As gas prices and traffic increase, commuting around town by bike has gained popularity. A bike doesn’t require gas, doesn’t get stuck in traffic, and helps with your fitness too. If you commute to work or travel long distances on a bike, you probably notice a lack of storage space. One of the easiest and most efficient ways to transport cargo on your bike is with panniers (commonly referred to as saddle bags). Bicycle panniers attach to the rear rack of a bicycle and essentially act as a backpack against the side of your rear wheel. A single pannier bag can be used individually on one side of the bike or a set can be placed on both sides for additional storage space. Putting a pannier on both sides of the rear rack creates a better balance point for the bike as opposed to using a single pannier. This allows the bike to maintain proper handling characteristics. Here at JensonUSA, we have a wide selection of bike panniers available individually or in a set.

Bike panniers usually feature a single large internal pocket that can store large items and some additionally have small exterior pockets which can be used to store small items. An internal sleeve to transport a laptop or iPad is also common in some panniers. A popular design used by many companies features a roll-top system to secure the bag. A roll-top design allows you to snug down the top of the pannier to properly secure the pannier’s contents in place. Roll-tops provide great protection against outside debris and water, especially if it’s raining. Be aware though, just because a bag has a roll-top system, doesn’t necessarily mean that it is waterproof or water resistant.

Some commuter panniers can also double as backpacks or shoulder bags with shoulder straps. While not always possible, in some instances, a pannier can be combined with a trunk bag on top of the rack. If you’re touring with panniers, this can be especially beneficial to increase storage capacity significantly. Combine that with a handlebar bag and other bike bags and you’ll have an incredible amount of storage.

Whether you’re looking for a high-quality waterproof pannier to tour across the country, or just looking for a rear pannier to commute to work, JensonUSA has some of the best panniers for sale. If you have any questions about bike panniers, hop on a call or chat with one of our expert Gear Advisors today at 888-880-3811. They are always happy to help you with any questions you may have. Keep Pedaling!