look for, "Things you wish you knew before you
> bought your bags," or flat-out recommendations.
>
> Used for:
> 1: Transporting business casual clothes, not shoes (a little wrinkly is
> OK), and brown-bag lunch and snacks.
> 2: Occasional light grocery/LBS trip
> 3: Rain
>
> I occasionally take the long way home, which may include some climbing
> and descending. In the dark. And the rain. Any considerations I should
> know about in terms of how the bike might handle? I ask because I've
> never loaded it with anything more than my tubby butt and a Timbuk2 bag.
> (If it matters, I think I'm only going for a rear rack, not the tricked
> out full-touring togs.)
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> TS
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

jboquiren@comcast.net

I used to commute with a wee little backpack to work. The problem with that is made your back sweaty on the hills and on hot summer days.When really loaded down it drove my tuchus into the saddle on the bumps, OWWW.

I now commute with Ortliebs to work. They are worth the $$$ I shelled out for a pair. I am approaching my second winter with these puppies and I absolutely adore them. Easy on/off the rack, one can use them as grocery bags and from what I've heard you can throw them in a lake and the stuff inside will still stay bone dry. I have not vetted this personally :)

Of course for the really heavy stuff like hauling kitty litter or compost for the garden, you're gonna need something like a bike trailer....

>
> --- "White, Eric" wrote:
>
> > I have been using a Blackburn rack with Ortlieb panniers. I have not
> > had occasion to use them in the rain, but a friend has been happy
> > with
> > them in the wet. The bags are coated with PVC and resemble a wet
> > bag.
> > I carry everything you do, with the addition of a laptop with case, a
> > lock and some backup cold weather clothes, so I like having the two
> > bags.
> >
> > Handling wise, there are two issues that really only show up when
> > going
> > fast (this means down hill for me): 1) Stopping distance increases
> > and
> > 2) cross-wind is felt more strongly. Otherwise, the bike just
> > doesn't
> > handle as crisply, and you can't really jump over pot holes, etc.
> > You
> > will get the hang of it quickly, but it is different. It is actually
> > not as bad as I thought it would be.
> >
> > All of that being said, I really like the panniers better than a
> > backpack.
> >
> > -Eric
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]
> > On
> > Behalf Of Thom Schoenborn
> > Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 12:23 PM
> > To: obra@list.obra.org
> > Subject: [OBRA Chat] Rack/Panniers Advice
> >
> >
> > Am considering adding a rack and panniers to my commuter. Am hoping
> > for
> > advice on features to look for, "Things you wish you knew before you
> > bought your bags," or flat-out recommendations.
> >
> > Used for:
> > 1: Transporting business casual clothes, not shoes (a little wrinkly
> > is
> > OK), and brown-bag lunch and snacks.
> > 2: Occasional light grocery/LBS trip
> > 3: Rain
> >
> > I occasionally take the long way home, which may include some
> > climbing
> > and descending. In the dark. And the rain. Any considerations I
> > should
> > know about in terms of how the bike might handle? I ask because I've
> > never loaded it with anything more than my tubby butt and a Timbuk2
> > bag.
> > (If it matters, I think I'm only going for a rear rack, not the
> > tricked
> > out full-touring togs.)
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > TS
> > _______________________________________________
> > OBRA mailing list
> > obra@list.obra.org
> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> > _______________________________________________
> > OBRA mailing list
> > obra@list.obra.org
> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Susan Otcenas

Love, love love my Ortliebs. I've had mine for 7 or 8 years now, and they
still look as good, and are as waterproof, as the day I got them.

Most versions of Ortliebs are one great big bag without internal pockets or
separators. I solve this by organizing my stuff into a few small colored
stuff sacks. I have a sack for my extra wet weather clothes (spare booties,
armwarmers, etc.) and a separate sack for my clothes for the day. I also
have a small sack for tools, spare tube, etc. I like to be organized (can
ya tell?).

Susan

Vicki Schroeder

I'll second the Ortlieb recommendation. My brother has an Ortlieb
backpack - same PVC wet bag design as the panniers - and commuted
almost everyday last winter in Seattle and had no problems with things
getting wet. The Ortlieb stuff comes in bright colors with plenty of
reflective strips.

