Idea, Information, Pattern How To's, Step by Step Instructions, Photos Included, for how to make/craft/build/diy, do it yourself/handcraft your own Pannier ~ Scroll Down ~ I have information below on how to make your own Saddle Bags, one piece two Panniers, as well as Individual Panniers made using Feed Bags~GO GREEN, as they say <more photos coming soon>.

The difference between Bicycle Saddle Bags and Bicycle Panniers is that Saddle Bags are all one piece with two Panniers sewed to a yoke. And although Panniers, pronounced PAN-i-eers, are the bags that hold the stuff you carry, most people call Individual Panniers, just Panniers...because that is what they are. Saddle Bags have been around and used for centuries behind the saddles of equine (horses, mules, donkeys...) It is the old "Necessity is the Mother of All Inventions".

Since people have been riding bikes they have been using carriers attached to them to carry items, like Groceries. Years ago, we had the cutest little girl neighbor who had the cutest little natural colored basket with ribbon and bow on the front of her little bike. In the basket she had a little pillow for her little dog named "Schnops". The dog would get out and get in on command and off they would ride. Very cute.

People have used everything from a Plastic Bag to a Cardboard Box, to expensive fancy, Panniers made by Companies that make all sorts of Bike Accessories. You do not have to spend a lot of money to have nice cargo areas to carry your stuff as you ride your bicycle. There are some GREAT ideas for Baskets, or Panniers out there that are FREE to Cheap to make yourself.

Make sure you do not overload your bike, or your own ability to peddle the weight. Be sure to carry an extra bike intertube, carrying a lot of weight on the back tire can put more pressure on the rear wheel. Uneven loads (on each side of the bike) can cause "wobble" when riding.

I HAVE PATTERNS, IDEAS AND INFORMATION BELOW FOR MAKING/CREATING/SEWING/CRAFTING YOUR OWN BICYCLE PANNIERS AND BIKE BAGS, DIY, SEE FAR MORE IDEAS AND INFORMATION AS WELL AS PATTERNS AND PHOTOS FOR MAKING ALL SORTS OF BICYCLE PANNIERS AND BAGS FOR YOUR BIKE AS WELL AS FOR YOUR CHILDREN'S BICYCLES ON OUR "MAKE YOUR OWN BICYCLE PANNIERS" PAGE AT THIS WEBSITE, SEE NAVIGATION AT THE RIGHT.

If you will be carrying food inside your Panniers, be SURE to use Human Food Grade Containers that you will be using to make your Panniers out of. Yes. It matters. Even if you are panning to wrap your foods well inside the Panniers, food grade material only.

1. Baskets ~ Either made for bikes or purchased at a Thrift Store, maybe even one your mother is getting ready to throw out in the trash.

2. Horse or even Pony Saddle Bags ~ You will have to "work them over" to fit the bike and add velcro, but you can use a new set or the old ones you have hanging around in your tack room.

3. Suitcases ~ If you can find two, light weight, good shape, non stinking, that match at a Thrift Store, you have found GOLD!

4. Kitty Litter Buckets ~ there are many websites that give the plans and instructions for making these hard sided Panniers. You can also buy Kitty Food in these buckets as well as find them in colors new. For a smaller framed person, these can double as seats in camp. They can also be used for little tables.

5. 5 Gallon Round Buckets ~ These won't lay as flat to your bicycle as the square buckets, but will work and keep your items from be crushed, that is, if you pack them correctly. For a smaller framed person, these can double as seats in camp. They can also be used for little tables.

6. Storage Tubs ~ of different sized and shapes bought from Discount Stores. Chose the shape and size you need for the type of items you will be carrying.

7. Small Feed Buckets ~ However, you will need to make these some sort of lid, or use them with an Open Top.

8. Small Backpacks ~ A light weight hiking type Backpack, one on each side to match, could easily be adjusted (add, change and remove straps to adjust to your bicycle racks)

9. Feed Bags ~ Animal Feed Bags are made out of the most wonderful materials these days. A Plastic Breathable Pannier could easily be made out of two, one for each side of your bicycle. Animal pictures are usually on these bags, adding to the fun of making your Panniers out of these. (see directions for pattern and instructions for making these yourself below)

10. Plastic or Corrugated Plastic ~ There is a guy out there that makes Fenders and Panniers out of Political Corrugated Signs.

