Timbuk2 Tandem Panniers - Medium

Comments about Timbuk2 Tandem Panniers - Medium:

I have been using this bag for a couple of years for bicycle commuting. The price made me hesitant, but it has been worth it! I love being able to carry whatever I need on my bike, then not look like I have been on a bike tour all day long. I also like how the saddle bag design keeps you from being weighed down to one side when riding.

I carry this bag with me so that I will have tools for flat or bike repair, even when I am not commuting. It is actually pretty light when it is not full.

Although the magnets inside help the bag to look normal/awesome off the bike, it is a little strange when anything metal you put in the bag sticks to the inside of the bag.

Overall, I think this is the best bike commuting purchase that I have made!

Comments about Timbuk2 Tandem Panniers - Medium:

This pannier has plenty of room for the commuter. Add some dry bags for added water protection. My 9"Netbook with soft padded case fits nice and snug in the interior pocket. As stated in other reviews it needs a better side attachment , but using something like Nite Ize Gear Ties is a cool fast "off and on" idea.

Comments about Timbuk2 Tandem Panniers - Medium:

So I've had this bag exactly one year. Used it pretty much every day going to school/work and home, 16 miles round trip. Holds up well in a light rain, but in a heavy rain moisture seeped through and things got wet (including text book!). The straps with hooks need to be removed or disabled somehow (I put the hooks through the not-so-obvious 3 inch strap on the corner and it works as the hooks are unusable. One of the velcro straps broke off after only 1 year of use- that kind of disappointed me. But why I give this good reviews- it's a shoulder bag that you can put on a bike rack. Not very many products out there can you just take off your rack, and put it around your shoulder comfortably. And the amount of storage in this bag is fairly incredible- you'll never have to leave something behind.

Comments about Timbuk2 Tandem Panniers - Medium:

I used to commute with a backpack, but when I started having to carry a laptop to work, I looked for panniers made for a laptop, enter Timbuk2 Tandem Panniers. I was impressed with the quality but concerned with the wimpy bungee straps to attach it. I watched the video about how to attach it and did exactly what they did in the video. The first commute they seemed secure, but I avoided every bump like the plague. Second commute I had a little more confidence, that was a mistake. I was going ~25mph downhill and hit a crack. I heard something hit the ground, it was my taillight. The panniers slid back a few inches and broke the clip on my $35 taillight. I hit my brakes so I could get the taillight, hit another small crack and the panniers fell off the rack and started dragging with the bungee straps. I'm VERY lucky I got a protective case for my laptop the day before otherwise I would have owed the company I work for $500. When I finally arrived at work, they had slid back a few inches again. See photos for damage. You can also see in the photo that they significantly slide towards whatever side has more weight, in my case the side with the laptop.

The ONLY way I would use these again would be if I devised my own system of securing them. I'm so turned off to them now though, I'm returning them and going with another brand.

Comments about Timbuk2 Tandem Panniers - Medium:

I commute about 10 miles each way to work, so I needed something big enough to store my daily gear, but I didn't want big, bulky separate paniers that would be cumbersome to take off the bike into a coffee shop or store. I'm incredibly impressed with the design and function of this bag. It's large enough to hold a change of clothes (jeans, tee, button-up, undergarments), shoes, my rain gear (jacket and pants), a few tools plus an ipad/book and a small lunch. That fills is up for sure, but it's not bursting at the seems or stretched to the point of breaking by any means.The bag is very easy to put on the big and it comes off in a jiffy. Some packs like this clip together, but I'm always nervous of the clips breaking. This is one piece pack, so there's not separating. Magnets inside pull the two sides together, though, so it has the feel of a single bag when you are carrying it. A shoulder straps snaps on for easy carrying, too.Downfalls? Well, there is an interior stretch pocket in each bag, but wish it had a few more pockets to keep smaller items and tools organized. If you are going to do longer range touring, this isn't your bag. The bag attaches with velcro to the top of my bike rack. Additional hook straps connect the bag to the sides of the bike rack, but they are only elastic and not adjustable. With my rack, the straps aren't taught enough to do any good In fact, the straps can come loose and easy catch on a spoke (this happened to a friend who has the same bag). Fortunately, they tuck out of the way and the magnets in the bag and the weight of the contents holds it close to the rack. It's worked out well, but it would be nice to have the sides held down. Lastly, and most importantly, the bag isn't waterproof. It'll deflect light rain, but if it starts to come down your contents will get wet — not soaked, but my clothing was wet in a few spots. I'm not sure if the water seeps through the soaked seems, or if it splashes up into the top lid and drops down (though I suspect it's the seems). In any case, if you will be riding in steady rain for a prolonged period of time, you might need a different bag, or if you use this you'll need to take additional precautions to keep stuff dry. If Timbuk2 made a packable cover, that would work. Overall, a really nice little bag. It's small but very durable. It's easy to take off the bike quickly and carry on foot. I purchased this on sale for [$] and I'm happy with it. The full price, [$], seems a little steep considering it's not completely waterproof and doesn't have adjustable attachment clips. And I guess that's it's biggest weakness: it's expensive. So, I give it 4 stars.