Vicki

--- "White, Eric" wrote:

> I have been using a Blackburn rack with Ortlieb panniers. I have not
> had occasion to use them in the rain, but a friend has been happy
> with
> them in the wet. The bags are coated with PVC and resemble a wet
> bag.
> I carry everything you do, with the addition of a laptop with case, a
> lock and some backup cold weather clothes, so I like having the two
> bags.
>
> Handling wise, there are two issues that really only show up when
> going
> fast (this means down hill for me): 1) Stopping distance increases
> and
> 2) cross-wind is felt more strongly. Otherwise, the bike just
> doesn't
> handle as crisply, and you can't really jump over pot holes, etc.
> You
> will get the hang of it quickly, but it is different. It is actually
> not as bad as I thought it would be.
>
> All of that being said, I really like the panniers better than a
> backpack.
>
> -Eric
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]
> On
> Behalf Of Thom Schoenborn
> Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 12:23 PM
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Rack/Panniers Advice
>
>
> Am considering adding a rack and panniers to my commuter. Am hoping
> for
> advice on features to look for, "Things you wish you knew before you
> bought your bags," or flat-out recommendations.
>
> Used for:
> 1: Transporting business casual clothes, not shoes (a little wrinkly
> is
> OK), and brown-bag lunch and snacks.
> 2: Occasional light grocery/LBS trip
> 3: Rain
>
> I occasionally take the long way home, which may include some
> climbing
> and descending. In the dark. And the rain. Any considerations I
> should
> know about in terms of how the bike might handle? I ask because I've
> never loaded it with anything more than my tubby butt and a Timbuk2
> bag.
> (If it matters, I think I'm only going for a rear rack, not the
> tricked
> out full-touring togs.)
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> TS
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

White, Eric

I have been using a Blackburn rack with Ortlieb panniers. I have not
had occasion to use them in the rain, but a friend has been happy with
them in the wet. The bags are coated with PVC and resemble a wet bag.
I carry everything you do, with the addition of a laptop with case, a
lock and some backup cold weather clothes, so I like having the two
bags.

Handling wise, there are two issues that really only show up when going
fast (this means down hill for me): 1) Stopping distance increases and
2) cross-wind is felt more strongly. Otherwise, the bike just doesn't
handle as crisply, and you can't really jump over pot holes, etc. You
will get the hang of it quickly, but it is different. It is actually
not as bad as I thought it would be.

All of that being said, I really like the panniers better than a
backpack.

-Eric

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Thom Schoenborn
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 12:23 PM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Rack/Panniers Advice

Am considering adding a rack and panniers to my commuter. Am hoping for
advice on features to look for, "Things you wish you knew before you
bought your bags," or flat-out recommendations.

Used for:
1: Transporting business casual clothes, not shoes (a little wrinkly is
OK), and brown-bag lunch and snacks.
2: Occasional light grocery/LBS trip
3: Rain

I occasionally take the long way home, which may include some climbing
and descending. In the dark. And the rain. Any considerations I should
know about in terms of how the bike might handle? I ask because I've
never loaded it with anything more than my tubby butt and a Timbuk2 bag.
(If it matters, I think I'm only going for a rear rack, not the tricked
out full-touring togs.)

Thanks in advance.

TS
_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Lee Bautista

Hmmm. My commute is so short that I haven't noticed. Sorry.

And the rack's not installed to take for a test ride.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan Vinson [mailto:jvbiker@gmail.com]
Sent: Thu 9/14/2006 2:25 PM
To: Lee Bautista
Cc: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Rack/Panniers Advice

Lee,
Is that thing rain-tight? My panniers are fine, but my only complaint is
that the plain cordura does soak through when it gets good and wet.....