11. Duck Taped Cardboard Boxes ~ Choose your colors and have fun covering the box. However, be careful, the duct tape does not make the sides of your box much more hard or stable.

12. Ammo Can ~ Metal is heavier than plastic, both are waterproof.

13. Milk Crates ~ Ask before removing these from Store or Restaurant Parking Lots.

And if you really want to Go Green you could make Panniers out of...

14. Old Clothing

15. Old Tent

16. Old Blanket

17. Old Curtains

18. I used to make Dog and Goat Backpacks out of a Pair of Jeans, using the front of the pants on one side and the back of the pants on the other. The pockets were used for items carried too.

More Green Ideas:

19. Empty and Cleaned Paint Buckets

20. Old Purses

21. One Gallon Empty and Cleaned Food Cans

22. Old Computer Cases.

23. I would warn you against using glass items but a One Gallon PLASTIC Jar, could be adapted to make a carrier for your bicycle. Look around your garage or at Garage Sales, Thrift Shops or the Recycle Bin and see what you can find.

24. Two Large Cooking Pots ~ new or used could be used for Panniers. However, if you were going to use them for cooking in camp, make an outside pouch for each to attach to your bike. That way there will be no holes in your pots. Metal Pots might need to be lined also, or they might make a lot of noise going down the trail.

25. Two Popcorn Buckets ~ Those large metal popcorn cans with lids. Most have very nice decor on them. Again, you might want to muffle the inside of these to quiet them on the trail.

26. Two Matching Tote Bags ~ You can buy these with Store Names on them or in prints and colors. They could easily be made into Panniers, add velcro closures across the tops for a way to keep them closed as you ride.

27. Dog Backpacks

28. Goat Panniers

29. Llama Packs

30. Donkey Packs

31. Yak Packs

32. Clean, preferably new, small sized Trash Cans.

33. If you could get a hold of some, legally, those Plastic Shopping Baskets most stores offer customers to carry and use for items they are purchasing.

34. Two Lap Top Cases. You can buy these for a couple of bucks at Thrift Stores. And Laptop Cases used as Panniers would be quite handy if you are taking your Laptop with you on your bike rides.

35. Two of those nice clear plastic cases with zippers that bedding comes in. Call them, Clear Plastic Bedding Zipper Bags.

36. Two matching Rifle Cases.

37. Two Hard Cases Guitar Cases.

38. Cut the top off of a Milk Jug, that is leaving the handle, just cutting the pouring area off. Attach easily to your Rear Rack.

39. Small Animal Cages.

40. Light Weight Wooden Boxes.

41. Wicker Baskets with lids.

42. Diaper Bags.

43. Hard Sided Insulated Coolers, smaller of course.

44. Soft Sided Sided Insulated Coolers.

45. Stuff Sacks or call them Pouches from Sleeping Bags.

46. Two Liter Bottles with the top cut off. Use open or make lids for them.

47. Picnic Baskets.

48. Small Animal Pet Crates.

49. Pillow Cases.

50. Recycling Bins.

51. Use Vinyl Fabric or Table Cloth Fabric to make Panniers.

52. First Aid Kit Boxes.

53. Hard Sided Gun Cases.

54. Plastic Shoe Box Storage Containers.

55. Large Sized Empty and Cleaned Drink Mix Plastic Jars.

56. Those Bags used instead of wrapping gifts. I would cover them with clear packing tape to make them sturdier.

57. Make Up Cases, the large ones of course.

58. Ice Cream Makers when the cranks and or churns break on them.

59. Empty Plastic Coffee Cans....for smaller loads.

60. Large Coffee Thermos....for small thin loads or coffee for the road.

61. Canoe Trip Dry Bags.

62. Two Briefcases.

63. Take a Yoga Mat and some duct tape and have a lot of fun putting together a set of panniers. These will be light weight, will let a bit of air threw, come in many colors and would be just plain fun to make!

64. Small Laundry Baskets.

65. Insulated Grocery Store Tote Bags. Many Grocery Stores sell toes bags that are insulated used to carry Ice Cream and other cold items home. Two of these could be used for Bike Panniers that would insulate your items as you ride.

66. Sewing Kits, the large older ones that is, some are baskets, some are hard plastic, could be used and would have areas to separate small items.

67. Toaster Covers. <winks>

68. Large Easter Baskets, buy these from Thrift Stores out of season for less than $1 each. Use them open or make a cover for them.

