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BUZZ YELLOW/CARBON

Novara Commuter Single Pannier

$49.83
$84.50^*

REDUCED PRICE You Save 41%

(19)

Item # 780448

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Simple, smart and elegant! The Novara Commuter pannier, with its insightful design, will have you looking for excuses to commute by bike.

Designed to allow quick and easy access to items you might need during the commute without exposing or disturbing your ''destination'' contents
Main compartment is sized to hold clothes, shoes, laptop and files—items you don't want to expose to foul weather
Optimized size can be used on either front or rear racks; built to accommodate a variety of rack diameters from 8 - 12mm
Main compartment can be partially opened to stash a jacket without exposing the entire contents
Zippered internal mesh pocket and mesh divider keep contents in place and prevent content spillage when opened
Top pocket offers quick access to commute necessities; features a water-resistant zipper and a key clip
Roomy side pocket features inner mesh pocket and bike pump sleeve; tool logo makes this pocket easy to identify
Opposite side pocket holds a built-in raincover; raincover is seam-sealed for weather resistance and features a reflective Novara logo
Compression straps cinch down pannier for jostle-free carrying
Quick-deploy shoulder strap makes easy work of transporting pannier; it's always attached and lives in its own pocket
Rixen & Kaul® Twist system simplifies attachment and removal; fully adjustable fore and aft
Abundant reflective piping provides excellent nighttime visibility; Hypalon® loop can hold a flashing LED safety light, sold separately

Imported.

Item 780448

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Manuals and Instructions:

manual Pannier Installation Instructions

Novara Commuter Single Pannier Specs

Specification

Description

Best use

Bike commuting & touring

23.0 liters

Single

Recycled polyester

16 x 11 x 8 inches

Gear capacity (L)

Waterproof

Sold as

Material(s)

Dimensions

Novara Commuter Single Pannier Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Commuter Pannier - Single

3.3

(based on 19 reviews)

56%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Lightweight (9)
Lots of storage (7)
Adjustable (6)
Easy to use (4)
Durable (3)

Cons

Uncomfortable strap (5)

Best Uses

Commuting (16)
City bikes (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid cyclist (4), Bike commuter (4), Commuter (4)
- Primary use:
- Personal (15)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (8)

Reviewed by 19 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Mar

2009

(19 of 19 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Nicely Appointed; Needs Tougher Fabric

By Hard Grader

from Silver Spring, MD

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Use
Lightweight
Versatile

Cons

Lacks Abrasion Resistance

Best Uses

Commuting
Long Rides
Mountain Bikes

Comments about Novara Commuter Pannier - Single:

This pannier has held up pretty well for my daily 14-mile commute during the past year. I especially enjoy the well engineered mounting system, heavy duty zippers, and other thoughtful design elements. While it seems to have adequate tensile strength, the yellow fabric needs more abrasion resistance. The interior lining wore through, exposing fasteners holding the lower rear clip assembly -- simply from normal rubbing with paper folders, clothes, etc. The reflective coating on the piping has worn off in spots, and the outer lamination on the zippers has frayed in places. But I still wouldn't trade this for Performance brand panniers.

Jul

2009

(8 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Good and Bad

By Jim Moechnig

from Saint Paul, MN

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy access
Easy to Use
Fits a laptop
Versatile

Cons

Expensive
Limited compatibility
May damage contents
Weak

Best Uses

Commuting
Long Rides
Road Bikes
Touring

Comments about Novara Commuter Pannier - Single:

I use a pair of these bags to commute 11 miles about 3 times a week. I have also used them on a 300 mile tour.

I am very much of two minds on this product. Its square bottom profile allows a laptop to sit in the bottom of the bag, rather than wedging between the sides as tends to happen in tapered bags. The shoulder strap is very helpful for carrying the bag around at work. The main compartment zips open very wide, making it easy to load with clothing, groceries, and just about anything else. The attachment system makes it very quick and easy to mount and dismount the bag on the bike. The accessible pockets at the top and sides are very helpful for keeping track of toiletries, cell phone, and work ID.