Comments about Timbuk2 Tandem Panniers - Medium:

I commute via bike about 7 miles a day, and this bag has been amazing! It's never unattached itself, I ride a rough ride over train tracks and some unkempt terrain. It's easy to get on and take off and turn into a bag. It's easy to clean, you can just wipe off the outside after a rain burst and all of your stuff is still secure and dry. The bags are a tad smaller than I was looking for, but I'm able to stuff a good amount of stuff in the bags. I use it to bring a change of clothes, food and misc. items to work and the gym every day. I love that it turns into a messenger bag that I can carry with me through the office and even grocery shopping. This is a great commuter bag, and I highly reccomend it.

Comments about Timbuk2 Tandem Panniers - Medium:

I bought these last summer and tried commuting with them a few times. Like one of the other reviewers, I stuffed a 15" computer in one side and my change of clothes in the other. The 4 stars are because the angle of the bags only allows the computer to barely fit (it has to be without any padding) - the flap covers but beyond the velcro. Fortunately, the strap on the latch is long so I could latch the cover over it.

I have also used it for small grocery runs - one side can carry a gallon of milk without any problem. Definitely for slinging over your bike. It has a strap for carrying it over your shoulders or you can carry it like a briefcase, but you would not want to carry it with much in it too far as it is a bit weighty after awhile.

Otherwise, they work well and I have had no trouble with the clips on the side. I either stretch them down to attach to the frame besides the wheel or just leave them magnetized to the bag. Too bad I can't figure out how to lock them to the bike so I don't have to take them with me if I make a short stop.

Comments about Timbuk2 Tandem Panniers - Medium:

I bough these panniers to go with my Novara Fusion, since integrated panniers were the one thing it lacked compared to my old GT Aerostream. Having read the previous reviews suggesting they were less than tenacious in their attachement to a bike's rack, I had some doubts, but was swayed by the clever design and intial build quality. After three months of regular commuting, my worries have been allayed. My commute includes a rather rough railroad crossing at the bottom of a steep hill, which I usually cross without touching the brakes, and I've long since stopped worrying that they will fly off. I've even forgotten to use the hooks once, and they still clung to my bike's rack nicely. Use both velcro straps and both hooks, and you can easily use the handles to hold your bike upright while fiddling with, say, a brake light or such. Add the fact that they're sufficiently voluminous to hold a bit of emergency gear along with a set of business casual duds, and these are the bee's jammies.

Comments about Timbuk2 Tandem Panniers - Medium:

The hook strap is too long so it really makes the hook useless. The velcrow is good and strong though, but you really do need the hooks to be in place or else they get caught in spokes. I need this bag because it has more room, well more room equals more items equals heavy. The magnet doesn't work that well when heavy. Good bag, but not pannier.

Comments about Timbuk2 Tandem Panniers - Medium:

I bought this pannier based on the features and because it was made in USA, which is important to me. When I got it - I noticed that the tag states that it is designed in San Francisco and proudly made world wide. I found a tag inside showing that the bag was made in SE Asia. Nothing agains SE Asians, I would just rather spend my money on a domestic product.
To the people who do not care about its origin - the bag looks good, and appears to be well made.