69. Rabbit Nest Boxes.

70. Those Bird Houses you make or paint yourself....take the roof off one side and add hinges for the lid. It may not hold a lot, but could be really cute if done correctly.

71. Post Office Mail Room light weight corrugated plastic boxes....IF you can get them legally.

72. Knit or Crochet a couple of Panniers, but line them with fabric so that items do not fall out as you ride down the trail.

73. If you can talk the Construction Crews out of it, Used Snow Fencing, with zip ties to hold it together, could make a nice pair of Panniers for the right type of Trail Riding and the right type of load.

74. Military First Aid Pouches will work for some loads.

75. Bowling Ball Bags.

76. Duffel Bags.

77. Men's Shaving Kit Bags.

78. Laundry Detergent Buckets.

79. Building Compound Mixes Buckets.

80. Nail Buckets.

81. Tool Boxes, these lock really well with a pad lock, just remember the extra weight it all will add.

82. Clean or new Kritter Keepers.

83. Store Hand Baskets. You know, those Baskets by the door that you put your items in when you do not need a cart. Can you buy these?

84. Lunch Boxes.

85. Lunch Buckets.

86. Insulated Lunch Bags.

87. Styrofoam Boxes....not such a good idea. They are not made well and can break easily.

88. Take a Dog Treat Box, emptied and cleaned, and a roll or your favorite Duct Tape and line the inside and out with tape that overlaps. Carefully punch holes where they need to be for attaching to your bicycle. Use Zip Ties, with a little slack for tying onto your bicycle. Use Velcro or more zip ties to attach to your Rear Rack.

89. An old Rain Coat and Duct Tape. Use the pattern below for each side of your Pannier Set.

90. Shower Curtains come in many colors and Prints. If you do not sew, that is No Sewing Required, you could use tape, Duct Tape is best, and make a set of Fancy Panniers for your Bicycle that are Water Proof.

91. Australian Horse Saddlebags are beautiful Leather Pouches individually made with leather straps for attachment to the saddle...or your bicycle.

92. English Horse Saddle Bags can be bought online and come in Leather or Cordura in a variety of colors. These, like the Aussie Saddle Bags are individual and come with Leather Straps.

93. Two Stuffed Animals, or one for a Bike Bag on your Rear Rack. Make sure they are safe to use, no legs that can get caught into the spokes (sew them together). This is a fun and functional way to get kids excited about riding bikes with you to camp. Strip the animal of it's stuffing and use the space for items. See full instructions on our 'Make Your Own Bicycle Panniers' page on this website.

94. Take two empty and washed Snack/Chip Bags and line them with Fabric. Make an appropriate sizes pouch to fit inside your Snack Bags. Glue in with Craft Glue, good for Fabrics. Use Press On Velcro for closures and Sew On Velcro for attachments that are well glued onto the clean bags. These might not hold much but would be real for on a short training run with friends or on a Organized City Street Ride.

95. Use the same idea as above, clean and dry Snack/Chip Bags as number 94, but instead of using fabric on the inside, use Clear thick Packing Tape on the outside. Glue velcro closure, sew on type, for the attachments.

96. Basket Ball Hoops with the bottoms sewn together. <winks>

97. Stuffed Toy Holders for children's rooms to hang on the wall...might have to size it and fold over the top.

98. Old cracked storage tubs lids and duct tape to fashion a box made into a Bike Bag or Panniers.

99.

101. When your Panniers are too full, and your sleeping bag is piled too high, buy a Bicycle Trailer and plan more Bike Touring Trips!

Materials:

Obviously you need a sewing machine, scissors, thread, measuring tapes and the like.
Nice Water Resistant, thicker, like Cordora or Nylon Fabric, or other fabrics you might find ~ How much should you buy? Depends on the size or your Panniers. Measure your bike, figure out how much you need, then go shopping for your favorite colors, or colors to match your bike....buy a bit more than you think you might need. It is better to have a little extra than not enough.
Webbing for the Handle and or if you want to use it under your velcro where you will attach the Panniers to the Bicycle ~ Webbing can also be sewn unto the outside of your Panniers for an area to tie items down unto.
Webbing and 4 Side Release Buckles for Compression Straps. These will make your trip better and easier when you compress the bags down on long rides. You will need enough webbing to round the entire bag, full sized, and a little extra for sewing on one end and attaching the other end of your buckles.
Velcro ~ At least 2', I use a lot, I also use velcre for the inside pockets I add to the Panniers
Zippers x 2 ~ Size will depend on the size you are making the Panniers ~ BUY NICE ZIPPERS, I like the type that has two pulls so the Panniers can be opened from either size and easily
Patience, Yes. The Panniers are a several hour project. For some the project will take the day or two days. It does not matter....that is, if you do not wait til the last minute before your big ride to make these. Have fun with the sewing project. Don't get stressed over the project, think of how nice it is you are saving all this money making your own Panniers in the colors and sizes you want them in.

