Author Topic: Panniers: locking them up...  (Read 22641 times)

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Offline Stevenp

Panniers: locking them up...
« on: May 19, 2011, 07:08:33 pm »
I have purchased Ortleib panniers and lately have been wondering how I could lock up my bike and gear all up together for any particular reason of leaving them alone for a bit. I know that, ideally I will have my eyes on them at all times, but nevertheless, I am trying to figure out a way of locking the bike and equipment.

I have thought of having a sort of metal strap w/ loops that goes through the top section of the panniers and which i can then lock together so that they can not be opened, and then I would strap the panniers to the bike with a similar connection. Just thinking...

Any thoughts or ideas?


Offline happyriding

Re: Panniers: locking them up...
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2011, 07:32:33 pm »
Ortlieb sells some thin cables for locking your panniers to the racks, but they won't keep anyone from opening your panniers.  I guess it's sort of a shame that Orlieb doesn't have a place to padlock the lids closed.

Hey, I just thought of something: I've seen cable mesh for locking packs to trees, you might be able to get one around your panniers.  Here you go:

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=11

The only problem is: you would probably need a large rear pannier to carry four of those, and they aren't cheap.  You could always make something similar yourself and leave them on your panniers permanently.
« Last Edit: May 19, 2011, 07:44:54 pm by happyriding »

Offline nthabiseng

Re: Panniers: locking them up...
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2011, 10:13:17 pm »
We just finished a tour on the ST with Ortliebs. We did buy and use the thin wire cables.  It depended on where we were as to whether or not we locked the panniers to the bikes.  We would take our valuables with us; everything in the panniers could be replaced, though it would have been a real bummer.  We never had a problem, and probably never really needed to lock it all up, but it sure gave us peace of mind.  You can get the cables from Wayne at thetouringstore.com   Good luck...

sackcycle

  • Guest
Re: Panniers: locking them up...
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2011, 11:46:17 pm »
Go to Home Depot buy some cable and metal clamps and build your own. My problem Ortlieb is the plastic inserts for the top hooks, thinking about using the an old tube on the top rack with zip ties. :-\

Offline staehpj1

Re: Panniers: locking them up...
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2011, 06:47:37 am »
It seems like a lot of extra trouble and a little extra weight for very ineffective protection against a problem unlikely to occur.  I'd say just keep the most theft worthy stuff in the handle bar bag and take that with you.  I met quite a few people touring, mostly on the TA and have never seen anyone lock up their panniers.

Offline Tourista829

Re: Panniers: locking them up...
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2011, 08:09:07 am »
We have Orliebs too and I always found it interesting that they offered a locking system on their handle bar bag, but like others have mentioned, nothing to prevent some one from stealing the contents inside. The cables for the panniers are for the Plus bags only with the Q2 system. I wouldn't give you much for them. It would be nice if they had a locking system for them but in all the years I have toured, have been lucky and haven't had an issue. I am probably tempting fate. LOL

indyfabz

  • Guest
Re: Panniers: locking them up...
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2011, 09:17:46 am »
It seems like a lot of extra trouble and a little extra weight for very ineffective protection against a problem unlikely to occur.  I'd say just keep the most theft worthy stuff in the handle bar bag and take that with you.  I met quite a few people touring, mostly on the TA and have never seen anyone lock up their panniers.

+1


Online John Nelson

Re: Panniers: locking them up...
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2011, 09:52:51 am »
I just run my cable lock through the pannier handles. It's very little, but it would prevent the snatch and run thief. That's enough for me. Most people have no idea that the panniers themselves are valuable, and most people envision that the pannier is full of dirty clothes anyway.

Offline litespeed

Re: Panniers: locking them up...
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2011, 07:09:51 pm »
I don't worry too much about someone getting into my panniers in this country but I have traveled all over the world - some 60 countries - and would be very wary in countries where there is a lot of petty thievery. India, Central America and around the Mediterranean come to mind. If I went there I would find some way to secure my panniers.

The main advantage we Ortlieb people have is that almost no one knows how to detach them. I hope.
« Last Edit: May 20, 2011, 07:11:28 pm by litespeed »

Offline Stevenp

Re: Panniers: locking them up...
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2011, 09:07:43 pm »
Sounds like a gap in the market. :) I think that peace of mind is the attraction for me. It definitely is key to keep the weight and hassle down, but if there is a solution with that in mind, it might be worth it.