In seeking to replace our old rear panniers, a couple of options on our list are side loading. I am looking for comparative opinions.
For years I have used top loading rear panniers. We've camped with them in the Canadian Rockies and done hotels in France. They are what I am used to. But, they are wearing out (OK, maybe they are worn out).
I am looking for thoughts from people who have use top loading rear panniers or, especially who have used both top and side loading rears. What's good and bad about side loading panniers, compared to top loading? Which do you prefer and why?
An aside (a mini-rant): The bags we are seeking to replace are both around 2500 cu.in. and weigh about 2 1/4 pounds per set. Why is it that after 20 years of "improvements" some modern panniers weight TWICE as much? Whatever happened to going light? Arkel, which makes some popular panniers has a set in the volume range I am thinking about that weigh 5.7# pounds!! I don't want to have to carry around heavy duty bags when I don't plan on dragging them behind my bike. Granted gearing makes it possible to carry more weight. But, we like to ride in the mountains. Why should I carry unnecessary weight? Why are most bag so heavy? OK, I know there are reasons why heavy duty panniers have use. This is just a rhetorical rant. I just got unlucky initially where everything I looked was heavy.
OK, end of my rhetorical grousing. I REALLY was asking about _top loading rear panniers_, positives and negatives.
Cheers
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One possible advantage to side loading bags is that one can lash stuff sacks, or other bulky items, on top of the rear rack without interfering with access to the bags.
I'm partial to side loading panniers. I just find packing and sorting thru gear to be simpler. If you are looking for a set of welterweight panel loaders then you might want to check out the offerings from Lone Peak along with the Cyclelite bags from Madden/Adventure Cycling Association.
Scott
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I toured across Missouri last year with Performance rear panniers (top load) on the rear rack and Cannondale rear panniers (side load) on the front. Lucky13 has a good point. I had quite a bit of trouble getting to some of the stuff in the rear panniers because I had a tent, sleeping bag, and roll strapped to the rear rack on top of the panniers.
Late last year I bought a set of Arkel GT30 front panniers. I use these for commuting. I plan to pick up a set of Arkel GT54 this year. I chose these because of being side load. They may not be as water resistant due to the location of the zipper. But then, I use covers anyway.
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I love my Ortlieb bags for commuting. I can't imagine any with a greater capacity. The disadvantage is that they only have one compartment, so that if there was a rain storm, and you couldn't get under a bridge, to get your raincoat, everything inside would get wet, and stay wet( they're waterproof).
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when i纾 on the road, i don纾 touch stuff in the rear panniers, whatever i might need during the ride is either in the handlebar bag or in the small rcksack bungeed on top of the tent and sleeping bag. i intent to use front panniers also on my next trip so i have more space for stuff i might need.
btw, i use top load panniers.
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by iceratt
I love my Ortlieb bags for commuting. I can't imagine any with a greater capacity. The disadvantage is that they only have one compartment, so that if there was a rain storm, and you couldn't get under a bridge, to get your raincoat, everything inside would get wet, and stay wet( they're waterproof).
I have a set of top rollers from Ortlieb for the front and back. On a month long tour last fall in the Missouri River Valley, I didn't have any problems with at all but you do have to practice a little bit of foresight when packing. I put all of the stuff that I would never get into during the day in the back and stuff that I might need in the front. Even during a rain storm, I never had problems with getting to my rain gear, nor problems with water in the bags. They are just one big compartment but I pack all of my stuff in second bags (usually ziplocks) anyway so that isn't a problem.
I have had side zipper bag before but I can't really compare them to the Ortliebs because they weren't waterproof at all. That's were I learned the packing in ziplocks trick.
Originally Posted by iceratt
I love my Ortlieb bags for commuting. I can't imagine any with a greater capacity. The disadvantage is that they only have one compartment, so that if there was a rain storm, and you couldn't get under a bridge, to get your raincoat, everything inside would get wet, and stay wet( they're waterproof).
I have a set of top rollers from Ortlieb for the front and back. On a month long tour last fall in the Missouri River Valley, I didn't have any problems with at all but you do have to practice a little bit of foresight when packing. I put all of the stuff that I would never get into during the day in the back and stuff that I might need in the front. Even during a rain storm, I never had problems with getting to my rain gear, nor problems with water in the bags. They are just one big compartment but I pack all of my stuff in second bags (usually ziplocks) anyway so that isn't a problem.