WARNING: Don't wait to make these Panniers until the day or night before your Big Ride. You will need to try these, loaded, on short rides to make sure they will work for you and for your Bicycle

Also:
****Panniers need to be loaded evenly, weight wise that is.
****Be sure to take short rides with your new Panniers before you head out on a Multi-Day or Long Rides. That way you will have time to decide on any adjustments you might want to make.
****Be sure to double, I triple or more, every seam on your Pannier set. This way the seams are stronger and will not only hold better, but will last years longer without repairs
****For Fun I cut a Stuffed Dog out of the same fabric (a turquoise nylon) and only stuffed the head and tail. On the stomach, I put a zipper and used the Stuffed Dog as a Bag that sat on top of my Panniers on the Rear Rack. This also makes a great pillow. This time, for my 29" Wheeled bike, I bought a stuffed German Shepherd Dog and cut the stomach area to take the stuffing out. I added Velcro for closing the belly as well as more velcro for attaching to the handle of the Pannier Set, and I will do the same, use it for a bag on top of the Panniers on the Rear Rack for fun.

Hints:
**I learned many years ago that your Panniers do not have to be perfect. No one will see your little errors, once it is loaded and going down the trail.
**When you finish your Panniers, set them somewhere and walk away for a day or two. THEN come back and look at them. All those little mistakes that at first stand out to you, will disappear after a few days and you will be very proud of the Project you finished.
**If you are sewing and get frustrated, walk away and go look at the prices (on line) of the high end Panniers for Bicycles. Then take a deep breath and go back to the sewing machine.
**Seriously. Take your time. The old "Measure Twice, Cut Once" applies to this project too.

TO KEEP IN MIND:

***Remember, if you are in the Sewing Area Sewing your Bicycle Panniers, you are NOT in the Kitchen Eating or sitting on the Couch Snacking.....this is a Win Win Project!

I have made these several times for different sized bikes. Many times it is better to just buy nice Panniers for your Bicycle, but they can be QUIET pricey! The reason I make the ones I use and have made them for other folks. Sorry. I am not offering to make yours. <smiles> But here is how I make, or call it "hand craft" the ones I sew for Touring or Bike Camping.

First you need a Rear Rack for your bike. You need this before making your Panniers or even making the Pattern for them. You will need the measurements from the Bicycle after the Rea Rack is mounted onto the Bike as you will be using it. Yes. This step matters and it matters much.

Take a Tape Measure and Measure your bike from one side of the Center of the Wheel, where the Frame comes together at the wheel that is. Measure either from the top of your Rear Rack and multiply that times two, and add the width of your Rear Rack for the size of your full/under side of your Panniers. OR: Measure from one side of the Center of the Wheel, up over the Rear Rack and back down to the other side where the Center of the Wheel is on the far side. This should give you the same measurement for your bottom side of your Pannier.

Have a piece of paper and pen so you can write down all the measurements as you measure them. Make notes, draw a picture, make sure you know WHAT measurements you are writing down.

Measure your Center of the Wheel on one side of the Bicycle up to the Rear Rack. This will be the size of the Pannier. Now measure the Rear Rack from the seat of your bike back, not including the seat, just the Rear Rack (I mentioned the seat to give you an area to start). This measurement will be the width of your Panniers.

Remember the old "Measure Twice, Cut Once", use that idea for this project.

You can cut your fabric straight or slant back a bit on the front or front and back sides. I have made them both ways. With my 29" Wheel Bike, I slanted the fabric back on the front side. On other bikes, I have not, I left them squared out.

Decide how wide you want your Panniers to be. Cut fabric for your Yoke in all one piece, not in three pieces.

Cut your Top Piece or Lid or Closing Top a bit larger than your Yoke size so that your zippers are covered with a flap.

