Conference noted::bicycle

    If they are going to be carrying a good amount of weight, I strongly
    recommend purchasing standard size rear panniers and low rider front.
    I can carry my sleeping bag and tent in my front panniers which
    helps stabilize the bike and keep the equipment dry.
    
    If your willing to spend the money, I've heard that Needleworks,
    Eugene Oregon (503) 484-6239 are clearly the best.  This has been
    verified in many publications.  Beyond that, look at features
    that will be needed.  A most important feature of a pannier is
    how well it attaches to the rack.  You don't want your pannier
    falling off down a hill (I've heard of that happening).  
    Other things to think about may be how well they carry.  I use my
    panniers for traveling on business/pleasure, they are a good
    suitcase addition for someone who travels a lot.
    
    I borrowed a set of Lone Peak front bags and was happy.
   
    
    Steve
     
    

Also important in panniers is the construction of the
stiffeners.  If they are bendy, it is hard to cram much stuff
into the packs.

I've use Kirtland.  These have aluminum plates for stiffening.
They also mount well (and quickly).  They are extremely well
made;  however, are not cheep...  I believe that they are made
in Colorado.

I've also seen Cannondale.  They were a whole lot less
expensive, but were stiffened by a plastic frame.  They look
well made, but since I've never used them, I can't say how they
perform.  I believe that they are made (or at least there's an
outlet) in North Hampton, MA.

    My Cannondales  rear  panniers have held up well through some very
    heavily  loaded  touring.  The  only problem I've had with them is
    that  the  hooks  that  the bags hang from are held on with screws
    into  plastic,  and  those  screws occasionally need tightening. I
    have  the  largest size panniers Cannondale makes which are enough
    for  camping  trips,  but  perhaps  a little large for trips using
    hostels.  I would buy another set from Cannondale.

    My front   panniers   are  Specialized  "Tailwind",  and  are  not
    satisfactory.  They  are probably better aerodynamically than most
    (this is their advertising pitch), but outside pockets really help
    organize the load, and they don't have any. In addition they don't
    stay  on my Blackburn low rider racks very well. They have 2 hooks
    that  the pannier hangs from and another that holds the bottom in.
    Unlike  the  Cannondale, there is no spring to keep tension on the
    hooks,  so they come with clevis pins that go through holes in the
    hooks and racks to hold them down. These clevis pins are a pain to
    put  in and come in two varieties: Plastic which lasted on average
    about  200  miles,  and  metal (which they supplied free after the
    plastic  ones  broke) which don't stay in very well. The hook near
    the bottom is just screwed into some very soft plastic, and didn't
    last long either. Because they don't have springs to hold them on,
    they  tend  to  fall  off if the bike is on its side. It makes you
    worry  about  them  over bumps. I'll stick with Specialized tires,
    but I certainly wouldn't buy another set of panniers from them.

--David

    Re: .2
    
    You say there is a Cannondale outlet in Mass.  Do you mean an
    honest-to-goodness discount factory outlet, or merely a bike store
    that happens to carry Cannondale products?
    
    Another brand of pannier you might want to consider is Madden. 
    I have 2 friends who are biking from Oregon to Maine (even as I
    write) and they opted for Madden bags.  One is an experienced bike
    tourist and chose to replace her old bags with Maddens. I don't
    know exactly what features made her choose them, but I can report
    on their satisfaction (or lack of it) in about 2 months, when they
    return home.

    
    According to Cannondale in Georgetown, CT they haven't any factory
    outlets. They can tell you who carries their products though.
    
                           1-800-245-3872

re:.2

It's possible that the person I took that trip with
just got his Cannondales in North Hampton...  It was
almost 10 years ago...

    I have the same stuff described in .3 and support those comments
    except that I had the metal clevis pins (so that's what they're
    called!) and they just did not work well, especially with cold
    wet fingers if I could have found some warm dry fingers I would
    have compared their performance.
    
    My suggestion is don't buy the big Cannondale bags.  They have plenty
    of storage space, lots of pockets, good zippers.  The problem is
    that they encourage you to bring more stuff than you need.
    
    ed

    
       But for the record, it's Northampton, MA not North Hampton.
    

    Never mind the bags !  Do you want a list of good tours in Ireland.
    
    If you do , let me know what what distances are planned, how long
    they have got etc. .
    
    Also if they have any problems while over here , they can call me
    at the Dublin Office (01) 385433.
    
    John

    Bicycling magazine recently reviewed touring bags -- you may want to
check there. Note that Neeleworks bags are not only the best, but the most
expensive, and they only for Bruce Gordon racks (also the best, and the
most expensive).

I've done a lot of bicycle touring, including camping trips.

My Cannondale Overlands are wonderful.  They hold a lot and have 
held up well under even the toughest conditions - airline baggage 
handlers.  Their many compartments help organization of your stuff 
once you develop a system of where to put things.  I don't agree 
with Ed, when you are touring having the room is nice - you will 
never notice the small difference in weight.

I use only them and a handlebar bag, no front panniers;  Much
simpler that way when unloading the bike.  When camping, I put
sleeping bag, foam pad and pots and pans on top of the rack with
nylon straps.  With the Overlands, you still have full access to all
compartments under these conditions. 

Problems over the years: none if you initially secure the spring
loop (which hooks at the botton) with a bit of wire, and
periodically make sure that top hook and reflector screws are tight.

	~Mike

    I have 5 pairs of brand new Cannondale Overlands for $60 each. 
    2-black, 2-silver, and 1-red.  Any one interested send me mail on
    USMRW2::DRIVETTS, or DECMAIL @MRO, or call DTN 297-6862.  I'm located
    in MR03.

    Last year I bought a matched set of Cannondale bags, all except
    the rear panniers, cuz I didn't need them and I couldn't afford
    them.  Now that I need them, Performance doesn't carry them, Nashbar
    is closing them out.  What's the scoop?  I'm going to check the
    800 number to see if I can get them locally (Worcester County),
    but I was hoping to not pay full price.
    
    And if anyone has no-longer-being-used blue ones, I'm interested!
    
    Elaine
    

    Free Motion still has some black, silver, red Overlands for $60.
    See note 409.12.

    Qu'est-ce que se <<Free Motion>>?
    
    Maybe silver will work
    

    RE: .15  
    
    I received a notice that Cannondale wasn't going to sell their bags
    through catalog companies like Nashbar.  I believe its an attempt
    to get more dealers to sell their bikes, as well as their bags.
    
    Dave

    re: .10
    
    Does Bicycling magazine regularly review touring bags?  Is summer
    1987 the most recent review?  I've seen names in local stores like
    "Eastpak", "Madden" and Rhode Gear.  The Madden's are pretty wild
    colors, which are great if you want to go all out and flashy.
    
    BTW:  O'Neil's Bike Shop in Worcester County carries Cannondale
    bags.
    
    Elaine