Panniers!

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BY: Richard Jones

Published: 26th January, 2012

Panniers!

So as I am sure most of you are aware that the majority of Blogs at this time of year are about winter training tactics with what worked and what didn't, as well as a selection of equipment reviews such as those new fluffy all singing all dancing socks that made the winter miles just that little bit more comfortable! Well this blog is pretty much about that but not with the most common of new shiny kit in mind. 

When it comes to winter I absolutely love riding my bike.  I don't bother with the Cross season as I would much rather spend all the time I have just plodding those winter miles out either on the road or the mountain bike. 

But like everybody, fitting this into the rest of my busy week is hard work, so it makes the most sense to commute! But with this comes many issues. How do you transport the huge array of clothes needed for a day in the office?  What about the usual "essential" work related rubbish that joins the daily commute and then, the most important issue, how do I manage my obligatory huge selection of food to keep me going all day and into the evening?

So this winter it was time to introduce the panniers! These have been fitted to my winter road bike for those after work late night road runs and much to my surprise it has been absolutely brilliant. 

It has enabled me to carry everything I need, even with space to spare and without being restricted on the bike. But "they're panniers" some of you will say. I can honestly say I have felt no compromise in handling. The bike remains stable and there are little signs of any drag.

Of course there was quite a weight penalty, although I quickly started to embrace this and I have since came up with the philosophy that it can only be aiding me in the long run. 

The particular rack I choose was the Topeak RX pannier and bag. This combination enabled me to choose how big the bag was each day.  What wasn't needed could just be folded away. It was also small enough not to interfere with my riding position or style. 

Over time I found that it was so easy to take the seat post mounted rack on and off, so when the weekend came and the bike was required but the rack wasn't, then of it popped with just two allen keys bolts. It also offered a place to mount more lights to the rear of the bike. Which appears to have reduced the frequency of my weekly quota of near misses - when will vehicle drivers realize that the brightly coloured, twinkling object in the distance is a human being and not a mobile Christmas tree?

All in all this has made a huge amount of difference to my mid week riding  It has made commuting and longer rides after work convenient, comfortable and enjoyable again. So my top piece of winter training kit and secret weapon during the winter of 2011-2012 is my Topeak RX Panniers…….. that's something I never though I would say!

Richard Jones

Team XC Racer.