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USE THE INSIDE LINER OF A PAPER FEED BAG OR A PAPER SHOPPING BAG AND CUT A PATTERN, CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS ALL FITS YOUR BIKE CORRECTLY. BY CUTTING THIS PATTERN, YOU WILL ALSO BE CHECKING ALL YOUR MEASUREMENTS WITH PAPER, RATHER THAN CUTTING YOUR FABRIC POSSIBLY WRONG. I use the inside liner of feed bags for many types of patterns, make the pattern of what it is nd keep it for future use.

To Sew:
****I always double the fabric of my Back Piece. That is the long piece the Panniers will be sewed to. I have and have not, doubled the fabric for the rest of the Panniers Set. This time, using a very nice weight Purple Cordora, I did not double any piece other than the Back, or full piece, that rides next to the bicycle.
****With right sides together, pin and sew your back piece together, leaving an area open for turning right side out, and turn inside right. Using your hands and a pencil in the corners, push the fabric out and flat at all the seams.
****Sew all of your pockets unto the pannier pieces. Decide if you want your pockets on the side of your Panniers next to the bike, or the outside. It is easier to sew your pockets to the flat piece of fabric rather than into the inside of your Panniers. If you are adding Velcor to close your pockets, sew the velcro piece to your Pannier Piece first. Then after sewing the flaps down on the pocket pieces, sew the velcro on it it. Press the velcro pieces together, pin the edges and sew your pocket pieces down to your Panniers. Be creative, sew all the pockets in your Panniers to match what your are carrying. Hide one at the very bottom for cash. Have fun with deciding on your pockets.
****If you are adding Webbing, for tying unto, on or to the outside of your Panniers, sew the webbing on before you sew your Panniers together to the Yoke.
****I sew on my Handle before the Panniers are sewn on. I use the box stitch at both ends. A box stitch is a sewn box shape with an X inside the box. I triple my stitches for strength.
****Sew your Yoke (the width pieces of your Panniers) to the outside Pannier Piece first.

****Sew three sides of your Top Closure Piece or "lid" of your Pannier, turn the fabric under to make a nice looking seam.
****Lay your outside Pannier piece on top of your back side, add your Top Closure Gusset or "lid" of your Pannier. Pin where you want them, make sure you pin the side that will flap down over the Pannier. Pin and check the action before sewing.

****When sewing your Pannier unto your back piece, sew with the outside facing the back side, look at what your are doing a few times before sewing. You do not sew the front to the back as you would think. Pin it and turn the pocket so that you can make sure you have this right when you turn the Panniers finished.

****When your Panniers are sewn together take them out to your bike and set them on the Rear Rack. With a marker, make a mark on the fabric on the back side next to the bike where your velcro strips should go unto the Panniers to hold them to the bicycle. Measure the circumference of your bars then add about 2" for your Velcro length for tying on. You don't want too short of velcro toughing, or doubled over, to hold your Panniers to your bike. You want a nice tight, well held grip.
****Sew your Zippers in last. After all else is finished.

****I sew the tucks of the Top or Lid by hand. I put the zipper in and then at each corner above the top half of the zipper, I turn the lid pieces under to create a fold over the zipper and sew these by hand. By making these adjustments it will hold the top/lid in place on your ride. This will keep rain and or dust out of your Pannier that could be seeping in otherwise.

On the 13th I had to put the project away and move things around, a bad storm was moving in and they were telling folks, on the TV, to get to the safe spot in our homes. We have a tiny house, so it takes some moving of everything for us to get to ours.

I did not get the project back out, but while I was laying in bed and falling asleep I remembered, while not thinking about it, that I had forgotten to add my Compression Straps to the outside of my Panniers. These are almost a must. They not only hold the load tight, they keep the load from moving about in your Panniers while you are moving as well as takes up the slack as you use up items such as food from out of your Pouches on each side. (remember to even out your load again as you use items from out of each side of your Panniers).

I got my project out again, the sewing machine and all and set it up. I cut my webbing to fit the Panniers, with a bit extra inches for the buckles and started putting this all together. Straps like these need to be boxed squared when sewn on and with all the doubling and tripling and more I had been doing for this project, and with only one spool of thread this color....

While I was making my Panniers, I ran out of thread. Dang It! I NEVER run out of threads, I sew for a living, I ALWAYS have at least two spools of thread of all colors. So I put it all away until after the next trip to town.