Cheers,
JV

On 9/14/06, Lee Bautista wrote:
>
>
> I like my utility basket from Arkel
> http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/utility/overview.asp?fl=1&site=
>
> Along with a regualr black rear rack from Performance it works well for
> grocery and commute to work. I carry about the same stuff you do. The
> Arkel has been very dependable. No complaints.
>
> The bike handles fine in the rain and on typical climbs around Portland.
> It felt weird not to use a backpack, but I got used to it on the first
> ride.
>
> :Lee:
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
> Behalf Of Thom Schoenborn
> Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 12:23 PM
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Rack/Panniers Advice
>
>
> Am considering adding a rack and panniers to my commuter. Am hoping for
> advice on features to look for, "Things you wish you knew before you
> bought your bags," or flat-out recommendations.
>
> Used for:
> 1: Transporting business casual clothes, not shoes (a little wrinkly is
> OK), and brown-bag lunch and snacks.
> 2: Occasional light grocery/LBS trip
> 3: Rain
>
> I occasionally take the long way home, which may include some climbing
> and descending. In the dark. And the rain. Any considerations I should
> know about in terms of how the bike might handle? I ask because I've
> never loaded it with anything more than my tubby butt and a Timbuk2 bag.
> (If it matters, I think I'm only going for a rear rack, not the tricked
> out full-touring togs.)
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> TS
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

Jonathan Vinson

Lee,
Is that thing rain-tight? My panniers are fine, but my only complaint is
that the plain cordura does soak through when it gets good and wet.....

Cheers,
JV

On 9/14/06, Lee Bautista wrote:
>
>
> I like my utility basket from Arkel
> http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/utility/overview.asp?fl=1&site=
>
> Along with a regualr black rear rack from Performance it works well for
> grocery and commute to work. I carry about the same stuff you do. The
> Arkel has been very dependable. No complaints.
>
> The bike handles fine in the rain and on typical climbs around Portland.
> It felt weird not to use a backpack, but I got used to it on the first
> ride.
>
> :Lee:
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
> Behalf Of Thom Schoenborn
> Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 12:23 PM
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Rack/Panniers Advice
>
>
> Am considering adding a rack and panniers to my commuter. Am hoping for
> advice on features to look for, "Things you wish you knew before you
> bought your bags," or flat-out recommendations.
>
> Used for:
> 1: Transporting business casual clothes, not shoes (a little wrinkly is
> OK), and brown-bag lunch and snacks.
> 2: Occasional light grocery/LBS trip
> 3: Rain
>
> I occasionally take the long way home, which may include some climbing
> and descending. In the dark. And the rain. Any considerations I should
> know about in terms of how the bike might handle? I ask because I've
> never loaded it with anything more than my tubby butt and a Timbuk2 bag.
> (If it matters, I think I'm only going for a rear rack, not the tricked
> out full-touring togs.)
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> TS
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

Lee Bautista

I like my utility basket from Arkel
http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/utility/overview.asp?fl=1&site=

Along with a regualr black rear rack from Performance it works well for
grocery and commute to work. I carry about the same stuff you do. The
Arkel has been very dependable. No complaints.

The bike handles fine in the rain and on typical climbs around Portland.
It felt weird not to use a backpack, but I got used to it on the first
ride.

:Lee:

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Thom Schoenborn
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 12:23 PM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Rack/Panniers Advice

Am considering adding a rack and panniers to my commuter. Am hoping for
advice on features to look for, "Things you wish you knew before you
bought your bags," or flat-out recommendations.

Used for:
1: Transporting business casual clothes, not shoes (a little wrinkly is
OK), and brown-bag lunch and snacks.
2: Occasional light grocery/LBS trip
3: Rain

I occasionally take the long way home, which may include some climbing
and descending. In the dark. And the rain. Any considerations I should
know about in terms of how the bike might handle? I ask because I've
never loaded it with anything more than my tubby butt and a Timbuk2 bag.
(If it matters, I think I'm only going for a rear rack, not the tricked
out full-touring togs.)

Thanks in advance.

TS
_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Thom Schoenborn

Am considering adding a rack and panniers to my commuter. Am hoping for
advice on features to look for, "Things you wish you knew before you
bought your bags," or flat-out recommendations.

Used for:
1: Transporting business casual clothes, not shoes (a little wrinkly is
OK), and brown-bag lunch and snacks.
2: Occasional light grocery/LBS trip
3: Rain

I occasionally take the long way home, which may include some climbing
and descending. In the dark. And the rain. Any considerations I should
know about in terms of how the bike might handle? I ask because I've
never loaded it with anything more than my tubby butt and a Timbuk2 bag.
(If it matters, I think I'm only going for a rear rack, not the tricked
out full-touring togs.)

Thanks in advance.

TS