touring bags

[George Mc]

What do you think of these bags. I think it may be one of those things, you get what you pay for.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/racktime-tourit-rear-bike-rack-with-doubleit-panniers~p~4235j/?filterString=cycling-bags-and-bike-racks~d~42%2F&colorFamily=01

[Pat Lamb]

(a) Never heard of that manufacturer.
(b) It may be hard to fit those panniers on a different rack with a different width.
(c) Ortlieb panniers are more expensive, but known quantities, fit most any rack, and are easy-on/easy-off.

[George Mc]

Thanks pdlamb, I'll check out the Ortlieb panniers .

[bogiesan]

There are literally dozens of pannier mfrs. The top end units enjoy that status for various reasons that may not fit your needs. For instance, feature-packed, bombproof and watertight panniers are seriously heavy and quite expensive.  If that's what you need, you do, indeed, pay for what you get.
Many bike travelers do not really need that kind of robustness. Larger panniers mean you tend to carry more stuff. Lots of pockets and flaps mean wasted weight and potential leaks.

If you're shopping for panniers, try this site, which is a bit out of date:

http://www.mikebentley.com/bike/panniers.htm

[George Mc]

Thanks bogiesan, that site has a lot of good stuff on it. The way it look's right now, all I need are something like the Nashbar panniers. I probably be doing overnight trips for now. Just go to a state park about 70 miles away and head back the next day.

Thanks again for the link, it will come in handy.

[staehpj1]

The way it look's right now, all I need are something like the Nashbar panniers. I probably be doing overnight trips for now. Just go to a state park about 70 miles away and head back the next day.

FWIW, I have found them adequate on a coast to coast tour and a number of other longish tours.

[George Mc]

Thanks for the reply. Did you by chance, use the waterproof ones?

[staehpj1]

Yeah, between the three of us we had:

• a pair of the waterproof rear panniers
• a pair of the waterproof front panniers
• a pair of Nashbar ATB panniers
• a pair of Transit Epic panniers

We liked the waterproof ones best for most purposes.  On the TA the girls did use one of the ATB panniers each on the front paired with one front waterproof because they liked having a pocket.  I also have done a tour where I took the ATB panniers because they were a bit lighter and I was slashing weight pretty aggressively.

[litespeed]

I liked my Bruce Gordon panniers but after a rainy circumnavigation of the contiguous US I got thoroughly sick of fooling with rain covers. I now use the simpler, cheaper, more convenient, waterproof Ortliebs. I recommend them highly.

[George Mc]

Thanks for the replies everybody. I think I'm going to go with the Nashbar bags for now.

[adventurepdx]

(a) Never heard of that manufacturer.

Looks like Racktime is a subsidiary of Tubus.
http://www.racktime.com/en/about-us/who-is-behind-racktime

I've seen some Racktime bags in bike shops. They look decent, but I've never tested them.
But if they're built as well as Tubus racks, they're probably some pretty decent bags!