6-16-2014 ~ It has been a while since I have made Panniers, either for Bicycles or Animals. Boy, have the cost of GOOD Zippers gone up. But worth the money for sure. Nothing would be worse to put all the money and time into a project like this one and have cheap zippers break out on the trail. Thread had gone up about $1 per spool too. Again. Do not scrimp on this sort of project!

6-27-2014 Finally Finished!

This morning I finally took the time to finish my Bicycle Panniers!

I still had to sew one of the Panniers to the Yoke. I Zig Zagged stitched around all the edges, this keeps the seams from fraying later on.
I then added the zippers in each side of the Panniers.
When finished with the zippers, I tucked and hand sewed the top of the panniers.
Then the last thing is to mark the Panniers as they sit on the bicycle, so that the velcro closures correctly line up for attaching the Panniers to the Bicycle as your head down the trail.

Dogs LOVE to Run and They Love To Go With Us....Ever Heard Of A Bicycle Springer Attachment?

Bicycle Springers are attachments you can attach to your Bike, the arm or long dog spring, comes off and on depending on when you want to use it. Your dog needs to be trained, but the Spring on the Springer keeps the dog from pulling you over and is far safer than just having a leash on your dog as your ride your bike. Have a look at our "Bicycle Springer ~ Dog Attachment" page here on this site, check at the right in the Navigation Box, near the bottom for more, detailed information.

NEVER add a Backpack to your dog's back while it is hooked to a bicycle, or any other vehicle, the dog IS ALREADY WORKING to keep up. How would you like your friends or family to put a Backpack on your back and then hook you to the vehicle as they drove?????

I LOVE reusing Animal Feed Bags. The type they make today are waterproof and large as well as brightly decorated. I will, However, be using plain white Corn Bags. I use these for many things including carrying our dirty laundry to the Laundromat and wet clothes home to hang them. The Corn Bags are waterproof, have a bit, just a little bit of air flow, and hold up for yeeeeears of use.

I made the food bag above and got the Idea that making a set of Panniers out of these would work out great and last for many years to come.

Materials Needed:

I am going to use 4 Poly Woven Corn Bags, I am doubling each side for thicker, more durable Panniers. But if you wanted to, you could just use 2 Corn Bags, or 2 - 4 of another type of Poly Woven empty, clean Animal Food Bags.

Matching or Contrasting Poly or Nylon Webbing <I recommend Poly, easier to sew, lighter weight, holds very well.> How much? That will depend on the size of your feed bags and how you want to put your Compression Straps onto your bags and if you are going to add handles or not.

4 Side Release Buckles

A few feet of Velcro Closure

About 24" of either Bias Tape or Parachute cord to Match your Webbing....or not, this is for making loops, think belt loops, on your Pannier for your Compression Straps to stay in place.

A good attitude and good humor!

Feed Bag Preparation:

The first thing you want to do is turn your Feed Bags inside, make sure to push out each corner all the way out, and shake them ~ do this outdoors. Wash your Feed Bags, still inside out, in cold pr warm water with a load of towels. Hang the Feed Bags to dry for about 24 hours....still inside out.

Sewing:

I am going to set one Feed Bag inside another, that is, double my Feed Bags for longer life. The Corn Bags are not as tightly woven as other Feed Bags.

For my doubled feed bags I will first sew each of the two sets together at the top opening.

Then with the bags still outsides in, sew about a 6" seam at the bottom corners, sideways. Another words, make the bottoms like a Tote Bag. This gives you a gusset without sewing a gusset into the Panniers. Double, Triple sew these seams, all seams, but these will be holding the most stress of the Pannier. DO NOT SEW OVER THE SAME SEAM, MOVE YOUR SEAM OVER JUST A BIT, JUST A LITTLE, CAN'T EVEN REALLY NOTICE IT BIT, or you will be perforating the Feed Bag and these seams will actually tear the bags right there.

Now turn your Pannier inside right.

IF you want to have handles at the top, so you can easily carry your Panniers when they are not on your bike, this is the time to add them to your Feed Bags. The size and angle is up to the user. I like big handles so that if I have on gloves or other items in my hands at the same time, the handles are easy to use. Handles will fold over to the outside of your Panniers when on your bicycle and should be tucked up under the velcro fold over closure so they are not "blowing in the wind" as you ride your bike.