On the other hand, there are several issues. It is quite expensive compared to other similar panniers. The clips that are meant to suspend the laptop sleeve are comically weak and broke the first time I used them, on both bags. The rotating clip attachment system makes the bag incompatible with racks that have a solid top platform. The sliding lower clip requires some adjustment each time the bag is mounted on the bike to prevent the bag from creeping forward. And parts of the interior of the bag are lined with a hard nylon mesh that appears capable of damaging certain fabrics; I lost two pair of pants to this before I realized what was happening and started carrying my clothes in a plastic bag inside the pannier.

I was about to return the bags to REI, when I decided that I did not want to do without them. I'm still using them.

Apr

2010

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Pretty good bag, easily improved

By Goretex Guy

from Seattle, Wa.

About Me Daily bike commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Adjustable
Lots of Storage

Cons

Uncomfortable Strap

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Commuter Pannier - Single:

A pretty good bag. Relatively inexpensive, lots of storage, I like the two side pockets (goretex pants and pump in one, took kit and other misc. in the other). My lunch and jacket and a few other things fill out the main pocket. It carries everything I need to commute to work.

BUT

I'd give it a 5 if they'd replace the handle and the shoulder strap. Once the bag is full, carrying it by the thin handle strap will hurt in just a block or two. I added a better handle and now it's easy to carry. The shoulder strap is poorly designed too. I took a strap from an old duffel bag and without too much trouble was able to retrofit it to work on this bag...then I cut the existing strap off.

I like the mounting hardware, it fits on all 3 of my bikes and is quite secure and easy on/off.

May

2009

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

great pannier

By ptm092

from Midwest

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to Use
Good Design
Perfect Size

Cons

Thin Fabric

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Commuter Pannier - Single:

I agree with the previous reviewer that the material isn't super thick or strong-feeling, but other than that, this bag is perfect. I have always been able to fit everything I need (clothes, lunch, files, books, etc) and the pockets are well laid out. The compression straps kind of get in the way when unzipping the main compartment but I'd rather have them and have this issue than not have them at all. The carry strap is a little thin, but for short distances it's fine and this helps keep the weight down. I used the rain cover in a downpour the other day and everything stayed dry. Easy on/off the bike too.

Jul

2010

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

My second review, not as happy

By Goretex Guy

from Seattle, Wa.

See all my reviews

Pros

Lots of Storage

Cons

Best Uses

City Bikes
Commuting

Comments about Novara Commuter Pannier - Single:

I originally gave this 4 stars, now it's 2. After 6 months the back has become quite flexible, and it flexes into the wheel when I'm riding with my gear. I have a work around, but with a 3 improvements (the strap, the shoulder strap, and a stiffer back) it would be perfect. If you use this occasionally, or without much of a load it's ok. For the daily commuter with a lot of stuff, I'd go with an Ortleib.

Apr

2010

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

The name says it all

By Breathegood

from Castle Rock, CO

About Me Bicycle commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Adjustable
Lots of Storage

Cons

Light Construction
Uncomfortable Strap

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Commuter Pannier - Single:

Good commuter bags don't get much better than this. I've used this bag roughly 9 months and 900 miles on a 38 mile round trip commute. It is a GREAT bag for commuters. It is not a good bag for grociery getters or long distance touring.

I carry a dress casual outfit including shoes, lunch in a collapsable softside cooler, deoderant, small towel, raingear, wallet, phone, a couple of portable hard drives, keys and a some other small nic-nacs with room to spare. I could also carry my laptop (15.4")if I needed to, but it would be tight. Packing the large pocket is easy. Unclick the compression straps and the compartment unzipps all the way to the bottom for loading larger, more awkward items, or leave the straps connected for easy, upright, top loading of smaller items. The shoulder strap is not that great, but is an adequate convienience for short distances. The included rainfly does an adequate job of keeping things dry on my setup.

