BikePGH Message Board Archive

Yet Another DIY Pannier

I've seen quite a few pages regarding DIY panniers around the internet, but wanted to share my own mis-adventures and successes over the years I've been using/modifying mine.

A few years ago when I started bike commuting, I got tired of wearing a heavy backpack, so decided to make some panniers.

I used this as a jumping off point: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-DIY-Bike-Panniers/

I started with:

- 2 13"x13"x4" surplus musette bags

- 2 bungee cords

- 2 linoleum tiles (used as rigid frame/back for bags)

- various 1/4" nuts and bolts

- asst. picture hanging hardware kit

I covered the sticky back of the linoleum tiles in duct tape so it didn't stick to anything, and maybe was reinforced somewhat.

Things were initially mounted more or less as per the instructable using hanging hooks, and bungees.

Problems I had (and solutions):

- The tiles were a terrible idea, and disintegrated quickly. I replaced them with vinyl plexiglass sheets which have been quite sturdy and even survived a few tumbles.

- The hooks weren't enough to keep the bags on bumpier terrain such as my commute down Friendship Ave. (my laptop flying off my bike in traffic got irritating after awhile) At first I mounted some rubber lined pipe camps, and tied them on with para-cord. Recently I splurged on some real locking pannier hooks for one bag, and they've worked great:

http://www.bikebagshop.com/lone-peak-pannier-hook-set-p-1675.html

- Canvas is only sort of water resistant. I usually just line them with trashbags if necessary, but I've been meaning to coat them with scotchguard or somesuch.

- The exteriors looked a little bland after awhile, so I decided to spray paint on a celtic sort of border.

Overall cost for both was $50 including the musette bags, so pretty respectable for the volume and nifty DIY aesthetic.

I have some random pictures from various incarnations of the panniers here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/besugo/sets/72157627463794180/

I think this post is a little longer than I wanted, but if you're interested in more of a play-by-play for constructing your own, let me know.

kooptheandroid

2011-08-18 20:32:45

Concerning water-proofing, this statement from Peter White sticks out to me:

Carradice makes saddlebags, rain gear and panniers. These are my favorites. The fabric is cotton, and the waterproofing is from wax. As the bags age, instead of you being left with a nylon fabric that leaks because the coating wears off, you simply melt parafin wax into the cotton fabric to completely restore the original waterproofness of the bag. So, in this case, the old fashion method really works better than the new.

I was actually thinking about making my own, thanks for the link and the ideas.

headloss

2011-08-18 20:42:04

koooptheandroid - those are some seriously attractive bags. I've always gravitated towards the kitty litter bucket panniers for the sheer volume, simplicity, and water-proof-ed-ness, but never made them because, well, they look like buckets of kitty litter.

headloss - I LOVE the wax idea. THANK YOU. I feel like an idiot for not thinking of it before.

ejwme

2011-08-18 23:41:15

I covered the kitty-litter-ness of the bucket with adhesive sign vinyl from Creative Reuse. I was told I would not be allowed to leave the house otherwise (by my children).

epkiley

2011-08-19 01:37:24

Speaking of kitty litter...

I want to make one out of this!

headloss

2011-08-19 16:51:58