Sew a piece of Velcro to each side of the inside opening, this in lieu of a Zipper, you certainly could use zippers. Now sew a couple of 6" pieces of velcro closure to the outside of one side of the top of your Pannier. This will be the Folding Hold Down.

Hint: This side will be away, or on the outside of your bicycle. Use your HARD SIDES of velcro at the top of your Pannier for the fold over.

Decide how far down you want to fold your Panniers over. You might want to add two SOFT SIDES fold down areas later so that on the trail you can choose how far over to fold your Panniers.

Sew your Soft Sides to the Pannier at those measurements you have chosen.

A person could sew their Compression Straps on a number of ways, here is how I am doing mine on the Feed Bag Panniers. I am cutting my Parachute Cord at about 1 1/2" strips. This way the 1" Webbing will flow through them easily and quickly. If you have thicker webbing, cut your pieces longer.

I measure my Compression Straps by actually wrapping them around the Pannier itself. Then I cut about 4 extra inches, 6 is not too many.

Sew the female side of the Side Release Buckle on to one end of the strap.

Now take that side, the one with the female side of the buckle sewed on and hold that onto your Pannier with the buckle over the top, and the rest running down with the feed bag. Now look at it sitting on the table like that. Place your buckle where you want it to be sewn to your Pannier for use on the trail. Sew it down on the BACK side of the Pannier.

Hint: I like my Compression Straps about 4" - 6" in from the sides, but don't forget about your bottom seams making your Pannier have a gusset.

Now lining your Compression Strap up with the Pannier as you want it to lay, pin or make a small dot where you want each of those, loops, like belt loops, sewn unto your Pannier. Be sure to really nail these loops down, they could be holding a lot of pressure. But remember too, that you do not want to perforate your Pannier, sew the loops with seams moving over just a bit each time.

When in use, tie your extra webbing from your compression straps (after compressed with smaller load) and either loop or tie them down so that they hare not waving in the wind as you ride your bicycle down the trail.

Take this now Pannier out to your Bicycle with a marker and hold it up on your Rear or Front Rack to decide where you want the velcro holders to be place. Sew them on and take it back out to your bike to make sure they fit correctly. If you are pleased, take the Panniers back to the sewing machine and really sew that velcro onto the Panniers. I use a box stitch, it is a sewn box with an X in stitches x3. This is the same as I sew my Dog and Goat Harnesses that pull a LOT of weight.

I added two approx. 2" strips to the top area just below where the velcro is for hanging in trees while out camping with my bicycle. Handles at the top of the Panniers can also be used for tying out/up. This way the food and other items are out of the reach of most, if not all, animals that might want to eat my breakfast while I am sleeping. I will also make a bell knot to add to the bags. Not so much to scare the animals away, although that would be great, but to alert me to the animals messing with the Pannier.

To Clean: You can use a damp cloth to wash these Panniers off, or close all the snaps and buckles and wash in the Washing Machine on Cold or Warm with a load of Towels. Hang To Dry!

It is not Rocket Science and you do not have to put these together just like someone else does. There are MANY different types of Instructions and Information for turning Kitty Litter, Laundry Detergent, Pet Food, or even Round Buckets into Panniers for the Rear as well as the Front Wheel of your Bicycle. I have even seen one guy, via the Internet, that just uses a Bicycle Tube and Side Release Buckles to attach his buckets to his bicycle.

You are going to need:
Before you are able to ride a bicycle off onto the trails carrying all the items you have stuffed into a bucket or hard sided container attached to your bicycle, you need a Bicycle in Good Repair.
On your bicycle, you will need what is called a Rack. They make them for both the Rear and Front Wheels.
You will need, I recommend two matching, containers of some sort. Many people use Kitty Litter or Cat Food Buckets. These work very well and the tops shut pretty tight. If you do not own a cat, or use this type of products, look around, you might have something else that will work, or want to buy different items for the buckets. Just remember, you need Food Approved containers if you are going to carry food within.
As I said above, you could just use a Tire Tube and Side Release Buckles, to attach the buckets to your bicycle. We are going to add Hooks and Springs for our project.
Reflectors of some sort. You could buy the type that bolt on, or use Reflective Tape. If you use Reflective Tape, use a good amount. If you buy Reflectors that bolt on, get large ones.

