Figured out the perfect pannier setup after 2 years of trial and error last month

I finally got tired of the sweaty back struggle from my backpack, so I picked up a pair of Ortlieb panniers on sale for $80. For the longest time, I just clipped them on and hoped for the best, but my bike kept feeling wobbly on turns. Last month, I realized I had been loading them unevenly, heavy stuff like my laptop and lunch on one side only. Now I split the weight, laptop in one pannier and clothes in the other, and it rides straight as an arrow. Also made a habit of rolling my work shirt instead of folding it, way less wrinkles in the bag. I zip through my 4 mile commute to downtown Portland without feeling like a sweaty mess now. Anyone else figure out a load balancing trick that clicked after a while?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_abby3d ago

The heavy side thing is such a simple fix but it took me way too long to figure out too. I used to just toss my u-lock and lunch on whatever side had less stuff and wonder why my bike felt like a drunk shopping cart. Now I actually put the lock in the bottom of one pannier and my lunch on top of it, then the other side gets my work shoes and whatever else. Total game changer for not feeling like you're gonna wipe out when a car cuts you off.

logan2633d ago

Used to roll my eyes at the heavy side thing to be honest... thought people were just being dramatic. Then one day I had my laptop bag on one side and a six pack of sodas in the other and nearly ate it taking a sharp turn. Took me a couple more spills before I actually tried balancing stuff out. Now I keep my lock and chain in the bottom of my left pannier, rain gear on top, then the right side gets my lunch cooler and work clothes. Makes a world of difference when you're swerving around a parked car door.