Pannier
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A pannier is a basket, bag, or similar container, possibly large, and carried either in pairs slung over the back of a beast of burden, or attached to a bicycle or motorcycle. Pannier Tank locomotives are named for storing their water in this configuration.
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[edit] Animal panniers
Traditional panniers for animal transport are typically made of wicker, and built to distribute weight evenly on either side of the animal.
[edit] Bicycle panniers
There are many styles of bicycle panniers suited to many different uses. Touring panniers come in both rear and front styles. Each of these usually are sold in pairs. Some are intended to hold enough equipment for self-sustained tours over days or weeks, including sleeping gear, food, and cooking equipment. Touring panniers tend to be the largest type of pannier and are sometimes designed to hold more than 100 liters per pair.
Many companies sell panniers specifically designed to fit mountain bike as well.
Commuters who bicycle have many choices of types of bags including backpacks and messenger bags. However, many pannier options exist for commuters as well. They are often designed to hold laptop computers, files and folders, changes of clothes or shoes and lunches. Some panniers are specifically designed to function as a briefcase as well as a commuter bag.
Other types of pannier bags include grocery bags, grocery baskets, garment-bags, convertible backpacks, and various multi-purpose bags. These are often geared toward those who use bicycles to perform errands or get around their neighborhood, and serve as alternatives to handlebar baskets and trunk baskets.
Bicycle panniers are usually made of nylon or other synthetic fabric. Nontraditional bicycle panniers can be made from oyster buckets and other recycled materials such as newsprint.
Considerations in choosing panniers include the organizational style of the pocket system, volume vs. intended use, durability of materials, water repellancy, and the attachment mechanism. Water repellancy comes in multiple forms, often bags include built-in raincovers, or raincovers are offered as accessories. Some bags are built to be waterproof or water-repellant without use of an extra cover. Panniers are usually built to attach to a rear rack or front rack already fitted to the bicycle. While the method of attachment usually involves hooking the bag over the rack, various options exist for securing the bag.
In cycling, panniers are often used in conjunction with a saddlebag, handlebar bags and trunk bags.
Panniers usually mount to bike racks. Removeable panniers hook onto the top edge of the rack and then are held in place by a spring or elastic cord that hooks near the wheel axle at the bottom.
[edit] Motorcycle panniers
Motorcycle panniers (often called saddlebags) may be metal containers with lids, hard plastic, leather or fabric. BMW has a unique hard-sided expandable pannier system.
[edit] See also
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