I bought all the items in the photo in one isle in a Hardware Store. I had asked THREE employees about the hooks, describing them as well as I could, you would not believe the items they showed me. Look over by the Eye Bolts for these, at least that is where I found them. Also, all of these items are very inexpensive.

Tools Needed:
You will need a Drill
Drill Bits the size of the Bolts you choose to use
Pliers
You might want to wear Leather Gloves, I do to protect my Finger Nails, plus, I seem to get scratched, cut or poked when I work with tools and metal materials.

Preparing Your Panniers:
If you use Kitty Litter or Laundry Buckets you might want to take off those labels...and it might not be easy. Some Fingernail Polish Remover, or Paint Removers might work, use gloves and work on this outdoors. This can take time, you will need patience. For this part of the job, it might be all you do in a day to prepare your buckets. And it will look nicer for years to come.
Add your Racks to your Bicycle.
Check Fit. Have someone hold the Panniers RIGHT WHERE THEY WILL SIT ON YOUR RACK while you get on and move your peddles backwards (spinning free) to make sure that your heals will not hit the buckets as you peddle. You might need to make a few adjustments with your Racks or to the buckets where they sit on the Racks.
When you are all finished and ready to attach your New Hard Sided Panniers to your Bicycle, Wash the inside of the buckets with warm water and soap, rinse really well. Turn them upside down and let them air dry to they are completely dry.

Measuring and Drilling:
Always remember, MEASURE TWICE, CUT/DRILL ONCE! This really is important. Once your drill your buckets, they have a hole there. If it is off a bit, it may not work at all. These buckets, in my opinion, are not inexpensive, if you do not normally buy these items for your pet cats, and very frustrating, if mistakes are made AFTER you spent and hour or two getting all the labels off. Seriously, do not get in a hurry to make these. Take your time so that they look nice and are useful for many years to come.
Take some time and look around the Internet at all the different ways these Panniers can be made, decide how you want YOUR Panniers made.

After you have set up your Rear Rack on your Bicycle, and you have taken your buckets out to the Bicycle and had someone hold the panniers where you think you want them to set on your racks, with your feet on the peddles move the cracks so that you will know if your heals are going to hit the buckets as you peddle. If you are hitting the buckets in your foot rotation when peddling, move the buckets back a ways on the rack and peddle again. When you have the buckets where they need to be, take a Marker and mark the spot.

Measure and Mark the area you want to add your inside the bucket wood to your buckets. Mark your bucket with the Marker, your Wood with a Pencil. Always check and double check before marking and especially cutting your pieces.

As I said before, above, there are many ways that these Panniers can be set up on bicycles. You just need to figure out what will work well, fit and be sturdy enough to hold items while on the trail, for YOUR Bicycle.

I have said more than once, and several times about projects like this, on this page, "measure twice, but once". The bottom line on that statement, not mine, just one I have heard many times through the years, is that you do not cut or drill until you are sure of what you want your finished project to be, to look like, to function like. When I asked Deron, my husband to build these type of Panniers for my bicycle I had one way of doing this in mind. When Deron started measuring and with my 29" Wheels, he wanted to do it another to make it safe for riding and study for holding the items I will be carrying.

My point is: Make sure that everything in this project will work for YOU and YOUR bicycle before you start. Have someone hold the Panniers in place, hold your bicycle while you are on it "air peddling", to make sure you have foot clearance while peddling. Make sure the Buckets YOU use not only fit your bike, but do so safely. Do all this BEFORE YOU START THE ACTUAL PROJECT, BEFORE CUTTING, BEFORE DRILLING. Otherwise, you might end up with items that will not work for you and a lot of time and money wasted.

Deron looked over the project a while before having me come out and sit on the bicycle. Deron had his son hole the front end of the bike so I had balance, as Deron held the Pannier in place and the back wheel up so I could peddle. Most of the time, I was "free peddling", that is, backwards so that we could check fit without the bike moving or Deron having to hold the bike up.

more Information, Ideas and Photos to come...

I have already been out on the Trail for over 7.5 miles and the Panniers rode well and were placed perfectly. I really like them.

Making Bicycle Panniers out of Soft Sided Coolers should be easy and work well. You can then use the Coolers for not only ice and food and or drinks, kept clean, you can pack all of your other camping items into them just as you would any other Panniers.

Information and Instructions are coming soon.

-- The Far Out Living Team
Sat, 14 Jun 2014 16:04:11 -0400