All the advantages for using rear panniers in everyday cycling life

This article is about the advantages of rear panniers (often also called rear panniers) in everyday cycling. That is, for commuting to work, shopping or the ride to the next beer garden on a warm summer evening. We are not talking about use for a cycle tour, that is a topic we will deal with separately. Nor is it about front panniers or handlebar bags or other panniers.

Why do I need a bag on my bike at all?

Unless you’re riding a cargo bike with a big basket, of course you don’t have any storage space for your stuff. But often you have things to carry. So where to put them?

What’s wrong with the good old rucksack?

Of course, the easiest thing to do is to put on a backpack and stow all your things there. But that has two major disadvantages:

1. You sweat very quickly on your back (no matter how much “air flow” the backpack promises). And who wants to arrive sweaty?
2. It is unpleasant in the long run, as it also affects the riding stability, especially when the backpack is heavily loaded

Our recommendation: rear panniers

If you have a rear rack on your bike, we always recommend rear panniers for everyday use. These are usually sold as a pair. To mention the biggest advantage right away: The panniers are simply hooked into the rear rack. With good bags you don’t have to tighten any straps or anything else. The upper hooks close automatically when the bag is hooked in, so that the bag cannot accidentally come loose while riding.

Tip: Make sure that your bag has a shoulder strap in addition to the carrying handle. This is the only way you can carry the bag comfortably once you have removed it from the carrier.

How do I pack my bicycle bags correctly?

It is especially important to load your panniers correctly when you are doing your weekly shopping and carrying heavy items such as milk, wine or water bottles. The rear panniers should always be used in pairs. The rule is: Distribute the weight as evenly as possible on both sides. Try to stow the heavy things as low as possible in the bags. The higher the centre of gravity, the greater the leverage forces, which will have a negative effect on riding safety.

Real everyday examples

Commuting to work

I always use one of my two bags for commuting to work. For example, I keep my rain pants, overshoes, spare socks, a small rain jacket in the summer, thin gloves and my lunch in there. The second bag (as already mentioned, you usually buy a pair) is always mounted on the other side, folded flat. I never take it off. If I have to buy groceries spontaneously after work, for example, I always have the extra bag with me and can easily load a few days’ worth of groceries.

Children

Another example: I pick up my daughter from kindergarten by bike and she has made some great things that don’t fit into her small backpack. So I use the second backpack, which is always mounted, to carry these things safely.

Family outing

On a family bike trip, other things naturally go into the bag. Food, drink and a picnic blanket. Plus a change of clothes for the kids and rain jackets, you never know. Plus a repair kit and a pump. And then, with two bags, there’s always room for more things.

How big should a bicycle bag be?

We recommend a volume of about 20 to 25 litres. This is a comfortable size that has proven itself in everyday use. Of course, if you don’t need so much storage space, go for slightly smaller bags.

How do I secure my bicycle bags against theft?

Of course, it’s important not to leave any valuables in your bags. People will always be able to open your bags. What you can do, however, is get yourself a small rope lock. With this small and thin lock, you can at least prevent spontaneous thieves from stealing your bags.

Are the bags waterproof?

Most bags are made of a type of truck tarpaulin or similar material and are therefore completely waterproof. Just always read the description.

Of course, it is important that the bags are always closed correctly. The bags are usually closed with a roll closure. This ensures that no dust or water can get in.

What types of closures are there?

As already mentioned in the paragraph above, most rear panniers are closed with a roll closure. To do this, the bag is rolled two to three times and closed with a click closure.

However, there are also models with a simple lid – so-called toploaders. These are closed like a school bag with a lid.

Do I need special bags for an e-bike?

In principle, you don’t need special bags for your e-bike. However, there are now rear panniers specially designed for e-bikes. These have special compartments for a spare battery and the charger.

Which manufacturers do we recommend?

Ortlieb is the absolute top dog here. But our customers also love the renowned manufacturers such as Vaude, Cube, Rave, Acid and Topeak. There are no major differences in the quality of the bags we sell. You can find a suitable rear pannier for every taste and every budget.

I don’t have a rear rack on my bike. How can I still use rear panniers?

There are simple solutions. Either you find a luggage rack that can be retrofitted to your bike model. This should be possible with modern mountain bikes and fitness bikes. We have a large selection of racks for you here.

If you cannot find a suitable rack, you can also use a universal seat post rack. This is simply screwed onto the seat post and offers you the option of mounting rear panniers. We recommend the RFR seat post carrier.