Construction is not as rugged as other, more expensive paniers, but this hasn't been an issue for me. I don't load it super heavily and I took my time in setting it up for my rack. It fits securely and is tight and stable in all the riding conditions I have encountered with it. Yet, it is quick and easy to remove and attach. When properly adjusted and installed, I don't see how this product could ever interferre with wheel or brake operation. Mine is nowhere near the spokes.

However, it is not a perfect product. It needs a rugged, reflective patch on both sides around the area you might encounter healstrike, and a couple of loops to attach blinkies wouldn't hurt either.

Dec

2009

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

No Complaints!

By MadMatt

from Madison, WI

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Lots of Storage
Pockets
Rugged

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Commuter Pannier - Single:

I have been using this pannier for commuting 8 miles to work and back for the past 6 months. I liked the idea of having more than one big pocket for my various bits. Pannier works quite well going easily on and off the bike. The mounting hooks, while plastic, seem to be quite sturdy and are fairly easy to operate (less so with bulky gloves). No issues with the pannier creeping forward if all adjustments are tightened down securely. I have noticed that the support panel inside this pannier is warping slightly as alluded to in another review. So far this has not given me trouble as I have plenty of rack and fender stays between the pannier and the wheel. The fit to the rack has not been affected by the warp. I have used this in a variety of rainy/slushy conditions and the supplied rain cover works well. All in all, I am very satisfied. I balked at the price at first, but went for it because of the many pockets and because REI is in town and I could see one in person. I do not regret the purchase.

Apr

2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

For Dry Weather Only

By NateV

from Pasadena, CA

About Me Bike Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Adjustable

Cons

Unstable

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Commuter Pannier - Single:

I use this pannier to carry my clothes, lunch and other items to/from work.
I like the pockets on the top flap. The one on the outside has a key-clip which is really handy for recovering keys with bike gloves on. The internal one has mesh so you can see the contents. There are also 2 key clips on the inside main compartment to hang things from. (like a bike lock key)

The bag has two side pockets which I rarely use. One is a stash for the rain cover and the shoulder strap, which I also rarely use. The other is supposed to be used for stashing tools or other gear.

My gripes: The system for attaching the bag to the rack, although it is adjustable, isn't stiff enough when reasonably loaded to prevent the bag from swinging around. Not enough positive attachment. Take your rack with you to the store to be sure it will fit with the hangers on the top. This will not fit well with the Delta seat-post rack. (only one click out of five on the hangers) Needs a stiffer back so the system can attach better.

My biggest gripe is that the bag is terrible in the rain. It comes with a nice cover to wrap around the bag. However, it has insufficient drainage such that the bottom of the bag soaks in a puddle. Needs more grommets to let water drain!

It will not fit a paper grocery bag.

Jul

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

good design; poor quality

By RonaldofNewark

from Perth Amboy, NJ

See all my reviews

Pros

Attractive Design
Lightweight
Roomy

Cons

Poor Quality
Wears Out Quickly

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Commuter Pannier - Single:

Perfectly good design with the exception of an awkward opening to the main compartment that always seems to find the zippers in an inconvenient place. Quality is poor. Within a month -- max 20 to 25 round-trip commutes with the bag never fully filled -- the seam holding on one of the outer pockets came undone and one of the two plastic clips that attaches the bag to the top of the rack snapped. The quality of Novara brand products seems to be on the decline, unfortunately.

Dec

2011

2.0

? defective or poorly made?

By A2RN

from Ann Arbor, MI

About Me Bike commuter, Comfort-Oriented

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to use
Lightweight

Cons

Clip broke within 3 weeks
Not Enough Pockets

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Commuter Pannier - Single:

The bar which secures the bottom of the pannier to the bike broke/ went missing in less than 3 weeks of riding. My round-trip commute is only 4 miles and over city streets. I can not recommend a product or company that offers a product of such poor quality. And yes, I read the instructions.