The many considerations of moving into a rack-and-pannier system are mind-boggling. Like everything else these days, there are so many choices, so many places to purchase, so many articles, reviews and opinions, that it requires months of study to make an informed decision.
I took the first step a couple of weeks ago and had a rack installed on LRB. Because my Redline has disc brakes, it was a more complicated job than usual, but Aaron, at the Bainbridge Bicycle Shop, did the choosing and installing for me, so I was relieved of that chore. In the meantime, I’d spent quite awhile on REI’s website looking at panniers, and ordered one I thought might work as an entry-level experiment. However, when I picked it up at the store, it didn’t seem as all-purpose as I’d hoped. I stood for awhile and salivated at the Ortliebs, but finally settled on a simple $50 detours model which is built to handle grocery bags. My objective at the moment is to maximize my ability to commute via bike, leaving my car at home at least two days a week. (A minimal goal, considering I only work a few miles from home, but I do best when I begin conservatively.) Carrying my notebook and laptop to school and being able to stop for groceries are the main tasks; doing that with a backpack at age 54 doesn’t work.
Just writing all this makes me feel weary. As much as I appreciate the amazing things technology does for us, this business of making choices in equipment (any kind) is like a part-time job. Who has this kind of time?? And who wants to spend it researching, pricing, comparing, ordering, exchanging, and starting all over again? I try to keep my priorities straight: Working, riding, relationships, in that order, on most days.
The funniest part is that all I’ve done so far is bungee-cord my jacket to the new rack, which seems like a wondrous thing. I haven’t even used the pannier I bought yet…
And in the meantime, the Ortliebs are still out there, singing their sweet, seductive song.
